New year, old me
Well, well, well—what do we have here? Another year, another dollar. Another year: more wins, more losses. Who’s up in the game? Who knows?
What’s good, my friends? Hope you enjoyed looking at these pictures from my evening working at 70 Pine. This whole shoot was an absolute science experiment. I had no idea if the camera worked, but I already had it in mind that night had to be documented. I just got my camera from my wife. It belonged to her grandfather, who recently passed away (RIP Papa Ruben). I was so happy she entrusted me with such a special gift. I have no photography experience besides my iPhone, but this woman sees something in me. I used to shoot around with film cameras in my youth, as many of us born in the early 90’s did. My mother’s step-father, Charles, is a professional photographer, so I’ve always been around it. I am also kind of a silent hater towards photography due to the popularity of it in high school and all the Tumblr/Instagram posers out there in this day and age. Always loved the art form, just not a fan of the artists. But man oh man did that night feel so good. Watching life unfold with a different eye, trying to catch beautiful moments unravel in real time. Solidifying a moment in the history of my life fo’eva on film is an amazing thought. I see the potential in this hobby and am so excited to see what doors it opens up for me. Shouts out to my coworkers allowing me to shoot them. I didn’t ask permission, but I rarely do. I captured a lot of tender moments throughout the space, and I hope you liked them.
NEW YEARSs
So, if you don’t know me, I am a hospitality professional. My first job in food was actually at King’s Hawaiian bread factory back in 2011. I only lasted a week, but that job taught me so much. I got to hang out with cool paisas and ex-cholos all day smoking cigarettes on our lunch break, cracking jokes, steel-toed boots, the works. Long story short, I’ve dedicated most of my adult working life to this industry. I’ve done it all, from dish to working the line, to what I do today, which is serve. (I’m such a cliché starving artist/waiter.) My relationship with New Year and working in this industry is interesting. The approaching new year always fills me with dread and wonder if I’ve made the right choices in my life. I also have a January birthday, which only stacks the reflection due to “time” moving forward one more year and my age going up. Lately, I’ve been kicking myself in the ass about my choices. I see my friends/peers that stayed in the kitchen doing so well in their careers. Makes me wonder how my life would have panned out if I would have stuck to what I came to New York for in the first place. It also bums me out being a waiter at this old age. I think about my future children and how they will perceive me. I don’t want them to think their father is some shit-eating New York City waiter with a bistro apron strapped to his torso.
BIZZARO ALT TIMELINE
Working in a restaurant on NYE is like playing in the Super Bowl. If you’re lucky and good enough to be scheduled that night, you’re in for some money. Keep in mind, this is the last day to make some good money. The whole month of December, you’ve been getting your ass kicked night after night with corporate dinners, family celebrations, and December birthdays. So by the time you get to the end of the month, you’re spent and excited for it to be over and ready for a fresh start.
The only problem is you start your new year feeling like absolute hotdog water. You’ve given all you could give. The night of New Year’s Eve is a long ass shift, filled with a laundry list of problems: (kitchen going down, guests are picky ‘cause they only go out once a year and don’t know how to dine’ adults not having good control over their alcohol consumption, your coworkers fucking up from performance anxiety, tourists not tipping! the list goes on and on.) How do you expect me to start the year off optimistic when 2025’s ass kicking still stings?
To top it off, at the end of the night, when it’s all said and done and you just want a cold beer to take the edge off, all the bars are filled with drunk assholes. Happy fucking New Years. I’m not mad, I promise.
NOT CRYING ANYMORE, I PROMISE
Sorry for those last two paragraphs, friends. I’m an emotional creature, and sometimes I just gotta blow off some steam. Now let’s get into these blessings. Life is good, man. I am a firm believer that every day is a good day. As long as I have air in my lungs, I have the power to fight for the reality I want.
At this moment in time, I am really grateful for my job. The flexibility with my schedule allows me to travel, spend time with friends and family, and most importantly work on my art. The work-life balance I currently possess is an absolute Godsend and what some could only dream of. It is a bummer that I am not fully sustained by my art, but I am patient. I’ll work my whole life to achieve my dream if I have to, and I am so grateful for the opportunity to do so.
My current artist obsession is this dude Coulter Jacobs out in LA. This man has been working for LA Water for the past 20-something years and has maintained his painting career the whole time. An absolute badass, and an inspiration to a fellow working man with a dream. I hope this year God grants me the power to say “NO” and focus on my growth as a painter/illustrator.
The past week was a little rough on my mind and body, but I’m back, baby. I see the light, and I am floating towards it. Don’t let anyone get in between you and your happiness, my friends. If you look around, everything is alright. Our phones tell us lies. The media creates fake stories to toy with our heartstrings. Rise above and create the happiness bubble in your head. No one can fuck with you there.
Final thanks to my friends, family, collectors, supporters, and my wife. 2025 was one of the best years of my life, and 2026 will be way better. Only speak blessings, and if you love someone, let them know. Take care and best wishes to you and yours.
Final thought: Experiences are prerequisites for the experiences that follow. Growth is not linear.
Adrian Martin
1/7/2026