Alan's Alley Video

Thank God, I mean that - thank God. I need to light a candle and do some tithing because there is a higher power. I know this because I discovered Alan's Alley Video today. It may be blasphemes to be rejoicing over a video store, but you wouldn't think that if you were a video junkie, such as myself, who has had to sit by and watch every brick and mortar rental store disappear - one by one - victims of the red envelop.

Don't get me wrong, I am not anti red envelope or streaming. The issue is, I also want the option to brows, in person. I want to wonder around a store judging a book by its cover. I want to discover what I am interested in. I don't always want a formula's suggestions (as correct as they usually are) as to what I might like.

Today, I walked into Alan's and the first thing I noticed was the Bette Davis section. Hello, I am home! There is a wall filled with documentaries and a Benny Hill section, not certain that is necessary, but that's the type of option that would never cross my on-line suggestion list.

The recommendation I got from Kaitlyn, the human I interacted with, was the order I should watch my films in. Yes, she assessed my choices and actually suggested the order I should watch each film (I will take her up on that recommendation). Red envelope is not at that level - yet.

I am thankful that Alan's is alive and when I am in the mood for a movie, but I don't know which movie, I will peruse the shelves and maybe check out the best of Benny Hill.

Double Stuff

What was I really grateful for today? I was grateful for three Double stuff Oreo sandwich cookies. Yes, if I am going to be totally honest about what I was truly, from the tips of my toes, grateful for – the double stuff Oreo sandwich cookie would, oh alright, cookies, would win. Stress eating sometimes feels wonderful. And sometimes, it is worth the trip to the gym to enjoy a classic cookie, at just the moment I needed something to remind me that life is not always moments of mundane stupidity. I would like to be grateful for something lofty, or sophisticated, but….well, I can still taste that chocolate sandwich cookie perfection.

I also need to send a grateful shout-out to the conductor on the Uptown A train at 7:45am. I don’t know his name, but when he wished me, and all my fellow passengers, “a beautiful morning, and a warm and cozy weekend”, he said it with such sincerity that I smiled.

Yes, today I am grateful for three perfectly timed double stuff Oreo sandwich cookies, and the wish for a cozy weekend. Thinking about both – I guess my day wasn’t that bad.

Starbucks Christmas Blend & Tazo Joy

I am going to add a resolution to my rather egotistical resolution list that includes, get a facial every month and always have chilled champagne in my fridge. And, by the way, flat champagne still counts (see current fridge) as having champagne in my fridge.

I am going to add “be grateful” to my list.

Today – I am grateful for Starbucks Christmas Blend and TAZO Joy Tea. It is true that every morning when my alarm goes off I am grateful for any cup of hot, fresh coffee. It is also true that there is holiday spirit in these blends. If Dickens had either, Scrooge would not have needed to be visited by three ghosts. Cratchit could have just brewed him a cup of coffee and the money to get Tiny Tim sprinting would have been his.

It is January and my bag of Christmas blend and box of Joy are almost empty. I will have to wait until the next holiday season to get more (wow – this is a first – I am actually grateful that now means October). Yes, today I am grateful for the taste of Christmas and the reminder, after the season, that the holiday spirit can be found every morning, all year, even in something as simple as a cup of coffee.

Top Ten 2010 #1

Six of the pictures that made my top ten of 2010 I loved the minute I took. I remember knowing they were contenders for a spot on the list as soon as I saw the result, six miracles that perfectly captured what I was feeling and seeing in that exact moment. The other four…well choosing them from the 4,567 images that remained was a bit more of a debate, and only time can tell if I got them correct. What I notice when I scan all the images is my instinct. Every time I reached for my camera I was experiencing a feeling, object, person, place, food or landscape that I loved so much I wanted to put it in my pocket and take it home. Exploring a years worth of pictures does underline the cliché fact that time moves faster as I get older. It also gives me a pictorial view of the moments that mattered.

#1 - Great Dining

This picture was my number one right after I took it. It is so perfect it shocked me when I first saw it. I’ve never created a cover worthy photo but this table, set to impress, is ready for its moment in the spotlight. I had many great meals in 2010 and I’d like to think that this image represents them all. The simple perfection of great food, great company and adventure feeds the perfect composition for art.

Top Ten 2010 #2

Six of the pictures that made my top ten of 2010 I loved the minute I took. I remember knowing they were contenders for a spot on the list as soon as I saw the result, six miracles that perfectly captured what I was feeling and seeing in that exact moment. The other four…well choosing them from the 4,567 images that remained was a bit more of a debate, and only time can tell if I got them correct. What I notice when I scan all the images is my instinct. Every time I reached for my camera I was experiencing a feeling, object, person, place, food or landscape that I loved so much I wanted to put it in my pocket and take it home. Exploring a years worth of pictures does underline the cliché fact that time moves faster as I get older. It also gives me a pictorial view of the moments that mattered.

#2 – Single Source

I remember working at a TV station and a very well known media figure would not come to the set unless her lighting was fixed. She refused to be seen without “her lighting.” Why? Because she does not look in person, the way she looks on TV. On TV she looks younger and it was because of the lighting. That was a big lesson for me and I have never forgotten it – light is power. In the theatre, it is common knowledge that if you can’t afford a set designer and a lighting designer you should always put your money in the light. This year I tried to learn about light – this picture, I love because it tells the story of light. All natural, and from the same source direction, but so many different details are presented. Maybe this picture is a bit too technical to be great, but I was patting myself on the back after I took it. I found an element of technique and I found the light.

Top Ten 2010 #3

Six of the pictures that made my top ten of 2010 I loved the minute I took. I remember knowing they were contenders for a spot on the list as soon as I saw the result, six miracles that perfectly captured what I was feeling and seeing in that exact moment. The other four…well choosing them from the 4,567 images that remained was a bit more of a debate, and only time can tell if I got them correct. What I notice when I scan all the images is my instinct. Every time I reached for my camera I was experiencing a feeling, object, person, place, food or landscape that I loved so much I wanted to put it in my pocket and take it home. Exploring a years worth of pictures does underline the cliché fact that time moves faster as I get older. It also gives me a pictorial view of the moments that mattered.

#3 – They were two…

There are so many characters walking around this town if I stopped to photograph every one I would never arrive anyplace. With that in mind, there are also people so utterly fantastic that my destination doesn’t seem so important - these two lead that pack this year. I couldn’t decide if they were more Dickensian or Cohen Brothers, but either way I had to take them with me. Maybe they are a bit Steinbeck – no matter - I think there should be a novel about them and I can’t wait to read it.

Top Ten 2010 #4

Six of the pictures that made my top ten of 2010 I loved the minute I took. I remember knowing they were contenders for a spot on the list as soon as I saw the result, six miracles that perfectly captured what I was feeling and seeing in that exact moment. The other four…well choosing them from the 4,567 images that remained was a bit more of a debate, and only time can tell if I got them correct. What I notice when I scan all the images is my instinct. Every time I reached for my camera I was experiencing a feeling, object, person, place, food or landscape that I loved so much I wanted to put it in my pocket and take it home. Exploring a years worth of pictures does underline the cliché fact that time moves faster as I get older. It also gives me a pictorial view of the moments that mattered.

#4 – Like Audrey

Choosing one flower picture for the list was the hardest decision. I have hundreds of pictures of flowers and trees and grass (only a New Yorker would need to capture this much nature on film) but these small white blossoms made the final cut despite American Idol level competition. I like flower pictures that are not too calendar ready. I like them to have a bit of an edge. It needs to be pretty without being cheesy (not an easy task, I have lots of cheesy). Photographing flowers is easy, really easy. They are already beautiful. Or it is almost impossible. Flowers have a personality, as does everything in nature. I find it is very easy to slip into school picture mode and just quickly snap the “pretty” vs. looking for the personality. This photo worked for me because I think it’s beautiful and full of interpreted personality.