Considering that I, along with many people not currently romantically involved, forgot that
yesterday was Valentine's Day, the day ended up being an epic win in every way.
The day started with an 8am call at Neo Studios. My good friends, Oscar and Donovan, asked
me to be part of a photo shoot for Swerv magazine. The job was proposed to us thru our talented
MUA friend Virna. I was tasked with designing the lighting for the shoot, and handling
everything on the technical end.
Oscar is a fantastic street fashion photographer, and Donovan is a stylist with a smart, sharp eye.
But the reason I love working with them is because they are two of the kindest and
warmest people I've ever met. We also make a badass photo team.
The shoot went smoothly, and the photos came out looking pretty great, in my humble
opinion. I'd show you one or two, but we have to wait for the magazine to come out.
Valentines Day Success #1 - Badass Photos
After the morning shoot, I did some behind the scenes photos and videos for Swerv,
while Mike Ruiz photographed some VIPs for an upcoming issue. Cheryl Lynn and
other R&B and soul artists provided most of the soundtrack to the day. Everyone was
fabulous in every sense of the word, and I met some really wonderful people working
behind the scenes with me as well.
Valentines Day Success #2 - Good Vibes and New Networking Friends
The afternoon shoot wrapped around 5:30, and I had nowhere to be. I called up my
man Nicky G and decided to make the long trek from Broadway/Lafayette up to 125th
and Lenox Ave. Not a quick trip by any stretch of the imagination. What made it longer
was trying to transfer from the B train to the 1 train at Columbus Circle during rush hour.
I think NYC should consider hiring some of these guys real soon.
Three jam packed trains came into the station before I was able to squeeze myself and my
bags onto the fourth. Considering the ridiculousness of the situation, most people were
not in a humourous mood. Shame.
A bright spot was while I was waiting for the second train, one guy leaned over
to me to complain slash brag that when his first date cancelled on him, he called up a
co-worker to go out with him on V-Day. Then his first date option called back and said
she was free after all, so he was on his way to go out with both of them.
At the same time!
Then he leaned over and asked:
"Do you have any advice for me? You look like a cool guy who probably has experience
in situations like this."
Right. Well, two things.
Number one - I looked the furthest thing from "cool" at that moment, what, with my winter coat,
my hat down past my eyebrows, and toting a bulky back pack with water bottles falling
out and a laptop case that I couldn't keep from falling off my shoulder. The fact that I kept
accidentally bumping into people while trying to adjust my position didn't help my sorry appearance.
And number two?
I mean, yes. Truth be told, I am a notorious double booker when it comes to dating,
in the sense that I often bring two books with me in case I finish one while my date
cancels on me at the last minute.
As flattered as I was by the man's suggestion that I "looked like a cool guy" and was
most likely getting myself into situations where I have too many romantic options, I
don't think he really wanted my advice, I think he was just hitting on me.
Valentine's Day Success #3 - Attracted a Stranger's Romantic Intentions
After arriving up in Harlem an hour and fifteen minutes later, Nick and I went to
Lenox Coffee to drink some pints and catch up on the usual trio - work, girls, and new
creative ideas/endeavors. Two hours later, my heart was full, as it often is when I
spend time with a great friend. By the way - Smuttynose Porter - highly recommended.
Valentines Day Success #4 - Friendship Forever. Also Delicious Beer.
It was then that I made the long haul to WillyB for my friend Ali's Wine and Dessert party.
I picked up a bottle of wine and a dozen fuchsia bordered roses and navigated thru Retro
Road, Pretentious Pike, and Bearded Bedford Ave before I arrived at my final destination.
Now, a lot of times I go to parties in NYC, I generally get a feeling that 90% of the people
there truly don't give a hoot as to who you are, why you're there, or if you're breathing. It
is a sad state of affairs when the party population is more content to remain insulated with
their usual friends while out and about, rather than meeting new people. It is one of my
biggest gripes about the city.
That said, this was not the case at this party.
The excess of sweet desserts, mulled wine and hot toddies permeated the ambience and
everyone was warm, welcoming and happy as clams.
Everyone at the party was smiling and good looking.
Maybe they were smiling because everyone was so good looking.
Maybe they were so good looking because everyone was smiling.
I knew bringing roses would be a good idea, and a jug of spiced wine and a tango dance
or two later, proved this to be true.
Valentines Day Success #5 - Incorporating Old Friends, New Friends, The Tango, and Roses.
I missed the 12:30 train out to Long Island, so I had to wait until 1:37am for the next one.
Normally this would irk me, but I recently became friends with a subway musician named
G-Wyll. He plays in Penn Station most mornings and nites, and is one of the most talented
musicians I've ever seen play. Waiting for the train is a breeze when listening to his music.
He was there that nite, playing an impromptu jam session with a keyboard player named
Adonigh. I had my camera on me, so I filmed a bunch of songs they played. At one point
a random guy came up and started freestyle rapping, at another point, a girl who
just had a fight with her boyfriend seemed to find some solace in the music as she gazed at
the two musicians and smiled - with a Heineken Light in her hand and tears in her eyes.
The music was a perfect end to a beautiful day.
Valentines Day Success #6 - Music From The Heart For The Heart
An unexpected cap to the nite was unintentionally striking up a conversation with two
people on the late train. That never happens. Usually because people are either wasted
or falling asleep, or there's usually some correlation between the two. The girl I talked
to ended up being someone who used to go to my elementary school, the year below me,
and the guy was Madonna's personal driver and part of her security detail.
Valentines Day Success #7 - Unexpected Connections in Familiar Places
At 2:20am, I smiled as I left the train. Only then did it hit me as to what an awesome
and eventful Valentine's Day it had been.
I'll leave you now with a clip of G-Wyll and Adonigh playing to an empty Penn Station.
It's proof that there are beautiful things happening all the time, regardless of where you are.
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-JoeySee
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