Purple Carrots, White Carrots, Yellow Carrots!

I saw this at the Green Market at Union Square this past weekend -- purple carrots, white carrots and yellow carrots (not seen in this photo) displayed along the regular red carrots. I did not know carrots come in these rainbow of colors. I thought all carrots are red. I guess I was wrong.

So what did you learn this weekend?

Body Art

Some out-of-town friends and I went to an Off-Broadway show called Naked Boys Singing yesterday evening when we came upon this impromptu body art project on 43rd Street between Broadway and 7th Avenue in Times Square. The artist was painting the bodies of some youngsters, including a very pretty girl who was also topless like these boys. I did not get a chance to ask the name of the artist nor what the project was about because the crowd was clambering over one another to take a photo of the girl's chest.

How serendipitous is that?!? Two R-rated events in one afternoon.

So what is the most serendipitous thing to happen to you?

Unisphere Closeup

This is a close-up shot from beneath the Unisphere in Flushing Meadows Park in Queens. The 900,000 lb (409,000 kg) structure made of stainless steel was designed by landscape architect, Gilmore D. Clark for the 1964/1965 New York World's Fair. The structure and its surrounding area received a complete renovation in 1994-1995, which cost a couple millions of dollars.

The Unisphere is the unofficial symbol for the Borough of Queens.

So where around the globe would you like to be?

Theme Photo: Metal

It's August 1st and the theme this month is Metal. This globe called, Unisphere is located at the Flushing Meadows Park in Corona, Queens. Come back tomorrow for more information on the Unisphere.

This month, 183 bloggers are participating in the theme photo. Click here to view thumbnails for all participants. Or you can click on the list below:
Albuquerque (NM), USA by Helen, Aliso Viejo (CA), USA by Rodney, American Fork (UT), USA by Annie, Anderson (SC), USA by Lessie, Ararat, Australia by freefalling, Arradon, France by Alice, Aspen (CO), USA by IamMBB, Athens, Greece by Debbie, Auckland, New Zealand by Baruch, Auckland, New Zealand by Lachezar, Austin (TX), USA by LB, Bandung, Indonesia by Harry Makertia, Bandung, Indonesia by Eki Akhwan, Bandung, Indonesia by Bunyamin, Barrow-in-Furness, UK by Enitharmon, Barton (VT), USA by Andree, Bellefonte (PA), USA by Barb-n-PA, Bicheno, Australia by Greg, Birmingham (AL), USA by VJ, Bogor, Indonesia by Gagah, Boston (MA), USA by Cluelessinboston, Brantford (ON), Canada by Nancy, Bucharest, Romania by Malpraxis, Budapest, Hungary by Zannnie and Zsolt, Budapest, Hungary by agrajag, Budapest, Hungary by Isadora, Buenos Aires, Argentina by Karine, Canterbury, UK by Rose, Chandler (AZ), USA by Melindaduff, Château-Gontier, France by Laurent, Chateaubriant, France by Bergson, Cheltenham, UK by Marley, Chennai, India by Ram N, Chesapeake (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Cincinnati, USA by Erik Laursen, City of the Blue Mountains, Australia by Richard, Corsicana (TX), USA by Lake Lady, East Gwillimbury, Canada by Your EG Tour Guide, Edinburgh, UK by Dido, Edmonton (AL), Canada by , Evry, France by Olivier, Folkestone, UK by Piskie, Forks (WA), USA by Corinne, Fort Lauderdale (FL), USA by Gigi, Gabriola, Canada by Snapper, Geneva (IL), USA by Kelly, Greenville (SC), USA by Denton, Grenoble, France by Bleeding Orange, Gun Barrel City (TX), USA by Lake Lady, Hamilton, New Zealand by Sakiwi, Hampton (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Haninge, Sweden by Steffe, Hanoi, Vietnam by Jérôme, Helsinki, Finland by Kaa, Hobart, Australia by Greg, Hyde, UK by Old Hyde, Hyde, UK by Gerald, Jackson (MS), USA by Halcyon, Jefferson City (MO), USA by Chinamom2005, Jerusalem, Israel by Esther, Kansas City (MO), USA by Cate B, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia by Edwin, Kyoto, Japan by Tadamine, Lakewood (OH), USA by mouse, Larchmont (NY), USA by Marie-Noyale, Las Vegas (NV), USA by Mo, Leipzig, Germany by weltbeschreiber, Lisbon, Portugal by Sailor Girl, Lisbon, Portugal by Maria João, London, UK by Ham, London, UK by Mo, Lynchburg (VA), USA by June, Mainz, Germany by JB, Manila, Philippines by Heyokity, Mashhad, Iran by Meead, Melbourne, Australia by John, Melbourne, Australia by Mblamo, Menton, France by Jilly, Mesa (AZ), USA by Mesa Daily Photo, Mexico City, Mexico by Carraol, Middletown (MD), USA by Bernie, Milwaukee (WI), USA by karl, Minneapolis (MN), USA by Scott, Minneapolis (MN), USA by Mitch, Minneapolis (MN), USA by Greg, Misawa, Japan by misawa mama, Molfetta, Italy by saretta, Monte Carlo, Monaco by Jilly, Monterrey, Mexico by rafa, Mumbai, India by MumbaiiteAnu, Mumbai, India by Magiceye, Nancy, France by yoshi, Nashville (TN), USA by Chris, Nelson, New Zealand by Meg and Ben, New Delhi, India by Delhi Photo Diary, New Orleans (LA), USA by steve buser, New York City (NY), USA by Ming the Merciless, New York City (NY), USA by • Eliane •, New York City (NY), USA by Kitty, Newport News (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Norfolk (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Norwich, UK by Goddess888, Ocean Township (NJ), USA by Josy, Oklahoma City (OK), USA by ananda.tashie, Orlando (FL), USA by OrlFla, Owasso (OK), USA by Jennifer, Palos Verdes (CA), USA by tash, Paris, France by Eric, Pasadena (CA), USA by Can8ianben, Pasadena (CA), USA by Petrea, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia by Murphy_jay, Petoskey (MI), USA by Christie, Philadelphia (PA), USA by Stephanie Craig, Phoenix (AZ), USA by Cheryl, Phoenix (AZ), USA by Sharon, Pilisvörösvár, Hungary by Elise, Port Angeles (WA), USA by Jelvistar, Port Vila, Vanuatu by Mblamo, Portsmouth (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Prague, Czech Republic by Honza03, Pretoria, South Africa by Sam-Ruth, Quezon City, Philippines by ann pablo, Quincy (MA), USA by slim, Ramsey, Isle of Man by babooshka, Rancho Palos Verdes (CA), USA by Sarah Adams, Riga, Latvia by Riga Photos, Rotterdam, Netherlands by Ineke, Rouen, France by Bbsato, Saigon, Vietnam by Simon, Saint Louis (MO), USA by Strangetastes, Saint Paul (MN), USA by Kate, Salem (OR), USA by jill, Salt Lake City (UT), USA by atc, San Antonio (TX), USA by Kramer, San Diego (CA), USA by Felicia, San Francisco (CA), USA by PFranson, Schenectady (NY), USA by Buck, Seattle (WA), USA by Kim, Seattle (WA), USA by Chuck, Seguin (TX), USA by Thien, Selma (AL), USA by RamblingRound, Sequim (WA), USA by Eponabri, Sesimbra, Portugal by Aldeia, Setúbal, Portugal by Maria Elisa, Sharon (CT), USA by Jenny, Singapore, Singapore by Zannnie, Singapore, Singapore by Keropok, Sofia, Bulgaria by Antonia, South Pasadena (CA), USA by Laurie, Springfield (IL), USA by Aubrey, Stanwood (WA), USA by MaryBeth, Stavanger, Norway by Tanty, Stayton (OR), USA by Celine, Stockholm, Sweden by Stromsjo, Stouffville, Canada by Ken, Subang Jaya, Malaysia by JC, Suffolk (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Sunshine Coast, Australia by bitingmidge, Sydney, Australia by Ann, Sydney, Australia by Sally, Sydney, Australia by Julie, Székesfehérvár, Hungary by Teomo, Tamarindo, Costa Rica by David, Tempe (AZ), USA by angie, Terrell (TX), USA by Jim K, Tokyo, Japan by Tadamine, Torun, Poland by Torun Observer, Torun, Poland by Glenn, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina by Jazzy, Twin Cities (MN), USA by Slinger, Victoria, Canada by Benjamin Madison, Vienna, Austria by G_mirage2, Villigen, Switzerland by z, Virginia Beach (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Wailea (HI), USA by Kuanyin, Washington (DC), USA by D.C. Confidential, Wellington, New Zealand by Jeremyb, West Paris (ME), USA by crittoria, West Sacramento (CA), USA by Barbara, Weston (FL), USA by WestonDailyPhoto, Williamsburg (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Willits (CA), USA by Elaine, Yardley (PA), USA by Mrlynn.

Urban Valley

This urban valley was actually 7th Street between Broadway and Lafayette Avenue in the East Village. The sun was setting and it created a beautiful silhouette of buildings against the golden sky.

So where and what were you doing at 6 PM yesterday evening?

Gowanus Canal in Brooklyn

This is the Gowanus Canal in Brooklyn. The artificial waterway, completed in 1867, used to be an important commercial harbor until the 1960s when large container ships became too big to navigate up the canal. It was also one of the most polluted waterways in the area with heavy sewage clogging the flow of water.

Only recently has the area begun to make a come back. The waterway has gotten cleaner over the years and constructions along the water's edge are slowly going up. It separates the hip and trendy Park Slope from its less glamorous stepsister, Carroll Gardens.

So did you have a favorite fairy tale when you were a kid?

Lights & Shadows

This photo shows a renovated parking complex (it was probably a warehouse before) across the street from Cinema Village on 12th Street between 5th Avenue and University Place. I was standing outside the small movie theater when I saw this interesting light-and-shadow image of the building. Also, the sky has this perfect blue that was just breathtaking.

No question today. Am having writer's block. :-)

Public Preacher at Union Square

The young man on the left is a preacher and the man on the right with a microphone was an audience member asking a question. This sort of Q&A sessions or public forums are fairly common in NYC, especially at Union Square where freedom of expression is embrassed wholeheartedly.

But what is most interesting about this session was that it was very well-organized. Notice the large square area defined by the white tape and the smaller square where the man on the right was standing. If an audience member has a question, he or she was encouraged to stand in the small square and a microphone would be presented to him. I stayed and watched the debate for about half an hour and I am glad to report everyone was respectful, despite their differences in opinion.

It is common knowledge that certain topics are not appropriate for polite dinner conversation. Do you know what they are?

Supermarket Mural

I saw this interesting mural on the side of a small supermarket on 16th Street between Park and 3rd Avenue a couple weeks ago. I thought it was interesting and especially appropriate since New York City is considering a proposal to increase the number of licences for fresh fruits and vegetable vendors in the city in an effort to combat the epidemic of obesity among inner city residents.

In addition, a University of Washington study reported in the New York Times found that a 2,000-calorie diet costs $3.52/day if it consisted of only junk food, while a similar caloric diet of fresh vegetables and fruits costs $36.32 a day, which is 10 times as expensive.

So are you eating your vegetables and fresh fruits?

Champs-Élysées de Brooklyn

This photo, taken on Prospect Park West (9th Avenue) looking north at the Grand Army Plaza, reminded me of the fame Arc de Triomphe and Champs-Élysées in Paris. The Grand Army Plaza is a oval shaped island with an arched structure in the middle of it. It also serves as a focal point of 5 avenues radiating out from the middle.

So what are your plans for the weekend?

Piss Clam for Dinner??

After dinner with a friend in Cobble Hill (Brooklyn) last night, we came upon this sign outside PJ Hanley's, a restaurant bar on the corner of Court Street and 4th Place. It was a sign advertising the dinner special for the day: lobster roll and piss clams. PISS CLAMS? It doesn't sound very appetizing, does it?

So have you ever had piss clams? Would you be interested to try them?

N.B.: Click here if you are interested to find out what piss clams are.

Sammy's Food Cart at Jackson Heights

This is Sammy's Halal, winner of the 2006 Vendy Awards for the best street vendor in New York City. Mr. Samiul Noor sells his chicken and lamb with rice combo in a cart on the corner of Broadway and 74th Street in Jackson Heights.

I tried Sammy's chicken platter ($4.99) last night and I have to say, it is not as good as the ones I used to get from the Middle Eastern street vendor in Astoria. The Middle Eastern chicken combo came with pickled beets and raw onions sprinkled with harissa spice mix, which is super addictive.

So where would you go for delicious but yet inexpensive food in your city?

Borders Bookstore

This is the ceiling of the atrium at Borders Bookstore by Wall Street in Lower Manhattan. My friend's fiancé had a meeting in the area yesterday afternoon so she and I met up at the bookstore to hang out until he was done. Then all three of us went to dinner later in the evening.

So how has your week been so far?

Fashion Shoot in SoHo

I happened on this fashion shoot on Lafayette Street in SoHo recently. The weather was pretty warm but the two male models were dressed in Fall/Autumn weather attires -- leather jackets, long sleeved shirts and jeans. Interestingly enough, they did not sweat at all despite the heat. They posed by the Vespa scooters without moving for the 5 minutes or so that I stood there watching them work.

Notice the guy on the left in his sandals/flip-flops? I wore those last summer and ended up with my foot being cut by a piece of glass on the street. Never again will I wear those things.

So do you wear sandals or flip-flops?

Anchovies at Mediterranean Foods

I was in Astoria last week for an appointment with the ophthalmologist and decided to visit my favorite Greek supermarket on 34th Street between 31st and 30th Avenue called, Mediterranean Foods. It has some of the best feta cheeses, marinated olives and almonds I have ever tasted.

This photo shows an assortment of marinated anchovies and baby octopi/octopuses on the counter in the deli section. I absolutely LOVE anchovies and this supermarket has some of the most exotic versions of them. I love anchovies in my Caesar salad, pasta puttanesca (the mere origin of the word puttanesca is worth reading, if you don't already know) and of course, the Vietnamese fish sauce.

So where do you stand on anchovies?

Ciao Bella Gelato Truck

This Ciao Bella gelato truck was parked at the corner of Park Avenue, at the end of the street fair that stretched from 28th down to 18th Street last weekend. The weather was comfortably warm but dry so the crowd was out in full force. You can see the lines of people waiting to get their gelati (plural of gelato -- something I learned after googling the word).

It seems like ice-cream, coffee and gelato trucks are de rigueur in New York City this summer with newer and more exotic products being sold from a vehicle parked conveniently in a crowded area.

So have you ever bought something (legal, I hope) off of the back of a truck?

Open 24 Hours

This ubiquitous 'Open 24 Hours' sign can be seen in many restaurants/diners in the city. When I lived in Astoria (northwest of Queens) in the late 1990s, there was a wonderful, spiffy Greek diner a few steps from my apartment where I could order one half of a roast chicken with garlic mash potatoes and a side salad (for less than US$10) at 3:00 AM in the morning.

Granted, roast chicken isn't everyone's idea of a midnight snack but it was for me back then. Now, I rarely pull stunts like that anymore. With old(er) age, comes indigestion. :-)

So what is your idea of a midnight snack?

Do Not Feed Stray Cats Here

I came across this interesting sign outside one of the buildings in my neighborhood. Apparently, someone had been feeding stray cats outside this resident's window and he/she isn't too happy about it. I can understand the sentiment because the smell of cat's pee is something that is almost impossible to eliminate, assuming that is the main reason of the resident's objection.

One person I know who feeds (or had fed) stray cats is fellow NYC blogger, Kitty of NY Portraits. I will have to ask her how she feels about the sign above.

So do you feed stray cats or dogs in your neighborhood?

Union Square Towers

These luxury apartment buildings, east of Union Square, are some of the most beautiful and expensive real estate properties in the city. The dark red color of the facade looks especially breathtaking when the sun sets and everything is aglow in crimson.

I know Citygirl15 of Gramercy Cafe lives in the vicinity, maybe in a penthouse suite in one of those towers. I won't know since she hasn't invited me over for tea and sandwiches yet. :-)

So have you been invited to tea or coffee by a fellow blogger in your city?

Bibimbop

This is Bibimbop, a popular Korean dish that I love and order every chance I get. It is basically a cold dish made with a mixture of raw and/or lightly stir-fried julienned vegetables, a fried (or raw) egg and ground beef (optional). And it is usually served with rice and some spicy sauce.

This post is for Chuckeroon of Richmond upon Thames Daily Photo because he likes my food photos.

So can you identify the ingredients in the big bowl?