Author: Quinn

Pigeons of New York – March 2023 Edition

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Welcome to the March 2023 Edition of Pigeons of New York. Authentic stories as told by the pigeons roaming the Big Apple. My role as the photojournalist is to identify a potential story, observe, and let the story naturally evolve within a safe space. The large majority of NYC’s speed walkers just aren’t listening…luckily I am.

Each story is unique. Just like the Pigeons of New York.

To follow each story as it’s released, check out @loveyou.quinn and @pigeonsof.ny on Instagram.

Here is this month’s pigeon prose.

Aubrey A. – Greeley Square Park

“I’m dealing with some stuff and just feeling alone. People are there and they reach out to check in but no one really digs deep and feels it the way I do. I don’t even know what I’m feeling sometimes either. It’s just all of the sudden you get this wave of feeling bland and gray. And then other times I’m ecstatic and ready to take on anything that comes my way. I’m a believer that all the suffering we have on us is a reflection of the society that we’re in. People are so set on just taking our money so they create fake hatred between groups, sensationalize the issues, or just over hype the problems that people have. Everything just seems so life or death all the time. People just want to enjoy themselves and feel love. They want to feel like they are doing something worthwhile. I’m the same way.”
—
I saw Aubrey staring into the passing cars while I walked along Broadway in December. She was thinking about the vastness and emptiness of New York City. To her it wasn’t about being surrounded by people, it was about being surrounded by *your* people.

Follow along @loveyou.quinn and @pigeonsof.ny on Instagram.

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The Mission Statement of the mid-20’s – a poem

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A humorous but real poem about the battle between the desire human connection and discomfort with traditional interaction.

This poem is part of the Adulting poetry series. Read another poem in the series, Plenty of time for wasting.

Comment below with thoughts. Subscribe below for more. Follow @loveyou.quinn Instagram

Knock knock…
Knock knock…
Knock knock…

Startled breath
Crouch inside
Make no sound
No signs of life
Heart beating fast
Loud enough to hear?
Oh no
Go away scary postwoman
“Don’t Know, Don’t Answer”
The mission statement of the mid-20s professional.

Knock knock…
Knock knock…
Knock knock…

Why so many knocks?
It’s not 1999 anymore
Doorbell with camera
Caller ID filtering
For suspiciously friendly neighbors
Human interaction on mobile only
Zoom preferred
Go away kind neighbor.

Footsteps loud
Footsteps quiet
Footsteps gone.

Deep breathe
So close
Just imagine
The conversation.
A conversation
In person.
Just imagine.

Better to be safe than sorry.
It’s not 1999 anymore.

Just a quick question for you – a poem

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This poem is part of the Adulting poetry series. Read another poem in the series, Plenty of time for wasting.

Comment below with thoughts. Subscribe for more. Follow @loveyou.quinn Instagram

$0.50 $1.00 $2.00
10% $15% 20%
Sigh
Distressed internal dialogue
Helpless
Improve it
Too small
Move
Too far
Distressed internal dialogue
Sigh
$1.00

☕

Plenty of time for wasting – a poem

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This poem is part of the Adulting poetry series.

Comment below with thoughts. Subscribe for more. Follow @loveyou.quinn Instagram

Buzz buzz bu…
SMACK
Out of bed before the third zz is finished
Awake alive ready to thrive
Hours before obligations

~Ten Years Later~

Buzz, buzz, buzz, buzz, buzz, buzz, buzz, buzz
Aggressive never not aggressive
Did I even fall asleep at all?
SMACK
10 more minutes

Buzz, blare, bang, boom
Maybe it was only set for 1 more minute
Checks phone
Nope
Says 10 minutes
SMACK
10 more minutes

Buzz, wail, not possible, how?
The devil disguised as gentle music
Checks schedule
Meeting in 10 minutes
Plenty of time
SMACK
7 more minutes

Buzz, shaking, questioning reality
SMACK
2 more minutes

SMACK
1 more minute

SMACK
Glasses
Sweater
Mirror
Run
Open
Password
Link
Click
“Hi sorry I’m a little late. My Zoom had to install an update. My internet has been weird this morning so I’m going to keep my video off.”

Pigeons of New York – January/February 2023 Edition

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Welcome to the January / February 2023 Edition of Pigeons of New York. Real short stories as told by the pigeons roaming the Big Apple. My role as the photojournalist is to identify a potential story, observe, and let the story naturally evolve within a safe space. The large majority of NYC’s speedwalkers just aren’t listening…luckily I am.

Each story is unique. Just like the Pigeons of New York.

To follow each story as it’s released, check out @loveyou.quinn on Instagram.

Moving forward, we’ll be doing a compiled monthly edition for that month’s pigeon prose.

Doug M. – Grand St. & Eldridge St.

“Umm I’m six. I don’t like getting older because it’s…it’s…it’s…it’s really tough because you have to start a new grade and read bigger books and I don’t always know the words but I sound them out. Last year I was reading a book and…and…and…and I had to read a sentence in front of the entire class and I did it because I practiced but I didn’t like it still. But my friends said it was good and I really like to play video games and go on my scooter I can go so fast you can’t see me.”
——
I was first talking to Doug’s mother until Doug came over and interrupted us with his run-on sentences of random topics that I did not inquire about. I’ve never met a 6 year old named Doug before, and I don’t think I ever will again because Doug is the 8,335th most popular name in the world and declining as rapidly as #TSLA stock. Before I could leave I was forced to watch Doug ride “so fast” on his scooter. I could easily still see him and I told him that before leaving.

George L. – Rivington St. & Allen St.

“Best badonk in the city! You could use some inspiration couldn’t you? And it’s a 100%, all natural badonk-a-donk that makes the girls honk-a-honk! You don’t want me to drop it low though or you’ll have to call the ambulance because too many people will faint.”
——
“Take a picture, it’ll last longer” was screamed into my ear as I was walking down Allen St looking at my phone for directions to the Strand Bookstore. I looked up and saw George staring at me, puffing out his behind, apparently waiting for me to compliment him as he continued with the rest of the above stated dialogue. I was confused and unaware what “badonk” meant until I looked at Urban Dictionary later to see it was “An amazingly large buttocks with exceptional bounce and shape.” Despite his insults about my own badonk, or lack thereof, I felt obliged to follow through on his request. These are the pictures I took of George…so it’ll last longer.

Tina N. – 2nd & 15th

“There comes a time in everyone’s life when they get hit by bricks. Maybe you’re not there yet but I am. I’m getting hit by them. They are heavy and hurt and make it hard to get up. It’s not always easy getting out from under the bricks. I’m just a small pigeon. Below average for both height and weight. You take some bricks off, then out of nowhere more appear and weigh you down. I keep an open mind and know that I’ll get better control over it. Maybe if I just stay away from the dangerous construction sites with all the noise and distractions. Maybe if I just find a way to see the light and take more calculated action. I have an optimistic mindset. I used to think it was easier to just lay down and let the weight of it take over for a bit. But even though it feels like a security blanket, it’s more like a disguised energy thief til you can’t push those bricks away on your own. Today is my day to shine.”

Follow along at @loveyou.quinn.

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Introducing Pigeons of New York

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The photojournalism journey begins! These stories were shared in 1 on 1 sessions with America’s unofficial national bird…the pigeon.

Pigeons grace many of our town’s and city’s streets and sidewalks. We owe them the decency to listen to their deepest thoughts, their triumphs and tribulations (like changes in garbage can designs).

A sneak peak of the first Pigeons of New York is below. The rest will be shared on Instagram, and in monthly installments on the blog.

Subscribe below to follow along with the memorable stories and interactions of New York’s memorable pigeons. And follow on Instagram as well (@loveyou.quinn)

Doug P. – Eldridge St. & Grand St.

“Umm I’m six. I don’t like getting older because it’s…it’s…it’s…it’s really tough because you have to start a new grade and read bigger books and I don’t always know the words but I sound them out. Last year I was reading a book and…and…and…and I had to read a sentence in front of the entire class and I did it because I practiced but I didn’t like it still. But my friends said it was good and I really like to play video games and go on my scooter I can go so fast you can’t see me.”
——
I was first talking to Doug’s mother until Doug came over and interrupted us with his run-on sentences of random topics that I did not inquire about. I’ve never met a 6 year old named Doug before, and I don’t think I ever will again because Doug is the 8,335th most popular name in the world and declining as rapidly as #TSLA stock. Before I could leave I was forced to watch Doug ride “so fast” on his scooter. I could easily still see him and I told him that before leaving.

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WE HAVE MERCH!

Buy a shirt: https://loveyouquinn.com/pigeons-of-new-york-merch/

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Hold on – a poem

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A poem by @loveyou.quinn

Comment below with thoughts. Subscribe for more. Follow @loveyou.quinn Instagram

I wrote this poem on a trip to Australia while at the Sydney Botanic Garden, surrounded by trees, flowers, and birds. I feel like I write a lot about nature and the trees. I’m surrounded by them at home, and feel like they have a lot of symbolism for life and relationships.

Am I the way you think I am
Or am I just me?

Even a tree wonders its worth
If the wind doubts its strength
At every passing breeze.

Why is it the wind’s place to judge?
Even strong branches can break
Straining under a relentless gale.

Am I the way you think I am
Or am I just me?

Even a tree wonders its worth
If the rain floods its vibrancy
As the days pour by.

Why is it the rain’s place to challenge?
Even strong roots can rot
Submerged in a lifetime of showers.

Through it all, hold on.
If I break, I am still me.
If I rot, I am still me.

A root not stuck – a poem

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A poem by @loveyou.quinn

Comment below with thoughts. Subscribe for more. Follow @loveyou.quinn Instagram

These trees have moved with you through birth.
These trees will move with you through life.

Swaying in the wind
But never leaving your side.
Providing shade from the sun
But never blocking your light.

Evolving each year
But returning stronger the next.
Finding foundation through roots
But never ending up stuck.

Courageously sharing their nature.
Naturally sharing their courage.

These trees have loved you through birth.
These trees will love you through life.

Review: The War of Art

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The War of Art by Steven Pressfield
^Affiliate link to purchase the book. I get a small %^

I was gifted this book as I began my creative writing journey. This book is for artists, writers, creatives, entrepreneurs, or whomever is on a journey of finding purpose and building something that fuels their soul.

The creative journey is HARD and it is far too easily to procrastinate until you realize it’s been 10 years and you haven’t made any real progress on your actual goals.

If that resonates with you at all…read this book.

The book is broken down into three distinct sections:

  1. Resistance – Defining the Enemy
  2. Combatting Resistance – Turning Pro
  3. Beyond Resistance – The Higher Realm

Like many creatives, I’ve struggled with a wide variety of procrastination issues throughout my creative and entrepreneurial endeavors. All of my excuses and fears were called out in this book. Steven Pressfield also provides some tools on moving past your blocks to give yourself the space to being a consistent creative journey.

I bookmarked about 50% of the pages in this book.

Rating: A

A few of my many highlighted passages:

“Madonna employs ‘Madonna'”

“You must know the difference between what is urgent and what is important. And you must do what’s important first”

“The amateur does not love the game enough. If he did, he would not pursue it as a sideline, distinct from his “real” vocation.”

“Defeating Resistance is like giving birth. It seems absolutely impossible until you remember that women have been pulling it off successfully, with support and without, for fifty million years.”

Buy the book here: The War of Art by Steven Pressfield
^Affiliate link to purchase the book. I get a small %^

Review: Double Blind (Issue No. 7)

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I endeavor to read a wide variety of authors, genres, topics, and media types. I recently subscribed to Double Blind Magazine and received their #7 issue.

Double Blind sends out a magazine two times per year and also has a website full of articles, research, and stories relating to psychedelics.

From their website:

With an open mind and a commitment to fact-checking, we provide nuance to the reporting on alternative healing modalities and mindfulness movements. Psychedelics aren’t just about the 1960s cultural revolution—or the research renaissance that has followed it in recent decades. They’re a jumping off point for exploring what it means to be well as individuals and a collective: we invite you to contemplate that with us.  

This was my first time reading their magazine and I found it thought provoking for many ways. Unrelated to the actual content, I have begun to appreciate more niche magazines (Double Blind, Kinfolk) that stray from the stereotypical image of a magazine (People, Sports Illustrated, Time). Every magazine can have great writing and there is a reason that magazines like Time, The Economist, National Geographic and more have been around for so long with such a strong readership.

I have found magazines like Double Blind and Kinfolk to offer a more artistic version of a magazine. Something that you can revisit over and over again to get more value.

In Issue No 7 of the Double Blind magazine they had articles like: Grief Rituals, Coca vs. Cocaine, The Summer of Love – In Yiddish, among many more.

Grief Rituals discussed the need to move towards acceptance of grief as a place of comfort. Grief is a tricky subject. At times it can seem like the grieving person needs to hold space for the person providing some type of sympathy. The advice we many times receive is to “stay busy” and “move on“. When in reality moving on is not what is needed. We need to embrace and grow. If you were to break your leg while riding your bike, staying busy and moving on might not always be the best decision when getting a cast might be needed. Why is grief any different. Time to heal and change is needed to improve our future outcomes and become better connected to the new normal or whatever the change is that we experience.

Somewhere in the magazine I came across the idea of “Maintain the soul”. I can’t remember where it was written or if the next three sentences are from an article, or my own writing. It feels a bit too well written to be my own ha!

Without a soul you are just an individual in the service of an insatiable entity. Why can it not ever be full. Embrace fullness.

I liked this idea because our soul is everything that we are. We are a being that has desires and needs and each person is different. If we are just following the crowd and neglecting our own desires and needs then we really are not feeding our soul, we are feeding another “insatiable entity”.

One more quote thought that I wrote down in my notes is below. Next time I need to do a better job of documenting where I actually got these quotes so I can attribute them more fully.

“A community that does not have ritual cannot exist.”

There were many more valuable pieces in this magazine filled with insightful, humorous, and adventurous stories. I would recommend that magazine and hope to read more issues in the future. For now this will be on my coffee table for future revisiting.