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?

run run run

And if you need something—

don't worry, we've got you covered.

(But what in the world is sport jelly?)

SOHO skyline

And how many water towers can you count?

where is everyone?

It's the theater district, early morning and

eerily quiet. In 12 hours, the joint will

be jumpin'!

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!)

skywatch Friday

Dusk over Prospect Park. Way to start a

summer weekend in beautiful Brooklyn.

Hope you all have a good one!

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!

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.)

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.

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.

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?

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.)

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.

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.

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!

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.)

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.

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."

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."

rolling down Flatbush Ave.

                                             But how do they get on—and off??

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?

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!

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.

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.

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?

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.