So, I’m at JFK Airport 4 hours early because my dad’s idea of a time cushion is not the normal 30mins. So what do you do with so much time? Listen to music of course. It’s funny how adding a few notes to life completely changes your mood. Things move in slow motion, people seem familiar, laughter is noticeable, and 4-hours seem tolerable. Live life note by note and see how you change, see how you grow, see how you love.
I never thought this would happen, but New York City has grown on me. I still hate the Yankees, Mets, Giants, and Rangers (indifferent to the Jets) but I love me a good slice of Artichoke pizza (Pizza made from Alfredo sauce – AMAZING!)
BUT – if you’re thinking about making the big move, here are a few tips for you:
Always carry a camera. You’re almost always are going to run into someone, something, somewhere famous.
Rain boots are necessary! I lived in Philly, and obviously it rains there, but I made it for 24 years without the boots, but for some reason the gutters suck here. Get rain boots!
Watch the sidewalk ALWAYS for dog S***!!! People in NYC conveniently forget to curb their dogs here.
Pick and choose your homeless. EVERY subway ride so far has had a person asking for money, but since I’m poor also I give my money away carefully. If you sing, play music or do something amazing, you will get money.
Learn to like walking.
Learn to like 8ft – That’s how big your bedroom will be.
Wear a lot of lotion. The water is like really rough or something here. Dries out your skin faster. Get them Jergens, ladies!
Embrace mac n’ cheese! It will be your dinner.
You NEED a smart phone to navigate. I never know where I’m going. I’m always looking down at my phone, which is convenient since I’m already on the lookout for dog S***
That’s all I have for now. HAPPY (early) EASTER!
“Tomb, thou shalt not hold Him longer; Death is strong, but Life is stronger; Stronger than the dark, the light; Stronger than the wrong, the right…” – Phillip Brooks
It’s been a rough week at AOL. The recent acquisition of the Huffington Post, has lead AOL to let go of 900 of its employees. Nearly 200 were from our building at 770 in Manhattan. Whole departments were emptied out leaving room for the Huff Po crew to come in. Everyone has questions that go unanswered and many have a lot to say, but everything just tends to fall silent when you feel reality set in. Nothing can really change what’s happening and that’s the truth that we all know. I know I’ve only been here for only a month, but I’ve met some AMAZING people, and this layoff…BLOWS!
As for me, I’m OK, but I hurt when I see others hurt. I think I’m just waiting to move forward. I just need to pick up the pieces of whatever is left and to move on before I fall behind.
On a lighter note, a lot of you have been asking what I’ve been editing. Here they are. Check em’ out!
Boxer, Mike Tyson, promotes his new series on Animal Planet, ‘Taking on Tyson.’
Nate Berkus of the ‘Nate Berkus Show’ gives PopEater a behind-the-scenes look at the newly designed studio.
Alex Guarnaschelli shows PopEater how to make a Spring Pizza and also talks about the new season of Food Network’s ‘Chopped.
The cast of ‘Jane Eyre’ talks to PopEater about the release of their new movie, and how they keep their iconic roles fresh from former remakes from the popular book.
That’s a little little glimpse of some of the stuff I worked on. -Love Brown
It’s in the your quiet times that a certain sadness creeps in and takes a hold of the silence. You just pass along in the world hoping that it never stops moving so you don’t have to realize if something is missing, if something is lost, if someone is gone. But when it stops…you feel it. It’s a bittersweet feeling since you can only remember the good, but the bitter part is, he’s not here….
I just keep thinking that we’re like flowers of the field. Here one minute and gone the next. It makes me cherish today…this night and hope that if a tomorrow is given, that I’ll love it and all the people in it just as much as….Ian Somerhalder. Ok – I had to throw him in there. I was being a buzz kill.
I knew it was going to be good, but never this good. My first week at AOL was amazing. I’m starting to get the hang of things and hoping to be faster next week. Luckily, I have the greatest team who is just patient, funny and very talented at what they do. I’m pretty sure no one is over 28 years old so it’s a very young team who constantly comes up with fresh ideas and is also eager to please and work hard. I’m starting to realize that some of my co-workers are similar to my Philly.com co-workers. I already found a Sheil Kapadia, Nick Grieves, and Andrew O’ Brien. In my first week I got to see Mark Hoppus, Nate Berkus, Denise Richards, Aubrey O’day, and Julianne Moore. I mean, I think that counts for a pretty awesome week.
I also found out that every Thursday AOL throws a themed Happy Hour at work as team bonding time. This time it was Casino themed. They brought out dealers with craps, roulette, and black jack tables all over the place. If you were hungry, there was plenty of food to go around, and if you were thirsty, there were tons of drinks and wine to get you pumped. Everyone was walking around with foam poker hats. It was incredible. I can’t believe this is work…is it really work?
Brittany and I at the AOL Happy Hour. (yep - that's the foam hat I was talking about) And I'm making that face because every time I won, I would sing, the Fresh Prince song.
It’s Valentine’s Day, and I think I just fell in love =)
Today was my first day with AOL, and I had no idea what to expect. This place is spectacular! Let me tell you why…
There are random ping-pong tables in the hallway. I told my boss that it was so cool that they have the ping-pong tables around for people to play with, and he responds with, “Yeah – we like to think while playing ping-pong.” GENIUS!
The vending machines are FREE…I repeat, FREE!!! I literally just went up to one and just pressed the numbers and it came out like magic.
Easy access to technology. Things get so easily accomplished here. I need a mac, done! I need a badge, done! I need an ipad, done! I could get used to this.
On my first day I got to meet lead singer of Blink 182, Mark Hoppus, before an interview! I shook his hand!!! He was pretty hilarious! Always Sunny in Philadelphia is one of his favorite shows…..REPRESENT, Ya HUUuR!!!!
Tomorrow, I’m going to go see Julianne Moore! Will let you know how that goes.
Tomorrow evening I’m going to a Sports Illustrated Swimsuit red carpet event.
I guess New York City isn’t as bad after all, but I will say this….GO PHILS!
I’m kind of late with this entry, but I’ve been busy with the move.
I’ve decided to end with a disgusting bang! WING BOWL! Was it really disgusting? Yes, yes it was. Why you ask? Let’s see….it could be the hundreds of strippers, groups of fat dudes, the plastered onlookers, and yes – the puking. The only reason something like this was even remotely worth it is because of the wonderful team I had at Philly.com. It was one shoot we all went out to work on, and it was an awesome last shoot.
Also, special thanks to Marnie Hall who pointed me out to John Bolaris after telling him that I had a huge crush on him. Thanks a lot. Good thing I’m leaving the city.
Scenes from Wing Bowl 2011
Scenes from Wing Bowl 2011
Nick was always just a bundle of sunshine. He had the funniest laugh and the coolest red hair.
Andy (left) knew everything, but I was the one who told him how to pick up girls using a "green screen' line. Conor (right) is the funniest person I've ever met, but he gets down to business when he needs to and does a phenomenal job! (P.S.) He's moving to NYC TOO!
I can’t believe I’m going into my LAST week at Philly.com. If you haven’t heard already, I’m moving to New York City. I got a job with AOL (Yes – it still exists) as an Assistant Video Producer for their entertainment and celebrity websites. So this means I go from interviewing chefs, athletes, and designers to meeting celebrities. Complaints? None.
I’m very excited mainly because this is a HUGE leap up the ladder. I’m nervous because all I’ve known is Philly. I grew up here, went to school here and all my family is here. I’m also nervous because I’m pretty sure I’ll be eating Ramen noodles for a while because of the inflated rent. I’ll manage…I guess.
I will miss you Philly.com, but this season is coming to an end…
-Love Brown
P.S.
I’m taking bets on how many times I’ll cry during the week. Place em’ now!
I guess it’s like when you hear your own song on the radio and it makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside (not that something like that happened to me…maybe one day). At Philly.com we call the main story on our homepage the ‘biggie,’ and I just made the eight O’ clock hour! I’ve definitely been featured on the homepage plenty of times, but every time feels like the first time. I’m lame for saying that – I know…
I love weddings!!! Did I mention I used to work for Modern Bride Magazine in New York? Well, I did. This was one video I was really excited to shoot and edit. I got a chance along with two other colleagues, Amanda Gilanyi, and Esther Lee to interview Designer Michael Shettel about his Spring 2011 Collection. Check out the video!
SEE THE VIDEO: http://www.philly.com/philly/video/113220414.html
Design for Belle from Beauty and the Beast.
Design for Sleeping Beauty. One of my favorites.
The talented Micahel Shettel for Alfred Angelo.
Shettel helping a Bride-to-be, Allison with her dress.
