Coffee Cups

Gwyneth Leech

I was on my way to dinner in Chelsea and I noticed an instillation. Though I had seen it before I had never taken the time to look at the cups. Though I don’t know the artists intention I find it interesting on many levels. Not only was it visually appealing, not to mention would make a wonderful print for kitchen towels, but it was commenting on society. We consume so much and it is absurd how many disposable coffee cups one sees while walking the streets of New York City. One also sees many reusable mugs, a fashion statement for the metropolitan eco-friendly chic. Mine is bright pink with a light pink trim. Some carry mugs that resemble a disposable cup from their favorite chain, Starbucks. Others use the traditional thermos. So what does your mug mean? Are you truly eco-friendly or eco-chic?

Before, during and after the Academy Awards News shows, newspaper articles, blogs and all other social media are filled with polls considering who wore it best? I just walked a red carpet that was more important than any Hollywood event.

I attended the first gay wedding held at the Four Seasons Restaurant in NYC. This was no typical “gay wedding.” A majority of the guests had served or were serving our country. As both Billy and Bryan have dedicated much of their time to helping injured soldiers.

Not only were these two amazing men marrying the person they love, but they were doing so in front of many teary eyed four stars. Same sex marriage and armed services are not often found in the same sentence. However, last night all the attendees embraced the concept.

We can all learn something from these men who give so much of themselves to a country that for a long time wouldn’t allow them to serve in the military, and only recently were they able to marry in their home state.

So what do you wear to a Gay wedding with army generals and a performance by Aretha Franklin? The majority of men wore blue suits flaunting a pin of both a New York State Flag and an American Flag. These pins were distributed with the idea that the rest of the country better get with the program. Many women wore sequins, including Aretha, or cocktail dresses. The most sensational outfits are those of the brave men and women serving our country.

And just hours after the wedding, social media is buzzing, the New York Times website reads, “If most New Yorkers have probably not heard of the couple who celebrated their wedding in spectacular style on Sunday evening, that’s because most New Yorkers are not celebrities, mega-wealthy or ultrapowerful.”

Week 8: Ballet Sweaters and Occupy

Occupy Times Square.

Seanna and me

Rachel on Greg's shoulders

On Saturday I joined many other artists in Times Square for the Occupy Wall St. Protest. Often gatherings with large amounts of people end poorly however this group had a positive vibe. Though many were arrested I never felt unsafe. Sadly the protests in Rome turned out differently. What made this group different was that many are involved in the performance world. Not only was there a full marching band of over twenty musicians, but there were half a dozen stilt walkers. The majority of the group wore white using red and black as accents. However, circus people don’t wear jeans and a T-shirt. Petticoats were worn as tops, glitter and embellishments were a must, and feathers extended high above many heads. Face paint and glitter were essential even though many planned on spending the night at Washington Square Park. It felt like the finale of a show when everyone is on stage smiling and casually dancing.

Ballet Sweaters.

“All girls wish they were dancers,” my mom has told me. Though this is not entirely true, it is a valid statement. In the 80’s our moms wanted to look like they were in Flashdance, leggings have been the item of the season too many times to count, and ballet flats now resemble pointe shoes. Those are the common dance references, lately I have noticed an increase in the ballet sweater. The past few seasons oversized bulky sweaters were a must have. However, the look evolved. Though some sweaters continue to be bulky the arms tend to be form fitting. My uniform at Urban Zen consists of a dress, leggings, and a simple ballet sweater. (The thin cashmere sweater is great for slipping on as an extra layer.) My coworker, Haley was also sporting a ballet sweater.

Week 7

While in Los Angeles for the weekend I visited my favorite place for Boba, or as you East Coasters refer to it, Bubble Tea. This tapioca starch is enjoyed usually in a tea. I prefer green tea with milk. Though many cannot imagine ingesting a slimy dark mush ball I find it such a treat. It is also such a moist texture. One must use a large straw, picture above, to enjoy the Taiwanese treat.

Dear Yellow Cab Driver,

Though it tends to be harder than curing world hunger sometimes, you agree to take us.

So every time the New Yorker rides in your cab the cheesy cartoon appears, informing us passengers that you, our driver should not be on the phone. However, I can’t remember the last ride where the driver wasn’t either falling asleep, catching up with friends in the old country, or reading the newspaper.

I apologize in advanced as I tend to get very heated on this subject.

We are constantly warned to not text and drive so why should I pay you too? You are not only endangering me but the many pedestrians that throw their hands up in disbelief. This isn’t time to call home and rant in foreign languages. I am not interested in hearing you dialect as you take me on the longest route to my preferred destination. Yes, one way streets exist however heading the right direction does not require going all the way to the West Side high way when I am on Third avenue. Don’t scream at me when I question your choice in route, I am entitled to ask.

For such reasons I rarely ride a cab, however when my mom is in town I find myself in such stuffy modes of transportation. You have no reason to scream at my mom for sliding the credit card below the screen. How should a tourist know that, you swipe your card on a separate machine poorly labeled? Would you appreciate if someone screamed at your mom for such a petty mistake? And please help her with her luggage.

Thanks,

Unlimited MetroCard Holder

Week 6

(Secret from the Post Secret App.)

When I got off the Q train in Union Square on Saturday I wasn’t surprised that there was a protest. Typically there are mass amounts of people with signs or the largest pillow fight known to man so I casually continued on my way to dance. I was puzzled by the text on the signs and the clothing choices. Coming at me was a twenty year old with her breasts overflowing from her corset covered in red lipstick that read “consent is sexy.” The crowd was chanting “NYPD rape is a felony.” Everything slowly came together. I had entered the slut walk 2011.

This walk takes place because Constable Michael Sanguinetti, a Toronto Police officer suggested that to remain safe, “women should avoid dressing like sluts." Post Secret had been showing a lot of rape and consent related secrets.

Though I pushed through in order to get to class on time I spent time researching the event on the web. The large group effort and approach was breathtaking.

Typically when one thinks of a self-portrait they imagine their face on a canvas, yes medium may vary but I am going to venture and say that few imagine their face as the canvas. Why is it that such a childhood pleasure is forgotten?

I recently had my face painted and it was such an inspiration. It was clean fun, though it did end up smudged. I did not paint my own face however the recent introduction to face paint seemed quiet timely as we are focusing on self-portraits. Using my actual face, quiet a literal approach, as a backdrop paired with my art would be a true self-portrait.