Trick or Trick ?

          Wikipedia (the famous search engine) defines Halloween as an annual holiday observed on October 31, which commonly includes activities such as trick-or-treating, attending costume parties, carving jack-o'-lanterns, bonfires, apple bobbing, visiting haunted attractions, playing pranks, telling scary stories, and watching horror films. However the 21st century has an updated version of that old school description. The voice over in the 2004 movie Mean Girls clearly states the following: “ In Girl World, Halloween is the one night a year when a girl can dress up like a total slut and no other girls can say anything about it.”  Guess that puts an end to horror and an open casting call for “beauty pageant”. Remember what happened to poor Lindsay when she showed us as “Bride-Zillah?” Traditionally, costuming meant dressing up! (aka- guising in popular or supernatural figures) but nowadays, let’s just say that its turned into the “art of undressing”.

Whatever the definition, playing pretend is always fun and exciting. Nothing says Goodbye October like a perfect Halloween party – even if it turns into the perfect storm by the end of the night.

           As little girls we grow up watching Disney fairy tales, embodying every princess from Jasmine to Cinderella, dreaming of prince charming on a white carriage. Who are we kidding? We *still expect him to show up. Unfortunately, we learn that prince charming isn’t so charming after all – Reality strikes and we settle. For some reason, the word *settling is always followed by *less. “Don’t settle for less than u deserve!” says our best friend - “ It baffles me how men settle for catfish after they’ve tasted caviar.” says Blair Waldorf. I guess its safe to say that HBO & Disney have TRICKED us into believing fairytales without giving us back any TREATS. It’s a game of trick or trick.

For tonight, let’s indulge in wonderland and dress up like there’s no tomorrow. But when tomorrow comes, maybe we could turn *their tricks into *our treats. In other words, taking off costumes can be as much fun as putting them on because I guess there’s nothing more original than being yourself since everyone is already taken! (You didn’t hear it from me! Those are the famous words of Oscar Wilde). Easier said than done, huh? No worries, our true colors will always reveal themselves even when we stand in their way. I’ve finally found my color palette this season! (major PASTEL fever) – God I hope it lasts for a while – not in the mood for another soul searching trip! 18 major credits are overwhelming enough, Thank you very much.

WASTE LAND

I recently saw WASTE LAND, a documentary about Vik Muniz (one of my favorite modern artists) directed by Lucy Walker -- I thought I'd share it with you, it's an inspirational journey which reminded me that sometimes choosing *the road that is less traveled by* can lead to something groundbreaking! 


Vik Muniz was born into a working-class family in Sao Paulo, Brazil in 1961. As a young man he was shot in the leg whilst trying to break up a fight. He received compensation for his injuries and used this money to fund a trip to New York City, where he has lived and worked since the late 1980s. He began his career as a sculptor but gradually became more interested in photographic reproductions of his work, eventually turning his attention exclusively to photography. He incorporates a multiplicity of unlikely materials into this photographic process. Often working in series, Vik has used dirt, diamonds, sugar, string, chocolate syrup and garbage to create bold, witty and often deceiving images drawn from the pages of photojournalism and art history. His work has been met with both commercial success and critical acclaim, and has been exhibited worldwide. His solo show at MAM in Rio de Janeiro was second only to Picasso in attendance records; it was here that Vik first exhibited his “Pictures of Garbage Series” in Brazil.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNlwh8vT2NU&noredirect=1 

" It's not bad to be poor. It's bad to be rich and at the height of fame with your morals, a dirty game." 

" One DOES make a difference - 99 is not a hundred " 
(Valter, Garbage picker for 25 years in Sao Paolo,Brazil)

“I’d rather want everything and have nothing, than have everything and want nothing. Because at least when you want something.. your life has meaning, it’s worthwhile. The moment you think you have everything, you have to search for meaning in other things.” (Vik Muniz)

                                                                                                Hit & Miss

When it comes to family, were all children at heart. Dorothy said it herself: “There’s no place like home.” It seems like were all caught in a big lie, a heavy one. That’s right, one BIG FAT lie (excuse my meticulous choice of wording). Or maybe it’s the truth that’s getting massaged nowadays. Whichever the case, it looks as if sincerity and genuineness are nowhere to be found outside the family circle. I say that because even the so-called healthiest “friendships” find themselves on life support these days. Euthanasia has become an easy call – Who wants to care for a non-profitable vegetable? Most people are fond of you when it’s a win-win situation (don’t get me wrong, its a natural human tendency & I’m a big believer that there’s no such thing as a free lunch, I’m just saying). However with family, no matter how far the distance or how demanding and busy our individual lives may be… family members are bound to get together for wedding ceremonies, memorial services, religious feasts, birthdays, anniversaries & what not.  Basically, the bond is permanent & practically inescapable.

  They say it’s easy to let go of your troubles when the weather’s warm, but all it takes it one fall breeze to blow reality right back into your face. It’s true that all good things must come to an end & summer is no exception.  They don’t call it FALL for nothing, its without doubt the season where reality kicks in.  That’s particularly why when faced with an undecided future, the questions we try to avoid are the ones we dread we already know the answers to. “ Am I satisfied with my life? Do I like my career? Am I good enough to my parents? Am I losing my religion? Is my love towards my children really unconditional? Am I happily married? Do I want to get married at all? How do I tell him I don’t love him anymore? Etc .. ” The mere thought of them makes my head ache and it seems like this season’s prêt a porter collection inspired by the “Arab Spring” is not so prêt a decider. It’s safe to say that fabric isn’t the only thing changing colors this season.  Ironically, change seems to be the only thing that’s constant nowadays. As tan lines fade, some people have adjusted to their winter complexions and others insist on fake tanning despite the Nemo (yes, the orange fish) after effect. It’s indeed a personal choice. Whether to fit in or stand out is a choice. Speaking of standing out, I just took a second look at what I’ve written so far. I went from “Home sweet home” to “fake tans” sprayed with random thoughts about “change” instead of a mega-tan blend (Mind you, faster & darker in a 15 minute session). Jeez, I did it again! I keep missing the point of this article. This is meaningless, STOP READING.

   Take my word for it; this isn’t some sort of ‘two for one’ special. I really have no point to prove. Stop reading.I’m not following the yellow brick road like Dorothy did. I tried to follow it & I found it to be quite dull. The yellow brick road is predictable & conventional. It teaches you to follow your dreams instead of leading them. I choose to believe that reality is better than dreams. I choose a man over a prince. I choose the comfort of my home over wonderland. I choose *not to follow rivers, I choose to lead the stream. I choose small precious moments over larger-than-life moments. I choose my friends over socialites. I choose the journey over the destination. Indeed, it is our choices that show us who we truly are … But then again, the only thing I didn’t choose is my family. That’s right, my parents chose me. My family chose me. Therefore, my unconscious thought process, nurtured values, interests and biological heritage chose me. Technically speaking, my life chose me. All I had to do was fill in some of the blanks and make the journey my own.  This is nonsense writing! How self-contradictory am I?! All my thoughts are at odds. What a queer conclusion. Told you to stop reading …  you didn’t listen. Since you’re still here, I’ll leave you with one of John Lennon’s famous quotes: “Life is what happens to you while your busy making other plans.”

The Big Apple

Frank Sinatra sings "New York, New York its one hell of a town" well, this was indeed one hell of a summer for me .. Life changing to say the least .. It's safe to say that I'm biologically engineered to dislike anywhere but Manhattan 

Always & Forever is such a cliche caption. But that's exactly what it is for me and Olivia. I believe that the people you travel with are often more important than the destination
Central Park - summer 2010 & many more summers to come ..
This photo was taken by a korean tourist! (hence the good focus and angle of the shot haha) x

three young souls were found making a wish on a new york city night in washington square park. In a city that never sleeps, a lot can happen in one night..
tags: Melissa, Me, Alberto

Irene should be credited for this photo (Yes, the hurricane). She might have locked us in, but nothing could keep our creative minds from doing some damage. It was fun, Irene :)
This photo was taken by Melissa Johnson 

Baloo, the big bear in Disney's Jungle book, taught us to "look for the bare necesseties" .. Well on that day rainy day in manhattan, I did. I have my best friend Olivia on my side with some delicious breakfast to share at the farmer's village where they only serve organic meals (aka- HEAVEN on a platter. She ordered the pumpkin pancakes and I got some fresh yogurt with berries & granola)

Take 1, ACTION

overlooking 8th Avenue.  This whole city's a keeper.

New York's best kept secret is finally out! -- Antoine, a french director with an effortless yet brilliant approach at making films. I featured in his short black & white film this summer .. can't wait to see the results! x

every now & then, Manhattan could use a little Brooklyn breeze --- reality check! This particular wall piece of what seems to be a silly squirrel is Banksy's trademark. (Banksy being one of my favorite Street artist --- check out the article "IheartBanksy" found on my main page to get acquainted with his matchless blend of Graffiti and politics)

Watching a screening of Mick Jagger's life in the middle of central park. LIFE-IS-GOOD

Taken at central park using a disposable film
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Washington square park 

New York Film Academy

Time Square, love the candid print of this photo

Me & my good friend Alberto having dinner (more like finger food) at Beauty & Essex (one of the trendiest restaurants in Manhattan, that explains the canape food - its full of models!). Alberto's a prominent fashion photographer, on his was to greatness I assure you :) He works a camera like no other.