New York miscellaneous

 

The revolving globe in the lobby of the Daly News Bld, East 42nd St. Views of the accompanying wall clock and measuring instruments.

 

At one stage, a NY building law stipulated that after so many storeys, subsequent floors should be set back to optimise light reaching the streets. Although no longer legislated, some adjacent modern buildings have followed suite.

 

The impressive entrance to the New York Public Library.

 

I play a game of robot dodgem 'cars' at the Sony Technology Laboratory and lose. Well he was a techno savvy youngster.

 

Starbucks and other coffee vendors are moving into banks. Benefits those who don't do internet banking and don't mind crappy coffee.

 

BH Photo and Video Megastore (largest in world). Once you select an item it's placed in trays on moving conveyor belts under the bench.

 

As you head to check-out watch your goods travel on the overhead conveyor belts (see the green bin) to the payment and collection centre.

 

The new Tom Ford store on Madison Av. Only the millionaires from the Upper East Side feel comfortable entering and purchasing.

 

Scary subway sculptures. Little kids must be frightened because I was.

 

Breakfast at a famous NY institution - Katz's Delicatessen, lower east side. Best Kosher food ever so they say (I'm not an expert but did enjoy). Where they filmed an orgiastic Meg Ryan that elicited a famous quote from another diner "I'll have what she is having".

 

I have pastrami on rye, with mustard and sweet pickles. Not fattening -read this article.

Everyone was having what I was having.

 

The deli provides hampers to the US military. This is their motto.

 

More information about Katz's deli can be found here.

 

The owner of this building refused to sell to developers. So they built around him. West 63rd St.

 

A last walk through the West Village.

 

Quentin Crisps rather staid and boring brownstone on East 3rd St.

 

The local fire station on the Bowery. These guys have hero status in this city.

 

Small park at corner of LaGuadia and West Houston. Only stocked with plants existing at the time of the first settlement of the island.

 

These small green spaces are under threat from developers. Protests are encouraged.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Chelsea Market, the High Line, Cool Things and Metropolitan Museum of Art

 

The Chelsea Market; site of the original Nabisco biscuit factory.

 

The spice counter

 

If I see another pumpkin I'll scream; at least some of these have personality.

 

The High Line is an elevated freight rail line transformed into a public park on Manhattan’s West Side. Pleasant walk above the city streets. Note that the rail tracks remain as part of the flower beds.

Further information about the High Line can be found by clicking here.

The Washington Monument in Washington Square. Being Autumn, the leaves are starting to change colour.

 

Oh no, the Hare Kristnas are back with their wonderfully melodious tunes, Union Square.

 

Filming cool dudes in the streets of SoHo. They seem annoyed that I'm doing a photo shoot of them. Attitude!

 

One of the models, or a member of the film crew, drives a classic Porsche.

 

In response to the possibility of movie stardom, I drop into the local SoHo sunglasses shop. After head and face modelling, the computer spits out this suggestion which I bought. I was told the glasses would thin down my face (from melon shaped to hopefully not pear shaped).

Hot Dawg, that dude you see in front of you is sure hip to the jive! (This is jive talk for ultra cool - not that that needs explaining)

 

Now that I look the part, I attended the opening of Yoko Ono's celebration of John's 73rd birthday. The celebration involved selling John's artwork and making an obscene profit.

 

John's primary art medium was line drawing - either pen, pencil or Japanese Sumi ink. Any colour present was added by Yoko later. All prints were signed by Ms Ono as authentic. Since prices ranged from $3,000 to $22,000, I decided not to rush into a purchase.

For more information click here.

 

A view of the Empire State Building from Union Square with the wonderful Flatiron Building on the right. It's turning cold and windy.

 

The Metropolitan Museum of Art. In addition to the art, it's the building and grand spaces that impress.

 

The interior design of a Frank Lloyd Wright home.

 

Pieces by Faberge.

 

Statue of a rather anorexic cat, stretched at both ends, presumably by owners going through an acrimonious divorce settlement.

 

Ron - I know you have just been to Peru so you know all about Peruvian Feather Panels. No doubt you have bought back many to adorn your walls and give to all your friends - excluding myself hopefully.

 

 

Priceless treasures on loan from the Hildesheim Cathedral including the Baptisimal font and a statue of Madonna and Child in gold.

 

Leaving the Metropolitan, I visited the Guggenheim. At last the scaffolding has been removed and the renovations complete (at least for the time being).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted with Blogsy