Cold Days in Midtown

Photo by myself in midtown.

A group of visitors order from a kiosk that sells sandwiches. The kiosks are outposts of 'Witchcraft', the restaurant started by Tom Colicchio, of television's Top Chef fame.

Meanwhile, cafe chairs and big umbrellas on the sidewalks will remain empty til Spring.

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It is cold and windy in the city, these days. Everyone is wearing puffy coats or wool coats, scarves, boots, mittens or gloves, hats, ear muffs and long johns.

Related posts: The Curse of the First Born, Bright Lights, Big City and What's Cooking in Curry Hill.

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Entrance to Fifth Avenue

Photo by myself on Fifth Avenue, around 40th Street.

Between 42nd Street and 23rd Street and Fifth Avenue, it's not as ritzy as you'd think. There are a variety of souvenir shops and eateries. The Empire State Building is located on 35th Street.

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I'm not exactly sure why I like the above photo...perhaps the long shadow on the sidewalk or the people coming into the frame to the right. There's a bit of movement going on, which is always nice.

TGIF everyone!

Related posts: Read All About It, For the People and Sleeping on the Job.

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Eco-Friendly, Cardboard Design

Photo by myself on West Broadway.

There was a sale going on outside this store in Soho. Taking up the ecological theme, Cardboard Design sells objects made from recycled paper.

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They say there's a market for everything, and there's a huge variety of stores on New York.

You can get cheap stuff and expensive stuff, second hand stuff and stuff in the wee hours. You can get sample stuff that was worn only once on the runway.

And of course you can find loads of design stores selling the latest in material or technology. Even new stuff made out of old stuff.


Click here for the Cardboard Design site. They have some nifty kids things. Both the rocket and house are priced around $75.

Related posts: The Markets in Union Square, Christmas Windows to Warm the Heart and Buying in Bulk.

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Six Inches Under, in Central Park

Photo by myself just outside Central Park, on 59th Street.

An earlier photograph taken just after snowfall. Notice the snow is still pristine!

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The weatherpeople say we're in for another snowstorm in the next couple days.

Ah, will it ever be Spring?

Related posts: Fall From Above, Shooting (Film) in the Park and Sundays in the Park.

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New Museum, The Bowery

Photo by myself of the New Museum on Bowery in Soho.

This relatively new museum is also called The New Museum. It houses new art from all over the world. The building opened in late 2007 and was designed by two Japanese architects.

The facade is sheathed with a metal mesh, a relatively inexpensive material. My camera caught the scrolling LED sign in motion.

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And it was always referred to as 'The Bowery', never Bowery Street. The Bowery was a place you avoided, for its flophouses and bars. It signalled the edge of humanity.

I think it will be some time before the history of this street is forgotten. Currently The Bowery is home to some restaurants, many restaurant supply stores, a swanky new hotel, and the above museum.

Bowery still feels wind blown and desolate, not at all friendly. But it's getting there.

Related posts: At the Brooklyn Museum - the Dizzying World of Murakami, East (Side) Versus West (Side) and Now on Center Stage.

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The Guy with a Cat on His Head

Photo by myself, in Union Square.

A man walked around with his cat on his head Sunday afternoon in Union Square. Despite being windy and very cold, the area was crowded as usual. People stepped aside to let the two pass.

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I came home Sunday after doing a little shopping. I told Mark I thought I'd seen it all - cats on leashes, rabbits on leashes, cats on park benches, people wielding pet parrots and pythons.

'Today I saw a guy with a cat on his head.'

'Was he wearing a hat?' I couldn't remember.

'Was there a leash involved?' I hadn't noticed.

On to Google, where we did a search for 'guy with a cat on his head'. We were rewarded with photos of this acrobatic duo in various New York neighborhoods.

Here's a video of the same pair on the Upper West Side, with Broadway behind them. The guy looks a bit hairier but it's obviously the same, stoic cat:



Related posts: Cats on Leashes, The Hills Are Alive In Prospect Park, Brooklyn and Out Getting Some Air.

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Night View, at the Carousel

Photo by myself, in Bryant Park.

You wouldn't think there'd be a carousel in the middle of New York, but there is.

For two dollars a ride, kids have their choice of brightly colored horses to perch on. The carousel runs all year round, even in the dead of winter.

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Related posts: It's a Free Country, After All, On the Sidewalk, Chinatown and A Much-Needed Nap.

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Millinery Center, Midtown

Photo by myself of the Millinery Center Synagogue, in Midtown.

There is something very Old World about this building, and I can't put my finger on it. In black and white, it looks like it must have fifty years ago.

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This synagogue near the garment district in Midtown holds ten Orthodox services a day.

The building draws attention to itself for its spare but elegant details. Outside, there is always a table full of linens for sale at wholesale prices. Yarmulke-wearing gentlemen hover nearby to answer questions.

I have yet to venture over to look at their goods, but now knowing their bargain prices, I plan to!

For a little more about the history of this fascinating building, click here.

Related posts: Meatpacking District in Black and White, Nearly Perfect and Decisions, Decisions.

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Lure Fish Bar, Soho

Photo by myself at Lure, a restaurant on Prince Street in Soho.

This restaurant/bar in Soho is just around the corner from the Prada store.

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I dined at Lure this week, which was a treat. Their mostly seafood fare and drink never disappoints, and the interiors are an architect's dream. There is an attention to detail evident in the nautically inspired hardware and sumptuous surfaces.

What I love about this place is that it's partially underground. Large round 'porthole' windows reveal the legs of New Yorkers walking by.

I'm not a Sex and the City expert, but I can guarantee the girls dined and drank here. It's swanky and sleek, modern yet warm, and almost always abuzz with energy.

Plus, the food is good!

Incidentally, a photo of mine made it to another blog recently, Tasting Table. Check it out, if you need to find a good spot to eat in New York or LA.


A glimpse into the wood paneled bar. A huge opening provides a view of the sushi bar.

Related posts: Calling All Keepers, Taxi! and Cold Noodles and Hot Shows.

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The Day After

Photo by myself on the subway, the day after Inauguration Day.

On the subway, Wednesday morning, you could see coverage of the Inauguration in the Chinese newspapers.

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We were lucky enough in my office to see the inauguration live on TV. It was a treat to witness a bit of history in the middle of a work day.

There was an audible gasp among my coworkers when the camera panned to show how many people braved the cold that day. (Most of us can't venture more than two blocks for lunch in the cold!)

Did anyone else catch the event live?

Related posts: Seasons Greetings from the MTA, Seasons Greetings from the MTA and Seasons Greetings from the MTA.

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Snowing in the City

Photo by myself in Midtown.

A photo from earlier this week, in the snow.

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Related posts: In The Rain, Midtown, Riding High and On Radio City and the Whitney Museum.

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Snowy Seats on the Upper West Side

Photo by myself on the Upper West Side, around Broadway and 76th Street.

Big Nick's is a popular pizza and burger joint. You can sit along Broadway and watch a sea of people go by, while waiting for your pie.

I shot another photo of the place during warmer times, here.

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It snowed nearly the entire day Monday, big white flakes floating down to cover the sidewalks and cars. Puddles and slush formed quickly.

You can park your car on most side streets for most of the week. Drivers usually have to move their cars one day a week for street cleaning.

The streets alternate days, so that you can pick and choose what day to move your car. Some cars will sit out all week, weighted down with huge canopies of snow.

One day this winter I'll have to find a good picture of this - the streets, the snow, the people trudging by, and the cars buried, as if hibernating until Spring.

Related posts: A Call for Help, Reflections Apres Happy Hour and A Dollar and A Dream.

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Now on Sale, in Midtown

Photo by myself in Midtown.

An antique store advertised it was closing its doors. Now is the time to snap up good deals.

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There aren't many visible signs in New York of the flagging economy.

Some storefronts are empty, with businesses shutting down or shifting neighborhoods. Most stores, even the posh ones, are advertising sales.

With the impending inauguration, there is hope for a change. Someday, all this will be a memory.

Related posts: In the Rain, Midtown, Life at the Time & Life Building, Midtown and Bright Lights, Big City.

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Waiting for Dogs in Madison Square Park

Photo by myself on a warmer day, near the Shake Shack at Madison Square Park.

There is almost always a tremendous line in front of this Danny Meyer kiosk. You can get delicious shakes, burgers and Chicago-style hot dogs at reasonable prices.

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Living in a city means competing with many people for certain things. By typical New Yorker standards, however, only some things are worth standing in line for. Some things aren't.

Chicago hotdogs at the Shake Shack are worth standing in line for.

Chicago hotdogs at the Shake Shack when you're starving, aren't.

Just about anything free is worth standing in line for.

Bars with cover charges aren't.

(For those who don't know, a Chicago-style hot dog is a steamed, boiled, or broiled all-beef hot dog on a poppy seed bun, which originated in the city of Chicago, Illinois. The hot dog is topped with mustard, onion, sweet pickle relish, a dill pickle spear, tomato slices or wedges, pickled sport peppers, and a dash of celery salt.

It seems more like a salad in a bun and is utterly delicious.)

Related posts: Dog Days of Summer, Out Getting Some Air and More is More.

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Shipping Out from Red Hook, Brooklyn

Photo by myself from the coast of Red Hook, Brooklyn.

Shipping cranes in the distance remind us that New York once relied heavily on its harbors. I'm sure the cranes are still being used these days but I have never seen them in action.

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Today was extremely cold.

Much too cold to stand outside with any skin uncovered for more than a second. With the temperatures as low as 9 degrees Farenheit, even the most intrepid New Yorkers are being challenged.

Above, a photo from my stash, showing the rosy skies at sunset, from Brooklyn.

Happy weekend, everyone!

Related posts: The View of Liberty, The View of Liberty and The View from Red Hook, Brooklyn.

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New York's Near Miss

Photo by myself in the Village, around 6th Avenue and West Third Street.

A gaggle of teenaged asian girls assembled on a chilly street corner to chit chat and giggle.

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As many of you in the US might know, the big news on Thursday was that a plane had crashed into the Hudson River.

And not just a plane, but one that belonged to a major airline. And on top of that, there were no fatalities.

The trickle of news started in the afternoon, just after the story broke. I received a couple emails from Mark and friends. Then coworkers started talking about it, ending with a group huddle around a computer screen.

A plane in the Hudson?? Wh-what??! A serious plane?! And when it was announced that no one had been lost, we were amazed.

It is pretty incredible to think that a plane made such an emergency landing so close to the city. Maps show the landing site in line with 42nd Street, in the water between Manhattan and New Jersey. To say that the incident could have been a whole lot worse is an understatement.

Apparently a flock of birds had blown both engines, resulting in a skillful emergency landing. All 155 passengers were rescued from the near-freezing water and survived.

For more about the incident, click here.

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Pulling Strings on the Subway Platform

Photo by myself on the subway platform at 59th Street, Columbus Circle.

A man wearing fingerless gloves played the erhu, a traditional Chinese musical instrument, Wednesday.

The erhu is a two-stringed instrument played with a bow, like a cello. Its sound has a singing, yet distinctive nasal quality.

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You encounter all sorts of musical instruments on the subway platforms - bongos, violins, cellos, guitars, erhus. There have been xylophones, plastic bins, saxophones, and harmonicas.

Some people perform along with a background track of music or percussion. Others perform two instruments at once, like the electric keyboard and harmonica.

The other day I walked by a whole family singing a cappella into a microphone. They sang 4-part harmony and did a great job!

Related posts: Halloween Musicians and the NYC Marathon, All That Jazz and Music to the Ears.

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All A-Shiver on the Streets

Photo by myself in Midtown.

It is cold outside and will only become colder. Temperatures are dropping along the week. By Friday it will be 15 degrees Farenheit, with the wind chill making it feel like 15 degrees below zero.

Time to dig out the long johns!

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Related posts: Brrrrrrrrr, Subway Sunsets, On the Ride Home and The Latest Thing.

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The Whole World in His Hands

Photo by myself outside Rockefeller Center, around 5th Avenue and 50th Street.

The architecture of this landmark is considered Art Deco, but its austerity resembles the huge Fascist building in Italy in the late 1920's. Dramatic night lighting makes Rockefeller Center an enduring tourist attraction.

The above statue shows Atlas, a character from Greek mythology, whose task it was to hold up the world.

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Related posts: Sparkly Lights in Rockefeller Center, Making an Entrance, in Midown and Life at the Time Life Building, Midtown.

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A New York Mascot

Photo by myself, before walking the dog.

Here he wears his current outfit, a sweatshirt proudly displaying the New York City subway logo.

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I admit this photo is a cop out.

I am not thrilled with my stash of photos, it was cold and dreary outside, and Rupert was dying to be photographed (just look at that expression of longing!). If anyone could be a spokesperson for New York City, it would be this dog, despite being a Boston Terrier.

Rupert is a true New Yorker. He befriends dogs of every race, gender and persuasion. He works hard and plays hard. He is smart, having mastered several tricks before his 6 month birthday. He is friendly but sometimes aloof, when focused on a squeaky toy.

Rupert wishes you all a good Monday. Go get em!


Related posts: Prospect Park, Brooklyn, Unleashed in Long Island and Boston Terrier in New York.

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What's Scrolling in Midtown

Photo by myself in Midtown, around 32nd Street and Seventh Avenue.

Across the street from Penn Station is an LED sign I hadn't seen before. The news scrolls down a wall and along the pavement, zig-zagging its way down the street. Anything to get some attention.

Some days are windier than others. There are days when it feels as if my body were held upright by the oncoming, cold wind.

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Central Park, in the Rain

Photo by myself in Central Park, New York.

The different, intertwining levels in Central Park, the main public park in Manhattan, give it depth and interest.

Many footpaths that wind around, traversed by bridges. The main loop accommodates cars, runners, cyclists, horses, rollerbladers and pedicabs, and is about 6 1/2 miles long.

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You wouldn't think that the above park is ringed with tall buildings and contains a zoo with polar bears.

In the summer, audiences flock to the park on the west side, near 81st Street, for free performances of Shakespeare's plays. Tickets for Shakespeare in the Park are free of charge, but you still have to get a ticket to be allowed to watch.

Well-known actors have been involved in the Shakespeare performances, which are staged by the Public Theater, including Helen Hunt, Sam Waterson, Liev Schreiber and Julia Stiles. Celebrities have shown up in the audience too, to enjoy the show at the Delacorte Theater, an open-air amphitheater.

Tickets are available the day of the show, and each performance is usually sold out. I've been lucky to see several performances in recent years. I have to say the experience of live theater in the park with other New Yorkers is truly magical.

And, it's free!

For more on Shakespeare in the Park, click here.

Related posts: The Bandshell, Central Park, Prospect Park, Brooklyn and Shooting (Film) in the Park.

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On Taking Candids

Photo by myself on the subway platform at 59th Street, Columbus Circle.

A singer crooned for a captive audience on the downtown platform. These days, musicians perform in subway stations, on platforms and in the trains themselves.

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Readers have asked me whether I've encountered conflict when taking candid shots.

Well no. Not yet.

The benefit of living in New York is that you can always pretend to be a tourist, which is precisely what I plan to do if the occasion arises.

There have been times when, taking a photo of people ten or fifteen feet away, I see a glimmer of recognition. Someone will look at me directly, and they are thinking, 'Oh dear, she is catching me on film'.

About half the time people look apologetic, thinking that I wouldn't want them in my viewfinder. Most of the time, people look down and hurry away. Very seldom do I get an angry look, which I find surprising.

It was remarkable to listen to Max Weber speak a couple years ago, at a New York photoblogger event. For the last few decades, he's shot gorgeous, striking black and white photos of New York.

Weber confessed that as a 6 foot-plus man sticking his camera in peoples' faces, he encounters a lot of aggression on the streets.

Perhaps it's safer to be a 5'-3" woman?

Related posts: Inspiration, Could You Keep it Down? and All That Jazz.

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On Navigating the City

Photo by myself near Central Park, at 59th Street and Seventh Avenue.

Cold rain came down Wednesday, making New Yorkers trudge through puddles or take cover.

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Today I did what I seem to do every few months - I was discombobulated.

I'd emerged from the subway and walked west toward 7th Avenue instead of east toward Union Square. After half a block I figured it out, but it was a half block too long in the cold rain.

Usually, I'm a homing pigeon on the streets. If you've lived here a while, you innately know where you are - you get out of the subway, know which direction you're heading in, and go. There's no need to consult street signs.

What's the trick? Basically you must keep in mind the cardinal points (north, east, south, west), and that Americans drive on the right side of the road.

If you're standing on the subway platform, turn your body so the subway rail is on your right. You will be facing the direction that the subway is headed. This works in all cases except when there is an express train and a local train together, in which case, the local train should be on your right. The express train on your left will be headed in the same direction.

When you emerge from the subway onto the sidewalk, turn your body so the subway entrance is again to your right. If you were on an uptown train, you will be facing uptown, or north. If you were on a downtown train, you will be facing downtown, or south. The same goes with a crosstown train like the 7 or L, it works the same way. You will be facing your intended direction when the subway entrance is on your right.

The only time this rule of thumb doesn't work is when you exit a larger stop with entrances serving more than one direction, like Union Square or Times Square. But it works, and you can use the subway entrances to navigate while walking around.

Uptown entrances are always therefore on the east side of the street. Downtown entrances on the west. Streets radiate east to west with Central Park as ground zero - eastward are Fifth, Park, Madison, Lexington, Third, Second and First. Westward are Sixth, Seventh, Eighth and so on.

As far as addresses go, numbers start out at Fifth Avenue on the east-west streets and increase as you go in either direction. So 34 East 21st Street is close to the middle of the island, while 339 West 21st Street is near the Hudson River. On the avenues, numbers are low near the southern tip and increase as you travel north.

It gets slightly confusing uptown when Ninth Avenue becomes Columbus Avenue, and Tenth becomes Amsterdam. And then Fourth Avenue comes out of nowhere, and Park Avenue suddenly disappears.

But really, these guidelines should serve you above 14th Street. Don't even try to navigate the West Village and you will be fine!

And in case you do get lost, don't hesitate to ask for directions. New Yorkers are more than happy to help!

Related posts: On How the Streets are Numbered in this City, On Shooting (Film) in the Park and Sundays in the Park.

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Sparkly Lights in Rockefeller Center

Photo by myself at Rockefeller Center, around 50th Street and 5th Avenue.

I ventured to one of the most touristy areas the other night to get a glimpse of the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center. There were legions of people milling about taking pictures, ice skating and enjoying the evening.

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It's the season for giving and hope. New Yorkers who wish to make a difference should consider The Fresh Air Fund.

I've always associated the group with summertime, when inner city kids are transported to camp, to connect with nature. Not so. It is always a good time to help children in need.

Families can also host children in their homes, so they can experience the suburbs or the country. There are also events promoting career awareness, like visiting different workplaces and classes regarding job skills.

By merely becoming aware of other possibilities and lifestyles, inner city children can take their first steps toward taking control of their future.

To learn more about this worthy organization, click here.

Related posts: Lighting the Way,Christmas Windows to Warm the Heart and Merry Christmas, All.

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It's a Free Country, After All

Photo by myself near Herald Square, around 34th Street and 6th Avenue.

Some visitors to New York encounter one man's demonstration. A man with a sign stood on a well-trafficked street corner, proclaiming his religious views.

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I've written before that New Yorkers either offer their opinion quite freely or they say nothing at all.

Part of living in a city is encountering people of many persuasions, beliefs and backgrounds. There's no shortage of diversity, and diversity is another word for equality - everyone is entitled to his or her very different point of view.

In this city, you can express whatever you like, however you wish. You can walk down the street wearing next to nothing at all, and no one will stop you.

Hey, people may not even notice.

Related posts: Tibetans of the World, Unite, On A Public Mugging, or a Gimmick Gone Wrong and Peace to All.

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1 Central Park, at Night

Photo by myself of 1 Central Park, at 59th Street and Columbus Avenue.

What used to be the AOL Time Warner building, is now known as 1 Columbus Circle. A multi-story mall is located on the ground floor, with luxury shops and restaurants.

The condominiums at 1 Central Park were being offered several years ago. I read that studio apartments were priced at $3 million dollars.

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Mark and I have been watching Hellboy 1 & 2 on dvd. Set in a romanticized New York, these fantastic movies star Ron Perlman as the title character, a superhero with authority issues. I recommend the movies for their visual grandeur.

There is something about New York which makes it the setting for so many movies, especially fantastic ones with superheroes. Besides Hellboy, King Kong, Spiderman and Superman also use Gotham as their home base.

With its share of iconic buildings, helpless mobs and a feeling of eerie surreality, New York is the sensible backdrop for good versus evil.

Related posts: Dusk Among Towers, Skating Under the Empire State and 42nd Street.

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On Radio City and The Whitney Museum

Photo by myself, outside Radio City Music Hall on 6th Avenue around 50th Street.

The facade of Radio City is an iconic image of New York. The building is home to the legendary Rockettes and other performers. Neon signage wraps around the facade, which is festooned with holiday decoration.

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Sorry for such a cliched image, I could not help myself. I have a weakness for neon and old-timey lettering.

By the way, if you're a photography fan, you can still catch the William Eggleston exhibit at the Whitney Museum before it ends on January 25th.

I don't know tons about Eggleston, except that I'd like to know more. I first came across his images in a couple monographs that Mark owns - big color books filled with suburban expanses that seem so perfectly staged.

I also saw a documentary about Eggleston on the Sundance Channel. He was shown stumbling around, snapping photos continuously through the day, without stopping or reshooting a scene. He was intuitive and a bit weird.

Eggleston's images are not for everyone - the subject matter is banal, the vibe is eerie, the colors are the washed-out hues of the 70s. To me, these images are gorgeous.

Mark and I have yet to catch the show. There's only three weeks left!

For more about the exhibit, click here.

Related posts: The Arts - Live and on Videotape, Radio City and Rupert, Day Two and Neon Storefronts, Midtown.

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Making an Entrance, in Midtown

Photo by myself of a mosaic above an entrance on Sixth Avenue and 50th Street.

The Art Deco building above is one part of Rockefeller Center. Typically you enter the main open space off Fifth Avenue.

Rockefeller Center is the largest single real estate venture undertaken in New York, a whopping 22 acres of real estate. The skating rink in the middle is surrounded by open space, stores and restaurants. The area draws visitors year round.

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I braved the cold and crowds Friday night to fulfill my 2009 resolution to be a more intrepid photographer. Generally I hate crowds, but I wanted to take night photos, and the best way to do that is to find a place with lighting (!).

Hundreds of people milled about this area Friday night, most of them from out of town.

Most were visiting the skating rink and Christmas tree, while others simply enjoyed the streets and holiday decorations. There were many kids and strollers outside as well, despite the weather.

Related posts: Bright Lights, Big City, Neon Storefronts, in Midtown and The Walls Have Ears.

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On Dogs in the City

Photo by myself in Prospect Park, Brooklyn.

On a recent walk in Prospect Park, the trees were looking wintry.

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For those interested in keeping a dog in New York, beware. A recent article in The New Yorker reports on the fear of dognapping on the Upper West Side. Little dogs are said to be snatched from their owners for a ransom, after their leashes are cut.

According to the article, it's not known whether the dognappings are real, but since the rumors began, there has been an increase in sturdy leash sales.

Typically, New Yorkers leave their dogs tied up outside stores or restaurants with a view of the street. Some restaurants and stores allow you to bring Rover in. On the subway, seeing eye dogs are allowed, as well as small dogs in carriers.

Related posts: Keeping Your Dogs in a Row, Shooting (Film) in the Park and Sundays in the Park.

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CPD Theme Day - The Best of 2008

Photo by myself on the Upper West Side, from earlier this year.

It's CDP Theme Day, once again, and this month's theme is the best photo of 2008.

Photobloggers everywhere were encouraged to either post their best photo from 2008 or reinterpret it. I chose to show an earlier candid that I took in July.

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

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Selecting a 'best' photo for the year was very difficult. Mark prefers this black and white shot of a crowd, where everyone is looking in different directions.

I share Mark's preference for candids - stolen moments on the subway, on the streets. There were also scenic photos of the city and its buildings.

If you have a moment, do check out the other participants in this month's Theme Day, by clicking here.

I do want to take this opportunity to thank all the visitors to this blog. All your feedback has been so encouraging. It's been a precious experience to visit your blogs, located all over the world.

I enjoy sharing this city with you all, and sincerely wish you all a happy and healthy 2009!

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