The Unchartered Trip

addhi nyc

Since last Saturday i have been a little sick, With some severe chest congestion and a slight fever. I had the kind of cough that sounds nasty and rattle like, the croupy kind of cough that feels like someone punches you in the chest every single time.
So after calling out of work on Monday and leaving early on Tuesday i decided to try Mucinex DM. My friends raved about it, so i picked it up at the drug store, went home and took a rather large sized pill. I read the box, no warnings of not using motorized equipment or motor vehicles, Nope nothing of the sorts. The only warning it had was not to crush or chew, since it was a 12 hour release medication.
and said to drink a full glass of water with it. no particular measurement, just said One full glass.
Well I'm not a big beverage drinker, i don't get as thirsty as most people do. and I definitely don' drink as much as i should.

So I took the pill at 3:00, By 7:00 i was having some rather strange feelings, like outer body like floaty feelings, then it got stronger kinda eye flutter like thing, like when a movie reel starts to jump. I got kinda nervous, i was having feelings that reminded me of some trips i had in my past with other "experimental" drugs.

I then called my friend in Florida, she knows everything. I told her i took the 12 hour decongestant/expectorant and i was feeling trippy, and was this normal?

she said it was why she never takes them at work.

For almost 2 hours i was dealing with the unexpected trip.
then after that i could not sleep, i laid there with my mind just wandering the entire night. who has 12 hours to dedicate to a drug not working or driving or needing to be alert when you already feel like crap in the first place?

This is a weekend fix at best, sure it helped break up some of the congestion in my chest, but at a very odd cost.

Why blog

Snowbird - Chip Willis


I blog to spill my guts, to get my thoughts out on something more tangible, for therapy.
I blog to track my progress in life, to look back on where i went right or even more so where i went wrong. Like a flow chart of sorts.

Also I find it gratifying to use images that tell a story and coincide with my own post.

Lately i have been tracking back to last year around this time, and trying my hardest not to fall into a cycle, the elements around me are really trying hard to put me back to that place, and i am fighting them with everything i have. I refuse to sub cum to the February crap that i went through last year and the years before.
I am determined to look ahead, and plan positive things.
Last year i set out to get my drivers license for once and for all, get my teeth in check after 5 years of neglect, book some awesome trips, get my eyes in check, confront some family issues.
I pretty much accomplished all of it, and the year blew by.

I have always wanted to write my autobiography, I find this blog is like cliff notes to that book that i have yet to start.

This year i plan on finally getting to know and use that new used Bronica camera.
and yes make some memorable images for my blog.

My blog also reminds me how lucky and fortunate i am, for the food, the shelter, the vacations, the love and friends i have, and most of all my health.

Never stop being ungrateful for your fate, fortune, good luck and sometimes your blessings.

Never stop seeing

tanya dakin


While on a quick 15 min shoot down an alleyway after brunch with some photo friends from flickr, as we all took turns shooting and modeling each other, this stranger came upon us while strolling down the alley, just watching us, and claiming he use to be a photographer. He said he just found us fascinating, and i snapped a few images of him, He asked if he could take a few and pulled his little disposable camera. The thought of being his age one day and happening upon some younger photo enthusiast and basking in my old memories of my photo days makes me feel nostalgic.
What will i be shooting if i live to be his age, will i always have my pocket camera with me, or will there be some built in EyeCam implanted in my head?

The Definition of Douche - for photographers

Tanya Dakin


Sometimes a Photographer is clueless when hes being inappropriate and or crossing the line, or just a plain old Douche!
I don't intend to name names, more so just compose a list of Don't s from personal experiences or stories from word of mouth that i have heard over the past 7 years during my stint in the "modeling thing"

Take it as a personal handbook page since you don't have common sense if your guilty of any of the below items.

When a model says she is not comfortable with a pose or wardrobe, do not impose or insist or try to talk her into it, you are showing disrespect for her limitations and her decision, and you do not know best.

You need to discuss all expectations and limitations upfront, no one likes surprises.

Do not web stalk your model and the other photographers she has worked with. You do not own her, even if you think she is your muse.

Do not make her wait an unreasonable amount time for her images, over 4 months is unreasonable.

Do not make overly flirty comments not even complimentary ones, It's obvious how the model is appealing, SHES A MODEL! it makes it all weird and crosses the boundary unless she seems to encourage it.

Don't be delusional that she is encouraging it.

Stop name dropping other photographers names, to show that you have merit.

Don't rip off other current photographers style and not at least give them credit for inspiring you.

If your paying the model don't try to see how many perks you can get out of it like
Nail polish change and hair cuts.

Don't ask her to shave her pubes if the shoot does not require it and no one ever sees the shots.

Don't be a private collector.

Don't constantly contact the model on a social basis and somehow never find time to give her images you owe her. You obviously have time on your hands.

Don't make comments about a models body parts to other photographers she has shot with, especially in a public forum, Ultimate Doucheary!

Don't touch a model unless you ask for permission.

Don't use your model list as your own private black book reference.

Don't let your ego exceed your talents and skill.

use common sense!'

To be continued.........