Julia's Mexico City

I got these two words over the last week in my daily email from Urban Dictionary. The first one: typeractive, completely refers to me in my non-paying job, sort of summer break, workless state. But I also think I've always been this way. Definition: Someone who is overly talkative on emails or text messages. As in: Man, this Emily (Julia) should get a job. She's been messaging me every 2 minutes. And there are 10 emails in my inbox from her. She is way typeractive today.

Then there was BGP which made me laugh because I've had it happen to me twice. Definition: Short for background props. Placing oneself in the background of another person's picture, usually striking some strange pose or making some other gesture, unbeknownst to the subjects or the photographer. As in: Look at this random guy getting his BGPs in your picture!

The first time was around college with friends at The Getty in Malibu. A waiter at a cafe took our picture and this guy stuck his head in the back and made a funny face. It made us laugh so hard when we got the photos back. Then in 2004 there was this very subtle version:


Click for bigger and look at the girl inside the window.

The thing with BGP is that it is a selfless act of fun. You will never know how much the person who sees the photo will react. I suppose in the digital photo age, there is a chance for immediate notice of the person in the background, but generally, you don't expect it or notice it until much later.

When traveling to very touristy spots, I had an idea about creating a freaky photo situation. Find a family or couple or group of people who are clearly in a city like Rome or Paris for only a day or so. Walk around behind them all day and constantly get in their pictures in wacky, obvious ways. If you have a partner, you can make it less obvious by having them "take your photo" at the same time. Again, though, this is a bit of performance art that you can't ever really see the results of. But hey, somewhere, you know you got your BGPs.

Labels: photos, random, words

I just got an email--I'm In! My photos will be part of the SlideLuck PotShow tomorrow night. I'm very excited about this. Some of the photos you saw here first at the very start of this blog.

Friday June 29th
7:00 Potluck, 9:00 Slideshow
Anthony Nex Studio in Culver City
Please Bring Food & Drinks
RSVP to la@slideluckpotshow.com
(Check out the link to the show for more food/drink details.)

I'll tell you how it goes!

And a HUGE thanks to Emily for kicking me in the behind to get those photos in. Thank you Emily!

Labels: photos

I just got my KPCC email newsletter and saw a link for what looks like a fascinating event called Slideluck Potshow. It started in New York but they are now doing an evening in LA on June 29.

I want to go and I want to participate, but will have to put off participating till the next event as I don't have time in 4 days to do what I would like to do with my photos...

As I'm writing this post I'm also IMing with my friend Emily in NYC. She and I are discussing Slideluck Potshow and she's telling me to just go for it and submit even with 4 days notice. She's so right.

COME ON! Where did my boldness go? Since stepping out of my visual effects comfort zone I feel like I am such a (say it!) pussy. Yes, I've been writing and have finished a couple of things I set out for myself but now I'm mired down in fear. So time to get moving and take some more chances and go FORWARD!

So here I go.

Thank you Emily, you are a huge inspiration and help.

Labels: art, los angeles, photos

Metroblogging LA has a post with a link to the UCLA Library searchable collection of 5700 photos of Los Angeles. I found this one:


LAX in 1966.
You know how much I love airports and I love seeing how LAX has changed in 41 years. I've only lived here 20 and I didn't know that the terminals were satellites with (I assume) underground tunnels to the planes. And now that I write that I guess I've been in a few underground tunnels at LAX...it's all becomming clear.

But I love the tons of cars parked only at ground level, the theme building looking fly (sorry) and the fabulous new cloverleaf for easy entry and exit to the airport. It must have been a nightmare of construction when they built parking structures and created the double decker system we have now.

I did a little Google action for "history of LAX" and found this short blurb. The best part is the postcard image:


It's not very big, but the title on it says "Los Angeles International Jet Port."

JET PORT!

Flying used to be so much cooler.

Labels: airport, LAX, photos, UCLA

There is a new group on Flickr called Reading Stack. You take a photo of the stack of books on your nightstand (or wherever), upload it and join the group. Like mine:

The group is like book porn.


I was also in the LA City Neighborhood Signs group.

I haven't explored Flickr very much but the more I do the more I like it. Here is a group dedicated soley to BACON. Enjoy.

Labels: books, flikr, groups, photos