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Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Knitting, on the Commute

Knitting, nyc
Photo by myself on the subway.

It's not terribly uncommon to see people knitting or crocheting on the subway.

Or putting on makeup. The great majority of riders have their noses in real and electronic media, or catch up with their sleep.

Rules prevent people from eating, but that doesn't mean you won't sit next to someone feasting on a chicken dinner. Ick.

This photo is from the stash. We're out in LA on vacation for the week, where there is no subway. A great many people ride buses here for public transport. Posts will continue here, in the meantime.

Related posts: Upside Down, on the R Train, All Lit Up, on the D Train, and 6:24pm, Below Times Square.

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Tuesday, March 26, 2013

A Misty View of Central Park

Central Park, fog
Photo by myself in Central Park.

A look at Central Park near Central Park South, looking east. There are remnants of snow and a mist clinging to the ground. Some pedicabs are parked in the foreground.

Anytime it snows in the city, it's nice at first, but quickly becomes a yucky mess. A white plastic bag clings to a tree branch on the upper right.

This photo is from the stash. We're in sunny Los Angeles through the end of this week. Posts will continue here, in the meantime.

Related posts: The Wintry View from Central Park South, City Portraits - Central Park, and A Snowy View of Central Park.

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Monday, March 25, 2013

The New York, New York Hotel, on the Strip

New York Hotel, LV
Photo by myself outside the New York, New York Hotel, on the Las Vegas Strip.

No, not the Brooklyn Bridge, but a very good simulation out in Las Vegas!

The New York, New York hotel also has the Chrysler Building and Statue of Liberty outside, as well as a roller coaster. Inside, there are casinos, eateries and walkways lined with facades depicting New York City neighborhoods.

My fiance Mark and I were in Las Vegas for a couple days. A quick visit was plenty for us.

New York Hotel, LV
A view from the foot of the New York, New York hotel, complete with fake skyline.

Strip, Las Vegas
Looking down the Strip at all the twinkly lights.

Related posts: A Day Excursion to Nara, Japan, Greetings, from Beijing, China, and Greetings, from Casa del Mar, in Santa Monica.

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Saturday, March 23, 2013

A Glimpse of the Hard Rock Hotel, in Las Vegas

Hard Rock, LV
Photo by myself in the Hard Rock Hotel, in Las Vegas.

Shiny Harley Davidson motorcycles flank the entrance inside the casino at the Hard Rock Hotel where we're staying, in Las Vegas.

Beyond, you can see one of the many blackjack tables and one of the many, many bars, with tv screens on top. To the left, some of the slot machines.

Mark and I are here for a couple days, before driving to LA. I've never been to Las Vegas (!). It's a bit over the top, to say the least.

The hotel is great, but it's spring break and of course there are tons of crazy kids running around, whooping it up. It's about 70F during the day, and the pool areas are swarming. Meanwhile, the casinos here are open 24/7.

It's also basketball season. Below, a photo of the sports betting area at the hotel, where games and events are displayed so guys can bet all their money and hang out with their buddies.

Hard Rock, LV
The sports betting area at the Hard Rock Hotel. Everything you can possibly bet on is displayed on an immense curved screen.

Posts will continue while we're on the West Coast. We're due back in New York on Friday, March 29th.

Related posts: A Day Excursion to Nara, Japan, Greetings, from Beijing, China, and Greetings, from Casa del Mar, in Santa Monica.

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Friday, March 22, 2013

Atop Radio City Music Hall, in Neon

Radio City, nyc
Photo by myself, around Sixth Avenue and 50th Street, in Midtown.

The old-fashioned neon lights at Radio City Music Hall are lit every night, showing coming attractions.

This stretch of midtown is empty at night, save people strolling around. Most of the buildings are very tall and business-oriented. At street level, there are few stores or restaurants, so not much is open at this hour.

For a daytime view of this corner, click here.

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As with every trip, I start feeling nostalgic about New York just before leaving. Like clockwork.

People have been envious of our upcoming trip to Las Vegas and LA. Oh, the sun, the warmer weather. In fact it snowed here again, Thursday, just to prove that it's not quite Spring yet.

Thanks to all for putting up with my spotty posts. It's been that kind of busy. Posts will continue here in the meantime.

Related posts: Outside Radio City Music Hall, on Sixth Avenue, Bright Lights at BAM, and In Neon, on the Upper West Side.

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Thursday, March 21, 2013

Night View, of Bryant Park

Bryant Park, nyc
Photo by myself in Bryant Park, at 41st Street and Sixth Avenue, in Midtown.

The view of Bryant Park at night is a peaceful one.

Wednesday night we finally had nice weather. No icy winds. No rain. Hurrah!

At the East end of the park lies the main branch of the New York Public Library. A large fountain spouting water was all lit up.

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I'll be gone for a week to the west coast, for a much-needed vacation. Posts will continue here, sort of.

Related posts: Under the Canopies, in Bryant Park, West 10th Street, at Night, and Night View, at the Dakota.

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Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Across Vanderbilt, in Midtown

Vanderbilt Ave, nyc
Photo by myself at 42nd Street and Vanderbilt Avenue.

Believe it or not, above Houston Street there are a handful of streets that don't have numbers for names.

Vanderbilt Avenue is a tiny street that spans just a few blocks in Midtown. Grand Central Station, which was built by Cornelius Vanderbilt in the mid-1800s, is located at southmost end of the street.

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It's been cold and dreary and grey here. We even had a spot of snow. Ugh!

Related posts: All Lit Up, on Fifth Avenue, In Neon, on Seventh Avenue, and After the Rain, in Midtown.

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Friday, March 15, 2013

Device Valet, on Wheels

Upper East Side, nyc
Photo by myself around 68th Street and Lexington Avenue, on the Upper East Side.

I heard about this on the radio but seeing it in person made it real. Cell phone 'valets' on wheels.

Kids aren't allowed to have cellphones or other electronic devices in school, so they can 'park' their devices in a truck outside the school. This way, they can waste no time device-less.

Costs for such services vary from fifty cents to a dollar a day. Seriously.

For more about phone valets, read about it in USA Today here.

Related posts: Larger than Life Mural, in the East Village, School is in, at Parsons on 13th Street, and School's Out on the Upper East Side.

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Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Looking Up West End Avenue

Up West End Ave, nyc
Photo by myself, around 77th Street and West End Avenue, on the Upper West Side.

West End Avenue seems to extend forever, or just about forever. The lights are well-timed, so it's one red light after the other.

There aren't any stores on West End Avenue, just the same as Park Avenue, on the East Side. Just one older apartment building after the next.

By the way, in Manhattan because of the street grid, 'up' means 'north, while 'down' means 'south'. In actuality, the north-south grid is slightly skewed.

Related posts: Looking North on the Upper West Side, The Rooftops on Central Park West, and All Lit Up, on the Upper West Side.

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Thursday, March 7, 2013

Manchester House, on the Upper West Side

Manchester House, nyc
Photo by myself on 79th Street and Amsterdam, on the Upper West Side.

This photo from the stash looks like it was taken in England, but not so.

Manchester House is a large co-op building on the Upper West Side. Elaborate ironwork and stone adorns the entrance.

Random blocks of stone break up the brick areas above the first floor, as if the building were built over a long time. It was actually built in 1926 by Emery Roth, who designed many of the large, high end apartment buildings in Manhattan.

Little pointy hats sit on top of the lights. My guess is they are designed to look like gas lights, with openings for air to escape.

Related posts: A Dash of Charm, in the Village, 901 Broadway, in the Flatiron District, and Twilight, on West 4th Street.

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Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Touring along Great Jones, Downtown

Great Jones, nyc
Photo by myself at Great Jones and Lafayette Streets, in the East Village.

A photo from a sunnier day.

When sauntering around wearing infinity scarves and tall boots in the East Village, one cannot help but look around at all the older buildings.

The sidewalks are hollow in this area, like many downtown neighborhoods. These are not the typical poured concrete walkways. Basements and/or tunnels lie below.

Trucks are only allowed to park as far as the curb, for obvious reasons1

Related posts: 9:45am on the B Train, Below Ground, The Commute Home, on the D Train, and On the Subway Platform, Below 34th Street.

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Tuesday, March 5, 2013

The Morning Commute, Below Ground

Commute, nyc
Photo by myself, below ground.

The morning commute is usually very quiet, with people tuning into the news on their devices or perhaps even a book, or catching the last bit of a nap.

Partially out of view, a man was reading his ipad. You can see the ghostly glow cast on his face.

There are periods in the winter, where you barely get a hint of sun. There is a five-minute walk to the subway, then tunnels, then a five-minute walk to the office. Some office workers stay in for lunch and eat at their desks.

I think this is why people are in their grumbly moods.

Related posts: 9:45am on the B Train, Below Ground, The Commute Home, on the D Train, and On the Subway Platform, Below 34th Street.

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