Summer Fun: Eyeball Update, McCarren Park Pool Party w/ the Ting Tings & Alligator Lounge Love

As I mentioned in a recent post, I had never been to the McCarren Park Pool Party events since moving here from Cali over four years ago – until today.

Normally I was always working or caught up in some personal drama that required me to stay away from large crowds. This summer has been different though, mostly because of a change in attitude.

My recent personal growth is a subject that I will elaborate on in a future post (possibly with a hilarious PowerPoint presentation), but for now, about today’s shoot…

The Eyeball Connection

As most of you are already aware, up until today I was suffering from a gross eye infection. The short version of the story is that I ran out of contacts, could not get my prescription filled in a timely manner and walked around for a week with only one contact. This was stupid and I messed up my eye, as you can see in this gross photo from Thursday evening on your right.

All day Friday and Saturday I was concerned that I wouldn’t be able to shoot properly on Sunday with my effed up ‘ball but luckily all of my eye medicine did the trick and the major worry of my weekend was eradicated by late last night.

…So you know, my work peeps Sarah and Megan will be putting up videos and stories tomorrow on MTVNews.com. If you missed today’s show, drop by then and check out what we put together.

This post from The Lair is specifically about my own personal experience at the event. Gross eyeball and all.

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My Week: All Sorts of “Pics” in the Bronx, Black Betty, Pool Parties & The Ting Tings!

– Naima, lead singer of Chewing Pics

Stop Bitching that the Bronx is Far

This past Thursday evening I left work and headed to my friend Bashira’s exhibition at the Bruckner Gallery in the Bronx.

Yes, the Bronx is far. Everyone always talks about how far away it is and how there is nothing to do there. I was also one of those people, truth be told. One time I went to the Bronx in 2004, got lost, got traumatized and then never went back.

But I like to prove myself wrong now and again and if I let distance keep me from fun I would still be in California complaining that I had nothing to do.

I am really glad I went to this event because I learned more about my friend and experienced great art and music (for free). Also, the 6 train is really not as serious as it used to be, just bring a book. You’ll be fine.

About Departure

Bashira’s art was part of a group show of five photographers who met 5 years ago at The Point, a community arts organization in Hunts Point. She was part of the Jocelyne Benzakin Fellowship program at the International Center for Photography (ICP), where she had access to respected photojournalists, editors and agents. Bashira is a talented photographer who enjoys documenting the world around her, musicians, communities and friends. She is a co-founder of the NYC BRiDGE Project, which teaches young people in neighborhoods where photography is not celebrated and photographic education is limited.

Chewing Pics = Inspiration

Bashira introduced me to Chewing Pics, an experimental rock band that she loves and who contributed to the exhibition Thursday evening.

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