Fragment: FEET

As I organized photos on my computer, I curiously realized that I tend to take pictures of my feet, especially when I am ALONE somewhere.

I became intrigued, and immediately wondered: WHY IN THE WORLD DO I DO THIS?

Hmmmm...

Now that I became aware of my FEET photos, I find them everywhere! I began to search online and have come across SO many! It's so exciting to know that other people do it too ;)

But wait...Does this mean/say anything in particular?

Most of the people call this kind of photo a SELF PORTRAIT--interesting.

The irony of my feet-picture-taking is that I actually dislike my feet =/, so...why do I want to record them so often?????

Of course, this was my immediate thought after realizing how often I do it. Nevertheless, after reading photographer Karen Walrond's explanation, I understand that when I take pictures of my feet, what I really want to RECORD is the moment; a memory lived and understood by me...just by ME.

Here is Karen's insightful explanation (http://www.gadling.com/2009/04/30/through-the-gadling-lens-self-portraits/):

"And finally, the above shot of Susannah's feet: in this case, Susannah wasn't trying to capture her feet, per se, but the memories of what she was feeling and experiencing right at that very moment on that cold, rocky English beach. In this case, the photograph is a tool to record emotion, rather than to document scenery."

WOW! It explains to PERFECTION the reason why I take self portraits of my feet--to record emotions of a specific moment/place in time *SIGH* Love it!

I am hooked to finding more feet pictures now!!!! Do YOU take this kind of self portrait too? If you do, please, DO SHARE ;)

Here are my findings:

From my friends' pictures on Facebook

1. Frenchy Aish girl's feet @ France 2. Paopao's and her friend's feet @Bariloche 3. Sol's and her friend's feet @DR 4. Jirehsita's and her friend's feet @Boston

From complete strangers around the world

Notes: Just in case people from the "strangers from all over the world" section come across their pair, here are the sources.

1. David Avery's feet after bike race (ice on shoes) from his blog

2. Stephanie Levy's get together with other bloggers in England

3. S and J's feet in lake from Susanna's Sketchbook blog

4. Rosemud's blog http://rosemud.blogspot.com

5. Rosemud's blog http://rosemud.blogspot.com

6. "Fishnet Feet" from Lauratitian flickr photos

7. Kyle Silverman's feet in climbing aiders from Oregonlive blog

8. Dgypsy flickr photos

9. Christian girls rebuilding in New Orleans from Elca blog

10. Baby Gideon from Baby Gideon's blog

11. Ian's feet at beach from Netspeed blog

12. Mama Vee's feet before surgery from Avital blog

13. Megan's feet at Charles de Gaulle Airport from Not Martha blog

14. Rosemud's blog http://rosemud.blogspot.com

My own :)

1. Me @Astor Place, NYC 2. Me @train station, NYC 3. Me@Lemay's wedding, DR 4. Me @Productos Bautista photoshoot, DR 5. Me @airplane on my way to NYC 6. Me @My Way Coffee shop, NYC

"Aug/Sept/Oct FRAGMENTS..."

I guess lots of interesting little things have happened in the last 3 months, but they have passed and I have missed writing about them, oopsie! :S And, just as my favorite quote points out, "TIME THAT'S PASSED, NEVER COMES BACK".

There are some highlights, though, that MUST be mentioned.

-Orchestra auditions were held in August and the funniest thing happened! I wore heels (something I usually NEVER wear) and got a bit nervous while playing behind the curtains. The heels started shaking and affecting my playing, so as I played Mozart away, I was kicking my heels out of my foot! I did OK; not too great, not too horrible, and such was reflected in the punctuation I received, so I believe the jury was very fair and objective. Things are better now in the orchestra. The new conductor and assistant conductor are doing a great job. Everything is more organized, more serious, less drama, and (yes!) sounding much better. We are much more motivated, I guess.

-Collaborated with my lovely photographer friend, Ali, in a couple of shoots. Here are some samples:

-On a random day, my brother sent me an e-mail with the most amazing words describing me...(which, of course, I haven't yet responded!) I love you, brotherrrrrrrr:

My crazy, but so loving, sister!

You are like a ray of sunshine on a cloudy day (oh wait, is this like the lyrics of a song, cause I truly just thought of this... lol, oh well!) Hahahaha, but this phrase captures so much truth to your existence Neny... No matter how hectic, or crazy your life might get, you always find a way to keep on pushing forward; making everybody around you better and better the more they get to know you. You have such a positive impact on others, that it's just amazing!

Thanks for being proud of your old bro! I love you lots, too! And if I'm your favorite genius, you are my favorite artist! And not just of creative artsy stuff; to me you are an artist of life... You add color and shape to everything you touch, and your energy moves the souls of everybody that comes in contact with you. You are like a magnet for people, no matter what situation, where, or when, people are naturally attracted to you... Because you are an ARTIST... an Artist of life!

I love you so much my gorgeous and crazy sister! Keep being who you are, just change who you are not!

Your brotherrrrrr

-Read two books I adored (!!): "The Awakening" (1899) by Kate Chopin and "Love the one you're with" (2009) by Emily Giffin.

-...and...perhaps, many other things I just can't think of right now...so, TO BE CONTINUED (?) ;)

Fragment: HP image ;)

Sooooooo...to my surprise, last night a friend from college said hello while chatting through Facebook and said: "Dar, I have something for you! I had to go buy office supplies for work (mostly ink for printers) and I saw your face on the HP ink boxes! I cut it out to send it to you...it HAS to be you!"


JAJAJAJAJAJAJA...I was laughing non-stop for the next half-hour :)

So yea, I got this random gig in July 2006 while trying to live in NY/NJ...I was looking for jobs when I bumped into a casting for HP. I was like, "what do I have to lose?"...they were looking for "real people", meaning, NO MODELS! Not sure if to feel offended or happy about having gotten the job JAJA. So, I went to the casting. Basically, I wrote my name on a sheet of paper, posed for a photographer as if I were going to jail ;) (front, profiles) and walked out. Two days later, I got a call! YEY!!!!

It was such a wonderful day! A great and memorable experience! I was a REAL PEOPLE, but let me tell you that I DID get to BE a MODEL for one day!!! It was AWSOME :)

So pampered! Getting hair, make-up, nails done...the fashion stylist trying a million clothes on me as if I were a doll...she was so hyped! (and so was I!)

They did some great shots! Don't know why they only used this picture (which I actually don't like at all). But another friend of mine just told me (through Facebook, once again...don't you love FACEBOOK?!) that another friend told her that she bought a laptop and saw my face on the box JAJAJAJA... I'm intrigued if they used the same unliked-by-me picture. So, if any of you bump into one, pls let me know ;)

Anyways, apparently my image has been out in the market since April 2007 and I didn't have a clue. NICE!

Don't you just love the little, random surprises that life throws one's way?

My dad sent me an e-mail this morning saying he immediately went to the store to buy a couple of these inks JAJAJA (see? I can't stop laughing!) and said it felt so cool to go to the store and see my face repeatedly on the products. Awww, proud daddy :)

Hey! I wanna see me! Well, for now, I found this image online.

Thanks Angelito for letting me know about this ;) I think this actually made my day! JAJAJAJA!
P.S. When I get back home I'll upload like two more photos I have from the HP shoot (which I like much better).

Fragment: PHOTO SHOOTING ;)

These photos of MOI were made by Alina Vargas and her students at an APEC Univeristy photography class. It was such a fun sunday morning! And I love the results ;)

Check some of them out: