Another Smurfin' Story?! It's like 11 o'smurf!

Lauren and Erik received sleeping bags from Santa, and since we are not an outdoor-z family, the most adventurous place to go camping is the back room at grandma's house. So last night they got their chance to "rough it" and yours truly was in charge of the bed time stories. We rotated, Lauren, then me, then Erik. Lauren is great with originality, as long as there is a princess involved. And Erik, he liked to tell stories of how is the winning driver in a NASCAR race. I, on the other hand, cheated and told stories I pulled from the web. Thanks Hans Christian Anderson! The plan was to have them in bed by 9, but that plan went out the window after I realized that I let them have candy just about everytime they asked throughout the evening, so we were up telling stories until 11:30 pm. The morning brought the traditional Saturday morning cartoons, and I was able to expose them to the Smurfs. They seemed to like them. Although I never realized how much a pain in the smurf Smurfette is! I guess when your the only female you can get away with being a total smurf. She's no Betty Rubble I tell ya that! Now there's a real woman. . . . . . . . I know, I need help.

ps. go to this site to find out if you were a smurf, what smurf you would be.

Holiday Picture Mix

Just in case you were curious, everyone enjoyed their Kwanzaa heritage symbols. Although Kwanzaa is an African American holiday, who knew? And since we are Croatian, everyone received dried fish. I guess an African tribal mask would have been more customary for the occasion, not to mention easier to wrap.

The first picture is of Josef and I at my cousins house (that little guy has a good grip!). The second is Lauren adjusting the belt on the Kimono I bought for her. ("Look Grandma, now I'm an Asian princess!" Her words not mine). The third is Karl, myself and Erik (Karl is the one with all the cash, Erik is teaching me how to read). And the final picture is Karl, Lauren, myself and Erik decorating Christmas cookies.

Merry Christmas!!!

I know this is probably the lamest way to wish everyone a Merry Christmas but I'm going to do it anyway. Due to a scheduling conflict, we were unable to celebrate Christmas Eve at my brother's house last evening. Instead we decided to celebrate Kwanzaa tomorrow the 26th of December. Which is the official start of the week long, non-religious, celebration of family, community and culture. It says that traditional Kwanzaa gifts must include a book and a heritage symbol. I really hope I don't get the packages confused. I know Erik wanted a Power Ranger, he might very well get a heritage symbol, (I don't even know what that means?)

Today we will be heading to my cousins for the traditional religious celebration of Christmas. Complete with toys and probably something be-dazzled! Just as Jesus would have wanted. (I think a Hanna Montana doll is probably todays equivalent to Frankincense.) So I hope everyone has a wonderful day and you get all the books and heritage symbols you asked for! Merry Christmas!!!

Finally.

You knew I would come through didn't you? And now, according to Frank Christiano, Christmas can begin. A little history on the manger. The crib pictured above was what my grandfather used to carry on his shoulder, filled with cement, when he was a mason during the depression. And my grandmother crocheted the red blanket, she will be 101 this February. I placed the figures on the ground and plugged them in.

E For Effort

Well, It's Christmas Eve and I just completed the last of my Christmas shopping, with 2 hours to spare no less! You might think I'm a procrastinator, but in my defense I have to wait till the last week so I don't have to be one of those people who carry all their presents on the plane and place them in the overhead bin. You know who you are. Fortunately I have a good solid week in Chicago to shop and buy everyone thoughtful gifts that they will be retuning the next day. But, after some thought, I realized that it's not important what I bought necessarily, whats important is that I took the time to try and think about the person, and what they would like, and venture out and spend hours searching for that gift. The actual item may be hit or miss, but the thought that went into the item is the real gift. . . . . . at least that's what I'll tell people as I return that jewel encrusted oven mitt. "It's beautiful, but you know what? I already have one."

Baby It's Cold Outside!!!

Yesterday was a great day for shopping. I drove downtown and parked at a meter that was broken, that's right! Free parking all day! A little gift from the City of Chicago to me. The weather was actually warm for December, 50 degrees, and when I wasn't noticing Mikel on everyones Abercrombie shopping bags, I really accomplished alot! That girl is everywhere! Today on the other hand it's cold, and windy! Like 60 mph windy! So I'm going to stay indoors and watch the football game and wait till my brother comes with the kids about 4. Above is a photo of Holly and Matt from the the other night. Matt is on his way to India then Africa documenting his friend Scott's charity which brings clean water to towns that are lacking that resource. He will be gone for a month. I'm pretty sure it's just going to be him, Scott, and Chan of Cat Power. I will post updates on their success as it comes my way.

Merry Christmas Christiano Style

Normally I would post a picture of my family's nativity scene here on the blog. But since I've been spending all my free time playing Guitar Hero, ehem . . . . . . . . . I mean Christmas shopping, I haven't gotten around to setting it up yet. So I'll post my friends Frankie's display instead.

Regression

I think the older I get the less mature I am. At this rate I will be in diapers in a few years. (And hey, no emails from you sicko's out there that want to see a picture of me in a diaper. It only happened once and I'm pretty sure someone had slipped something into my drink. And please, whatever you do, do not google karl+diaper+photo, I'll deny everything).

On a much more civilized note, I had a chance to spend some quality time with the kids yesterday for my birthday. Erik and I played tackle football in the living room, I was the Lions and he was the Packers (although he was mispronouncing Packers and calling them the hookers the whole time, and it was too funny to correct him). We decorated Christmas cookies and I got a chance to spend time with Josef who could be the happiest baby ever! I also received Guitar Hero III as a gift. I played it this morning and after 10 minutes my hand cramped and I had to stop. Not real "rock star" material if you ask me. I think if I drank and did alot of drugs I could have continued, I'm sure Slash would cramp up too if he wasn't always wasted. I'm not really sure how I feel about Guitar Hero. If I stink, then when I get a chance to play, say at a friends house or lower east side bar, then people will publically make fun of me. On the other hand, if I'm good, then that means I've been practicing alone in my apt for hours on end, and I'm a loser. Public humiliation vs Private humiliation, it's a toss up, but right now I have to get back to my band "Don't Tase Me Bro", we're about to go on tour. Rock On!!!! . . . . . ehem, I mean later.

A-Ha - Take On Me

I'm posting this video for a couple reasons. So people who regularly read my blog won't have to ask what song my ringtone is from. Now you know. Plus I'm totally into chicks with bad 80's hair, London coffee shops and motorcycle hooligans. But seriously, who isn't.

Even More Birthday Photos

I need to give credit where credit is due. Raj is responsible for that amazing photo documenting my perfect bowling form. I wish he would have caught me without my tongue out, what can I say, it's the Michael Jordan in me. And Jason gets credit for that last shot of Holly and I. I'm still not sure how he got fireworks to shoot from Holly's fingers, but I'm totally impressed.

Society Is Trying To Make Me A Fatty

Ever since we hit up KFC the other night, I've been craving food that comes conveniently in bucket form. I think it's that 11th herb and or spice that's got it's hold on me. Couldn't the Colonel just use 10 herbs and spices, I mean really, who's he tryin' to impress. Anyway, if that isn't bad enough I just ate one of my roommate Michelle's cheesecake cupcakes along with some of Holly's leftover birthday cake, that yes, I ate out of a plastic sandwich bag. I know it's a little early, but I'm re-instituting my New Years resolution of hitting the gym. Either that or one day they're gonna have to grease my hallway to get me out of the building. Above is an out-take from the birthday bash. I'm a loser.

Birthday Bowling Part 2

Birthday Bowling Blast!!!

Seems like everyone had a blast last night. Thanks to everyone who made the trek out to Williamsburg in the freezing rain to celebrate our birthday!!! I have tons of photos and even more great memories. Big thanks to Holly for putting everything together, she's the best!!! Not really mentally there this morning to write so I'll let some of the pictures tell the story. Right now it will be just shots of Holly and I. Check out our cake on the old tv in the corner. Classy. And Holly and I practicing for future guitar hero performances sans guitar. There are so many pictures of our friends that it will take awhile to edit, but look for them in the coming days.

Oh Yeah Baby, Snow.

It wouldn't be mine and Holly's birthday party without a little of the white stuff. I just hope it doesn't scare people from trecking out to Billyburg for the big birthday bash. If it does, then your a wuss, that's right I said it, wuss. Besides, Holly made a cake and everything. So unless you want us to get all fat and gross, you should come and partake in the festivities. See you there!!!

I Should Of Been A Rock Star!

But I'll settle for being a fake rock star. I mean look at the cute girl behind me with the scarf checking out my moves! Good thing she can't see my "white man's overbite" as I play Guitar Hero at Piano's. I thought I only had that overbite when I danced? Ya learn something new everyday. The other shots are of Holly and Cyndie taking an alcohol break at KFC, (Cyndie looks guilty, she used to be a vegetarian, Holly looks happy as always). The final shot is of me enjoying a mango margarita at Mercadito sporting my new vest look. One day I'll have my photo taken while not in the process of drinking.

I'll Be On The Dance Floor If You Need Me.

The Ford Holiday Party last night was amazing! And I'm not sure if it was the great mix of music or the open bar, but I was on the dance floor the whole night! 4 hours of shakin' my money maker with some of the most beautiful people ever assembled in one space. The above images include my make-up artist Cyndie enjoying a lovely beverage, Mikel and Cyndie, and yours truly enjoying was was one of many lovely beverages. Here is a link with more images COACD.

Favorites

It's hard to pick favorites when it comes to my photos. It's like picking favorites when it comes to my niece and nephews, really can't be done. However, I do have a certain affinity for this image of Sabina at the moment. I worked on it this morning and it gave me even more re-newed excitement for future shoots. It has everything that I want my images to be, simple, clean, slightly dark, and alluring without being provocative.

Fancy Schmancy

Well, it's that time of year again. And you know what that means. Holiday Parties! And I came to a realization the other day. Each time I get invited to a party, everyone prefaces it the same way, "Now you know Karl, you have to dress up for this." So I started to take stock of my wardrobe to see if I might be a little too casual. Turns out I'm alot too casual. For instance, how do I convert my summer look of jeans and a t-shirt to winter? Thats right, add a thermal under my t-shirt. Do I have any shirts with a collar? Does a hooded sweatshirt count? And turns out my dress shoes are the converse all stars without the holes in them.

So, I've decided to do everyone a favor and shop for myself this holiday season. I'm used to shopping for photoshoots, and if I was a size 0 and a woman I'd be set. But unfortunately for my wallet thats just not the case. So off to Soho I go. . . . . . . However, I'm still not gonna shave. I have to keep it real ya know.

The Days Of My Youth

I was going through some old photos that I had stored on the computer, and I found this one of me and my best friend Frankie. We were so bad ass. . . . . even with our short shorts.

CourtNY

Courtney left yesterday for LA, but before she fled the big apple we were able to put together a last minute shoot. The t-shirt is super worn and has a picture of a kitten coming out of a coffee cup and says "I don't do mornings". (I picked up that t-shirt at the flee market on Fairfax while I was in LA. See, everything comes full circle) I also was able to shoot her family in Central Park for their Christmas card. So if you are fortunate enough to be friends with the Robertson's, you should receive your own copy in the next few weeks.

A Birthday Party AND Bowling. . . . . I'm In!!!

This is the only social event this winter where striking out with the ladies is a good thing! Hope to see you there!

Thanksgiving In The New Millennium

I can't remember the last time I went home for Thanksgiving. It must have been in the 90's. I think Milli Vanilli were big at the time. This Thanksgiving was no different (except for the music, I was a big fan of Milli, not so much Vanilli). I did, however, spend it with my family via ichat. This was a new thing for my nephew Karl who got a real kick out of seeing his uncle on the computer, that is until he saw himself, then the idea of making funny faces trumped talking to his namesake. Erik was nice enough to draw me a race car and actually make me the driver! I was flattered. Lauren was a little shy but I think appreciated the fact that I at least made an appearance. And finally Josef, fresh from a bath, said hello with hair even Don King had to admire. Boy that kids got alot of hair!

Each Thanksgiving I spend some time thinking about where I've been, where I am currently, where I want to be, and what it's going to take to get me there (boy, that's alot of thinking!). I want to thank everyone who has supported me in all my endeavors this past year, and hopefully I have been of some support to you as well. I hope you all had a wonderful holiday!

"Real" New Yorkers

I always considered NYC to be it's own living, breathing creature. Hey, it even expels gas in the form of steam all around the city! I was always fascinated by how New Yorkers can walk up and down the streets and pass within millimeters of each other without touching. I actually list this as something I appreciate about New York! You can walk down Park Ave at rush hour and watch people basically dance their way up the street moving ever so slightly, just an inch back with a shoulder, to avoid an oncoming pedestrian. I realized this was a skill "real" New Yorkers possessed when I returned from a long trip once, and on my way from the taxi to my apt I bumped into 3 people. I was out of practice. There is one more thing that "real" New Yorkers do, or should I say don't do. They don't stop in the middle of the sidewalk. You can witness a New Yorker as they are walking down the street check quickly behind them, then veer off to the side to tie their shoe or make a phone call. No one wants to get run over. This all being said, it was my observation that there are no "real" New Yorkers in Soho the day after Thanksgiving.

Kickin' It Old School

There is this fantastic series currently running on the channel Ovation. I think its channel 83 on cable. It's called "The Genius Of Photography". It runs like a PBS documentary on the history of photography, kinda ala Frontline. Actually this week is photography week on Ovation. I taped 6, 1 hour long episodes last night alone, and they are having a marathon tomorrow. Very exciting. So in honor of photographic history, I give you the above image via Polapan. Also, I've been listening to alot of old school R & B recently which also has had an effect on my shooting. The Delphonics, Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes, The O'Jays, The Spinners etc. One more thing, how amazing did Cyndie do the hair and make-up! She rocks!

Tony Manero, Look Out!!!

I have a few tips for my fellow iphone users in Manhattan or any other major metropolitan area. First, do not watch any comedies, be it movie or tv show, while riding the subway. You know the guy on the 6 train that is laughing by himself? Yep, that would be me. Second, it is impossible not to walk in NYC (while listening to "Stayin' Alive" by the Bee Gee's) and not strut like John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever. I kept wondering while I was getting all these looks on Park Ave. For a minute I thought I was cool. . . . . . . . . . yeah, not so much. Above is one more image from Mikel's Shoot.

Following In Bruce Weber's Footsteps

As some of you might know, when I moved to NYC I worked for Bruce Weber. Bruce saw something special in Mikel to basically make her the face of Abercrombie. You can currently see her on the Abercrombie shopping bags and all throughout the store . . . . . . . . . oh, and here on my blog. Now it's my job to transform her from Bruce's "girl next door" to let's say Karl's "the girl from the wrong side of the tracks". I was asked to shoot her yesterday, and who else to give her a new, cool, raw image than yours truly. You might actually recognize her from the backstage section of my website, (she leads it off). I knew she looked familiar when she walked in the door, but I just couldn't place her.

Rap Charts and Graphs

Calling all math nerds who are into hip hop. If you go to the site, click on the graph for the corresponding video explanation.

News And Notes

5 things I learned this past weekend.

1. Just because I enjoy Rammen noodles doesn't mean I'm struggling financially. Mom, you don't have to send me money, your son's doing fine. I just enjoy the taste that's all.
2. I have the best roommates ever! Michelle made chocolate chips and Holly made chocolate pudding pie. Guess who reaped the spoils of their labor.
3. "It's always Sunny. . . " has, (in my own mind) made it socially acceptable to not shave and lounge around my apt. in my long johns. Thanks Charlie!
4. The only problem with 500 thread count sheets is you never want to leave your bed. Luckily, I can do most of my post production on my laptop.
5. The lighting I used in the above photo is the direction I want my photography to go. Raw, clean, simple and understated. Like me!

People, They're The Worst

So I'm on my way home from a hard days work, (you know where this is goin') and I approach the Subway, (sandwiches not trains), and as I approach the door, I notice there is a guy close behind me also heading into Subway. I open the door, and as I do for most everyone, proceed to let him ahead of me. First let me start by saying there was no thank you for holding the door open, then, can you believe this guy walks right up to the counter and proceeds to immediately order 3 footlong subs, all different, without letting me go ahead of him. He knew I held the door open so he could go in, the least he could do is motion to me to see if I want to go ahead and order. Now here's the good part. I am always very nice to the guys that work there, as I am to anyone who handles what I'm about to put into my mouth. They even reach far in the back to get the softer bread for my sandwiches, pretty sweet I know. Anyway, as this dude belts out his order, the man behind the counter says to this guy, " Excuse me, but I believe he was here first." pointing to me. This jerk turns to me and gives me this look and I go right ahead and order my turkey sub. Now, did I take my sweet time ordering what I wanted them to put on my sandwich? You bet your ass I did! Unfortunately, that was the only thing I could think of at the time to make his ordering process a pain. You know what, it actually gave me some satisfaction. Trust me, you don't want to get on my bad side, I might go crazy and make you wait 30 seconds for someone to put pickles on your sandwich. I'm such a bad ass.

Jeffrey Lewis "East River"

Even More Anja And Sabina

Anja and Sabina cont.

Alright, Anja (the blonde) is Dutch, and Sabina is Swedish. Anja is good friends with another Danish model I know Mia, who is good friends with my old roommate Matt Oliver. And thats how small the world is. I don't really have a connection to Sabina other than she is Swedish and my best friends from College were Swedish. But thats like saying "Oh, you breathe air, I breathe air too, what a coincidence?!!!" I am very excited about going through the images today. It's a cold and rainy Saturday, I'm going to make a big bowl of soup and edit images. Good times. . . . No seriously, good times. I love this kinda stuff. You know what would make this even better, yep, you got it, renting season 1 and 2 of It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia. Sweeeeeet.

Anja And Sabina

One girl is from Denmark, the other from Sweden, and I bet you can't tell who's who? I explain tomorrow. Right now I'm ti-red.