June 03, 2007
Welcome (back) to the Bronx, My Mofo Martin
My friend Martin Fuchs from Vienna, Austria is visiting the Bronx again. If you click on his name anywhere on this posting you can check out his photoblog. On the day of these pictures we went out shooting. There is a sign when you enter the Bronx from the Triborough Bridge that says : Welcome to the Bronx. It lights up after dark in red neon. Martin mentioned taking a photo of this sign and if I could take him there to get a good shot of it. I said that he couldn't go there with out me because I've been wanting to take a photo of that sign for the longest. So we set out to meet up and photograph this sign.
We walked around and tried to get a place that had a good angle of this sign and couldn't. I just took this photo of that sign just incase that would be the best spot we could find that day. It turned out that it would be. We asked these guys that worked as security guards on this open lot next to an old factory of some sought just across from Randal's Island, but they couldn't let us on the lot. Martin took down "the bosses" name and number and will follow that lead to get permission to shoot the sign from that spot.
The next morning remembering that Martin also had mentioned shooting from the roof tops of Co-Op City I gathered some information and we were up on the roof tops shooting away. Again I shot a few shots of which here is one of them but I hope to go up another time and shoot better ones.
In the other photos you see Martin using a Hasselblad, medium format camera. The film is expensive and it brought about a conversation with Martin about watching him shoot with it. Each shot is carefully measured, takes concentration, and care not only because the cost of the film but shooting under those circumstance, slow shutter speeds he has to take his time even use a tripod sometimes. I remember even using my dad's 35mm Canon when I didn't have much money and black and white film was expensive for me being a student and not working. I'd by rolls of 24 or 36 exposures or when I was using bulk film I'd have about 30 exposures a role. But I remember how precious each shot was. Now it seems we've loss that preciousness of each photo snapped. Not to mention the time between shooting and seeing the finished product. Sometimes in the dark room sometimes in the mail and sometimes at the foto processor shop. I remember feeling man I think I took some good photos today. Today there is still that magic but I know that if I fill up my 2 gig memory card that I have two more 1 gig cards and even then a half gig card as backups.
Any how I look forward to hanging out some more with Martin and shooting in the Bronx or NYC.
Posted by Victor at 10:49 PM | Comments (4)
May 20, 2007
Marina und Stefan
So a few weeks ago Marina, an old friend of Monika, and her husband Stefan came to visit us. It was a nice time to show them around. We ended up taking them to Central Park then to the Museum of Natural Art, The Whitney, we ate at Carmine's on 91st Street. It was so nice. It was nice to meet them and also show them around as well. On their last night we were supposed to go to Willie's Steakhouse in the Bronx for their wednesday night latin jazz night, but Monika was feeling very tired and unable to do anything. I guess next time we can have dinner there.
Posted by Victor at 11:55 AM | Comments (1)
February 02, 2007
Dan the Man
I'm gonna try to post more frequently and I figure with all the photos I've taken that people haven't seen I can post several times a day and not have to shoot new ones for awhile. That doesn't mean I will stop shooting it just means that from time to time I will just put up older photos and post about not so current events. So this is my friend Danny. We go back to our Highschool days and although these days we don't see much of eachother because we have responsibilities that keep us from hanging out, sneaking in to movies, working out, or playing basketball We still talk often on the phone and I have to say we share a morbid humor and understanding of another that I've experienced seldom in life. This photo was from this past August. It was an afternoon game nice and sunny, the yanks won, and Arod had a great day during his late season slump. He almost hit for the cycle.
Posted by Victor at 11:59 PM | Comments (1)
June 09, 2006
Marsha and Valentine
Marsha is a friend of mine that I work with at Brooklyn Academy of Music. Valentine is her partner. They are here in Europe for Monika's and my Wedding that is on June 20th. They flew in to Budahpest and spent about three days in Vienna and now are heading to the Czec Republic. It was so cool to play tour guide for them because they are very well seasoned travellers and have been all over the globe. We did a hell of alot of walking wich I can still feel as well as eating and drinking. I'm sure Marsha appreciated the walking especially after I encouraged her to have icecream at our local Eis shop. To her surprise when she got a banana split that came with 5 scoops instead of the traditional 3. haha. Well it was great to see them and we talked so much and had a great time. Valentine was able to find some bank notes to buy for his collection back home. It was cool to see the look in his eyes like a kid that just got the lastest baseball cards or comic book.
Posted by Victor at 09:49 AM | Comments (1)
March 01, 2006
Comments ??
So this is a picture of my photoblog. Do you see that its empty. I know people are visiting it and coming through it but no one is leaving comments. All you have to do is at the bottom of the posting, click on the comment button. Its fun to get comments and it keeps me going with my photoblog. You can even request things you'd like me to photograph, hmm. Below is how I'd like to see my photoblog looking. Come on say something. Anything!! It's March already, I can't believe it!! It's also Ash Wednesday the begining of Lent for the christians that are reading now. Let me know what you guys are giving up for Lent. Me and Monika are limiting ourselves to one drink a night. Hmmm, not really giving anything up. and we're not doing it for religious reasons either, but what the... oops don't think you're supposed to curse during Lent. Or pretty much do anything else. haha.
This is my photoblog when you guys leave me many comments. So do it for Lent, give up the silence for Jesus or just for me. See you soon!
Posted by Victor at 11:16 PM | Comments (3)
January 13, 2006
David
David is one of my classmates from my first german course. He is the one that convinced me for the second course to take a class that met 3 times a week rather than 2 times a week. Today I thanked him for that. After my first experience of 5 days a week of german, I was tramatized. Not because my previous teacher was a bad teacher, but because 5 days a week was too much for me. I'm a slow learner, a slow going person. I take my time to do things. I rather get it right but take a long time to do it. Any way this is David and he is like 22 years old as are some of the students I encounter. As I tell David, I can live vicariously through him. I encourage him to enjoy life and have fun. I also tell him the joys I have because those crazy times are behind me and I cherish what have and what took me so long to find. David is from Spain so its cool because in addition to learning German, I get to practice Spanish too!! I've been speaking more Spanish in Vienna than I do normally in New York.
Posted by Victor at 11:15 PM | Comments (3)
November 16, 2005
Sebastian
Birgit, Josef and Sebastian came over on Sunday to visit us and to put our apartment to the " kid proof " test. Its really a joy to see a happy family. Most important to see good parents. Josef and Birgirt are really doing an amazing job with Sebastian. Even when he was getting a little moody cause he was tired already they were able to keep him in check. They seem to be teaching him the right stuff and it shows. Keep up the good work! Its a joy to watch the little ones play and interact. I was impressed that Sebastian's books had more nouns and vocabulary than my german course books. Maybe I can start a language trade with him. Its great to see Monika holding a little guy and of course I can't help but imagine that one day she will be holding one of ours. But that is a little further down the road for us. ;-)
Posted by Victor at 03:30 PM | Comments (2)
November 02, 2005
Shantanu the Chess Wizard
Last night we had another Barty at the Orange Monkey. Shantanu who is a classmate from my german courses invited me to play a game of chess because he saw the chess board by the bar. Little did I know that he has been playing since the age of 5. Not only has he been playing but he has take the time and effort to increase his knowledge of the game and to improve his game. Any way to make a long story short he won and Today we went after class to my new favorite place for breakfast to play some more games. I feel I can learn alot from losing to Shantanu. His stories and pointers during the game are very entertaining and informative. I look forward to our next game.
Posted by Victor at 10:26 PM | Comments (3)
October 19, 2005
Heinz
Heinz is a friend of Monika and I. He always comes out good in photos I take of him.
Posted by Victor at 02:43 PM | Comments (1)
October 17, 2005
Dinner with friends
So an old friend of Monika's named Andrew was in town from Australia and another friend of her's, Dieter, that she went to school with invited all of us over to his house for dinner. After a busy weekend that I had at first I wasn't going to join them but as the evening came nearer and I got hungrier I decided to go. I'm really glad that I did. First off, getting there was an interesting bike ride into a neighborhood that reminded me of New York City. We were riding and all of a sudden I got the feeling of the Bronx. I was never scared or I never felt like we were in danger but the neighborhood changed. It was kind of desolate, the buildings suddenly weren't the beautiful colorful buildings that I've become accustom to seeing here. Block after block were these grayish bland apartment buildings. There were dark shadows and figures scuttling around the corners. The way the cars were parked even reminded me of New York City. Not much room in between them. I half expected to see a drug dealer on the corner or a bodega around the next turn. This neighborhood I think is the 4th district and behind Sud Bahnhof ( south train station ) There was even this sought of urban park we had to cross through to get to Dieter's house. There was graffitti and I heard some guys playing basketball ( on a sunday night at 8pm )
Entering the building we were met with the enticing oder of good home cooking and I inwardly hoped that was coming from where we were going. As we climbed up and we got to Dieter's door we realized it was. Dieter's apartment was very interesting an big compared to other apartments I've seen. He has an office space, a living room (with a cool collection of Cd's and records!), he has two balconies. On one balconies he grows vegetables and herbs that he uses to cook and on the other he grows flowers. He cooked a vegetable dish with soy sausage. It was a little spicy and very good. On the side was bread and a cabbage salad. It was very delicious and perfect for one of the coldest nights thus far this fall. Andrew is a electronic musician. We listened to one of his cd's that I enjoyed. We also listened to a group called Kraftwerk. I really liked this and Dieter had a copy ready for us to take home. Monika, Andrew and Dieter were all friends or involved around the time that they were experimenting with virtual space and how it could be used in different ways to enhance, share and change the creative process. We discussed how that has come along and then we went on a tangent of online gaming communities and then into philosiphical discussions of whether or not we are always alone regardless of our physical surroundings or situation. We even touched on religion a little bit. I have to say it was one of the best evenings I've had in awhile. It was a good ending to a great weekend.
Posted by Victor at 02:25 PM | Comments (0)
October 16, 2005
Kelly, Chris and Monika & the Bone room.
Monika's friend Kelly was in town from Germany with her husband on an organized tour. Saturday they had a break in their schedule and so we met up with them. We walked around Stephans Platz, stopped in the Wanner store, and then had a bite to eat in a nice Italian restaurant. Chris is in the military and is in a base in Germany. We went in to Stephans Kirche and they had a tour of the Catacombs underneath the Cathedral. So we waited about 15 minutes and then went on the tour. There were no pictures allowed but I sneaked one of the bone room. There are a few mass graves down there from when the Big Plague happened but also there were a few plagues at different times also.
Posted by Victor at 11:05 PM | Comments (0)
October 10, 2005
A girl named Jo
This is one of my classmates, Jo,the only other person from america. She is from Utah and is here in Austria until December. She sleeps in a basement where they teach Karate at, but she only pays like 50Euro a month. She Worked last year and saved up money to come out here and take german courses. She is really laid back and down to earth and pleasure to talk with. I think its nice to have an american to talk with. It reminded me of home.
Posted by Victor at 12:15 PM | Comments (1)
October 07, 2005
Breakfast with Tini
So my friend Tini came over today for breakfast and then we were going on a hunt for nice soaps for me. Tini is the girlfriend of Monika's bestfriend Georg. She has just finished getting her masters degree. She knows how to speak and read German, French, Spanish, English, and Portuguese. She also knows how to read Sanskrit. She will have her Doctorate when she is 26 in two years. She is one of 3 sisters and also one brother.
Posted by Victor at 10:28 PM | Comments (1)
Tini on Mariahilferstrasse
Posted by Victor at 08:37 PM | Comments (0)
Tini in Occitane
Tini and I walked through many shops and stores looking for soap for me. I was trying to find an oatmeal soap bar. With no success I settled for an Olive soap with olive tree leaves in it. We found this at a store called Occitane. They use plants and natural ingredients in their soaps and other products.
Posted by Victor at 06:53 PM | Comments (0)
October 04, 2005
Tini's graduation & Julia's Birthday Party
Tini's sister Tessi, played her violin as everyone sang a song for her. This was the rehersal downstairs from the party. If tini noticed the mass exodus I'm sure she was told that everyone had to go to the bathroom. Must have been the schnitzel.
Posted by Victor at 12:22 AM | Comments (2)
Tini's graduation & Julia's Birthday Party
It was a great time with Tini's family and friends and eating and drinking.It was at a wine house that has a reputation of having great wine. Here is Tini giving Julia her birthday cake!
Posted by Victor at 12:05 AM | Comments (0)
October 02, 2005
The Unofficial Bar room Openning
So the bar is 90% finished and we couldn't resist but invite a small group over to have a few beers and snacks. Me and Monika spent the early part of the day painting the bar. Then Alexander ( One of Monika's brothers ) helped us bring the refrigerator from their grandma's old apartment. It was a great evening of drinking talking and eating. What more could you ask for with such great company. This is part of the small group that have made my time here very fun and interesting. We are planning for this upcoming weekend to have an official Bar room openning. I can't wait!!
Posted by Victor at 12:08 AM | Comments (0)
The Unofficial Bar room Openning
This is Ebby and Claudia, they are engage to be married just like Monika and I. Its great to see another couple in love!!
Posted by Victor at 12:01 AM | Comments (0)
September 29, 2005
We're Playing Basketball
Wednesday night is one of my basketball nights. Its a good mix of guys and gals from a different range of ages as well. This night I only captured three of my basketball mates.
Posted by Victor at 09:59 PM | Comments (1)
Matias aka the Dr. J of Austria
Matias with his sky hook shot is nearly unstoppable!
Posted by Victor at 12:17 PM | Comments (1)
Mystical Max
With his ability to shoot from out deep and to come in down low Max always keeps his opponenets guessing, just out of college he is a rising star to watch!
Posted by Victor at 12:11 PM | Comments (0)
Victor ( aka Victor no.1)
He is deadly with his long range shots as well as his explosive runs down the court.
Posted by Victor at 12:10 PM | Comments (3)
September 18, 2005
Sunday Brunch
Posted by Victor at 08:24 PM | Comments (0)
My new girlfriend Sandy
Posted by Victor at 08:23 PM | Comments (2)
Georg and Tini
Today we went to Georg's apartment to have brunch with him and his girlfriend Tini. Georg is Monika's best friend and he and tini are very good friends of ours. We had a nice time with food, talk, laughter and champagne. It was a perfect Sunday.
Posted by Victor at 08:13 PM | Comments (1)
September 09, 2005
Beautiful Family
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Big Boy Sebastian
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Birgit and Sebastian
This Birgit and her son Sebastian who is 20 months. Monika and I rode our bikes to visit our friends Josef, Birgit and Sebastian. They live in a beautiful duplex co-op in a modern part of Vienna just on the other side of the Danube. It was great to spend an evening with this family. I was happy to learn in our conversations that they are taking the time to give Sebastian lots of love but also give him structure and routines. We had a delicious pumkin soup and then one of my favorite foods of Vienna, palatschincken (pancake type food eaten with various jams. Can also be made with meats inside.)
Posted by Victor at 12:43 AM | Comments (0)