Woof OR Ouch?

Prong (or pinch) collars like the one in this photo are common tools used in obedience training for dogs. Although banned in some countries, they are quite popular in the United States. Some dog trainers believe that prong collars are safer than choke collars, which tighten around the dogs' neck when pulled. The spikes on prong collars are not sharp but can be very uncomfortable for the dogs if they are pulled.

This contraption reminds me of a cilice, a metal chain with spikes that is supposedly used by Opus Dei members who practice corporal mortification. If you watched the movie, The Da Vinci Code, you might remember one of the characters wearing the cilice under his robe.

What is your opinion on the use of prong collars in obedience training for dogs?

Do You Know What This Is?

This photo was taken at the Patel Brothers, an Indian grocery store in Jackson Heights, Queens. The grocery store carries some of the most unique and interesting food items including this vegetable, which I have never seen before. I think I know what it is but I'm not 100% sure.

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?

Close Encounter of the Third Kind

I saw this horseshoe crab at the fish market last week. It was still alive even though it has been sitting on ice for hours on the display case. I have never seen one up close before so I was totally intrigued.

Horseshoe crabs, despite the name, are more closely related to scorpions and spiders than regular crabs. They have remained almost unchanged since 500 million BC and are therefore, considered living fossils. One reason these animals are so resilient is their ability to prevent bacteria infection in their bodies. Scientists are currently studying their immunity system to find ways to understand and hopefully, one day replicate its mechanism for human use.

Easter Fashion

In addition to the fancy Easter bonnets, some people were decked out from head to toe in retro fashion. Women wore gloves and carried granny purses. Men wore beautiful fedoras while carrying walking sticks.

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.

Check out The Satorialist by Scott Schuman. He has two beautiful photos of people dressed like Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn in The Philadelphia Story. I think they look absolutely stunning.

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!!

Easter Bonnet Parade

Every Easter Sunday, New Yorkers put on their best bonnets (or rabbit ears) and come to Manhattan to participate in the Easter Bonnet Parade on 5th Avenue between 49th and 57th Street. Unlike most parades, this event does not require anyone to march down a street or register with an organization. Basically, it is a street party where everyone can dress-up and come hang out with their friends on 5th Avenue, which is closed to traffic.

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?

Chicken or Eggs

This is a carton of freshly collected organic eggs from a small family farm in upstate New York. The eggs come from chicken that are raised in a free range environment and are fed natural products. These organic eggs are free of antiobiotics and are supposedly healthier and more nutritious than the regular commercially produced eggs. However, organic eggs do not come cheap. This carton cost about $2.50.

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?

Is Spring Here Yet?

It is already spring but why does it still feel like winter? The temperature outside now is 39˚F (4˚C) but with the wind chill, it feels like 32˚F (0˚C). I guess Punxsutawney Phil miscalculated the length of winter this year. Who is Punxsutawney Phil? Punxsutawney Phil is a groundhog that, according to folklore, can predict the arrival of spring.

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.

Cute As Cute Can Be

First off, I would like to wish everyone who celebrate Easter a Happy Good Friday.

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?

Pigeon Nesting on the C

As I was walking home from work, I saw a young boy sitting on his father's shoulder looking intently at the top of a pharmacy store. He started pointing at something excitedly and his father smiled.

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

I saw a fabulous new band called The Cauldron at my neighborhood cafe last Saturday. The band rocked the place down with some great soul music and Top 40 hits. My favorite part of the evening was when they sang one of my favorite songs, Crazy by Gnarls Barkley, which got me up on my feet and dancing with the crowd.

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?

Train in Motion

I was waiting for the train and noticed this guy in front of me with an interesting backpack over his shoulder. Upon closer look, I realized there was a work belt looped around his backpack.

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.

How about a kiss for me?

I met this cutie pie over the weekend. He was inquisitive, restless, impatient and totally adorable. But he would not stay still for a photo so his owner cradled him while I quickly snapped the photo. He was making a face because he was trying to sniff my camera.

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!

Theme Photo: Public Mail Box

Today is April 1st and it's another photo theme day. The theme this month is A Public Mail Box and 66 Daily Photo Bloggers are participating in the theme.

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))

Potato, Schmotato

Apparently, there are more to potatoes than just Idaho potatoes. Here, at the Green Market in Union Square, there are purple potatoes, red potatoes, yellow potatoes, white potatoes, skinny potatoes, fat potatoes, big potatoes, small potatoes, pretty potatoes, ugly potatoes....all kinds of potatoes.

I love potatoes. I love mash potatoes, scalloped potatoes, shoe string potatoes....all kind of potatoes.

How do you like your potatoes?

An Apple A Day Makes The Doctor Go Away

The Green Market at Union Square meets every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. It is a place where farmers, florists, butchers, bakers, and fishermen from the tri-state area (NY, NJ, CT) and Long Island come to sell their freshest produce and meats. Many chefs buy their produce here and the plats du jour at the restaurants are based on what are available at the market that day.

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?

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?

Artist Colony @ Aromatic Biodegradable Art

These little "animals" were some of the most interesting and amusing art works for sale at the artist colony in Union Square. All the "animals" were made from fresh hay and are, therefore biodegradable. They also smelled like fresh hay.

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?

Artist Colony: Artist's Breath for Sale

This was one of the more gimmicky art works for sale at the artist colony at Union Square. The plastic bags hanging from the makeshift stand contain the breaths of "emerging and established artists" in the city.

[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?

Artist Colony: Art Sale

We had our first beautiful sunny weekend of the spring season and everyone was outside enjoying the weather, including me. I was so happy to see the sun out again that I felt like twirling and singing, "The hills are alive with the sound of music....!" Okay, maybe not so much twirling as in hopping and skipping.

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?

What is your first grade teacher's name?

This photo, taken inside the subway train yesterday, shows an advertisement for the NYC Teaching Fellow program The program was initiated in Spring 2000 to encourage people to become teachers.

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?