Union Square Holiday Market 2

Here is another photo from the Union Square Holiday Market on 14th Street and Broadway. It is less than a week before Christmas so everyone is doing their last minute shopping.

So what do you plan on doing on Christmas day?

Sugar Plum Fairy

This little sugar plum fairy was on one of the store windows of ABC Carpets at Union Square. I like the simplicity and color scheme of the window decoration.

So what is a sugar plum fairy? I mean, how is she different from all the other fairies in the gnome and goblin world?

Early Dinner @ Blue Smoke

I went to the doctor's office for my annual medical check-up yesterday and was pricked, pulled, yanked and fingered (you boys know what I mean) all within the matter of minutes. And he didn't even buy me dinner or say thank you.

So to get over my feeling of rejection, I treated myself to a nice dinner at Blue Smoke, a kitschy BBQ joint in Murray Hill, the neighborhood northeast of Union Square. The baked beans were mediocre at best, the hush puppies were dry and cold, and the BBQ ribs, although meaty, were not falling-off-the-bone delicious. I was disappointed again.

So what is your comfort food?

Self-Portrait

I cannot help it. Every time I walk by something shining, I have to take a photo of my own reflection on it. So here is another self-portrait.

When was the last time you took a photo of yourself?

Even Cowgirls Have the Blues

This is the front window of a restaurant in the Village called, Cowgirl that is located on the corner West 10th Street and Hudson Street. I have walked by it many times and heard the recordings of Patsy Cline blaring through the doors. So I thought it was a lesbian bar. Then last weekend, I noticed the beautiful decorations on the window and decided to take a peek inside. The place turns out to be a family-oriented restaurant that serves southern food. How wrong was I?

So have you misjudged the character of someone or something recently?

Rockefeller Building & The Christmas Tree

Here is another photo of the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree from a different angle. The building on the right, 1 Rockefeller Center dwarfs the Christmas tree.

So how is the weather like in your city?

Mid-Month Theme: Subway Day

It is mid-month subway theme day again. We decided we were going to post subway signs in our cities. This photo was taken at the Prince Street subway platform in SoHo. Here are the people participating in the mid-month subway themes:

New York City Daily Photo - PHO (Paris) - stockholm by pixels

Otto Enoteca II

This photo was taken at Otto Enoteca just as we were seated, before the food and drinks arrived. Once the food hit the table, I'm was too busy eating to take any photos.

No question tonight. I'm too cold, wet and tired to think of anything intelligent to ask. Maybe you should ask me questions instead and I will try to answer them.

Snow Day in the Morning

We are expecting another snow storm to hit New York City tonight and wake up to 2 - 4 inches of snow in the morning. I bet the kids are happy because there may be some school closings. Unfortunately, I will still have to be at work whether it snows or not.

If you don't have to go into the office today because of a snow storm, what would you do?

Bright Pretty Little Things

These bright little lighting units are among the pieces of artwork sold at the Union Square Holiday Market this year. I'm sure some lucky person will get these as gifts soon.

So, what would you like receive as gifts this year?

Dinner at Otto Enoteca

Last Friday night, my colleagues and I went out to dinner at Otto Enoteca, the least expensive restaurant on American Iron Chef, Mario Battali's stable of restaurants in New York City. I ordered the thin crust pizza, which was really good. My friend ordered the pasta with Italian sausage and it was awful. All in all, the food was a mediocre but the dining company was excellent.

So what is your favorite cuisine?

Union Square Holiday Market

This photo was taken at the Union Square Holiday Market this weekend. Vendors here sell everything from designer soaps, gloves, scarves and jackets to Christmas decorations like tree ornaments and sparkling trinkets. The market will be open every day until the day before Christmas. This booth in the photo sells gorgeous glass replicas of flowers that arevworn as jewelries.

So when was the last time you bought a piece of jewelry and who was it for?

Sushi on Thursday Night

I usually go straight home after work but my social calendar has very busy lately. Last Wednesday, I was invited to a lecture and book signing event, followed by a wine and cheese reception at the Asia Society. On Thursday, my friend and I went to our old neighborhood in Astoria for some really good sushi. Then I went out again on Friday and Saturday nights.

This photo was taken at the sushi restaurant in Astoria. We were seated next to the wine rack that separated us from the sushi bar in the front and the dining room at the back of the restaurant. I took this photo by sticking my camera through the shelves on the wine rack.

So how has your social calendar been this last couple of weeks?

Christmas Tree Vendor

My friend and I decided to go back to our old neighborhood in Astoria for dinner on Thursday night. That was where I saw this Christmas tree vendor on the corner of Ditmars Boulevard and 31st Street. I stopped and took a dozen or so photos of the scene.

A part of me understands the joy these trees bring to families who decorate them for the holiday season but another part of me feels sad because they will be tossed aside the day after the new year arrives. Life as a Christmas tree is not all it cracks up to be after all.

So when do you usually take down the holiday decorations?

Lecture at the Asia Society

Two nights ago, I was invited by a friend to attend a lecture and book signing event by a world renowned chi gong master (gentleman seated on the right) at the Asia Society, a cultural institution and museum in the Upper East Side. The chi gong master claimed that the martial art, which included breathing exercises, can cure everything from cancer to asthma and diabetes. I was surprised nobody in the audience contradicted his statement. Maybe everyone was being polite.

So what kind of exercise do you do?

Rockefeller Center

I wasn't the only one there to see the Christmas tree at the Rockefeller Center. I went, I saw and I left. I am not a fan of crowded places.

When or where are you most uncomfortable?

Central Park Bench 6

Here is a new addition to the Central Park Bench series. It was taken last Sunday during the snow storm. The water on the upper right corner is simply known as The Lake.

So what is your favorite thing to do during a cold Sunday morning?

Snow Globe

This photo of a store window decorations was taken at Saks Fifth Avenue, the luxury departmental store on 5th Avenue and 50th Street. Because of the weak U.S. dollar, many retailers are targeting the increasing important tourist market this season.

Recently I bought a snow globe with the skyline of NYC for a friend who collects them. She was so happy with the gift that she baked me a cake the next week.

So what was the best gift you have ever given and/or received?

Snowy Central Park

New York City saw its first snow storm for the season yesterday and I went out to Central Park after (a hearty) breakfast to shoot some photos. This photo was taken just as the snow stopped and you can see a lot of young couples were out for a walk and enjoying the weather.

Here is a photo of the same scene, the Literary Walk, taken earlier this Spring. Which do you think is prettier - the scene with or without the snow?

Night Traffic on 5th Avenue

This photo of 5th Avenue was taken after I had visited the Rockefeller Center to photograph the Christmas tree earlier this week. The old building in the background is The Peninsula Hotel on 55th Street. Even though it was after 8 PM, the traffic in mdtown Manhattan was still roaring.

So do you have a favorite hotel or an interesting hotel story?