Triple Topic Treasure
Good day to you my blog!
I have so much to blog not enough time to blog it...
Firstly: I'M GOING TO BE PHOTOGRAPHING THE GARDEN AT IRVING PLAZA ON MAY 2ND!!!!
I've been a fan for a while and I went to their last two concerts in NYC (Warsaw and Brooklyn Steel) so I can't believe they saw my photos and liked them enough to let this teenager shoot their big official concert for a day.
One of the reasons I started doing show photography was because of @muhstee who photographed both of those garden shows I went to- after that I followed them and been loving their photography ever since. [side note: I've been trying to go to a show that @muhstee was going to be at for literal months, I have yet to succeed.]
One of the reasons I started doing show photography was because of @muhstee who photographed both of those garden shows I went to- after that I followed them and been loving their photography ever since. [side note: I've been trying to go to a show that @muhstee was going to be at for literal months, I have yet to succeed.]
I bought a new camera for the occasion. Granted, it's the same exact model as the camera I usually use but I'm hoping the condition is better.
- The first camera I bought was in perfect condition, but then it fell one too many times and the motor broke so I had to buy a new one.
- For the second camera, I opted for the same model and bought another one off ebay. But this time, the latch that keeps the back panel closed is flimsy so it has a tendency to accidentally open during a show- resulting in light leaks in the photos.
- I can't take that chance at THE GARDEN so I bought a new one that's arriving a day before the concert.
Secondly: I've been contemplating starting a zine.
I'm currently reading a book on NY hardcore from 1980-1990 primarily for a book review assignment for my NYC history class but also because I've been meaning to read this book for a while. Somewhere in the first half of the book is a chapter all about the fanzines in the early 80s and that got me thinking- we don't really have that anymore in NYC.
When I went to DC for the first three days of spring break, the two record stores Frieda and I visited both had a wide variety of books and zines (from the area) available for purchase. Where is that in NYC? We have comic book stores and zine fests but neither of those are specifically about any alternative scene in the city.
- Rambler mag exists (shoutout Kisi) but its more of a college crowd, hosting 21+ events and such. Also, they cover bands that are more on the indie rock spectrum.
- ABC No Rio is still a thing, but no teenager frequents it. The only reason I was introduced to it was because of a zine fest (now, it also appears in my book).
- Cross Hatch Cat started by the art and design sophomore crowd is more of an art and fun zine rather than an interview based fanzine.
- The only thing I can point to being exclusively nyc youth scene based is the tiny cutups zine where its just introducing the band members without any other substantial writing. Not to flex but all of the band member photos used are photos I took. I am keeping this zine forever.
But hey, if anyone is seriously interested in starting this with me, let me know! Text, dm, or email.
Lastly: The leadup until the month of May has been kicking my ass.
AP tests, retaking the SAT, college counselor meetings (I still need to write my SSR), Greek proficiency test, trying to understand physics, projects due right before AP season, etc. Studying is the number one word on my mind but its the least appealing word to engage in.
Here are some more of my woes:
- My room is messy because I haven't given myself the time to fix it up all nice and neat. I always think my time would be better put to use for studying or reading the book for the review due on Monday. In my field of vision I've got: an empty box of samoas, a shelf that fell that I never put back up, piles of various collections of paper on the floor, museum fliers from DC still sitting above my desk, patches I have yet to sew onto my jacket, and more!
- I won't fully get into pressure from family to go to a good school- but it's there all right!
- I sent out a lot of letters to people, and I've gotten a lot of responses back! Very good! but also bad considering now I added another responsibility onto my list. If I only had one to respond to it would be manageable but I've got... I honestly don't know how many- when I receive them I read them then throw them onto a pile on my desk. I would love to respond to them, just not right now...
- My earbuds are starting to break. As I'm listening to music all of a sudden it stops because siri was activated out of nowhere. I can end the activation but it keeps happening when I put my phone in my pocket. I think it's something with the clicky microphone thing because there was no audio from my side of a recent call until I unplugged the earbuds and started talking straight to the phone.
But of course I will get through it and it will all turn out fine. In a year I'm going to be committed to a school. My room is easily cleaned in a day. One weekend after APs I'll sit down and write those letters. I'll just buy new earbuds... eventually. I always manage to get schoolwork in and maintain good quality of writing even if I'm stressed. Days and weeks and months will pass and eventually all of this will be behind me! 2 weeks of stress never hurt anyone! 😶
Update: comments don't work on mobile. But they do work on a laptop! Horray! If you ever need to urgently comment something that you need everyone reading this blog to see- you can do that now!
I have nothing else to say.
I bid you all adieu with this lovely photo of the Dodge Sisters from 1930:
