Yaffa...

My friend Richard was in town from L.A. We grabbed dinner in the garden at Yaffa Cafe in the East Village. It was a lot of fun catching up and talking about the philosophies concerning the moral implications and utilitarian purposes of perceptions of reality. No joke.

Yearbook Photo...

I just now had a chance to look through my School of Visual Arts Class of 2007 Yearbook. Here is the only image of me, taken in my studio.

Saying Goodbye...

I've been moving my stuff out of my studio. It has been a pretty slow going process since I've opted to do several small loads via the train instead of hiring a man-with-a-van service to do one big move. I've decided that the small trips are allowing me to let go slowly of a space that I've occupied off and on for almost six years now.

I didn't realize how attached I was to the space. I think that subconsciously I'm prolonging the move so that I can keep going back. All of the other spaces are empty and I find myself just sitting there... in the empty quiet, just thinking.

In The Spotlight Meme...

Jean Yates tagged me for this Meme. I'm not exactly sure what a "meme" is, but I will post my answers. If you too are wondering what a "meme" is, CLICK HERE for the Wikipedia definition.

Are You a Spiritual Person?

I would certainly like to think that I am. Though more often than not, I feel like I'm in some kind of survival mode nowadays. Sheila says that my chakras have built up "spiritual scar-tissue" and that it makes energy flow less freely. I could agree with that. I don't feel the ease in connecting with the "Spirit" as I did before.

What Makes Your Blog Unique?

Everyone is different. Each person has a treasure trove of experiences and thoughts wholly individual to themselves. What makes my blog unique is that it is made by me. It gives a perspective which comes from my personal vantage-point.

What Are Your Feelings on the “Blog Popularity” Issue?

Two questions should be tagged on to this one. "Why do you blog?" And, "what does popularity mean to you?" For a business, a blog might be a great way for a company to create a more human and personal interface with its customers. For an individual, it might be a way to creatively express thoughts and emotions that aren't normally indulged upon. What is evident in each scenario though is that there is connection happening. Whether it is with a mass of people or with one's self. What I strive to do with my blog is create community. With my ideas and ways of seeing things, I seek to reach out to others and build a sense of camaraderie and mutual understanding. I think sharing ideas and creating a forum for expression is ideal. The more individuals seeking to make connections, the better. So if my blog is a source for community, then GREAT!

When Did You Start Blogging?
I've had an online journal (in various incarnations) for nearly a decade now. However, whereas previously I wrote exclusively for myself as a way of venting and as a tool for discovering who I was as a person, my blog is a more recent affirmation of a fundamental understanding of who I have become. When I felt solidly comfortable with myself, I wanted to take the next step and create community. I wanted to share the way I saw things and learn how other people felt about different situations and ideas. I started my blog last summer after my sister Cynthia started her's and it has helped facilitate communication between us with much success.

Which Three People Will You Tag?
I tag Cynthia Thornton, Tony and Lisa of Zoa Art, and Amy Wilson.

Empty Nest...

Earlier today, everyone left to go back to North Carolina.

It really didn't kick in until after a very slow day at work. I had plenty of time to let everything sink in. An empty feeling grew in my gut. I miss them a lot. I especially miss Baby One.

I'm not used to having my family with me. I'm very independent and am not used to the democratic nature of family-life nowadays. Trying to make everyone happy at times would be a source of personal frustration, but having them here was also a lot of fun. Cynthia and I are a creative think-tank duo and can rattle off pages and pages of ideas. We are always coming up with new projects. Sheila and I calm each other and make each other laugh. She and I swap party stories and anecdotes about failed romances. Greg reminds me of my spiritual path and inner philosophies. For a long time, I've been trying to integrate my mundane life and my "higher" life, but often times the balance gets out of whack and I find that my mundane life takes over. And last but certainly not least... Azalea. She's the light of my life. She is my constant source of inspiration. Helping her grow up, has taught me so much about myself. Who I am and what I'm capable of. I will miss my hugs and kisses and the songs and the way she says my name, "Ander."

BAMN!

When Dani, Josh, and I finally left the 'Wichcraft gathering, we were STARVING! The line at Pomme Frites was a mile long, so we made our way to Bamn! Automat. It's basically a walk-in vending machine. You put coins into a slot and get (fried) food from the cubby-holes.

Left: Dani retrieved a mac & cheese kroket from the machine. It's sort of like a roll of macaroni and cheese that's been deep fried. It's no surprise that this drunk food is in the midst of so many bars.

Right: Here's a shot of me, Josh, and Dani just before we indulged in our after-drinking meal automat-style. Under this light, everyone looks so healthy and pink.

Left: This is a snap-shot of my dinner items. I picked the fried mozzarella sticks, chicken nuggets, and powdered doughnuts.

Right: Josh chilling in line for his French Fries.

I'm still not sold on whether or not this is a good idea or not. However, it did hit just the right spot after having a drink or two.

Meet and Greet...

'Wichcraft threw a "meet and greet" for its employees at this bar called The Horseshoe Bar a.k.a. 7B. It was a nice opportunity to meet other employees in the quickly growing company, as well as catch up with old friends.

I met up with Josh and Dani. Before we got to the bar, we strolled down St. Mark's Place and popped in various vintage stores.

Left: Josh holding the (very funny) photo-booth pictures of Dani and him.

Even though I was wore out by all the family activities earlier in the day, it was enjoyable to hang out with my co-workers.

Right: Alyssa, Dani, Ben, and I posing in front of the infamous photo-booth.

Family Time...

Our day began with Mexican food for breakfast at a neighborhood favorite, New Mexico Place. The tortas and orchata were excellent!

Left: Azalea was being shy while Sheila cooed over her.

As we made our way into the bowels of the subway system, we ran into my former roommate, Kate. It was nice catching up with her. I haven't seen her in a while.

We took the subway to SoHo and went window-shopping. We tried to find Kremer Pigment without any luck. Though we did stumble upon some really cool places, like Rice to Riches.

Left: This is a picture of Sheila at Rice to Riches. I had forgotten how much fun we used to have living together and going on our mini-adventures.

Rice to Riches is one of my favorite places for dessert. It's yummy! We shared four different flavours: Coast to Coast Cheesecake, Perfectly Legal Pecan Pie, Take Me To Tiramisu, and Coconut Coma. All very filling and tasty.

Right: Baby One about to take a bite of rice pudding between Sheila and Cynthia.

Across the street from Rice to Riches is a playground. Azalea had been so patient all day, that we stopped for her to run around and stretch her legs. She's fast! Both Sheila and I were nervous and kept running after her, trying to catch her when she was about to fall. Very stressful.

Left: Baby One helping Sheila up on the playground fortress.

When we had finished up playing, we went to Pearl Art Supply on Canal Street. Then we explored Chinatown and looked at all the mutated cherries. Later we made our way back up to the Lower East Side and dropped by Il Laboratorio De Gelato for a cool treat.

That baby sure does like ice cream! She liked it so much that she decided to lick the bowl clean. All of us ended up at a Starbucks. We took a break there and rested for a bit, while we drew pictures. Greg was making story-board images for his movie idea, Cynthia was designing beads, Sheila was making an abstract pattern, Azalea was writing and drawing (very Cy Twombly) and I was doing a portrait mixed with an abstract pattern.

When we had fully recovered, we set out for dinner back in Brooklyn. We went to Moto, one of my new favorite restaurants.

Right: Cynthia looking over the menu full of delicious and inexpensive dishes.




I was really glad that we were able to go to Moto for dinner. Cynthia had made a comment on how she had wanted to stop by after I posted about the manchego and pear platter.

Left: Greg and Cynthia, relaxing to jazz and waiting for our orders.

Baby One had a great time at Moto. She was dancing up a storm next to Sheila and I. It was really cute. That baby drops it like it's hot! Azalea was also making "sweet eyes" at one of the fellow patrons.

Pangea...

After graduation, the family went to 'Wichcraft for lunch to see where I work. We went shopping afterwards in the East Village. While walking around, we ran into Arnoldo! He's great!



Arnoldo invited us back to his restaurant, Pangea. Nate came by and it was like old times. It was really fun. The food was wonderful and the company was even better!

Graduation...

Today was my graduation from the School of Visual Arts. It was held at Radio City Music Hall. It was really sad to say goodbye to college, but I'm really excited about my next adventures.

Right: Cynthia, Azalea, me, and Sheila in front of Radio City Music Hall. You can see the marquee with the graduation announcement.

Having my family here in New York has been really great, especially Baby One. She really is the light of my life. She's full of tons of energy and is always wanting to walk around and see things... just like me.
Left: The beautiful Azalea poses with me in front of Radio City Music Hall.

It's strange to look back over my college career and shuffle through the memories.

Right: Another picture of Cynthia, Azalea, me and Sheila all dressed up.

I won't be able to forget all the amazing friends I've made at SVA.

Left: Here we are again in front of the Golden Doors inside Radio City Music Hall.

Right: During the motivational speaker, I snuck up to the balcony. I can't stay awake for the life of me during lectures with the lights are down.

Left: This is me, Andrew Thornton. We needed an iconic picture of me in front of the big mural to send out to all the relatives. I think this one will do nicely for that purpose.

Graduation Party...

Earlier this evening, I had a small party to celebrate my graduation from the School of Visual Arts. To see all of the pictures, go to my Flickr account by CLICKING HERE.

I had a wonderful time. It is important for me to surrounded by my friends and family. This was a great opportunity to get everyone together.

A Revisionist's History...

Sheila had originally intended to come to my graduation. However, there were delays in processing her VISA to Japan... so I thought that she wouldn't get come. However, I got an email saying that she was on her way and that I had to keep it a secret! So here is the revisionist's history of what actually happened:


Left: This is Sheila on the way back from the JFK airport. She got food poisoning on the plane and was very ill all the way back to the apartment. Luckily the train was pretty empty and she could wrap up her face and curl up with a plastic bag to try and rest a bit.

Right: Here Sheila is trying to climb down the fire-escape ladder leading to the roof. She came up to enjoy the view.

Left: Sheila had prepared the yummy lunch that she and I shared with Josh in our picnic to Central Park. After we finished up with our meal, we did a mini tour of that section of the park. It was a lot of fun.

Right: Sheila and Josh pose for the camera in Sheep's Meadow in Central Park. Except for the fact that it was getting chilly, we all had a great time.

From Great Heights...

Now that school is almost all finished up, I am thinking about what exactly I'm going to do. Lots of options. Lots of changes. Many of my friends are moving away. Aurea is going to L.A., Kara is going to Indianapolis, most of the fine art students are going back to their respective hometowns or off to grad school, Josh is going to Kentucky, and a good friend is already in L.A. It seems as though it is the ending of one chapter and the beginning of a new one all at once. It feels like the sunset that I captured from my rooftop in Brooklyn - eventually all the bright colors will fade to darkness.

Central Park Picnic...

Last night, Josh and I made plans to have a picnic. The weather has been so nice lately. Very sunny. So after work, we met up in Central Park.

Right: This is our spread: Yummy tuna and dill sandwiches, sweet tea, and an assortment of chips and cookies.


Josh was just accepted to grad school in Kentucky and got the fellowship position. So if he decides to go, it'll be very sad to say goodbye to one of my closest New York friends.

Left: Josh in Central Park, before it dropped 20 degrees and became very chilly.


Central Park is one of my favorite spots in New York. I used to go at least once a week to explore and think. It is truly one of New York's treasures.

Right: This is a shot of Sheep's Meadow, with midtown looming in the background.

The Australian Party...

Since I don't work with Josh anymore, we made plans to hang out. Also had plans to celebrate Aaron's birthday. So I figured I'd get two birds with one stone. It was lots of fun! Josh and I were the only two that weren't from Australia.

Above Left: Neil was telling Josh a funny story about Cuba.

Field Trip...

After I finished up my exam, I decided to go on a little field trip to Coney Island. Above is a picture of the box lunch that I prepared for myself. It included a few medjool dates, Smyrna figs, half a Bartlett pear, some herb focaccia, bresaola, a sheep's milk cheese, and a little bit of prosciutto. I garnished it with some spiral-shaped slices of guava paste.

One reason I went was to regenerate and psychically recuperate. However, Coney Island isn't what it used to be. Much of it seems desolate and has a sense of death to it. But it was a beautiful (chilly and windy) day and I had of fun going out there.

To see more pictures from my trip to Coney Island, go to my Flickr account by CLICKING HERE.

New Tori...

Tori Amos has just released her latest album, American Doll Posse. And it's a winner! This new concept album challenges American ideas about feminism, social constructs, and the political landscape of the country. She utilizes five personas based on Greek gods to weave a masterful rollercoaster of ideas and emotions.

I'm also looking forward to Bjork's new album coming out shortly called, Volta and Rufus Wainwright's latest offerring, Release the Stars.

My iTunes' Top 20...

I already posted this as a comment to Jean Yate's blog, but wanted to post it here as well. I'm getting the urge to make lists, all sorts of different lists. This list is what my iTunes says are my Top 20 most played songs:

Clear the Area, Imogen Heap
Stay of Leave, Dave Matthews
Take It From Me, The Weepies
I'll Be Near You, Ivy
Same Kinda Shuffle, Yann Tiersen
Grey, Ani Difranco
3 Libras, A Perfect Circle
Come Here Boy, Imogen Heap
Fire Sign, David Berkley
Maps, Yeah Yeah Yeahs
My Immortal, Evanescene
Red, Red, Red, Fiona Apple
The Power of Orange Knickers, Tori Amos
Iron and Wine, The Postal Service
Everything, Lifehouse
32 Flavors, Alana Davis
Not About Love, Fiona Apple
Stolen Car, Patty Griffin
Rootless Tree, Damien Rice
Better Version of Me, Fiona Apple

10 (favorite) Staples...

Here is a list of ten things that you will undoubtedly find in my home no matter where I'm living. I wouldn't go so far as saying that I couldn't live without these things, but I don't know if I'd want to go on without them. They are pretty essential to my day to day activities.

As a collage artist, I go through so much glue. I don't even buy the small bottles anymore. I get it by the gallon size now. Forget the fancy glues, Elmer's works the best. It is so versatile. You can create a crackle effect with spray paint or make a faux-porcelain finish surface other things.

I grew up in Florida and we always had a pitcher of sweet tea. Here in New York, most iced tea is unsweetened. So in my house, there is always a pitcher on-hand of the sweet stuff. One of my favorites is sweet mint tea. (I'm actually having a glass right now.)

Everything else in my cupboards might have run out, but there will always be a jar of honey. It's one of my favorite sweeteners. I buy mine at the Green Market in Union Square. I once said that when I die, I want to be entombed in honey.


I'm a fan of candles in general, (the light they cast is great), but beeswax candles in particular are my favorite. The warm, rich aroma they give off when burnt is truly divine. I used to keep a piece of beeswax in my backpack just to smell!

When I saw the infomercials, I was skeptical, but this stuff really works. I have really bad acne and it is one of the only things that has been able to help. It keeps me looking fresh and dewy.

Nag Champa is another of my favorite scents. I'm instantly calmed when I get a whiff. I don't even have to burn it to enjoy the sweet tranquil smell. I keep a box of it in my book-bag, my locker, my studio, and my apartment.

When we were kids, every meal included a bowl of rice. Even if you had eggs and bacon, there was always rice on the side. My mother is from the Philippines and it is literally a subsistence staple there. So, along with the honey, you'll find a bag of rice.

I was not introduced to freshly shaved Parmesan cheese until later in life. When we were growing up, I only had the pre-ground stuff in a jar. But I have since discovered that it can rescue and turn almost any savory dish around.

I love chocolate. All kinds. From dark, to white. I am hooked on chocolate. Few things in life make me happy like chocolate does. You won't find this in my cupboards, because it is usually squirreled away and hidden for secret consumption.

Wine, especially red wine, is just one of those things that I always have on-hand. I'm no expert, but I enjoy it quite a bit. Perhaps it's because it lends itself to conversation. I even keep a case of wine in my studio, just for this purpose.

Thunderstorms...

I've been opening the store recently, so I've been taking naps right after my shifts are done so that I can keep a semi-regular schedule, straddled half in the morning and half in the late evenings.

I awoke earlier this evening to the sound of thunder. It was raining. New York doesn't really see too many thunderstorms. It's so strange how the smell of a storm in the air reminds me of growing up in Florida. During the summers, I would sit by the windows and watch the rain fall and the lightning streak across the sky. My favorite time of the day was the calm before the storm. (It rained everyday at 3PM. Almost so regularly you could plan your day around it.) The calm before the storm was a reprieve from the heat and sky above would be churning with dark intensity.

The thunder is resonating deeply within me this evening. I can feel it in my bones. It is a jostle shouting, "HARK!" In the pitter-patter of the rain, I can feel it saying, "Let go... let go... let go."