Sunday, June 29, 2008

that's more like it


Gramercy schmamercy -- I'll take this garden. The wedding I
went to was in Poughkeepsie, at Locust Grove, the home
of Samuel F.B. Morse. Ironically, he was very active in the anti-
Catholic and anti-immigrant movements. Ironic because this
wedding was performed by a Catholic priest, and the bride's
whole family are first-generation Americans who came here
from Poland. I hope that old bigot Sam was turning over in
his grave (which is in Brooklyn, btw).

Friday, June 27, 2008

let's get outta here!


Given the name of this blog, chosen before I really knew what it would be,
I"ve decided I should take you someplace else altogether every Friday (at least).
So guess where this is. It's McCall, Idaho.  Never understood why they call this part
of the U.S. "God's country" until I went there. Oh, right. Now I get it.
BTW, won't be here tomorrow, because like this fellow, I'll be up a creek w/o the
Internet. Unlike Eric (and Bibi and practically everyone else), I have no idea how
 to post ahead (duh). Have a great weekend, mes amis. See you Sunday.

Thursday, June 26, 2008

tough decision


I hate the subway, I love the subway, I hate the subway,
I love ... well, you get the idea. It's crowded, noisy, and
annoying -- but it gets you where you're going (most
of the time), runs 24/7/365, and you do encounter
some interesting characters -- musicians, buskers,
preachers, and this guy, who's managed to boil it all
down to a simple choice.

let me in



Behind this locked gate is beautiful, peaceful
—and exclusive—Gramercy Park. Unless you
have a key (which you can buy if you live in one
of the buildings that face the park), you'll have
to admire it from outside the big iron fence.
And if you do have a key, leave the dog at home.

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

tallest


Had to run an errand yesterday, and just
before I went back down in the subway,
I happened to look up. Strange to think
you could forget this is here.

Monday, June 23, 2008

BBG


Brooklyn Botanic Garden, that is. Couldn't decide
what to put here tonight, so went first to Eric's PDP
post for inspiration—and found it. I'm lucky enough
to have this gorgeous place right around the corner.
This shot was taken about 2 months ago, when their
famous cherry blossoms were at their absolute
bright pink flowering peak!

Sunday, June 22, 2008

we have one too


Not as big as the Arc de Triomphe, for sure,
but our arch, in Grand Army Plaza, is also
beautiful -- and it's two minutes from my
house. It does add to my yearning for Paris,
though (as if I needed any more help with that).

Saturday, June 21, 2008

more music


Because it's the Fete de la Musique all 
over and, besides, Coltrane likes it.
This is the Lone Sharks -- guitar, bass, sax,
sometimes keyboard, and my brother on drums.
They play American roots music, and
I defy you to keep from dancing.

you and the night and the music


This is just a VERY FEW of the people who came
to Prospect Park tonight to have a picnic, drink
some wine, and be entertained by the NY
Philharmonic, The Metropolitan Opera Chorus,
and Angela Gheorghiu and Roberto Alagna
(who sang a random selection of just the really
good arias). The middle of the park is a very
long meadow, and they set up a big stage at
one end, but placed speakers and big screens
along almost the whole length of the meadow.
This was the most elaborate of all the free summer
concerts the Philharmonic is doing this year,
and of course they did it in Brooklyn.
Sometimes I really love this city.

Thursday, June 19, 2008

Chinatown


The opinions of the fish are not necessarily those of the blogger.
Hey, maybe he thought I was going to buy him and
eat him, as he was in a big tank with lots of his friends,
for that express purpose. But I've never had a fish stick
its tongue out at me before, and I really liked this one's chutzpah.

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Sunset over Red Hook


Red Hook is another part of Brooklyn that is becoming newly
gentrified. Ships dock there, and these cranes are used
to offload containers. This shot was taken by my daughter Lila.
I share it with you because it's amazing, and also because we
spent $100,000 plus for her to get a degree in Art History and
Photography at NYU, and I'd like to think that this photo is at
least partial proof of money well spent. What do you think?

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

I hate Times Square







































But I love the Naked Cowboy, aka John Robert Burke,
originally from Cincinnati. He's out there literally
year-round in his whitie-tighties and not much else
-- strumming his guitar and singing (and posing for
photos with the tourists, of course). He once told one of my 
daughters that for some reason he just doesn't get cold.

Monday, June 16, 2008

Saddle up for Rush Hour


These people are headed into the south end
of Prospect Park, designed by the same fellow
(Frederic Law Olmsted) who designed Central Park in NYC.
Took this shot this afternoon. (I don't have a car, but my
wonderful West African friend, Diallo, does, thank goodness,
and I can call him whenever I need to get from here to there.)
I'm just saying -- we have it all in Brooklyn!

Sunday, June 15, 2008

as it is, as it was


Also for Rahul, our famous view of lower 
Manhattan from Brooklyn—just wish 
it hadn't been such an overcast day.

Saturday, June 14, 2008

vertigo



This is a view from the 32nd floor of the 
new Hearst Building, looking down at the 
intersection of Broadway and 57th Street.