My latest roll of film
First, a bit of background: I bought this film right before my birthday so I would have a fresh roll to capture the celebration. It was a roll of Cinestill 800t and I chose it for the low light capabilities since I knew the karaoke bar my birthday celebration would take place in would be quite dark. It’s not as capable in low light as Portra 800 but I still like this film and I wouldn’t mind using it again.
#1: New Years Eve and the Final Service of Boulud Sud (As we know it)
The restaurant world is precarious. I found that out first hand when it was announced the day after Christmas that my serving job would temporarily cease to exist as the restaurant was closing for renovations starting January 1st. Suddenly the entire team was scattered to the wind and transferred to various restaurants within the company. The annual New Years Eve gala was our final service. I brought my camera along to capture some final moments, including the jazz trio here, photographed from behind a bar that is now no more.
#2: Ringing in 2024
There were 500 balloons blown up for the New Year’s festivities. You can see them here on the ceiling and ribbons cascading down over guests, servers, and the kitchen staff parading through the dining room, banging on pots and pans to celebrate the new year. I’m pretty sure I’ve always worked on New Years Eve (it’s typical to spend all your holidays at the restaurant) but this was by far the strangest New Years Eve I’ve worked.
I turned 26 at the beginning of January and to celebrate the loss of my health insurance I had a party at Planet Rose Karaoke Bar in the East Village. When I initially sent the invitations I was TERRIFIED no one would show up. I cast my net wide and invited all of my wonderful friends and so many of those incredible friends showed up to celebrate I was worried there wouldn’t be enough space for everyone. It was a blast! The karaoke was fun, the drinks were reasonably priced, and my heart was full of so much love!
#6 I hope you’re doing all right
I made a friend on my daily commute to work. He was a young man panhandling on the corner of Broadway and 61st. He had two cats always sleeping in a folding chair that I would stop to pet on my way in and I’d give him cash or cat food when I had it. Since my job closed I haven’t seen him and I worry about him when it’s cold like this outside. I hope him and the cats are doing okay.
#7 The Big Christmas Tree
This year has been much snowier than in the past here in NYC. This was taken during the first big snow of 2024. This tree in St. Nicholas Park was still lit with Christmas lights and everyone was just recovering from post-holiday season hangovers. I wonder who’s in charge of putting the lights up and taking them down. I wish we kept more Christmas lights up year-round.
#8 Sledding at St. Nick
My first week of being 26 was mostly spent in bed with a nasty cold. I stayed inside for almost the whole week since I was pretty much jobless and quite puny (Or “pun-ny” as my father would say). I did venture out after the first big snow happened, to get some air and capture some moments. Apparently the hill in St. Nick park is exceptionally good to sled down and many of the neighborhood children did just that.
#9 Strolling through St. Nick in the snow
The concrete paths leading through the park were a bit slick, but in the late afternoon light everything glowed so traversing the slippery sidewalks was worth it. I think in the distance was a student from CUNY walking to or from class. No snow days in New York.
All Yours,