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Project Slurp OKC
The SALO Project
Last year I reached out to Chef Yana of The Salo Project after a friend of mine went to one of her pop up dinners in NYC. She planned on doing 50 States in 50 weeks, and I was all in to help make it happen for OKC. She ended up picking Tulsa over OKC, and that was that.
Until last week, Yana emailed me back saying Tulsa was out, and OKC was in. I thought, "Fuck. One week? How am I supposed to pull that off?" Thank the lawd for Tracey Zeeck of Bumbershoot PR. She probably sent out one text message and sold all 20 tickets right away.
I connect my buddy, Jeff Chanchaleune, formely of Kaiteki Ramen, with Yana as her culinary collaborator and let the magic happen.
The two of them came up with a menu, and that's it. Location set. Ingredients bought. Let the cooking begin.
Banana leaves laid out. Instructions on how to use your fingers as utensils. Feast.
The dinner was a huge success. All of my friends came out to lend a hand. It was beautiful. Americans ate Filipino food with their hands. New experiences for all!
Yana is off to Texas and then Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, California, Hawaii after that. If you've got friends out in those states who'd like to host or eat one of the dinners, holler at her. Find the next ones/past ones here.
Jeff is working on putting some pop-up dinners together, so stay tuned for that!
Quit Nguyen: Year One - Part 2
Part 1 was about me on the outside looking in. Part 2 will be more about my life this past year.
Wanderlust hit hard this year. KC, STL, ATX, HOU, Denver, and even random towns in OK.
What do we travel for? Food, duh.
Plenty of things happened in my own back yard too. Oklahoma City is growing faster and faster each day. I don't know how long it'll be til I hate this place, but for now, it's been treating me damn well.
Oklahoma City
I consider myself an ambassador of this city. People are always visiting Linda and I, and we feel it is our responsibility to show them it's not (completely) red necks and white haired oldies.
Work.
I try not to be a one trick pony. This is why it's not Quit Nguyen Photography.com or something like that. I bettered my design, drawing, tastes, and hobbies on top of improving in photography.
Toy collecting, record collecting, coffee drinking, cocktail sipping, hero drawing. These are a few of my favorite things. Such a fucking "hipster."
The Plaza District.
I got a sweet gig working for the neighborhood that showed me OKC was cool in the first place. This job lets me flex the part of my brain no agency would hire me for as a new graduate. Being apart of one of the coolest districts in OKC is really something I'm proud of. Working with this lady is pretty fun too.
I think the biggest thing lacking in OKC are "my" friends. The homies I went to school with. The homies I grew up with. My goal is to get everyone to move here. >:]
The Reason.
The reason why I'm here. The reason I have the confidence to do things. Her.
Never have I met someone as crazy, emotionally unstable, and pure of heart. (I lied, Mama Bui is just like her.) Her family took me in and made me one of their own.
It's been an awesome 1st year in business, 2nd year in Oklahoma, and 3rd year with you.
I love you.
And I luh all y'all too.
Here's to 2015, staircases in the air, and taking in a feral cat!
Bye, Felicia.
Plaza District Festival
I worked a 16 hour shift at this year's Plaza District Festival, but I felt like everyone worked a lot harder than me. Shrugs.
I mean, I guess there's value in my photos, and I served as an information relay center. Also, social media coverage was important.
It was weird "working" instead of waiting around and looking for moments to happen. Whenever I got a break, I took the chance to find moments.
Out of 16 hours, these were my keepers. Balancing the photo thing with the marketing thing can be difficult, but it keeps things fresh.
Mid-September Update
Since last time
Celebrated Kristy's Birthday
Visited the Chickasaw Nation
Made some portraits of some cool kids. Go check out RJSupperClub.com
Shot at the Spy FM
Worked a lot of Plaza Events
Need to find these good looking kids. Seen at H&8th
Live on the Plaza
And the holy grail of street photography. The Oklahoma State Fair: Where your child will leave in tears.
Then you take them to Wiggle Out Loud so they can smile again.
I'm off to Austin, TX for Mondo-Con this weekend. I'll try and update more often. Blogging has become a little tough since picking up the new part-timer at The Plaza District. We've been busy busy gearing up for The Plaza District Festival on Saturday, Sept. 27th.
I'm also planning some cool stuff for the rest of the year including an art show at Tree & Leaf, some more #WesternScout stuff, and more personal work. Stay connected: Follow me on Twitter & Instagram.