For the Love of Brooklyn

Men of the Mermaid Parade

June 25th, 2012 | Posted by Jill
(3 Comments)

It’s not coincidental that the men of the Mermaid Parade get overlooked every year. There are ~~no pole-dancing dudes~~ (correction: according to Paul in the comments, there were!), no scandalous body-painted Greek god specimens for photographers to swarm and obsess over. Sure, some guys proudly wear pasties or cross-dress to much success. They bust out the big guns and tote barbells, haul post-apocalyptic space trash down the parade route, and scare the living daylights out of kids on the boardwalk. But they just don’t get the same treatment as their scantily-clad counterparts, and that has got to change.

Every year I am so impressed by the creativity of the mer-men. This year, let’s hear it for the boys!

Untitled, by Oscar Rivera:

Untitled portraits, by Silvia Saponaro:

“Coney Island Mermaid Parade 2012,” by Vivienne Gucwa:

“Mermaid Parade,” by Mika Sato and Untitled by Rob Feiner:

Untitled, by Mike Ratliff:

Untitled Portraits, by Oscar Rivera:

“Smoking Crab,” by Travis Keyes:

“Mermaid Parade 2012,” by Paul Ker:

“Coney Island Mermaid Parade 2012,” by Scott Lynch:

Mermaid Parade portraits, by Joe Alfano:

mermaid parade

Two Years

June 24th, 2012 | Posted by Jill
(2 Comments)

When you buy an old house, there’s really no advice in the world that can prepare you. It tests your patience, your will, your wallet, and your relationship. And if you’re planning any amount of DIY, well let me warn you first-hand. There may be loads of glossy magazines and well-curated design blogs with great tips on refinishing floors, choosing the perfect paint color, and planning the renovation of your dreams. But last I checked, there aren’t many helpful tutorials on coping with lowered expectations, disappearing motivation, and letting go of perfectionism. Those are things you have to learn for yourself. And it’s not easy. Seriously. It’s not easy.

But for those of you afflicted with hopeless romanticism and a love of historic architecture, there is good news. Renovating an old house can also be one of the most beautiful experiences, once you get over yourself. Today marks my two-year anniversary of being a homeowner — and I’ve learned so much. Looking back on this past year, I see so many projects that haven’t quite made it out of my head and into my home yet. But through photographs, I do see that we’ve made lots of progress and for that I am thankful. Some weeks, it’s just enough to get the house cleaned and the laundry ready before a marathon of work or travel. Quite frankly, it took a hurricane to slow me down enough to paint a wall in my dining room.

Fortunately, my house is wayyyy more patient than I am.

I’m hoping this summer will change things. This is the summer of lists, and of getting things done. I will pick up a paintbrush and I will finish projects. I’m looking at you, master bedroom and kitchen. You are so going down (and getting pretty). I have PLANS and I am STICKING TO THEM.

This is the summer we will finally have a closet suitable for clothes storage, instead of pathetic hanging hooks everywhere. This is the summer we finally install door hardware on the bathroom door so our guests don’t think we’re lunatics. This is the summer that we cut down our backyard jungle.

Get ready, House. Year Three is coming.

Mermaid Parade Fun

June 24th, 2012 | Posted by Jill
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Yesterday, the mer-people really brought it at Coney Island for the 30th anniversary parade festivities. After some super hot weather and thunderstorms late this week, the skies parted and were glorious yesterday on the waterfront. I definitely could’ve used a bit more sunscreen and have a pink nose and pink shoulders to pay for it this week!

Lots of photographs are still rolling in from the event and thanks to all the photographers who came out for the backstage meet-up — it was great to see you. The parade crowd seemed a bit more low-key than usual this year, but there were loads of super-creative costumes to make up for it. Enjoy this first round of photos below and if you have some great shots to contribute, be sure to link to your gallery in the comments below, add them to our Flickr group, or send us a link over on the Facebook page! Stay tuned this week for lots, lots more!

“Pussycats,” by Scott Lynch:

Untitled, by Oscar Rivera:

“Hacked in Two,” by Scott Lynch:

“Mermaid Parade,” by Barry Yanowitz:

“Greenthing,” by Diane Greene Lent:

Flamingoes in love, by Scott Lynch:

mermaid parade

Mermaid Parade Backstage Meet-Up!

June 22nd, 2012 | Posted by Jill
(4 Comments)

It’s that time again! If you’ve never made it out to Coney Island for the annual Mermaid Parade – you’re missing out! This year, the parade celebrates a huge milestone — its 30th anniversary!

In years past, we’ve tried to host meet-ups for the parade route itself, and it always ends up getting pretty hairy with the hordes of crowds that show up for this wonderfully crazy and surreal event. Last year, I think we finally figured out the winning formula — we meet at the parade line-up staging area. It was a blast to hang around with all the mermaids (and legions of photographers) as they’re getting ready. So, if anyone is interested again this year, a group will be heading down a few hours before the 2pm parade.

The staging area is located around W 21st Street with antique cars and motorized floats stretching towards W 19th. In years past, the parade organizers have charged $5-per-camera as a nominal entry fee to mingle with the mermaids. Can’t wait to see you there — what will you be shooting??

Date: Saturday, June 23rd
Time: 11am-2pm
Location: W 21st Street parade staging area
Via MTA: N / Q / F / D to Coney Island – Stillwell Ave

Check out a few great shots from the parade last year below!

“Gimme Shellter” by Andrea Schwalm: