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New York
June 18th, 2009This will go down as one of the, ahem, funner work weeks I’ve had in a while.
Yesterday I rented a crappy rental car to drive down to have lunch with Chase Jarvis. Instead I got a brand new black Mustang GT, and giggled all the way down the I-5. Chase and I have corresponded but never met and we spent 3 hours chatting and conspiring and I have to tell you, he’s the real deal. I left inspired and more than that, with a profound appreciation for his creative mojo, work ethic, and sizeable brain. The man can think and when I left my head hurt from all the new ideas bouncing around. It was fantastic, and my drive home – apart from the bit along Chuckanut Drive which required my concentration in order not to (a) reduce speed and (b) go flying off into the ocean – was spent thinking about the conversations. Inspiration comes in many forms, yesterday I found it in Seattle.
Tomorrow I get on a plane and fly to NYC for a lecture and book signing thing. My lovely wife got us tickets on points – in big seats too, no less – and we’ll be staying at the New Yorker, probably under an assumed name. On Saturday I’ll be having dinner with Joe McNally, and on Sunday doing the gig at B&H which I understand is sold out. I tell you all this so when I tell you how freaking excited I am, you understand my full meaning. Perhaps when I’ve got more of this stuff under my belt I’ll handle it with cool and grace, but for now it’s all so surreal and I’m OK with unashamedly giggling like a school-girl the whole way to NYC. Besides, I still figure that the people in charge of the photography industry have actually mistaken me for someone else of the same name and will wake up any moment to realize, and quickly correct, their mistake by pulling me back into total obscurity.
And then I fly back and return to the increasingly normal life of writing, having meetings, and dealing with travel plans. I’m shooting for Save The Children in Ethiopia in July. In August I’m off to Thailand, and then it gets nutty busy with deadlines for the next book, and teaching, assignment work, etc. But for now, a weekend in NYC. Yeehaa. Let me know if you’re coming to the B&H thing.
Oh, lastly, thanks for the lovely comments left in response to the June giveaway. Many of them gave me a chuckle, and others made me smile, but all of them in some way made my day – so thank you. I keep telling people that the best a photographer or writer can hope for is that his work resonates with people, and the fact that it has just makes me happy as can be – thank you. I leave for Ethiopia a little later than expected so I’ll do the draw for the canvas on July 01, Canada Day.
See you next week.
Enjoy the New Yorker, our favorite NYC hotel. Drop by the Tick Tock Diner–ask to be seated in Joseph’s section, BTW, for breakfast. If he asks why, just tell him you’re a friend of “Pavarotti” (my brother-in-law, Wayne, but not the real one ). We visit when Wayne sings at Carnegie Hall every other year, always stay at the New Yorker, always have breakfast at the Tick Tock, always (as much as possible) sit in Joseph’s section, and always shop at B&H on Sunday before we take the train home. Sorry I can’t make your session at B&H. If you can, visit Times Square at night; it’s alive.
David, just getting into photography and really appreciate your contributions to the art via flickr and especially the vid podcasts on iTunes. Really hope it goes beyond 10 episodes…
Congratulations David, sounds like it is all coming together for you. Your blog is becoming part of my daily inspiration. Thanks.
U drove a Mustang GT!!!!!
U meeting Joe Mcnally!!!!!!!!
Well, u deserve every bit of it. I am not sure if u know how much difference u bought to people’s life…mine included.
But then u meeting Joe Mcnally!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Have fun in NYC. It’s about an hour and a half from where I call home, but I’m afraid I won’t be able to make it to B&H. I know you’ll enjoy it.
I’d be giggling like a schoolgirl too. Savor every moment!
Mark
You deserve your recent success after all your hard work. I can’t imagine the dinner conversation between two comedians like and McNally! Have fun!
I’m so happy for you David. You deserve this praise. Soak it up, man. Soak it up. I’ll see you at B&H on Sunday. YeeHaa.
Every time I rent a car, I hope for the Mustang upgrade but I never get it! You really got your MOJO going on these days. Enjoy it, savor it, share it.
Sounds like an awesome day yesterday — thanks for sharing. Just remember — you _are_ the real deal — whether you get the recognition you deserve or not, and for most of us, in most fields, sometimes you get the recognition you deserve (and occasionally, more), and other times, less… either way, you’re the same person with the same talent and passion. Enjoy NYC!!
I had to cancel my reservation for the B&H event today. There should be 2 openings for anyone who is interested.
enjoying ‘within the frame’ and would love a canvas of its cover! Sorry to miss you at B&H. Not sure if its the common appreciation for photographing the people of India (and for you other exotic lands) but Within the Frame has me connected more than any photo book I have read.
all the best
Richard