October 10, 2023

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

My friend here just told me to sit up. I’m sinking to the right. It is true. I have to watch out for my posture. My right side is very weak and I slump to the right. It’s funny because on my first brain surgery I used to slump to the left. I always told everyone I was a Nascar driver. That I wasn’t very good. That I crashed again.

So, the other week, I went to the premier of my film, 45 Degrees. It was shown at the Woodstock Film Festival. Julia Barrett-Mitchell, a young filmmaker, made a film about me and photography. It basically showed that even if you’re in a bad way, you can take your disability and put it to your advantage. It was cool, and it was cool to hear the reaction from the crowd. Mind you, I couldn’t stay long because it was like stimulus overload. I had seen the film before, but it was cool to see it on the big screen. There was a question and answer session after the film, but I didn’t stay for that. I couldn’t. You know, I’m still sensitive to loud noise and crowds. Although, it could just be an excuse not to go out.

I’ll tell you though, it’s tough being like this. Sometimes it really gets to you. But you gotta keep plugging away. Basically, work out from sunrise to sunset. But it’s been worth it, all this working out. Mind you, I couldn’t even move before, so it’s all paying off. I just get tired. That’s all.

I’m gonna cut it short. I do want to shout out to my friend here who had two of my chairs reupholstered. It’s little things like that that make a big difference when you’re like this. Any it was very cool.

I’m gonna keep it short and go sit in the sun. We’ve been having a great Fall. It feels like Summer outside.

Love and miss you guys.

Love, B. Nice

August 23, 2023

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

When I ran track, if you missed two to three workouts, you really felt it in the next race. That’s what therapy is like now. If you miss a few sessions of therapy, you really start to feel it in your next therapy session. It’s important you don’t miss your therapy and you really have to put 100% into each session. It pays off. Let me tell you. I guess it’s just like anything else in life, you get out of it what you put into it.

Now let me talk about one other thing I’ve been thinking about. There’s a word out there most handicapped people like me can’t stand. Now, that word is “plateau’d.” I think that plateau’d was made up by the insurance companies to stop payment on therapy sessions. If you’re handicapped, there’s no such thing as plateau’d. Every day is an advancement. It’s just it takes some people longer than others. Sorry, it’s just something I gotta get off my chest. If you’re handicapped, you could probably understand what I’m talking about. Bottom line is though, you always have to do therapy whether it’s through your insurance or privately or with a friend. You’ve got to keep at it. I’ll tell you, it will pay off, believe me.

On another note, I’m starting another new mini documentary. It’s all about relaxation and it’s about relaxation without drugs or alcohol. What I rely on is my garden. The mini documentary is all about relaxation in your garden. Now, remember I see double, so I have an awesome garden. My roses are out of this world. Anyway, it’s important you find a way to relax. The garden is my way.

I’m gonna keep it short this week. Leave it at that. I gotta go sit in my garden. Maybe I’ll have a little rosé. Just a little cause I’m not gonna slip into my old habits.

Love, B. Nice

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