THEEFFINGROOTSAREBACK

…and all is right with the world…or will be, come April 29th.

“Rising Up”

Possible album covers that I hope are real

Weezer: “The Red Album”

Lil Wayne: “The Carter III”

Nas: “N*gger”

Please be real….please.

Thank God I ain’t too cool for the safe belt…

eah, Kanye said it best.  Always buckle up, fo sho.  If you haven’t heard (or seen the pictures) I was in a car wreck this weekend and totaled my car.  I’m fine (i bruised my wrist when the airbag went off) and the other guy was at fault (and apologized).  The more I think about it, and the more I look at pictures and play it all back in my head, I am pretty lucky to be okay…

After taking care of some crazy insurance stuff and finally getting a rental taken care of, I was off to Juliet & Edward’s wedding in Pinehurst, NC.  I got there really late (missed the rehearsal, rehearsal dinner, etc), but made it for the party that night.  I felt bad about missing the first day, but everyone was happy that I was there at all.  The weekend was a blast and it was great seeing everybody again.  Juliet, of course, was beaming and it was really cool to see one of my best friends making the big leap into marraige….and ya know…the reception was ridiculous

In other, less exciting news, school is back in full swing.  Shooting tomorrow (hopefully) in Newnan, GA for my first assignment.  I’m hoping the weather cooperates.  I’m also hoping my allergies will steady themselves so I can shoot a few images.  Seriously…I woke up today and thought my head was going to explode all over my apartment.  Not pretty.  I even had to ditch the contacts and go with glasses today, my eyes were so itchy.

It’s looking like it’ll be a good quarter.  I’m excited about my classes, especially my “shooting for portfolio” class with Jennifer Kilberg.  I’m hoping to come out of this quarter with a website, a logo, and a marketing scheme.  All exciting stuff!

Last quarter wasn’t my best, so for this last quarter of real classes, I’m hoping to produce some really solid work…just let it all hang out, have fun, and (and I know this sounds so cheese), but fall in love with photography again .  So stay tuned and see what happens, yo.

Today’s video isn’t an old school one, but one from the Roots’ upcoming album, “Rising Down.”  I’m really excited for some new music this spring/summer.  The Roots, Jamie Lidell, Amanda Diva, Janelle Monae (i hope!)…all people you should be looking out for.  Anyway, here’s the video for “Get Busy”…cop the album on April 29th!!  THIS VIDEO IS BANANAS!!  “I’M LIKE W.E.B. DUBOIS, MEETS HEAVY D AND THE BOYZ….”

Peace,

Joe “it’ll take more than a car accident to stop me” Martinez

So bored…yet…so happy

Seriously, not having anything to do is glorious. No commitments, no plans, no class, no shoots to schedule, models to cancel on me, no mean looks from instructors….it’s a good feeling. If you haven’t gathered by now, 6th quarter (aka The Qtr of Death) is officially in the books. It was a stressful, eye-opening quarter; I learned a lot about my limits, about saying no, and the importance of taking care of myself before taking care of others. I won’t bore you with details about all of that…I mean you get it: life lessons, better person, blah, blah, blah.

My critique was well….not good. I can’t go into too many details (or heaven forbid someone lose a client b/c of it), but it wasn’t the critique you really hope for by your 6th quarter. I mean, you’d think by this point you’d be getting more things right than wrong…you’d think that anyway.

Anyway, I was missing a couple key people who I thought would be on my panel, and those that were left weren’t exactly fans of anything I did. I think it was somewhere around “this looks like your kid brother took this” & “I just don’t see your concept very well executed,” I kind of zoned out. I was exhausted…2 days without sleep…27 prints…5 classes…I really didn’t care anymore. Again, while I can’t get too in depth about what was actually said, I will say that I am not at PC to get my shit on the wall. It was cool first quarter, and I’ll admit, it’s nice seeing work that you’re really proud of on display for everyone. But that’s not why I’m here. Some people at school make a big deal about it…like it’s this great accomplishment to have work on the wall. It’s cool, and if that’s your thing, then more power to you…have fun up there…but in talking to some photography alum, and taking some time to realize what’s really important to myself and my career, I could really care less about getting work on the wall. It doesn’t validate me, it doesn’t motivate me; again, it’s not why I’m shelling out all this money and time to be here.

Okay, rant over.

On to the rest. Break, again, has been great. I’ve been getting A LOT of sleep, watching A LOT of basketball, getting back into somewhat of a running routine, watching a lot of good movies, listening to a lot of good music, and best of all, spending quality time with people I lost touch with during the “Qtr of Death.” I’m hoping, no praying, that next quarter isn’t as ridiculous…early reports point to “no” but you never can tell. Shouldn’t we be able to pick our classes by now?? Is that just me? Eh, whatev.

I’m a little disappointed that I won’t be returning home this break. Atlanta is fun and all, but definitely takes a toll on me after a while. Hopefully I’ll be able to head home for a day or two before going to Juliet’s wedding in April. Speaking of Juliet’s wedding, I CANNOT wait to see all of my Wake homies there: Alex Norton, Moho, Maddy Rock, DJ Decryption?!? It’s going to be bananas, for sure. Be on the lookout for some epic photos from that little shin-dig

I don’t think I have anything to really update you on. It’s weird to be almost done with school; to think back on that first day at orientation when we all stood up and introduced ourselves, and to look at us now? 7th Quarters, on the cusp of the real world…our last quarter of real classes? Craaaazy.

Ah, but let’s not think about all of that quite yet. I hope everyone enjoys the last few days of break…get some more sleep, grab another drink, throw in another movie. I’ll leave you with a few photos from the Janelle Monae concert last weekend, and OF COURSE, the Old School Video of the day.

Bells & Whistles,

J

I HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend her music and her show. Check her out!!–> http://www.janellemonae.com/

The OSV of the day is a classic for sure. I don’t know where Lauryn Hill is, or what the eff happened to her, but I sure do miss her, and the Fugees in general. COME BACK TO US LAURYN!! ONE TIME!

I should be working…

…but I’ve got some downtime in between shooting, printing, scanning, location scouting, and figuring out exactly how I’m going to finish up this ridiculous quarter (AKA It’s Sunday and everything is closed).  First, I apologize to all of my loyal readers for not updating nearly as often as I should.  This quarter has been absolutely insane.  I’m talking 5 classes insane.  I’m talking 5 deadlines a week insane.    I’m talking “i’m not sure if I can do this” insane.  I’m talking academic probation insane.  Yeah.  Crazy.

First, a bit of an update.  I’m writing this from the couch in my new two-bedroom apartment here @ Post Peachtree Hills.  The apartment complex is renovating next month and coincidentally, is starting with my old building.  So, we worked out a deal and they moved me into a 2-bedroom for the same cost as the 1-bedroom I was in, until they’re done renovating.  It’s been pretty great so far.  I can actually walk (pace) around my apartment, I’ve got a nice little office area now, and most importantly, room for all of my crap.  You all know that it’s pretty incredible how much you accumulate in such a short amount of time….try being a photographer…..even worse, try being a photographer who’s kind of a pack rat anyway.  Yeah, LOTS o’ stuff.

I haven’t really had time to decorate with all of this work, but once I get around to it, the place should be looking pretty fly.  I’ll work on a party of some sort over the break.

In other news, studio week is here with a vengeance.  I’m am exhausted, delusional, dehydrated, panicked, smelly, and in a bad mood.  My critique is on Wednesday, and I’ve got 3 shoots to finish.  3 shoots in 3 days.  I’ve never not had everything finished for critique, so I’m kind of freaking out lately.  The idea of having to stand there in front of 4 of my instructors and explain to them that I don’t have something is scary.  That may be what happens though, so I’m preparing for that as best I can.  I’m gonna do my best to get it done, but I’m also trying to be realistic about things.

I could go into more detail about this quarter; about how awful it was, about how much I learned, about how I think I’ve finally figured out what I want to shoot…..but I’ll save all of that for a post-critique update.  Just know that it’s been an interesting one….and one that will definitely serve some sort of purpose in the long run.

I’m not sure what I’m doing for my break.  I want to get out of the city.  I have to get out of Atlanta.  I’m considering a trip to D.C., although that might prove as pointless as last time (some of you know what I’m talking about).  Maybe I’ll finally man up this time though and drop the hammer while I’m up there…just throw it all on the line.  Whatev, we’ll see.  Like I said though, I’ll be around for most of the break, so if you’re in the A-town, holla @ me.

This critique won’t be pretty…but at least it’ll be over.  See you on the other side.

Joe

OSV (Old School Video of the day): You didn’t think I forgot did you???  There are about ten 90s songs that spark something special in me when I hear them on the dance floor.  This is one of them.  I find it AMAZING that people recognize this song as soon as they hear the very first chord.  RIP Big Pun:

Good luck to all you PC/Circus kids