Photo by myself, in Park Slope, Brooklyn.
Despite the intense heat and humidity, there was a huge turn out of contestants and onlookers at a dog costume contest, in Park Slope this weekend.
Either there were a lot of female contestants, or when people think of costume, they think of embarrassing tutus. The majority of clothed dogs wore ballerina type things. Above, a black pug was surrounded by a lot of pink, while wearing pink, herself.
It was so insanely hot, I couldn't stick around to see who won.
Dog and owner posed on a raised runway for photos.
One youngster greeted another.
There was a lot of sniffing, drinking, posing and fun.
Related posts: Dogs in Costume, at Tompkins Square Park, Dogs in Fur Coats, on Madison Avenue, and A New York Mascot.
Monday, July 20, 2015
Neighborhood Dog Show, in Brooklyn
Tuesday, July 14, 2015
Naked, in Herald Square
Photo by myself in Herald Square, in Midtown.
Erm...perhaps the oddest thing I've seen yet.
A man and woman stood in the middle of Herald Square, one of the busiest spots in Manhattan. They were naked, but for a layer of paint. Meanwhile, another man was painting lines on the naked man.
This photo makes the area seem empty but there were video cameras, people standing around awkwardly, and the usual crowds crossing the street. This all took place on a little triangle of space where Broadway and Sixth Avenue cross one another, during lunch hour, one of the busiest times of day.
Yipes!
Related posts: Cooling Off, in Midtown, Jingling and Jogging, in Prospect Park, and Vent Your Annoyance, for a Buck.
Friday, July 10, 2015
Village Psychic, Below Ground
Photo by myself, in the Village.
I must say (with a little sarcasm) that New York must have the highest psychic population per capita.
Just about every small neighborhood has one or five psychics. Most of the time, their signs sit in second floor windows. Sometimes there are sandwich boards on the sidewalk.
Once in a while, the psychic herself (invariably psychics are female, I'm not sure why) will sit outside on the sidewalk on a folding chair.
By the way, it was all over the local news recently when a man was scammed out of $700,000 by a psychic in Times Square. The psychic promised to unite him with a woman he was infatuated with.
The story was so dramatic and hard to believe (involving spells that were cast and expensive jewelry that was purchased as offerings to spirits), it made it to the New York Times. One must say though that the fellow deserved to be swindled so much money because the was so very gullible.
Read the Times article about the psychic here.
Related posts: In Neon, on Seventh Avenue, Shining Bright, at Live Bait, and Only in New York.
Tuesday, July 7, 2015
Film Crew, on West 3rd Street
Photo by myself on West 3rd and MacDougal Streets, in the Village.
There must be a lot of movies shooting in New York these days; Monday evening, I saw two different film crews in completely different neighborhoods.
Shooting film or tv involves a lot of down time, where they're trying to get the shot right, before 'action' is called. These guys were standing around the crane thing carrying the camera, while they were blocking the shot across the street. One of the guys gave me a peace symbol.
For a lot of reasons, there were zero cars around. First, pedestrians and cyclists have seemed to take over the area. Second, it is pretty impossible to find parking in this neighborhood, so why even try driving? So people were moving huge pieces of equipment around without any thought to danger.
Across the street, a huge diffuser aimed light at a crew member. He is standing on the 'mark', where eventually an actor would stand.
Related posts: Filming outside Grand Prospect Hall, Brooklyn, Fake New York Marathon, at Columbus Circle, and Film Shoot, in Midtown.
Wednesday, July 1, 2015
Daily Chess, in Bryant Park
Photo by myself in Bryant Park, at 42nd Street and Sixth Avenue.
What looks like an intense battle of killer chess was actually a good-natured game between acquaintances.
I was truly surprised by how friendly and light-hearted the crowd at Bryant Park was. People seemed to know each other and were having a good time. The instructor told me that the same players convene every day during the summer months.
Below, a rapid fire game, where each player had three minutes on the clock. At one point, it was a flurry of hands.
For the Bryant Park chess page, click here.
Related posts: On Hipsters and Rupert, Downtown, An Update on NYC and Rupert, and On Gotham City and a Rupert Update.
Monday, June 22, 2015
Rupert as Usual, Ready to Play
Photo by myself in Park Slope, Brooklyn.
A little bit of a palate cleanser for a Monday. Our dog, Rupert, poses with his well-worn ball, ready for action.
Some dogs are people-oriented, others dog-oriented. Rupert is decidedly fetch-oriented, to the point of OCD. We will take him outside to play fetch with a big blue ball, then he'll come inside and play fetch with a little blue ball. For some reason, the game does not get boring to him.
This ball has seen better days. It once had feet and a sponge in the middle that made a squeaky sound. Now it is in shreds but Rupert prefers it over a newer one.
Happy Monday, everyone!
Related posts: On Hipsters and Rupert, Downtown, An Update on NYC and Rupert, and On Gotham City and a Rupert Update.
Thursday, June 18, 2015
Architecture Underfoot, in Midtown
Photo by myself around 40th Street and Park Avenue, in Midtown.
Embedded in the ground at an urban plaza, display engravings of buildings in the neighboring area. Above, a plaque showing the Pan Am Building roosting above the sculpture at Grand Central, just a couple blocks north.
The plaques were installed in 1996, as part of the Grand Central Partnership. Most NYC neighborhoods belong to 'partnerships', where businesses contribute money, used toward creating a neighborhood identity. Special signage, art or trash bins might be commissioned, for instance.
The plaques were created by Gregg LeFevre, a New York City sculptor. To check out more of his work, click here.
Above, the entrance to the New York Daily News building, on 42nd Street.
Related posts: Remembering Memorial Day, I *Heart* New York, on the Sidewalk, and En Route to a Peaceful Protest, Downtown.'
Wednesday, June 17, 2015
Protest for Kalief Browder, in Union Square
Photo by myself in Union Square.
A protest was held in Union Square, Tuesday evening in memory of Kalief Browder, a young man who endured three years imprisonment at Riker's Island without having been convicted of any crime.
Kalief spent 400 days in solitary confinement and multiple beatings from prison guards. Kalief was only 16 when he entered the jail, which houses adults. Released in 2013, he committed suicide earlier this month.
Known here simply as 'Rikers', the prison is located in the Bronx and has a long, terrible history of violence and abuse. From many published accounts, Rikers is in dire need of reform. Tuesday's protest is one of a series of events. A march to shut down the prison is scheduled for June 27.
I was very moved by the protest. The sincerity of these strangers for a New Yorker they never knew was touching, and I could not fathom how much senseless pain this young man suffered.
For an article about Kalief in the New Yorker, click here.
For an article in the NY Daily News, click here.
Related posts: Occupy Town Square, in Tompkins Square Park, Women in Black, Against War, and En Route to a Peaceful Protest, Downtown.
Tuesday, June 16, 2015
Grilling Guinea Pigs, in Prospect Park
Photo by myself in Prospect Park, Brooklyn.
A man grilled one of several guinea pigs this weekend, in Prospect Park.
He was a very sweet man, actually, and when I approached him, he said 'cuy' (pronounced 'quee'). I asked whether he was from Ecuador, and he said yes.
Later, Mark saw that someone had called the police, thinking the man was 'mistreating a squirrel'. The police call made it to several internet news sites, including the New York Daily News.
Guinea pigs are popular pets for children here, hence the surprise.
For the NY Daily News article, click here.
For the DNAinfo post, click here.
Related posts: Pork is the Answer, on the Lower East Side, Visions of a Cheeseburger, in Midtown, and Cow Appreciation Day, on Fifth Avenue.'
Friday, June 12, 2015
Beam Me Up, from Madison Square Park
Photo by myself in Madison Square Park, at 23rd Street and Fifth Avenue.
A group of people looking like they were communicating with outer space were actually communicating with their inner space, via meditation (!)
A placard nearby explained that they were members of Falun Dafa, also called Falun Gong.
Related posts: Yoga, in the Rain, Balancing Act, Below 42nd Street, and Sun Salutation, East Village.
Thursday, June 11, 2015
Eighteenth and Fifth, at Dusk
Photo by myself on Fifth Avenue around 18th Street.
This stretch of Fifth Avenue, between Union Square and Washington Square Park is lined with tall, stately buildings. On the ground floor are larger stores, mostly higher-end clothing. On the upper floors are office spaces.
Above, the view west down 18th Street, toward the sunset.
Related posts: Looking Up, at 240 Centre Street, Living Large, on the Upper East Side, and All Aglow, on 57th Street.
Wednesday, June 10, 2015
Drinks on 16th Street
Photo by myself on 16th Street and Fifth Avenue.
We're having some coolish, nice weather now, interspersed with some rainy days. It is the ideal time of year to dine and drink on the sidewalk, even with the occasional trash.
Related posts: In Neon, on Seventh Avenue, Evening, on Sixth Avenue, and Under Lamplight, in Park Slope.
Tuesday, June 9, 2015
A Restful Moment, on Fifth Avenue
Photo by myself at Fifth Avenue and 12th Street, in the Village.
The courtyard of the First Presbyterian Church is just steps away from Fifth Avenue, but it is its own little quiet world. I'm sure people come here to reflect or just rest their weary feet.
This is not a noisy neighborhood, but it is jam packed with large pre-war apartment buildings and smaller stores. The church dates back to the mid-1800s and is done up in the Gothic Revival style.
Related posts: Sunday, in Brooklyn Heights, Rainy Day, Outside Trinity Church, and All Lit Up, on the Upper West Side.
Monday, June 8, 2015
The View into the Moonsheen Tattoo Parlour
Photo by myself on West 4th Street, in the Village.
The storefront of Moonsheen Tattoo puts their clients on display; passersby on the sidewalk have front row seats to tattoos in progress. This fellow was getting an elaborate design done on his right bicep.
Moonsheen does piercings as well and is open until 2am on Fridays and Saturdays. You have to wonder if they make people take blood-alcohol readings before any work is done (!).
I took the above photo on Sunday, around dusk. Apologies for the reflection in the glass, since I wasn't using a polarizing lens. There, you can sort of make out the pretty brick townhouses in the neighborhood.
For the Moonsheen Tattoo website, click here.
Related posts: Getting Inked, in the Village, Working Under Bright Lights, at the Wooster Street Social Club, and Tattooed Man, in Herald Square.
Thursday, June 4, 2015
Witnessing Manhattanhenge, from Sixth Avenue
Photo by myself on Sixth Avenue, around 35th Street in Midtown.
Technically this year, Manhattanhenge fell on May 30th and 31st, and will occur again on July 12th. But generally around this time, the sun will look as if it's in line with the New York City street grid.
Believe it or not, people notice the event, even if they don't hear about it in the news. Like many occasions in a crowded area, it just takes one person to turn and look, and then another, and suddenly a whole bunch of people waiting for the streetlight to change will be looking west down a street toward the sunset and New Jersey.
There is something nice about seeing a relationship between nature and the city. I suppose it's the meeting of complete opposites.
Related posts: Manhattanhenge, in Midtown, Sunset, on the Upper West Side, and Sunset, on the Ride to Brooklyn.
Tuesday, June 2, 2015
Snapshot of a Street Artist
Photo by myself around Fifth Avenue and 10th Street, in the Village.
An artist who calls himself EQNYC posed for me the other day, with his cart. The cart is used to display his work, which is held in place with binder clips. When you turn the cart around, there is a desk space that is used for drawing.
I think I've seen him and his cart around the city, mainly in Union Square. On earlier occasions, I've asked for a photograph but have been denied (!). This time, I was granted about one tenth of a nanosecond to snap a photo, after he spun the cart around.
The top illustration reads 'A NY State of Mind'. Most of his graffit-inspired artwork is done on NYC subway maps. For the best representation of his work, I was told to check out his Instagram feed.
Check out EQ's Instagram here.
For his Etsy shop, click here.
Related posts: Graffiti, in Alphabet City, Cost was Here, in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, and Graffiti, Williamsburg.
Monday, June 1, 2015
Outside the Lockwood de Forest House, in the Village
Photo by myself on East 10th Street and Fifth Avenue, in the Village.
A gorgeous brick building with intricate hand carvings was once a private residence for a wealthy shipping family. It is now the Center for Jewish Life for New York University students.
All the wood is teak, a hard wood that can withstand our terrible winters. With its beautiful detail that hails not just another time but another world, this building dates back to the late 1800's. Wowee!!!
NYU purchased the building for a mere 2.5 million back in 1994. I can't imagine what the cost would be now, with real estate prices as crazy as they are.
For an article about the building's history, see this article in the New York Times, here.
Related posts: A Dash of Color, Below Union Square, A Dash of Charm, in the Village, and Taking Stock, on Wall Street.
Friday, May 29, 2015
The View on Park Avenue, in Midtown
Photo by myself, around 57th Street and Park Avenue in Midtown.
For my job, I go up to the Upper East Side and back down Park Avenue in a cab, often. Today I noticed a new billboard outside Turnbull & Asser, a high end mens clothing store, done in the style of a 1930's painted sign.
You see these signs sometimes even still, painted on walls here, though the real painted signs are usually in much worse shape and are sometimes partly covered by new buildings.
The couple standing in the street were trying to hail a cab. It was insanely hot and humid, and traffic was awful. But there was a slight breeze and the view was nice, haha.
For more about the story behind the mural, see the Turnbull & Asser blog, here
Related posts: Larger than Life Mural, in the East Village, Mural in Red Hook, Brooklyn, and On Target, on Houston.
Thursday, May 28, 2015
Gratitude, in Washington Square Park
Photo by myself in Washington Square Park.
A street art installation took place the other day, on the theme of 'What are you thankful for?'. Pieces of chalk lay on the ground, for all to join in.
Related posts: I *Heart* NY on the Sidewalk, Sand Artist, in Washington Square Park, and Sand Painting, in Washington Square Park.
Wednesday, May 27, 2015
Stripes, on the Subway
Photo by myself on the Q train, while on the Manhattan Bridge.
Not sure what the occasion was, but a man had three very thin stripes on his face the other day, two white ones at an angle and a yellow one down the middle. He had nodded off on his way into work.
I was trying to figure out what the occasion was but I honestly have not a clue. This photo was taken on May 22, and the holidays that day include Canadian Immigrants Day, National Vanilla Pudding Day and International Day for Biological Diversity. Hm.
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It's hard to believe the last post here was way back in late March. Time has just been flying by. It's been super busy as usual.
I hope everyone is doing well out there!
Related posts: Thursday Morning, Below Ground, The Getty Villa, in Malibu, California, and Green Man, in Washington Square Park.
