When I decided to take some time off to help me rest my eyes before the post-processing part of the project, I thought a month or two would do the trick. By October I could resume things and it would all go smoothly.
But I forgot to consider some important things, namely school, the elections and what those things in conjunction do to my ability to focus. However the good thing is during this time I've done something I haven't done in a while, I picked up my film camera. I've started taking 35mm shots again, and I've been working on a film production at school. The result of this is I'm starting to become energized again. I'm once again taking photos and films because I *want* to. Because I can't resist trying to capture the world and tell a story without words. And this is truly exciting for me.
When September came the first thing I wanted to do was drop the camera, drop the questions and avoid anything organized. Now I'm once again finding excitement in meeting new people, taking new photos and embracing the experiences that come with it.
So what am I doing now? At this minute, procrastinating on a paper. But in general I'm remembering the excitement of the idea that drove me to begin the project. Which is what I wanted to achieve from a break. With that in mind I'm pretty sure as soon as finals are done you're going to see a lot more from me. Until then, thanks for your patience and I hope you'll stick around to see where this ends up when it is finally finished!
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Friday, November 7, 2008
I will soon return
My plan for daily posting was interrupted by this election and the chaos and distraction following it. I will return soon - I don't want to half ass this project due to a lack of focus and right now my head isn't in it.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Oh dear - a delay
My computer is being rather spastic and with the election only a few days away, I find time scarce and I don't know when I'll have time to clean it up to the point that I can run photoshop without everything crashing due to low memory. With the significance of this election, I feel the delay is justified as I don't want to see the issues I care about be neglected and lose by a narrow margin and then late regret not giving more time. So please pardon the further delays! And if you're a US citizen, remember to vote!
Day 58 - Tom
Day 58 - October 28th 2007
Location: Edgeware Road, London, England
Setting: Ranoush Juice
1. Preferred nickname?
Tom
2. Birthplace?
Gloster
3. Paper or plastic?
Paper
4. Favorite childhood toy?
Probably this really old guitar.
5. Where were you on 9 -11?
I just got home from school.
6. Best piece of advice you could give?
Less is more.
7. Favorite way to spend an afternoon?
Playing guitar, walking in the woods.
8. Song of the week?
Probably Achilles Last Stand Led Zeppelin
9. Do you know any racist jokes?
Um, not offhand. I have been told plenty. You have to laugh at those things. Diffuses tension.
10. Latest book or movie you’d recommend to a friend?
Dice Man by Luke Rhinehart
11. Who wins in a caged battle-to-the-death match: Rosie O’Donnell or Oprah?
I don’t know. Just say Oprah.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Monday, October 27, 2008
Day 57 - Masa
Day 57 - October 27th, 2007
Location: Marriott Hotel, London, England
Setting: Wedding
1. Preferred nickname?
Masa
2. Birthplace?
Belgrade, now Serbia but used to be Yugoslavia.
3. Paper or plastic?
Paper
4. Favorite childhood toy?
My Little Pony
5. Where were you on 9 -11?
In Montenegro, and a lot of people cheered for it.
6. Best piece of advice you could give?
Oh my god. (Pause) Don’t trust anyone.
7. Favorite way to spend an afternoon?
It’s not really possible in London, but on a beach in Montenegro.
8. Song of the week?
(Long pause) Come back to it.
(Later) Kanye West, can’t remember the name of the song. “Why does everything that feels so good make me feel so bad”
9. Do you know any racist jokes?
(I forgot to ask this question this day... Ooops.)
10. Latest book or movie you’d recommend to a friend?
Movie is Atonement. Book, I know all the Harry Potters.
11. Who wins in a caged battle-to-the-death match: Rosie O’Donnell or Oprah?
Rosie
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Day 56 - Emily
Day 56 - October 26th 2007
Location: London, England
Setting: South Bank, outside of Eat (a restaurant)
1. Preferred nickname?
Emily
2. Birthplace?
Maryland
3. Paper or plastic?
Paper
4. Favorite childhood toy?
Oh man! (Laughs) Do you know the little yellow dog spot? I had a stuffed animal of it.
5. Where were you on 9 -11?
In high school.
6. Best piece of advice you could give?
Enjoy yourself.
7. Favorite way to spend an afternoon?
Reading a book.
8. Song of the week?
Since I’m in London I’ll say Belle and Sebastian, Mornington Crescent.
9. Do you know any racist jokes?
(I forgot to ask this question this day... Ooops.)
10. Latest book or movie you’d recommend to a friend?
I just finished reading Everything is Illuminated.
11. Who wins in a caged battle-to-the-death match: Rosie O’Donnell or Oprah?
Oprah
Monday, October 20, 2008
The adventure begins again.
Have you begun to wonder if 365 Faces of the Year will ever be finished? If so - the wait is about to end.
This weekend I will resume with the post processing of the project and I will continue at the rate of one per day with typing, post processing and hopefully posting the images I spent all of last year shooting. I can't tell if I'm excited, anxious or some strange mix of the two. But if you've been waiting to see a friend, family member, or even yourself here - the wait between new posts is almost over. And then I'll be posting frequently again. Thanks for waiting with me!
This weekend I will resume with the post processing of the project and I will continue at the rate of one per day with typing, post processing and hopefully posting the images I spent all of last year shooting. I can't tell if I'm excited, anxious or some strange mix of the two. But if you've been waiting to see a friend, family member, or even yourself here - the wait between new posts is almost over. And then I'll be posting frequently again. Thanks for waiting with me!
Monday, September 1, 2008
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Day 366
Preferred nickname?
Urvi in most cases, but for my closest friends Urv.
Birthplace?
El Camino Hospital, Mountain View, California.
Paper or plastic?
If I can avoid getting a bag, I like to use my hands. But if I’m getting too many items to fit in my hands, either will do, both will be re-used and recycled.
Favorite childhood toy?
I went through phases, and I guess I still do. So at any given point there was a distinct favorite and thus I can relate to all the Lego lovers out there, the book worms and so forth. But after thinking about this question for a while, there are two things which stick out in my mind, I loved to pretend markers were people and invent personalities and relationships for them. It made drawing pictures much more exciting because it indicated the success of the marker and where a marker was on the color wheel also indicated its social standing and who it got along with. The shades would determine personality – so Navy blue was a serious workaholic. Sky blue was a bit too idealist, pink was the stereotypical girl and never got along with orange who was a free thinker. I could go on for ages about that. I also loved to try ideas I got from whatever I was reading. So after reading Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH I had to try eating an acorn. After reading Benjamin West and His Cat Grimalkin I made a paintbrush using my own hair. And after reading Sign of the Beaver, I had to try making my own bows and arrows.
Where were you on 9 -11?
I found out while getting ready for marching band in Packard Hall at Mountain View High. Even though I remember finding out early in the morning, it wasn’t until during marching practice when seeing all the inbound flight traffic returning to San Jose and the outbound military planes from Moffet that I realized it was anything important. I remember when the band director realized how serious it was, she gave a short speech about how something big had happened, we would remember this day for the rest of our lives, and that some of us probably knew people who were personally affected. Then she cancelled our afternoon rehearsal and we were dismissed. Marching band being cancelled was what made me realize it was really a big deal. My first through sixth periods the TVs were on so the images were mentally ingrained then. My 7th period class however, I remember because we were told that since there’d been no new information for several hours, we’d continue with the planned lecture on imperialism.
Best piece of advice you could give?
Trust your sense of reason because good advice is rare.
You should ask for advice, but never surrender reason to follow it; rather it should be used it as a means to question your perspective, reasoning and assumptions in making a decision. Make sure you believe in what you're doing and do it.
Favorite way to spend an afternoon?
With free time, a full tank of gas and the kind of friend(s) who will embrace the moment enough to make me forget about the time and my to do list.
Song of the week?
A year ago when I started this project I thought it would be great if my song of the week was Tell Me Baby by the Red Hot Chili Peppers. But finishing this project has been such a whirlwind of emotions that if a song truly fits, it barely last. How Far We’ve Come by Matchbox Twenty seemed to fit yesterday. This Used to be Our Playground like Madonna also seems fitting. And then a friend of mine and I just finished writing a song called ASDF (and so do fools) which I have to say because it truly is mine.
Latest book or movie you’d recommend to a friend?
Wall-e.
Do you know any racist jokes?
After asking this question 365 times, yes, I definitely do.
Who wins in a caged battle-to-the-death match: Rosie O’Donnell or Oprah?
Whichever network bought the rights to broadcast the fight. The reason I love this question is I originally intended it to be a complete non sequitur because when people are surprised it’s harder to control facial ticks, and that gave me a clue for what I could try to bring out in a portrait. But as I asked the question I got answers that analyzed the fight based upon age, weight, social status, economic status, personal histories, race, sexuality, and fight tactics they might employ. Also it seemed everyone was pretty certain that their answer was right and obvious and anyone to think otherwise was nuts, which entertained me. I personally have no clue about what my gut reaction would be as I picked the question in what I thought would be a fair and evenly matched fight – so I guess it’s like the Olympics, you don’t know till it happens but if you put money on Phelps, you’ll probably win.
Urvi in most cases, but for my closest friends Urv.
Birthplace?
El Camino Hospital, Mountain View, California.
Paper or plastic?
If I can avoid getting a bag, I like to use my hands. But if I’m getting too many items to fit in my hands, either will do, both will be re-used and recycled.
Favorite childhood toy?
I went through phases, and I guess I still do. So at any given point there was a distinct favorite and thus I can relate to all the Lego lovers out there, the book worms and so forth. But after thinking about this question for a while, there are two things which stick out in my mind, I loved to pretend markers were people and invent personalities and relationships for them. It made drawing pictures much more exciting because it indicated the success of the marker and where a marker was on the color wheel also indicated its social standing and who it got along with. The shades would determine personality – so Navy blue was a serious workaholic. Sky blue was a bit too idealist, pink was the stereotypical girl and never got along with orange who was a free thinker. I could go on for ages about that. I also loved to try ideas I got from whatever I was reading. So after reading Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH I had to try eating an acorn. After reading Benjamin West and His Cat Grimalkin I made a paintbrush using my own hair. And after reading Sign of the Beaver, I had to try making my own bows and arrows.
Where were you on 9 -11?
I found out while getting ready for marching band in Packard Hall at Mountain View High. Even though I remember finding out early in the morning, it wasn’t until during marching practice when seeing all the inbound flight traffic returning to San Jose and the outbound military planes from Moffet that I realized it was anything important. I remember when the band director realized how serious it was, she gave a short speech about how something big had happened, we would remember this day for the rest of our lives, and that some of us probably knew people who were personally affected. Then she cancelled our afternoon rehearsal and we were dismissed. Marching band being cancelled was what made me realize it was really a big deal. My first through sixth periods the TVs were on so the images were mentally ingrained then. My 7th period class however, I remember because we were told that since there’d been no new information for several hours, we’d continue with the planned lecture on imperialism.
Best piece of advice you could give?
Trust your sense of reason because good advice is rare.
You should ask for advice, but never surrender reason to follow it; rather it should be used it as a means to question your perspective, reasoning and assumptions in making a decision. Make sure you believe in what you're doing and do it.
Favorite way to spend an afternoon?
With free time, a full tank of gas and the kind of friend(s) who will embrace the moment enough to make me forget about the time and my to do list.
Song of the week?
A year ago when I started this project I thought it would be great if my song of the week was Tell Me Baby by the Red Hot Chili Peppers. But finishing this project has been such a whirlwind of emotions that if a song truly fits, it barely last. How Far We’ve Come by Matchbox Twenty seemed to fit yesterday. This Used to be Our Playground like Madonna also seems fitting. And then a friend of mine and I just finished writing a song called ASDF (and so do fools) which I have to say because it truly is mine.
Latest book or movie you’d recommend to a friend?
Wall-e.
Do you know any racist jokes?
After asking this question 365 times, yes, I definitely do.
Who wins in a caged battle-to-the-death match: Rosie O’Donnell or Oprah?
Whichever network bought the rights to broadcast the fight. The reason I love this question is I originally intended it to be a complete non sequitur because when people are surprised it’s harder to control facial ticks, and that gave me a clue for what I could try to bring out in a portrait. But as I asked the question I got answers that analyzed the fight based upon age, weight, social status, economic status, personal histories, race, sexuality, and fight tactics they might employ. Also it seemed everyone was pretty certain that their answer was right and obvious and anyone to think otherwise was nuts, which entertained me. I personally have no clue about what my gut reaction would be as I picked the question in what I thought would be a fair and evenly matched fight – so I guess it’s like the Olympics, you don’t know till it happens but if you put money on Phelps, you’ll probably win.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Day 365
Today is Day 365.
...I made it!
On August 28th 2007 I wrote and posted this on the blog:
I gave up on the black leather notebooks early on because it was more convenient to keep pieces of binder paper in my photo bag which made it easier to carry everything with me at any given point. I met many people, I also did include old friends, acquaintances and family members and I’m really glad I did. Right now looking through the interviews it feels like I interviewed many more friends than strangers, however many of those friends were met for the sake of the project and over the course of the year became friends- which I am incredibly grateful for.
The initial hurdle to start was tough, but I think the hardest portions of the project were not the interviews themselves, it was getting up and out of the house after multiple all-nighters, during finals, when stressed from college applications, going out after a long day of work and so forth. During the interviews I always loved the project, but some days wandering around looking for a person to meet was exhausting to a degree I didn’t anticipate, though once I was sitting and talking I am pretty sure the goofy grin returned to my face as when reflecting I remember enjoyment more than anything when with people.
As for what this project has done to my photography – I think it is still too early to say as I’ve not yet uploaded the majority of the project. But it has helped my confidence a great deal because I got a chance to prove to myself even if I’m not the best at meeting other peoples’ standards, when I set a goal and say “I WILL do this” then I can in fact hold myself to such promises.
In case you were going to ask what's next, I'm just going to enjoy this for a bit before thinking about uploading/organizing/sharing the product.
Thanks for being here to enjoy this with me!
-Urvi
Song of today:
Let's See How Far We've Come by Matchbox Twenty
...I made it!
On August 28th 2007 I wrote and posted this on the blog:
“365 Faces of the Year
This project is an attempt to explore how people wish to define themselves in conjunction with what a stranger sees. For the next 365 days, I will attempt to meet, interview and photograph one person per day. I’d like to meet and learn about as many people as possible during the course of this project, thus I will hopefully interacting mainly with people met for the sake of the project. While it is the goal to meet and learn about new people- I will also try to include old friends, acquaintances and family members in order to get to know them all better as well. The photography side of the project will include a snapshot portrait taken immediately after the interview. Right now I have two black leather notebooks in which to record the interviews and paste in photographs, however I’d like to expand the project in a more finished form when nearing completion of the year.
I’ve been planning on doing a project of this nature for a while and thus far it has been put on the back burner. I’m hoping once I get over the initially hurdle of starting it, it will pay off however. I have been a photo blogger on two of my own sites recently ( urv & United Random Visions Inc.), though both of these are rather free form. I’m hoping a more organized project will help motivate and inspire me to not get stuck in a rut with the type of photography I do. I’m a freelancing amateur who’s taken several workshop classes at Foothill College and I was Photo Student of the Year my senior year in high school. Anyway- that’s enough about me. I hope you’ll enjoy looking at this project as it progresses!”
I gave up on the black leather notebooks early on because it was more convenient to keep pieces of binder paper in my photo bag which made it easier to carry everything with me at any given point. I met many people, I also did include old friends, acquaintances and family members and I’m really glad I did. Right now looking through the interviews it feels like I interviewed many more friends than strangers, however many of those friends were met for the sake of the project and over the course of the year became friends- which I am incredibly grateful for.
The initial hurdle to start was tough, but I think the hardest portions of the project were not the interviews themselves, it was getting up and out of the house after multiple all-nighters, during finals, when stressed from college applications, going out after a long day of work and so forth. During the interviews I always loved the project, but some days wandering around looking for a person to meet was exhausting to a degree I didn’t anticipate, though once I was sitting and talking I am pretty sure the goofy grin returned to my face as when reflecting I remember enjoyment more than anything when with people.
As for what this project has done to my photography – I think it is still too early to say as I’ve not yet uploaded the majority of the project. But it has helped my confidence a great deal because I got a chance to prove to myself even if I’m not the best at meeting other peoples’ standards, when I set a goal and say “I WILL do this” then I can in fact hold myself to such promises.
In case you were going to ask what's next, I'm just going to enjoy this for a bit before thinking about uploading/organizing/sharing the product.
Thanks for being here to enjoy this with me!
-Urvi
Song of today:
Let's See How Far We've Come by Matchbox Twenty
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Want a shirt?
I do!
And thus I made a Zazzle store so I could get myself one. Looking through my closet I have many shirts from drama, marching band and other various hobbies I've done- so I figured I should have one for 365 Faces of the Year as well. Especially given that my commitment to this project is much more than any other I've done. And once I was online playing around with Zazzle I was easily sidetracked and made more stuff not out of the need to, but because it is summer and I had time to. If you want one too- they're really simple shirts. I just smacked the logo on it and added the text "Face me." for the shirts.
See my gallery at Zazzle
(I don't actually expect you to want any random shirts; but I figured I'd let you make up your own mind rather than letting my assumption have the final word)
And thus I made a Zazzle store so I could get myself one. Looking through my closet I have many shirts from drama, marching band and other various hobbies I've done- so I figured I should have one for 365 Faces of the Year as well. Especially given that my commitment to this project is much more than any other I've done. And once I was online playing around with Zazzle I was easily sidetracked and made more stuff not out of the need to, but because it is summer and I had time to. If you want one too- they're really simple shirts. I just smacked the logo on it and added the text "Face me." for the shirts.
See my gallery at Zazzle
(I don't actually expect you to want any random shirts; but I figured I'd let you make up your own mind rather than letting my assumption have the final word)
Monday, July 21, 2008
Counting Down
Three hundred and twenty four days down. Forty-one to go.
Recently I have found my daily quest for a face has been getting harder and harder. During the school year it is easier to see new faces in class, the campus coffee shop, shows, dorms, and so forth. During the school year I have a set pattern, I wake up by 7, am in class by 8, and after class I find time for my interviews, social life, job and hobbies. However the school year ended during the last week of June, and since then the challenge of finding my face of the day has become harder for me. Without a set schedule to plan around, my hours run together, thus picking a time and place to find my face has become more flexible- which for most people would make the task easier. However with the freedom to do anything also comes the desire to do nothing. Suddenly my body has been reminded of it’s sleep debt. I just spent nearly two weeks cleaning my room in the way I should have for spring cleaning- but I passed on it then due to finals. My interest in new projects has begun to resurface and suddenly learning to cook seems like a good idea. With the heat outside and a plethora of things to do inside, the idea of going out and meeting people seems a little less exciting. Which makes it a harder task.
This is by no means a reflection on the people I’ve met, the interviews I’ve recently had or the photos I’ve been taking. Consider this rambling list of complaints somewhat similar to my feelings towards mornings. I detest waking up. I hate the sound of my alarm clock. And I think sunrises are beautiful, the morning fog is incredibly refreshing, and the relaxation of reading the newspaper while eating breakfast is something I cherish- I just detest waking up.
The people I have met are amazing. When I’m interviewing people I genuinely enjoy myself. The smile I wear is not me feigning interest to try to be polite, it’s a result of the fact that 324 days in I still reconnect with my childhood every time I ask the 4th question. Everyday I still have the experience of learning something new, making a connection, enjoying it and having reflections prompted by it. The joy of this project has not been lost on me, I’m just getting tired. The backlog of photos to be uploaded, interviews to be typed and then of course the belated organizing of the blog all await. And despite the fact that I’ve given myself a break for a reason, knowing they remain on the to do list is an exhausting thought. The languid days of summer make me want to just sleep through the afternoons to make up for all the all nighters in the last year. The heat and haze from recent fires makes the great indoors just a little more appealing. And the lack of a daily schedule means rather than meeting someone who shares the same school, coffee shop, social circles etc... I must chose the location in which to find my face rather than simply squeezing it into the daily routine. Furthermore the academic year started and ended during the length of this project and as a life long student I have grown accustomed to thinking of a year as 9 months.
The result of all of this- rather than counting up as I had been doing, I now find myself counting down.
41 more days.
41 more people.
451 more questions (not including the may I interview you question- that would make it 492.)
41 more portraits.
And my song of the week is either
Oh My Love by Sampson and The Folkadelics
or
The Dynamo of Volition by Jason Mraz
Recently I have found my daily quest for a face has been getting harder and harder. During the school year it is easier to see new faces in class, the campus coffee shop, shows, dorms, and so forth. During the school year I have a set pattern, I wake up by 7, am in class by 8, and after class I find time for my interviews, social life, job and hobbies. However the school year ended during the last week of June, and since then the challenge of finding my face of the day has become harder for me. Without a set schedule to plan around, my hours run together, thus picking a time and place to find my face has become more flexible- which for most people would make the task easier. However with the freedom to do anything also comes the desire to do nothing. Suddenly my body has been reminded of it’s sleep debt. I just spent nearly two weeks cleaning my room in the way I should have for spring cleaning- but I passed on it then due to finals. My interest in new projects has begun to resurface and suddenly learning to cook seems like a good idea. With the heat outside and a plethora of things to do inside, the idea of going out and meeting people seems a little less exciting. Which makes it a harder task.
This is by no means a reflection on the people I’ve met, the interviews I’ve recently had or the photos I’ve been taking. Consider this rambling list of complaints somewhat similar to my feelings towards mornings. I detest waking up. I hate the sound of my alarm clock. And I think sunrises are beautiful, the morning fog is incredibly refreshing, and the relaxation of reading the newspaper while eating breakfast is something I cherish- I just detest waking up.
The people I have met are amazing. When I’m interviewing people I genuinely enjoy myself. The smile I wear is not me feigning interest to try to be polite, it’s a result of the fact that 324 days in I still reconnect with my childhood every time I ask the 4th question. Everyday I still have the experience of learning something new, making a connection, enjoying it and having reflections prompted by it. The joy of this project has not been lost on me, I’m just getting tired. The backlog of photos to be uploaded, interviews to be typed and then of course the belated organizing of the blog all await. And despite the fact that I’ve given myself a break for a reason, knowing they remain on the to do list is an exhausting thought. The languid days of summer make me want to just sleep through the afternoons to make up for all the all nighters in the last year. The heat and haze from recent fires makes the great indoors just a little more appealing. And the lack of a daily schedule means rather than meeting someone who shares the same school, coffee shop, social circles etc... I must chose the location in which to find my face rather than simply squeezing it into the daily routine. Furthermore the academic year started and ended during the length of this project and as a life long student I have grown accustomed to thinking of a year as 9 months.
The result of all of this- rather than counting up as I had been doing, I now find myself counting down.
41 more days.
41 more people.
451 more questions (not including the may I interview you question- that would make it 492.)
41 more portraits.
And my song of the week is either
Oh My Love by Sampson and The Folkadelics
or
The Dynamo of Volition by Jason Mraz
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Day 300
At some point in the next 23 hours, I will meet, interview and photograph my person of the day for Day 300. Cue the self-congratulatory pats on the back, e-celebrations and then my return to normal. (Or as close to it as I ever get.)
300 days. By the end of today I will have meet or gotten to know better, 300 people. Actually more than that. Because one day I met four people (only one interview was on the record but I spoke to four people). It’s not uncommon that I get to hear answers from not only my interviewee but their friends, family, dates, or random strangers within earshot. So I’ve met... a lot of people.
And now.. I’ve a little more than two months till the completion of the interview and photography portion of this project. Then of course there’s the huge task of typing all the interviews, uploading all the photos, all the post processing, e-mailing the people I’ve met with their copies of photos and organizing all of it in some presentable way. But for now- I shall celebrate how far this idea has come from the whim that I cemented into place with the creation of a logo, blog, business card and butterflies in my stomach last August. Thanks for being here for the ride!
Song(s) of the Week:
Sunshine Lady - Two Spot Gobi
(How far we've come - Matchbox Twenty ... more in regards to this post)
300 days. By the end of today I will have meet or gotten to know better, 300 people. Actually more than that. Because one day I met four people (only one interview was on the record but I spoke to four people). It’s not uncommon that I get to hear answers from not only my interviewee but their friends, family, dates, or random strangers within earshot. So I’ve met... a lot of people.
And now.. I’ve a little more than two months till the completion of the interview and photography portion of this project. Then of course there’s the huge task of typing all the interviews, uploading all the photos, all the post processing, e-mailing the people I’ve met with their copies of photos and organizing all of it in some presentable way. But for now- I shall celebrate how far this idea has come from the whim that I cemented into place with the creation of a logo, blog, business card and butterflies in my stomach last August. Thanks for being here for the ride!
Song(s) of the Week:
Sunshine Lady - Two Spot Gobi
(How far we've come - Matchbox Twenty ... more in regards to this post)
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Observations - Living in Labels and 365 Faces of the Year
I’m working on two projects which are very different: 365 Faces of the Year and Living in Labels. One is a portrait project that seeks to compare first impressions with assumptions from a stranger and the other is a portrait project that seeks to compare first impressions when seen with assumptions from strangers. Wait...
365 Faces of the Year is a noteworthy project not due to the quality of the photographs or the answers received, but rather for the sheer number of photographs and answers. The similarities and differences, the unexpected answers and unusual perspectives... they all contribute to some greater whole that is hard to define (given that I’m not done, I don’t think I can or should try to define it now). But everyday is a new day, and it’s hard to push the envelope when everyday is a new quest.
Meanwhile while working on Living in Labels instead of starting on a fresh page everyday I come into the studio with a goal and go from there. Weeks before a shoot I start collecting the labels, organizing them, and when I go into the studio my model is ready to face how other’s perceive them while taking a portrait. There’s a lot of preparation involved in the shoot and rather than being a snapshot portrait, the photos are legitimate portraits.
Both of these projects look at what is and what appears to be within an individual. One asks others how they judge and then presents the individual with those judgements. The other asks individuals questions and presents them for judgement. The central theme of identity seems to be something I can’t get away from, especially given that it wasn’t something I consciously thought I should shape my major projects around.
Something I’ve noticed especially with Living in Labels is the difference between what people assume people think, and what people do think (or at least what thoughts they present). Despite the fact that people are given the chance to provide anonymous feedback, the amount of negative feedback has been almost non-existent. Although I received a some negative labels when I tested the project on myself, less than a dozen out of 150 labels I received were slanted in a negative manner. In fact for the latest model I had labeled nearly 50% of those who submitted labels said she was beautiful. My models were pleasantly surprised to discover that rather than being given offensive slurs, they found ego boosting compliments to their positive actions.
While doing 365 Faces of the Year the thing I’ve been most continually surprised by is how easy it is to meet someone. In line for coffee, in bookstores, at shows, through friends, at parks, on planes... it really doesn’t matter. I’ve been turned down for interviews by people who were busy or just not in a particularly talkative mood, but despite the fact that I’m 281 days in, I would say the TOTAL times people have rejected my requests for interviews would be less than 100. And that’s including a few bad days were I’d get turned down by 4 people in a row. Almost every person I’ve asked to be in the project seems interested and I hope (though I can’t speak for them), they enjoy themselves as much as I do. It truly amazes me how easy it is to meet people, and how after meeting someone once the doorway to a friendship is opened. The vast majority of people I’ve interviewed were total strangers when I began, but now when looking down the list I see more friends than strangers. Furthermore, appearances don’t seem to matter, approach and attitude is everything. When I started this project I had long curly hair and was much more “socially acceptable”in appearance. However now I’m sporting a mohawk, and despite the fact that some perceptions of me have changed, I noticed no difference in how people have responded to my project. Even if people make an initial judgement, this in no way seems to affect their willingness to change their minds.
I guess if there’s a point to this reflection it is to share my current optimism. In my experience with these projects, strangers are willing to give their time and aren’t as judging as society says they are. And the barriers between us and the people we encounter tend not to be due to a lack of interest in new relationships and friendships or due to judgements and prejudice, but rather because we’re too lazy to initiate them.
Song of the Week
Breathe of Life by Erasure
or Butterfly by Jason Mraz
365 Faces of the Year is a noteworthy project not due to the quality of the photographs or the answers received, but rather for the sheer number of photographs and answers. The similarities and differences, the unexpected answers and unusual perspectives... they all contribute to some greater whole that is hard to define (given that I’m not done, I don’t think I can or should try to define it now). But everyday is a new day, and it’s hard to push the envelope when everyday is a new quest.
Meanwhile while working on Living in Labels instead of starting on a fresh page everyday I come into the studio with a goal and go from there. Weeks before a shoot I start collecting the labels, organizing them, and when I go into the studio my model is ready to face how other’s perceive them while taking a portrait. There’s a lot of preparation involved in the shoot and rather than being a snapshot portrait, the photos are legitimate portraits.
Both of these projects look at what is and what appears to be within an individual. One asks others how they judge and then presents the individual with those judgements. The other asks individuals questions and presents them for judgement. The central theme of identity seems to be something I can’t get away from, especially given that it wasn’t something I consciously thought I should shape my major projects around.
Something I’ve noticed especially with Living in Labels is the difference between what people assume people think, and what people do think (or at least what thoughts they present). Despite the fact that people are given the chance to provide anonymous feedback, the amount of negative feedback has been almost non-existent. Although I received a some negative labels when I tested the project on myself, less than a dozen out of 150 labels I received were slanted in a negative manner. In fact for the latest model I had labeled nearly 50% of those who submitted labels said she was beautiful. My models were pleasantly surprised to discover that rather than being given offensive slurs, they found ego boosting compliments to their positive actions.
While doing 365 Faces of the Year the thing I’ve been most continually surprised by is how easy it is to meet someone. In line for coffee, in bookstores, at shows, through friends, at parks, on planes... it really doesn’t matter. I’ve been turned down for interviews by people who were busy or just not in a particularly talkative mood, but despite the fact that I’m 281 days in, I would say the TOTAL times people have rejected my requests for interviews would be less than 100. And that’s including a few bad days were I’d get turned down by 4 people in a row. Almost every person I’ve asked to be in the project seems interested and I hope (though I can’t speak for them), they enjoy themselves as much as I do. It truly amazes me how easy it is to meet people, and how after meeting someone once the doorway to a friendship is opened. The vast majority of people I’ve interviewed were total strangers when I began, but now when looking down the list I see more friends than strangers. Furthermore, appearances don’t seem to matter, approach and attitude is everything. When I started this project I had long curly hair and was much more “socially acceptable”in appearance. However now I’m sporting a mohawk, and despite the fact that some perceptions of me have changed, I noticed no difference in how people have responded to my project. Even if people make an initial judgement, this in no way seems to affect their willingness to change their minds.
I guess if there’s a point to this reflection it is to share my current optimism. In my experience with these projects, strangers are willing to give their time and aren’t as judging as society says they are. And the barriers between us and the people we encounter tend not to be due to a lack of interest in new relationships and friendships or due to judgements and prejudice, but rather because we’re too lazy to initiate them.
Song of the Week
Breathe of Life by Erasure
or Butterfly by Jason Mraz
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
The adventure continues...
Over 248 days have passed.
And my backlog is still atrocious though I've not missed a day. And as of this weekend, I can call Edward Lucas of the Economist by the preferred nickname of Laser Brain.
And the number of CF cards in my pile to upload keeps increasing as every time I run out of memory while continuing to lack time, I buy another 4gb and keep shooting. As a result the photos seen on my other blog are almost entirely film as those aren't as effected by the backlog. Though my computer is running out of space, my shelf still has room- though lets be honest it also needs to be organized.
I just returned from the World Affairs Council conference at Asilomar and as a result I'm no longer preparing for it. Which means more time- and hopefully this will translate into greater productivity. We shall see though.
The joy of this project is even if there's a backlog here, so long as I'm actively meeting people and shooting photos during the daily interaction the spice is not lost on my side.
Thus as always the adventure continues...
Song(s) of the Week:
Coyotes by Jason Mraz
Make it Mine by Jason Mraz
(both of which have not been released yet but I've been listening to them on his myspace - and if you've got time I'd urge you to hear them too.)
And my backlog is still atrocious though I've not missed a day. And as of this weekend, I can call Edward Lucas of the Economist by the preferred nickname of Laser Brain.
And the number of CF cards in my pile to upload keeps increasing as every time I run out of memory while continuing to lack time, I buy another 4gb and keep shooting. As a result the photos seen on my other blog are almost entirely film as those aren't as effected by the backlog. Though my computer is running out of space, my shelf still has room- though lets be honest it also needs to be organized.
I just returned from the World Affairs Council conference at Asilomar and as a result I'm no longer preparing for it. Which means more time- and hopefully this will translate into greater productivity. We shall see though.
The joy of this project is even if there's a backlog here, so long as I'm actively meeting people and shooting photos during the daily interaction the spice is not lost on my side.
Thus as always the adventure continues...
Song(s) of the Week:
Coyotes by Jason Mraz
Make it Mine by Jason Mraz
(both of which have not been released yet but I've been listening to them on his myspace - and if you've got time I'd urge you to hear them too.)
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Following Your Advice
I was recently told:
"Worry is pain suffered for something which hasn't happened yet"
And on that note, I'm not going to worry about the lag. I'm going to continue to do things on a daily basis with meeting, interviewing and photographing people. That was the project statement and I've stuck with it. After all nighters, during finals week, when busy with work, when socially awkard... I’ve kept going with the daily commitment. And I don't want to ruin the results by rushing the post processing. Every time I stress about the backlog, and then try to do edits I find the results are atrocious, and I'd rather do it right. I feel like every person I’ve interviewed has trusted me to do my best, and to half ass a portrait is a disservice to them as well as myself. So I’m going to take the advice offered to me and not worry. The next month will be insanely busy as I’m going to do some traveling to figure out where I’ll be for the next two years while simultaneously taking a full course load, TAing a course, and working on a side project (which while it takes time away from this project, aids me in keeping myself visually aware so I don’t go into auto pilot). I will be trying to organize the files so when I have time to properly post I have everything laid out in order, but I’m not going to worry. Thanks for your patience.
Song of the Week:
I’m Yours - Jason Mraz
or
Childlike Wildlife - Jason Mraz
"Worry is pain suffered for something which hasn't happened yet"
And on that note, I'm not going to worry about the lag. I'm going to continue to do things on a daily basis with meeting, interviewing and photographing people. That was the project statement and I've stuck with it. After all nighters, during finals week, when busy with work, when socially awkard... I’ve kept going with the daily commitment. And I don't want to ruin the results by rushing the post processing. Every time I stress about the backlog, and then try to do edits I find the results are atrocious, and I'd rather do it right. I feel like every person I’ve interviewed has trusted me to do my best, and to half ass a portrait is a disservice to them as well as myself. So I’m going to take the advice offered to me and not worry. The next month will be insanely busy as I’m going to do some traveling to figure out where I’ll be for the next two years while simultaneously taking a full course load, TAing a course, and working on a side project (which while it takes time away from this project, aids me in keeping myself visually aware so I don’t go into auto pilot). I will be trying to organize the files so when I have time to properly post I have everything laid out in order, but I’m not going to worry. Thanks for your patience.
Song of the Week:
I’m Yours - Jason Mraz
or
Childlike Wildlife - Jason Mraz
Friday, April 4, 2008
The Backburner
The backburner is the name I have given the folder of photos that been uploaded to my computer but have yet to be color corrected, cropped, backed up in their edited form, uploaded to the web and posted on the blog. And it is huge folder... October 26th - December 15th and I’ve still got to add everything from mid-December til now. I spent most of yesterday organizing the interviews which had been sitting in my camera bag. Which although that sounds like very little, double checking the photos with the interviews to make sure I put the right names and faces in the correct order takes a fair bit of time. For every photo I’ve not uploaded that means figuring out which of 9 CF cards to look at, and where in that 14.5gb is the single image of the person I’m looking for. The logical solution would to be of course, upload the photos. However until I organize everything in the backburner, there is no space on my computer because I’ve acquired a sizable backlog. Somewhat of a catch 22 here: If I want to get ride of the huge back log I need to catch up on uploading. In order to have space to upload I need to be rid of the backlog. And in order to have enough free memory to run photoshop and do the postprocessing necessary to get through the backlog, I need space - which can only be found by getting rid of the backlog. So as it stands I have barely 1% free on my computer to process things, I have 9 CF cards waiting to be uploaded, I have 161 interviews to type and I still have limited free time. I beginning to think this project will not finish in the 365 days, but rather that plus a few weeks to sort through all the files. Anyways, I just wanted to inform you all that I’m still alive, still shooting portraits and interviewing people daily and hopefully will have updates here in the not so distant future.
Song of the Week:
Jenny Don’t be Hasty - Paulo Nutini
Song of the Week:
Jenny Don’t be Hasty - Paulo Nutini
Friday, March 7, 2008
Back in Inaction
You’d think things would change? Or you would if you were me and an optimistic pessimist. I hope things get better, expect they’ll get worse, and am shocked at either result. It’s been nearly a week and a half. Since then, not much new has happened as far as the backlog is concerned. But on my side things have gotten a bit worse. My sleep debt has gotten dangerously bad, to the point I’ve had to ask a coworker to drive me home. After 13 hours of sleep total last week, I assumed, “It’ll get better. I’ll pass out the moment I get a chance to and things will improve. I’ll have time to do everything that was neglected, and things shall resume.” But alas, a bout with insomnia is winning, my classes have not happily vanished, and deadlines still loom on the horizon.
Additionally little things irk me, like the fact that every time I open the document where I’ve save the interviews, it changes the margins. Somewhere a few days in, generally around Day 6, the inch at the top becomes three or four, and the bottom margin increases to five or six inches. Thus every time I open the document to begin typing, I find myself cursing the computer as I reset everything so each day fits neatly on one page. This problem is a rather silly thing to be irked over, however the time it takes would be enough to type an interview or two, and often that’s all the time I have when I come to the computer. Or by the time I reformat I’m distracted by another item on the never ending to do list, and I end up not typing anything of relevance. Like this post.
Alas. I’ll hope for change, but first I’ll hope for sleep.
I just finished day 188. And I’ve not yet missed a day (knock on wood)
Song of the week:
I’m a Loser - the Beatles
Additionally little things irk me, like the fact that every time I open the document where I’ve save the interviews, it changes the margins. Somewhere a few days in, generally around Day 6, the inch at the top becomes three or four, and the bottom margin increases to five or six inches. Thus every time I open the document to begin typing, I find myself cursing the computer as I reset everything so each day fits neatly on one page. This problem is a rather silly thing to be irked over, however the time it takes would be enough to type an interview or two, and often that’s all the time I have when I come to the computer. Or by the time I reformat I’m distracted by another item on the never ending to do list, and I end up not typing anything of relevance. Like this post.
Alas. I’ll hope for change, but first I’ll hope for sleep.
I just finished day 188. And I’ve not yet missed a day (knock on wood)
Song of the week:
I’m a Loser - the Beatles
Sunday, February 24, 2008
An apology to those taking the time to read this.
There is no photo post today. And there wasn’t one yesterday or the day before. And I’m absurdly far behind on the posting part of this project. I’ve thus far interview 176 people. And posted ... not enough. My laptop is cluttered and my workflow method obviously needs to be modified because I’ve got 6 full CF cards to upload, a binder full of interviews to type, and I just started a second binder earlier this month.
I keep thinking, as soon as I finish (insert school/work/social activity on my agenda), I will upload and post. But inevitably what came in the parentheses involved a computer, and after hours on end staring at a screen I feel that I cannot do any digital photo work because my eyes are tired. And I feel like to do the work in that state would be an insult to those who’s photos I’d halfheartedly churn out in order to post sooner. While waiting for a time when my eyes aren’t drained, when my head is in the game, and when I can do this project justice, I’ve ended up letting the presentation part wait on the back burner.
So time passes. And my sleep debt gets worse, the backlog increases, the exams never stop and therefore the potential excuses never end. Which needs to stop. Many people advise: Enjoy life. (Specifically my day 55 and 56 ... both people on the page my binder is open to) and I do, or I try to. But perhaps enjoyment at the cost of productivity should be warned about. Because eventually you’ll end up over 120 days behind with a pile of photos, interviews to type, and people to contact with apologies for the wait.
I am sorry. Not for any specific delay because I do have my reasons. But rather for letting the delay get this bad. For the fact that the majority of posts recently have been my rambling comments rather than the images you’d expect to see. I know my schedule is ridiculously busy so I can’t promise it will change soon, but I will try to get some more stuff posted in a more timely manner. Thanks for your patience and for still being here to read this.
My songs of the week:
I’m Happy Just to Dance With You - The Beatles
Take My Hand - Dido
I keep thinking, as soon as I finish (insert school/work/social activity on my agenda), I will upload and post. But inevitably what came in the parentheses involved a computer, and after hours on end staring at a screen I feel that I cannot do any digital photo work because my eyes are tired. And I feel like to do the work in that state would be an insult to those who’s photos I’d halfheartedly churn out in order to post sooner. While waiting for a time when my eyes aren’t drained, when my head is in the game, and when I can do this project justice, I’ve ended up letting the presentation part wait on the back burner.
So time passes. And my sleep debt gets worse, the backlog increases, the exams never stop and therefore the potential excuses never end. Which needs to stop. Many people advise: Enjoy life. (Specifically my day 55 and 56 ... both people on the page my binder is open to) and I do, or I try to. But perhaps enjoyment at the cost of productivity should be warned about. Because eventually you’ll end up over 120 days behind with a pile of photos, interviews to type, and people to contact with apologies for the wait.
I am sorry. Not for any specific delay because I do have my reasons. But rather for letting the delay get this bad. For the fact that the majority of posts recently have been my rambling comments rather than the images you’d expect to see. I know my schedule is ridiculously busy so I can’t promise it will change soon, but I will try to get some more stuff posted in a more timely manner. Thanks for your patience and for still being here to read this.
My songs of the week:
I’m Happy Just to Dance With You - The Beatles
Take My Hand - Dido
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Day 55 - Alex
Day 55 - October 25th 2007
Location: Air above Europe between Madrid and London
Setting: BA flight 465
1. Preferred nickname?
Alex
2. Birthplace?
The UK, in Chester
3. Paper or plastic?
Plastic
4. Favorite childhood toy?
A teddy bear
5. Where were you on 9 -11?
The belfry, which is a golf course in the UK
6. Best piece of advice you could give?
Enjoy Life
7. Favorite way to spend an afternoon?
Out riding horses
8. Song of the week?
Let me think... It was really annoying. April Showers
10. Latest book or movie you’d recommend to a friend?
The sign of the cross
11. Who wins in a caged battle-to-the-death match: Rosie O’Donnell or Oprah?
I’d like to say Oprah, but I suspect it’s gonna be Rosie.
Day 54 - Jay
Day 54 - October 24th 2007
Location: Gelato Shop
Setting: Madrid, Spain
1. Preferred nickname?
Uh my god... uh.. they call me Jay sometimes
2. Birthplace?
Belgium
3. Paper or plastic?
Paper
4. Favorite childhood toy?
Lego
5. Where were you on 9 -11?
I was sick at home. (In Belgium)
6. Best piece of advice you could give?
Oh my god. Just do what you like to do.
7. Favorite way to spend an afternoon?
Somewhere in a park, quiet, just sitting, relaxing, preferably in the sun.
8. Song of the week?
I haven’t heard music in a while. Probably the Lord of the Rings theme song
10. Latest book or movie you’d recommend to a friend?
Silmarillion
11. Who wins in a caged battle-to-the-death match: Rosie O’Donnell or Oprah?
Oh definitely Oprah
Sunday, January 20, 2008
140 days in.
It seems like a good time for reflection on this project. Not just because the number is even, but also because there are some reoccurring themes that have come up since I’ve started this project, and I feel like making note of them.
Last night while hanging out with friends I realized the three people I was hanging out with were all faces of the day at some point. (Jeff on September 1st, Nico on October 6th and Chrysanthe November 12th) One I met completely by chance on the day of his interview. One was already a friend who I then got to know better. And the third was a girl I had met briefly once, but didn’t really know when I interviewed her. In general most people I interview initially fall into one of those three categories: Stranger, Friend or Acquaintance.
However our socializing shows that the interaction doesn’t always end there. And one of the things I love about this project is my interaction with a face of the day does not alway end on that day itself. If you look at the Facebook group for 365 Faces a growing number of officers who have been faces of the day are visible- and many of them I’ve seen since interviewing them.
For example on October 1st I interviewed Valeria, and was observed by her friend Richard. 60 days later on November 30th I interviewed him, and just this last Friday I met him again in a social dance class. One could say this is a result of the small size of my school, and not related to the project at all, but it’s also happened in the surrounding community. Over at Stanford when I was interviewing Chrysanthe on the 12th of November, her former roommate who also present, mentioned that she knew about the project through her friend Jeff. Jeff was my first face on September 1st. Outside of the academic sphere on December 21st I interviewed Anna at the SF MOMA. On January 5th I ran into her at Coupa Café in Palo Alto and she introduced me to her friend Rachel. While I was interviewing Rachel friend a man named Chris overheard and three days later on January 8th by random chance I met and interviewed him at the same café.
In fact many of the people I meet through friends and interview, I end up knowing better and to some degree befriending as well. And some who are strangers when I interview them, I later discover other connections with. In fact looking at the list to see who I’ve met thus far, I feel more like I’m looking at a list of friends than at a group of strangers. (while some were initially friends, most were not when I interviewed them) Yes there are some who the interaction has been limited to a single day interaction. And I would be rather surprised if those I interviewed in Portugal, Spain and London were to run into me while I was running around doing my daily routine. But even those I only see for the length of the interview, I feel like I’ve seen more because I’ve seen their words multiple times while rereading interviews, and I see their faces again and again when uploading and organizing photos. If nothing else, there’s a sense of familiarity and fondness for them.
Song of the Week:
Dancing on Thin Ice - Shock Stars
Last night while hanging out with friends I realized the three people I was hanging out with were all faces of the day at some point. (Jeff on September 1st, Nico on October 6th and Chrysanthe November 12th) One I met completely by chance on the day of his interview. One was already a friend who I then got to know better. And the third was a girl I had met briefly once, but didn’t really know when I interviewed her. In general most people I interview initially fall into one of those three categories: Stranger, Friend or Acquaintance.
However our socializing shows that the interaction doesn’t always end there. And one of the things I love about this project is my interaction with a face of the day does not alway end on that day itself. If you look at the Facebook group for 365 Faces a growing number of officers who have been faces of the day are visible- and many of them I’ve seen since interviewing them.
For example on October 1st I interviewed Valeria, and was observed by her friend Richard. 60 days later on November 30th I interviewed him, and just this last Friday I met him again in a social dance class. One could say this is a result of the small size of my school, and not related to the project at all, but it’s also happened in the surrounding community. Over at Stanford when I was interviewing Chrysanthe on the 12th of November, her former roommate who also present, mentioned that she knew about the project through her friend Jeff. Jeff was my first face on September 1st. Outside of the academic sphere on December 21st I interviewed Anna at the SF MOMA. On January 5th I ran into her at Coupa Café in Palo Alto and she introduced me to her friend Rachel. While I was interviewing Rachel friend a man named Chris overheard and three days later on January 8th by random chance I met and interviewed him at the same café.
In fact many of the people I meet through friends and interview, I end up knowing better and to some degree befriending as well. And some who are strangers when I interview them, I later discover other connections with. In fact looking at the list to see who I’ve met thus far, I feel more like I’m looking at a list of friends than at a group of strangers. (while some were initially friends, most were not when I interviewed them) Yes there are some who the interaction has been limited to a single day interaction. And I would be rather surprised if those I interviewed in Portugal, Spain and London were to run into me while I was running around doing my daily routine. But even those I only see for the length of the interview, I feel like I’ve seen more because I’ve seen their words multiple times while rereading interviews, and I see their faces again and again when uploading and organizing photos. If nothing else, there’s a sense of familiarity and fondness for them.
Song of the Week:
Dancing on Thin Ice - Shock Stars
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Day 53 - Mano
Day 53 - October 23rd 2007
Location: Granada, Spain
Setting: Hotel Lobby
1. Preferred nickname?
Mano, Emanuela
2. Birthplace?
San Margherita, Italy (NOTE: I can’t read my handwriting, so the town name could be wrong)
3. Paper or plastic?
Paper
4. Favorite childhood toy?
I was growing up with my grandmother so not many toys. I played with kids. And bear named Andrea from Swtizerland
5. Where were you on 9 -11?
I was in Italy and I was on the beach.
6. Best piece of advice you could give?
I always say, my motto, ‘Always the true’
7. Favorite way to spend an afternoon?
Depend where I am... In nature. Could be sea side, on the mountain, everywhere!
8. Song of the week?
I think it’s not a real song, its flamenco music. .Not one special, should be a song.
9. Do you know any racist jokes?
10. Latest book or movie you’d recommend to a friend?
Uhh... oof. The book is Indian author in America... Vishnu death (I then promised to look it up and have since found out it is The Death of Vishnu by Manil Suri)
11. Who wins in a caged battle-to-the-death match: Rosie O’Donnell or Oprah?
Oh I think Oprah
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Day 52 - Keith
Day 52 - October 22nd 2007
Location: Gibraltar
Setting: View Point
1. Preferred nickname?
I don’t have one. Keith.
2. Birthplace?
Liverpool
3. Paper or plastic?
Paper
4. Favorite childhood toy?
Oh. Dear me. Uhhh. My bike I think.
5. Where were you on 9 -11?
I was at work. But I was at Liverpool Airport actually.
6. Best piece of advice you could give?
Just be honest
7. Favorite way to spend an afternoon?
Riding a bike. Sorry, I meant with my wife!
8. Song of the week?
Um yeah I like that new Amy Winehouse, Valerie
10. Latest book or movie you’d recommend to a friend?
Bourne Ultimatum
11. Who wins in a caged battle-to-the-death match: Rosie O’Donnell or Oprah?
Oh Oprah. Well the big Oprah.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Day 51 - Norma
*Day 51 - October 21st 2007
Location: Hotel Lobby
Setting: Torremolinos, Spain
1. Preferred nickname?
Mom or Norma
2. Birthplace?
Buffalo, NY
3. Paper or plastic?
Paper
4. Favorite childhood toy?
Roller skates
5. Where were you on 9 -11?
I was in my bedroom preparing for a ladies guild meeting, Catholic group. Heard it on TV.
6. Best piece of advice you could give?
Believe in God.
7. Favorite way to spend an afternoon?
I used to love Tennis
8. Song of the week?
La Vie En Rose
9. Do you know any racist jokes?
No
10. Latest book or movie you’d recommend to a friend?
Two thirty two uma
11. Who wins in a caged battle-to-the-death match: Rosie O’Donnell or Oprah?
I like Oprah
*The post I wrote regarding the problem encountered during the interview can be found HERE
Trying something rather different with the processing on this one, but I hope you like it. I might go back later and reprocess.
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Day 50 - Ignacio
Day 50 - October 20th 2007
Location: Sevilla, Spain
Setting: Hotel Lobby
1. Preferred nickname?
Ignacio
2. Birthplace?
Argentina
3. Paper or plastic?
Paper
4. Favorite childhood toy?
My ball
5. Where were you on 9 -11?
In the beach
6. Best piece of advice you could give?
I don’t know, relax
7. Favorite way to spend an afternoon?
Painting! Rowing! Listening to music
8. Song of the week?
Crazy Mama
9. Do you know any racist jokes?
No. I don’t know any jokes
10. Latest book or movie you’d recommend to a friend?
Any one of Agatha Christie
11. Who wins in a caged battle-to-the-death match: Rosie O’Donnell or Oprah?
I don’t know anyone
Day 49 - Gordy
Day 49 - October 19th 2007
Location: Selema, Portugal
Setting: Breakfast room of Amaré
1. Preferred nickname?
Gordy, it’s becoming gord
2. Birthplace?
Glasgow, Scotland
3. Paper or plastic?
Paper one’s be nicer
4. Favorite childhood toy?
Racing car
5. Where were you on 9 -11?
Actually I was in Niagra Falls, Canada
6. Best piece of advice you could give?
Be Happy
7. Favorite way to spend an afternoon?
Well we’ve got young ladies among us, we’ll say walking
8. Song of the week?
Song of the week? Can’t think of one actually. Give me Sunshine
9. Do you know any racist jokes?
I never remember any jokes. I’ve heard em.
10. Latest book or movie you’d recommend to a friend?
I quite liked Bable
11. Who wins in a caged battle-to-the-death match: Rosie O’Donnell or Oprah?
Oh Oprah Probably.
Day 48 - Papu Sako
Day 48 - October 18th 2007
Location: Selema, Portugal
Setting: A Seaside Restaurant
1. Preferred nickname?
Papu Sako
2. Birthplace?
Selema
3. Paper or plastic?
Plastic, we don’t use paper here
4. Favorite childhood toy?
As a child I had no money to buy toys. Football and such.
5. Where were you on 9 -11?
Here. I saw direct on TV second crash.
6. Best piece of advice you could give?
Eat fish, is very healthy
7. Favorite way to spend an afternoon?
When I have nothing to do, I go siesta
8. Song of the week?
Brazilian song from Martillo de Villa, piano player Nelson Freire
9. Do you know any racist jokes?
Many..
10. Latest book or movie you’d recommend to a friend?
Equador, from Portugese writer
11. Who wins in a caged battle-to-the-death match: Rosie O’Donnell or Oprah?
I don’t know any one of them. I don’t watch much TV.
Day 47 - Ekury
Day 47 - October 17th 2007
Location: Lisbon, Portugal
Setting: House party
1. Preferred nickname?
Ekury
2. Birthplace?
Porbandar, India
3. Paper or plastic?
Paper
4. Favorite childhood toy?
Childhood blanket
5. Where were you on 9 -11?
At home I guess
6. Best piece of advice you could give?
Live today.
7. Favorite way to spend an afternoon?
Going for a walk
8. Song of the week?
Bhulai from the film of the same title
9. Do you know any racist jokes?
Unfortunately I do. What do you call a black guy with pimples? Ferrer Roche
10. Latest book or movie you’d recommend to a friend?
I just loved this one book I’ve read, Chicken Soup for the Soul
11. Who wins in a caged battle-to-the-death match: Rosie O’Donnell or Oprah?
Oprah
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
