Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Cable Car

This cable car goes from 3rd Avenue and 60th Street on the Upper East Side to the southern tip of Roosevelt Island. Although there are better and quicker ways to get to the island, this is probably the most scenic route.

So have you ever taken the scenic route to work?

Monday, March 30, 2009

Sur Empanadas

A new yuppie restaurant opened in my neighborhood recently called, Sur Empanadas where the meats are organic, the packaging is made from 100% recycled paper and the electricity is generated from wind energy. I stopped by for lunch yesterday and ordered the beef empanadas /salteña, which were delicious.

Sunnyside (my neighborhood) has a huge South American population so it is fairly easy to find cuisines from Colombia, Peru, Bolivia and Argentina. There are also ample Irish bars and Korean eateries, which make up most of the businesses in the neighborhood.

So do you have a favorite cuisine?

Update: There are a few questions on how the restaurant generated wind energy. In NYC, we have the option of purchasing electricity generated from fossil fuel (petroleum) or wind energy (more expensive). Basically, the wind energy is generated upstate and sold to the utility company. The utility company turns around and sells the wind generated energy to consumers at a higher price. Now, how the utility company differentiate or partition the source of energy to the consumer is a whole different question altogether.

Sunday, March 29, 2009

Rope Jumping

I was at Union Square earlier this week when I saw these college kids -- most likely NYU students -- jumping rope with their friends. Then strangers, one by one, began to stop by and watch or join in the game. At one point, there were at least 50 people or so cheering and laughing with the group. It was so refreshing and wonderful to see strangers come together and have fun like that.

No, I did not attempt to join the fun but I did take a lot of photos. This one shows a girl doing the jump in 3" heels.

So have you ever jumped rope or simply commune with strangers and had a great time?

Saturday, March 28, 2009

$1 Menus at East Village

You don't have to go to McDonald's for the $1 menu any more. It seems like a number of restaurants in the East Village (all within half a block of each other) are offering their own version of $1 menus including the $1 falafel sandwich, the $1 pizza slice and the $1 sushi.

So what can you buy for US$1 at where you live?

Friday, March 27, 2009

Prince & Elizabeth

I took this photo primarily as an archiving tool to remind myself later where I was when I took the other photos. And interestingly enough, this photo turned out quite nicely. I especially like the colors and classic New York street scene.

So how do you archive your photos? Do you have a special way of naming your files or do you immediately delete the photos you don't like?

I have over 240 folders on my laptop from the 2+ years of taking photos for this blog. It has taken up a lot of space on my hard drive and I need to go back and delete most of the bad photos.

Thursday, March 26, 2009

Pixelated Mural

This pixelated mural is located on the 2nd floor wall of an apartment building on Prince Street near Bowery in Nolita. I don't know who the image is (Bernie Madoff?) but it is definitely an interesting piece artwork.

So where is the most interesting place you have seen a mural or artwork?

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

Big Brother Is Watching

This photo was taken around the corner of a restaurant in Nolita where they put their garbage bins -- you can see the plastic lids at the bottom of the page. The restaurant placed a sign saying the area was under video camera surveillance and (I assumed) someone stenciled a picture of a guy in a suit walking by or away with a bag.

I've been photographing murals a lot lately. I don't know if it is because there are a lot more of them in the city lately or they are getting better, artistically.

Has this ever happen to you?

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Tribal Mural

This young lady had more important things on her mind than admire the interesting tribal mural on the wall at Houston Street.

So have you ever been so engrossed with your electronic gadgets that your miss what is around you?

Monday, March 23, 2009

Salvador Dali

There is an interesting and fun Salvador Dali art exhibition at the William Bennett Gallery in SoHo. I was in the area this past weekend and saw this iconic melting clock sign outside the gallery and decided to pop in and view the show.

So what did you do this weekend?

Sunday, March 22, 2009

St. Patrick's Cathedral & Atlas

This photo was taken from behind Atlas (installed in 1937) and looking upwards across 5th Avenue at St. Patrick's Cathedral (completed in 1878). The two glass buildings on both sides of the statue is part of Rockefeller Center.

So what did you have for dinner last night?

Saturday, March 21, 2009

Hand Made in Brooklyn

I met Dan Butler, an artist who had a small booth on Prince Street in SoHo last weekend. He sells beautiful silk-screened t-shirts as well as original prints of his art work. Mr. Butler said he loves what he does and I wish him the best of luck on his endeavor. If you are interested to check out his work, he has a website called, Hand Made in Brooklyn.

So do you love what you do?

Friday, March 20, 2009

Prometheus! Who? Prometheus!

His name is Prometheus and he sits on top of a rock overlooking the ice rink at Rockefeller Center in midtown. He is probably the second most photographed statue in New York City, after the Statue of Liberty, of course.

So is second best good enough?

Thursday, March 19, 2009

No Parking

This is the most colorful NO PARKING sign I've ever seen but I don't think it is real or sanctioned by the Department of Motor Vehicles. It maybe a street art or graffiti with a message. But what is the message?

What do you think?

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Gonzo Marketing

A little boutique in Nolita (North of Little Italy) has found an interesting way to advertise its merchandise. They placed a mannequin wear a little black dress and a beautiful necklace right on the street in front of the store. A lot of people who had no prior intention of going into the store stopped to admire and touch the merchandise on the street. Then they wander into the store to take a better look at the clothes.

So what smart ideas have you seen or heard lately?

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Monday, March 16, 2009

Claudette Colvin

So who is Claudette Colvin? According to this street art on Elizabeth Street, north of Prince, Ms. Colvin was a 15-year old girl from Alabama who refused to give up her seat on the bus in 1955 and was subsequently arrested. This happened 9 months before Rosa Parks did the same thing and became a national civil rights activist.

Isn't it great to get a history lesson from street art? So what have your learned lately?

Sunday, March 15, 2009

Mid-Month Subway Theme

It is mid-month subway theme day again. This is the subway track at Jackson Heights, Queens or Little India. In the far background, you can see Manhattan and the Empire State Building

This mid-month subway theme is shared by the following bloggers:

Saturday, March 14, 2009

Tile Work Under the Terrace Bridge

This beautiful tiled ceiling under the Terrace Bridge leads park goers from the Litrary Walk to the Bethesda Fountain in Central Park. Most people take the alternate outdoor staircases on either side of this tunnel and missed this display altogether.

So what are you plans for the weekend? I'm still recovering my jetlag.

Friday, March 13, 2009

Lipstick Building

This Lipstick Building used to be famous for its innovative and original architecture but lately, it has been mentioned in the press mainly because it housed the offices of Bernie Madoff, who engineered a $65 billion Ponzi scheme.

So how has your week been so far?

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Postcard from Barcelona: Antique Car Show

This little boy was dressed in an outfit reminiscing the early 1900s at the antique car rally from Barcelona to Sitges last Sunday. He was one of many others who dressed in period-appropriate attires for the start of the race.

I will be heading back to NYC today. Regular programming resumes tomorrow.

Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Postcard from Barcelona: Churros & Chocolate

No explanation need -- churros and chocolate after visiting the Picasso Museum at La Ribera neighborhood. Art, chocolate and fried pastries -- you can't go wrong with this combination!

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Postcard from Barcelona: Barceloneta Beach

This photo was taken last Friday afternoon at the Barceloneta Beach when the weather was actually not that warm. But it did not stop these beach goers from having fun. The weather got much warmer over the weekend and I bet the beach was totally packed Unfortunately, I didn't go back to there to take the photos.

Monday, March 9, 2009

Postcard from Barcelona: Plaça de Catalunya

This is Plaça de Catalunya, on the northern end of La Rambla near the hostel where I'm staying. As you can see, the plaza is filled with pigeons and that is partly because there are a couple vendors sellings bags of bird seeds to tourists to feed the pigeons. Notice the balloons? They vendors also sell them.

Sunday, March 8, 2009

Postcard from Barcelona: Casa Milà

This is Casa Milà, a main tourist attraction in Barcelona. The building, located in the luxury Eixemple District, is considered one of the best examples of Antoni Gaudi's work. Antoni Gaudi is of course, the Father of the Modernisme movement in Spain.

Saturday, March 7, 2009

Postcard from Barcelona: Morning Coffee

This was my first cup of coffee in Barcelona yesterday morning after arriving on the red eye flight from NYC. I checked my luggage behind the counter at the hotel -- the room was not ready yet -- and headed to the La Boqueria, a gigantic meat, vegetables and fruits market located right off of La Rambla, the main tourist street of Barcelona. The market also have numerous cafes and restaurants that serve breakfast and lunch.

I discovered later during the day that my US bank card does not allow me withdraw money from the ATM machines here in Barcelona. This is strange because I was able to withdraw Euros from Rome less than two months ago, and RMB in Beijing, China in 2007. I have contacted my bank in NYC and hopefully, this situation gets resolved soon or else I will be tap dancing at La Rambla for pocket change.

Update: After a 2nd desperate call to the bank, the ATM problem is resolved. I will not have to scrub the toilet as Sally said.

Friday, March 6, 2009

Pizza Pizza

I took this photo through the windows of a pizzeria in midtown Manhattan. The colors and variety look so intriguing but I don't know if it's really good or not. The dough/crust looks a little heavy to me. I prefer a thin crust pizza.

What kind of pizza do you like? What kind of toppings do you prefer?

Thursday, March 5, 2009

Conveyer Belt Sweets

This conveyor belt sends out sweet treats and chocolates at the Charbonnel et Walker cafe inside Saks Fifth Avenue, the departmental store. I have seen sushi platters served on conveyor belts at restaurants before but this is my first encounter with conveyor belt sweets.

So have you seen anything like this before?

Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Snow Day @ Central Park

This is the Literary Walk, one of the most photographed paths in Central Park because of the straight line and surrounding trees on both sides. At the north end of the path is the Bethesda Fountain, another popular site.

So what is the most popular or well known site in your town?

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

My Fire Escape

This is the view I woke up to yesterday morning outside my bedroom window. What are you seeing is the fire escape from my apartment to the street down below. You can also see the fire escape for the building across the street (43rd Avenue) from me.

After a late lunch, I went to Central Park and took over 100 photos there but this initial shot taken first thing in the morning is the one I like best. I will post the Central Park photos (maybe) later this week.

So what did you have for lunch yesterday?

Monday, March 2, 2009

St. Patrick's Day Parade - Queens

We had our St. Patrick's Day Parade in Sunnyside, Queens yesterday afternoon. In this photo, you can see Michael Bloomberg, Mayor of New York City (the older gentleman with the blue tie) and Christine Quinn, Speaker of the City Council (the lady next to him). A few steps behind them is Mr. Bloomberg's main challenger in the mayoral election later this year, Anthony Weiner.

So are you politically involved? Do you go out and campaign for your candidate?

Sunday, March 1, 2009

Theme Day: Glass

This photo was taken over two years ago when I first started taking photos for the blog. It was at one of my favorite neighborhood restaurants that has since closed due to tough economic times. I was playing with the camera while waiting for my dinner to arrive.

Click here to view thumbnails for all participants.