Where's the Snow, Jay Peak?

My partner and I came up to VT last night and were bummed to see that so much snow has melted with this warm weather and rain that hit the east coast over the weekend. I was hoping somehow that it wouldn't affect the conditions that much, but looks like the mountain is in terrible shape and is even showing a lot of dirt. Here are some shots from a couple of weeks ago when I was up last and had a few great days on the slopes. Hoping that some snow comes our way tonight...

Brandon, Gay American

Sebastian Bach

Here's Sebastian Bach of Skid Row fame in a huge newly renovated warehouse building along the East River in Brooklyn south of the Brooklyn Bridge with some great views of downtown from earlier this year. He really has had an amazing career, spanning music, Broadway and TV. We connected nicely having had both just turned forty a few weeks earlier and had some nice conversations about reaching that milestone. A very nice down to earth guy. He recently appeared on and won the second season of Country Gold, a celebrity reality show on CMT.

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas!

Season's Greeting and best wishes for the New Year! Here's a shot from a few years ago underneath the arch that anchors Fifth Avenue and invites visitors into Washington Square Park. Half of the park is under renovation at the moment and from what I can see, looks like it will be beautiful. I especially like the idea of not having to look at those globe shaped 70's street lighting anymore. There were so many protests and concerns about the redesign and I hope that after all is said and done, it will not only be a success, but will also be embraced by the community like it always has. My only fear is with the central fountain that is being reduced in size and moved to line up on axis with the arch and Fifth Avenue. Seems silly for NYU to be so concerned with it since their own Kimmel Center that was constructed on the south side of the park has done much more damage to that axis than anything else and moving the fountain will not make much difference imho.

Mike, Gay American

Stella

So as many of you probably are aware of, Facebook is a great way to socialize online and network with old friends, classmates, and business colleagues. I've been trying to build up my friend list with cool creative people and having fun seeing glimpses into their lives. It's fascinating I think. And has proven already to be good for business as I'm doing a shoot on Tuesday which is happening all because of Facebook. Anyway, I befriended David Wain, Michael Showalter and Michael Ian Black on the site whom I had shot for Comedy Central's ad campaign for their short lived show. They still tour and have each done their own thing to great success. David just directed Role Models which I can't wait to see. These guys humor you either love or hate and fortunately for me it's love. I'll post the DVD cover soon too, which has them riding a triple bicycle against clouds...now done. The campaign was fun, 7 sets built in studio, great art directing and cool funny guys in suits. I'd like to do more stuff like this.

Best of Both Worlds

Here are some shots from the two beautiful places where I spend most of my time when not in the city. The VT mountaintop shot looks southeast down the back side of Jay Peak and takes in the view of Big Jay and Stowe way off in the distance. Our house sits just to the right of the low lying cloud and mountain to the right, Big Jay, about three miles from the ski area entrance. I took this last Saturday during a great day of skiing and boy, it was cold, about 5˚F. The sunrise shot I woke up to in Mastic Beach the morning I left for VT a week earlier and looks out over Narrows Bay to Fire Island from across the street to our beach place on Long Island. Lucky man indeed.

Senator Fran Drescher?

So the star of The Nanny, Fran Drescher, who turned 51 this year, threw her hat into the ring for the NY Senate seat that will soon be vacated by Hillary Clinton. She faces some pretty tough competition however from Caroline Kennedy and Andrew Cuomo, both campaigning for the position. "I feel like I could be a good senator - I'm every woman and the consummate New Yorker. I’m an authentic and honest person and I think Capitol Hill needs more of that. While I realize I don't have a very good relationship with the governor and other contenders have his ear, all he can do is say no.” She does have excellent points and would bring some great aggressive authentic New York energy to the Senate, something that Kennedy has been criticized as lacking. All I know is that she loved the camera and was great fun to photograph when I took this shot of her on a back lot in Los Angeles. You go Nanny Fine!

William, Gay American

Vermont House and Skiing

I post today from the snowy confines of our place up in Northern VT where I came to ski and escape the cold gray cement confines of the city six hours to the south. A shot that I took last night of the house shortly after surviving the long drive up and not hitting any deer or sliding off the road. It really does look like a spaceship that just landed, especially with all the lighting and the steam rising on the left side from the boiler vent. I so love this place and feel blessed that we are able to enjoy it.

Bob, Gay American

David Byrne, Renaissance Man

Here's a couple of shots that I just love from a shoot a few years ago of one of musician David Byrne, of Talking Heads fame. I just heard some tracks from his new album with Brian Eno and he continues to amaze me. He is also a great artist and photographer that I often see peddling around the streets of New York City on his bicycle. I believe that he was educucated as an architect, something we both have in common. When we did this quick shoot in a dark wine cellar of a midtown restaurant, my focus light somehow blew out and I was left with almost no light in which to focus. A bit flustered and starstruck, he reassured me that with my current f-stop and shutter speed, all would be fine and in focus. Of course he was right. Love this guy. He is currently on a worldwide tour with Eno. To find out more, check out his site at davidbyrne.com.