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Wednesday, October 29, 2014

The Morning Commute and a Rupert Update

N Train, nyc
Photo by myself, on the N Train.

Here we are in the midst of Fall, all bundled in light jackets and jeans. People were immersed in their apps and knitting and books, on the way into work.

Apologies for the spotty attendance. It's been very busy!

Meanwhile, here are a couple shots from a playdate Rupert had with a neighboring girl dog named Roxy. There were a lot of sidelong looks and waggling tongues. Rupert has been doing great. He is enjoying his favorite things - playing ball, taking long walks and snacking on chicken treats.

Rupert and Roxy
Roxy, in the red halter, gives Rupert a look.

Rupert and Roxy
Another look, haha.

Related posts: A Rupert Update, with Friend, On Hipsters and Rupert, Downtown, and Back Home to the Brooklyn Bridge and a Boston Terrier.

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Monday, October 27, 2014

Dusk, on West End Avenue

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

Just a snapshot from West End Avenue. Tall, mostly pre-war apartment buildings line both sides of the street.

Like the buildings on Park Avenue and Fifth Avenue, almost all these apartment buildings have doormen. I've never seen a female doorman, by the way, so the term 'doorman' makes sense. Or you could call them 'porters'.

All the doormen I've met are super nice. They are helpful and genuinely caring people. They say hello to everybody coming and going. They know all the kids and all the dogs. At one building I watched a doorman carry an elderly woman down a short flight of stairs, because she was having trouble walking.

Related posts: Manchester House, on the Upper West Side, Glitzy Glam, Outside the Pierre, and Life on Park Avenue.

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Friday, October 3, 2014

On Eighth Avenue, on the West Side

On Eighth Ave
Photo by myself on Eighth Avenue around 39th Street.

You'd be surprised how homely some blocks still are, in New York.

Eighth Avenue is still decidedly un-fancy. There are x-rated video stores and peep shows still, some stores selling inexpensive clothing and pizza joints.

Up ahead on the left, is the hulking Port Authority Terminal, with gigantic green trusses on all sides. Buses leave there for New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and upstate New York.

Related posts: Puppy Dog Eyes, in Bryant Park, Walking the Dog, While Pedaling, and Maitre D's, on Broadway.

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Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Seen, on the Upper West Side

Sculpture, UWS
Photo by myself around 72nd Street and Broadway, on the Upper West Side.

What looked like a seeing eye dog and a man stood outside the subway station Tuesday night.

After a moment, the man looked at me and asked, 'Is it real? I don't see it breathing.' Meaning was this a real dog? Alas, no. I'm not sure what it was, so I'm labeling it 'art'. There was no obvious sign of an artist.

The dog drew the attention of people walking by. There is a lot of foot traffic outside this subway station.

After a minute, the man took out his phone to take a photo.

Sculpture, UWS

Related posts: Manchester House, on the Upper West Side, Walking the Dog, While Pedaling, and Maitre D's, on Broadway.

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Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Getting Around Traffic, in Midtown

Biking, in NYC
Photo by myself, in Midtown.

There is so much traffic in the city these days, getting around town is very frustrating.

Just getting down the street can be torture. I've spent many a cab ride with the cab driver ranting and raving and shaking a fist at the sky. Ha.

The only good thing about gridlock? Cyclists can weave ahead of the traffic jam.

Related posts: Summer Streets, on Park Avenue, Custom Bikes in the Village, and On NY Bike Tours and Real Housewives.

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Monday, September 1, 2014

Critters, Streetside

Guy with critters, NYC
Photo by myself at 42nd Street and Vanderbilt Ave. in Midtown.

A man unloaded his companions, in front of Grand Central Station at rush hour.

From left to right: a black cat, three guinea pigs, a dog and another dog. The first dog is a little difficult to see because of the loud (animal-themed) prints.

My fiancé Mark pointed out that not all the animals in the photo are real. There is a stuffed animal on the bottom bunk, below the guinea pigs. No doubt that the top bunk is the preferred spot.

I have mixed feelings when I come across people who have pets or children with them on the sidewalk, but I stopped to give the man a couple dollars.

I was surprised by the proximity of guinea pigs to cat. The guinea pigs were nearly motionless, whether because they were afraid or just hanging out (they looked very relaxed to me). A few seconds later, the man reached into a carrier and brought out several parakeets (!).

Related posts: Cat on a Leash, in Midtown, Odd and Colorful Birds, in Bryant Park, and The Hua Mei Bird Garden, in Chinatown.

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Saturday, August 30, 2014

Amid Tall Buildings, Near Bryant Park

Outside Bryant Park, NYC
Photo by myself, around 42nd Street and Sixth Avenue in Midtown.

Above, the universal stance used when taking a picture of a tall building with one's phone.

There is a glut of tall, glass buildings along Sixth Avenue. Behind me, Bryant Park provides a welcomed relief from all the pavements and other hard surfaces. You can see some of the park trash cans, painted light green and resembling plant life.

There is no lack of food stuffs, food kiosks and food carts. You will never go hungry here, as long as you have a buck or twelve.

On the left, a kiosk for 'Wichcraft, a chain of restaurants owned by Tom Colicchio, one of the judges on Top Chef. The 'wich' part is from 'sandwich', as in 'high end sandwich with a mix of snazzy ingredients'.

It's Labor Day weekend, in the States. Everyone is enjoying an extra-long weekend. Hooray!

Related posts: Death Before Decaf, in Brooklyn, Casimir, on Avenue B, and Colorful Eats, at Kelley and Ping, in Soho.

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Friday, August 29, 2014

Courtside, in Flushing Meadows, Queens

US Open 2014
Photo by myself from Center Court at Flushing Meadows, Queens.

I had the good fortune of attending the US Open, Thursday night. Above, fans craned their necks to watch the match between Andy Murray (Great Britain) and Mattias Bachinger (Germany).

It was blustery and very cold up in the stands, but below on the courts, the players were sweating. The competitive play means you don't know who you will wind up watching until the day of the match. Murray, ranked eighth, wound up winning three straight sets. He will face Andrey Kuznetsov of Russia, next.

The men were followed by a game between Eugenie Bouchard (Canada) and Sorana Cirstea (Romania). Bouchard won the first set but lost in the second in a tie break. It was so cold by that time, we had to leave (along with about half of the crowd!). Very few people were physically or psychologically prepared to sit outside in what felt like 60 degree weather, with high winds.

I had an excellent time and will follow the remaining of the games on tv. Flushing Meadows is a relatively short train ride away from Manhattan. Ticket prices range from affordable to insane.

Check out the US Open website, here.

US Open 2014
A snapshot from the Murray match. Murray is on the opposite side, in blue.

US Open 2014
Dozens of tables are out for folks to enjoy all the different food vendors. In the background, the big screen cycles through matches being played on the various courts.

Related posts: Before the Rangers Game, at Madison Square Garden, The Knicks vs. the Suns, at Madison Square Garden, and Fierce Competition, in Bryant Park.

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Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Outside the Peninsula Hotel

Peninsula Hotel, nyc
Photo by myself on Fifth Avenue, around 55th Street on the Upper East Side.

The Peninsula Hotel on 55th Street is adorned with flags and some gorgeous, ornate architecture.

I took this photo from the back of a cab.

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You might notice that parts of the Peninsula facade project quite a bit over the sidewalk - there are balconies and a rather deep overhang. I'd say the overhang might be 24" deep.

In New York, owners of buildings taller than six floors need to have the exteriors of their buildings professionally inspected every five years. It used to be that the inspectors would look at a building through binoculars, but after several accidents, they now have to go up to inspect facades firsthand.

Related posts: Glitzy Glam, Outside the Pierre, Fancy Living, on the Upper East Side, and Life on Park Avenue.

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Monday, August 25, 2014

Spotted on the Sidewalk, in Sunset Park

Chinatown, nyc
Photo by myself around 55th Street and 8th Avenue, in Sunset Park, Brooklyn.

An older man wheeled his grandson in a little shopping cart. (I'm just assuming he didn't purchase the little boy somewhere!)

Mark and I stopped by Sunset Park, for a dim sum lunch. Not the most comfortable ride, a shopping cart is a sensible choice in the city - it folds up nicely for apartment dwellers, and is very lightweight.

The southern part of this neighborhood is known as Chinatown, in Brooklyn. Restaurants are not limited to Chinese or Cantonese food - there are Malaysian and Vietnamese eateries, too. Meanwhile, the northern part of Sunset Park is home to a large Hispanic population.

Happy Monday everyone!

Related posts: Look Ma No Hands, in the East Village, Along for the Ride, in Columbus Circle, and Crossing Broadway, on Wheels.

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Sunday, August 24, 2014

A Charge, Free of Charge

City Charge, nyc
Photo by myself in Bryant Park.

An absolute no-brainer idea of the times - a solar-powered charging station that is free to use. Its solar panel is smartly angled south. I'm sure these exist in other cities too, though possibly not outside?

Currently there are only 45 of these in the five boroughs (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens and Staten Island).  I'm surprised there aren't more.

For a map of charging station locations in New York, click here.

ps: We've had the least humid August here, ever. Usually it is absolutely unbearable, but this year, August feels like how October 'should' feel.

Is it the same in your neck of the woods?

Related posts: Eco-Friendly, Cardboard Design, After Hurricane Sandy, Outside the Ace Hotel, and 9:25am, on the B Train.

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Sunday, August 17, 2014

Hanging Out, in Brooklyn

Brooklyn, nyc
Photo by myself on Atlantic and Hicks Streets, in Brooklyn Heights.

Weekend days are quiet in Brooklyn Heights. This is a family neighborhood with some gorgeous older buildings.

Related posts: Sitting Outside, on Broadway, Enjoying the Sun, in Downtown Brooklyn, and Strangers, Below Columbus Circle.

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Saturday, August 16, 2014

The Statue of Liberty, in Midtown

Liberty, nyc
Photo by myself, in Midtown.

Nothing is immune to graffiti, round these parts. Not even Miss Liberty herself.

Related posts: Posing with Miss Liberty, on Central Park South, Lady Liberty, in the Distance, and Statues of Liberty, in Midtown.

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Friday, August 15, 2014

Looking North, from the Promenade

Brooklyn Promenade
Photo by myself, from the Brooklyn Promenade.

The Brooklyn Promenade is actually cantilevered over the Brooklyn Queens Expressway (what we call the BQE). Here, you can see the walkway and its concrete support underneath. The blue car below is headed east on the BQE, which will eventually get you to Queens.

The buildings are warehouses along the water. There is also a new park called Brooklyn Bridge Park that hugs the Brooklyn shoreline, and some shipping piers that have been renovated into new soccer fields (!). Across the East River lies the southern tip of Manhattan, which includes South Street Seaport and the Financial District.

Related posts: The View from the Promenade, The East River, at Dusk, and Not a Bad View from Here.

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Thursday, August 14, 2014

On the N Train, on the Manhattan Bridge

on the subway, nyc
Photo by myself on the subway.

A little girl looks outside, while the subway crosses the Manhattan Bridge, heading toward Brooklyn.

Related posts: Riding Piggyback, in Midtown, Standing on a Stoop, on the Lower East Side, and Young Man, on the Subway Platform.

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Wednesday, August 13, 2014

A Glimpse of the Garment District, in Midtown

Garment District, nyc
Photo by myself, around 39th Street and Eighth Avenue.

The Garment District is tiny now, compared to how it used to be. It is now reduced to a few blocks on the west side, between 40th and 36th Streets, in Midtown.

There are stores selling fabrics, buttons and sewing supplies. There are also some designers there and work rooms that produce clothing. It is not uncommon to see guys pushing racks of dresses or coats down the sidewalk.

Related posts: Business as Usual, in the Garment District, Sweatshop, in the Garment District, and Tailor Made, in the Garment District.

Read more...

Tuesday, August 12, 2014

A Kiss, on the Brooklyn Promenade

Brooklyn Promenade
Photo by myself, in Brooklyn Heights.

Just at the edge of Brooklyn, the Brooklyn Promenade overlooks the East River. This view looks north west. Beyond, you can see the Brooklyn Bridge and Empire State Building.

It's a romantic park. The Promenade is what it sounds like - a straight stretch along the water. To the right out of frame are beautiful, historic homes. To the left, the water. I'm sure that when the Promenade first opened, couples dressed up in their fanciest clothing and sauntered up and down this walkway.

Since the sun sets in the west, this is an ideal place to watch the sunset, as it descends beyond the Manhattan skyline.

Related posts: A Kiss, in Brooklyn Bridge Park, A Kiss, on Broadway, and Unhate, on Fifth Avenue.

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Monday, August 11, 2014

Portrait of a Barber, in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn

Tony's in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn
Photo by myself around 50th Street and Fifth Avenue, in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn.

Mark and I drove through Bay Ridge the other day, and a storefront with distinctive lettering caught my eye. I had to take a photo.

Along a strip of eateries and bodegas stood a barber shop from another era. There were the remnants of a tattered awning, rusted roll down doors and a motley assortment in the window - an overgrown plant, an American flag, a couple model ships.

Inside, I was greeted by Tony, the proprietor. Tony told me that he opened his shop fifty years ago. At first I had trouble understanding him and thought he'd said fifteen. No, fifty of course. And the place has remained unchanged.

Haircuts and a shave are ten bucks apiece. Tony soon had a customer. I took my leave, not wanting to distract him. I left, walking on air.

Tony's Barbershop, Bay Ridge, Brooklyn
I was so excited by original furnishings and wooden cash register, that I forgot to get out of the photo. Behind me, Tony takes a phone call.

Tony's Barbershop, Bay Ridge, Brooklyn
Tony greets his customer with a little kidding around.

Tony's in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn
Everything gets serious as the master begins work.

The Portrait Series is a once-in-a-while installment, featuring New Yorkers encountered on the street.

Related posts: Portrait of an Entrepreneur, on the Upper East Side, Portrait of a Bike Messenger, in Midtown, and Portrait of a Film Shoot, in Brooklyn Heights.

Read more...

Sunday, August 10, 2014

Husband's Resting Area, on Sixth Avenue

Husband's resting area, nyc
Photo by myself, on Sixth Avenue in Midtown.

A sign outside a jewelry store in Midtown called out the 'Husband's Resting Area'. Below it, some open seats. Ha.

I suppose this could be considered sexist? Or simply honest, since all the jewelry inside is for women.

There are several little jewelry and beading stores on Sixth Avenue, close to the Garment District. This one is fortunate to have some shaded space.

Related posts: Cat Specialists, on the Upper West Side, Outside a Creperie, in Park Slope, Brooklyn, and Vent Your Annoyance, for a Buck.

Read more...

Saturday, August 9, 2014

Concept Car, in Midtown

Concept Car, nyc
Photo by myself, in Midtown.

A custom white car parked in Midtown turned heads from people passing by.

Parts of this car were were very open, and looked more like a motorcycle than a traditional car. I'm not sure what the occasion was; there were no signs or anything. Its owner must have stepped away for a moment.

Concept Car, nyc
The view from the front.

Concept Car, nyc
The view of the insides. I have to admit, I was tempted to get in, since there were no doors!

There is some limited parking on the streets in Manhattan, usually limited to an hour or so with a meter. Usually you cannot find parking anywhere and must resort to an overpriced parking garage.

Related posts: Nice Set of Wheels, Yellow Cab, Under Snow, and Camera Van, in Park Slope, Brooklyn.

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Friday, August 8, 2014

Waiting for a Carousel Ride, in Bryant Park

Bryant Park, NYC
Photo by myself in Bryant Park, around 40th Street and Fifth Avenue.

Nestled among trees on the south side of Bryant Park, sits a carousel. It's the carousel of your dreams, with carved animals to sit on and lights and music. A couple kids were excitedly anticipating their ride, Thursday evening.

Tickets are $3 each. Just steps away, there were 3-minute chess games going on, a book reading, some people practicing hula hoops, and the usual many, many clusters of people chatting or just enjoying the evening.

This park is surrounded by buildings and is widely used, year round. During lunch time, the lawn is filled with office workers taking lunch hour. After work hours, there are free movies playing on a giant screen, and various free activities, ranging from yoga to bocce.

We've been having glorious weather recently, which is unheard of for August in the city, with sunny days and very low humidity. TGIF everyone!

Related posts: On Napping in Bryant Park, and Parking in Brooklyn, Lions, Tigers and Panda Bears, Oh My!, and Odd and Colorful Birds, in Bryant Park.

Read more...

Monday, August 4, 2014

Free Papers, in Midtown

China Daily, NYC
Photo by myself, somewhere in Midtown.

We don't have an enormous mainland China population here but on select corners, there are free 'China Daily' papers. Next to this location there was also free paper printed in Hebrew.

Maybe this is a public relations move, but it is rather a subtle one (!). There is always a ton of stuff/crap on the sidewalk, ranging from trash cans to trash bags to bikes to people.

Related posts: Get Your Paper Here, at Union Square, Read All About It, and Signs on Third Avenue.

Read more...

Thursday, July 10, 2014

Wedding Photos, Below Ground

Wedding pic, nyc
Photo by myself on the Atlantic/Pacific subway platform, in Brooklyn.

An attractive young couple posed for their wedding photos in perhaps the most unromantic place possible, on a New York subway platform. The bride wore a gorgeous gown, its bright white hem brushing the grubby floor tiles. Ick.

I took this photo last night (Wednesday). This was a strange sight to the late rush hour crowd, making their journey home.

This is a very busy station in Brooklyn, where many subway lines cross one another. Many commuters stop here to change trains. The couple's photographer was standing somewhere behind me, to the right.

Related posts: Upside Down on the R Train, On Line Behind Santa, Underground, and Green Man, in Washington Square Park.

Read more...

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Paste-Ups on Bowery, in the East Village

graffiti, nyc
Photo by myself, around Houston Street and Bowery, in the East Village.

A couple paste ups on Houston Street found inspiration in McDonald's - something about food and celebrity and New York eating you alive. (That's Kanye West and Angelina Jolie in the poster on the right). Hm.

It was a busy, sunny day and there were tons of people were walking about. Looking at my photos later, I noticed that there must have been a guitar convention going on, because several people carrying guitar cases walked by in the span of a minute. How strange.

graffiti, nyc

graffiti, nyc

Related posts: Paste Ups, on the Lower East Side, Ninja Assasins, in the East Village, and Graffiti, Williamsburg.

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Monday, July 7, 2014

On Shore Leave, in Midtown

Sailors a-shopping, nyc
Photo by myself around Fifth Avenue and 38th Street, in Midtown.

Much of Manhattan is inward-looking (in more ways that one), so it's sometimes hard to remember that it is an island and one that is visited by ships!

Above, two sailors in uniform looked through some postcards on the sidewalk. I took this recently, that is, not around Memorial Day weekend, when we are visited by many ships. During that time of year, we see many, many sailors in their white uniforms walking around, enjoying themselves.

Happy Monday, everyone!

Related posts: It's Fleet Week, on Sixth Avenue, Ahoy, Matey!, and Saluting Heroes, Along Fifth Avenue, Part Two.

Read more...

Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Billionaire's Row, Above Central Park South

Above Central Park, nyc
Photo by myself, around 67th Street and Fifth Avenue on the Upper East Side.

High above Central Park, around the 20th Floor, you can see quite a bit of Central Park South. Whew, it's a long way down. I was at this location helping a friend measure parts his apartment project.

The square-ish white building to the left is the Plaza Hotel, located at the south east corner of the park. On the far right, the twin glass towers comprise One Central Park, at the south west corner of the park.

The super tall, glass modern building standing at the midpoint was erected only recently, and houses some extremely posh condominium apartments as well as the hotel Park Hyatt. Called 'One 57', for its addresss at One West 57th Street, it is 90 stories high, which is gigantic compared to its pre-war neighbors.

'One 57' is the first in a series of tall towers planned for 57th Street, which is also called 'Billionaire's Row'. These towers will have a crazy view of Central Park, and will make a serious impact to the city as we know it.

The interiors at One 57 are super modern, and apartments cost as much as $30 million.
For more about the building, check out a New York Times article here.
For the building's snazzy website, click here.

Related posts: Bird's Eye View, Above Central Park, A View of Spring, from Central Park South, and The World Above Central Park.

Read more...

Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Peeping in to the Desigual Store, on Sixth Avenue

Desigual, nyc
Photo by myself around 35th Street and Sixth Avenue.

A large mural on the side of the Desigual store in Midtown has a sense of humor - a colorful graphic is unzipped, to reveal the building's insides. Some of the scantily clad residents are shown disrobing and...other things, ha.

Billboards and large scale murals are common in certain parts of Manhattan. One must take care not to get distracted and walk into traffic.

Related posts: Airplane Art, Outside the Plaza Hotel, FDNY Mural, in the East Village, and Genesis Mural, in Soho.

Read more...

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Mighty Balls, at Broadway Bites, in Midtown

Mighty balls, nyc
Photo by myself, around 35th Street and Broadway, in Midtown.

Ah yes. You can get Mighty Balls. To eat.

Now through August 1st, shoppers and visitors near Herald Square can nosh on delicious little dishes representing all sorts of cuisines, and take a break from all that tiring shopping. Lol.

During a quick little tour, I spotted street noodles from Hong Kong, tacos, high end cannolis, gelato, and of course, mighty little meatballs with esoteric sauces. Foodies should skip the shopping altogether and just snack, for goodness sake.

The whole thing is arranged by a group called Broadway Bites. They take a break around Labor day and there is another installment for most of November.

For the Broadway Bites site, including photos and scrumptious vendor list, click here.

Hong Kong street food, nyc

Brooklyn Bites, nyc
Not easy to choose from all the deliciousness.

Related posts: Street Meats, on Seventh Avenue, The Best Hot Dogs, in Times Square, and On Line for Breakfast, in Midtown.

Read more...

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

Framing the View, up Broadway

Rubber Art, nyc
Photo by myself around 36th Street and Broadway, in Midtown.

Several large scale sculptures by the artist Chakaia Booker stand along a stretch of Broadway, in Midtown.

These large, black sculptures are made of recycled rubber from tires. The pieces are woven, tacked and/or tied together to make huge, looming structures that evoke scales, feathers and other natural materials.

Above, one sculpture frames the view north, up Broadway. What look like tentacles seem to make the artwork come to life. The sculptures will remain for view through November.

For more about the artist, including images of all five sculptures that comprise 'The Sentinels' series, click here.

Related posts: Barber Shop, Brooklyn, Watch Repair, in Sunset Park, and Outside a Deli, in Brooklyn.

Read more...

Monday, June 9, 2014

Shuffleboard at the Royal Palms, in Brooklyn

Royal Palms, Brooklyn
Photo by myself, at the Royal Palms Shuffleboard Club, in Gowanus Brooklyn.

What looks to be a swanky bar in Brooklyn is actually a swanky bar with shuffleboard courts and old-timey style. Who would think that shuffleboard would be making its comeback? Several games were in full swing, on a sunny Sunday afternoon.

The Royal Palms Shuffleboard Club opened earlier this year and is located in a huge space on Union Street. This has been the perfect venue for many a large office party.

Royal Palms, Brooklyn

For the Royal Palms website, click here.
For an article about their opening in the Times, click here.

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Sorry for the huge absence!! It is hard to believe this is the fourth post this year, and we're already into June?! How can that be? I blame everything on work, which has been more super busy and stressful as usual. Alas!

Related posts: Barber Shop, Brooklyn, Watch Repair, in Sunset Park, and Outside a Deli, in Brooklyn.

Read more...

Thursday, April 24, 2014

A Moment, in Koreatown

32nd Street, NYC
Photo by myself, on 32nd Street and Sixth Avenue, in Koreatown.

No, not a shot from Asia, but a moment in Koreatown on 32nd Street.

Koreatown is found within a few blocks in this area of Midtown. Signage for restaurants, karaoke bars, grocery stores and barbershops float well above street level.

Related posts: Cheers, from Koreatown, A Snapshot from Koreatown, 32nd Street, and 32nd and Fifth, in Midtown.

Read more...

Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Street Scene, in Chelsea

25th and 10th
Photo by myself, around 25th Street and 10th Avenue in Chelsea.

There weren't any live people on the street the other day in Chelsea, but there were plenty of painted ones. Above, a huge mural depicting a street scene. The streetcar shows a 1945 date the destination of Times Square.

The tall building on the left is typical of some of the older buildings in Chelsea - enormous and brick.

We've finally had glimmers of Spring here! Hurrah! We had so many more grey, lifeless days than usual this year.

Related posts: Larger than life Mural, in the East Village, Musicians Galore, on West 3rd Street, and The Rat Pack, on Avenue C.

Read more...

Thursday, March 27, 2014

Streaming Sunshine, in Soho

On Broadway, nyc
Photo by myself on Broadway, in Soho.

A photo from an earlier, sunnier and warmer time.

Related posts: Sign of Spring, in Soho, Waiting to Cross, in Soho, and Missing, on Broadway.

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Wednesday, March 26, 2014

On Storefronts and Finding Vivian Maier

Lucky 777, nyc
Photo by myself on Macdougal Street, in the Village.

The insides and outsides of the little chili shop drew my attention. Lucky 777 was as red as red can be.

I took this photo last summer. After a quick search though, I found that Lucky 777 has closed (!). It had mixed reviews on Yelp. Some of the complaints were price driven - $9 bowls of chili. Alas.

On another front, there is a great little slideshow on the New Yorker website, featuring candids by Vivian Maier, who lived in Chicago in the 1960's. Born in New York, Maier worked as a nanny but took incredibly striking street photos and movies in her spare time.

Maier's work was discovered by a man doing research for a book he was writing. She had left some 100,000 negatives behind. Not even her close friends knew that she took photos, during her lifetime.

The story of uncovering the mystery of this supremely talented woman is documented in a recent movie called 'Finding Vivian Maier'. It looks fascinating, and includes interviews with her friends and children she had helped raise.

Screenings of this documentary are scheduled through August, throughout the States.

For a preview of this movie, click here.
For the Vivian Maier slideshow on the New Yorker website, click here.
For a recent article on Slate, click here.

Related posts: Outside Big Nick's, on the Upper West Side, Outside Pinisi Bakery, on East 4th Street, and West 10th Street, at Night.

Read more...

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Outside Trump Tower, on Fifth Avenue

Trump Tower, nyc
Photo by myself around 56th Street and Fifth Avenue, in Midtown.

A photo from the stash, while waiting for the light to change.

There are a number of buildings Trump in New York. I can't keep track of them. They all seem to be tall and with metallic accents.

Related posts: Trumped, on the Upper West Side, Going for the Gold, and Something Old, Something New.

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