This picture was taken in front of the gate to my apartment. I don't know anything about this hotel, but I like how the size of the sign in relation to the building. At least it gives me a landmark for people to look for when they're trying to find my place.
To my excitement, we returned to the city at around 2pm. This had been the earliest I've ever been at home on a weekday since I started work and I was both excited to enjoy the day in the city and exhausted from the trip. However, once I got home, I wound up recuping and napping. When I woke up, I was disappointed to find out that it was close to dusk. And while I wanted to simply enjoy the rest of the evening indoors, my lack of walking the typical daily 2+ miles to and from my shuttle stop left me feeling uneasy, so I decided to go for a walk.
Since it was still nice, I decided to walk to Chinatown, since I haven't really walked through that neighborhood at night. While m original intent was to look for a shot that would embody the nightlife of that area, I stumbled across this phrase tagged on the side of a Bank of America building, The juxtoposition of the statement and the institution was no doubt deliberate, yet I still found myself drawn to it boldly tagged message. I think it has somethig to do with the fact that although I've only experienced four months at my first real job out of college, I somewhat feel the tension between the desire for money and the desire for something more. Sure, money can get me nice things and get the bills paid, but deep down inside, I know that it's not what wholly satisfies me. While the temptation is still there to get more to get comfortable, I have come to the conclusion that I'd rather be satisfied with knowing how to wisely use what I've been provided with than always hunger for more. I guess it has to do with my upbringing- looking back, I realize that we were by no means well off (but at the same time not poor either), yet my parents made a conscious effort to not let money, or lack thereof, become a factor. Unconventional as it may be, it has shaped my value system to what it is today. So although I didn't find the shot that I intended to take that nght, I left Chinatown satisfied.
In the words of the late great Biggie Smalls, "Mo money, mo problems." Or rather, in this context, "Money makes us tired." But that's merely looking at it in the standpoint of the pursuit of money. What I'm trying to say is while earning money is hard work and often tiring, no matter how much of it you have, if used for the right purposes, it's all worth it in the end.
PPQ Chicken Noodle House is one of the few restaurants we frequent after church on Sunday nights. This is mainly because there are only a handful of restaurants that can seat large groups without making reservations in advance. All in all, the restaurant, although being limited in serving only chicken dishes, is pretty good. But then again, I don't really go for the food anyway.
I have to confess that I wasn't in the Project 365 mentality today. Although I was out on the town all day, I wasn't looking for a shot and realized that the day was coming to a close. Earlier in the day, as I was returning from a trip to Union Square, I saw an angle that was interesting but thought nothing of it. However, when I realized later that my time to find a shot was short, I grabbed my camera and ran outside. I actually like this angle better in the night sky, with the building lit by the streetlights. Anyway, it is what it is.
I noticed this alleyway as I was walking home from my shuttle after work today. I know that capturing low-light shots is difficult, especially without a tripod, so as I snapped this shot, I was already thinking that I'd have to find another one for my Project 365. However, when I got home and pulled up the image on my computer, I was pleasantly surprised to see the outcome.
Those of you who know me know that I have a soft spot for music. Whether it be listening, playing, or singing, music has always been a big part of who I am. However, as I've gotten older, I realize that my lack of practice has led me to enjoy listening to music far more than playing or performing.
More recently, I've been trying to pick up the guitar again. I never was really exceptionally good at it, but I realize that it's a skill that I truly want to develop. I know I'm going to see several artists this coming week that are exceptionally talented in songwriting and in the guitar, so I look forward to be inspired.
As for now, this is still a work in progress.
While on my way to church this evening, I was desperately looking for a shot before service. I knew that because we'd be hanging out and having dinner after church, it'd be harder to find one later into the night. The sky was getting darker, so the option of an outdoor shot was running slim. At the same time, I really wanted to shoot outside because I noticed that the pictures that I've taken recently have mostly been indoor shots. Needless to say, there was a sense of urgency, and time was running short.
As I exited my car and proceeded to leave the parking lot, I was vigorously scanning my surroundings to see if I could snap a quick picture before it was too dark. But to my avail, I wound up with nothing. Dejected, I headed across the street to the church, when I saw something I hadn't noticed before: the entrance sign to our church. I quickly pulled out my camera and adjusted the ISO and metering, hoping that even under the dim light, something could emerge.
And there it was, the shot of the night. I love it. The picture seems to capture the message of welcoming everyone into the fellowship of light. Quite symbolic indeed.
