Photo by myself on Sixth Avenue, in Midtown.
A man and a cat sat in the cold on Sixth Avenue.
I've been walking by this spot every weekday for work, and have watched the cat grow up from a tiny kitten, starting last Fall. Often, both cat and owner are fast asleep.
At first I felt very cynical about this arrangement. Over time though, I saw how (relatively) happy the cat is, how caring his owner is, and how generous New Yorkers can be. There is a cat litter, a scratching pad, cat food, and several different cat jackets.
When I took this photo and spoke with the guy, a woman stopped by to donate a breakfast muffin. There are actually two different guys who take care of the cat, switching back and forth in shifts. At night, it has been very cold, with brisk winds.
Related posts: Cat on a Leash, in Midtown, Beware of Cat, in the East Village, and The Guy with a Cat on his Head.
Thursday, January 14, 2016
Man and Cat, on Sixth Avenue
Saturday, December 5, 2015
Outside Chick-Fil-A, from Above and Below
Photo by myself, in Midtown.
When Chick-Fil-A opened its doors for the first time in Manhattan, there was a line out the door and down the street. Not just for a day or a few days or a week. For weeks.
That is how nutty some people are about their chicken sandwiches and/or nuggets. See how serious people look in line? It is serious stuff!
This fast food place has two floors. Now that the hoopla has died down, you can actually get a sandwich without waiting many minutes outdoors.
Below, a view of the line from the air.
Thursday, June 18, 2015
Architecture Underfoot, in Midtown
Photo by myself around 40th Street and Park Avenue, in Midtown.
Embedded in the ground at an urban plaza, display engravings of buildings in the neighboring area. Above, a plaque showing the Pan Am Building roosting above the sculpture at Grand Central, just a couple blocks north.
The plaques were installed in 1996, as part of the Grand Central Partnership. Most NYC neighborhoods belong to 'partnerships', where businesses contribute money, used toward creating a neighborhood identity. Special signage, art or trash bins might be commissioned, for instance.
The plaques were created by Gregg LeFevre, a New York City sculptor. To check out more of his work, click here.
Above, the entrance to the New York Daily News building, on 42nd Street.
Related posts: Remembering Memorial Day, I *Heart* New York, on the Sidewalk, and En Route to a Peaceful Protest, Downtown.'
Thursday, June 4, 2015
Witnessing Manhattanhenge, from Sixth Avenue
Photo by myself on Sixth Avenue, around 35th Street in Midtown.
Technically this year, Manhattanhenge fell on May 30th and 31st, and will occur again on July 12th. But generally around this time, the sun will look as if it's in line with the New York City street grid.
Believe it or not, people notice the event, even if they don't hear about it in the news. Like many occasions in a crowded area, it just takes one person to turn and look, and then another, and suddenly a whole bunch of people waiting for the streetlight to change will be looking west down a street toward the sunset and New Jersey.
There is something nice about seeing a relationship between nature and the city. I suppose it's the meeting of complete opposites.
Related posts: Manhattanhenge, in Midtown, Sunset, on the Upper West Side, and Sunset, on the Ride to Brooklyn.
Friday, May 29, 2015
The View on Park Avenue, in Midtown
Photo by myself, around 57th Street and Park Avenue in Midtown.
For my job, I go up to the Upper East Side and back down Park Avenue in a cab, often. Today I noticed a new billboard outside Turnbull & Asser, a high end mens clothing store, done in the style of a 1930's painted sign.
You see these signs sometimes even still, painted on walls here, though the real painted signs are usually in much worse shape and are sometimes partly covered by new buildings.
The couple standing in the street were trying to hail a cab. It was insanely hot and humid, and traffic was awful. But there was a slight breeze and the view was nice, haha.
For more about the story behind the mural, see the Turnbull & Asser blog, here
Related posts: Larger than Life Mural, in the East Village, Mural in Red Hook, Brooklyn, and On Target, on Houston.
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
Snowfall, in Midtown
Photo by myself in Midtown.
Warnings of the impending blizzard was all over the news this weekend. By 5pm yesterday, snow flurries had been coming down for several hours. People were leaving work early and a long line had formed at the bus stop.
Most stores were closed by this point, and there were rumors of the subway shutting down, too.
Nature is not our friend, in New York. Every time there is a large rain or snow storm, the subways get messed up.
Update: Here in Brooklyn, we got about 8-inches or so. My office, like many others, closed for the day. Hooray!
Related posts: Snow on Sixth Avenue, Yellow Cab, Under Snow, and Early Snowfall, in Prospect Park Brooklyn.
Friday, January 23, 2015
On Skates, in Bryant Park
Photo by myself in Bryant Park, around 42nd Street and Sixth Avenue in Midtown.
What better exercise than skating around, with the Empire State Building in the background?
The outdoor rink in Bryant Park is open free to the public 8am-10pm every day, until March 1st. All you need to bring are your skates and fancy footwork.
Yes, it is kind of cold here, but it's not so terrible. People walk around in hats and scarves and long underwear, while knowing that in the grand scheme of things, 'it is not so bad'. That is, we're not suffering through hail, piles of snow or bitter winds. It could be worse.
For the Bryant Park ice rink website, click here.
Related posts: And the Crowd Roared, in Bryant Park, Skating, Under the Empire State, and Skating In-Line, in Prospect Park.
Monday, January 19, 2015
Signs Galore, 32nd Street
Photo by myself, on 32nd Street and Fifth Avenue in Koreatown.
A very belated Happy New Year from the city! I hope everyone is warm, or at least, warmer than we are. :-)
I was out on lunch break the other day and snapped a photo in Koreatown, the smallest of neighborhoods with the most possible number of signs.
Related posts: Evening, on Sixth Avenue, Outside Sol Moscot, on the Lower East Side, and 32nd and Fifth, in Midtown.
Tuesday, September 16, 2014
Getting Around Traffic, in Midtown
Photo by myself, in Midtown.
There is so much traffic in the city these days, getting around town is very frustrating.
Just getting down the street can be torture. I've spent many a cab ride with the cab driver ranting and raving and shaking a fist at the sky. Ha.
The only good thing about gridlock? Cyclists can weave ahead of the traffic jam.
Related posts: Summer Streets, on Park Avenue, Custom Bikes in the Village, and On NY Bike Tours and Real Housewives.
Monday, September 1, 2014
Critters, Streetside
Photo by myself at 42nd Street and Vanderbilt Ave. in Midtown.
A man unloaded his companions, in front of Grand Central Station at rush hour.
From left to right: a black cat, three guinea pigs, a dog and another dog. The first dog is a little difficult to see because of the loud (animal-themed) prints.
My fiancé Mark pointed out that not all the animals in the photo are real. There is a stuffed animal on the bottom bunk, below the guinea pigs. No doubt that the top bunk is the preferred spot.
I have mixed feelings when I come across people who have pets or children with them on the sidewalk, but I stopped to give the man a couple dollars.
I was surprised by the proximity of guinea pigs to cat. The guinea pigs were nearly motionless, whether because they were afraid or just hanging out (they looked very relaxed to me). A few seconds later, the man reached into a carrier and brought out several parakeets (!).
Related posts: Cat on a Leash, in Midtown, Odd and Colorful Birds, in Bryant Park, and The Hua Mei Bird Garden, in Chinatown.
Saturday, August 16, 2014
The Statue of Liberty, in Midtown
Photo by myself, in Midtown.
Nothing is immune to graffiti, round these parts. Not even Miss Liberty herself.
Related posts: Posing with Miss Liberty, on Central Park South, Lady Liberty, in the Distance, and Statues of Liberty, in Midtown.
Sunday, August 10, 2014
Husband's Resting Area, on Sixth Avenue
Photo by myself, on Sixth Avenue in Midtown.
A sign outside a jewelry store in Midtown called out the 'Husband's Resting Area'. Below it, some open seats. Ha.
I suppose this could be considered sexist? Or simply honest, since all the jewelry inside is for women.
There are several little jewelry and beading stores on Sixth Avenue, close to the Garment District. This one is fortunate to have some shaded space.
Related posts: Cat Specialists, on the Upper West Side, Outside a Creperie, in Park Slope, Brooklyn, and Vent Your Annoyance, for a Buck.
Saturday, August 9, 2014
Concept Car, in Midtown
Photo by myself, in Midtown.
A custom white car parked in Midtown turned heads from people passing by.
Parts of this car were were very open, and looked more like a motorcycle than a traditional car. I'm not sure what the occasion was; there were no signs or anything. Its owner must have stepped away for a moment.
The view from the front.
The view of the insides. I have to admit, I was tempted to get in, since there were no doors!
There is some limited parking on the streets in Manhattan, usually limited to an hour or so with a meter. Usually you cannot find parking anywhere and must resort to an overpriced parking garage.
Related posts: Nice Set of Wheels, Yellow Cab, Under Snow, and Camera Van, in Park Slope, Brooklyn.
Monday, August 4, 2014
Free Papers, in Midtown
Photo by myself, somewhere in Midtown.
We don't have an enormous mainland China population here but on select corners, there are free 'China Daily' papers. Next to this location there was also free paper printed in Hebrew.
Maybe this is a public relations move, but it is rather a subtle one (!). There is always a ton of stuff/crap on the sidewalk, ranging from trash cans to trash bags to bikes to people.
Related posts: Get Your Paper Here, at Union Square, Read All About It, and Signs on Third Avenue.
Monday, July 7, 2014
On Shore Leave, in Midtown
Photo by myself around Fifth Avenue and 38th Street, in Midtown.
Much of Manhattan is inward-looking (in more ways that one), so it's sometimes hard to remember that it is an island and one that is visited by ships!
Above, two sailors in uniform looked through some postcards on the sidewalk. I took this recently, that is, not around Memorial Day weekend, when we are visited by many ships. During that time of year, we see many, many sailors in their white uniforms walking around, enjoying themselves.
Happy Monday, everyone!
Related posts: It's Fleet Week, on Sixth Avenue, Ahoy, Matey!, and Saluting Heroes, Along Fifth Avenue, Part Two.
Tuesday, June 17, 2014
Peeping in to the Desigual Store, on Sixth Avenue
Photo by myself around 35th Street and Sixth Avenue.
A large mural on the side of the Desigual store in Midtown has a sense of humor - a colorful graphic is unzipped, to reveal the building's insides. Some of the scantily clad residents are shown disrobing and...other things, ha.
Billboards and large scale murals are common in certain parts of Manhattan. One must take care not to get distracted and walk into traffic.
Related posts: Airplane Art, Outside the Plaza Hotel, FDNY Mural, in the East Village, and Genesis Mural, in Soho.
Wednesday, June 11, 2014
Mighty Balls, at Broadway Bites, in Midtown
Photo by myself, around 35th Street and Broadway, in Midtown.
Ah yes. You can get Mighty Balls. To eat.
Now through August 1st, shoppers and visitors near Herald Square can nosh on delicious little dishes representing all sorts of cuisines, and take a break from all that tiring shopping. Lol.
During a quick little tour, I spotted street noodles from Hong Kong, tacos, high end cannolis, gelato, and of course, mighty little meatballs with esoteric sauces. Foodies should skip the shopping altogether and just snack, for goodness sake.
The whole thing is arranged by a group called Broadway Bites. They take a break around Labor day and there is another installment for most of November.
For the Broadway Bites site, including photos and scrumptious vendor list, click here.
Not easy to choose from all the deliciousness.
Related posts: Street Meats, on Seventh Avenue, The Best Hot Dogs, in Times Square, and On Line for Breakfast, in Midtown.
Tuesday, June 10, 2014
Framing the View, up Broadway
Photo by myself around 36th Street and Broadway, in Midtown.
Several large scale sculptures by the artist Chakaia Booker stand along a stretch of Broadway, in Midtown.
These large, black sculptures are made of recycled rubber from tires. The pieces are woven, tacked and/or tied together to make huge, looming structures that evoke scales, feathers and other natural materials.
Above, one sculpture frames the view north, up Broadway. What look like tentacles seem to make the artwork come to life. The sculptures will remain for view through November.
For more about the artist, including images of all five sculptures that comprise 'The Sentinels' series, click here.
Related posts: Barber Shop, Brooklyn, Watch Repair, in Sunset Park, and Outside a Deli, in Brooklyn.
Thursday, April 24, 2014
A Moment, in Koreatown
Photo by myself, on 32nd Street and Sixth Avenue, in Koreatown.
No, not a shot from Asia, but a moment in Koreatown on 32nd Street.
Koreatown is found within a few blocks in this area of Midtown. Signage for restaurants, karaoke bars, grocery stores and barbershops float well above street level.
Related posts: Cheers, from Koreatown, A Snapshot from Koreatown, 32nd Street, and 32nd and Fifth, in Midtown.
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
Outside Trump Tower, on Fifth Avenue
Photo by myself around 56th Street and Fifth Avenue, in Midtown.
A photo from the stash, while waiting for the light to change.
There are a number of buildings Trump in New York. I can't keep track of them. They all seem to be tall and with metallic accents.
Related posts: Trumped, on the Upper West Side, Going for the Gold, and Something Old, Something New.
