August 16, 2023

Hi everybody. Welcome to my blog where I talk about my present.

This blog is dedicated to my daughter because she starts school today. Oh man, I remember those days. Don’t worry. It’ll all be over soon. School goes by quick.

So we’re coming up on August 18. August 18 2009 is when my journey I’m on began. August 18, 2009 is when I had my first brain bleed. I’ve been in a battle with this bleed ever since. I’ll tell ya, I’m getting kind of tired. Every once in a while, something will happen that reminds you of how messed up you are. For example, today I had physical therapy. Oh man, was it brutal. They got me on my stomach and said, “Ok, get on all fours.” It was like a comedy act. They finally had to put a large medicine ball under my stomach for support. I tell you, it puts things in perspective. But I’m generally advancing. My friend here says that was an advancement, and I agree. Actually, my friend here helped me take photos the other day. It was tough, but I made it through it. I’m looking forward to seeing the photos. Remember, I shoot everything on film and then scan it. I’m old school. It’s true, my friend here mentioned, and it’s true, film is becoming more and more difficult to find, so a different friend works at Kodak and they just started producing more film. Interesting. I think the younger generation is going back to film.

Sorry, I went off on a bit of a tangent there. I started talking about photography. (Go figure;) But going back to brain injury stuff, around August 18, I become reflective and think about my injury. It’s all kind of depressing but you gotta remember, you gotta think about what you can do and not what you can’t do. Just keep moving forward.

I’m gonna cut it short this week because I get bummed out thinking about the whole thing. What is cool is I made a short film with another friend of mine. It’s gonna premiere at the Woodstock film festival (Sept 27-Oct 1). I hope you can come out and support the film. If so I’ll see you there. The film is called 45 Degrees. And I did an interview with a magazine in this area. All good stuff. Hopefully, it will help someone out there.

Miss you guys. Love, B. Nice

P.S. If you’re around, give me a call - 845-265-2705

August 1, 2023

Hi everybody. Welcome to my blog where I talk about the present.

When you have a traumatic brain injury like I do, you’re often reminded about how F’d up you are. For example, I found a case of old cameras I used when I was a fashion photographer. I tried to pick up one of the cameras and hold it. Oh man, that was a disaster! I think I’ll just leave them there as a display. It kind of bummed me out in a way. But, I remember what my mother often said, “Don’t think about what you can’t do. Think about what you can do.” Hey, I’m lucky I’m still here, blogging with you guys.

So, check it out. My friend Julia and I did a short documentary, a Hudsy-TV sponsored a short documentary. So the documentary got accepted to premiere in the Woodstock Film Festival. That’s major! pretty cool. It’s at the end of October so I hope you guys can make it there to check it out. I’ll give you a post closer to the showing. I’m gonna go, so I’ll see you there.

I’m gonna keep it short cause I don’t really feel like blogging today. Plus, my dog needs to go to the groomer. His hair’s so long he can’t see. He ran into the elevator, and I’m feeling a little guilty.

Talk to you next week. Love, B. Nice

July 18, 2023

Hi everybody, welcome to my blog where I talk about my present.

Oh man! My hands were turning into hamburger meat. When you’re in a wheelchair and you self propel through a narrow door, it can be painful when you hit your hands on the door jam (sides). So my solution was to widen the door, but I kept widening it and widening it. I took down most of the wall. I think it would have been cheaper to cut off my hands! It’s was all actually my sister’s idea and it looks great. It’s also really functional. My house is kind of like an open concept, but each room is compartmentalized. For example, there’s a kitchen then there’s a wall, then there’s a dining room, and then the living room. It’s all very cool. And getting around is great. Thank god the team I have is really good. They got it all done quickly. It’s nice when people help you out cause it’s tough being like this.

Anyway, I’m gonna keep it short. Hope you guys have a good week.

Love, B. Nice

June 27, 2023

Hi everybody. Welcome to my blog where I talk about the present.

I’d like to dedicate this blog to all of you single mothers out there. You see, Father’s Day came and went. Basically, you become the mother and the father. So this blog is dedicated to you guys, cause you guys do twice the amount of work.

Now, I’m on the fence about the celebration of fathers day. On one hand, you have my situation. In 2009, I had the brain bleed and a brain operation that put me in the ICU (intensive care unit). My wife at the time split, taking out child. That basically deprived me of being a father. I did go down to Texas to see my child in 2010, but that triggered another brain bleed and subsequent brain operation. So, no more flying for me. I guess it limits my vacations, right.

Then, on the other hand, I had an amazing father. He was a great artist and a great father figure. We had some great adventures. One of my fondest memories was in Brooklyn Heights. Sundays was to be my day with my dad. I could pick anything I wanted to do with Dad. All I wanted to do was go to Central Park and climb rocks. Highly intellectual, right?

We’ve had a low pressure system here for a few weeks. And, it definitely affects my therapy. For example, I had a real hard time at walking. Everything seems to be out of sync. It’s all very discouraging, but you gotta remember, you’re gonna have good days and bad days. I should know, I’ve been doing this “trying to get better” for about 13 years now. You just gotta keep plugging away.

That’s it for this week. I just had to vent a little and to give you a little update.

Love and miss you guys. Love, B. Nice

June 7, 2023

I think it was Clint Eastwood that said it best, “A man has to know his limitations.”

I wanted to have a barbecue for two reasons: one was to celebrate the opening of my film 45 Degrees (link below); the other was to see if I could have a party with a large crowd. Well…let me tell you - I definitely can’t have a large party. It was good to test the waters, but a large crowd does not work for me. I think next time, I’ll have four people over, max. You see, because of my brain injury, everything hits me all at once. For example, I can’t focus in on isolated conversations. It’s all a bit overwhelming. But, if I didn’t try it, I wouldn’t know. Right?

You know, I often forget how I am. For example, the way I perceive myself from inside out is one way, but when I see footage or I hear sound of the way I am, it kind of freaks me out. I can see I’m clearly messed up. It’s all a bit of a shocker each time that I see it. But I’ve learned how to adapt.

On a positive note, I did really well in physical therapy. I walked really well. Normally I have to look down at where I place my feet. But this time I looked out - which forces you to stand up. I let my feet fall where they may. I have to trust where they land. You’d think learning how to walk would be easy, but it’s tough, man. I’m always amazed I ran across the United States of America and I can barely make it down the hallway right now. Crazy.

On another note. I have a new therapist. She asked me what would be my dream. I said, “Well, I’d love to sit up, get out of bed, walk to the kitchen, have a glass of water, walk back to bed and go to sleep. How’s that for a dream?” I’m gonna leave it at that.

Oh, one other thing, why did the scarecrow win an award…? Because he was out standing in his field.

Love and miss you,

B. Nice

https://watchlocal.hudsy.tv/programs/45-degrees?category_id=134718

Watch 45 Degrees by Julia Barrett-Mitchell