Don’t Think I Was Lying… (Updated)

Shame on you for thinking I was lying…

UPDATE: So these originally came out super-dark, and under-exposed, so I re-upped the newly edited version (with 1 additional shot). At the time, in September, I thought they were good shots—composition wise they were—but having just completed my first ever photography course, I see where they needed improvement. They look great now, as good almost as good as Ms. Bello in person. (Upped ‘em at full quality, please excuse if there’s slow load times.)

When I said I upgraded the quality of photos that were hitting the blog, or when I say that Katrina Bello is a talented, beautiful, singer/songwriter who attends Berklee (College of Music), and is a friend of mine. I called her last minute, like a creeper I asked what she was wearing, and asked her if she’d be willing to be my subject for a shoot that afternoon. Thankfully Ms. Bello obliged, and now I have some great shots to bring to class on Monday.

The goal of the assignment was to focus on light/shadow and tell different stories through using them. I took other photos that fit the parameters of the lesson as well, but love some of the shots I took of Katrina. She braved bugs and her personal discomfort during our time in The Fens, but it was worth it in the name of great photos. Catch some more of our mini-shoot after the jump, and be sure to check out Katrina’s latest project, The Boiling Point.

My Homework..

Is greater than yours.

Plenty of great flicks chilling on my hard drive. However, I have footage/an interview to edit, a bathroom to clean, and some jeans to find in this pigsty sorry excuse for a room I’m in right now. Photos can wait.

This Is Where I’ve Been…

I’m wading in this. Felt like I was drowning in it earlier, but I’m good now.

Sometimes when I look at how full my plate can get, and how tired things leave me, I wish I was doing what everyone else is doing. What’s shown above, doesn’t even include the schoolwork stuff I have going on (that I need to focus on, starting tomorrow). Better to be busy than not busy though.

This week was insane, hosting an event for the first time (where I also interviewed artists and took show footage), tutoring local high school kids for the first time, pulling the weight of others in group projects, and it goes on-and-on (no Ms. Badu). It all deserves a recap, but probably won’t get one. I’m backed up, and still owe two recaps from South Africa! I appreciate your eyes reading these words and this blog, but I’m paying less attention here, to make more things happen for the bigger site project, and the future. Trying to push forward, while still being pulled back by your other responsibilities, makes you feel like you’re on a treadmill, or caught inside some sort of celestial vacuum. Thank God, I lightened my load a bit, or it would’ve resulted in a net zero.

I’ve been working a lot (at my job), and saving up to make my January plans happen, that I’ll be announcing soon enough. It’s nice to finally be getting a check again, but I’m living pretty much like when I had no income—extremely frugal. I’ve been here twice before – emergency save mode – so I’m familiar with the territory. Hopefully soon I’ll be hired as a supervisor soon so I can make more money in the process, and help my savings goals become a reality sooner.

*Le sigh*

Photo Upgrades…

I have a hot date with one of these babies at least once a week. So yup, I’ll be cuddled up with an SLR at least once a week—it’s a requirement for my photography course.

Some much improved photography should be hitting this blog, soon. Granted the space for text is sort of small and this isn’t exactly built for photos, but images of a better quality are coming soon…

Class Assignment Write-Up/Future of Mr. Martins Blog

I know sometimes it may feel like I post just once a week, but this is my retreat

So this is a wrap up of sorts. This is me giving a summary of what the blog meant to me within the context of class. (Told you I was doing this for a class, this is just the practice!)

I can definitely say that this Mr. Martins blog made me feel more comfortable as a writer and person. It helped me express how I feel, and it was refreshing to be able to use an opinionated voice in my writing.

Boston Street Art Slideshow

(Consider this the cousin older brother to this post. Reason why below.)

It’s been a long time, I shouldn’t have left you, without a strong post to step to. Real sorry, this week has been rather taxing. An even busier schedule than usual (yes that’s possible).

I return bearing gifts! (Since my birthday is coming up and all – Nov 26th!) Below I’ve included the slide show that I referenced back in a Past Couple Days post (for some insight on the photos, be sure to check that). It’s an interesting mix of Boston street art from local graffiti, murals, and Shepard Fairey installations to Victorian pieces. I’m quite proud; hope you enjoy. Let me know what you think via a comment!

Since I referenced the song with my opening line, figured I’d include it as a bonus. I do this oh so effortless. Don’t sweat the technique.

WATCH: Boston Street Art Slide Show (Flickr)

BONUS: Eric B. & Rakim- “I Know You Got Soul”

P.S. I have a little write-up/news story I wrote that I may include later. (No promises.)

The Burn and The Rise

On the left a phoenix burns to ashes. On the right it rises from them. (Two photos with expired copyrights, combined and manipulated by me.)

I’ve been burning and rising constantly throughout the last 3 years. Each time I pray I grow stronger and for the better.

Will there be a point where I’ve been burnt and risen so many times that I reach my strongest? If that place exists, there will be a lot more burning in my lifetime before I reach it. Until I reach that destination, I look forward to I’m enjoying the journey.

I’ve shared a decent amount with this Mr. Martins blog, but have a lot more to give. In the future you’ll get it all, I swear. That is my mission – to tell my story. I truly believe that. But for now, I’m going to share a fraction of what I’m feeling struggling with going through.

So here’s the surface. This week, after meeting with my co-op [1] advisor and going over job postings, I realized I’ve been very narrow-minded in my internship search. I’ve had tunnel vision and only been looking up writing gigs. Writing is ultimately what I want to do, but I have so many other skills (broadcast/radio stuff, design/layout, audio editing, and some video editing) that I can do almost whatever is asked of me. Plus these positions are supposed to serve as a learning opportunity, and I could pick up things on the job.

I’m really blessed thinking about it, but I’m still caught in a Catch 22. I also have to decide what lane I’m trying to go for. But that’s an entirely different story. I’m unsure if this whole thing is me being stubborn or following my heart. I have a lot of options, but I can be so hard-headed sometimes.

That’s something I need to work on. There’s no set path. Who knows what the future holds? I’m just going to explore my options, and see what works best. Something I do in one area could open an opportunity for me to do what I really want to do. (Sort of like how Ye had to produce for years and earn his stripes in the game before he got the chance to rap. But he did rap with the group Go Getters in the Not trynna mess up my example.)

But…

I’m assuming whatever I’m doing is unpaid, so I REALLY have to love what I’m doing to enjoy my experience. Words can’t express I don’t think anyone but me can understand how hard I’ve worked to put myself into my position. From skill building, paying dues/rising through the ranks of what I’m involved in, to getting blown off/disrespected while on my journey, from working like a slave madman to make it work financially. Figuring it all out has been the most difficult, and even that I don’t have down yet. Bottom line, I’ve busted my ass for the past 3 years and I hope pray I’m rewarded for it in the end.

Ambitious goals. Ambitious boy. Humble beginnings.

Wow, I should have started this post off with, “I think they call this ummm… venting” ℗ Drake. Hope you enjoyed it. You can hear Drake say that below. Another summary of my feelings with the bonus.

LISTEN: Drake- “Fear”

BONUS: KiD CuDi- “My World”

[1] Short for co-operative education. It’s a program at my school where instead of taking a semester of classes, we spend the semester working either full or part-time in a field that applies to our major.

Neighborhood “Prot” Frames for Effector

Funny little story on how a shot of these frames came before my eyes into my field of vision. (Had to get the correct pun, y’know?)

I did some screen hopping (randomly surfing through web pages, clicking links that interest me) when I stumbled on the twitter, and then web page of Jeff Carvalho. Turns out he’s an alumnus of my school, Northeastern University, and works on acclaimed sites within menswear like HighSnobiety, Selectism and SocialConsumer. Pleasant surprise.

While on Selectism I found this, which led me here, then after some clicking around, here.

These are definitely the type of glasses I’m looking to get. I remember watching this old school Thelonious Monk performance in my Coltrane class, the bassist (whose name I’m drawing a blank on) was wearing something similar; I became sold on this style.

Wonder if I could order the frames from Japanese retailer Cradle, ship them stateside, then get the lenses made here. ￥26,040 converted to USD is $288.964. After shipping and handling, that just may be a power move.

I finally found the mp3 I wanted from Japanese jazz musician Yuji Ohno, “Take A Chance.” It’s honor of the Japan and jazz references, its today’s bonus. Feel free to stream/download below.

BONUS: Yuji Ohno- “Take A Chance”

Power Moves, Poetry, and Awkward Pull Asides

Peep those ATCQ laces My Spiz’ikes have more mileage on them then I’d like them to. Just returned from a long walk not too long ago.

In the afternoon I met up with the homie Lauren aka Michelle Huxtable. She’s sort of like a female version of me. Very versatile, be sure to check her blog Michelle-Huxtable.

It was my first time meeting her face-to-face. We’ve spoken before via Twitter, Google Chat, and AIM so it wasn’t awkward at all. In a couple years the stigma of meeting people online will be gone. We had a really nice conversation over some food.

After eating we headed over to a spoken word event at my school, Beatless. Overall I enjoyed it. I kind of wish I would have been one of the hosts; I hope I get opportunities to do so in the future. Student performers were a mixed bag, but I was really impressed by some of the acts.

The real bread and butter was the high-caliber, Def Poetry Jam circuit veterans. The range of what people wrote about was really extraordinary. Very inspiring. We had performances from Gemineye (check “Penny For Your Thoughts”), Mayda Del Valle (peep “The Gift”), and J. Ivy (who is probably best known for his appearance on Kanye West’s “Never Let Me Down” off College Dropout) and more.

One of the only odd/downsides to the night was being pulled by a random guy about some radio show stuff. Apparently this R&B group I’m not feeling is coming to the area Monday, and are looking to be interviewed when they’re here. Dude I don’t know shoved a phone in my ear, I started speaking to another even more random guy – just an uncomfortable situation. Even though I’m small time, it still comes with the territory. Not exactly how I want to be recognized, but at least it means I’m in demand/in the right direction. *Shrugs*

After the show Ms. Huxtable and I had another strong convo where we discussed growth, and her path towards power moves. We then met up with my friend and really dope musician Katrina Bello. I was proud that I…

While at Ms. Bello’s house I got a little weird and anti-social for a bit and delved into the world of twitter. If you’re reading this Katrina, I know it was “interesting” and apologize for being awkward!

Nice night. Besides all the costumed freaks Thought I’d share.

Buried…

I’m currently buried in work. You know it’s mid-term season. Papers to write, résumé to tweak, meetings to attend, projects to work on – been busy.

You can expect two posts tomorrow to make up for it.

Until then *salutes*.