I never knew people performed INSIDE the subway trains for people before my relocation last week. There are a lot of talented musicians out there. I have encountered guitarists, acapella’s, drummers, wooden flute instruments, and even a saw-like thing played with a string from a violin. They all sound amazing and extremely cultural.
I mean, sure, you’re bound to have a lot of talented people for each profession in a city as concentrated and diverse as New York, but wow!
This is one thing that has really impressed me here. People are willing to try new ideas and to work in some form for money. People here are driven. I’ve encountered fewer panhandlers than individuals asking for money in more creative ways, such as performance and promotion. (And then you’ve got the crazy apocalyptic conspirators holding up big signs, who you can’t be quite sure what their overall goal is). Either way, everyone here seems to be here with a reason, purpose, and strong-willed mind. The city of opportunity. New York: where everything goes down. Where we come to make a living!
Most everyone here is very friendly and forthcoming. I’ve hung out with models attending the same open calls all this week, romped in the rain with them, and had really nice conversations with a lot of different people. There was an experience in particular, however, I’d love to bring to light. A perfect and satisfying example of entrepreneurship I love.
Let me tell you a story. I’m done with bullet points.
“I’m going to write a blog about you. I love…” I gave an encompassing wave to this man’s setup, “This. I love what you’re doing. You’re working. That’s creative.”
I was meeting someone that evening for a film festival and I was exploring Bryant Park. The parks here in New York City are very cute and (obviously) urban. This man I encountered is a writer by the name of Garrett Robinson. I personally am so used to seeing crazy people sitting around Seattle including panhandlers and the unmotivated, but this guy I could tell knows what’s up. He’s driven, like me.
Garrett had a little table set up with some books titled “Martha” (a poem) and another called “Zoë” with a nice cover. Garrett has published his books independently, self published, and his work has shown success. What pulled my attention to this guy sitting around wasn’t the book setup, it was the sign that said “Meet the Author.” A couple of thoughts flitted through my mind within a fraction of a moment. 1. Meet an author randomly in the middle of a park? 2. He’s trying to get noticed and 3. Self published. As you all should know already, I love to write. It is my second passion. And I have been familiarizing myself more with what “Self published” means.
Clearly, Garrett was self published and I admired that. Since I know a wonderful woman, author Deleyna Marr, with an indie self publishing company, Heart Ally Books, I thought, what the heck, I could be a good connection for this guy. The thing about networking on chance encounters, is you never know what kind of connections you are going to make, so don’t hesitate and always have cards on you!
He seemed like great guy to get to know, and I let Garrett Robinson read me some of his poem book to me, which was very fluent and structured. I told him what I do and that I am also a writer with a blog, as we exchanged cards.
Now you’re wondering why I am writing you guys a post on a self-published author I met in Manhattan. Networking and support, that’s why. I love that people here are not afraid to pursue things and go for it. That’s why I’m here in New York City. I’m literally living next to the cemetery Herman Melville, the author of Moby Dick, was buried. I am living practically down the street from where Edgar Allen Poe lived for 100 bucks a year.
You can be just as motivated. Find what you love and go for it. These are all extremely admirable traits and you won’t regret a thing if you’re ensuring your happiness.
Please take a look at author Garrett Robinsons blog and his books on sale at Amazon.com.
If you are in Seattle, stop and listen to that Real Change guy who sells newspapers. My mom volunteered with Real Change for a while and they all have very interesting stories. They are working for their living, too.
Why am I writing a blog post on entrepreneurship? Uh, motivation!
Be Fierce!!
Briauna Mariah (:
Briauna – so moving, so inspiring. I’m so proud of your open nature, your fearless-ness, courage. I’m glad you got to meet Garrett Robinson at a random park in NYC. I’m glad you blogged about this. Thank you for inspiring all of us!
Awesome post and great advice! I see a lot of talented people afraid to do the hard work. You’re out there, breathing in that passion and creativity. I’m cheering for you!
I love what you are doing with human interet stories and I can see you writing for the newpaper there. Everyone has a story, keep it up. I guess you know this is grandma.
Do you have any skin care tips for models in training?
I get all my tips from makeup artists and salons and such. After a while, you can tell who knows what they’re talking about. Everyone’s skin is different. I make sure to moisturize my skin and clean off makeup residue and somehow it ends up working.
If you’d like, I can definitely work on a collection of tips from trusted makeup artists to give as a post! 🙂
Ever since my move to NYC, my skin has really cleared up and I think it’s because its so hot here and I’m sweating so much, so it really detoxifies my skin (that’s my theory). So the saying about drinking lots of water and exercising being good for your skin is probably true!
yes please make a post! I would love you forever!!
You got it. I’ll try gathering some information. Maybe I’ll learn something in the process 🙂
I had an amazing makeup artist friend, Ashli Danielle, provide me with a lot of info for you! I assume you’re in Seattle… she’s a good contact to know. She is the last MUA I worked with in Seattle! You should Like her FB page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ashli-Danielle-Makeup-Hair/218059484936098
Here is your skincare post!! 🙂 http://thisboldlife.blogspot.com/2012/07/healthy-skincare-is-model-essential.html