January 17th
We moved to Chelsea today. It is much more convenient down here. It will be nice to have the copy center close by but I'll miss the cathedrals and beautiful brownstone, not to mention the solitude. This trip is full of solitude for me and I was relishing that while uptown. It's so much easier to be alone when my surroundings have class and grace. These surroundings have character, but honestly, Burger and Cupcake down the block? With its garish pink sign? I'll love shooting here but I will miss the boulevard of Broadway and the tree-lined walkway of Columbia University. 



January 20th
Last night we saw “Beautiful View” at the Public Theater. It was a two woman show with minimal props and beautiful light and sound. Though the story was specific to a relationship between two women in a unique relationship, I felt that the story had a universal appeal that came from its simplicity.

I got tickets to a better play, I hope. It was pretty easy and so I'm a little nervous. Except I took the wrong subway getting there... but I was amazing at transfering to the right one. There was this awesome tunnel over to my transfer. Vendors and commuters and tourists all mingling. There was a stretch of the tunnel with prophetic signs indicating Christ's comming and impending wrath. If I hadn't been nervous about getting to the box office I totally would have photographed for a while.

The last time I blogged we were only four days into the trip and now it's about four days until we leave. Fortunately, I've done and seen almost everything I wanted to, but there's still plenty to do in the next few days.

Today we traveled to the Queens home of Roy Gussow, the most famous artist I’ve ever met. He is nearly 89 years old and still working. Some of these pictures are from his studio. Gussow’s home, garden, and studio are filled with maquettes of sculptures, tools, bits of trees and shells, and artifacts. It was fascinating to see the process of how he “draws” a project out using cardboard and wood.

Well it’s almost coming to a close. I feel like I haven’t stopped moving for weeks. My body and mind are starting to go into sleepy mode. My time in New York has been phenomenal. I’ve seen pretty much everything I wanted to see. The perfect mix of touristy stuff and non-touristy stuff. Since my last post I’ve seen Wicked, Blue Man Group, lots more museums, and Evil Dead the musical. All of which were amazing. We also saw a few plays in a small theater during the Under the Radar festival.

Today Chris and I had the ultimate tourist experience and took a trip to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. We only had a small time period of free time, so it was a bit rushed, but a very enjoyable and neat experience. I never thought I would have the chance to visit this symbol of our country, so it was a special experience. There were people speaking many languages on the islands, people from multiple countries seeking to experience this tribute of not only our country, but also the world.

For an individual interested in becoming exposed to a great deal of art, New York City is an environment suited for the task. It is a city of theatre, a city of music, of painting, sculpture, and dance. Artists seem to flock here to perform, create, and seek inspiration. I have been trying to find out why. It is a densly populated amalgamation of races, cultures and beliefs; a place where you are never alone and are constantly confronted with the juxtaposition of the very rich and the very poor. There is life, clipping at a very quick pace, streaming down an endless number of streets.

Life as a New Yorkers is quickly coming to an end. I have enjoyed my time here and it's almost over. When we went to Coney Island, I realized that I miss family and friends back home. I have loved my time in New York, but I'm starting to get more and more home sick.

Jamie, Kristen, and I woke up very early. Hahaha, not as early as the New Yorkers who are up and walking very briskly to their destinations at 5am. It was probably about 9am when we all got ready for the freezing outdoors of our warm and comfy hotel!