Action shot on a Polaroid Go

Noo Arts performing Growing Takes Time at Kingsland Wildflowers, an interactive contemporary art performance based on a certain early-2000s Nintendo game.

Woke up to the news that a friend of 14+ or so years passed away yesterday. As is typical at my age, and of friends my age, the passing was sudden, unexpected, and incredibly sad.

Scrolling through the dozens and dozens of social media posts with outpouring support is surreal. I'm glad eulogizing people on social media can at least bring some comfort.

I don't know. He was a singular person. I don't want to see friends pass away. My relationship with death has evolved as I've gotten older. I've accepted that it's part of life.

I've had so many long, interesting conversations with him, except, of course, the last time I spoke with him. I just saw him a few weeks ago, as I was leaving something, I can't remember what. He put his hand on my shoulder and said "you doing alright?". I said yeah and I asked him how he was doing and said I'd see him again soon. I guess not.

Rest easy, Johnny Ro.

Well, I never have much to say when it comes to things like this, since so many others say it better, but I tabbed over to write this because shortly after reading the wall of love and support for this man, with years of past friends and acquaintances I haven't heard from in forever all in the fray. It felt overwhelming.

I came across the Lego Sega Genesis in the Mall of America's Lego store while idly browsing the shelves. I'm not really into Lego, but I am into plastic Sega stuff that I don't have space for, so I picked it up.

There he is.

Entombed in the first layer of Lego bricks is this Sonic face, which can only be seen after completion by removing the top of console.

Altogether, this thing took most of my morning to complete. I get why people like Lego, since it's basically a 3D puzzle (except most of the challenge comes from finding the tiny pieces you need in the big pile of other tiny pieces), but this wasn't for me. It's fun though.

Another piece, this time a flash from Nasa at 10K Foxes in Astoria. When she asked me if I wanted to change the cat breed, I knew I had to ask for a calico, so the colors are loosely based on Mochi.

She's saying 「たいやき～」 (taiyaki) and the fish is saying 「たいやきじゃねぇよ」 (I'm not taiyaki), I love it

Nasa's the artist did my leg ice cream in 2014, which is my favorite tattoo to this day, and I'm really happy to get another piece done by her.

Also, here's a Gum Nendoroid, which I grabbed for a good price after 100%-ing my Jet Grind Radio file from 2000.

HEY YOU!

I'd free her if I had somewhere to display her...

Squirrel on a beam in McCarren Park, Brooklyn.

Flipnic - Ultimate Pinball (PlayStation 2)

Polaroid occasionally will release a "duo-chrome" film pack swapping the typical white in b&w film for some other color. In honor of them recently releasing a purple variant, I busted out my old yellow 600 film, loaded it in my Polaroid Flip, and took some photos in and around Long Island City's Gantry Plaza State Park.

A side-street leading to the Manhattan skyline.

Prudence Ferry against a very industrial backdrop.

A small geometric area owned by the Department of Sanitation, near Anable Basin.

A lonely discarded toilet.

As a bonus, here's a black and white photo of a Virtual Boy.¹

You know you want it!

Bust-A-Groove (PlayStation)

South Park (Nintendo 64)

Space Station Silicon Valley (Nintendo 64)