Thursday, July 31, 2008

Trump's Latest Abomination


It's his 45-story SoHo Hotel Condominium (although
it's not actually in SoHo). Still not sure how he got the
necessary variances to build it in this low-profile
neighborhood in the first place—or to keep building
after one worker was killed and several injured.
If you still want to move in, units are 430 to 2,300 sq. ft.,
and prices START at $1,200,000. Any takers?

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

run run run



And if you need something—
don't worry, we've got you covered.
(But what in the world is sport jelly?)

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

SOHO skyline



And how many water towers can you count?

Monday, July 28, 2008

where is everyone?



It's the theater district, early morning and
eerily quiet. In 12 hours, the joint will
be jumpin'!

Sunday, July 27, 2008

rebuilding



These folks are looking out over Ground Zero, where
there seems to be a whole lot going on.  Actually
not sure how I feel about that.  Wonder what these
people think about the proposed new buildings.

and he made the shot


Gotta say, though, that playing on rollerblades
would probably give him a slight speed 
and height advantage.
(But I love that crazy ponytail!)

Saturday, July 26, 2008

skywatch Friday



Dusk over Prospect Park. Way to start a
summer weekend in beautiful Brooklyn.
Hope you all have a good one!

Thursday, July 24, 2008

Singing "Poetry Man"


At just one of the summer's many free concerts,
this one in Madison Square Park, with the
Flatiron Building for a backdrop. Phoebe 
hasn't lost that powerful voice!

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Konichiwa, Irving-san


Very fitting that Washington Irving's home
now houses a Japanese restaurant —
I'll bet you didn't know that he was a big
sashimi fan. In fact, the working title of
his most famous story was actually The
Headless Hirame. (Unfortunately, he was
way ahead of his time and nobody got it.)

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

going my way?



I think this is a great idea for getting around
the center of the city, but I don't know what
a pedicab like this costs -- and mostly it's tourists
who use them. Bet this kid has lost a couple
of pounds since he started this job.

Monday, July 21, 2008

giant cupcake day


Yes, we do this kind of bake-sale stuff in NYC too. 
 Only we judge it before we eat it.
This was at work, to benefit CARE. The entry in the foreground
wasn't the big winner, but it was my fave. Go Knicks! 
 (And Liberty—those women can really play some b-ball!)

lunch, anyone?



Bad spelling, Freudian slip, or sense of humor? You decide.

Saturday, July 19, 2008

book? what's a book?



It's the main reading room at the New York
Public Library, but I don't see anyone
reading—do you?

Friday, July 18, 2008

It's Friday—let's travel (back in time)


Did you recognize this guy? I'll admit he's looking
a bit the worse for wear these days (but still too cool).
Took this photo circa 1967, in Paris.
(Since I showed you a non-photo yesterday, felt
I should make up for it with this one.)

Thursday, July 17, 2008

so what's so special about this photo?


Nothing. But five minutes before I was allowed to take this photo
there was another one I wasn't allowed to take.   I was here
near this side exit at the Hyatt Hotel talking on the phone with a
friend and one of the hotel employees came and said they were
moving a "dignitary" and would I stay where I was?  Sure.
Well, "dignitary" was putting it mildly, because the next thing 
I knew I was five feet away from the Dalai Lama!
I know he describes himself as "a simple monk," but
there's an energy field around him that you can actually feel. Don't
quite know how to explain it, but I literally got chills. He was here
to give a "teaching" talk on the Four Noble Truths at Radio City Music Hall.
(And the last place I would have expected him to be staying is the
Hyatt on 42nd Street—where the lobby is currently tackily 
decorated in honor of this week's all-star game!)

Henry's window on NYC


Henry lives in Colorado now, but he and his
mom got acclimated to Rocky Mountain highs
ahead of time by hanging out in her 
office with a view of Manhattan.

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

are you artistic?



If so, maybe you can join the National Arts Club
and hang out in this beautiful building (facing
that exclusive, locked Gramercy Park). It's the
Tilden Mansion, built in the 1840s and now a
NYC Landmark and Nat'l Historic Landmark too.
The National Arts Club was founded in 1898 to
encourage and support all forms of the arts.
Former members include Alfred Stieglitz,
William Merritt Chase, and Cecilia Beaux (women
have been welcome here equally from the get-go);
current ones include Dennis Hopper, Frank McCourt,
and Alice Hoffman.

allons, enfants!



The Philharmonic came back to Prospect Park
last night to help all us Francophile Brooklynites
celebrate Bastille Day. Naturellement, the evening's
entertainment was capped off with fabulous fireworks.

Sunday, July 13, 2008

another angle on the Met



Museum, that is. We all know the walls are
covered with miles of world-class art, 
but don't forget to look up!

Saturday, July 12, 2008

new neighbors



Came out yesterday morning, and found my
neighbors staring up at my window. This
beautiful cardinal couple has built a nest in
the tree just beneath it. As you can see, my cat
Buddy is fascinated with his new neighbors.
They're just a tad less enthusiastic about him!

(btw, tomorrow I'll be at the Internet void that
is . . . my mom's house, so I'm following uselaine's
instructions for posting ahead. wish me luck.)

Friday, July 11, 2008

Skywatch Friday



Not exactly a "let's go somewhere on Friday" shot.
More like a "just been somewhere" photo.
Came across this skywatch concept on someone's blog and
thought this picture might fit the idea. Coming home
at dusk, and have just flown over my house.

Thursday, July 10, 2008

one photo, two icons

Welcome to my work neighborhood. My building is directly
across 42nd St. from the Chrysler Bldg. And I'm 
always grateful to Jackie Onassis for her (successful) 
efforts to save Grand Central from the wrecking ball. 
 She said this:
"Is it not cruel to let our city die by degrees, stripped of all her proud monuments, until there will be nothing left of all her history and beauty to inspire our children? If they are not inspired by the past of our city, where will they find the strength to fight for her future? Americans care about their past, but for short term gain they ignore it and tear down everything that matters. Maybe… this is the time to take a stand, to reverse the tide, so that we won't all end up in a uniform world of steel and glass boxes."

Wednesday, July 9, 2008

Pete's Tavern


Been there since 1864, and looks the same today
(except for the air conditioners, traffic lights, and
motorcycles, of course). This place—the oldest
continuously operating bar/restaurant in NYC—
managed to stay open during Prohibition because
the owners disguised it as a florist's shop. It's
where O'Henry wrote "The Gift of the Magi."

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

rolling down Flatbush Ave.



                                             But how do they get on—and off??

Monday, July 7, 2008

ride and learn



On the way home from the airport, I rode in one
of those cabs with a TV (good for taking 
your mind off the cabbie's nutso driving) and I
learned that you can polo on elephants. Who knew?
Have Charles and the boys heard about this?

Sunday, July 6, 2008

banns in Boston


Don't usually get personal here, but had to make
an exception today. Indian weddings are the most fun!
Everyone looks beautiful, and the food is awesome.
Our friends Neil and Ruah were totally gorgeous --

and they can definitely get down!

Saturday, July 5, 2008

the bombs bursting in air . . .


The fireworks were awe-some!! Had a hard time
choosing an image. We parked ourselves in an industrial
section of Greenpoint, in Brooklyn, along with the usual
NY melting pot -- Asians, Indians, black, white -- it was
great! We had a view of three of the four barges from
which they launched (in sync) 120,000 pyrotechnics.
I know they televise it, but -- honestly -- you have to be 
there. Have I mentioned I (sometimes, anyway)
really, really love this town?
Off to Boston in a few hours for another fun wedding.
Back Sunday.

Friday, July 4, 2008

storm brewing



This one's in Greenport, out on the North Fork
of Long Island. We're all hoping the threat doesn't
materialize tomorrow night and rain out 
the big Macy's fireworks display.

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

across 125th Street



So you'll stop to say hey to Bill, head a few blocks south
to get some fried chicken and mac and cheese at Melba's
(Bill would like to join you, but Hillary won't let him),
then back to 125th to catch the show at the Apollo.
(Not the clearest shot, I know, but -- hey -- taken
through the dirty window of a moving train.)

where am I?


And sometimes the subway is downright surprising,
although these typical New Yorkers don't seem to
notice. This is the shuttle that runs between Times
Square and Grand Central Terminal—it's three trains,
each only four cars long, and sometimes one of them
will be used as one big advertising space (as with
this ad for Westin resorts).  Cool, huh?

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

window pain



Love this shattered window (taken from the place
where I used to work). What you see is the West
Side and the Hudson River.