31.12.12

Goodbye 2012. It's been nice.

As years go by and you get sceptical (and less presents) you start wondering if the end of the year is such a big deal. "So this was Christmas, and what have we done?". With the end of Santa Claus and school holidays and believing in strange coincidences you sober up. At least you're supposed to. Then why the fuss? Why did I feel that the world was ending and had to turn it all over (and don't tell me it's because of 21/12. I always knew it was bullocks)? It's a mystery to me. But if you've felt the same, share, please. So that I ain't the only one paranoid. Tomorrow will be another day.
So, in the end, how was 2012? not boring. But not nearly enough satisfying. We're not done here. So, happy 2013. And be sure that it won't be happy if you don't move your asses and do anything for that.

PS. Maybe this year I'll stop believing in new years resolutions and start doing them. really.

L1033936


24.12.12

Home again

I've returned to the country I was brought up in for the holidays. I havent been positively anxious the whole night and utterly enthusiastic when arriving. But I feel like I left just yesterday, even though it's been two years since the last time I've been here. Even though I met beggars here for the first time of my life. Even though I ain't got my own house here. It feels like a warm, welcoming home. And for now, I want to do nothing but eat and sleep. Talk again after I've done that...

21.12.12

When you've made shit out of everything...

...is when you feel the most alive. Welcome to my world again.

16.12.12

You feel bad about yourself...

when you've had the same make-up on for two sequential days because it still looked good after you woke up.

14.12.12

One of those days...

...I'll snap. But not yet.
L1033772

8.12.12

Deconstruction

When you're small, you have to rely on other people to live. These people seem like gods to you. Becoming autonomous means that you no longer need them but you still have people who teach you things, inspire you deeply. And you think they're so great and so sure about their words. And then you become one of them. And realise that nothing was ever like that. When you're someone others expect things from, you realise that neither you, nor the people you have expected things from are some kind of super human. There are doubts. And there is time spent and fatigue. You feel like doubting the communication you have daily. And then you understand that all these people were full of doubts too. But the taught you a lot of things. That's where you rejoice.

7.12.12

Transitions

Either it's for some days or forever. We're in the age of trasitions. We're in the process of coming of age and going towards new directions. My friends are leaving their homes to go to new homes, new towns, new universes. I can't complain, I'm doing the same. But sometimes I can't help but wonder: will we ever cross roads after this? The song's lyrics are giving me a permanent answer


I've lost many people. I'm living far away from even more people. But I'll always love them and they'll know it. And vice versa

3.12.12

I could fall in love with this town...

If you believe that I ain't already. I've been in Thessaloniki for two days now and I consider staying. Forever.    Well, not currently, but I consider it a dreamy alternative vs Athens. The only problem is that, for the first months at least, I'll tend to sulk close to the sea all day. Here, I feel like living in a Theo Angelopoulos movie, even when what I do is pretty common. I was visiting the photography museum yesterday that's on the docks and a hidden musician was playing the theme from "an eternity and a day". Really. I've been fighting with my new 28mm lens for the last days. I wonder if I'll be able to manage that wideness. We'll see...Greetings from Salonica for instance.

24.11.12

Forever is a lie

Some days ago, I was about to write a post about cynicism. It was never written due to my sleepiness. But there is another way to talk about it.
The word "forever" is an utter lie. Nothing can last forever. Neither humans, nor their creations. Not even the system. We see situations changing around us every day. The thing is, I think, to be aware of that. Sometimes, when you're in a situation, you think it's going to be for life. And then you get lazy and stop appreciating the little things that make it wonderful. (The only case that defies my concept are the eternally in love couples, but I'm mostly not refering to love here)
You probably start realizing thins when you're at the end of something, or even after the end. That nothing is for granted. That some things don't happen anymore, because we've grown past them.
You can't go to play every day and wake up in the afternoon, because you have a job. or because you're thriving to end your studies to get a job (you wish). Or because you've done it too much and from some point on, it loses it's point. And you miss the trips, the tips, the culture, the lazy days. Even though, they make you wiser.


22.11.12

Like a kid in a candy shop

Fascination is one of the things that become seldom when you grow up. Kids can be fascinated with anything. Cynic adults, on the other side, keep their blazé, I-know-everything look. It seems like, the more fascinated you are, the more creative you are.
And it happened to me. Today. You know, when you're in architecture school and all you learn about is theoretical knowledge, even when it's supposed not to be (don't misunderstand, I love things like art history), having to make something in real size that fuctions makes you helpless. And then, you go to people who have nothing to do with art history, but make very real things. I went to the smith shop today. I was happy like the kind in a candy shop. And there were some really kind people willing to explain to me everything that I'll never learn in architecture.
I even got a new ring (that's supposed to hold rubber but oh, who cares. Creativity, as we said)

12.11.12

Do you love yourself?

I've beeen absent for a long time, I know. For no specific reason. Maybe the fact that I haven't been shooting lately played a part in it.
The key word of the phase I'm going through is tired (I could even say exhausted, but that would be too much, I think). I don't know if I've gotten old, cold or if I'm more active than before, but the rare times that I sleep a lot, I wake up happy. And then came the hormones.
Women are peculiar creatures when it comes to hormones. They turn from waterfalls to monsters. And the damn hormones bring the issue of self-loathing.

Do you love yourself?

The question has no obvious answer. It depends on the day. It depends on how others appreciate you. It depends on the hormones we were discussing about before. But it is ESSENTIAL to one's well being.
When you loathe yourself, you should take a break. Because you're dangerous for yourself and anybody around you, or at leat the close ones. Take a break, breathe, go slow and appreciate yourself. Because if you don't, you might kill someone on the way. I hope not literally.  So, kit kat.

Random post again. But these are tough times.


23.10.12

Quotes, again

"You really can’t teach photography, and what you really can’t teach that photographers need, is curiosity. You cannot teach curiosity. If you’re not curious about life then you’re just spinning your wheels."
Dennis Darling (via photographsonthebrain)(via photographsonthebrain)
(via tokyo camera style)
He's right

http://tokyocamerastyle.com/post/33994105786/you-really-cant-teach-photography-and-what-you

21.10.12

Comfort food.

For those of you who have followed my blog for some time now (or for those who know me, for that matter) it should be pretty obvious now that food keeps a big place in my mind. I like cooking and am quite a gourmet (It is one of the few things I'd give money away for). But recently, I've been through a phase where nothing tasted good, regardless who made it. It was some kind of food depression. And then, a dear friend of mine who's my cooking inspiration made someting that changed my mind completely: orzo with miced meat in a pot. It was the pure definition of comfort food. Not too sweet, not too sour not too spicy. And today I cooked it for the first time, for my parents. Having them appreciate my food is twice as satisfying as anyone else, I think.

20.10.12

Paranoia

Some days ago, a friend of mine commented on my connection with all social classes, referring to it as cosmopolitanism. I'd say it's paranoid. Eating bison one day and pasta the other. Not being able to communicate, because your reality is something they'll never understand. And I ask myself: how can I communicate with people who think of others who happen to be poor in the best case as poor dearys and in the worst as imbeciles?

(based on abstract thoughts based on this photo)
la dinde

13.10.12

Wise

"The most beautiful makeup for a woman is passion, but cosmetics are easier to buy." - Yves Saint Laurent.

Oh, I bet it is.

12.10.12

2 a.m. Cinderella

..has no slipper to lose. What brings her home at that time is her inner fatigue and her fear. Wrong choices - wrong moves. Sad songs. Songs that contain the whole point of life. Despising people. Less alcohol. Worries. And life that's nice like this only.

10.10.12

Growing Up

...I can't accurately describe it with words. But I can say it feels calm. And wise. Because you've finally accustomed yourself with things you were breaking your head about. People need their time to "digest" knowledge. For some it's easier and for others it ain't. Some things are easier to digest and others are as hard as fried fish. But sooner or later you find yourself in the relaxed state of digestion. Or at least I hope so, because experience shows that some people can never digest some things. Oh well. This calm and wise phase means that you're ready to face a new step, while going on with your daily fights. Because you're never absolutely calm but a fleeting moment.

L1033126

7.10.12

The unfriendly city named Athens

It's been a long time since I've been here. But it seems unpleasant as ever. If I could just separate some pieces of it and throw the rest away it could be lovely. But it's not the case. Growing up in a (international, but even though) village, this city gives me the creeps. Too many people, too much pretense. How the hell could I ever live here?and how the hell can people even live here? There are people that show me how I could do it. And others that push me towards leaving away this second. That's a question that will haunt my mind for a long time I think. 

25.9.12

First expressions

Nonsense pic with my new digital camera :D I am very excited

L1032857

21.9.12

Chaos

After four years of experience, you can sense it when it's coming. Chaos.
Despair. Depression.
losing ones self.
being stuck here. not being able to get out of the hole that has been dug mostly by you.
Collective chaos. That's what usually happens.
But there's a secret.
You can get out of it whenever you want to. If you want to, of course.
By being honest and giving things their real dimension.
Getting depressed ain't hard nowadays. But you have to get over it. Otherwise you're lost, buddy.

18.9.12

Erase and rewind...

'cause I've been changing my mind. Lyrics are made from real life, huh?


10.9.12

Deep photographic shit

If I believed in those things, I'd say that someone cursed me. Cause amongst the seven pairs of roommates that I shot, five got burnt in the process and the other two were useless. I was utterly disappointed and it's the first time I could say I'm fed up with film. Got to reshoot all of them again...

But then again, there is the good part

IMG24
The magician's wedding
Seems like I've got an affiction for candid wedding shots. Let's see...

1.9.12

Happiness (partIII)...

is like a thread and you an equilibrist. It's very difficult to walk on it but when you do it gives you utter satisfaction

29.8.12

Happiness looks like (part II)...

...getting abs from laughing with your friends all night over nothing serious or certain.


17.8.12

Happiness looks like...

...having a long shower while listening to your dad singing Kylie Minogue with his voice entangled with the nearby churches bells, smelling like shampoo and being a tiny bit hung over from yesterday's feast.

12.8.12

The thing I was looking for the most lately...

...was a place where I can find nice and moderately priced photography books (because I might be a geek, but photography looks so much better when printed). And I found it. It even has something that makes it even better- and I wasn't even expecting to find: greek photographers! It's actually an e-shop, http://http//photographybooks.gr/ and it has many titles, books I didn't know about and even discounts for some  I've always been yearning for (Koudelka, here I come!). So I'd advise you to take a look at it.

11.8.12

Confessions on a Gastounian dancefloor. Part 2

Being relaxed and fresh now, I can go on with Gastouni's tell-tales. So now, I'll try to explain to you what mating season looks like down here. (mating season= summer)
I've read lots of things about animals while being ill and my new knowledge shows how the local males calls are no foreign to what wild birds do.
A male, lusting for a local female and owner of a semi-truck with a huge soundsystem takes the truck and drives around the city after midnight playing his favorite kapsoura(suffering from lust) songs. When he approaches the female's house,  he turns the volume to the maximum, so if you're her neighbour, you're doomed. These nightly visits are the subject of speculation of the whole neighbourhood. Who's the lucky girl? and who's the shithead disturbing us?

That was no confession on the dancefloor, more like afterhours with loud oriental music. But it's part of the local culture. Either you hate it or you respect it.

7.8.12

Holidays, finally.

(The song has nothing to do with the context, as usual. But I like it. And I can't forget the double concert Malamas- Thanassis Papakonstantinou)

1.8.12

Three hits on the head

The way a human being truly understands things is really mysterious. People have the ability to read write and talk about something without truly understanding it. I'll use the term "feel". And sometimes, you need something unusual. Something unorthodox. Like three hits on the head. I can't say that it was an easy way. But I can say that it shred the cowwebs in my mind. And it made me see what I was repeating to myself like a mantra. "let go".
Having understood isn't always a happy thing either. But it's always better in the end.

This summer I might get my fucking inspiration back. Stay put.

8.7.12

Actions have consequenses.

and if you don't like them, you'd better think before you act. It's that simple.

5.7.12

On contemporary culture. Part x

I am in a situation where I see my university years happily ending and the life afterwards seems to matter recently. Where will I be? will I work? who will be the people beside me?
As I said to a dear friend recently, I'd take cheap Uzo with good company over expensive cocktails on the rooftop of a luxurious hotel any day, but what would I like my life to look like? and would it be that diferent from the life that my parents live?
Well, for starters, I'd like to live in a different house than the one they live in. I wouldn't surely define it as "living alone" (I might have a roommate, for all I care) or in another town. I'd like to be able to go to trips in and out of the country. I'd like to be able to eat somethink special once in a while (same goes for drinks). I'd like to be able to sleep enough hours to wake up refreshed. I'd like to have a job close to what I've studied.
All these would be fair wishes, indeed. But, considering the country, age and situation I'm living right now, I'd like to live. And live in dignity. Not succumb to hunger. Or to my future debts. Or any fucker who believes that I have to die so his wallet can get more cash.

I am angry. and hopeful

23.6.12

When the slow photographic season gives its fruits

This is the one I saw coming...and I like it. I think I could end this project gracefully.

Η αυτή???
And I just realised that I didn't put up the version that I (think) I like most. So, this is the other one


img23

19.6.12

Photographic nonsense

It is said that Mark Twain met a man better dressed and paid than him, who made a living lecturing about him. Ironic, isn't it?

17.6.12

Cross my heart and kiss my elbow

I'm writing right now with a hint of salt in my hair, relaxed and mostly sane. The days that are coming are crucial. Tomorrow and, even more, the day after tomorrow. Please, don't let me be ashamed of my hometown...

8.6.12

Y u no shoot?

Regardless of the stupid (inspired by 9gag) title, this is a question that I've been asking myself a lot lately. You who have watched my blog for some time now have probably noticed that you haven't seen any real photo lately. I'm not hiding them. It's just that those last months have been long. I've recently finished the film I started just after the holidays and I have yet to develop it. I am in the middle of my beloved "roommates" project and the streets are full of delightful atrocities. My visual life isn't boring at all. So, the question should have a more complicated answer. I thought about bying a hand strap but that's no solution. The problem isn't of a material order, obviously.
If I have to answer it though, it would probably be this.
a) lately, I've become kind of a gear-freak. Not about my own gear, but since I've been seriously thinking of upgrading my digital camera, I've been spending gazillion hours gear-watching. And that leaves no time for serious photography. Not time exactly. It's more about the mood. The solution to this would be to buy the damn thing and go on with my life.
b) I'm in a peculiar kind of mood. I don't value anything that comes out of my own hands much. So, if you think that, even if you shoot, your photos are going to be crap, you aren't in the mood to shoot. Which brigs us to
c) I haven't been consistently shooting for quite some time now. Believe it or not, shooting and seing the results consistently helps you getting better without lazying out. It will be hard to get into this rythm with the upcoming exams. But I'll definitely get myself one or two summer projects.

So, I have to develop this damn film. I know there are one or two good photos in it. Because, even though I've had all this negative background, I've also learnt something in the meantime. In this film, there are some good photos I've seen coming...

3.6.12

The silver screen

My relationship with cinema has always been ambiguous. I mean, I love watching movies, but I prefer them in the comfort of my couch/bed/tv/laptop. I rarely go to cinemas and when I do, I'm crying for the money I spend for the ticket (cause they're not cheap). But there is an exception. Summer cinemas. The ones outdoors, where you can gaze the stars and light a smoke. And for the last weeks I'm doing this a lot, since the University's cinema team is showing movies outdoors every weekend. We sit on the biggest stairs in town (it's a challenge to arrive to the point where the screen is) and watch the selection the team has made for us. It's been nice until now. And here's a song from one of my favorite movies that I watched there recently.

29.5.12

Smoothly

I'm posting one of my last pictures with my digital camera (while it's mine, anyway). It's my first table lamp. A simple design that I like really much but would like to improve. Some things come to my house and others leave it. It's all about the summer...
IMG_5675

23.5.12

Foul Mood

The weather's been shitty for the last 4 days. I am moving slowly with both current photographic projects (slow as a snail, actually). Sun, where are you? How could we ever have the annual party in Kalogria without you?

Nonsense post again. I hope the next one will have a photo in it.

19.5.12

High heels

She was wearing a polka dot dress. a grey one. and plastic high heels. She was the heroine of a movie. It was raining. She was kissing with the man she loved and everything seemed to move around them




And then it was gone. Just like any other moment. The special ones don't get special privileges

17.5.12

Great

...the parrot from across the street has learned the word "malaka"

Summer looks like...

laying around (convincing yourself that you have nothing to do)
sitting on bar stools barefoot
wearing that oh-so-shiny lipstick
drinking cold and imaginative sips
seing the stars while laying on rocks
noticing how your cousin's feet look like food under the sea
reading the same litterature you've read since you were 8
dreaming about tommorow's exit and leaving the bigger dreams for when the weather worsens
feeling beautiful and overweening

I might continue this list sometime


14.5.12

It's almost summer...

you know, the season when you walk on the streets and smell the heavy perfume of girls in high heels, fast food in boy's breaths, pherormones, gardenias, wet wood, the smell of the night. The sense that comes out in the two hottest seasons is the one of smell I guess. It's nice. It would be even better if I were to be a flaneur but, oh well. I've got a life too.
(I think you've already seen this song on my blog but it's completely adequate with the atmosphere so I'm putting it on again)

9.5.12

...Like my thoughts


Been there. Done shit.

I've been having a few negative thoughts right now. Like what are my chances to end up an old lady, all alone, with 60 cats. The thing is: I'm allergic to cats. So the scenario gets even worse. There's just one thing I feel I can hold on to right now. My creativity. And I try to hold steady. Some new Parov Stelar would be good for my case

 

1.5.12

Sea breeze

I swam for the first time this year today. It was.. cold and the sea was kind of spoiled (but we saw that afterwards) but it was delightful even though. A little bit of summer

28.4.12

As time goes on...

...things come that are unexpected. And then you have to decide what to do.

Phaedra & Alexia

26.4.12

Countdowns

The days that are coming are, in many ways, of extreme importance. And I feel like I'm just killing cockroaches right now

18.4.12

Confessions on a Gastounian (?) dancefloor

There are some reasons why I go to Gastouni every year. It's not picturesque. It's not a village. You can't see nature anywhere. But there are interesting stories to follow...
Let's start with this one: Gastouni works with the laws of high school. And in high school, there's always an it-girl. You know, the one with the shining smile that boys die for? She's my eldest cousin. Standing on the dancefloor and dancing lightly, you know she's the one. Around her stand it-girl clones, seasonal girlfriends and guys. The problem with being the it-girl (on being a girl in Gastouni, I haven't really figured that out) is that you never really have permanent friends. Or should I say, girlfriends. Girls are antagonistic and if you're the it-girl, there's a high chance that their boyfriend likes you. Harsh. Plus, when the boys are limited, there starts the real war.
I've never been part of the system, being just a seasonal visitor. But I always liked to observe all those complicated relationships developing around me. I might write a story about them one day. Or a photography project...

12.4.12

And when you've been absent from the world for too long...

and you think you've forgotten how to socialize or whatever can happen out there...
You get accepted to an exhibition immediately. That was nice. Even nicer after 4 days of fever and home stayin. Good luck to me

29.3.12

The situation is uncertain...

and so are we. Youth, victims of a system witout mercy, wondering what our future might look like. Youtube won't let me upload the song but I hope you can hear it anyway

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17EMfJAyLd4

8.3.12

5.3.12

"Photography is the art of editing"

...said Alec Soth and I totally agree with him. Now's the time for me to apply it harder. (and please, if anyone knows how to efficiently clean a scanner, I need help)

28.2.12

Silence

There was, once upon a time, in an officially bankrupt land, a girl. She didn't wear a red hood to hide her face. But she wanted to take a ride with some friends in the city she lived in. She wanted to drink a damn beer. But the city didn't seem to appreciate the idea. It has empty and uncanny. The streets were cold and dead and she wondered where they could find a harbour. After more cold and soul-searching and cigarette-searching they found a place they used to hang out in the past. Everything felt familiar. From the greek version of Glühwein to the metal tables and the same faces. Everything looked alright. But then she went out on the street and a wild fear took her over. She knew she was part of the generation without future but that was too sudden, too hasty, too hard. The hard wind blew on her face. And she was alone in the city. A good way to cool her mind. She was definitely buying pasta tomorrow. And then she went back home...

Right, still not bankrupt. Not officially. But she would still buy pasta tomorrow.

22.2.12

Messy hair. Messy life



These past days the only thing I've beein doing consistently is drawing lines and erasing days. Now I hope I can act like a human being again

14.2.12

The way we say it in Greece...

"It's raining in the poor neighbourhood, it's raining in my heart too". Yesterday's been a bleak day

4.2.12

Metiers de la rue part II

I was able to shot my favorite accordeonist and was very happy about it. If anyone knows where I can find 600 film, please contact me
Flower seller
l'accordéoniste

27.1.12

Etymology

Lately, I've come to like the word dirt cheap. Dirt cheap is very common and very pleasing nowadays. It means 5 broccoli for one euro or a Burberry trench with a 90% price reduction. And it makes people's faces look lighter for a second. But dirt cheap was it's downsides too. Like eating broccoli every day of the week. But that's a side effect in crisis time.

23.1.12

The roommates Part 1

665 20001

Stranger than strange... I guess the scanner has it's problems too but I couldn't guess that a simple plastic film could harm the negative that much. I'm eager for the rest though

22.1.12

Nonsense post



p.s. I just started the roommates project. Not with sucess. But it's a good start

19.1.12

It's a song about dreams, love.

Yesterday, finding myself talking about dreams, I remembered this beloved song. They would always drink cheap wine, huh...Make that gluhwein for me. Enjoy.

7.1.12

Goodbye London. Hello Amsterdam

I'm leaving London tomorrow. That trip felt too small. Maybe because I spend enough time with my laptop at night and woke up at 11.00 and 12.00 a.m. Nah. I did the essential. I went to tate modern, saatchi, random photo exhibitions, the shops (mostly with my mom pulling me), walked, ate AMAZING food (I'd like to import that to Greece) and drinks and did a liiitle bit of photography. Not even a roll of film... I should be ashamed of myself.
Tomorrow I'm going on a one day trip to Amsterdam. We're gonna laugh, because I've never been there and, considering that I want to wander around and that I don't have a map, the situation's gonna be tricky. I can't wait ;)

6.1.12

The unexpected

The highlight of the day, and the reason that proved me right in visiting the National portrait gallery, London is this. David Lachapelle's "Alexander McQueen and Isabella Blow"



I don't like the photographer. I don't usually like this type of photography. Yet, this one's amazing. Because it's hilarious and at the same time visually very interesting. Enjoy. (I'd say, try to find it in a better size). P.s. this is not a usual trip for me so I can't really give you tips of any kind for London. I could just give you advice on finding the best fresh juices in the town!

5.1.12

Ballet boots, shoe seduction etc

I think I'm having a déjà-vu here. Same town, same hotel, same subject. Three years later. What is it that makes ballet boots so attractive to my mind?
Ballet boots (wikipedia description) are simply said, a pair of ballet shoes stuck to the pointe position with some heels stuck under the toe. As you can probably understand they're impossible to walk in. Impossible? nah.
As I discovered today, there's a community of girls that love their ballet boots and learn how to walk on them. Here's a girl with a blog worth mentionning.
This impossibility plus the perfect shape of the shoe and the fascination that most little girls have for ballet turned a bit dark have made me drool over those boots for some years now. I probably won't buy them 'cause I probably wouldn't use them, but I'd put them in a design museum. Cause they're worth it.

2.1.12

Ps (again, I'll have to stop this)

They used to say that in the 00's we had no new sense of style. I guess layering is new, because my mom can't understand it at all.



(ok, that's extreme layering. But you get the picture)

Have a nice rest of the holidays everyone!!!

The suitcase stories

There is a question that I tend to ask myself often. What is the right quantity? When is something too little or too much? It's a question whose aspects I see in all parts of life. Architecture. Clothing. Food even. And so we come to the real subject today, that is the suicase. I tend to be on the minimal side. Do you really need more than one pair of shoes and one coat for 4 days? I don't think so. I've got my hot (sometimes too hot) booties and a grey coat and that's enough. I'm layering clothes. And I only wear dresses. And that's that. So, this time my suitcase looks like a big bag. For four days in London. Because I'm bored of carrying a big suitcase with lots of unnecessary things inside. Minimalism is good for your back.