Photo by myself at 34th Street and Sixth Avenue, in Midtown.
You'd never think of an ice cream truck in the middle of the city, but it happens all the time. Here, one was parked just steps away from Macy's and the Empire State Building.
This area has changed a bit, since part of Sixth Avenue has been closed off to car traffic. Now there are tables and umbrellas for people to sit outside and rest after their grueling shopping. Just about every popular store can be found on 34th Street - the Gap, Zara, Uniqlo, Forever 21, Steve Madden, etc. etc.
Happy Labor Day weekend, everyone! All offices will be closed on Monday. The last couple weeks, the city has felt empty. It's been a good time to get away. Mark and I will be staying in town.
Related posts: Queuing for Ice Cream in the Cold, Summer Ice, in Park Slope, Brooklyn, and On Line for Cream Cakes, Outside.
Friday, August 30, 2013
Ice Cream in Midtown
Thursday, August 29, 2013
Weiner Bar, in Park Slope, Brooklyn
Photo by myself, in Park Slope, Brooklyn.
Der Kommissar is a small weiner-themed bar in Park Slope, Brooklyn. They have a great array of beers and nine different sausages to choose from, including a vegetarian option.
The sausages are delicious. Mark and I visited twice last week. They make some of the sausages themselves from scratch, including one called a 'Pak wurst' that has a curry-influenced filling.
We are in love with this place, which has outdoor seating in the back and a pick-up window in the front for the late-night wurst cravings I see in my future.
Above the chalkboard menu are snippets from local papers about Anthony Weiner, the unfortunately-named politician running for mayor who is renown for his sexting scandals. Recently, he admitted to sexting pictures of himself a year ago, after he had vowed to stop.
I think most New Yorkers smacked their foreheads and groaned when they heard about the last sexting revelation. It was all over the news, and brought down what was once a promising political career. Here is the Wiki entry, if you're interested.
For the Der Kommissar site, including their delicious menu, click here.
Related posts: Outside a Creperie, in Park Slope, Brooklyn, Sausage Guys, in Park Slope, Brooklyn, and On the Price of a Slice, Downtown.
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
Cartwheel, on the Q Train Home
Photo by myself on the Q Train.
Folks on the ride home to Brooklyn were entertained by a few guys dancing on the train. As usual, this involved boom boxes with very loud music, handstands and twirling about.
Since we were crossing the Manhattan Bridge, the subway car was awash with light and everyone was checking their cell phones.
Related posts: Flipping Out on the B Train, Enjoying a Fling, on the R Train, and Upside Down on the R Train.
Monday, August 26, 2013
Selling Hats, on the Lower East Side
Photo by myself on Orchard Street and Rivington, on the Lower East Side.
Two guys were selling hats, on the Lower East Side.
Orchard Street was closed off to car traffic on Sunday, as it is most weekends. Stores selling leather jackets and other clothing set up racks and tables on the sidewalks for customers to browse through.
Related posts: Outside Sol Moscot, on the Lower East Side, A Glimpse into the Orchard Corset Center, on the Lower East Side, and Outside Zucco, on the Lower East Side.
Thursday, August 22, 2013
Looking out, to Central Park South
Photo by myself around 65th Street and Central Park West, on the Upper West Side.
The view toward Central Park South.
Below is Central Park West, otherwise known as Eighth Avenue. The turnaround at Columbus Circle is just out of view to the right.
I don't usually like to post two scenic photos back-to-back, but I couldn't resist. I was at an apartment Wednesday with some of my coworkers, measuring the place.
At one point I opened the casement doors and stepped out on the balcony. There were people walking not far below, and one fellow looked up at me. 'No!' I wanted to tell him. 'I don't live here. I'm the hired help. I'm just measuring'.
But it was too much to explain from 60 feet up.
Related posts: The Skyline on the Upper West Side, The View from the Upper East Side, and The View from the Brooklyn Bridge.
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
The Plaza at Lincoln Center
Photo by myself at Lincoln Center, around 66th Street and Broadway.
Lincoln Center is timeless. A little hard around the edges, perhaps, with all the travertine stone and only the fountain in the middle to soften the vibe.
Related posts: Around the Fountain at Lincoln Center and Humans of New York, A Look at the New Lincoln Center, and Up with the Arts, at Lincoln Center.
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
On the Sidewalk, on Broadway
Photo by myself on Broadway, in Midtown.
An older gentleman looked at a loss the other day, among the foot traffic and tall buildings.
Some would say that the city is not the greatest place for the elderly - people move so quickly, it's crowded, sidewalks are uneven.
On the other hand, there are grocery stores just outside one's doorway, and you don't need a car. Sort of a mixed bag, I guess.
Related posts: Waiting Together, on Fifth Avenue, Peeking in, on St. Mark's Place, and With Pushcart, in Chelsea.
Friday, August 16, 2013
Accordions Around the World, in Bryant Park
Photo by myself in Bryant Park, in Midtown.
Throughout this summer, Bryant Park has hosted special evenings with 'Accordions around the World'. The night I was there, I think there were thirteen accordion players scattered around the park.
Every Thursday evening, you can hear accordions playing every sort of tune. Accordion players from Norway, New Zealand, Brazil, Japan...you name it. Playing gypsy music, jazz, klezmer tunes...and so on!
There are two more Thursday nights to the summer left. For a description of this event on the Bryant Park website, click here.
Happy Friday, everyone!
Related posts: Animal Hats for Sale, All Wrapped Up, in Soho, and Fashionista, Midtown.
Thursday, August 15, 2013
Enjoying a Laugh, Outside the New York Public Library
Photo by myself at 42nd Street and Fifth Avenue, in Midtown.
I spotted three young women sitting on the steps of the New York Public Library a while ago.
I loved how they were dressed and should have asked what the occasion was. They graciously allowed me to take their photo.
Related posts: Animal Hats for Sale, All Wrapped Up, in Soho, and Fashionista, Midtown.
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
Graffiti, in Red Hook, Brooklyn
Photo by myself on Van Brunt Street, in Red Hook, Brooklyn.
A derelict house stood in Red Hook, Brooklyn, covered in graffiti. On the front door someone had written 'There is no justice in Amerikkka. RIP Trayvon.'
From what I can tell, Red Hook is a racially diverse neighborhood. Some people have lived there a long time, but there are some newer apartment buildings and converted artist lofts.
Red Hook is located on the water, and so suffered extensive flooding during Hurricane Sandy, last October. One major drawback with the neighborhood is that it lacks a convenient subway station.
Though the Trayvon Martin shooting took place in Florida, 'stop and frisk' (where police are allowed to frisk people on the street because of whatever suspicion) is now being heatedly discussed in the news here in New York.
Just Monday, the stop and frisk routine of the NYPD was ruled unconstitutional. The City plans to appeal.
Related posts: Graffiti, Williamsburg, Random Graffiti, on Second Avenue, and Written on the Walls, in Nolita and East Harlem.
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
Barber Shop, Brooklyn
Photo by myself around 47th Street and 4th Avenue, in Brooklyn.
In parts of Brooklyn, there are several barber shops on a block. These are places for guys to sit and hang out.
Mark and I were in the area for Vietnamese food in neighboring Chinatown.
Related posts: City Portraits - Sunset Park, Brooklyn, Passing By, in Sunset Park, and Tonight's Winning Numbers, in Sunset Park.
Monday, August 12, 2013
Watch Repair, in Sunset Park
Photo by myself around 56th Street and Eighth Avenue, in Sunset Park, Brooklyn.
A young man performed watch band repairs on the sidewalk, in Sunset Park. This is the Brooklyn equivalent of Chinatown.
Some of the neighborhoods in Brooklyn are so self-sufficient, one could live there and never venture to Manhattan. Many people end up only speaking their native language, such as Chinese, Russian, Polish or Spanish.
Related posts: City Portraits - Sunset Park, Brooklyn, Passing By, in Sunset Park, and Tonight's Winning Numbers, in Sunset Park.
Sunday, August 11, 2013
RIP Big Nick's, on the Upper West Side
Photo by myself, around 76th Street and Broadway, on the Upper West Side.
After 51 years, Big Nick's, the scruffy burger joint on Broadway, shuttered its doors.
A large sign explained their predicament - their rent was raised from $42k to $60k per month. There was absolutely no way to survive.
In the reflection of the glass you can see the new high rise building across the street, a symptom of luxury living that precipitated Big Nick's demise. Below, a photo from an earlier visit. The array of signs gave the place a certain something something.
I've posted a few other photos of Big Nick's in the past. There were always a few tables on the sidewalk outside, neon signs in the windows and a warm vibe. I will miss this place and its charm.
For a look at Nick's in its heyday, click here and here.
Related posts: Store Closing, on Fifth Avenue, Signs on Third Avenue, and Now on Sale, in Midtown.
Friday, August 9, 2013
Bet Your Last Money, on Bowery
Photo by myself on Bowery around Spring Street, downtown.
A colorful mural was painted on a metal roll down door. This block is known for large stores for restaurant supplies and housewares.
This type of art is the exception rather than the norm. Most roll down doors are either plain metal or littered with much less artistic graffiti.
Happy Friday everyone!
Related posts: FDNY Mural, in the East Village, Genesis Mural, in NoHo, and Signs of Evil, on 8th Street.
Thursday, August 8, 2013
On the Sidewalk, in Midtown
Photo by myself, somewhere in Sixth Avenue, Midtown.
It hasn't been cool enough for wearing sweaters yet but it hasn't been insanely hot, either. This photo is from the stash. We're happily enjoying some gorgeous days.
As you can see, there aren't too many trees or soft surfaces in Midtown. Just signs, asphalt and glass.
Related posts: String Duet, Below Brooklyn, Commuting in the Hood, on the Atlantic/Pacific Platform, and Wednesday Morning, Below Brooklyn.
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
On the Subway Platform, Below Atlantic/Pacific Streets, Brooklyn
Photo by myself on the Atlantic/Pacific Street subway platform, in Brooklyn.
Often, commuters on their way home to Brooklyn will hear the ambient sounds of modern music, played on the xylophone. The effect is a bit surreal.
The station at Atlantic and Pacific Streets is a major one, with several train lines passing though. The Barclays Center is just above, a large performance space and home of the Brooklyn Nets and New York Islanders.
Related posts: String Duet, Below Brooklyn, Commuting in the Hood, on the Atlantic/Pacific Platform, and Wednesday Morning, Below Brooklyn.
Thursday, August 1, 2013
Times Square, at Dusk
Photo by myself in Times Square, at 42nd Street and Broadway.
Mickey and Minnie Mouse chatted in Times Square, Wednesday evening.
The space was buzzing with people, guys drumming up business for tour busses, food vendors, and lights.
Related posts: Big Red Monster, in Herald Square, All A-Buzz About a Bee, in Union Square, and A Costumed Serenade, at 59th Street, Columbus Circle.
