Photo by myself, in Midtown.
Behold, a line outside Dunkin Donuts, a very popular chain. There are 30-some locations in Manhattan, most of them south of City Hall.
As you can see, New Yorkers are such a picky bunch that they will undergo public humiliation to get a 'good' cup of coffee. Along this stretch of Midtown, the only coffee purveyors are carts parked along the sidewalk and the occasional deli.
[Disclaimer: Use of the word 'good' in this case is debatable. I'm not a fan of Dunkin Donuts, but that doesn't mean anything!]
Related posts: Death Before Decaf, in Brooklyn, On Line, in Midtown, and Waiting, in Alphabet City.
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
Human Drive-Thru, in Midtown
Monday, October 28, 2013
A Rupert Update, with Friend
Photo by myself in Prospect Park, Brooklyn.
Rupert, our Boston Terrier (right) stands knee deep in leaves. Beside him is his smaller and sprite-lier sidekick, Penelope.
Sorry this photo is a little blurry around the animals! They kept moving around so much, it's a wonder any photos came out well at all.
(Fashion note: Penelope is wearing a Darth Vader one-piece outfit).
All this time, too, I thought that something was going on with my big camera. I'd put my eyeball to the viewfinder but nothing seemed to be in focus.
It turns out though that it's my eyeball that's not in focus. Argh! So now I cannot tell what's good or bad until I get home, which keeps things interesting.
Related posts: Boston Terriers Gone Mad, at the Mad, Dog Run, On NYC Slogans, and a Rupert Update, and Back Home to the Brooklyn Bridge and a Boston Terrier. Read more...
Tuesday, October 22, 2013
Dancer, On the Ride Home
Photo by myself on the Q Train.
A young man performed on the subway, to the usual crowd commuting home to Brooklyn.
He was part of a whole troupe of young kids, dancing to loud music. Much of his routine highlighted his incredible flexibility.
Related posts: Cartwheel, on the Q Train Home, Mimes, Below Times Square, and Flipping Out, on the B Train.
Thursday, October 17, 2013
A Moment, in Union Square
Photo by myself in Union Square, at 14th Street and Fifth Avenue.
A man wearing a Chicago Bulls uniform and hat of feathers sat alongside the subway entrance at Union Square. In his hand he carried some sort of voodoo cane decorated with bones.
Meanwhile in the background, another man did push ups.
I was a little worried about taking this photo, since the man wearing the feathers seemed very upset. He was muttering angrily to himself about the Hare Krishna group dancing about, some 20 paces away.
Related posts: Crochet Lady, in Midtown, Green Man, in Washington Square Park, and Funky Chicken, in Park Slope, Brooklyn.
Thursday, October 10, 2013
Swimming for Relief, in Herald Square
Photo by myself in Herald Square, at 34th Street and Sixth Avenue, in Midtown.
Diana Nyad, the long distance swimmer, was midway through her swim for her charity 'Swim for Relief', Wednesday morning.
A makeshift lap pool was set up right outside the entrance to Macy's. There were two lanes set up, so Nyad could have companions join her during the 48-hour swim. I was there around 10 am, and the clock was at the 25-hour mark.
There were grandstand seats, and cameras, and a narrow walkway where people could stand and take photos. Once you stood on the raised walkway, the pool was about the level of your chest.
At this writing, Swim for Relief has raised $70k, with funds going to victims of Hurricane Sandy. Their website has a webcam showing the pool (!) so you can tune into see Nyad go back and forth, and back and forth. It's a little chilly now in the city, but nothing like what it must be at sea.
For the Swim for Relief website, click here.
Related posts: A Quick Game, in Tompkins Square Park, On the Ice, in Midtown, and Badminton in Burqas, in Brooklyn.
Thursday, October 3, 2013
Out for a Walk, in Santa Monica, California
Photo by myself at the Third Avenue Promenade, in Santa Monica, California.
Just a moment from my recent visit to California, at 'the Promenade', the main attraction in Santa Monica.
A woman chatted with passersby, while carrying her pet pig in her arms. The pig, (I assume a girl pig) wore a little halter. So I guess the pig had been out for a stroll.
The promenade in Santa Monica is a very popular outdoor pedestrian mall, lined with stores on both sides. There are fountains and musicians and eateries, too.
Oh....and farm animals.
Related posts: A Four-Legged Co-Pilot, on Flatbush Avenue, Walking the Dog, While Pedalling, and The Sign of the Rat, in Midtown.
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
On Window Bays and Shopfronts, Around the City
Photo by myself, on the Upper West Side.
At one of the many townhouses on the upper West Side, a pretty bay window is decorated with a Greek key pattern along the lower edge and a scalloped underside. Even the protective window grilles are ornamental.
The Times showcases several small scale dioramas made by Randy Hage, a craftsman who works on movie and television props. Hage takes photos of historic, well-loved New York storefronts, then builds 1/12th scale models of them, then takes photos of the models.
The results are pretty astonishing - the uneven brickwork, painterly metal roll down doors and old timey signs are breathtakingly represented. You would never think you were looking at a replica made by hand.
Seeing these images, for me, was like looking through a time capsule. The best photo of the series shows Hage looming over the Nick's Lucheonette, and exposing the real scale of the model. (I promise the image above is a real photo of a real building!)
To see the Times slideshow, click here.
Related posts: Living Large, on the Upper East Side, A Dash of Charm, in the Village, and Outside Bedford Street Laundry, in the Village. Read more...
Monday, September 30, 2013
Too Cool, on 42nd Street
Photo by myself on 42nd Street and Fifth Avenue.
Yes, another one of those 'people crossing the street ' photos. I just can't help myself.
Some folks are fashionably dressed. Others are tuned out. All are in a rush.
Apologies for the big break from posting. I went out to LA to see my family and enjoyed a few days in the sun.
Going to the West Coast is always a bit of culture shock. Not just the driving but the absence of walking. And the absence of being in a crowd all the time, with another crowd walking toward you.
Now back in town, It seems I'm the only person in this city still wearing flip flops. It is decidedly Fall and everyone is wearing proper shoes. It's been about 70F every day (21 degrees Celsius)....perfect Fall days.
Related posts: On the Crowds in Herald Square and Walking in the City, On Crossing the Street and the Ban on Sugary Drinks, and People, People, Everywhere in the Village.
Friday, September 13, 2013
The Neon Lights, Outside Radio City Music Hall
Photo by myself, around 50th Street and Sixth Avenue, in Midtown.
The large wrap-around sign at Radio City Music Hall stubbornly resists the urge to scroll or flash.
The neon signage is as distinctive as ever. The upcoming shows are displayed in smaller font, below. This view was taken on the side street Thursday night.
The nice thing about this landmark is that its location is very 'current', with tall buildings all around. You might go see the Rockettes one night, a taste of history, but on the way over you'll pass crowds of businessmen and women streaming out of the office.
Happy Friday everyone!
Related posts: Outside Radio City Music hall, on Sixth Avenue, On Radio City, and the Whitney Museum, and The Bright Lights at BAM.
Thursday, September 12, 2013
Morning Commute, from Roosevelt Island
Photo by myself around 60th Street and 2nd Avenue, on the Upper East Side.
On Wednesday morning, I was on the Upper East Side near the Queensborough Bridge. The tram was coming over from Roosevelt Island, filled to the hilt with passengers.
Roosevelt Island is a sliver of land in the East River. There are hospitals, apartment buildings, stores and schools there. One way to commute to and fro is the tram, the other is the subway. Cars are allowed access as well.
As you can see, the sun was out and it was very hot and humid. I had a routine doctor's appointment, then did a little grocery shopping. All the time, the 9/11 remembrance ceremony was being conducted in the background.
Everyone was tuned into the ceremony. Even if you weren't actively watching, you were probably thinking about it.
Related posts: The View from Roosevelt Island, The View from Downstream, and The Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridges, at Sunset.
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
Subway Conductor, on the Job
Photo by myself at the 81st Street subway station on the Upper West Side.
A subway conductor stuck her head out to check whether all was clear before the train moved. This is routine business on every train - they look in one direction, then the other, then back to the first direction.
Just after I took this photo, the conductor looked right at me and gave me a big smile, which was nice.
Related posts: Stealing a Nap, Below Ground, Napping in Midtown, and A Much Needed Nap.
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
Sleeping, Below Times Square
Photo by myself on the Times Square subway platform.
The subway platform was sparsely attended and relaxed, Monday evening. This was taken during rush hour, during a brief lull in the crowds.
We've been having heavenly weather this week, with cool autumnal breezes. Hats and long sleeves have come out of the closet.
Fall is a notoriously short season in New York. Blink....and it is over.
Related posts: Stealing a Nap, Below Ground, Napping in Midtown, and A Much Needed Nap.
Thursday, September 5, 2013
At the Bar, at Brooklyn Crab
Photo by myself in Red Hook, Brooklyn.
Brooklyn Crab is located just across the way from Fairway at the edge of Red Hook. It opened about a year ago and has since become a destination. Mark and I were there at the bar, enjoying drinks and raw oysters.
When the new building was going up, it created quite a stir. There are three very open floors and outdoor seating. The vibe is decidedly beachy, and with the waterfront view and sea breezes, you feel as if you're on a big boat. We went there once recently for dinner and the place was packed to the gills.
You can get whole blue crabs here, along with those little mallets and skinny forks to dismantle them with. Or skip all that hard work and enjoy a clam roll or crab cakes with a bowl of chowder. And of course, all the beer to go along with it. On special days, raw oysters are $1 a piece!
For the Brooklyn Crab website, including their menu, click here.
Related posts: Pistachio Cupcakes, in the East Village, In a State of Fusion, at Sushi Samba, and Brunch at Barbuto, in the West Village.
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
Graffiti, in the East Village
Photo by myself, somewhere in the East Village.
A painting of a robed woman lingers enticingly in a doorway.
We just sailed through a rainy and extremely humid Labor Day Weekend, here. As per tradition, the US Open is going on in nearby Queens.
Unlike tradition, though, many of the games weren't televised over the weekend because of disputes between the tv channel airing the matches (CBS) and Time Warner, the cable company. It was very, very strange (and annoying) not to hear the games in the background. Mark and I watched them online.
All was resolved by Monday though, just in time for the Federer game, a painful game to watch.
Related posts: Random Graffiti, on Second Avenue, Graffiti, Soho, and Graff Attack, in the Meatpacking District.
Friday, August 30, 2013
Ice Cream in Midtown
Photo by myself at 34th Street and Sixth Avenue, in Midtown.
You'd never think of an ice cream truck in the middle of the city, but it happens all the time. Here, one was parked just steps away from Macy's and the Empire State Building.
This area has changed a bit, since part of Sixth Avenue has been closed off to car traffic. Now there are tables and umbrellas for people to sit outside and rest after their grueling shopping. Just about every popular store can be found on 34th Street - the Gap, Zara, Uniqlo, Forever 21, Steve Madden, etc. etc.
Happy Labor Day weekend, everyone! All offices will be closed on Monday. The last couple weeks, the city has felt empty. It's been a good time to get away. Mark and I will be staying in town.
Related posts: Queuing for Ice Cream in the Cold, Summer Ice, in Park Slope, Brooklyn, and On Line for Cream Cakes, Outside.
Thursday, August 29, 2013
Weiner Bar, in Park Slope, Brooklyn
Photo by myself, in Park Slope, Brooklyn.
Der Kommissar is a small weiner-themed bar in Park Slope, Brooklyn. They have a great array of beers and nine different sausages to choose from, including a vegetarian option.
The sausages are delicious. Mark and I visited twice last week. They make some of the sausages themselves from scratch, including one called a 'Pak wurst' that has a curry-influenced filling.
We are in love with this place, which has outdoor seating in the back and a pick-up window in the front for the late-night wurst cravings I see in my future.
Above the chalkboard menu are snippets from local papers about Anthony Weiner, the unfortunately-named politician running for mayor who is renown for his sexting scandals. Recently, he admitted to sexting pictures of himself a year ago, after he had vowed to stop.
I think most New Yorkers smacked their foreheads and groaned when they heard about the last sexting revelation. It was all over the news, and brought down what was once a promising political career. Here is the Wiki entry, if you're interested.
For the Der Kommissar site, including their delicious menu, click here.
Related posts: Outside a Creperie, in Park Slope, Brooklyn, Sausage Guys, in Park Slope, Brooklyn, and On the Price of a Slice, Downtown.
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
Cartwheel, on the Q Train Home
Photo by myself on the Q Train.
Folks on the ride home to Brooklyn were entertained by a few guys dancing on the train. As usual, this involved boom boxes with very loud music, handstands and twirling about.
Since we were crossing the Manhattan Bridge, the subway car was awash with light and everyone was checking their cell phones.
Related posts: Flipping Out on the B Train, Enjoying a Fling, on the R Train, and Upside Down on the R Train.
Monday, August 26, 2013
Selling Hats, on the Lower East Side
Photo by myself on Orchard Street and Rivington, on the Lower East Side.
Two guys were selling hats, on the Lower East Side.
Orchard Street was closed off to car traffic on Sunday, as it is most weekends. Stores selling leather jackets and other clothing set up racks and tables on the sidewalks for customers to browse through.
Related posts: Outside Sol Moscot, on the Lower East Side, A Glimpse into the Orchard Corset Center, on the Lower East Side, and Outside Zucco, on the Lower East Side.
Thursday, August 22, 2013
Looking out, to Central Park South
Photo by myself around 65th Street and Central Park West, on the Upper West Side.
The view toward Central Park South.
Below is Central Park West, otherwise known as Eighth Avenue. The turnaround at Columbus Circle is just out of view to the right.
I don't usually like to post two scenic photos back-to-back, but I couldn't resist. I was at an apartment Wednesday with some of my coworkers, measuring the place.
At one point I opened the casement doors and stepped out on the balcony. There were people walking not far below, and one fellow looked up at me. 'No!' I wanted to tell him. 'I don't live here. I'm the hired help. I'm just measuring'.
But it was too much to explain from 60 feet up.
Related posts: The Skyline on the Upper West Side, The View from the Upper East Side, and The View from the Brooklyn Bridge.
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
The Plaza at Lincoln Center
Photo by myself at Lincoln Center, around 66th Street and Broadway.
Lincoln Center is timeless. A little hard around the edges, perhaps, with all the travertine stone and only the fountain in the middle to soften the vibe.
Related posts: Around the Fountain at Lincoln Center and Humans of New York, A Look at the New Lincoln Center, and Up with the Arts, at Lincoln Center.
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