Photo by myself at home, in Park Slope, Brooklyn.
I hope everyone is enjoying a fantastic holiday!
We've been busy with a new addition to our home, a little dog named Maisie. Above, she and Rupert have stopped playing for a split second and look extremely serious. Don't be fooled.
Maisie is about 3 years old and seems to be a mix of a very short long dog (maybe Dachsund?) and a larger dog (maybe a cattle dog?). She is super sweet and affectionate, and has turned out to be the perfect companion for our Rupert.
We honestly didn't think Rupert needed a friend. He's never very interested in other dogs on the street. But we've been thinking about adopting a rescued dog and one thing quickly led to another. All we can say now is that we are SO glad to have taken the plunge! We are a much more active household now. And Rupert is 1000% a happier dog as a result!
Rupert and Maisie are occupied with the art of tug of war and wrestling, 99% of the time. Above, a rope toy survives about 30 minutes before being destroyed.
Maisie takes refuge below a bench. She enjoys hoarding toys and biting rear legs.
By the way, if you care for a single dog, please consider adopting a second! There are so many wonderful deserving dogs out there in need of a family.
Related posts: A Rupert Update, with Friend, On Hipsters and Rupert, Downtown, and Dogs in Costume, at Tompkins Square Park.
Wednesday, December 30, 2015
The Latest Addition, at Home
Monday, August 20, 2012
Water on the Go, in Herald Square
Photo by myself in Washington Square Park, in the Village.
Public water fountains with multiple spigots are on the street, advertising 'NYC Water-on-the-Go'. The fountains are fed with New York City tap water.
The City-run program is educates people about our tap water, which is incredibly clean. Usage of plastic bottles is reduced as a result.
For more about the City's water-on-the-go program, click here.
I'm not used to traveling so often. I found myself nostalgic about New York before I even left. We've been having gorgeous weather here, this past week.
It's a long flight to Tokyo, and we are flying direct. We'll get there Tuesday afternoon, New York time. Photos and posts will continue here, as usual.
Related posts: On City Water and Recent Talks at City Winery, Tough Times, on the Sidewalk, and Drinkers Wanted, in Brooklyn. Read more...
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Occupy Wall Street, in Union Square
Photo by myself, in Union Square.
Friday, the Occupy Wall Street protest continued peacefully in Union Square.
Above, a fellow in color dress carried a sign that read 'Money is the route of all bullsh-t'. Behind me, a few policemen stood quietly on watch for any funny business.
I was near Union Square doing errands on Friday, getting some last-minute things for my vacation.
People had left the office early, and we had flooded the sidewalks to enjoy the beautiful Spring day. There was a general hubbub of excitement for the long weekend ahead.
And I had one of those moments, where I was missing New York before I'd even left. This happens often, where I simply fall in love with the city. Sometimes I get that feeling and I'm not even leaving!
Related posts: Occupy Town Square, in Tompkins Square Park, Occuying Wall Street, One Day at a Time, and En Route to a Peaceful Protest, Downtown. Read more...
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
The Sunset View from Malibu
Photo by myself from the beach in Malibu, California.
Ah, another photo from our weekend in Los Angeles.
Stands for life guards look out onto the Pacific Ocean. The public beach is very wide along the Malibu Coast. It is rarely ever crowded, even on the most beautiful of weekends.
Temperatures were in the upper 60's and lower 70's, this weekend. Mark and I spent some much-needed time communing with nature. Simply walking barefoot in the sand and marveling at tiny sea life made us deliriously happy.
Of course, the joyride came to a crashing halt, Monday night when we came home. We waited 30-people deep in line for taxis outside JFK airport in the cold. Brrr!
Related posts: Not So Wild Horses, The Getty Villa, in Malibu, California and Tell Me About the Rabbits.
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Greetings from Santa Monica
Photo by myself over the Pacific Coast Highway, in Santa Monica.
Hello from the other side of the US! My fiance Mark and I are in Santa Monica, California for the weekend.
This view was taken over the Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) which runs along the coast. The Santa Monica Bluffs are to the right. Footbridges and steep stairs along the bluffs allow pedestrians to get from beach level to street level, above.
It is gloriously sunny and mild here, as it always seems to be. It was evident when we got off the plane that we were New Yorkers - everyone around us was wearing light colored, fun clothing, while we were plodding around in black and navy.
This winter has been a particularly tough one everywhere, New York included. The sunshine and beach are perfect antidotes to the winter blues.
Happy weekend, everyone!
Related posts: More Notes from the Left Coast, California Dreamin' and From the Left Coast.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Snowed Under, In Brooklyn
Photo by myself in Park Slope, Brooklyn.
Somewhere under all that snow is someone's car. Strong winds made the snow drifts very high.
Park Slope has some nice side streets lined with older brownstones, like the ones above. Along the avenues, there are restaurants and little stores. Parking spaces are generally very difficult to find.
Mark, Rupert and I spent most of the day Monday holed up indoors, cooking. Rupert went out for a bit in the afternoon, only to tear down the sidewalk, turn around and tear back inside. Too cold for a little dog!
Seventh Avenue is a popular hang out in Park Slope. As in Manhattan, most people live on the side streets, leaving the avenues for dining, shopping and services.
Related posts: On Soldiers, Sailors and Going Nuts, Snowing in the City and Six Inches Under, in Central Park.
Monday, September 20, 2010
Along the Charles, in Bostontown
Photo by myself, along the Charles River in Boston.
Nope, not a photo from New York today, but one from our sister city, Boston.
Above, a view of the Charles River with Harvard University, beyond. It was a beautiful weekend in Cambridge. The schools are in full swing, with the crew teams practicing already.
New York has long and playful rivalry with Boston, involving our baseball teams, our driving habits, our native accents, you name it. The two cities are about 4 hours apart by car, depending on traffic.
Mark, Rupert and I visited this past weekend. My grandfather is a whopping 99 years old and lives in Brookline. (Yes, Brookline, Massachusetts, not Brooklyn, New York). He is in great spirits and insists that he is 97. It is too much to correct him!
Related posts: A Message from Beantown, Red Skiff, in the East River and Life on the Water, in Riverside Park.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
An Update on Our Family
Photo by myself of Dida, our dear calico.
Mark, Rupert and I are terribly sad to announce that we lost our cat Dida yesterday. Dida succumbed very quickly, after a long and valiant fight with kidney disease.
She had some other ailments too, but faced all these with the bravery and typical stiff upper lip cats have. Dida loved sunny windowsills and lots of attention. She was rescued from the streets of New York around Hell's Kitchen, after giving birth to a beautiful litter of kittens. She was a very sweet and affectionate cat, despite her shyness.
Our household is a bit shaken up right now, specifically the humans. Rupert has yet to figure out that he is the lone four-legged beast among us.
Do give your animal family members an extra hug. Take more photos of them than you think proper. Spoil them a lot.
Dida and Rupert shared a fondness for napping.
Related posts: Our Extended Family, Clever Cat (Not) and Tempting Fate.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Before the Game, in Alphabet City
Photo by myself, in Alphabet City.
Yes, you can get a can of PBR (Pabst Blue Ribbon, an inexpensive beer) and a shot of alcohol for five bucks. Lol.
Most bars have crowds of onlookers outside, watching the World Cup games. This one was less inviting, with its curtains drawn.
It has been very, very hot and humid here recently , which is typical for New York summers. Between 11 am and 6 pm, it's best not to move around. Outside, there is the constant hum of air conditioning.
My fiance, Mark, dislikes this weather and has been threatening to move to California. I spoke with my parents in LA for Fathers Day. They are happy to report that the weather there is as perfect as always (70s, no humidity).
Related posts: Drinkers Wanted, in Brooklyn, The Brooklyn Ice House, Red Hook and Last Call Park Slope, and 10 Things to do in New York.
Read more...
Saturday, May 8, 2010
On Collecting Cans and a Rupert Update
Photo by myself in Chelsea, around 26th Street and Sixth Avenue.
You can make money from collecting aluminum cans on recycling day. At 5 cents each, I imagine this fellow did all right. A shopping cart with cans is not an uncommon sight.
Most New Yorkers do not return their cans to collect their nickels. Most supermarkets do not accept cans for return, and it's just too much to carry even more stuff when you're walking around without a car.
I realize I haven't posted a photo of Rupert in ages. The last one was from the winter, when there was snow on the ground.
After a good time playing, Rupert takes a break. (Pardon his muzzle, he needs a shave!)
Here he is after a good morning of playing. It was a humid last weekend, and he was pooped. His favorite outside toy is a big orange ball with feet.
My fiance Mark has been away for work for two weeks, now. Rupert has adjusted well, though sometimes he'll see someone with a similar silhouette and stop in his tracks. I've been running home everyday after work to feed Rupert dinner; caring for him has been more consuming.
Animals adjust so brilliantly to their situations. I am certain there will be much jumping and going nuts when Mark finally returns in a few days (and I mean both the dog and me!).
Related posts: Searching for a Bargain, at the Strand, Movie in the Making, in Alphabet City and Life Goes On.
Read more...
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Big Red Monster, in Herald Square
Photo by myself in Herald Square, around 34th Street and Seventh Avenue.
Elmo, Mickey and Minnie Mouse, and Sponge Bob Square Pants were just some of the characters populating this busy area near Macy's, last week.
I'm not sure what the occasion was for the people in costume? Maybe they were just enjoying the nice weather, like everyone else.
Mark is in LA for a few weeks for work, so I'm playing single mom right now to our cat and dog.
I've let myself go a little already. Breakfast this weekend has been Oreo cookies. Gone is the half bag of Doritos I swore I'd never lay hands on. Now I am eyeballing the can of Spaghetti-O's we've stashed in case of alien invasion. Horrible!
The nice thing is that we can video chat. Rupert starts howling when he hears Mark's voice, then cocks his head to each side, trying to figure out what the face on the computer screen is.
Anyway, kudos to those single parents out there. It's not easy!
Related posts: Big Green Monster, in Midtown, Step Lively and Santas on Parade, in Washington Square Park. Read more...
Sunday, April 4, 2010
All Abloom, in Battery Park City
Photo by myself at the Oval Lawn, in Battery Park City.
A small grove of cherry trees bloomed in the heart of Battery Park City at the southern tip of Manhattan, surrounded by tall apartment buildings.
Families, runners, saunterers and sun worshipers were out in full force, Saturday, enjoying the good weather. The park in Battery Park City winds along the waterfront. You can walk along the water or tuck into shaded garden areas.
The park is relatively new and is very well maintained. From here, you have clear views of the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty and the New Jersey shoreline.
Saturday afternoon, Mark, Rupert and I toured around the 36-acre park. One loop around is a long walk. There is also a marina for small boats, a ferry terminal and a dog run. Rupert had a grand time sniffing about and met some Manhattan buddies.
For a map of the park in Battery Park City, click here. (The blue in the map designates buildings, not water).
For detailed information about all aspects of Battery Park City, click here.
Related posts: Happy Summer, The Community Garden - An Urban Oasis and A Touch of Nature, in Prospect Park.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
The Elevated Tracks in Park Slope, Brooklyn
Photo by myself on the 4th Avenue subway platform in Park Slope, Brooklyn.
There are a few outdoor subway platforms in Brooklyn and Queens. It's a thrilling experience when the subway emerges from the tunnel, and you can see Manhattan in the distance.
The bad thing, of course, is that the platforms are exposed in the winter months. I couldn't resist taking this photo, as the light was turning golden.
Just a note from Boston folks, where it's also very cold. I'm here visiting my grandfather, who is a whopping 99 years old.
He is animated as ever and insists that he's 97! It was refreshing to sit with him and hear him say how fortunate he feels about his life. I've promised myself to visit him more often.
Anyway, I will be back in New York tomorrow. Happy weekend, everyone!
Related posts: Under the Overpass, in Harlem, The Subway Platform, 59th Street and Moving on Up.
Read more...
Thursday, December 24, 2009
On Soldiers, Sailors and Going Nuts
Photo by myself in Riverside Park, around 88th Street and Riverside Drive.
The Soldiers and Sailors Monument is located in Riverside Park, overlooking the Hudson River. Several cannons are stationed nearby, aimed toward New Jersey.
People were sledding down the snow-covered steps, just enjoying the outdoors. The sun was setting as usual, casing an orange glow on everything.
Mark and I, like many New Yorkers, are suffering from apartment living.
Our upstairs neighbors look like normal people with a 2-year old. However, once they get inside they become Neanderthals, clomping around and dropping things because they lack opposable thumbs.
They slam things, clomp around, then slam more things. Then the little boy goes berserk and runs around for half an hour, wearing what must be combat boots. Yowza.
We've tried communicating about it but that didn't get far. Recently, we were woken up at 6 am by what sounded like Riverdance. Mark got the broom and started banging on the ceiling. Nice.
You can't choose your neighbors, especially here, where they are on top of you and below you and to every side. Of course, it could always be worse. The kid could join a rock band.
Related posts: Something Old, Something New, The Towers Near Riverside Park and Along the West Bank. Read more...
Monday, September 7, 2009
Faces in a Crowd
Photo by myself in Midtown, around 34th Street and Broadway.
In a split second, the crowd of people parted and a bus glided by. On the right, a man's face is actually part of a popular ad for English classes.
It's Labor Day weekend, and it feels as if there are only a handful of New Yorkers left in town. Mark and I found parking space easily on our street, and our restaurant was half empty during dinner.
The nice thing about a long weekend is the short work week afterwards. Woohoo!
Former New Yorker Ming from Bangor Daily Photo requested more photos of Rupert.
Most of the time, his ears are down and relaxed. Here's an iphone photo of our pup with ears standing straight up, waiting for Mark to return. Rupert is on High Alert anytime one of us departs, even for a moment.
Related posts: Sharing the Sidewalk, 42nd Street, Crowded Sidewalk, Midtown and On Times Square and Our Rupert.
Read more...
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Way Up on the Upper East Side
Photo by myself from Fifth Avenue, around 90th Street.
I've posted several photos from the Upper West Side looking out to Central Park. Now for a view from the Upper East Side.
The view across Central Park is stunning, especially on a sunny day. I was visiting a job site and took this photo through the window. Ahead lies the Reservoir, a small body of water surrounded by a popular running path. A complete loop around the Reservoir is a little over a mile.
New York news has been scant, which is not a bad thing. So here's the latest on our little family.
Mark is away for a week in South America for a project, so it's just me and the animals (cat, dog and fish). The cat is now getting saline treatments for her kidneys. The dog had a booboo on his paw and requires medication. The fish...well, the fish are okay for the moment.
On top of it, I was exposed to chicken pox the other day at my doctor's office. My physician came down with it a day after my appointment, and I've never had the chicken pox. So I'm crossing fingers that all of us, four-legged, two-legged and no-legged creatures, will be intact on Mark's return.
In the meantime, there's more work to be done and more photos to take!
Related posts: The View from On High, Fall From Above and The Sky is Falling.
Read more...
Sunday, March 22, 2009
A Walk in the Park
Photo by myself in Prospect Park, Brooklyn.
On a recent cool day, Mark, Rupert and I took a stroll through the park in Brooklyn, near where we live. (The cat didn't join us, preferring the sofa cushion).
On weekends, the parks are typically filled with joggers, cyclists, couples and families.
The news on us is generally good.
One of my projects at the office is wrapping up and is turning out well - a three-bedroom renovation on the Upper West Side. The owners are moving in at the end of April, on schedule. (In my line of work, being on schedule and within budget is a miracle). I'm now helping out on a huge project on Fifth Avenue.
By the way, if you're looking to renovate, now is the time. Contractors are bidding fiercely on projects, significantly lowering their average per square foot costs.
Below, the most recent edition of the Rupert movies, that Mark whipped up. Enjoy!
Related posts: A New York Mascot, Doggone It, Rupert is Six Months Old and Prospect Park, Brooklyn.
Read more...
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Uggs in Times Square
Photo by myself near Times Square, around 6th Avenue and 41st Street.
On the street corner I encountered either the spokesmodels for Uggs, or an up-and-coming girl band.
It was in the mid-40s on Monday and brightly sunny. The sidewalks were swarming with visitors and people taking off of work.
The countdown has begun to the new year.
I'm not sure what Mark and I will do. We've been invited to a couple events, but there is a very, very high chance we will stay in.
For the last few years we have wound up in front of the television. Correction, I have wound up in front of the television at the stroke of midnight, while Mark has been sound asleep under the covers.
This year he will be under the covers with a certain mischievous dog. The cat and I will tough it out til the end!
Related posts: Times Square, NYC, Life in the Balance and CDP Theme Day - Circles and Spheres.
Read more...
Monday, December 29, 2008
Prospect Park, Brooklyn
Photo by myself from the edge of Prospect Park, Brooklyn. The surrounding neighborhood, Park Slope, consists of single and multiple-family row houses and apartment buildings.
Prospect Park is a 500+ acre park in Brooklyn. It was designed by Fredrick Law Olmstead and Calvert Vaux, who also designed Central Park in Manhattan. The rolling hills and pathways host soccer games, runners, picnics and dogs.
By the way, if you are thinking of getting a puppy anytime soon, be prepared. It is a full time job.
Our puppy, Rupert, is five months old. We took him to a dog run and Prospect Park several times this weekend for exercise. After each outing he napped, then woke up to wreak more havoc.
Rupert's favorite thing is to steal things like socks, shoes, slips of paper, pillows, basically anything that isn't nailed down and isn't too heavy. Then he tears through the apartment with two adults after him, his ears flattened against his head. His eyeballs circle around to see where we are and whether we are sufficiently annoyed.
Incidentally, dogs go through a teething period, just like people. They start out with cute baby teeth. As their jaws grow bigger, the scary looking adult teeth come in.
I noticed that Rupert's grip wasn't so tight during tug-o-war, and little blood stains were being left behind (!). Knowing that people use carrots when human babies are teething, I gave him a carrot while cooking stew this weekend.
Soon one carrot led to another and now there are multiple carrots and carrot bits around the house. Rupert likes to gnaw on them with his molars, propping the carrot up between this front paws. The combination of rubbery texture and sweet taste makes for the perfect teething instrument.
Related posts: The Hills are Alive in Prospect Park, The Bandshell, Central Park and Shooting (Film) in the Park.
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Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Grace Church, in Color
Photo by myself outside Grace Church, on Broadway and 11th Street.
You wouldn't think this is a photo from Manhattan, but it is. This little neo-Gothic church just below Union Square is gated off from the busy street.
As for most New Yorkers, work is instantly nuts for me - a client meeting is scheduled for Wednesday. My first day back was a twelve-hour day. Tomorrow promises to be the same.
Unfortunately, I took a cab home with a madman driving. It was one of those cabs where the back seat was set low, so only the tippy top of one's head peeks out the window. My eyes could not find a horizon to focus on. By the time we reached the Brooklyn Bridge, my head was swimming.
I got home to Mark and Rupert (our dog) and Dida (our cat) conked out on the sofa, one on top of the other in a heap.
It was a welcome end to the evening. There is nothing like coming home your dear ones blissfully asleep, unaware of dodgy cab rides, deadlines and the trivial world outside.
Related posts: Grace Church in Black and White, No Place is Perfect and On Eating Chicken Sandwiches in Montreal.
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