Travel: Just Rolling With It 2.0

I'm used to airports bustling with travelers arriving, departing and running to make their connecting flight.  To have it empty, save but the few of us who opted to spend the night, is a bit unnerving.  To say it was a restless night would be an understatement.  I kept waking up every hour with that sinking feeling that I was going to miss my flight.  Around 6:00 AM I woke up to the smell of sausage McMuffins (yes, Gate A23 was next to a McDonald's).  Bleary-eyed I made my way over and proceeded to order 2 sausage McMuffins and a large sweet tea...just what I needed.

They're version of a bed...(taken with Olloclip)

Fingers crossed it stays like this...(taken with Olloclip)

What beauty sleep?

By noon hunger took over and I woke up to recorded announcement of places to eat at the airport...all I remember hearing was "Jamba Juice."  I strapped on my heavy backpack, picked up my tripod (bags are not to be left unattended) and walked over to the nearest information desk (near Gate A17) to ask where the Jamba Juice was located.  I was told it was in Terminal D.  Say what?! Below is the PHL terminal map. Gate A23 is in the lower left side, Jamba Juice was in Terminal D by Gate D6 on the lower right.  Remember I'm carrying close to 40 lbs. of equipment.  Was I hungry enough for my usual original size non-dairy aloha pineapple (no pineapple sherbet, no yogurt, substitute all sorbet) with soy protein?  What do you think?

The flight to Frankfurt was uneventful.  I was told upon arrival to make my way over to the Lufthansa Air Service desk to get my seating assignment.  I gave him the print outs I was given by the US Airways representative.  He looks at them and asks "Where is your ticket? This just shows you have a booking."  After I told him that was all I was given, he attempted to find me a seat and ticket with the documents I gave him.  I could tell by the look on his face this was not going to be easy.  He then referred me to another Lufthansa representative who attempted to do the same.  She asked that I return at 8:00 AM when the US Airways desk opens so that she can call them to straighten things out.  She reassured me that we would work it all out.  I promptly returned at 8:00 AM, and she happily called US Airways. Five minutes later I had a ticket and seating assignment.  I thanked her for her taking care of me, and she wished me a safe flight and good time in Dublin.  Patience, a smile, and willingness to help someone in need makes all the difference.

Yay!!!  I'm finally on my way to Dublin!!!

Frankfurt Terminal B...so modern. (taken with Olloclip)

European flavor KitKat...makes it all worth it. (Olloclip)

Mondo Bar & Caffe Terminal B (Olloclip)

Lufthansa cabin looked brand new...so clean.

Breakfast

Travel: Just Rolling With It

For the past month I've been planning and anxiously waiting to start my two week European adventure. First stop Dublin.  So I'm at SFO, I've buckled my seatbelt and the plane is sitting on the tarmac waiting to take off for Philly.  The flight attendants' arms are gyrating in the air as they review emergency procedures, and then I hear the captain's voice.  The only thing going through my head is "Please no delay" "Please no delay" "Please no delay"...NOT!  The flight is DELAYED due to tornado warnings.  Tornado warnings?! In Philly?! Really?!

I'm not the only who missed a connection.

At this point I figure I have two options.  a) stress out and have a total meltdown or b) just roll with it.  I'm not happy, but I decide to roll with it.  All I can do is hope we arrive early enough to make my connecting flight to Dublin, Ireland.  We arrive at Gate B16...my connecting flight is at Gate A8.  Just picture me making a mad dash with about 30 lbs. of camera equipment and 17" Macbook Pro on my back and Manfrotto tripod slung over my shoulder.  Mind you I'm not dressed for a mad dash.  I'm wearing a water resistant "parka", 508 tapered Levi's cargo pants, and my favorite pair of To Boot New York slip on boots.

Gate A23 taken with olloclip for iPhone.

I'm short of breath and sweating as I near Gate A8...with no plane in sight.  I missed my connection by 20 minutes.  The attendant at the counter quickly goes to work to get me on the next flight out to Dublin...Gate A23 4:20 pm Wednesday, 9/19 via Frankfurt, Germany.  I guess I'll be sleeping overnight at PHL Gate A23.  My three day visit to Dublin just became two.  Oh, well...I'll definitely be needing a pint or two of Guinness.

Fashion: The Next Generation @ Original Penguin

Original Penguin participated in the First Annual Spring Forward Fashion Show at Valley Christian High School in San Jose, California introducing the brand to the next generation of "penguins".  The fashion show raised funds for the Class of 2012 Senior Legacy Gift which gives the graduating senior class the opportunity to donate the funds toward a charitable cause.  Check out some of the Original Penguin outfits modeled by Valley Christian High School Seniors.

Best Wishes & Congratulations to the Class of 2012!!!

Fashion: Ozwald Boateng

If you ask the average American (a) who is Ozwald Boateng? (b) where is Savile Row? and (c) what do they have in common? the answer will most likely be "huh?"

(a) Ozwald Boateng is a fashion designer who "has reinterpreted the British art of bespoke tailoring...Ozwald Boateng's iconic contemporary twist, vibrant colors, and refined fabrics offer a unique luxury experience to men of all genereations."

(b) Savile Row is a shopping street in London, UK famous for it's bespoke tailoring.

(c) Ozwald Boateng's flagship store is located on Savile row.

Well, now you know.

To say that I love his clothes, specifically his suits, is an understatement.  All you have to do is watch "A Man's Story" catwalk show ,which closed London Fashion Week September 22, 2010, to understand.

Music: Picture Atlantic "With One Clipped Wing"

The long awaited Film Antics production of Picture Atlantic's Part II music video "With One Clipped Wing" was released Sunday, February 19th.  To read more about Picture Atlantic and Part I & II of their music videos go to live105.radio.com.

Part II: With One Clipped Wing


With One Clipped Wing from Raymund Aranda on Vimeo.


In case you missed it last week here is
Part I:  Joust


Joust from Raymund Aranda on Vimeo.

Music: The Rock Hop with Picture Atlantic

It was a great night of music and talent as Picture Atlantic headlined The Rock Hop at Art Boutiki on Saturday, February 11th along with performances by Girl Named T, Briertone, Dogcatcher and Ghost and The City.  Picture Atlantic also premiered their much anticipated two part music video "Joust" and "With One Clipped Wing" directed by Paul Aspuria and produced by Raymund Aranda of  Film Antics with cinematography by Vivek Mohan Kumar and co-starring Kelly Dessoye.

Live105.radio.com released part 1, "Joust", on Sunday, February 12th and will release part 2, "With One Clipped Wing," on Sunday, February 19th.  You can read more about the Picture Atlantic and watch "Joust" on live105.radio.com.

Art Boutiki

Girl Named T

Ghost and The City

Ghost and The City 

Briertone

Dogcatcher

Ryan, Picture Atlantic

Nik, Picture Atlantic

Daniel, Nik & Ryan

Vincent, Picture Atlantic

Brian, Picture Atlantic

Nik

Vincent

Nik & Ryan

 

Fashion: The Brogue

All you have to do is shop Nordstrom.com to see that The Brogue has taken over this season for men's shoes.  What's great about the brogue is you can wear it dressed up or dress down (socks optional).  Brogues are classic and timeless.  You can't go wrong when you wear them.  The perfect example of someone who wears it well is the always stylish Brad Goreski.

Let's face it gentlemen, regardless of what you're wearing, your shoes complete the outfit.  Just because you spend a thousand bucks on an outfit doesn't mean you skimp out on the shoes.  Expect to pay at least $300 if you want style + quality.  If you look at shoes as an investment vs. an afterthought it won't hurt as much.

Now I love Italian made shoes, but for Made in the USA you can't go wrong with Allen Edmonds.  These are handmade and recraftable.  My favorites from this season's collection are the Neumok and the McTavish.  It's times like these when I still wish I worked in Men's Shoes at Nordstrom.  I want these shoes so bad!!!

Neumok

McTavish

Music: Picture Atlantic

On January 27, 2012 Picture Atlantic held a private screening of their soon to be released music videos "Joust" and "With One Clipped Wing" at Current Tattooing in downtown San Jose.  The videos were directed by Paul Aspuria  and produced by Raymund Aranda of Film Antics with Vivek Mohan Kumar as cinematographer.  "Joust" and "With One Clipped Wing" are both shot in classic Hollywood film noir with Kelly Dessoye as lead actress. We shot both videos in three days and four locations in three cities (Morgan Hill, San Jose, Palo Alto).

Kelly

Brian

Nik

As always, we had a blast on set...kind of hard not to when you get to work with talented artists and colleagues (also my fave peeps).  The best, and most challenging, part of this shoot as a producer was styling Miss Dessoye's hair. Although Paul and Vivek, teased me about it, I think they were both pleasantly surprised.

Ryan

Paul & Vivek

Vivek & I

Check back later this month when I post the release of "Joust" and "With One Clipped Wing" or attend The Rock Hop at Art Boutiki on Saturday, February 11. Until then, enjoy Picture Atlantic's ghoulish "Guerilla."

Fashion: Original Penguin Store Grand Opening Party

Original Penguin has been around since 1955, and it's style of clothing is one that is passed on from one generation to the next.  Grandpa looks classy, dad looks hip, and the kids look cool.  So if you're looking for classic clothing with a modern-retro-hipster-rocker vibe then stop by an Original Penguin store because you're cool like that.

The Original Penguin Store at Valley Fair Mall celebrated it's Grand Opening with a party on Thursday, November 17, 2011. DJ Sequence brought his distinct scratching and mixing style and rocked the house...welcome to The Penguin Club!  The only thing missing was a disco ball and strobe lights. Everyone enjoyed snacking on sliders from The Counter at Santana Row, and drinks provided by Grey Goose while shopping for great outfits.  Picture Atlantic blew the roof off the house (well almost) when they treated friends, family, fans, and customers to a special musical performance.