Empire State of Mind.

So, to most who know me (however well) will know instantly that I am simply just not someone who would take their inspiration in word or philosophy from the music genre of black rap from the likes of Jay-Z. However, I do label this particular article after his song-come-rap, ' Empire State of Mind', clearly taken from the incredibly wealthy rapper, Jay-Z. I do this because having been to New York City more than once, I have found the truth in his rhyme are in fact incredibly accurate. However more than the truth of his musical poem, it is the title of the song which I find a rather creative use of words and their meaning(s).

Whilst on a trip in New York City once, and without wishing to unwittingly drop famous locations, I was walking through the city with my rather large DSLR camera targeting it here, there and everywhere which as fun as that is to when in a new location, my camera can get somewhat heavy after time. Hence, on this occasion it was neatly packed away and I was just wandering and exploring on foot through the city when I literally stepped into this puddle. I had flip-flops on and yes, I stepped into a New York City puddle of city filth! Eww. However it was then when I looked down (merely to attend to my wet and sodden feet) that I glimpsed the reflection, realised what it was of... and instantly became ever-so glad that I had stepped in that particular puddle of all the puddles that were in the city that day. What was either a silly misjudgement or careless error of mine in fact transpired into something I was very glad of.

So, upon the realisation of the content of the reflection, my hand magnetised to my DSLR ready to get snapping. As I did so, it was then and only then that I realised where I was. I was exactly opposite Madison Square Park. For those of you who have been there, live there and/or know it well, you'll know that whilst some of it is conveniently pedestrianised, some of it is not. Well, low and behold, of course I was standing amid a city filthy puddle practically bare-footed rapidly reaching for my DSLR, it was then and only then that I realised that I was in the bus lane which, when I looked up, I saw at least two buses and countless infamous NYC yellow cabs coming straight towards me. Again, for those familiar with NYC traffic ways, NYC traffic simply does not stop - for nothing and no one. Yet, in my excitement of the image literally covering my bare feet and at the chance to be able to capture it on my DSLR (which is undeniably a very fun toy for me) but yet knowing that NYC traffic stops for nothing and no-one whilst watching at least two buses and countless yellow cabs on the approach, I still stood there scrambling for my camera. As I did so and finally realised (and not before time) that the puddle would still be there if and when I move and step back to it after the traffic has passed. (It would be fair here to say that I was not at my sharpest for thinking. I'd like to put it down to the initial jet-lag I was feeling at that point on my trip, but as I don't really suffer from jet-lag east-bound, it would seem that I have no valid excuse to reason away my embarrassingly delayed thinking!) Thankfully though and rather proudly, without one hoot from either of the buses and/or any of the yellow cabs, I stepped back onto the pavement, collected myself and my camera, ready to play with the puddle in all senses once it was safe to do so, of which I did.

During photographing the reflected image through its various angles and dimensions, it led my mind to think about not only what the Empire State building symbolises generally, nationally, globally and economically but also personally. Metaphorically then, each and every individual has 'Empire State' building heights to climb, obstacles to overcome, competition(s) to contend with, strength to find. This can be generally, nationally, globally and economically too, of course. Sometimes though, we only see a reflection of an 'Empire State building' per individual or for a nation but also an 'Empire State of Mind'. Perhaps it is not always in full sight for all to view, see or be part of but it's there. It's there. Furthermore and to close this entry, what is more is, just like this photograph and how it came to be taken, it was unexpected, filthy on appearance(s) but it surprisingly proved to be something fun, worth doing, valuable and memorable.