Tripping on Asphalt
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Are we concerned that cemeteries and abandoned buildings talk to me? I’m not, so don’t worry your pretty head. Just enjoy my favorite shot of the day.
It’s incredible what the iPhone can do. Not just the iPhone I suppose. I don’t even carry a point-and-shoot any more. Seems silly.
This isn’t the most inspiring picture for me. But I can’t get over that this guy fought in the Revolutionary War and to this day, is still recognized by the living, as a Son of the American Revolution. Somebody put that flag there way before Memorial Day.
This next one is another favorite, and my apologies if you’ve already seen it on Facebook. If you haven’t, maybe you’ll consider hitting the ‘like’ button on my Facebook page. {*cough* shameless plug *cough} There’s a handy link. Over there. On the left. And up a ways.
I’ve just read the Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman. I highly recommend it. As my mind and I wandered, Nobody Owens and those who reared him were definitely lurking around corners.
I really thought I’d move on from the Zombie thing by now. {If I’d had my head screwed on straight I would have planned for a month or two of this, or even just changed the blog’s theme, because, let’s face it, this is what I love, and, well, I have hundreds, maybe thousands, of photos – and they’re not going away any time soon. Hi, my name is Michele and I’m an obsessive collector of Zombie photos.}
I swear, I have all these great, shiny photos I’d love to show you of interiors and kids. Yes, folks, I said kids. Tons of great kid pictures, and they’ll surely be grown before you see them. And a few more Stand-ins laying around.
But here we are. The universe of Zombies keeps dragging me back in. Leigh for sure wants to address the Zombie movie front, so I have to hit up the Netflix. I’ve been hearing about what they’re calling Zombie mortgages. And I’m reading a book where they are currently drinking Pink Zombie vodka cocktails – which I am desperately trying to find with the Google to no avail because that just sounds awesome.
So here you go. Here are some of my Abandoned Relics. I chose these because they look like they’re coming for you. Like the Zombies.
There are very few behind the scenes photos of me because I’m generally the only one with a camera. I have to admit, I think it would be really cool to have quality photos of myself working. This particular image definitely does not qualify as a “quality photo of me working.” But here it is. Proof that I would be a horrible lighting assistant. So not subtle. To my defense, trying to get a shot of a room that’s 3′ x 5′ is a little rough. Then remember it’s a toilet closet. A room whose sole purpose is to house a toilet. And the client is all, ‘try not to focus on the toilet.’ Seriously, folks.
This animal print fiasco is what happens when I try to be my own assistant.
When nature takes over and starts to reclaim a building is when things get really interesting. Found objects get sucked back into the earth and colors like you might find deep sea diving emerge out of no where.
You know, I had no idea that Abandoned Factory Week here at Sequined Asphault Studio was going to turn into Zombie Week. But the truth is, now that I’ve got Zombies on the brain (oops), I don’t know how I never saw it before!
So I’m just going to go with it. Right now, I’m listening to Glee’s “Thriller/Heads will Roll” mash-up. A seriously fantastic performance – sorry I couldn’t find the video to go along with the audio. Hi, my name is Michele and I can’t get enough Glee. Never. Enough. Glee. And apparently Zombies.
Now that we’ve hit a few of my favorite things and how they relate to Zombies, Zombie habitat photography and Glee, we might as well round this post out with another big favorite Zombie pastime, knitting. Just kidding. You can’t knit for Zombies. That’s absurd! Reading. Here are some of the best Zombie books I’ve read (and I’m always looking for something new to read so feel free to help me add to this list):
Cell Stephen King
Pride, Prejudice and Zombies Seth Grahame-Smith
The Zombie Survival Guide Max Brooks
World War Z Max Brooks
And Miz Hines, who is completely knackered from jet lag, but is pretty much the biggest Zombie literature aficionado around, was kind enough to add her expertise to my meager list:
(World War Z ‘is one of the best books ever’ – although this was on my list already and I nixed a couple of other repeats from above I felt I needed to re-list this one because of her heartfelt commentary – the girl reads A LOT of books, so if she says ‘best book ever’ I wouldn’t take that lightly)
The Walking Dead comic book series
Home Delivery a short story by Stephen King
The Living Dead 2 anthology
Your turn. {brains… brains… brains… brains…}
Here are a couple of images from a quick trip to the old Wire Mill in Georgetown, Connecticut. Some day, some developer or other will likely succeed in converting this into a mixed-use project with condos and some office space. But right now it’s a decaying piece of the past constantly evolving and being reclaimed by nature.
As I look back at these pictures today, I can only reference this book recommended to me by CawfeeGuy. I totally want to tell you the name because it was a great read. But if I tell you the book’s name, then I can’t also tell you that it was a SURPRISE ZOMBIE NOVEL! How cool is that?! I mean, who knew? Seriously, somewhere around page 135, a full 3/4 of the way through the book, SURPRISE! ZOMBIES!!
Thanks, CawfeeGuy.
Part of me was kind of cringing as I zoomed in to edit these photos. Maybe, just maybe, a decaying body or two would lumber at me, arms out, and yell, SURPRISE! ZOOOOOMBIES… brains… brains… brains… brains…
There’s been an insane amount of snow this season. And it’s still here. When the snow comes down and you are snug at home it is glorious. Not so much for my friends that risk life and limb dragging their asses through treacherous conditions. I’m one of the lucky ones that doesn’t have to leave home if I’ll likely not make it alive to my workplace, and for that I am grateful. But that’s not what this is about. On those snow days, seemingly everyone is posting these other-worldly shots of their yards and trees or whatever view of the storm they find pleasing at that moment. I tend to post pictures of Chewie eating his way out of a snow bank.
Well where are those ‘backyard’ photographers now? Now, when feet of snow still remain lining every block. And it’s covered in muck and gunk and ash. On a 48 degree day like today it melts into disgusting puddles of pollution that coat every surface. I am completely grossed out. Funny, though – I can wander around in abandoned buildings for hours, stepping over decomp of one animal or another, dodging piles of pigeon dung that’s been accumulating for years. And the peacefulness and beauty of the place overcomes me. The long forgotten becomes magical and there’s never enough time to capture the colors and textures through my lens. Never mind the plastic covers on all my gear and people. But get a little dirt on my boots at lunch and I’m ready to throw a tantrum.
We’ve got a jam packed day today – an interview with a nun (I hope I don’t burst into flames), visits to some local hotels, and finally, a tasting (most excellent). Wedding head to toe. The we can forget about it for another 3 weeks. (Chewie says I’m kidding myself. Nobody asked you, DOG!) Sheesh! Have you noticed that everybody gets really gushy or preachy when wedding planning comes up? Even the dogs apparently.
I worked with the ladies of Shelter Interiors, Tricia Izzo and Carolyn Kron, to photograph their new, inviting space the day after their Grand Opening Party. We had a great time setting up shots and feasting on the leftover cheese and champagne! Best wishes, Tricia and Carolyn!
And there’s still time before the holidays to take advantage of Shelter’s store-wide 20% off sale!
And here are some rare, behind-the-scenes shots snuck by an unruly Client on her iPhone. Somehow, my trusty assistant, Dr. Kiang, managed to get by uncaptured.
My favorite season by far. Evidence enough.
There’s so much going on over here that it’s been tough to find the time to share it. Today it’s snowing for the first time (so early!). This weekend I broke out the crock pot for some coq au vin (thanks T), knit a couple of holiday gifts, started the Harry Potter movies with Year 1, and lit some candles. It’s definitely starting to feel (and smell) like the holidays. Warm and cozy. I’m getting in the mood for friends and family, food and curling up on the couch with a furry blanket, a good book and a puppy or two.
This past Saturday night we also had a blast at a cocktail party celebrating the opening of the new space for The Dance Collective. Everyone was smiling and in full party mode because we are so proud to be a part of this growing collective that has changed all our lives. And we are thrilled for the well-deserved success of Amanda and Enrique. For me, and Sequined Asphault, their opening week meant a couple of other exciting moments. A newly updated web site that I set live last Friday night after their last class was taught at the old studio. And the delivery of 5 (so far) humongous, fine art prints to decorate their modern, airy and bright, brand new dream studio. I won’t lie, it’s been very exciting to see those prints go up over the course of the week.
