I was recently given the opportunity to travel to New York City with Zapwater client and incredibly talented photographer Andy Biggs for deskside appointments. While most of our time was spent darting from meeting to meeting, we did manage to break away for a bit and visit the museum at the International Center of Photography. On my previous visits to New York, I’d visited the Met and the MoMA, but the ICP museum was unfamiliar territory. Thankfully, I had a pro to show me the ropes!

My favorite exhibit at the museum was ‘Weegee: Murder Is My Business,’ a gallery of photographs by Weegee, a press photographer during the 1930s and ’40s. He worked mainly as a freelance photographer who documented the activity of New York’s police and fire departments, capturing graphic, grotesque, yet surprisingly captivating photos of crime scenes as well as photos of urban life in NYC. I was fascinated not only by his photographic techniques but also his relentlessness in the images he took … including horrific murder scenes.

I would definitely recommend anyone visiting New York to take a trip to the ICP museum and check out some of the exhibits. The museum offers a wonderful look into the world of photography with exclusive images you won’t find anywhere else!

The man behind the camera:

The scene at a New York City fire:

A hot summer day:

Brigid

I’m what you might call a movie nerd. Growing up, weekends were reserved for movie dates with my parents and brother. Whether it was the latest Bruce Willis feature (I had what one might call an obsession as a child) or a Disney classic, I tremendously looked forward to the weekend when we would carefully select what film to see. Fascinated by the construction, time, thought and effort that go into creating a film, I eventually became part of the “Movie & TV” team for my college’s weekly entertainment magazine, The Buzz. This job allowed me to watch films, meet some of the greats, like Roger Ebert, and attend film festivals (for free!). As a yearly tradition, I like to create my “must-see” list for the year.

I figured what better way to kick-off the summer than to share my year’s remaining list with you. Just a few notes, I always want to see anything with Joseph Gordon-Levitt, gangsters (of the 1920s variety), classic novel or comic book plots, period pieces, and as of lately Sweeds.

In no particular order:

1. Snow White and the Huntsman – “Grown up” fairy tales have been making a splash for a few years now. But Charlize looks seriously wicked as the evil queen, and I can’t wait.
2. Prometheus – Ridley Scott directed and it involves…aliens. Nerd moment. But really, have you seen the trailer?
3. Brave –This looks adorable and somewhat inspiring. Also, the main character has some fantastic long red hair.
4. Take this Waltz – A dramatic Michelle Williams film. Aren’t they always awesome?
5. The Dark Knight Rises – Chills.

6. The Amazing Spider-Man– One of my favorite cartoons growing up. Plus, I’m super excited they are showcasing Gwen Stacy. I hope all comic nerds are wondering if this will end the same way as the books.
7. Easy Money– A hit Sweedish film now showing in America; starring the excellent and talented Joel Kinnaman.
8. Lawless– The cast is intriguing, and I am a huge fan of John Hillcoat’s The Road.
9. Gangster Squad  – I seriously love the 1920s. That’s all.
10. Resident Evil: Retribution– I’m not embarrassed to say I love these films.
11. Looper– Joseph Gordon Levitt and Bruce Willis. Yes.
12. Anna Karenina– Russian period piece based on a novel and an affair – I’ll be there.
13. This is 40– The “sort-of” sequel to Knocked Up. Katherine Heigl isn’t in it, so yeah, that’s a definite plus.
14. The Great Gatsby– Baz better do this book right. The all-star cast has some serious potential. This will be one of everyone’s definite must sees.

Stephanie Poquette

After 8 years and 200 episodes the women of Wisteria Lane hung up their aprons and high heels with the series finale of Desperate Housewives on ABC. I will admit that I’ve had my ups and downs with the show. At times gripping, always salacious, and often ridicules, Desperate Housewives truly became a cultural phenomenon. It was a hit from the beginning, drawing millions of viewers and launching the careers of many its stars. I vividly recall being a sophomore at Loyola Marymount University and tuning in every week with my girlfriends as the plots unfolded and the scandals broke. We were hooked to say the least.

Over time the show started to choke on its own fumes and lost momentum. While never completely dropping off the radar it started to lack the sizzle it once had. I, like many other viewers, bounced in and out, watching from time to time while wishing the show could recapture the heat. Then last year I heard the show would return for one last season before its final kiss goodbye.

I vowed to give it the old college try and return to Wisteria Lane. I was thrilled to see that I immediately got sucked back in. The girls were up to their necks in a murder cover up; mixed right in with the show’s campy drama, fashion, and laughs I had always loved. I found myself tuning in every week and telling many a friend and Zapwater coworker that “Desperate Housewives was one of my favorite shows on TV again”. Although often mocked I didn’t care. They had me again hook line and sinker and I could not wait to see how the show unfolded.

With the final episode airing last night I couldn’t have been more pleased. The show wrapped up just the way I hoped. Drama, laughter and suspense were all present but love, family, and friends ruled the night. To recap the final moments of the show (SPOILERS) Susan (Teri Hatcher) prepares for her move and tells the new young owner of her house that Wisteria Lane was anything but boring. As she took one last drive around the block everyone who had died on the show including husband Mike and Mary Alice (the show’s narrator), were there to watch her go. Hoping those on the lane would remember that even the most desperate life is wonderful. Of course, the final shot of the finale showed us the new owner of Susan’s home, a woman named Jennifer, was hiding a secret of her own. Some things will never change on Wisteria Lane!

Michael Corrigan