New Shots

Photo shoot with Lalo Torres

Check out more of his work at 

http://www.lalotorres.com

Time

Today I made a business arrangement with Time
I will be the employee of Time and Time my employer
I will work for Time. I will give him every minute of every hour of every day
I will have no time because I will give all of mine to him
Until one day I will retire as an employee of Time and the roles will reverse
I will then be the employer and Time my employee.
Time will give me every minute of every hour of every day
I will have all the time and Time will require none.
Until that day comes I will honor my contract with Time and give him the most efficient possible service I can render
I will take no breaks. I will have no days off. I will give all my time to him
Then, Time will give it all back

The Silent Splendor

As autumn colors display the beauty of the seasons

The changing of the leaves are actually its passing over through this life

When you acknowledge that, death seems to make more sense.

We are born. We grow, and change. We age. Then we pass. All the while from the moment of birth we are dying.

Our cells are continually dying and are being reborn. In all evidence of life there is also death. And vice versa.

When the autumn leaves change from green to orange, red, yellow and brown, as they age and finally die, the world is privileged to witness its splendor. It's performance of death.

We view the display as beautiful and perhaps with an unconscious sense of relief that it is the leaves and eventually the tree that is passing and not ourselves.

But what we do not realize and what the tree and it's dying leaves know is that it is in death where life is at it's boldest. That in dying our true self is revealed.

Our strength and our weaknesses are bared. The greatness and fear inside of us come together and stand naked to show the world what it's made of. To announce its purpose in the swift winds of time.

And once it has tasted glory. When it has sang the song of life at its loudest and there's nothing left to give, it falls back, with eyes closed and quiet heart. Falling into unfamiliar space. Falling. And falling.

Until it realizes that it is not falling but flying. And the unfamiliar space around it is actually very familiar. It is the memories behind its memory. The first memories. Those times when it remembered something it never experienced. Where they would emerge in its dreams.

Then an all too familiar feeling will flood in and glide it to a place where the soil is composed of peace. Where joy sprouts from it and love blows through the land.

My Prayer

God, 

Keep my heart soft 

And my mind strong 

My temper cool 

My smile warm

My tenacity steady 

My curiosity wild

My pride at bay

My dreams soaring

My judgment slow

My wits quick 

My spirits high

My doubts low

My courage weighty

My steps light 

The inevitable choice

Whenever we are faced with obstacles there is always a choice before us. No matter how much we feel as though we have hit a wall and cannot go any further, there is a choice. The choice is there whether we believe its there or not. It is unavoidable. And by ignoring that choice and acting as though we are utterly and completely stuck, we consequently made a choice. By not choosing, we choose not to act. Not acting is the act of doing nothing. Therefore still an action. And so still a choice.

This choice that is before us, this inevitable choice, is the crossroad to success and happiness and defeat and misery. The intersection, where depending on which choice you make, will determine your quality of life. 

So what is this choice?

Watch this video and find out:

And so there it is. The choice. It doesn't have a name. There isn't words that wholly describe what it is. Only you know what it really is. Only you know the true meaning.
So next time you've hit a wall, when you feel as if there is no where else to go, where every direction you look there seems to be no alternative, always remember.
The choice.

Annnd I'm Back! Again

     After the lovely holidays and the cold winter here in NY, it is now Spring! I know, I know, I've again slacked with the posts even when I said I wasn't going to. What can I say, the life of a striving model in the ever raging seas of New York City is certainly one without surprises, set-back, and yes, successes too. Fortunately, I can say the reason for my absence is not from struggling to acquire modelling work but quite the contrary. Both my agency and the test shoot I did back in August have created the change of tide I've been hoping for. I have been blessed with recurring work all during the holidays and the first months of this year. 

     While sailing on the waves of consistent work I realized that I was now making money as a model. Since the beginning of this voyage, back in the summer of 2010, I have been pursuing modelling and have been using my resources for travel, board, photo shoots, and other expenses. Up until now I can honestly say that I never saw a dime from modelling. The money I did make went straight from the client's hands to my agencies' to pay down my account. Which included: months of me staying in the model apartments in Miami, Milan, and New York, a plane ticket from Italy, multiple photo shoots, and agency expenses. 

     So after a couple years of persistence and hard work I saw for the first time the fruits of my labor. You can imagine how glorious the day I picked up my first check from the agency. I've had very supportive people in my life from the start and with their love and encouragement I've accomplished many goals and continue to reach new heights. If you're reading this, you know who you are, I wish to say Thank You from the bottom of my heart. No man is an island and though sometimes that's what it feels like it, there are always amazing people behind the scenes cheering you on. 

     I'll put the lid on it here but I want to say real quick Thank You to those of you who kept pushing me to continue posting, from friends and family, and emails from followers. You guys are Great!

Me and my ride. The Penny Board

        

A polaroid package my agency made          

You know what day this was

Royal

Reading my book in the cafe. Dim lighting illuminating my page. The sounds of dishes clattering in the back. The steam my tea emits whisking in my peripheral. The oldies music lowly playing, filling the air with subtle energy.
As I take a sip of my hot drink I smile to myself. This is Brooklyn living.

This is NY.