And More Lady Gaga
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_b2C20qN4Ps&hl=en_US&fs=1&&w=425&h=344]
Lady Gaga "Hollywood" live @ The Bitter End 1/20/06
Fascination
I'm totally fascinated by Lady Gaga. Aren't you?
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrO4YZeyl0I&hl=en_US&fs=1&&w=560&h=340]
Pay it Forward
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4xHc2Ow9CY&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1&w=425&h=344]
Best Ad Agency Christmas Video from Mother London.
Warm Your Soul
And some pictures to warm your soul despite the cold. Via Katie Did and taken by Kelsey Foster.
Winter Wonderland
I'm having a fit of artistic inspiration tonight. I spent the afternoon wandering around the East Village and dipping into thrift shops in the hopes of finding a decent new purse. I had no luck but found my absolute new favorite cafe/ wine bar. It's on 2nd avenue around 5th street on the West Side of the street. Incidentally, I never caught the name but it's absolutely perfect. Okay, perhaps I want it to be a secret. I started off with a cappuccino and toast with nutella while actually working on my novel. Then realizing I still had about an hour to kill, I ordered a glass of red wine. I sat at the bar next to a French couple, a German guy and surrounded by the Italian wait staff speaking Italian. As if the place wasn't perfect enough, at 6, they put out a display of prosciutto, cheese, bread, salami and olives- a happy hour treat for those drinking wine. I found myself surrounded by interesting, kind, creative people. Quite the perfect date with myself as the storm raged outside.
Post wine bar, I headed to a Polish restaurant further East for a birthday dinner for my all time favorite spin instructor. Despite taking his class for about 3 1/2 years, this was the first time I hung out with him and other spin people outside of class. It was fun and motivating to be around health conscious, athletic people. There's definitely something to be said about having the strength and determination to regularly complete his class and how that translates to the rest of your life. Everyone there seemed intelligent, accomplished and happy.
The journey home was an adventure. By the time we left the restaurant at 10, it was complete madness. I walked three blocks to the bus stop directly into the incoming snow, bonding with fellow New Yorkers over the insanity. Then stood waiting for the bus for ten minutes, another New York bonding experience.. the great equalizer as we all realized waiting for the bus was the only option. And finally, here I am, sitting in the comfort of my apartment, having my third and last glass of wine for the night, about to work on my novel.
Shiny Objects
Last night I hung out with my coworker and met some of her man's friends. After talking to one in particular for a bit, it was noted that if I saw a shiny object on the street, I would probably get distracted and pick it up. Or would be distracted from the conversation, or from walking down the street. Wow. Not the first person who's said that. Amazing....
My First Music Video
I'm trying to learn iMovie for works.. soo.
Music Video from Molly A on Vimeo.
This was taken at Webster Hall back in October, I think during a Body & Soul party. The music is from Zero 7's latest album Yeah Ghost, called Mr. McGee. Tell me what you think of my first effort!
Happy Friday. Brrr
About a year ago both shot with the Canon 40D.
And only a few weeks ago.. remembering a slightly warmer time. Shot with the Canon Powershot s90.
Hello My Name Is Molly and I like to Make Draw-awings
Scarlett Johansson from a Dolce & Gabbana ad. 
Natalie Portman from Marie ClaireI'm kind of out of practice with the drawing but it feels good and relaxing to attempt some sketches. I forgot that these two played sisters in the movie version of one of my favorite books. Yeah, drawing faces is hard. It's about getting the measurements for one particular feature that makes all the difference as to whether or not you've captured their essence. I wish I could commit to drawing other subjects like errr.. men, but drawing men just doesn't interest me as much. Plus I'm not likely to have men's magazines laying around.. obviously.
Another Classic
I love to Count! Censored.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-Wd-Q3F8KM&hl=en_US&fs=1&&w=425&h=344]
Found through the photo agency John Kenney & (Cutest Video Ever
After having a conversation about Facebook's new privacy glitch and spending 5 minutes looking at profiles I shouldn't have looked at, I needed something to put me back into a happy place. Hello Lolcats.
http://www.viddler.com/player/2158f538/
Found through the photo agency John Kenney & (
Solas Shot
I don't actually know these people but for some weird reason, I took their picture. I love their energy. It was at Solas, naturally. I dragged my boyfriend there (and some friends) for the second time. We walked in and headed to the bar, only to stop in our tracks as we saw a girl hurl into her hands. Classic. We both got a little tipsy and for some crazy reason, I allowed my boy to go on my Facebook without supervision. He proceeded to leave slightly embarrassing and misspelled wall posts on every friend he's met of mine - proof that he's sort of the male version of me. Or something like that. Good times.
Weekend Update
Have had some wonderful dates with the boy lately hence being m.i.a. as of late. Good food, good company, good wine and music - IZ all I need.
I took this photo on the way to one of my dates. I'm in love with the Canon s90.
P.S. Despite liking the Upper East Side, I think I'm a downtown girl at heart. I've been spending time DT again but I think having to go all the way down, then back up makes me appreciate it more.
Belated Post
Totally late on this post/picture but check out what I got when I ordered an Almond Meringue. Needless to say, it was quite messy.
Belated Post
Totally late on this post/picture but check out what I got when I ordered an Almond Meringue. Needless to say, it was quite messy.
Blog Re-Post
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
10 Ways to Increase Creativity
Re-posted from a new blog discovery- Dumblittleman
I'm excited that I'm headed in the right direction. I definitely talk to anyone and everyone, read about all types of subjects, try new things, etc. Now if only I can stick to my creative projects.
- Read Widely and Deeply
Whatever field you’re in, reading can only help. Go to the library and check out some good books – and don’t make all of them ones in your area of expertise. Why not get a novel you’d never normally read, or a book about a topic you have no knowledge on? This can jump-start your brain into working more creatively as you try to assimilate the new information based on what you already know from your own field. - Try New Activities
Another way to get your brain in gear is to try something totally new. Whether it’s salsa dancing, pottery or a medieval reenactment, taking up a new hobby can help shake things up and encourage you to think laterally. For example, you might be inspired to write an article using your new interest as a metaphor for something in your main field of work. - Talk To Strangers
Children are warned about “stranger danger”, but as adults, we shouldn’t be too afraid of talking to new people. We naturally associate with people who are like ourselves – the same income bracket, the same dress sense, the same career or industry – and this can stifle our creativity by making us feel that “everyone’s just the same”. Branch out. Chat to someone you don’t know in the cafeteria. Say “hi” to the person next to you in line at the coffee shop. - Reject Your First Ten Ideas
One great way to generate ideas, if you’re stuck for inspiration, is to sit down with a blank piece of paper (or a blank document on your computer) and list at least twenty ideas. Reject the first ten: they’ll almost always be too “normal” and bland. You have to get through these easy ideas in order to be really creative. If you’re writing a short story for a competition on “murder” for instance, the first ten ideas you have will be the ones that judges see time and time again. - Experiment: Don’t Be Afraid to Fail
We’re often wary of trying new ways of working or new activities because we’re afraid we’ll fail. But there’s no shame in failure – after all, as a baby, you failed countless times at walking, talking and potty training… but you’re an expert in all of those areas now! The path to success often requires trying out a lot of ways which don’t work.
“If I find 10,000 ways something won't work, I haven't failed. I am not
discouraged, because every wrong attempt discarded is another step forward.” –Thomas Edison - Make Connections: Link Two Projects
Do you have a stack of half-finished sketches or half-written short stories languishing in a drawer? One very effective way to reignite your enthusiasm is to combine two different projects. Take a character from one of your short stories and insert him into the plot of a different one. Mix that fantasy dreamscape sketch with the steampunk idea. Take an idea from that zany game you were designing and put it with the brainteaser series that you had planned. - Take An Unusual Perspective
If you’re working on a long-term creative piece, like a blog or a novel, it’s easy to get stale. Try adopting an unusual perspective. You might write a scene in your novel from the point of view of an inanimate object, or through the eyes of a character whose state of mind has been altered by alcohol or drugs. You could try writing a post on your blog from someone else’s perspective. For me, one of the most memorable posts on Darren Rowse’s ProBlogger is “5 Things You Should Know About My Dad the ProBlogger”, purportedly from the viewpoint of his (at the time) one-year-old son:
“You see my Dad reads more than he writes. I think he does this because his writing gets better after reading what others say and because it means he’s
learning more about his topics.” - Do Your Chores
This might sound like odd advice – after all, chores aren’t exactly creative. But physical activities like vacuuming, washing the dishes or scrubbing the floors leave your mind free to wander – and it’s surprising how many ideas can occur to you when you’re not sitting staring at your desk. - Use A Different Medium
If you’re a writer, try drawing for a change. It doesn’t matter if you can’t draw – use stick figures – but this can help jolt you out of your comfort zone, allowing you to approach a problem in a new way. If you’re a painter, try making up a tune and words for a song. If you’re a graphic designer, use modeling clay or create a collage. Don’t limit your creativity to just one medium. - Daydream: Keep Asking “What If…?”
The final, and most important tip for enhancing your creativity, is to daydream. Stare into space. Let your thoughts drift. Think about your project when you’re going to sleep at night – unusual thoughts often crop up in that half-awake, half-asleep state. Don’t try to force or rush creativity; give yourself time to let your ideas simmer away in the back of your mind.