Nothing Changes on New Years Day

Today marks the end of 2007 and the end of the 4th month of this project. Encouraged by time to think and a society urging reflection- I've been thinking in the final days of the year about what's changed this year. A lot. The year has rushed by in a whirlwind of busy days, late nights and the exhausting time in between the two when one sees the sunrise due to not sleeping. If there is one thing I'm sure of though, it is that the best decision I made this year was to commit action to thought and pull this idea off the back burner. 122 Days. And every one of those days has introduced me to someone or given me a new way to look at a familiar face. After tonight's party to toast midnight snacks and new calendars, I will have 8 more months ahead. Which would seem daunting, except I'm looking forward to every bit of it.

Song of the week
New Years Day by U2

It’s that time of year

It’s that time of year... red cups for your coffee, the same music in every store, too little time for too many faces and trying to balance responsibilities while putting them on the back burner. At the end of finals I thought to myself, “Finally! I’ll have time to upload photos, type interviews, work through the back up and see all my friends” I’ve not uploaded a thing. The interviews are better protected in their plastic covers, but they’re still just pen smudged sheets waiting to be digitally achieved. I’ve still not organized my Thanksgiving photos, much less organized the photos shot since then. And there are far too many people I still hope to see. It’s roughly 2 am on December 24th, and later today I’ll be at a Starbucks serving the last does of eggnog before the family time begins. Christmas is the day after and then I shall spend 3 days in Tahoe. I shall return just in time for my sparkling cider toast to the new year and then it shall be time to cram in as much reading as possible before the quarter begins. I’m not as concerned with posting as I am with uploading and backing up files. My CF cards hold anywhere from 200 to 1200 photos each and the thought of losing any of those is somewhat scary. I’m almost a third done with this project. (Finished up to 114 and 121 will be the 1/3 mark) Since the beginning of this project I feel I’ve gotten better at approaching people for the project. Now it’s more natural and it generally takes less time to find a face of the day. After getting a mohawk a little less than 2 months ago I thought people would be less willing to talk to me but I was pleasantly surprised when it made little difference. I still try to keep it more laid back when doing interviews though. Generally I won’t spike my hair if I think it will effect the people in settings I’m likely to visit, and sometimes I’ll wear a hat when going to do the interview. But in general I’ve found appearance makes little difference in the ease of finding someone to be the face of the day. Though the ease in finding people could also be a result of having more practice than when I started the project. Regardless- I’ve been pleased with how things are going. I’m going to include a few photos of myself now so you can see the face on the other side of the camera and thus have a visual to accompany the observation on the hair.

Song of the Week:
The Walk by Imogen Heap


This was shot by my Dad in Madrid. The green folder I'm holding contains the 365 interviews.


This is me in my full photo mode. I shot this of my reflection in an elevator in London. This was the same week I got the mohawk.


With my hair down


A bit more exciting when up I think


Side view


And a shadow

Day 46 - Ashley

Day 46 - October 16th 2007
Location: New York, NY
Setting: JFK airport

1. Preferred nickname?
Ashley
2. Birthplace?
New Jersey
3. Paper or plastic?
I dunno, you can recycle both. Plastic, it can give you cancer. Well, plastic’s fine.

5. Where were you on 9 -11?
First week in college at Bryn Mawr
6. Best piece of advice you could give?
The only permanent things change
7. Favorite way to spend an afternoon?
Um I suppose with hin (gestures towards the guy she was with)
8. Song of the week?
Two Plus Two Equals Five by Radiohead

10. Latest book or movie you’d recommend to a friend?
The Painted Vail
11. Who wins in a caged battle-to-the-death match: Rosie O’Donnell or Oprah?
Rosie, kick ass.

Day 45 - Treetop

Day 45 - October 15th 2007
Location: Los Altos Hills, Ca
Setting: Foothill College

1. Preferred nickname?
Treetop
2. Birthplace?
Frankfurt, Germany
3. Paper or plastic?
Paper

5. Where were you on 9 -11?
I was on my way to work
6. Best piece of advice you could give?
Jesus that’s a wide open one. Don’t steal it if you don’t have to.
7. Favorite way to spend an afternoon?
Depends on my mood. If I want me time I’ll sit around the computer. If I’m sociable I’ll call my girlfriend.
8. Song of the week?
Waiting on the World to Change by John Mayer

10. Latest book or movie you’d recommend to a friend?
Depends on the friend’s interests. If they’re an uncultured idiot, Calvin and Hobbes. The perfect book: Fast Food Nation.
11. Who wins in a caged battle-to-the-death match: Rosie O’Donnell or Oprah?
Well ten years ago it’d be Oprah, today it’s be Rosie.

Day 44 - Chelle

Day 44 - October 14th 2007
Location: Los Altos, Ca
Setting: Peet’s Coffee

1. Preferred nickname?
By my father who passed away and my brother: Smed. Outside of that it’s chelle, short for Michelle
2. Birthplace?
Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania
3. Paper or plastic?
Paper

5. Where were you on 9 -11?
I was, just flown in from the Midwest. So that was the day before, and so that day I was at home.
6. Best piece of advice you could give?
Uh ooh boy. Know thyself.
7. Favorite way to spend an afternoon?
Sitting lakeside at Lake Tahoe and reading. And skinny dipping.
8. Song of the week?
Um I don’t know... All creatures of our god and king

10. Latest book or movie you’d recommend to a friend?
Ah yes, The Lives of Others
11. Who wins in a caged battle-to-the-death match: Rosie O’Donnell or Oprah?
Oh ahha, that’s a tough one. I’d have to say Rosie.