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Seriously, is it ever not Fashion Week? Brittany modeling again, and invited me to watch. And off they go.

After sleeping at Brittany’s house, I wonder home to Jersey City on so many different trains. The snowfall on the Gravers station made a lovely moment for me, the lone awaiting passenger, to snap a few photos. It’s a shame that station house has been closed and mothballed, it’s a great piece of architecture.

After an exhausting week, I stepped out with Craig and Lisa to the grand re-opening of Tower Records for the Never Can Say Goodbye event, hosted by No Longer Empty, an arts advocacy group that revamps abandoned and closed spaces, often with an artsy twist.

Got to see old Drexel pals Naomi (who helped organise the event) and Sarah, with whom I used to dance.

While packed, the evening did show off some interesting music-themed artwork. Good stuff.

The first anniversary of the Arts, Culture, and Technology meetup group, founded and operated by my buddy Julia.

Featuring the pinchable cheeks of Andrea.

With Mike walking along the Jersey City waterfront. Exploring a bit between the high-rise apartment buildings and landscaped pedestrian areas overlooking Manhattan.

On a clear day you can see for miles.

The view from Mike’s new condo. Nice.

First, to sort of party/networking event for Ignite NYC. I’m afraid I didn’t actually make it inside the auditorium to hear the presentations, because I immediately headed uptown to hang wit Leah and see a taping of Spectacle, the Elvis Costello show.

My first time at the Apollo and my remarks are pretty much the same as everyone else’s: very small, but dig the artful engravings, etc. Well maintained, good sound.

A long night, with taping having run a solid 3 hours for a 1-hour (or rather, 42-minute) show. It will be interesting to see how they edit the whole thing down.

Brittany invited me to attend a fashion show, wherein new clothing from the up-and-coming designers would be on show. But more importantly, she’d be modeling. So off I go to the Czech Consulate (where else) to take part in the fan fare and become part of the rituals of Fashion Week.

Well, at least there was free coffee.

Unexpectedly, ran into Andrea, another old Drexel schoolmate and Dance alum. Good times.

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After sweating it out in the summer sun, we shuffled our way into The Manor for cocktail hour, during which all manner of goodies were available to us. Never before have I seen a full carving station during a supposed cocktail hour.

And in we go. Dancing, laughing, snapping photos, giving speeches, catching up, gossiping, pretending to be Michael Jackson (just for a second), and stuffing our faces with some truly excellent food.

The photos tell the story, I suppose. Except they can’t illuminate the sporadic nature of the DJ, who changed songs every 35 seconds and spun such wedding classics as “Baby Got Back” and messed up the names of the wedding party at least 3 times, by my count. So aside from that the day was rather smooth.

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Easy, Charlie, don’t take her arm off …

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Can’t see my feet, ’cause they move so fast …

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Let them eat cake …

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On what has been the warmest day of the year so far, I found myself in Union Square, after a late lunch with friend and former co-worker Jen.

As usual, the perpetual circus that is Union Sq. was in full effect with the farmers and artisans out selling their wares.

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Heading to Guayama for the craft festival of the Ingenious Artisans of Puerto Rico. Or something. I forget the actual name of their organisation.

Guyama is a classic southern plantation town, complete with Spanish-style plaza. Vintage PR right here. Strangely, there is a monument to deceased servicemen of Ohio in the town center. Why not.

Also pictured: improvised and hand-painted signage, vintage art deco movie theatre, and a piña colada prepared in an actual pineapple.

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