Afternoon At Barnes & Noble

When the weather gets hot and humid like it has been the last couple of days -- "tropical like weather" as the weatherman called it last night -- where does one go to relax and cool off? The third floor of Barnes & Noble on 17th Street between Broadway and Park Avenue is the place to be. I would pick up some interesting magazines, grab a seat at one of the tables and happily sip my iced tea from the cafe inside the store.

So what is your beverage of choice on a hot sunny day?

Cookies & Cakes at Starbucks

This are the cookie shelves at the Starbucks Cafe inside Barnes & Noble at Union Square. A good friend of mine gave me a couple of Barnes & Noble gift cards so this is where I've been spending my weekend afternoons -- reading magazines and books with a cup of caramel macchiato or chai latte.

The place cards in front of the cookie trays display the prices and names of the treats, as well as the dietary caloric information. Most of the brownies and cookies here have between 400 to 600 calories a piece.

So would you rather have a cookie or an apple for a snack?

Gay Man Trapped in A Fembot

This is an advertisement for Avedka Vodka that I saw on a telephone booth at Union Square. I thought it was different and yet innovative in a weird way. But most interestingly, I love the tag line: I'm a gay man trapped in the body of a fembot.

In the photo, you can see my reflection in the glass. I was carrying a white plastic bag with me. Inside the bag were two BIG bars of chocolate brownies with macadamia nuts that I just bought at the Union Square green market down the street. After this photo was taken, I went to the park and ate one of the brownies with a cup of chai latte from Starbucks.

Which do you prefer - brownies or chocolate chip cookies?

Chow Chow

This is a Chow Chow, a breed of dog that originated from Mongolia and Northern China. Chow Chows are believed to the original inspiration behind the traditional Chinese Foo Dogs that are commonly found in front of stately mansions and palaces in Asia. DNA research has found that they are one of the first primitive breeds to evolve from wolves.

Distinct characteristics of the Chow Chows are the poofy manes and black/purple tongues. They are especially independent and loyal to the family but are not very sociable to strangers or other dogs. Their behaviors are commonly characterized as similar to those of cats than dogs.

This photo was taken outside a Starbucks in Astoria. I was there to take some photos of the bridges and stopped at a Starbucks for some Chai Latte to warm my chilled bones when I saw this gorgeous dog outside the store. I ran out and asked the owner if I could take some photos. The dog was not very cooperative but I managed to get a couple good shots of it.

Do you have a favorite breed of dog OR a favorite drink at Starbucks?