As you can see in the photo, each pod carries only one pea-looking seed. The pod is light and furry, green in color and is about the size of a small olive. Can you guess what it is?
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Do You Know What This Is?
As you can see in the photo, each pod carries only one pea-looking seed. The pod is light and furry, green in color and is about the size of a small olive. Can you guess what it is?
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Ming the Merciless
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Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Close Encounter of the Third Kind
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Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Easter Fashion
This photo above is one of the more colorful costumes at the Easter parade. I especially love the Nana Mouskouri glasses on the lady in purple. My mom wore a pair of those when I was a kid.
Also, check out Rafe New York by Rafe Totengco. His mother took some spectacular photos from the Easter Bonnet Parade too. He's such a mama's boy!!
Monday, April 9, 2007
Easter Bonnet Parade
Despite the cold weather and snow (yes, we had snow this afternoon but it did not stick), tourists, photographers and bloggers like me come out to catch the spectacle of this creative, colorful and zany event. Everyone there was more than willing to have their photos taken.
I took so many photos that I decided to do a collage of the best ones. It was one of the most exciting and fun events I have ever attended and photographed.
No, I did not dress up in a costume. Maybe next year I will put on a pair of rabbit ears and be a photograhee, instead of the photographer.
If you could go, what would you wear to the Easter Bonnet Parade?
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Ming the Merciless
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1:05 AM
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Sunday, April 8, 2007
Chicken or Eggs
Notice the irregular size and interesting color variation on the eggs. They looked like eggs that have been dyed for an Easter egg hunt.
So have you ever participated in an Easter egg hunt?
Saturday, April 7, 2007
Is Spring Here Yet?
Based on the legend, if a groundhog see its shadow when it comes out of the burrow on February 2 (also known as GroundhogDay) there will be another 6 weeks of winter. However, if it doesn't see its shadow, there will only be another 42 days of winter. Obviously this is a joke because 6 weeks = 42 days. Regardless of what happens, spring will definitely arrive on March 21.
This photo above was taken on Wednesday afternoon when it was cold and rainy the entire day. The train approaching the station was the #7 subway train that connects Times Square in Manhattan and Flushing, Queens.
N.B.: I would like to thank Edwin of Kuala Lumpur Daily Photo for helping me reconfigure the size of this photo (and future photos) on this blog.
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Ming the Merciless
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1:19 AM
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Labels: Groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, queens, subway, Train
Friday, April 6, 2007
Cute As Cute Can Be
When I take photographs, I normally shoot between two to ten frames of the same subject at different angles. I like to have options when I choose which photo to post on the blog.
Sometimes, I find two or three beautiful photos of the same subject and I am at a loss with which photo to use. If I choose one, do I have to "discard" the others.
This is an example of that dilemma. I have two beautiful photos of this beautiful French Bulldog puppy from the Green Market at Union Square. I posted the first photo earlier this week and I am posting the second one today because I think he deserves an encore appearance. Do you agree?
So how many frames do you shoot when you take the photos of a subject?
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Ming the Merciless
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Labels: Dog, French Bulldog, Green Market, Union Square
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
Pigeon Nesting on the C
I looked at the direction where the boy was gesturing and saw a pigeon nesting on the cradle of C in the P-H-A-R-M-A-C-Y sign. If you look closely, you can see two eggs sitting precariously on the edge of the nest. According to Wikipedia, pigeons lay just two eggs per season so these two eggs are probably the only eggs in the nest.
If you love nature photos, you should check out Brookville Daily Photo by Abe Lincoln. He has some of the most beautiful nature photos I have ever seen. And most of them are taken in his backyard.
So what is in your backyard?
Soul Train with The Cauldron / YouTube Addiction
That brings us to my addiction to YouTube, the ubiquitous video website where the most interesting videos around the world are posted. Because of YouTube, I have discovered some of the best music (and videos) in the world. Here are some of my favorites: Je Viens du Sud by Chimene Badi; Donne by Myriam Abel; Intoxication by Gentleman; Perfect Harmony by Wang LeeHom, Rain & J-Lim; Feel Good Inc. by Gorillaz; Kung Fu Fighting by Fatboy Slim; I Don't Love You Enough by Andy Lau & Kelly Chen; No Mes Ames by Jennifer Lopez & Mark Anthony.
What are your favorite songs?
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
Train in Motion
The interesting work belt held a pair of scissors, a flash light and a pair of work gloves. Then I realized he was an EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) when I saw the letters on the back of his uniform.
I immediately took my camera out and photographed the gentleman. This photo was the second of two frames I shot before the train arrived. I have to admit, it is one of my favorite photos of the year because of the contrast between stationary and moving objects.
N.B.: Notice the video camera on the top left corner.
Monday, April 2, 2007
How about a kiss for me?
He is a little French Bulldog puppy, one of the most popular breeds in New York City because of its size and intelligence. According to the New York Magazine article on Ten City-Friendly Dogs, French Bulldogs are great for small apartments because it has a good balance temperament and is not too energetic.
In the same issue of the magazine, there was a calculation of how much it would cost to own a dog in New York City. The tally ranged from $5,099.94 to $52,699.19 per year. Granted, some of the expenses are a little outrageous but who else gives you unconditional love?
So how about that kiss? He is still waiting for one!
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Ming the Merciless
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1:06 AM
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Labels: Dog, French Bulldog, New York Magazine
Sunday, April 1, 2007
Theme Photo: Public Mail Box
This photo was taken from my apartment window. You can see the blue (drop off) and green (holding) mail boxes on the street corner.
1 (London (UK) ) -2 (Grenoble (France) ) -3 (Rotterdam (Netherlands) ) -4 (Greenville SC (USA) ) -5 (Hyde (UK) ) -6 (Villigen (Switzerland) ) -7 (Albuquerque NM (USA) ) -8 (Mazatlan (Mexico) ) -9 (Montréal (Canada) ) -10 (Stayton OR (USA) ) -11 (Shanghai (China) -Jing ) -12 (Arradon (France) ) -13 (Sequim WA (USA) ) -14 (Newcastle upon Tyne (England) ) -15 (Seattle WA (USA) -Kim ) -16 (Bastia (Corse) ) -17 (Minneapolis MN (USA) ) -18 (Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) ) -19 (Joplin MO (USA) ) -20 (Sharon, CT (USA) ) -21 (Cottage Grove MN [USA] ) -22 (Houston, TX (USA) -Candice & Megan ) -23 (Singapore - by Keropokman. ) -24 (Guelph, ON (Canada) ) -25 (Menton (France) ) -26 (Monte Carlo, Monaco ) -27 (Naples, FL (USA) ) -28 (Kyoto (Japan) ) -29 (Tokyo (Japan) ) -30 (Aliso Viejo, CA (USA) ) -31 (Cape Town (South Africa) ) -32 ( Jakarta (Indonesia) ) -33 (Kitakami (Japan) ) -34 (Tel Aviv (Israel) ) -35 (Vantaa(Finland) ) -36 (Guadalajara (Mexico) ) -37 (Auckland (New Zealand) ) -38 (Nelson (New Zealand) ) -39 (Tuzla (B&H) ) -40 (Brussels (Belgium) ) -41 (Anderson, SC (USA) ) -42 (Lubbock, TX (USA) ) -43 (John, Melbourne, (Australia) ) -44 (Stavanger (Norway) ) -45 (Tenerife (Spain) ) -46 (Stockholm (Sweden) ) -47 (Boston, MA (USA) ) -48 (Not Strictly Seattle, Susan ) -49 (New York City, (USA), Ming the Merciless ) -50 (Paris [Eric], (France) ) -51 (Ampang (Selangor) ) -52 (Sydney (Nathalie) Australia ) -53 (Wailea , HI (USA) ) -54 (Manila (Philippines) ) -55 (Sydney (Sally) Australia ) -56 (Cork (Ireland) ) -57 (Saarbrücken (Germany) ) -58 (Saint Paul MN (USA) by Carol ) -59 (San Diego, CA (USA) ) -60 (Mexico [POLY], (Mexico) ) -61 (Budapest (Hungary) ) -62 (Singapore (Singapore by Zannnie) ) -63 (Madrid [Dsole] (Spain) ) -64 (Nottingham (England) ) -65 (Bandung (Indonesia) ) -66 (London - Jonemo (UK))
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Ming the Merciless
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1:28 AM
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Saturday, March 31, 2007
Potato, Schmotato
I love potatoes. I love mash potatoes, scalloped potatoes, shoe string potatoes....all kind of potatoes.
How do you like your potatoes?
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Ming the Merciless
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1:50 AM
Labels: Green Market, Potatoes, Union Square
Friday, March 30, 2007
An Apple A Day Makes The Doctor Go Away
During the winter months, apples that were freshly picked less than 24 hours ago are sold here. These apples, unlike the supermarket apples, do not contain any preservatives or wax on them. However, if you do not like fresh apples, there are also freshly baked apple pies, apple crisps, and warm apple ciders.
Personally, I am not a huge fan of apples but I eat about two apples a week. They are convenient and they do not require cooking time. I also try to eat (at least) two servings of vegetables a day even though I rather be eating a nice big fat juicy burger. :-)
So how many servings of fruits and vegetables do you eat a day?
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Ming the Merciless
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1:02 AM
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Labels: Apples, Green Market, Union Square
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Gay Man Trapped in A Fembot
Which do you prefer - brownies or chocolate chip cookies?
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Ming the Merciless
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1:06 AM
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Labels: Advertisement, Brownies, Chai Latte, Starbucks, Union Square
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Artist Colony @ Aromatic Biodegradable Art
The young artist who made them was very nice and personable. He patiently answered all my questions, and allowed me to pick up and smell the "animals". I wish I had asked how much they were, especially the cute hedgehog, because they were the most adorable things I saw over the weekend.
What do you think of biodegradable art? Does it make sense?
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Ming the Merciless
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1:06 AM
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Labels: art, Artist Colony, Union Square
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Artist Colony: Artist's Breath for Sale
[Click on the photo to enlarge the image. Read the menu.]
The costs of the artists' breaths, based on the price list in the second photo below, ranged from a hug to $121. The young woman in the first photo said the items (on the menu) with an ink mark next the name are sold out for the day. However, they may be available next week if one is interested. Apparently, people were "buying" these bags of artists' breaths because some of the items were sold out.
I don't know if this was a publicity stunt by a group of artists to promote their identities or an ongoing art project because I noticed another woman filming us (ie. four curious onlookers and me) with a video camera. Regardless, I had a chuckle and an opportunity to photography it all.
So how much would you pay for a bag of artist's breath?
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Ming the Merciless
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1:04 AM
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Labels: art, Artist Colony, Menu, Union Square
Monday, March 26, 2007
Artist Colony: Art Sale
On Saturday and Sunday, after fueling myself with brunch and three cups of coffee at my favorite cafe, I walked all over the city armed with my little trusty camera and took over 150 photos for this blog. I took multiple shots of the same scenes from different angles so I will be lucky to get at last 10 usable photos. Nonetheless, I will be profiling the Union Square market for the next couple of days.
This photo of the artist colony that congregates at Union Square every Saturday shows the city's support for art and creativity. Some of the artists are extremely talented while others are merely entrepreneurial. Art works for sale range from photography and paintings to sculptures and tchotchkes.
So do you collect any tchotchkes?
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Ming the Merciless
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1:06 PM
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Labels: art, Artist Colony, Spring, Tchotchkes, Union Square
Sunday, March 25, 2007
What is your first grade teacher's name?
New York City's school system severely lacks qualified teachers in the classroom so the program was created to provide financial incentives for young college graduates, as well as older, second career adults, to consider teaching as a profession. Some of the benefits include: a one-time $2,500 tax-free stipend during the summer training program, a starting salary of $42,512/year plus health insurance and retirement plan, and tuition assistance towards earning a Master's Degree in Education.
The tag line of the advertisement is: You remember your first grade teacher's name. Who will remember yours? So, do you remember your first grade teacher's name?
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Ming the Merciless
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1:04 AM
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Labels: Advertisement, NYC Teaching Fellow, subway
Saturday, March 24, 2007
Sea Gull @ Hell's Gate
I was quite offended!! Apparently, this human isn't threatening enough.
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Ming the Merciless
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2:09 AM
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Labels: Bird, Fauna, Hell's Gate