Photo by myself on Berry Street, in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
An explosion of graffiti in Williamsburg.
One of the paste-ups reads 'I can't afford to *heart* NY', a riff on the popular 'I *heart* NY' slogan.
It has been very chilly here, with strong winds. Yesterday we had a bit of snow mixed with rain. Brrrr!
Related posts: Lost in a Crowd, in Midtown, Ready to Rumble, in Alphabet City, and Abandoned Lot, East Village.
Friday, December 28, 2012
A Splash of Graffiti, in Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Thursday, December 27, 2012
A Glimpse of Houston Street
Photo by myself at Houston and Allen Streets.
Just a peek down Houston Street, a great divide in the city.
South of Houston is SoHo, the land of clothing boutiques and large furniture stores. North of Houston is NoHo and the sprawling NYU campus.
Houston Street is very wide, with traffic divided by a median strip. Along its length are older brick brownstones and many tall modern buildings.
This photo was taken from the passenger seat of our car (!). We'd had the car washed not long before, so you wouldn't even know there was a windshield there.
Related posts: Lost in a Crowd, in Midtown, Strolling Down Sixth Avenue, in the Sun, and Business as Usual, in Midtown.
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
Street Crossing, on Fifth Avenue
Photo by myself, around Fifth Avenue and 50th Street, in Midtown.
We had a chilly day in the city, Christmas Day.
If there is ever a 'good' day to be in New York in terms of traffic, I would suggest Christmas Day. Not many people are driving about, and parking rules are suspended. So you can park just about anywhere.
I used my new Canon 75-300mm lens to take the above photo. It is taking some getting used to, since you can only take photos of things more than 5 feet away. Unfortunately if you see something very interesting nearby, you can't take a photo of it (!).
Related posts: Lost in a Crowd, in Midtown, Strolling Down Sixth Avenue, in the Sun, and Business as Usual, in Midtown.
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
Merry Xmas, from Park Slope, Brooklyn
Photo by myself in Park Slope, Brooklyn.
Colored lights decorated a front lawn in Park Slope, Brooklyn. Santa seems to have left his boots.
Some of the front lawns in Brooklyn are very tiny or non-existant, with concrete slabs and little patches of grass. Occasionally, there is a tree.
Many brownstones don't have driveways or garages, so there isn't a place to keep garbage cans (!). A paved front yard means less upkeep and a place to keep trash cans off the sidewalk during the week.
We drove into the city briefly to try out my xmas present, a new camera lens! Hip hip, hooray! It is a fantastic zoom lens that I have to get used to.
I wish everyone a safe and lovely holiday.
Related posts: Random Graffiti, on Second Avenue, Graff Attack, in the Meatpacking District, and The Urban Art Form, Downtown. Read more...
Monday, December 24, 2012
Graffiti, Williamsburg
Photo by myself on North 6th Street, in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
A bit of mysterious graffiti, on this popular street in Williamsburg.
Mark, Rupert and I took a walk around the neighborhood, Sunday afternoon. It was a 'gridlock alert day', which meant warnings of high traffic in Manhattan. Drivers were encouraged not to venture into the city.
It was chilly out and overcast, with brisk winds.
Happy holidays everyone!!
Related posts: Written on the Walls, in Nolita and East Harlem, Graff Attack, in the Meatpacking District, and The Urban Art Form, Downtown. Read more...
Sunday, December 23, 2012
On the Crowds in Herald Square and Walking in the City
Photo by myself at 35th Street and Sixth Avenue, Herald Square.
The hoards of crowds swarming in the streets during the holidays can be a little overwhelming.
Especially when you're trying to head in the opposite direction.
If you've ever read about the 'pulse' of a city, this is it - where your body is so minutely timed with the chaos that you can zip through intersections without so much as a hiccup.
I'm sure one day I will smash into someone. With my luck, that someone will be carrying a huge white cake, dozens of prickly roses or an armload of marbles.
Last week, the receptionist at our office was standing at a crosswalk in this area and a man punched her in the stomach (!). She was just standing there, waiting for the light to change, and someone just walked up and punched her for no good reason.
Fortunately, she was all right. She called the police, gave her description of the elderly man who had done this, and was told that she was not alone. There have been multiple reports recently of older people acting out on strangers for whatever reason (!).
So yes, DO expect crowds in this area if you ever find yourself here. And DO give older people their space.
Related posts: Fighting the Crowds, in Midtown, Crowd Crossing, at 34th Street, and Tuned Out, in Herald Square. Read more...
Saturday, December 22, 2012
Bright Stalls at the Union Square Holiday Market
Photo by myself in Union Square.
The holiday market in Union Square was in full swing, Friday night.
Brightly lit stalls are selling jewelry, lamps, hats, scarves, art and everything else you could think of. People were browsing around and enjoying the festive atmosphere.
It was a chilly night, but loads of people were out, enjoying the end of the work week. The market has been a recurring fixture for the last 18 years! They will be open every night til 8pm through Dec. 24th.
For a little bit more about the market, see their website here.
One of many stalls selling ethnic art.
These days, people are under the impression that architects just press a button and things are done. Not so! And in the world of real estate every day means a lot of money. So the anxiety level is very high.
I am incredibly excited to soon be working on an apartment on Fifth Avenue, near the Met (Metropolitan Museum of Art, at 86th Street). We just finished up an apartment at 83rd and Madison, nearby. Stay tuned for more photos from that neighborhood (!).
Related posts: This Season at the Union Square Holiday Market, It's Christmas All Year, at the Grand Central Market, and Holiday Cheer, Already in Bryant Park. Read more...
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
In the Lobby of the Sherry-Netherland, on Fifth Avenue
Photo by myself at Fifth Avenue and 59th Street.
The lobby of the Sherry-Netherland Hotel, at Fifth Avenue and 59th Street, is all decked out for the holidays.
The front desk is to the left, out of view. Several doormen stood by, at the ready to help people with luggage.
This hotel is very fancy, with rooms starting at $500 per night, upward to over $1k per night. They also have several apartments for sale, some with kitchens, some without (!).
One apartment for sale takes up a whole floor of the building. Its monthly maintenance is over $30k per month. Hello??!! That is a thousand dollars per day! Some of the smaller apartments resemble hotel rooms, and all are beautifully decorated.
For the Sherry-Netherland website, which includes apartments for sale, click here.
Related posts: Waiting at the Grammercy Park Hotel, All Lit Up, Outside the Gershwin Hotel, and The Royalton, Renovated.
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Outside Mascot Studio, in the East Village
Photo by myself on Ninth Street and Second Avenue.
Mascot Studio in the East Village frames fine art and sells decorative objects. I was drawn to the subtle colors of their storefront.
Related posts: Outside Zucco, on the Lower East Side, Outside Three Lives, in the Village, and Peeking In, on St. Mark's Place. Read more...
Monday, December 17, 2012
Open Everything that's Closed, on Bowery Street
Photo by myself on Bowery Street, in the East Village.
A cryptic illuminated sign to the left reads 'Open Everything That's Closed'. Barely visible above it is another sign in red that reads 'Close Everything That's Open'. Hm.
As on any typical Sunday, all the stores on Bowery were shuttered closed. The street is known for its numerous stores for restaurant equipment and supplies. It's one of the few obviously un-gentrified streets left in Manhattan.
In the olden days, you'd hear people refer to this area as 'The Bowery', mainly derived from the Bowery Mission. It was a sketchy street littered with bums. Now, not so much, thank goodness.
We had a dreary rainy day, Sunday. I took this photo from the passenger seat.
Related posts: Outside Memphis, on Broadway, Atop the Canopy at Radio City Music Hall, and Get Your Tattoos, Downtown.
Friday, December 14, 2012
All Lit Up, on Fifth Avenue
Photo by myself, somewhere on Fifth Avenue.
On a chilly winter night, a brightly lit hot dog stand is a welcome sight.
Happy Friday, everyone!
Related posts: Streetside, in Midtown, On Street Carts and Bill Cunningham, New york, and Street Meats, on Seventh Avenue.
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Morning Ride on the D Train
Photo by myself on the D train.
Oh, the morning commute is tough one at times.
Brooklynites caught some shut eye on the train ride into Manhattan, Wednesday morning. As usual, the default color for coats is black.
Tis the season for holiday parties and the mornings after.
Related posts: Lost in Thought, Outside Lord and Taylor in Midtown, Holiday Displays, on Fifth Avenue, and Christmas Windows to Warm the Heart.
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
The Holiday Windows at Bergdorf Goodman
Photo by myself outside Bergdorf Goodman, at 58th Street and Fifth Avenue.
The windows at Bergdorf Goodman have to be the most sumptious of all store windows during the holidays. Above, a woman is surrounded by white peacocks, their feathers and a pair of ornate chandeliers.
I'm sure the larger windows costs tens of thousands of dollars each for their designs. I try to see these displays every year, which are always elaborate and fanciful. They're less dependent on gizmos and are more like intricate set designs.
It was a little chilly the other night, but that didn't stop onlookers from oohing and aahing in front of each window, which were rimmed with large decorated frames.
In one window, a woman is shown with dozens of little white dogs performing tricks.
One stunning window showed an aerial view of a musical party in progress.
Related posts: Lost in Thought, Outside Lord and Taylor in Midtown, Holiday Displays, on Fifth Avenue, and Christmas Windows to Warm the Heart.
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Wrapped Around the Bulgari Store, on Fifth Avenue
Photo by myself around 56th Street and FIfth Avenue.
A giant two-headed snake encrusted with LED lights wound around the corner of the Bulgari store on Fifth Avenue.
The lights in the eyes of the snakes flicker on and off. The lights are very, very bright.
I'd see this thing whenever I passed by in a cab, so I went over Monday night to take a photo up close.
Related posts: The New York Public Library, Awash in Blue, Sparkly Lights, in Rockefeller Center, and Holiday Under the Stars, at Columbus Circle.
Saturday, December 8, 2012
Jingling and Jogging, in Prospect Park
Photo by myself in Prospect Park, Brooklyn.
Thousands of runners ran the loop around Prospect Park, this morning, dressed in costume. Nearly 6,000 runners finished the race.
The 'Jingle Bell Jog' is a 6K run held every year by the New York Road Runners club. I happened to be in the park this morning with Rupert and had no idea the run was held today. But when I heard the distinctive jingling and loud whoops of joy, I knew we were in for a treat.
Rupert and I stood to the side while hundreds of runners dashed by us dressed in reindeer antlers, red noses, santa hats and santa tutus. Runners were given t-shirts and bells for the race.
There was even a guy wearing nothing but a santa hat and a red speedo! Eek! Fortunately for him, it wasn't too cold.
What seemed to be an endless stream of runners went by, as we waited on the curb to cross.
Above, one runner wore the tshirt for the run, along with his antlers.
The least dressed runner of the morning, to the right, in a hat and red speedo.
For more about the Jingle Bell Jog on the New York Road Runner's website, click here.
Apologies for the sporadic posts once again. It's been crazy, crazy busy at work!
Related posts: With Bells on, at the Jingle Bell Jog, in Prospect Park, Leaving the Santa Convention, in the East Village, and On Line Behind Santa, Underground.
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Animal Hats, for Sale
Photo by myself, somewhere in Midtown.
Just a view down a sidewalk with a table full of winter hats for sale.
The fashion right now humorous, with hats that look like cartoon animals. In the background, one of the many Ray's Pizza joints in the city.
Related posts: Hat's Anyone? On Prince Street, On Guys in Hats, and the Issue of Style, and From the Corner Deli, in Soho.
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Looking Down 34th Street, in Midtown
Photo by myself on 34th Street in Midtown.
The view down 34th Street includes the Empire State Building, looming above.
Macy's has been decorated with a huge Christmas tree on the canopy and a giant sign with 'Believe' in script.
It's oddly balmy outside though, with temperatures hovering around 60F, or 15 Celcius. People are walking about with their jackets flapping open.
Related posts: Looking Up at Macy's in Midtown, All Decked out Below the Empire State, and Lost Near Macy's.
Monday, December 3, 2012
The Knicks vs. the Suns, at Madison Square Garden
Photo by myself in Madison Square Garden, in Midtown.
Just before the New York Knicks game on Sunday, the lights dimmed at Madison Square Garden. Each player's photo flashed on the giant screens near the ceiling to loud, thumping music.
The Knicks played the Phoenix Suns and won, 106-99. It was a steady game as far as basketball goes. The Knicks played well, leading by 10 points or so for most of the game.
Mark and I attended the game with a friend. We had pretty good seats near the corner of the court. I'm not a basketball fan, but I found the experience thrilling. With the half-time show, flashing screens and announcements, it was non-stop action. And of course it was nice that the Knicks won.
I took this photo further down the aisle from our seats. As you can see, a good number of seats were on the floor of the court.
People milled about in front of the stadium before the game. A giant LED screen sits atop the front canopy to announce upcoming events.
Related posts: Before the Rangers Game, at Madison Square Garden, Neon Storefronts, Midtown, and From the Corner Deli, in Soho.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
