Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Rialto market



Have been coming to this market for years to 
admire the fish. This time we're staying
in an apartment, so we can actually buy one,
take it home, and cook it. And maybe 
make some stuffed zucchini flowers too. Yum.

Monday, September 29, 2008

ghost ship



Going to Burano today—for the first time,
so no photo.  Instead, here's one taken
from the late-night vaporetto, of another
boat passing on the Grand Canal.

Sunday, September 28, 2008

mass at San Marco


Plan to catch a mass Sunday morning at
the basilica. To be honest, it's the best way
to see the church without having to stand
on an interminable line to get in. And it's
fun to try to follow along in Italian.



If the campanile is open (not sure because
they're in the process of shoring it up;
apparently it's begun listing to starboard),
would like to be up there at noon when all
the bells ring. It is loud, but it's beautiful.

Saturday, September 27, 2008

Aah, Venezia!



And this is probably what it will look like
to us after our cab to the plane to the train
to the train voyage. But Venice is always
worth whatever it takes to get here.

Friday, September 26, 2008

leavin' on a jet plane . . .



Off to Italy tonight with big brother David for a
couple of weeks of food, wine, culture, hiking
—and fun! Won't have a computer with me, but
I'm clairvoyant so I've scheduled the posts 
(and let's just hope that works) and you 
can see what we're up to if you like.

Thursday, September 25, 2008

who goes there?


I came up out of the subway on 42nd Street this
morning just in time to see this cavalcade head
east toward the UN. Two cops on motorcycles at
the front, 12 or 15 cars, then an ambulance
bringing up the rear.  There wasn't a flag on any
of the cars, which made me think it was Ahmedinejad.
It's a huge pain for NY whenever they have the General
Assembly.  Cops everywhere, traffic tie-ups (they had to
clear several blocks of 42nd St. just for this little
parade), a security nightmare.  They even removed
mailboxes!  On the other hand, my colleague at
work did see M et Mme Sarkozy going into Cipriani 
the other night.  Big doings in the Big Apple.

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

in the house that Ruth built



Couldn't let this week go by without a nod
to Yankee Stadium. This was taken on
Mickey Mantle Day, circa 1960-something.
One of these guys was the baseball commissioner,
I believe.  And Joltin' Joe and our own Senator Kennedy
were looking on.  [The Joe Mickey signed this for was my
dad (the dude on the bike); he worked with the
Yankees (on the broadcast end) all during the '60s.]

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

art seen (scene?) in soho



Am inspired by my friend ming the merciless
to dig out these shots from last year. There's a building on Spring Street
in Soho that was empty for years and a favorite canvas of graffiti artists.
Rupert Murdoch's son bought it, then sold it to a developer for lots o' $$$.
Now the developer is creating three luxury condos.  They may be
completed by now.  I don't really care, since prices for these places were to
range from an obscene $6 million to $18 million (well, that one DOES come
with its own garage).  Still, just slightly out of my price range.
But before they began work, they invited graffiti artists from around the
world, who came and covered every square inch of the place.  I heard they
were going to cover it with sheetrock rather than paint over it, at least.
Anyway, it was amazing for the few days it lasted.

Monday, September 22, 2008

skywatch



Okay, so it's not Friday. Took this from just below 
the Whitestone Bridge, on the Queens side. 
That's the Bronx you see over on the 
other side of the East River.

Saturday, September 20, 2008

Red Hook



Was here last night at Red Hook Bait and Tackle
(cool funky bar but avoid the beer on tap) to see
The Lone Sharks. Public transportation hardly reaches
this neighborhood, which—like so many in Brooklyn—
is up and coming. Fortunately I got a lift from Maria
(in the blue shirt), in her vintage '66 Mustang (!).
And you can catch the free Ikea ferry from lower
Manhattan (but only when the new Ikea store here is open).
BTW, the name Red Hook comes from the original
Dutch name Roode Hoek—red point. Al Capone was from here, 
and so is James McBride, who wrote The Color of Water.

a cut above



This is one of Kako Ueda's amazing
cut-paper works. It's about as tall
as I am (5'2") and took two years (working
nights and weekends) to complete.
Next month, Kako's taking this (and one other
large) piece to a museum in Helsinki, where she
and Yoko Ono are sharing an exhibit space.
I just don't know how she makes those
intricate cuts.
Check out her website at kakoueda.com.

Friday, September 19, 2008

yo ho ho!


Hey, Cap'n Jack Sparrow, did you know that today
is International Talk Like a Pirate Day? 
 Read all about it here.

Thursday, September 18, 2008

sign me up



Don't know what this is really about,
so I'll just take it as a personal sign (so
to speak), and say, "It's about time!"

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

grand central


Went through Grand Central Terminal today.
Thousands pass through here every day, 
all on their way somewhere and 
each going in his or her own direction.

Monday, September 15, 2008

The Treats Truck



You really can't argue with their catch phrase,
because—hey—treats ARE good!  They even have
gift certificates, and all you need to do when
you want to cash one in for a yummy treat . . .
is figure out where in the 5 boroughs 
that truck is parked.
Okay, I'm kidding of course.  At least I've never
seen them anywhere but here.

bloggers' lunch



Got together yesterday with Chuck Pefley,
who's here from Seattle, and 6 other NYC
bloggers whom I'd never met before.
Having visited their blogs (some anyway),
was not surprised to find that they're all
friendly, all interesting.  Thanks for inviting
me, Ming!  The blogisphere is great, but face-
to-face over food is even better.

Sunday, September 14, 2008

Indian summer



We're having a bit of a heat wave this weekend.
But some of us know how to keep our cool here
on the terrace of the Brooklyn Public Library.

Saturday, September 13, 2008

playing with fire


Actually took this in Venice last summer.
Aaah, Venezia—I'll be back there 
in two weeks (woo-hoo)!

Friday, September 12, 2008

honoring/remembering


Wanted to stop by my local firehouse yesterday.
It's right next door to the food coop, and we've
become pretty attached in the past 7 years. 
This station lost 13 out of 30 on 9/11.
Someone actually said to a friend of mine 
not too long after the fact, "You New Yorkers 
really need to get over it."
Trust me— we deal and we don't dwell, 
but we'll NEVER "get over it."

Thursday, September 11, 2008

brooklyn brown(?)stone


I'm always amused when I pass this house in
my neighborhood.  It reminds me of one of
my kids' favorite storybooks.

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

hurry!!


Better order your tickets quick so you don't
miss Carmina Burana SEVEN MONTHS from
now! (It's because of all of us baby boomers
who thought that CB was the height of culture
when we were in college, and still can't get over it.)
Although I actually do think I'd better get on those
Messiah tix already.  Thanks for the reminder.

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Summer is NOT over!



I agree with Eric at PDP, and so do this lady
and her annoying feathered friends.  I thought
I was ready for autumn, but not quite yet.

Sunday, September 7, 2008

Rasta man


No, really—have you EVER seen such
serious dreads? I'm impressed.
You can't tell from the photo, but
this guy is fairly old. I'll bet he hasn't
cut his hair since Nixon was in office!

Saturday, September 6, 2008

the Shadow knows


Sunset, West Village.
This is what happens when you no longer
go anywhere without a camera, constantly
asking yourself "Where's the photo?"
(And where IS Tall Gary, I wonder?)

Welcome to the Middle East



East Brooklyn, that is.  These shots were
taken on Atlantic Avenue, the place to go
for Middle Eastern food, etc. in Brooklyn.

Thursday, September 4, 2008

Library Way



Plaques such as this one are set into the sidewalk
along a couple of blocks of 41st Street, leading up
to the main branch of the library. You can see them
all by going here and scrolling down. Wouldn't you love 
to have been one of the people who got 
to decide which books/quotes they featured?

Wednesday, September 3, 2008

an illicit "Tale"



Taking photos in the theater is SO verboten! That said,
here's a little shot of the curtain call at A Tale of Two Cities
(it helps if you turn off the sound on your camera).
Saw it with phx-cdg; can't wait to see how it gets reviewed.
It was kinda like Les Miz (duh), only toned down a bit.

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

waterfall


Finally got to see these (with phx-cdg). 
There are five of them and this 
one's under the Manhattan Bridge. 
You can find out more here .

Monday, September 1, 2008

West Indian Day Parade


This parade always takes place on Labor Day, here in 
Brooklyn, and it ends about a block from my house. 
By the time the dancers reach this point, 
they're pretty worn out.