3-23-17 Local Characters, Local History!

Hey Gang, what a week! I’m sorry I haven’t been posting much, I’ve had my hands very full lately.

Local Characters

On a recent trip up to Massachusetts, I was talking with my parents about all the wonderful and energetic people we knew who had passed on and how they would be remembered. Then I realized my very question was probably why ballads were written and stories of old were told about certain individuals: so their personalities and deeds would not be lost to death.

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6-1-15 I just met Brandon Stanton of Humans of New York at BookCon!

Gabriel asks Brandon Stanton of Humans of New York a question at his panel at BookCon 2015.
Yours truly (left) asking Brandon Stanton (right) a question at his panel, moderated by Manoush Zomorodi (center), BookCon 5-31-15.

My awesome girlfriend took me to BookCon today as an early birthday present! At the end of the day, we were able to get into the panel that I was most looking forward to: a discussion with Brandon Stanton of Humans of New York moderated by WNYC’s Manoush Zomorodi.

Amazingly, I was able to get Brandon’s advice about a fundamental street photography issue that’s been bothering me for years!

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A jaw-dropping video of our world

Many of you probably saw this video when it was released by NASA back in 2012, but I still can’t get over how beautiful it is. As I understand it, it was put together from a series of time-lapse photos from NASA’s Expedition 30 crew, while they were aboard the International Space Station. And Howard Blake composed the enchanting music. It’s such a breath-taking work of Art, I have to share it. How incredible our world is and yet most of us just take it for granted. We don’t see how truly unique we are in our galaxy! I hope you enjoy it as much as I do:

Starstruck: Parker Posey

Last week, I was at The Library Bar in the Public Theater having drinks with friends from London. I felt special. Suddenly, I became aware I was looking across at an attractive woman sitting at the next table. I was looking at…at…at Parker Posey! Yes, the woman with the mane of black hair, and dark eyes who was quietly talking with a girlfriend was freaking PARKER POSEY. Was I in a dream? Was I HIGH? (Note: I’m pretty much “straight-edge” without the mishegoss)

I suddenly realized, I’ve been a fan of hers for a long time; how could I not stare? Gorgeous, super funny AND eccentric? How rare a combo is THAT?? In a million years, I never thought I would see her in real life.

However, instead of taking my usual tact with famous people and speaking with her, I found I wasn’t moving. I was confused. I was transfixed. Really, I was just trying to demonstrate I wasn’t looking at her. And contrary to what I expected, she didn’t get up to leave. She was just hanging with her friend at the next table, like a regular person.

And that’s when I realized I was starstruck. I was caught dead in my tracks. I was stunned. I was in my head, man. Of all the famous people I dig and admire, I never thought I’d actually run into HER!

I had been smacked upside the head by Ms. Posey. Thank you Parker Posey, you have obviated all my worldy woes. I can now die in supreme peace!

Note to self: See Party Girl