I get around
This is mainly a “heads up” post about other places to find my stuff on the ‘net. While I will definitely be beefing up this blog in the near future, I also keep myself busy as a contributing writer/photographer for these awesome sites:
Dipped in Cream (Celebrity Gossip and Entertainment)
Meandering Entertainer (Choice Slices of Entertainment, Travel, & the General WTF of the World)
Check ’em out!
Major hair journey update!
Buckle up! This may be a long one. 😛
When it comes to transitioning, everyone has a point where they say “enough”. That’s when they decide to either go back to relaxing their hair or, as in my case, they do the “big chop”. My original plan never changed; I was going to transition for as long as I could handle it and then cut off the processed hair so that I’d have at least a bit of curly ‘fro to work with. I was hoping to make it to a year but, apparently, 8 months was my max.
Me and the ‘rents went on another cruise in May and it was right before this, when I wanted to make my freshly washed hair look nice and pretty, that I realized I friggin’ hated it. The drastic difference in texture from my relaxed hair to my natural 3c-textured hair meant that I spent more of my time fighting dreadlocks than anything else. Wearing it loose had since become a thing of the past with my roots a thick forest while the rest was a mess of rat tails. Just…no. I was done. Yet I sat on it! I went on vacation and told myself that, if I continued to feel I’d reached my limit, I’d big chop sooner than expected. I mean, clearly my frustration signaled that I was ready to go balls deep, as it were, and I’d come too far (8 months of experimentation) to throw it away on the “creamy crack”.
We came back from the cruise, I deep conditioned my hair for 30 mins (my usual), washed it, then realized I couldn’t get a comb into my hair if you paid me in diamonds. No amount of divide and conquer was going to win this day quickly. In the end, it took me a grand total of 5 miserable hours to do my hair, from DC to drying with a diffuser attachment. Oh, yes, I was officially done. Why bother keeping my hair at the length it was when it represented nothing other than aggravation to me? My main issue was that I didn’t know who to go to for my big chop. It didn’t feel right going to my old hairdresser, regardless of knowing each other for ages; She always did right by my hair but I clearly needed someone with more experience in this specific area. Enter my mom who came across a woman, Nikki, working in a barbershop near us who knew exactly how to handle the kind of drastic hair change I had in mind. Excited, I popped in the first chance I got (June 8th, 2013), sans appointment, so I could get this part of my life over with already! And I’m still somewhat torn over how I feel about it. I mean, I’ve never had hair this short except for when I was an infant. But it was one of those imperative urges that had to be respected; I was freeeeeeeeeeeeee.
Fresh Big Chop, dun dun dunnnnn!
A lot of women cry when they finally do the big chop. Or, at least, that’s what the internet tells me. As strange as it was to be shorn of 95% of my hair, I was strangely okay with it outside of feeling awkward as hell. No doubt this is thanks to the mental preparation I’d given myself way in advance. As a smart woman, I wasn’t about to look that gift horse in the mouth. What I could’ve done without? All the attention that accompanied my new look. Sure, I understood as it was a drastic (read: shocking) change for my friends/family/coworkers to see but it still made me highly uncomfortable as I’m not a fan of attention. That and how insecure I felt now that my, in my opinion, “moon face” was on full display. Eek! 2 months later and that hasn’t completely gone away yet! But what’s done is done so I try not to fret about the “naked” sensation overmuch. I have to appreciate how much less time it takes to wash/condition my hair too! Which leads me to the subject of products, one of the most important elements of any hair journey.
Now that I’ve got a full, albeit short, head of natural 3c hair, I’ve definitely had to change things up a bit. Research on the ‘net is key, even while keeping in mind that what works for one head may not work for yours. I believe I’ve settled on a nice combo that suits for now; I say “for now” as what my hair requires will inevitably change as it grows. Products that felt too heavy whilst I was transitioning, such as Shea Moisture’s “Coconut & Hibiscus Curling Souffle”, have now become some of my favorite hair staples! Former loves like Kinky Curly’s “Curling Custard” are still used but don’t quite maintain the level of moisture I now need. My hair will literally suck up whatever is put on it and then do whatever the hell it wants because, truth be told, there’s only so much styling one can do to curly hair this short. Not gonna lie, this suits my busy lifestyle just fine; me and my hair are growing together. All that being said, current products and usage are as follows:
Hair care buddies!
1) Cleanse with As I Am’s “Coconut CoWash”. I love, love, love this stuff. Smell delicious and gently “washes” my hair while adding moisture rather than stripping it. Also, the price is incredibly decent i.e. less than $8 for 16 oz, a steal for a great curly product.
2) Condition with TreSemme Natural’s Silicone-free Conditioner. Both the smoothing one and the moisturizing one work equally well for me and are usually on sale for $3.49 or 2 for $6 at many a drugstore. MInd you, with the Coconut CoWash, I don’t actually have to use an additional conditioner. I just choose to because my hair loves added moisture, it does my curls justice, and makes detangling that much easier.
3) Shea Moisture’s “Coconut & Hibiscus Curl & Style Milk” is 100% my new favorite hair product. It’s my leave-in conditioner that’s replacing Kinky Curly’s “Knot Today”. Again, it’s not that I no longer like KT, it’s more that the curl milk is providing that extra hydration my hair needs. Should I feel that my hair is particularly tangled, I have no problem going right back to KT. Anyhoo, yes. This stuff smells like a Pina Colada! It super soothes my thirsty curls and helps so much in the frizz department! I had one of those major “ahhhhh” moments when I used it for the first time. It is slightly pricier than I’d like ($10.99/8 oz) but a little does go a long way and my hair is one of those things that I’ve always been willing to spend extra cash on if it means it’ll be healthier. My bottle looks almost brand new after about 4 uses. *shrug*
4) As mentioned above, I volley between the Shea Moisture “Coconut & Hibiscus Curling Souffle” and Kinky Curly’s “Curling Custard” to “set/hold” my curls. Do I like both gels? Yes. Do I feel that one works better for me than the other? Another yes. Will I continue to volley? Yes, yet again. If I ran out of my curling souffle and only had my curling custard, I wouldn’t freak out since I feel they both do well for me in different ways. The Kinky Curly is certainly lighter so, if I were expecting to sweat or something, I’d probably go with that as I don’t relish sticky gel trailing down my face or neck. If I think my hair is being drier/frizzier than usual, I’d go with the Shea Moisture as it’s thicker and heavier with product still feeling evident two days later. KC runs more expensive, by a few dollars, than SM and that’s always something to consider, though they both run in the $12 range (KC is 8 oz, SM is 12 oz).
5) I don’t really use a curl refresher as, by the time I’d need one, my curls are so dry that only a full wash/condition session will do. When I think one is required, I use another SM product. The “Coconut & Hibiscus Hold and Shine Moisture Mist”. It’s good, I like it, but it’s another $12 product that happens to go pretty fast. And I find that if I just spray water on my hair, I get a similar effect from reactivating the products I’ve already used a day or so before. Ergo, I’ll call this one a “luxury” item; lovely to have but life goes on fine without it.
Honorable mentions have to go to KC’s “Perfectly Polished” hair oil for giving softness/nourishment as a pick me up, Carol’s Daughter’s “Olive Oil Infusion” as a deep conditioner when needed, and regular ol’ shea butter/pure coconut oil for extra moisture and protection.
Overall, my hair is coming along nicely! I have absolutely no regrets about big chopping. I do wish it’d grow faster because I really miss having long hair but it is what it is; I’m going to try my best to enjoy this mop on my head in every stage it goes through. Now, for some reason, I haven’t bothered with “length checks”. I just can’t be arsed, I guess! Not to mention that the length, in units of measure, doesn’t matter if I can’t tell, you know? Curly shrinkage is EPIC. So, regardless of true length, I’ll be running around with a solid cap of curls that will only gain height (they grow out as opposed to down) in an incredibly slow manner. Womp womp!
Flower stylin’
Aaaaaaaaand there you have it. One massive hair update. 😀 Next hair-related post will probably be about the challenge of dry Winter air and ski caps. *shudder*
“Free as my hair” or “Adventures in Transitioning: the first”
I can’t remember whether it was a friend or one of my cousins but, upon learning that I was planning on transitioning from relaxed hair to natural hair, they suggested I blog about it. My argument against doing so went along the lines of “but everyone is doing it, does the world really need another blog about it”. Also, would I really have the time or inclination to bother? But its occurred to me of late that they had the right of it. I SHOULD be blogging about this because its a huge deal in my life! A woman’s hair, and what she chooses to do with it, is her crowning glory! Its also worth noting that no one’s two transitions are the same and any tips/tricks/revelation are always worth SOMETHING to SOMEONE. Maybe even to my future self. So, as I’ve officially reached my 4th month post last relaxer (this Sunday), I figured now would be a good time to start. Not to mention that my brain won’t stop nagging about it!
First, some back story!
What the hell is my natural hair texture? Well, sadly, I wouldn’t know the answer to that. I’ve had my hair relaxed the the literal day that I turned 6 yrs old because my mom just couldn’t deal with it anymore. *For the record, I’m Puerto Rican. It was too long and too curly so away it went! She took me to the salon to get “pretty” for my birthday and I ended up with straight hair that was suddenly missing 6 inches! If you’re thinking that I’m still bitter about this, you’d be right! Now I’m 31 yrs old and have no recollection of what my natural hair texture consists of. And you can’t trust that stuff that grows out of your scalp in between touch ups, okay?! In my quest for knowledge re: healthier options for my hair, I’ve discovered that the reason I was always so afraid of letting my hair grow out is because “scab hair”! All along, I thought my hair was this dry and crunchy mess when…that was likely furthest from the truth. Scab hair is the hair that lives just under your scalp and is already slightly damaged from the relaxing process WITHOUT yet being relaxed; Its the greatest illusion of all.
After over 20 yrs of chemically playing the Marquis de Sade with my hair, I was over it. Call it advanced age, boredom, curiosity, whatever. I was just done. Tired of being afraid to miss salon trips, tired of the process, tired of the fear of water, tired of the expense, etc. As much as I wanted to retain length all my life, I was also suddenly not as attached to it as I was. Maybe the mental scarring of my 6th birthday was finally fading? Or maybe the horrible humidity of living in NYC in the summer was the final nail in the coffin. *shrug* Granted, I’m not doing the “big chop” anytime soon but a definite series of mini-chops is coming my way. Little by little, I WILL rid my head of both the relaxed and Brazilian straightened treated hair and let my natural curls fly free!
My first order of business was to learn how to take care of curly hair which is the complete opposite of dealing with straight hair! Once you learn, you purge. Learn what to try, what to avoid, and the tweaks you can get away with because your hair is unique to YOU. What works for someone else’s mop top may not be the business for yours. To begin with, I’m off silicones. It sounds like something a drug addict would say but that’s the best way to put it. While -cones that coat the hair shaft are awesome for straight hair that’s trying to avoid fridge, its a right bitch for curly hair that is now blocked from absorbing any more moisture for the interim. Same with sulfates in my shampoo! That’s a no-no. And I can go that route BECAUSE I’m living -cone free; the only thing that can get -cones off hair is sulfate shampoos because they strip everything. Curly hair and moisture stripping are not friends! Getting my hair washed, set, and blown dry? That was gone too. And, let me say that I noticed a difference even in my relaxed hair once I made these changes. I’m pretty sure its because it wasn’t so stressed any more! I was letting it be. And I’ve found what my hair loves: OILS. Natural oils (apricot, argan, jojoba, coconut, olive, etc) that moisturize without suffocating my hair and can be washed out WITHOUT the use of sulfate shampoos. Deep conditioners and protein treatments? Yeah, my hair is about that life too!
Research told me that I’d probably have a longer period of scab hair than most, about 6 mos., because my scalp had been damaged from so many years of relaxers. So I was prepared for this and still committed to transitioning because, as I said, I was beyond over relaxing my hair. Thankfully, this is turning out to not be the case. I think its because my relaxers were mild ones as my hair isn’t as coarse a curl pattern as I always believed! The vast majority of my new growth is really awesome clumps of 3c hair and I LOVE it.
Don’t get me wrong, taking care of my hair is still somewhat of a pricey and time-consuming process because I have a lot of it and its thick, relaxed or natural. I started transitioning with hair that reached to my elbows. And once the 2 different textures became more prominent, detangling my hair on wash days inspired true dread in me. But with patience, the right tools (conditioner, a tangle teezer, and a wide tooth comb), and the view that I’m doing this FOR myself and not TO myself, Its gotten a lot easier and I mostly enjoy it. I feel like my hair is starting to fit my personality now.
I read somewhere that transitioning inspires a lot of self-awakening, soul-searching, and an almost spiritual peace within many people. I didn’t believe that because its just hair, right? But my opinion of this has definitely changed. Its almost like chains are dropping from your soul or something, pardon my melodrama. I’m seeing the world in a whole new light which is just what this 30-something was looking for.
Here’s a pic of what was going on when I hit 3 mos. post-relaxer!
Can’t stop, won’t stop, bring me that horizon!
Puerto Rico, hooooooo! LOL. Me and the ‘rents took a cruise from NY to the Caribbean (Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, Grand Turk). ‘Twas lovely but I doubt we’ll ever do the whole PR by boat thing again; 3 days without land is enough to make anyone stir crazy. My dad can’t fly for various reasons that he rather not deal with so, boat was the only way he was going to go back to the motherland. We only got about 7 hrs in San Juan and we tried to make the most of it despite the rainstorm from hell. Oh, Isla, you certainly welcomed us back in style, didn’t you? We were able to hit El Morro and score great food at this place by the dock called “Mojito’s”. They don’t get as much hype as “Raices” though they really should and we have high standards as that’s the kind of cuisine we cook ourselves! Om nom nom.
*side note: none of my family hails from San Juan. Mayaguez, Patillas, y Caguas.
Before the storm took us out!
- Folks frolicking at El Morro.
- Its a cemetery. As if I WOULDN’T end up lingering there. Its a thing.
- Cobbles. Also a thing!
¡Viva España!
Just a few highlight from my trip to Barcelona and Mallorca. Out of the two, the island of Mallorca/Majorca was enjoyed more. Barcelona was cool but I found that both the people and the atmosphere were more to my liking. Barcelona is home to some astounding artwork, primarily by Antoni Gaudi. One of his most famous creations, La Sagrada Familia church is still unfinished but continues to take one’s breath away. You just wanna know what he was thinking. One of Majorca’s biggest draws has to be all the natural beauty that survives. Sure, a fair community lives there and there are hotels/resorts scattered about but, for the most part, much of the land is unspoiled; you can roll out of your hotel bed and climb right into the ocean! We totally weren’t ready to leave and my lucky Euro friends are already planning a return trip in August. Sadly, its a bit too off the beaten path for me here in NYC. *sigh* Enjoy the shots!
In Sagrada Familia
- Outside Facade of Sagrada Familia
- One train, a funicular, and a skyride later…Montjüic!
- Park Güell. Beautiful and complex. You can see Sagrada Familia and all of Barcelona from there.
- Park Güell is bursting with Gaudi’s genius. Definitely a must-see in Barcelona.
- Majorca produces some of the most intense and emotional sunsets I’ve ever had the privilege of seeing, truth.
On the birth and apparent death of 52 weeks
I started 52 with the best of intentions. And, technically, I haven’t fallen off the wagon of taking the self-portraits; its getting around to posting them in the 52 format that’s the problem! There’s also the fact that the project has lost a bit of meaning to me. See, the whole point was to force myself to take photos on a constant basis in order to keep my “eye” sharp, to make sure I was seeing creatively as well as literally. I don’t really need 52 for that anymore and, so, I proceed with the photos but not with the original goal in mind. Hence, no new shots labeled as such.
Why do I no longer need the project? Let’s look at two major changes in my life recently: my upgrade from a Blackberry to a Droid phone and the creation of Instagram for said Droid. I know those don’t seem the kind of things that should have such a large impact on a person but we’re talking about an incredibly mobile photographer i.e. I now have a better camera at my ready disposal, the ability to edit on the go, and an instant outlet for my captures. Who needs incentive with all that in the mix?
Anyhoo, yes, time to really get this ball rolling with the help of both. Talk about a PSA! 😉
The Red Carpet premiere of Marvel’s “The Avengers” at the Tribeca Film Festival
Got to do a little creepin’ on some of my favorite actors at the premiere of their latest ensemble film, “The Avengers”. Which, by the way, was perfectly executed and everyone should make plans to see it if they haven’t already. Check out my review from when I was able to catch an advanced screening a month ago: Assemble! “The Avengers” in review!
By W. 125th and St. Nicholas
I’ve always been obsessed with these old side-of-building advertisements from another era. Time to start documenting as many of them as I can, when I manage to come across them.
8/52
Nothing too much of note here except to document what I was eating on a particular day, at a particular time, for this: www.arthousecoop.com/projects/themeal
6/52
Just enjoying a glass of wine on a Saturday night. We all have our ways of recovering from the work week.
Nap time
My baby cousin, Laila. They say that having a child is like allowing your heart to walk around outside of your body i.e. living completely and extra vulnerable to hurt. But I think that’s true about loving any child, not just one that you’ve borne yourself.
I’m not sure if its my slowly advancing age or something else but, Laila’s birth has given me that exposed feeling more keenly than I’ve ever experienced previously. I like to think that my Uncle, who’s death left a hole in our family, sent her to us so we can heal. ❤
4/52
Reading, I do a lot of it, lol. I have a nook e-reader which I love but I’ll never get away from reading paper books as well. They each have a place in my heart. 9 times out of 10, I have either my nook or a paper book in my purse/bag, even though I rarely read on the go anymore. Its like a security blanket thing for me; I know the literature is there if I need it, if I need to escape and lose myself in another world. Unless I’m going on vacation. Then the nook is fully stocked and I’ve got at least 2 paper books with me as well. I WILL be reading and I need ~options. 🙂 Anyhoo, yes, books equal love.
3/52
New glasses, woot! And representing my love for Loki, lol. The shirt, brain-child of me and a couple of friends, was actually designed exclusively for us and Tom Hiddleston. He was given one at the “War Horse” premiere in NYC but I’ve never been sure if he ever received it from the assistant dude that took it. Ah, well, I’ve stopped dwelling on it for the most part. The shirt says “Property of Loki Laufeyson” w/the horned helmet drawn and runes provided by A. Akeju.
2/52
Kitchen creepin’. Just back from seeing “Beauty and the Beast” in 3D with Melanie and confirmed that it is STILL my favorite animated Disney film. Yes, I sang all the songs and mouthed most of the dialogue. Yes, we were the oldest people in the theatre without benefit of children. There is no shame in our game. It was strange to realize that a lot of kids are going to be seeing this movie for the first time. Where did the time go?
1/52
Quick shot in the bathroom before heading out with Mary Beth to see a mid-day concert (Theo Katzman, Charlene Kaye, and Shoot the Freak) followed by “How to Succeed” on B’way. Busy, busy day.
52 Weeks
So, I’ve decided to give the self-portrait project another try. I enjoyed it and learned so much the first time around (2008, holy crap) but it was…really intense. I mean, the timing was all wrong and I was doing 365 Days which, if you want to produce anything of note, is pretty damned demanding. I just couldn’t hack it. I’m thinking 52 Weeks will go easier on my time schedule and give me a little more room to be creative. NOT that you’d see that by my first two shots as I’ve, so far, been lax at setting aside time to work on this. Ideas are great but implementation is key; if a shot is taken after midnight on a Sunday, IT DOESN’T COUNT. I need to get on the ball.
I don’t want to cheat. Wish me luck. Each photo will be given it’s own post.
Italy, why don’t I live in you?
I swear that, when my mother decided what to name me, she decided my fate. Being a “Francesca”, it was almost a given that my favorite food would be Italian, one of the places I feel most at home is Italy, and I’m already planning on naming my future son “Cesare” (this last bit is thanks to The Borgias, lol). As vacation season is once again rolling around for me, I’m coming to grips with the fact that I won’t be going to some European location this year. That hasn’t happened in…well, suffice it to say that it hasn’t happened in a long time. We’re keeping it more local this year but I thought now would be a nice time to reminisce about this most majestic of locales. 🙂 Here are shots from a mixture of Rome, Venice, and Naples/Pompeii!
Scouse and Floof waiting for the vaporetto
Our stop this time around
Dinner! Prosecco not pictured!
Sunning on Lido
Mom on the vaporetto
Two of a kind
Curiosity
Stepping on history
Sign above the door says...
Taking the Metro
Wedding Day
Nap time
Adventures in Depotting!
Ask anyone and they’ll tell you that I’m a huge makeup whore. I have a somewhat ridiculous amount of eyeshadows though I console myself by knowing that some out there have even more. >_> Whatever makes me feel better, right? Now, because I have so many shadows, I’ve gotten sick of how much space they take up with their little plastic containers. Enter the wonder that is depotting. To depot is to use any means necessary to divorce your shadows, and their accompanying pans, from their plastic ball and chain. Depending on the manufacturer of a particular shadow, you can use one of several methods (heat or alcohol) to make this happen. It is messy and time consuming, involving knives, magnets and adhesive. But the pay off is being able to fit a large amount of shadows into a much smaller space in your train-case/vanity…that you can then free up for items such as lipstick/gloss. Yes. *ahem* It also doesn’t hurt that MAC containers are part of the “Back2MAC” program i.e. for every 6 empty containers returned to a free-standing MAC store, a brand new lipglass, lipstick, or eyeshadow can be obtained, free o’ charge*! So, not only are you helping your wallet AND your habit (let’s be honest), you’re also helping the environment as MAC gleefully recycles those bad boys!
As of right now, I’m not aware of any other companies who practice this but, if you know different, hook a sista up! ‘Til then, look at all the pretty colors!
- 38 so far and still so many more to go… O_O MAC, Prestige, Milani, L’oreal, NYX, and Stars Makeup Haven.
- Even if you chose one of the heat methods, high percentage alcohol is always a must!
There are an abundance of depotting related videos on YouTube and my favorite maker of makeup palettes (http://uniicosmetics.com) even link some of these vids on their website and print instructions on their product packaging. I was so intimidated when I first started but now I’m addicted. Nothing is safe from being depotted. Not shadows, not blushes, not concealers…nothing. I can’t recommend it enough!
*Back2MAC – The containers they accept are concealers, foundations, lipglasses, lipsticks, and eyeshadows. Forgive me if I’ve left any out. Basically, if you buy a MAC product that says “Back2MAC” on the inner packaging, you’re good to go. If you return any combo of 6 to a free-standing, you can grab a shadow, lipglass, or lipstick but NOT a Viva Glam lippie, limited edition shadow or Pro pan. If you do your exchange at a MAC COUNTER, you’re only eligible for a lippie. Boo.
Hot off the pavement
As the city is still deeply mired in the brutal ugliness that is Winter, I can’t help but look back at my photos of Summer and yearn for the return of the sun and heat. Summer in NYC isn’t for the faint of heart; thick, humid and blindingly bright, it’s brought more than a few people to unfathomable heat-induced rage. I, however, live for it. You can chalk it up to the fact that I was born smack in the middle of Summer or the fact that Island blood courses through my veins, whatever. All I know is that I love my city and I love it more when the only thing worth doing is flopping down in Central Park for a catnap in the barely there breeze.
Being Hispanic, and from the Bronx, my memories of the season have always been heavily colored by my father’s favorite pastime, Stickball. A street game born of poverty and ingenuity, it evolved into something that drew the entire community together. My father and his friends still play despite being official “Old-timers” of the sport. Guess they’re probably missing Summer as much as I am right now.
Broomsticks to Bats - yet another Cinderella story
It's a 'hood thang
Does it get more old school than this?
Cherry, Mango, Coco! Ahh, sounds of summer. I will still run for it.
My dad. ❤
Of things beautiful, ugly, and just plain ironic.
Sept. 11th is a day that makes makes most Americans wish they could sleep in and awaken a day later. I’d say that’s doubly worse for NYers but, you know what, life never takes a break and the only thing any of us can do is continue on with our days to the best of our abilities. That doesn’t mean, however, that we’re not all carrying a hidden weight that day, some more heavier than others. I’m still trying to wrap my brain around the fact that it’s been 7 years already; when did that happen?! And yet the pain of that day hasn’t dulled by much, if at all, and I think it’s safe to say that it never will. So, while it was indeed a solemn day, it was the first time I’ve been able to physically and emotionally photograph the city on that day which is exactly what I did. After all, the main reason I love photography to begin with is because it allows me to capture moments in time that will never happen the same way again.
Where I worked on that day 7 years ago seemed a pretty fair place to start and I simply moved from there, trying my best to get a few shots I felt reflected the way I was feeling right then. Lights are lights right? Big whoop. But whether it be that there’s actually something special about these lights or the fact that I was understandably sensitive that day, I found the Tribute lights beautiful to the point of tears.
As seen from Union Sq.
“Dance like nobody’s watching.”
The date? Sunday, August 17, 2008.
The time? Precisely 5:28pm.
The location? Union Sq., once again, and the consciousness of innocent passerby.
I won’t lie and say that, at approximately 5:10pm, my heart wasn’t thumping like I’d just run a marathon. It was nervous excitement, adrenalin pumping through me in anticipation of dancing my pants off, to my own music, amid a sea of virtual strangers. It was finally time for the second ever NYC Silent Rave aka “Silent Rave Strikes Back”. For those of you not in the know, a “silent rave/silent disco” is a public event, held at a random time, in which all attendees choose their own music that’s blissfully fed to them via headphones. Ipods/discmans (yes, some still use them)/mp3 players/etc. required; playlist optional! And due to the fact that there’s no actual music playing out loud, the rave is “silent” to members of the general public. Silent raves have been popular over in Europe for years and, thanks to exchange student Jonnie Wesson, they’re catching on here like the proverbial STDs your mother warned you about. I say, “bring it on!”
The one thing me and my friend, Melanie, noticed was that the square wasn’t nearly as crowded as it had been for the first rave. That’s right, we were there for that one as well. It made us worry as we were there, not only to dance, but also to try and take some killer photos. But then we saw Jonnie getting interviewed and all was right with the world! We blatantly borrowed from his “quality, not quantity” school of thought and, when the countdown started, we joined in with fellow ravers who’d mysteriously crawled out of the woodwork. Turns out many were merely undercover until start time! Suddenly there was a dancing mustard, the “free hugs” folks, hula hoopers, a robot, some kid in an impossibly large sombrero, a…you get the idea, right? IT WAS A RAVE! And, naturally, all manner of insanity was welcome.
I don’t think I can explain what one of these things is truly like though those of you who’ve ever raved will have a pretty good idea! It’s an event that one has to experience personally, from start to finish, for them to understand what it’s like to somehow bond with hundreds of strangers over the simple love of having fun. My playlist consisted of everything from Nelly Furtado and Rooney to VNV Nation and Marilyn Manson. Me and Melanie shared a headset as we gyrated to M.I.A. while a few couples slowdanced, metalheads headbanged, Kandikids twirled, conga lines marched and a sense of community was everywhere you turned. We worshipped the Raveapple, a pineapple with glowsticks punched into it, yet again! Don’t ask us why; it just seemed like the thing to do so, if you show up at the next rave, be sure to pay our mascot proper homage. 🙂
The Silent Rave can be summed up as follows: “Dance in the streets, not in your room.” Go out and celebrate everything a true rave stands for (PeaceLoveUnityRespect/P.L.U.R) and do it in a way that NO ONE can ignore.
The date? Friday, October 17th, 2008
The time? Precisely 6:27pm.
The Location? Union Sq.
Silent Rave 3. Let’s do this.
All photos here, request permission for use.
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