New-ish Station, at 86th Street

Photo by myself at the 86th Street subway station on the Upper East Side.

At long last, the subway has been expanded along Second Avenue up the Upper East Side. This is kind of old news, but I still have trouble getting over the fact that it was done. The project was talked about for years and years, and I really didn't think it would happen.

The station at 86th Street is quite large, with giant murals here and there. The older stations are cramped and dirty, so this place is a dream. The Second Ave. line allows people to travel from 86th Street all the way to Brooklyn on an express train. If you lived on York or First Avenue, you'd have to walk several long blocks to Lexington, which is no fun in the winter.

This station opened in January, 2017.



A giant Chuck Close self-portrait greets you near the entrance.

Related posts: Subway Conductor, on the Job, Strangers, Below Columbus Circle, and Under the Tracks, in Bensonhurst.

Read more...

Woke up, on the Subway

Photo by myself on the subway, below ground.

I was taking snapshots on the subway Monday morning and the guy sitting near me suddenly woke up. Aaaah!!!

As you can see, it's become much colder out. People are bundled up in their puffy coats, hats, boots, etc.

Related posts: 9:45am on the B Train, Below Brooklyn, Dancer, on the Ride Home, and Sunset, on the Ride to Brooklyn.

Read more...

Cooling Off, on the Morning Commute

Photo by myself on the subway.

It's been really, uncomfortably hot these days.

The humidity makes it feel worse. Tuesday, the temperature was in the mid-80s with humidity about 85%.

You go from the hot outdoors down below to a scorching hot subway platform, then to a cool or sometimes freezing subway car. Then back out again to the scorching subway platform.

How is everyone's summer going?

Related posts: Cooling off, in Midtown, The Spray of Summer, in Park Slope, Brooklyn, and Summering in the City.

Read more...

Stripes, on the Subway

Photo by myself on the Q train, while on the Manhattan Bridge.

Not sure what the occasion was, but a man had three very thin stripes on his face the other day, two white ones at an angle and a yellow one down the middle. He had nodded off on his way into work.

I was trying to figure out what the occasion was but I honestly have not a clue. This photo was taken on May 22, and the holidays that day include Canadian Immigrants Day, National Vanilla Pudding Day and International Day for Biological Diversity. Hm.
--
It's hard to believe the last post here was way back in late March. Time has just been flying by. It's been super busy as usual.

I hope everyone is doing well out there!

Related posts: Thursday Morning, Below Ground, The Getty Villa, in Malibu, California, and Green Man, in Washington Square Park.

Read more...

Smushed, on the Subway

Photo by myself on the subway.

I'm sure we're not alone here, but it's been sooooooo cold..... this past weekend, especially, we had very low temps and brisk winds.

Of course, since we walk everywhere, people totter down the sidewalks wearing big furry hoods, and ear flaps and scarves wrapped around their heads, and clunky boots. Then they get on the subway and take out their reading materials (or tablets or phones or whatnot) from their large bags or backpacks.

Suddenly, there is even less room than usual.

Related posts: 9:25AM on the B Train, The Morning Commute, Below Ground, and Strangers, Below Ground.

Read more...

Portrait of an Artist, on the Ride Home

Photo by myself below ground.

On a recent ride home, I spotted a young woman drawing diligently in a sketchbook. From where I sat, it looked to be an array of very detailed serpents.

It was late, much too late to be so focused after a long day of work. I learned that she is a textile designer and uses the ride home to escape the computer screen. 'Drawing by hand, you learn not to be so precious,' she told me, as the train lurched to one side.

She was so kind to pose for a photo. Alas, I regret not asking her name!

Related posts: Portrait of a Barber, in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, Portrait of a Guy, on Sixth Avenue, and Portrait of a Bike Messenger, in Midtown.

The Portrait Series is a once-in-a-while installment, featuring New Yorkers encountered on the street.

Read more...

The Morning Commute and a Rupert Update

Photo by myself, on the N Train.

Here we are in the midst of Fall, all bundled in light jackets and jeans. People were immersed in their apps and knitting and books, on the way into work.

Apologies for the spotty attendance. It's been very busy!

Meanwhile, here are a couple shots from a playdate Rupert had with a neighboring girl dog named Roxy. There were a lot of sidelong looks and waggling tongues. Rupert has been doing great. He is enjoying his favorite things - playing ball, taking long walks and snacking on chicken treats.


Roxy, in the red halter, gives Rupert a look.


Another look, haha.

Related posts: A Rupert Update, with Friend, On Hipsters and Rupert, Downtown, and Back Home to the Brooklyn Bridge and a Boston Terrier.

Read more...

On the N Train, on the Manhattan Bridge

Photo by myself on the subway.

A little girl looks outside, while the subway crosses the Manhattan Bridge, heading toward Brooklyn.

Related posts: Riding Piggyback, in Midtown, Standing on a Stoop, on the Lower East Side, and Young Man, on the Subway Platform.

Read more...

Wedding Photos, Below Ground

Photo by myself on the Atlantic/Pacific subway platform, in Brooklyn.

An attractive young couple posed for their wedding photos in perhaps the most unromantic place possible, on a New York subway platform. The bride wore a gorgeous gown, its bright white hem brushing the grubby floor tiles. Ick.

I took this photo last night (Wednesday). This was a strange sight to the late rush hour crowd, making their journey home.

This is a very busy station in Brooklyn, where many subway lines cross one another. Many commuters stop here to change trains. The couple's photographer was standing somewhere behind me, to the right.

Related posts: Upside Down on the R Train, On Line Behind Santa, Underground, and Green Man, in Washington Square Park.

Read more...

On the Platform, at 34th Street

Photo by myself on the subway platform at 34th Street, Herald Square.

Subway riders were greeted, Thursday morning, to a scrappy duo playing the accordian and trumpet.

Related posts: String Duet, Below Brooklyn, Jazz Players, on the Subway Platform, and The Morning Serenade.

Read more...

Homeless on the Subway Platform

Photo by myself, on the 34th Street subway platform in Midtown.

We're due for a heavy snowfall overnight. With every extreme change of weather, the homeless seek shelter, often in subway stations.

Above, a man stood with his belongings piled up in a shopping cart. At his feet was a sign that read 'Please keep your money and your food'.

I'm not quite sure how this man gets by. I think he was praying, and that this was not the first time I've seen him. An earlier photo here.

Related posts: On the Sidewalk, on Fifth Avenue, The World Walks By, on Fifth Avenue, and Baby, It's Cold Outside.

Read more...

9:25 am, on the B Train

Photo by myself, on the morning commute.

Ah yes, back to the grind.

I know I've taken a lot of photos like this on the subway - people immersed in their thoughts or devices, or simply catching up on sleep.

There is the burst of sunlight when the subway emerges from the tunnel to cross the Manhattan Bridge. Reflections bounce off every shiny anti-graffiti surface.

Related posts: Business as Usual, on the Q Train, Daylight, on the B Train to Manhattan, and Sunset, on the Ride to Brooklyn.

Read more...

The Morning Commute, on the B Train

Photo by myself on the B train, underground.

The commute on Tuesday morning was business as usual. We've been having chilly weather lately, so everyone is bundled up accordingly.

From this vantage point, it looks like we're a cheerless bunch. You would think that we eat gruel for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Followed by the occasional gruel biscuit for dessert. Ha.

The couple on the far left seem to be husband and wife, (ie; she seems to be speaking to him, and he's not listening!). Many couples commute together, myself and Mark included.

Related posts: Daylight, on the D Train to Brooklyn, The Morning Commute, Underground, and Bundled Up, on the Ride Home.

Read more...

Dancer, On the Ride Home

Photo by myself on the Q Train.

A young man performed on the subway, to the usual crowd commuting home to Brooklyn.

He was part of a whole troupe of young kids, dancing to loud music. Much of his routine highlighted his incredible flexibility.



Related posts: Cartwheel, on the Q Train Home, Mimes, Below Times Square, and Flipping Out, on the B Train.

Read more...

Subway Conductor, on the Job

Photo by myself at the 81st Street subway station on the Upper West Side.

A subway conductor stuck her head out to check whether all was clear before the train moved. This is routine business on every train - they look in one direction, then the other, then back to the first direction.

Just after I took this photo, the conductor looked right at me and gave me a big smile, which was nice.

Related posts: Stealing a Nap, Below Ground, Napping in Midtown, and A Much Needed Nap.

Read more...

Sleeping, Below Times Square

Photo by myself on the Times Square subway platform.

The subway platform was sparsely attended and relaxed, Monday evening. This was taken during rush hour, during a brief lull in the crowds.

We've been having heavenly weather this week, with cool autumnal breezes. Hats and long sleeves have come out of the closet.

Fall is a notoriously short season in New York. Blink....and it is over.

Related posts: Stealing a Nap, Below Ground, Napping in Midtown, and A Much Needed Nap.

Read more...

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.

Read more...

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.

Read more...

Business as Usual, on the Q Train

Photo by myself on the subway.

It was business as usual on the subway the other day as we crossed the East River. There is the usual glimmer of sunshine as we crawled across the Manhattan Bridge.

TGIF everyone!

Related posts: Morning Ride, on the D Train, Commute Home, on the D Train, and Sunset Ride, on the Ride to Brooklyn.

Read more...

The Chrysler Building, on Skin

Photo by myself, on the Atlantic-Pacific Street subway platform, in Brooklyn.

Perhaps one of the coolest tattoos I've seen.

I noticed a young woman with her legs crossed on the commute into work, Thursday. She got out at Atlantic-Pacific to change trains, and for the split second that we were on the platform, I asked whether I could take a photo of her tattoo.

Of course, a moment later, the train arrived. And I completely forgot to ask what I really wanted to know - how long did the tattoo take to create? and...why that building?

Though I might not ask the second question, since I love the Chrysler Building, too.

Happy Friday, everyone!

Related posts: The View Down 42nd Street, in Midtown, 42nd Street, and Working Under Bright Lights, at the Wooster Street Social Club.

Read more...