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October 29, 2006
Thinking of Vienna
Today our friend that has been staying with us over the past years on and off even when we weren't here is going back home to Vienna yet again. It leaves Monika and me home alone again and a void at home. Although we will have Ms. Victoria this weekend ( I haven't seen her in about 2 months. Her mom was pissed that I tried to have the child support ammount decreased.) after that we will be missing Martin. This is a picture I took last year in Vienna and this old lady being led across the street was suddenly alive and waiving her umbrella at me and angry because I was taking her photo. So also this week I was talking about the stress levels here in New York vs. in Vienna. I speculated and theorized that its a population thing. Lets say 1 in 10 people will every 1 in 10 times cut you off on the highway then in Vienna that would happen maybe twice a month in Vienna ( pop. 1.5 million)and here ( pop. 10 million ) it would happen twice a day. Anyway when I get stressed sometimes I think of the relaxing city of Vienna also I think of the tranquil mountains that I've hiked on or learned to ski on. and yes of little old ladies like this waiving their umbrellas at someone.
Posted by Victor at 08:13 PM | Comments (3)
October 22, 2006
12th Annual Tour De Bronx
So today was the 12th Annual Tour De Bronx and it was my first time riding in it. Its a FREE Bike Tour that takes you through the Bronx. There are two routes, a 25 mile and 42 mile. Monika told me about it about a month ago but I sought of turned my nose up in the air about it because big organized bike rides can sometimes be a drag. Later after that a friend of mine Sara talked with me and Monika about it wich then led to another conversation between me and Monika about it and I started to think maybe this was something not to be missed. A chance to represent my boro, my hood, a chance to ride on streets that otherwise are ruled by cars and or pedestrians, a chance to represent bikers, as well as a chance to bring more attention and awareness to bikers. So we decided to join in on this annual ride.
I have to say that this ride was a great ride and I really enjoyed seeing it. I was also really happy to be able to explain many of the neighborhoods to Monika as we rode through them. I was even pleasantly surprised to see some changes that happened in some areas that I hadn't seen in quite awhile ie. the sound view waterfront park and bike path. I was also surprised to find an area in west bronx just below Riverdale and North of Washington Heights/Inwood that had very beautiful old English Tudor, Victorian, and other old houses. This hidden suburbia just a stone throw from the 1 train and projects was a place I wasn't aware existed in the Bronx. I mean City Island, Country Club, Throggs Neck, Eastchester, and Pelham Parkway have beautiful homes, rich neighborhoods and expensive property tax to match but this was like a secret treasure.
From the begining I have to say that the event was well organized. We were greeted by Bronx Boro President Adolfo Carrion Jr., a couple of congressmen, other politicians, radio DeeJays, tv commercial celebraties and others. The rest stops offered up food and drinks, and much needed toilets. On the street there were these little code letters with arrows telling you were to turn. It wasnt until the end that I learned this, I was suprised that Monika seemed to know where to go even when we were at the head of the pack and didnt have a crowd to follow. Of course being on the ride and taking photos is difficult and as the ride went on I shot less photos and had to concentrate on biking. The cruelest part of the ride was after about 24 miles ( Orchard Beach ) biking close to our home and wanting to just go home and lay on the couch to watch some football and eat some popcorn. Thanks to Monika we kept on to finish the ride and see some of the Bronx that I wasnt so familiar with. Here are just a few of the photos I took. I'd like to say that the Transportation Alternatives citzens group is doing a great job in bringing bike awareness to the people and very active in street events and getting others involved in this battle.
Posted by Victor at 11:39 AM | Comments (6)
October 11, 2006
Cafe Bustelo
Mornings just arent the same with out Cafe Bustelo. One of the first things in the morning is a trip to the coffe maker to get some java and get that first cup of the day. There are times in my life when I stop drinking coffe all together others when I only drink once or twice a week but these days one or two cups a day is quite enjoyable. Some mornings like today, I woke up and my coffee was already waiting for me. I love when that happens.
Posted by Victor at 08:38 PM | Comments (4)
October 10, 2006
Martin Fuchs
This is Martin Fuchs. I just want to say that I'm proud of my friend Martin Fuchs and what he is doing with his photojournalist ambitions. At some point he decided that he had to follow his dream to become a photojournalist photographer and he is doing it. Not only is he doing it he is doing it with style. Most people dont see the sacrifice and hard work that it takes to do it. The dedication and persistance is very impressive. He is an inspiration to many including myself. Keep up the great work Martin. You can see his websites at these links...
Posted by Victor at 06:27 AM | Comments (2)
October 01, 2006
Living in New York : A New Beginning
So today I continue my photoblog. I went to a New Yorkers Photoblog meeting (at the Apple Store Soho ) because my friend Martin Fuchs was going to speak there about his two photoblogs and about his experiences as a photo journalist. There was a group of 5 speakers who are currently " photoblogging ," Afterward we went for drinks at "Merc Bar" where I met most of the speakers and got to talk to them a little bit. Any way I was inspired. Mainly because of the photobloggers that were like everyday people, not photographers, photojournalist, or professional or technical types. these were mostly just people who enjoy shooting photos. There was this guy named Boogie and I had seen his website before. His photos are really good, but I have to say that I was disappointed in what he had to say ( not much. ) Any how I got this feeling watching people show their work and talking about what motivates them, or why they do what they do. All the while I was asking myself why am I not shooting much these days, why did I stop blogging. I am working on getting another "photoblog" going that wont be ready for a couple of months or maybe for January but in the meantime I want to shoot and I want to blog too. So I decided to just keep my old photoblog going. Hope you people find it interesting, amusing, or something. For those that dont know my story, I returned in August from spending a year in Vienna, Austria with my wife who is from there. We got married, honeymooned in Spain and moved back here in August. Now with new eyes I look at my home. I see things from a different perspective. Although I am a New Yorker and Have lived here my whole life something has changed... I think its me? So my photoblog will be just about my life here in New York. Things that I think are interesting, funny, sad, amazing or just what every strikes me on a given day.
Posted by Victor at 06:25 AM | Comments (3)