strangers again.

After a chaotic hiatus of starting a new job and preparing for the holidays, I want to start again from the beginning.

The initial reason why I created this, and the name of the blog itself, both deal with relationships and understanding.
As most of us have spent a lot of time with family and close friends recently, I find it appropriate to reflect and react to the experience of 'going home' for the holidays and being around relatives.

There is something very special about familiar bonds that last throughout the years, and the time spent with loved ones should be appreciated and remembered. The tricky thing about family is that, while they are the most familiar to you, and you have a unique comfort level with them, you continue to grow and grow up all through the year without them.
Interacting with the people who have been around you all your life, and see you in a particular way can be challenging, especially when the title of 'adult' grows nearer to you. They have watched you leave childhood behind and grow taller and wiser, and while they may know your sweater size, they don't necessarily know who you are anymore.

Catching up on conversations, laughing together, eating meals together, and sharing with one another are what make this time of year so special and important, and I look forward to many traditions that my family upholds over the years.
But I still know that when I grab a beer from the fridge on Christmas eve, or talk about my career goals with loved ones, that many of them are looking at me as the 2 year old walking on her tip toes or the 12 year old obsessing over Hanson, not the person in front of them.




We were all strangers once,
And sometimes we become strangers twice.

things that go bump in the night.

I generally like to reserve peeing in my pants for when I'm laughing too hard.
that being said, I’ve always been fascinated and perplexed by the popularity of all things frightening, scary and spooky. The success of 'fright nights' haunted houses, not to mention a whole genre of movies dedicated to scaring the crap out of people (or in my case, hiding under a blanket) is something I truly do not understand.

Call me crazy, but I don't like to 'exercise' the reactions of my sympathetic nervous system, I prefer to utilize my fighting and flighting for situations in which I am facing a real-life, dangerous situations.
The local news even freaks me out... but only when they lead with stories like "could the killer be in your backyard? find out, tonight at 11:00"

Lets just say my tolerance for horror and fright falls somewhere between the 'goosebumps' books and Lindsay Lohan's acting in 'I know who killed me.' Plus, I generally just want to punch every character in horror movies for not listening to me when I screamed, 'don't go in there!' or, 'ho, you use these keys to your house
Every day, why can't you get the damn door open!!!' ...And then I just feel guilty for yelling at them cause they're dead 2 minutes later, and I'm the asshole sitting in the dark.

But on a serious note, there certainly is something to be said about the thrill and enjoyment from fright that is sought out by many during this time of year. People pay a lot of money to industries which are dedicated to surrounding consumers with uncomfortable, unsettling and seemingly unsafe situations.
And yes, I understand that getting the crap scared out you gets your blood pumping but why not just go for a bike ride? Maybe the relief of having 'survived' the scenario, or the idea that the scary situation is all fiction and couldn't/wouldn't really happen in real life is reassuring to people, in some strange way?
I clearly don't know since I typically end up watching through my fingers, or run away all together.

So, while I spend my Halloween the PG way, eating candy, carving pumpkins and watching Charlie Brown, cheers to those of you who enjoy getting spooked by the creature of the night.

Happy Halloween!

the elements, and us.

I've posted a lot about man made versus natural environments here-- both how I personally interact with them, and how I observe others in those spaces. Today I want to highlight the places in which natural and synthetic materials appear in the same place to form a unique meeting point.

Whether it be grass growing in a crack on the sidewalk, rust forming on the roof of a car, or the fading of old signs on the side of the road, strong pieces of construction all show some sign of the elements over time.

I think there is something quite beautiful to be found in these spaces, where stories of the past come to life before your eyes. While history is revealing itself, the battle of nature and concrete begins it's own chapter, and I am just happy to catch a glimpse.

unrestricted territories.

As much as I love cities, and the urban landscape, I often need physical, tangible space to organize my thoughts, and escape from the fast paced lifestyle that takes places within the concrete jungle.

Ask any city planner, teacher, ecologist, architect, psychologist, or yogi, and they will tell you of the great benefits provided by natural outdoor space. The amount of leisure, meditation, escape, exercise, play and overall enjoyment that takes place in green spaces, not to mention the educational benefits of experiencing and learning from nature, is an important aspect part of human existence.

In addition to serving as a setting for much activity and behavior that is foreign or seldom found within man-made city blocks, the concept of ‘free,’ or public space is incredibly important to city dwellers. Metropolitan areas serve as a magnet for a great number of inhabitants, requiring things to be built close together, at a high price. Public parks give people a place to go where the space they occupy and utilize is not limited by their ability to afford certain monetary contributions, all the while providing a change in landscape and an escape from the noise, and colors of the city.

From Hyde park, to Regent’s park, the city of London has definitely recognized the benefits of public space, and does a fantastic job of providing wonderful parks throughout the city. These vast sprawls of green, public space give residents the forum to escape and play, and most importantly, feel a sense of ownership in their city.

I specifically wanted to highlight the photos I took during my visit to Richmond Park. With over 2000 acres of trees, creeks, and open space, and filled with a large variety of roaming wildlife, the landscape of Richmond Park provides the perfect example of allowing visitors to have physical space to reflect and recreate within city limits.












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believe in the spray can.

This next update is focused on the street art scene in the London neighborhood of Shoreditch. This hood was described to me as, ‘the Brooklyn of London,’ and is full of indie coffee shops, asymmetrical haircuts, and ridiculous moustaches to prove it.

Walking around here, it really seemed as though the ‘bobby’ completely turned a blind eye to what I like to call, the liberal acquisition of concrete canvasses, but what the law typically refers to as, vandalism. Suffice it to say, I really enjoyed photographing this area, and quickly focused on the surrounding public art, which seemed to serve as a bloodline and backdrop to any movement in this part of town.

Now, before going further let me say, there are many different perspectives on what classifies something as art, as well as, what the difference between graffiti and street art is. I will not even begin to tackle those arguments here, but I have posted at length on similar topics elsewhere in the blog, if you care to read further on my opinion of these topics.

For now, let us simply keep in mind, that graffiti has existed throughout history, with excellent examples found in Ancient Egypt, as well as Ancient Greece. The unique act of posting an anonymous public statement for everyone to see, seems to not only highlight many aspects of the human condition, but also seems to be a necessary act done by those who feel that the public spaces reserved for art to be inadequate, unattainable or simply separate from everyday life.

That being said, I think my personal interest in street art can be boiled down to my appreciation and amusement of the controversy, creativity, and risk that goes into accomplishing these works. I really enjoy when people take it upon themselves to incorporate a setting or environment into their artistic statement, as well as search for clever and interesting ways to reach the largest audience possible. In some ways, one could argue, that the unedited platform that is provided by a city’s bare walls is a more authentic representation of society, having been done by an everyday stranger rather than a recognized or wealthy artist, as well as being physically among the people and the streets where everyday life exists.

And now, on to the photos, hope you all enjoy.

london calling.

i'm currently in london for a few weeks, and just thought i'd share a few of the photos i've taken here thus far.
these were all shot in camden with my new fish eye attachment.
many more coming soon- hope you enjoy.
















r.i.p. amy.

friends, followers and circles.

With the rise, and take over, of social media sites, in addition to the amount of business networking and strategy now happening online, there is clearly a fundamental difference in how we all communicate to one another.

We all know that the term 'friends' on Facebook has a very different meaning than the dictionary definition of the word, but with technology moving at lightning speed, and human adaptation and utilization of technology following close behind, both groups of 'friends' are now quite relevant and important.

It is clear that most of what is posted by individuals on social media sites is meant to portray that individual in a certain light, and keep up a certain persona. Be it, 'party animal,' 'intelligent and witty bookworm,' 'misunderstood quiet kid,' 'successful business person,' or any other label our hearts may desire, users are in control of the how we come across to others. Through the types of pictures and text posted, as well as interactions with other users, social media consumers are responsible for controlling and manipulating how they will be portrayed and advertising to the world. There is no filter or ‘Facebook god’ (besides our mighty Zukerberg) that will determine if any information posted on the site is a misrepresentation of the truth. Instead, and maybe for the first time, user are fully in control of their own image, and part of the process of branding themselves.

Facebook, Google+, twitter, and Linkedin, simultaneously allow and require their users to communicate efficiently. Whether this is in 140 characters, or through a profile picture, the power is given to the users, but it is up to these individuals to keep other people interested in them and their message. Of course, there is a certain sense of affirmation triggered when receiving a 'like' on Facebook or notification that someone has added you to a circle on Google+, but there is a distance being created here between maintaining an internet persona that others like and respond to, and our 'real world' selves. Particularly for younger users, I believe that the discrepancy between these two facets of life can be difficult to juggle and keep up with, and psychology tells us that this is certainly changing the way younger generations act and think.

From personal experience I estimate that I would probably have no communication whatsoever with about 75% of my social media connections, if it were not for the specific websites that keep us connected. From old college roommates and teammates from years back, to those random acquaintances met at parties or music festivals; social media creates a unique platform, which can not be achieved by anything else in the world. As much as certain interactions on these sites are superficial, or to provide entertainment, when utilized correctly, they can also be harnessed as an amazing tool. Whether this means you are an individual updating old friends on a new company you started, a corporation advertising to millions that you are looking for an intern, or a girl plugging your blog through twitter and facebook (*cough* *cough*), social media sites allow for access and two-way communication between so many people.

Similar to how our 'friendships' on the Internet now work, companies of all kinds are utilizing social media and digital marketing to connect with particular demographics of people. The practice of communicating a company's mission or executing their vision online starts with doing so in a familiar and comfortable platform for the modern consumer, the ever-changing Internet.

For the skeptics of online connection, we can also turn to the success and popularity of online dating sites, which too, give users the freedom to create and maintain a profile and create a similar ‘advertisement’ for themselves that other social media sites call for. Here, the stakes are even higher, with people searching specifically for husbands and wives, instead of networking or making friends, but nevertheless, sites such as e-harmony and match.com have a large number of clients and have achieved a lot of success. Utilizing both the business and communication/ entertainment aspects of social media, online dating sites have created a business around connecting individuals together, and doing so for profit.

Whether online dating can actually help individuals find love and get married is actually a secondary point here. Rather, what needs to be focused on is the fact that millions of dollars are made in this market each year, with a plethora of users seeking these companies out and going to these sites for the specific purpose of finding the ultimate human connection. With people turning on their own to a online resource/ social media tool seeking out love, this shows that humans are not only recognizing the power of the Internet, but embracing it.

Because of the interactions between humans and technology, the speed, ease and type of connections we now possess are completely unique to our time, and ever changing. Relationships now exist that would have been absolutely unheard of just a couple of decades ago, and the overall amount of communication that we send and receive each day has skyrocketed. These new and different relationships between people from all different backgrounds, age groups, and social circles are a result of the Internet and social media revolution, and have given us a new platform, as well as the power to share information with anyone and everyone.

summer lovin'

Summer is in full swing and the according to the forecast, the temperature is expected to hit 100 degrees tomorrow in all the D.C. area. Let’s take a moment to all be very thankful for air conditioning, and the fact that today is free slurpee day at 7-11.

I, like most people, really love fireworks, and got a chance to see 3 displays of fireworks over the past week. And, in my opinion, it wouldn’t be a proper 4th of July unless I did some sparklers…. even though the lady who sold them to me said, ‘oh, you are getting something for the kids, that’s nice.’ No lady, they were for me!

But in all seriousness, I hope to never lose that childlike part of myself that still enjoys playing with sparklers and building sand castles at the beach. I think that a large reason I love the summer is because of my childhood memories associated with the season, as well as all the opportunity it brings for activity and recreation. In addition to reminiscing about my youth, I still feel the freedom and excitement in the air with kids being out of school and everyone having more time to play and explore and relax during the summer months. And that is something that gives this time of the year a particular spark... even through all the sweat and sunburns.

I hope everyone enjoyed the holiday and still has a lot of wonderful plans for the summer to keep cool and have fun.

independence day.

happy 4th of july!
hope everyone is having a happy holiday weekend.

what kind of stranger?

After having some interesting interactions with people lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about how I exist as a stranger in the world, as well as how I interact with and react to the behavior of other strangers. Perhaps it was because of my age, my life experiences, or belief system, but I used to always assume that the anonymous people I interacted with had good intentions. It’s safe to say that my world-view has been challenged, as I have been more focused on how people treat one another, and have personally received a lot of negativity and aggression from people I don’t even know. As I get older my expectations for strangers to act hostile and disrespectful have greatly increased, and at the same time, my tolerance of people acting rude has taken a sharp turn south. As much as I am trying to maintain my stance as a positive force, and a solid citizen, I find myself becoming a less likeable stranger in the midst of my confusion.

In our society we all want to assume that the strangers around us will abide by certain laws, as well as social norms of behavior. We take for granted that the millions of people around us have free will and are making a conscious choice every second whether or not they want to adhere to particular rules and regulations. In our every day interactions, we place trust in the hands of people we have never met before, and who will, in most cases, continue to remain anonymous. But keeping true to human nature, and maybe more importantly, American impatience and sense of entitlement, just as quickly as we will depend on someone else, we will turn on them.

Particularly when driving, it astonishes me to think about much we depend on each other for our own safety, and the safety of our property. Whether we are honking a horn, making a rude comment, throwing up the finger, or scowling (all things I am tempted to do daily on my commute to work), we react strongly when someone does not follow the rules, and maybe more importantly, our personal expectations. When we are enclosed in the bubble of our cars it seems like we focus even more on ourselves, and less on other people, making it much less likely to be thinking about the consequences of our behavior.

On the other hand, when we are face to face with strangers on the street, I’d like to think, in general, that people are still courteous, and respectful of one another. It is far less likely to see pedestrians nearly knocking each other over on the sidewalk, or stepping directly in front of one another without any warning, than to see an accident or swerve on the highway. But perhaps this is only because we have no barrier to hide behind or fast escape route that is provided in the safety of our cars. It seems that individuals’ tendency to offer help is based largely on physical distance as well as the ease of providing any aid. When an act takes place within someone’s comfort zone, the societal norms which regulate manners, and the enforcement of respecting the rights of others are much more likely to be applied. It is because of this that I think most people in today’s society will still see the need and importance of something as simple as holding the door open for the person behind them.

That being said, there is definitely a time and a place to be cordial, as well as unpleasant to strangers, and our process of reacting to situations happens very quickly and efficiently. Based on our own life experiences and the little information we can gather from the moment at hand, we bring assumptions to our interactions with strangers. We use personal life experience to figure out how we should deal with particular situations and people, as well as form our understanding of how others should treat us.

Unfortunately for me, my recent experiences have been leaning toward the more unpleasant end of interactions with strangers, but I will say that it has made every time someone holds the elevator for me or waves after merging in front of me, stand out much more. So, here’s to hoping that despite the rude and inconsiderate interactions we all have out there every day, that we still try our best to be kind strangers.




[check back later for more photos.]

excused absence.

hey guys,
i've been incredibly sick this week, and i'll spare you the details beyond letting you all know that it was to the point that I was in and out of urgent care and on iv's several times. so obviously there was no additional blog posted, but I'll try my best to make it up this week.

to contrast the majority of urban scenes i've shared so far, here are some pictures of nature i've taken over the last few weeks:

fewer words.

I've been shooting a lot, but I can't get my head screwed on straight enough right now to express myself in words.
I've been taking in a lot of amazing art, and I think I just need some more time for reflection before I even attempt to explain anything.

The Canaletto exhibit at the National Gallery of Art blew me away, and I am so excited that I saw Venice captured in it's true essence of mystery, romance, contrast, and light unlike anywhere else in the world.

I also had the privilege of going to the Barnes Collection, in Lower Merion, a suburb of Philly, which was unlike any experience I have ever had, and probably will ever have with art. Seeing the way Albert Barnes grouped and displayed his masterpieces was so fascinating, and truly is a work of creation and artistic expression itself.
The collection is composed of countless masterpieces by Renoir, Cezanne, Matisse, Seurat, and Picasso, to name a few. I was most impressed with seeing Van Gogh's 'Postman' Seurat's 'Models,' and Monet's 'Le Bateau-atelier' in person.
I encourage everyone to go see it the way it was intended to be viewed, before the city of Philadelphia moves it downtown at the end of this year. (There is also a movie on the collection as well as the controversy that I highly recommend, called, 'The Art of the Steal').

I'll have another post up this week with more substance, but for now I'll share these pictures primarily from my trip to Philly and the surrounding areas.