181 refers to 181st Street in Washington Heights, New York, NY.  That’s where I spent a lot of my time and was inducted into a very tight family of friends. I miss you all very much.

These were taken on my last night with them when KB made me repeat after him: “I will never work for free again.” And that was it. The end of my internship and free labor days.

From left to right: Monte: photographer & professional knows-how-to-have-fun guy. He took SUCH great care of me and I couldn’t have asked for a better experience. There’s too much to say. Josh: badass and sweetest photographer and skateboarder. He is called the stormin’ mormon and this late night meeting was arranged for two reasons 1.) so that I could have the experience that is Crif Dogs and 2.) so that Alanda could get Josh’s autograph on a t-shirt for her 10-year-old nephew who loves to skate. We only found out about Josh’s other identity (the stormin’ mormon) earlier that day and were really tickled about it because people actually freak when they see him. Alanda: Monte’s studio manager, wonderful actress (she’s on One Life to Live which gives me the giggles) and my soul-food sister…we totally get each other and get overly excited about asian cuisine. OVERLY excited. Random info: she’s half black, half thai, parents are both white, dad is gay and has two monkeys…true story. KB: digital tech extraordinaire, knows more about the photo business than anyone I’ve ever met, advice-giver, and loves to inspire. He’s a big teddy bear.  Aaron: other intern who was working with Monte the same time I was. Didn’t have the chance to get to know him as much as I did the others but does great photo work. One very important lady is missing from this picture and I can’t remember where she was that night.

On our walk back to our respective subways, Monte and Alanda got into a fight. Long story short:

Monte won.