Near the World Trade Center, Downtown

Photo by myself near the World Trade Center, at Washington and Albany Streets.

One of the workers at the World Trade Center took a break, Thursday morning.

Tons of people work in the World Financial Center, a group of towers near the World Trade Center site. As a result, the sidewalks are very crowded, especially during rush hour. The site itself is walled off and under construction.

In the last few days, there have been more reflections on 9/11 in the media. The ten-year anniversary is upon us. This year, the date falls on a Sunday.

In the past, the names of all the victims have been read aloud in a ceremony held at the site. It is a very long list.


The glass towers to the right are part of the new World Trade Center. The beige towers to the left are part of the World Financial Center.

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By the way, the Times has an incredible slideshow of photographs showing the construction, life and end of the original World Trade Towers, online. Click here to see the slideshow.

Related posts: Night View, at the World Trade Center, Remembrance, at the World Trade Center and On Street Corners in the East Village.

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On the IFC Center and Rain, Downtown

Photo by myself on Sixth Avenue around West 4th Street, in the Village.

The IFC Center in the Village specializes in independent and classic films. They play a ton of different movies every day.

There are several movie theaters around the city that also play indie and foreign films. Other movie places show normal big budget films. Usually you purchase tickets early and wait in line for a while before getting in. Fun.

Tickets at the IFC Center are $13 per adult. Prices are less expensive with a yearly membership.

For more information about the IFC Center, click here.

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It's been raining like mad here and is supposed to rain all week.

Sometimes I feel bad for those visiting that they have to deal with rain. However, my secret thought is that New York is at its most photogenic and romantic looking in rainy weather.

The pavements are wet and a little reflective, and you see all the lights reflected in the puddles and on the streets.

The bad thing is, everything and everyone moves slower in this weather. Subways run more slowly and the subway floors can be a bit disgusting.

Related posts: Bright Lights at BAM, For Your Viewing Pleasure and On View at Open House NY.

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Cold Turkey, in Park Slope, Brooklyn

Photo by myself, in Park Slope, Brooklyn.

A sign outside a neighborhood bar bore a quote from one H. (Homer) Simpson. Ha.

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I celebrated a birthday last week, and Mark prodded me with questions.

'What do you want for your birthday? A camera?'

No, no, I am perfectly fine with my cameras, I assured him.

But then. I got. To thinking. (!!!)

My little Canon G11 has a little smudge on the lens that will not go away. My Canon 40D is perfect but very heavy to carry on a daily basis. Plus when focusing, it looks like I'm aiming a bazooka.

I envy my Flickr friends who toggle easily between many cameras. Could I free myself from monogamy?

So I've been looking at the Sony NEX cameras and the Leica D-Lux 5. Oh how to choose! My head is all a-swirl.

Do any readers use one of these cameras? If so, please leave me a note. I'd love to know your experiences. What is the ideal small, inconspicuous camera that takes great photos quickly?

Related posts: Missing, on Broadway, It's the Unofficial End of Summer and Reasons to be Pretty, Times Square.

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A Dash of Charm, in the Village

Photo by myself, somewhere in the Village.

Many of the historic townhouses have such charm.

In the one above, the lintel above one of the windows was obviously crooked. The bricks to either side of the window must have settled at some point.

Apologies for the last post today. Happy Fall, everyone!

Related posts: Cozy Interior on Perry Street, in the West Village, Peeking into Pearl, Downtown and A Peek into Grove Court, in the West Village.

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Outside Bedford Street Laundry, in the Village

Photo by myself at Bedford and Morton Streets, in the Village.

This laundromat looks like it's temporarily closed, with wash waiting to be picked up.

I was surprised (and disappointed) to find out that it's shuttered for good, after some rooting around on the internet. The sign alone has such character.

ps: As you can see in the comments section, the original Owners sold the laundry in 2009 to fund their daughter Jessica's clothing line, which was then named Bedford Street Laundry.

For a look at the Jessica's contemporary designs, click here.

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As a rule of thumb, there is a laundromat, dry cleaners, shoe repair, coffee shop, grocery, bank, post office, drug store and many restaurants within walking distance of any place in Manhattan.

Now of course, it's more like one Duane Reade pharmacy, three Starbucks and several fancy dessert places. But you get the point. You don't need a car in this city!

Related posts: Signs of Old Times, on the Lower East Side, The Quality Mending Company, in Soho and Meat Market, Ninth Avenue.

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Graff Attack, in the Meatpacking District

Photo by myself at 13th Street and Washington, in the Meatpacking District.

The area known as the Meatpacking District is photogenic in its own way.

This neighborhood used to be desolate, lined with large warehouses and the occasional bar. In as late as 2003, there were still slaughterhouses here. Now there is a mix of very high end boutiques and restaurants.

Every neighborhood has a BID, or Business Improvement District. Businesses unite and contribute money to improve the streets by adding signage and street furniture. Events are scheduled. Graffiti is removed.

New York is commerce driven. The more inviting the streets are, the more customers are likely to visit your store and the more sales will result. And so on.

I posted about BIDs earlier, here.

Related posts: The Truth in Advertising, in the East Village, Pasted Up, in the Meatpacking District and Abandoned Lot, East Village.

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The Morning Commute, Underground

Photo by myself at the DeKalb subway station in Brooklyn.

It's Labor Day weekend, which marks the end of summer and beginning of the school year.

The morning commute will not take place on Monday, as most people have the day off. Hooray! Banks and post offices are closed.

As you can imagine, rush hour in New York can be a little too close for comfort. Most New Yorkers wind up standing very close to strangers and no words are exchanged except the occasional 'Sorry' or 'Excuse me' as the train jostles along.

For whatever reason, we also tend to avoid looking at each other. The subway is often much more packed with people than in the photo above.

Happy weekend, everyone!

Related posts: Delays on the B Train, Underground, In Line, on the Phone and A Moment, on the Subway Platform.

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School is In, at Parsons on 13th Street

Photo by myself at 13th Street and Fifth Avenue, in the Village.

The headquarters of the Parsons New School for Design was all a-bustle the other day, as new students were in for the academic year. The canopy serves as a striking front sign.

Parsons is the design branch of The New School. You can obtain a degree in graphic design, fine arts, architecture, interior design or fashion. They also offer continuing education courses for those who already have a degree.

The New School campus differs from a traditional college, in that buildings are not located close together. The New School has buildings in the Village, Chelsea, on the Upper West Side and even in lower Manhattan.



Related posts: School's Out, on the Upper East Side, Sand Artist, in Washington Square Park and Charging Through Wall Street.

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In the Shadow of the Standard Hotel, on the West Side

Photo by myself below the Standard Hotel, at West 13th and Washington Streets.

Way, way, way over on the far west side, tucked under The High Line and the towering Standard Hotel, is a giant piece of public art.

The sculpture was created by the street artist named Kaws. It is only 16 feet tall, however seems much taller. Influences from Mickey Mouse can be seen in the 'gloves'. (The artist started his career as a freelancer at Disney).

People were eating and relaxing nearby in the gorgeous weather. The Standard is a super cool building that straddles The High Line, the elevated public park. Rates at The Standard vary from about $450 to $2,200 per night.



Related posts: Public Art and Other Freebies, Portrait of a Young Man, Without a Home and Portrait of FIve New Yorkers, on the Upper East Side.

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Portrait of a Musician, in Midtown

Photo by myself on Broadway around 36th Street.

I was drawn to the distinctive mellow sound of a trombone, Tuesday night.

Tim Perryman, above, confessed that the life of a street musician is not an easy one. 'The true street musician', he said, 'plays outside everyday, rain or shine'. Tim plays on the subway platforms only at the height of winter.

A New Yorker since 1995, Tim plays on the street by himself and in a big band. You can see him perform Monday nights at The Moldy Fig, a jazz club on the Lower East Side. The Wade Barnes Big Band plays there from 8 to midnight.

Tim told me he started life as a visual artist, then discovered he had a talent for music. He had only started to play for the night, and already had several contributions. The amount one earns from playing on the street varies, day to day.

Tim was friendly and a joy to speak to. His shirt reads: 'Jazz washes away the dust of everyday life. - Art Blakely.'



For the Moldy Fig website, click here.

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

Related posts: Portrait of a Film Shoot, in Brooklyn Heights, Portrait of a Young Man, Without a Home and Portrait of FIve New Yorkers, on the Upper East Side.

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Posing at the Public Courts, on Houston Street

Photo by myself around Chrystie and Houston Streets on the Lower East Side.

A fellow posed for me a while ago during a break from his basketball game. Ha.

There are public courts here and there in the city. They are always busy with basketball games.

Related posts: Having a Ball, in Bryant Park, On the Ice, in Midtown and Playing Ball at the Public Courts.

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Mid-Bite, at Joe's Pizza in the Village

Photo by myself at Sixth Avenue and Bleeker Street.

For unknown reasons, I've been taking a lot of not-so-candids, lately (otherwise known as 'the pissed-off look'). Either street photography has become more commonplace, or I've lost my edge.

Though the fellow on the left caught my eye, the fellow on the right was mid-bite.

This photo was taken about a week ago. We stopped outside as my fiance Mark ate a slice from this pizza place. Mark is quite the pizza connoisseur. Only certain lucky pizza places qualify.

After a week that included a tiny earthquake and a lackluster hurricane, I am looking forward to an absolute lack of drama. Enough already!

For the Joe's Pizza website, click here.

Related posts: Pizza, Pizza, Food, Glorious Food and Greetings from a New York Pie, in Midtown.

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Goodbye Irene, from Park Slope, Brooklyn

Photo by myself on 10th Street and Prospect Park West, in Park Slope, Brooklyn.

Thank you, dear readers, for all your kind thoughts!

Tree limbs were downed during Hurricane Irene, very early this morning. The streets in Park Slope in Brooklyn were covered with leaves and debris.

Sorry for the late publication, but I wanted to show some photos of the neighborhood, post-Irene. I woke up around 4 am to the sound of high winds.

I poked Mark a couple times in case he wanted to listen to the hurricane, but he was blissfully asleep. So was our dog, Rupert. So that was that.

This morning, Brooklynites walked about, assessing the damage. Power outages were reported in Queens, the borough just to our north. Mark's mother also had her power out in Long Island. In all, we were very lucky.


A fellow in Prospect Park (not Mark) posed for a photo. The photographer was out of view to the right.


Brooklynites in Prospect Park were out getting air and surveying the damage. As you can see, tee shirts and khaki cargo shorts are the fashion.


One of the nicer streets in Park Slope, littered with leaves.

Though Irene is technically past us and has been downgraded to a tropical storm, we're still experiencing high winds today. Last summer we had periods of high winds, too, where trash can lids would pick up and fly into buildings like ballistic missiles.

Hopefully life goes back to normal, tomorrow? Usually a heavy rainstorm slows down the commute. I can't imagine what it will be like.

Related posts: The Ghostly Glow of Times Square, Tete-a-Tete, in Times Square and Hailing a Cab, in Times Square.

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On Taking Snaps and More on Irene

Photo by myself in Times Square.

Yet another photo from Times Square, this one from the stash.

Though I hate crowds, I enjoy seeing the people and their expressions when encountering all the signage and displays.

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Thank you for the kind thoughts while we wait for Hurricane Irene to come upon us and pass!

It's been raining heavily at this writing. Most of our Saturday morning was spent mobilizing our apartment building for hurricane prevention. We stowed about 20 garbage cans and all moveable objects so they won't blow around and take out a window. Neighbors came together to make this happen.

We're due for heavy rain tonight. Irene herself is due to touch down tomorrow afternoon morning. Subways were shut down at noon today, in anticipation of flooding and switch problems.

Mark and I were at the grocery store this morning, too. The lines were out the door with people stocking up. It was a minor madhouse.

Our neighborhood in Park Slope was not in the evacuation zone, but areas just alongside us are. The Mayor ordered residents living close to the water like those in Red Hook, Williamsburg and Lower Manhattan to leave.

Mark, Rupert and I probably won't go outside again until after the storm. Believe me, we have plenty of toilet paper and doggie wee wee pads. Of course, I'll be out there taking photos of the damage!

Related posts: The Ghostly Glow of Times Square, Tete-a-Tete, in Times Square and Hailing a Cab, in Times Square.

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On the Opera Collective and Hurricane Irene

Photo by myself at the 34th Street subway station.

A woman performed parts of the Marriage of Figaro earlier this week to a riveted crowd. Her colleague in the background waited his turn to perform.

I'm sure most people have never heard opera performed live before. The Opera Collective is one way that opera is brought to the public.

For more about the Opera Collective, click here.

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At the moment, New York is currently bracing itself for a potential hurricane (!).

Hurricane Irene is sweeping up the East Coast. She's due to land in New York on Sunday. No telling whether Irene will be a Category I hurricane at the point or a tropical storm. Extreme winds and flooding are expected.

We've had hurricane threats before and they haven't amounted to much. Currently people are clearing their yards and parking their cars in the garage.

If I don't post on Sunday, you'll know why.

Related posts: Singing for Supper, in Washington Square Park, On Singing Groups and the Current Vibe and Singing the Blues Below Ground.

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Speed Chess, in Bryant Park

Photo by myself in Bryant Park, in Midtown.

A riveting game of speed chess was played in the park the other day.

These fellows were playing with just five minutes on each of their clocks - as soon as one player's hand left a piece, his opponent would start making a move.

I would have asked more questions but I didn't want to waste any precious seconds of their time.

Related posts: Serious Fun, in Bryant Park, Playing in the Rain, Union Square and On Chess and the New Yorker Festival.

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On the Floor of the Subway and the Recent Quake

Photo by myself on the Q Train.

It's business as usual here, after our little earthquake scare.

I wasn't intending to take photos of these kids performing on the subway ride home. But they were so energetic and flexible, I could not resist.

Handstands and fancy footwork were all over the place. A boombox played hip hop music in the background.

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Fortunately, Tuesday's earthquake was rather minor here. Many people didn't feel it at all.

I was lunching with coworkers in our kitchen. Feeling faintly wobbly, as if I were on a boat, I looked down at the legs of my chair. I didn't remember that this chair was wobbly. How strange. The wobbling continued for a little while.

Soon the office was filled with nervous chatter. An announcement was heard on the PA system. The shaky voice of the building super told us to stay calm.

Text messages, phone calls and emails flew. Mark texted me immediately from Chelsea to say he was all right. Down below, the sidewalk was crowded with evacuees from neighboring buildings.

Earthquakes are the last thing on any New Yorker's mind, since much of New York is built on bedrock. The epicenter of the quake was only about 300 miles outside New York City.

Many readers of the Times posted their experiences of the quake, in New York and elsewhere. There are over 1000 comments and counting. Click here to read them.

Related posts: Funky Chicken, in Park Slope, On Tippy Toe, in Union Square and Flipping Out, on the B Train.

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The End is Near, in Times Square

Photo by myself in Times Square, around 44th Street and Broadway.

Ah yes, another photo from Times Square.

This over-the-top location is a good place for a sign declaring that the end of the world is near.

ps: I took this photo several days ago, well before the earthquake today. More about that tomorrow!

Related posts: Bewildered, in Times Square, Passing the Time, in Times Square and Times Square, NYC.

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Green Man, in Washington Square Park

Photo by myself, in Washington Square Park, in the Village.

Lots of people were enjoying the sun in Washington Square Park, sunning themselves on the grass and just hanging out on benches.

One of our many superheroes was enjoying the sun, too.

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I'm not sure what baffled me more - the green guy in the suit or why I didn't investigate him more when I took this photo. I must be one of those jaded New Yorkers!

It turns out there is a whole movement of Green Men. He or she have been sighted all over the place. I don't know the significance of the green suit. If anyone has a reason, please clue the rest of us in.

The Green Man even has a Facebook page. Click here to see his/her photos.

Related posts: Gold Guy, at 59th Street, Santa Claus is Cruisin' to Town and The Bird Man of Washington Square Park.

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Don't Even Think about it, Downtown

Photo by myself, somewhere downtown.

New Yorkers have their attitude but at least it's tempered with a good dose of humor. Humor helps, when you're living and working alongside so many people with different vantage points.

We've been having some gorgeous days here, interspersed with rain storms. In August, the city is much quieter than usual. Lots of people are away on vacation.

Related posts: Hippy Sign, on Prince Street, In Neon, on the Upper West Side and Free Advice, Union Square.

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Art Ahoy, at the 81st Street Subway Station

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

A photo from the subway station just around the corner from the Museum of Natural History.

Other artwork in this station includes bronze castings of dinosaur fossils, embedded into the wall. The mosaics and fossils are playfully scattered throughout the station.

Hundreds of art pieces are installed in the New York subway stations. Most of the art is engaging and have something to do with the immediate area, which is nice since one subway platform could easily look like any other.

The artwork in the 81st Street station was completed in 2009. For more about it, click here.

Related posts: Street Art, in SoHo, On Art and Music, Below Times Square and Cereal Killers, in Williamsburg.

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Striking a Pose, in Central Park

Photo by myself, in Central Park around 81st Street and Central Park West.

A group of yoga students practiced their sun salutations, Thursday night in Central Park.

In the background is the Belvedere Castle, a folly that was built in 1869 by Fredrick Law Olmstead when the park was designed. The two towers on the right belong to the San Remo, a luxury apartment building at Central Park West and 74th Street.

The land dips down in front of the castle into the Turtle Pond. Since the trees are all leafy, you can hardly tell you're in the middle of a city.

Belvedere castle currently houses programs for bird watching and astronomy. There are steps that wind around the castle to raised viewing platforms.

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This week's Times has an article about touring around downtown New York.

The Travel Section periodically prints articles about spending 36 hours in various cities. This week's article focuses only on the area below 14th Street.

The list includes the new World Trade Center, the National Museum of the American Indian and various spots in TriBeCa.

For the Times article, click here.

Related posts: Sun Salutation, East Village, Sunday Morning, Along the East River and Balancing Act, in Bryant Park.

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Get on with the Show, on Broadway

Photo by myself, around 46th Street and Broadway.

Some visitors were enjoying themselves Wednesday, in the theater district. As usual, there are many new and long-running musicals playing right now, ranging from 'Chicago', 'Stomp' and 'Avenue Q' to 'Rent' and 'Mary Poppins'.

The Theater District is in the West 40's near the long avenue called Broadway, however few of the theaters are located on Broadway itself. Most theaters are located on side streets.

The terms 'on' and 'off' Broadway refer to the amount of seats a theater can seat. Broadway theaters have 500 seats or more. 'Off Broadway' shows play to 100-499 people, while 'off off Broadway' shows have audiences less than 100 seats.

Making it 'on Broadway' means having enough talent and celebrity to play to a large house.

Related posts: Bright Lights at the Beacon Theater, Now Playing at the Booth Theater and On What's Playing Around Town and at Home.

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On the Small World, called Manhattan

Photo by myself on 42nd Street and Sixth Avenue.

A woman was having an animated phone call outside the New York Public Library.

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There are many times when New York feels like a small town.

Tuesday morning, for instance, I saw a guy reading a book on the subway. On the way home, I saw the same guy.

He was reading David Byrne's 'Bicycle Diaries'. Granted, I recognized the book (orange cover, celebrity author) rather than that fellow (non-descript, young Brooklynite dressed in jeans).

There were multiple occasions, running into one old coworker on the R train at the oddest times. There was even the time when I recognized a classmate in one of my photos, in the middle of a crowd.

There are so many instances that I don't remember. And instances that happened that I didn't even notice.

Happens all the time.

Related posts: Across the Platform, at 59th Street, On the New York Dress Code, Outerwear 101 and Looking like a Tourist, in Midtown.

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You Looking at Me? in the Perfume District

Photo by myself on Broadway and 28th Street, near the Flatiron Building.

On a couple blocks along Broadway in the upper 20's, you can find several stores selling wigs made from human hair.

This area is loosely called the 'Perfume District', for the wholesale stores selling perfume, cosmetics and handbags.

This area looks sketchy, with lots of aimless men hanging out on the corners. It's perfectly safe, however, just steps away from Herald Square.

Related posts: Watch Where You're Going, in SoHo, Selling Stuff Streetside, in the East Village and Living in Style, in Williamsburg.

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Larger than Life, on 42nd Street

Photo by myself in Times Square.

Another view of Times Square.

It rained like mad here on Sunday, flash floods. The rain isn't due to stop until Wednesday.

Oy!

Related posts: From the Great White Way, Our Commander-in-Chief, Above Seventh Avenue and On Display at Atlantic/Pacific, Brooklyn.

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The Skyline on the Upper West Side

Photo by myself, from the Hudson River.

Another photo from my recent boat ride.

The Trump towers on the Upper West Side along the West Side Highway form a virtual wall. These are upscale apartment towers.

Unlike the above photo, the majority of the Manhattan waterfront is not built up at all. Mass transportation here is centralized. For a pedestrian to get to the water's edge it takes some walking.

Someone living on East End Avenue on the Upper East Side, for instance, has to walk several long blocks to catch the subway on Lexington Avenue. It is no fun in the winter. The alternative is to take the crosstown bus.

The FDR and West Side Highways run along the east and west sides, respectively. You can see the West Side Highway, above, raised up on columns. The drive along this stretch is dramatic, since you're racing at the base of these towers.

For a closer view of the Trump Towers, click here.

Related posts: The Towers, near Riverside Park, Something Old, Something New and On the West Side Highway.

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Giant Head, in Madison Square Park

Photo by myself in Madison Square Park.

A giant 44-foot high head has been erected in the middle of Madison Square Park. The sculpture is the creation of Jaume Plensa, an artist from Barcelona.

New Yorkers lolled on the grass nearby, enjoying the sun. We've been having rainstorms alternating with beautiful, sunny days with low humidity.

This sculpture is distorted in a strange way. I think the head is shaped as an oval rather than a circle. From each angle, the features changed in subtle ways.

For more about the huge sculpture, click here.

Related posts: 'Zodiac Heads', Outside the Plaza Hotel, Found Art, in Midtown and Homage to Warhol, in Union Square.

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A Glimpse of 42nd Street, Times Square

Photo by myself at 42nd Street and Eighth Avenue, in near Times Square.

Above, just a smattering of signs on 42nd Street.

The street is known for crazy signage, crowds of people and wide sidewalks. Lining the street are movie theaters, fast food joints and the occasional arcade.

Few New Yorkers traverse this block because it's so crowded. Their only destination would be Port Authority Bus Terminal, the enormous low building on the far left.

The sun was setting in this photo, casting dramatic shadows on the sidewalk.

Happy Friday, everyone!

Related posts: Life Goes on, Columbus Circle, Free Food, Washington Square Park and Man and Companion, on the Sidewalk.

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Tough Times, on the Sidewalk

Photo by myself, somewhere downtown.

Times are still tough for many here in the city.

An older couple sold cold drinks on the sidewalk.

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Speaking of money, rates went up recently for regular commuters to and from New York.

For those commuting by train to New York from New Jersey, the monthly train pass went from $54 up to $89 dollars. For drivers, those using pre-paid cards went up by $4 per ride.

If you're a driver using cash, your toll goes up from $8 to a whopping $15, each time you drive to and from the city. Those using cash at the tolls slow down traffic and require humans to be hired to provide change.

Many, many people commute between New Jersey and New York daily.

For more about the toll hikes, click here.

Related posts: Life Goes on, Columbus Circle, Free Food, Washington Square Park and Man and Companion, on the Sidewalk.

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The View Down 42nd Street, in Midtown

Photo by myself, at 42nd Street and 8th Avenue.

The view down 42nd Street is a modern one. There are just a few older buildings left on this street.

You can just make out the shiny spire of the art deco Chrysler Building, way over at Lexington Avenue. In the foreground, cars are parked on the roof of Port Authority Bus Terminal.

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I had some real trouble deciding what to post tonight.

Another photo I had in mind involved a difficult subject, poverty. In the photo, an older couple are sitting outside, looking down on their luck.

Photography can be used to entertain or to educate. It can elevate your awareness of the world or smack you over the head with how difficult life can be. You can only convey one message with each choice.

I'll post the other image tomorrow. In the meantime, enjoy the view!

Related posts: Morning on 42nd Street, High Above Bryant Park and The View Uptown from 42nd Street.

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The Vibe near Jay Street, Brooklyn

Photo by myself at Willoughby and Lawrence Streets, in Downtown Brooklyn.

A photo en route to the Manhattan Bridge, in Brooklyn.

I wish I could say good things about Downtown Brooklyn. It is a dense area with mid-size buildings that is not very charming.

The current vibe here in the city is tentative. Many people were talking about the sudden poor performance of the stock market and what's in store ahead.

Related posts: Enjoying the Sun, in Downtown Brooklyn, Seen in the Hood, in Park Slope, Brooklyn and On Justice, in Downtown Brooklyn.

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Boston Terriers Gone Mad, at the Mad Dog Run

Photo by myself at the Madison Square Park dog Run, at 23rd Street and Fifth Avenue.

A meetup was held this weekend in Madison Square Park. Boston terriers and their owners descended on the dog run that is also known as 'Mad Dog Run'.

At least 20 nutty black and white dogs pranced on the pea gravel. Incredibly enough, our dog Rupert is not in the photo above. He must have been causing trouble elsewhere.

Boston Terriers come in different sizes and body types. Some are more gangly, bug-eyed, athletic or hyper than others. They all share an alertness and love for rowdy play.

The cutest dogs had to have been the puppies. Aboute 50% of their play wrestling revolves around head fakes and giving each other the 'stink eye'.








There's our dog Rupert on the left, emerging victorious. He leaves his buddies in the dust.

Related posts: Dogs in Fur Coats, on Madison Avenue, It's a Dog's Life, at the Mad Dog Run and Doggy Bag, on the Q Train.

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Summer Streets, on Park Avenue South

Photo by myself at Park Avenue and 23rd Street, in the Flatiron District.

Is this a bike race about to start?

No, it's an event called 'Summer Streets' on select Saturdays this month. On August 6th, 13th and 20th, Park Avenue is closed through Manhattan, all the way to the Brooklyn Bridge. This is the fourth year of the event.

The result? Tons of people were running and cycling up and down Manhattan. The equivalent of 7 miles of roads were free of car traffic. We were lucky to have a gloriously sunny day.

Park Avenue is very wide, with traffic divided by a planted median strip. On Summer Street days, you can ride or run from East 72nd Street all the way to the Brooklyn Bridge. Above, cyclists waited patiently for pedestrians to cross.

For more about Summer Streets, click here.

Related posts: On NY Bike Tours and Real Housewives, Pedalling in Style, on Central Park South and Is it Art? on the Lower East Side.

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Sunset at the Boat Basin, the Upper West Side

Photo by myself at the 79th Street Boat Basin, in Riverside Park on the Upper West Side.

Here's a little palate cleanser.

The view from the Boat Basin in Riverside Park is serene in the summertime. Across the Hudson River lies New Jersey.

Related posts: Sunset, Along the West Side Highway, Gone Fishin' and Life on the Water, in Riverside Park.

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On Herald Square and Bodega Cats

Photo by myself around 34th Street and Sixth Avenue, in Herald Square.

The best time for photos is right around sunset. Just about everyone looks their best.

There's not much going on here in New York. We are all enjoying the last hurrahs of summer. The weather has been strangely good recently, not overly hot.

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The Times is currently honoring a very specific New York animal, the cats that live in and work in bodegas. Bodegas are hispanic/Spanish convenience stores you find on many street corners in New York.

It's not uncommon for bodegas to have cats living there, to ward off mice. The cats sometimes come out to the sidewalk but generally stay indoors.

Readers are encouraged to send in photos and descriptions of bodega cats they know. A slideshow will be compiled from the submissions.


The video from the Times' article.

For the article in the Times, click here.

Related posts: Start Spreading the News, Strolling Down Fifth Avenue, Hand in Hand and Lost in a Crowd, in Midtown.

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Sleeping it off, on University Place

Photo by myself on University Place and 13th Street.

We had a lot of rain, Wednesday night.

A homeless or very, very tired person took a break from the rain under a canopy. Behind him is one of the Ralph Lauren Rugby stores in the city.

Related posts: The World Walks by, on Fifth Avenue, Worthy Causes and Society's Trash.

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The View from the Far West Side

Photo by myself from 26th Street and 11th Avenue, in Chelsea.

The far west side in the mid-20's is not as dense as you'd think.

This is the view looking northeast from Mark's office at 26th Street and 11th Avenue, in the far west reaches of Chelsea. The building steps back a bit and there is room for a long balcony. What results is an expansive view.

The Empire State Building is ahead, at 35th Street and 5th Avenue. Behind me on the left is the Hudson River.

Because of the recently constructed public park nearby, the High Line, this area is undergoing some change. This neighborhood was rarely trafficked not long ago.

Now the sidewalks are actually populated. Old warehouses have been converted into offices and gallery spaces. In a bit of time, the entire neighborhood will change.

Related posts: High Above Bryant Park, The View from Roosevelt Island and Sunset, from Brooklyn Bridge Beach.

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The Sign of the Rat, in Midtown

Photo by myself, somewhere in Midtown.

In the US, the inflatable rat is the sign of workers' trade unions. A fellow passing by was reading the sign posted on the rat.

Giant rats are left outside establishments by unions as a symbol to the public. I'm not sure what was being protested in this case. The red items in the foreground are a motor to keep the rat inflated and a gas tank.

In the recent past, most new buildings in New York were constructed by union workers. A recent article in the Times says that more non-union contractors are underbidding the unions in terms of cost.

For the article in the Times, click here.

Related posts: Inflatable Sheep, in Midtown, Funky Chicken, in Park Slope and What's Hoppin', in Park Slope, Brooklyn.

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The Sound of Drums, in Prospect Park, Brooklyn

Photo by myself in Prospect Park, Brooklyn.

On any given Sunday afternoon, the rhythmic sound of drums can be heard throughout Prospect Park, playing in unison for lengths of time.

My fiance Mark and I made our way toward the sound. There they were, about ten guys with drums between their knees. A couple guys with mallets stood behind taller drums.

There is in fact a designated spot for drummers in Prospect Park, in a spot called Drummer's Grove. Drummers assemble there every Sunday.

There must have been construction going on at Drummer's Grove this weekend. The above photo was taken in another corner of the park, at 9th Street and Prospect Park West.



For information about Drummer's Grove in Prospect Park, click here.

Related posts: On Drums and the Brooklyn Bunny, On Swinging Jazz and Sniffing Dogs and Strike up the Band, in Washington Square Park.

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