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Friday, May 31, 2013

Business as Usual, on the Q Train

subway, nyc
Photo by myself on the subway.

It was business as usual on the subway the other day as we crossed the East River. There is the usual glimmer of sunshine as we crawled across the Manhattan Bridge.

TGIF everyone!

Related posts: Morning Ride, on the D Train, Commute Home, on the D Train, and Sunset Ride, on the Ride to Brooklyn.

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Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Pedicab, on Sixth Avenue

Pedicab, nyc
Photo by myself on Sixth Avenue, in Midtown.

A pedicab driver posed for me the other day. Behind him, was a slew of regular yellow cabs.

I asked him about his mock license plate on the front of his bike. He doesn't actually own a taxi license, which costs hundreds of thousands of dollars and are bolted down to the hoods of yellow cabs.

As you can see, it's been raining on and off recently, but this pedicab is equipped for the weather. He asked whether he could give me a ride.

I laughed and said I was going to Brooklyn. A long trip!

Related posts: Pedalling Around Columbus Circle, Before a Tour, Pedicab Style, and Working It.

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Friday, May 24, 2013

Outside the Dakota, on the Upper West Side

Outside the Dakota, nyc
Photo by myself, around 72nd Street and Central Park West.

Two doormen stood outside the Dakota, a high-end apartment building on the Upper West Side.

Beyond the wrought iron gates is the central courtyard. The little doorman's booth has a little red light at the top to help hail passing taxis.

This building is known for many things. John Lennon lived here until his death in 1980. He was shot outside on the sidewalk. The building was also featured in the movie 'Rosemary's Baby'.

Not all apartment buildings have names. And not all apartment buildings that have names are remembered for their names. But a choice few have names and are memorable enough buildings to be known by their names!

Related posts: The Look Outside the Dakota, On Lost Icons and the Dakota, and Night View, Near the Dakota.

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Thursday, May 23, 2013

Cat Specialists, on the Upper West Side

Cat Specialists, nyc
Photo by myself, around 76th Street and Broadway, on the Upper West Side.

Yes, there are cat specialists here.

Manhattan Cat Specialists focus on everything cat - they board cats, groom cats, and look to their special medical needs. They even make house calls and had a couple brand new (adorable) kittens in their window for adoption.

I'm not sure whether New Yorkers own more cats than dogs. Some apartments don't allow pets at all, but they are the exception rather than the norm.

As with any business, please check them out before using them. By the way, the free pick and delivery canopy was for a dry cleaners next door, not for the cats!

Related posts: Cat on a Leash, in Midtown, Beware of Cat, East Village, and Cats on Leashes.

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Wednesday, May 22, 2013

The View Above Park Avenue

Park Avenue, nyc
Photo by myself, on Park Avenue on the Upper East Side.

The view high above Park Avenue in the East 70's is an interesting one.

The distinctive layout of the street can be seen, below. Several lanes of traffic are separated by a green swath of plantings. All the yellow cabs were out delivering customers.

Across the street are terraced, pre-war apartment buildings. By zoning requirements, buildings must step back from the street on the upper floors. This allows for private terraces and gardens.

This photo was taken from the 11th Floor. Larger apartments cost tens of millions of dollars (!).

Related posts: Looking Up West End Avenue, Looking Down from the Upper East Side, and Hovering Above Park Avenue.

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Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Greetings, from the West Coast

Santa Monica, CA
Photo by myself on Ocean Avenue, in Santa Monica.

The sunsets can be really lovely here, in Santa Monica.

Ocean Avenue is one of the main north-south streets, along the water. There is a huge drop of (at least) sixty feet to the beach below. The Pacific Coast Highway, also known as the PCH, runs alongside the beach out of view.

Santa Monica, CA

In the daytime, it is brightly sunny and breezy. Above, the view along the beach and the dozens of colorful, playful (and expensive) beach houses. There is a path for joggers and cyclists. To the left is the beach, with volleyball nets set up for public use.

During the week, a smattering of people enjoy the beach. On the weekends, it is a little more crowded, but there is so much beach that it's never as terribly crowded as it can be in the northeast (!).

I'm here for a few days, while my fiance Mark is working. I'm flying back to New York, Wednesday evening.

Related posts: The Hotel Shangri-La, in Santa Monica, Greetings, from Santa Monica, and Sunset, from the Hotel Shangri-La, LA.

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Monday, May 13, 2013

Ready for the Bike Share, on 24th Street

Bikeshare, nyc
Photo by myself around 24th Street and Broadway.

Hundreds of outdoor bike racks are being set up for the Citibike bike share, to be launched at the end of this month.

The bike share has been talked about for a while now, and it's finally happening. Similar programs adopted in London, Paris and Washington have been successful.

I was skeptical about the bike share until now. After reading more about the program, I am hopeful. This is more a practical program for commuters, than an amenity for sightseers who might not know where they are going.

People like my fiance Mark will benefit the most. His office is located on the edge of Manhattan, on Tenth Avenue, long blocks away from the subway. Having a bike for just those few blocks during the dead of winter will be life-altering.

Taxis and other drivers can be very aggressive here, with little patience for all the pedicabs, pedestrians, cyclists and skateboarders. Riding a bike here is not for casual fun!

The bike share starts on May 27th. For more about the Citibike program, click here.

Related posts: Summer Streets, on Park Avenue South, Pedaling Around Midtown, and On NY Bike Tours and Real Housewives.

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Sunday, May 12, 2013

Sample Sale, on Fifth Avenue

Sample sale line, nyc
Photo by myself, around 29th Street and Fifth Avenue in Midtown.

A line snaked down the sidewalk for a sample sale of designer clothing. A man in a suit acted as a bouncer.

Rebecca Minkoff ready-to-wear clothing and accessories were being sold 75% off list price. Often, designers rent ground floor spaces for a couple days to get rid of inventory.

It's a win-win scenario - the designers save money selling the items to the public directly, rather than going thru a third party. Landlords are paid for a couple days for spaces that would go un-rented. The public gets inexpensive designer clothing.

There are various on-line websites you can subscribe to, to find out when and where sample sales are.

Related posts: Fall Fashion Week, Bryant Park, Behind the Prada Store, in Soho, and Model Behavior, Downtown.

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Saturday, May 11, 2013

Mighty Balls, at Mad. Sq. Eats

mighty balls msqpk sm
Photo by myself, around 24th Street and Fifth Avenue in the Flatiron District.

Happily reunited with my Leica, I took a short walk to the Flatiron area.

Mad. Sq. Eats is shorthand for 'outside eateries near Madison Square Park'. People were outside sampling street food and enjoying the gorgeous Spring weather.

Some thirty stalls offer foods, drinks and desserts. Friday evening, people waited in line for oven-fired gourmet pizza, cannolis, chocolates, bbq, ice cream...the works.

MSP momofuku sm

Strangely, there were several people walking around carrying watermelon drinks...in watermelons. Whatever was in the drink must have been excellent because the drink-ers had big grins on their faces.

MSP melon 2 sm

Mad Sq Eats, nyc

Mad. Sq. Eats is only open for the month of May.

For more information about Mad. Sq. Eats, click here.

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I'll be out in LA for several days. Posts will continue here!

Related posts: Mad. Sq. Eats, in the Flatiron District, Serving it up from the Back of a Truck, and Pizza Pizza.

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Friday, May 10, 2013

From the Steps of the NYPL

NYPL
Photo by myself, around 42nd Street and Fifth Avenue.

An event was held at the main branch of the New York Public Library, Thursday night.

A red carpet lay at the very top of the steps.

Related posts: Random Graffiti, on Second Avenue, Graffiti, Williamsburg, and Ruff Ride, in the East Village.

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Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Graffiti, in Soho

paste up, soho
Photo by myself in Soho, around Crosby Street and Broadway.

A photo from the stash. Yes, there is graffiti, even in gorgeous Soho.

I thought this was nice combination of old-timey signs and paste-ups. The old brick is nice, too.

Apologies again for the sporadic posts. It's been insanely busy, and there's no end in sight. I've also been without my little Leica camera for a couple months, now. It spontaneously decided to stop working.

Fortunately, it was still under warranty, and should be arriving any day now from the repair shop. Hooray!!!!

My big Canon camera must weigh over 2 lbs with the lens, and when carried with lunch, wallet, phone, pens and the occasional 25-foot measuring tape, I have become a lop-sided hunchback. So sad!

Related posts: Random Graffiti, on Second Avenue, Graffiti, Williamsburg, and Ruff Ride, in the East Village.

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Friday, May 3, 2013

Outside Tea and Sympathy, in the Village

Tea and sympathy, nyc
Photo by myself around Greenwich and 13th Street, in the Village.

A red car was conveniently parked outside an elevation with a lot of red in it, the other day.

Tea and Sympathy is a store carrying British goods. It looks incredibly cozy.

TGIF everyone!

Related posts: Outside Mamoun's, in the Village, Graff Attack, in the Meatpacking District, and The Urban Art Form, Downtown.

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Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Graffiti, in Alphabet City

graffiti, nyc
Photo by myself, somewhere in Alphabet City.

Some of the graffiti you see around are works of art, with layers of spray paint and paste ups.

I caught this fellow passing by with his breakfast.

Related posts: Graffiti, in Soho, Graff Attack, in the Meatpacking District, and The Urban Art Form, Downtown.

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