Whenever I head to Boston to visit my brother he asks what I want to do. And my reply is usually something like, "leave me alone for a few hours so I can wander with my camera."
Then we go and eat really good food.
Uncategorized
Boston, part I
Things have been quiet around these parts of late.
My apologies, life has me a little bit tongue-tied right now, if you know what I mean.
But this weekend I slipped away from New York for just a moment. And it was just what the doctor ordered: perfect weather, leaves as only New England can make 'em, and just enough fresh air to make everything seem a little more manageable.
Married in Newport
in friends, Uncategorized
I had the extreme pleasure of witnessing one of of my closest friends marry the man of her dreams this weekend (I tried to think of a better way to say that--man of her dreams--but sometimes there's nothing better than that standard phrase).
The whole thing was heaven. Getting to witness that very courageous thing of two people pledging their lives--one to the other--is always a sight. So don't even get me started on getting to witness it against such a picturesque backdrop (I don't know that I've ever seen blue like the blue of that water).
(the very dapper groom)
(someone told us to do our "excited" face...this is what happened)
When Joy was prepping everything and gathering information for the invitations she sent emails out asking for basic info...like the name of our significant other. Joy knew I did not have one. But, for the sake of the email I reiterated this, and then gave her a very hard time about the fact that she made me put it down on paper for posterity. Yes, single. But I ended up with her roommate of nearly seven years, Matt, as my partner in crime. And ladies, I gotta tell you. Having a dancer as your wedding date is one of the most genius things that could happen to you. I just sort of giggled and squealed and asked him to throw me around. And throw me he did. We literally spun the night away.
I'm so very proud of Joy and Devin. Proud of how far they've come, as individuals and as a couple. And it was such a blessing to share in their day.
September 11
My small dorm room window at Juilliard looked south. I remember that much of the fall of that first year the city had two lights for the twin towers. Two lights straining skyward. And standing in front of my window they seemed so close, as if I could reach my arms the full length before me and touch them.
Looking south one was always aware of the absence. Of that bit of sky that went missing.
When the trees are in full bloom the only part of Manhattan I can see from my small Brooklyn apartment is the Freedom Tower. And I happen to think it is a beautiful building. I think its imperfect lines and the texture of the glass--how it reflects the changing blue of the sky--those things amount to something quite special. Suddenly, and all at once, it feels as though this building can be seen from anywhere in the city, or just over the river, as it were. And when the day is gray and hazy and the clouds are hanging low it disappears right up into them. Like it's got one foot in this world and one foot in the next. Like it's holy. Built on sacred ground. A living bit of history.
We move forward, but we honor the past. We honor those who lost their lives that day, and we honor the people we were then, so different from who we are today. People changed by the blue of that September sky. Forged by the attempt to build. Again. To make something true and good that no building, beautiful as it may be, will ever do justice.
before the wedding
it feels like a very large handful of my friends have either just gotten married or are about to get married. it's been amazing to see each one of them meet the right person and fall in love.
Joy and I have known each other since our very first day of college. that first year her apartment felt just as much like home as my small 26th floor dorm room. second year we mostly spent Friday nights watching Grey's Anatomy and eating crepes. we've been through so much, both together, and not. we've seen eachother fall in and out of love with both good and not-so-good-men. and so to know that after nine years of ups-and-downs and good men and not-so-good-men and false starts and poor attempts she gets to marry the love of her life, well that's a reason to celebrate if ever there was one.
it was a perfect night; a stunning TriBeCa apartment, champagne with drink straws and pom poms, tassel garlands, lingerie, a nearly-newlywed game, and just the right amount of happy tears.