Mass update

Even though I have not been writing, I’ve been taking pictures. Some are better than others, but there are definitely a few winners in there.

Given enough time, people end up writing on most of the ads in the subway. Some are funnier than others.

This is a guy walking around Union Square with a cat on his head. I have no idea why, or where he was going with said cat.

Some sweet graffiti in SoHo, of all places.

This was from the snowstorm last week, it was crazy. All the schools were canceled, and no one wanted to go out. As you can see, by Wisconsin standards, the roads are fine. But in New York, they might as well have been impassible.

Chains on the bus tires.

A little artsy black-and-white picture in Central Park. This past weekend it broke 70. Snow one week, summer the next…

As promised…

The California crowd will appreciate the couple of pictures I have here. Casey was in town a few weeks ago, and I managed to run into him and his cousin Matt. We may or may not have had a pretty good time, but here are a couple pictures, as promised, Uncle Chris.

I only wish I had the video of the snowball…

We had drinks at McSorley’s Old Ale House in the East Village, est. 1854. There are two choices for drinks: light or dark. And if you order 1, they give you 2. This was 2 darks and 1 light. Also, amazing cheese, crackers, and mustard there in the background.

Apparently this place is the oldest running bar in New York, and the likes of Abe Lincoln and John Lennon have been served there. Sorry to say women were only allowed in since 1970.

I live in Brooklyn

This past weekend I finally went out and explored the neighborhood surrounding my apartment. It’s definitely a situation where the pictures will do the talking, but I do have one mini-story to add.

While I was walking around, I ended up walking two subway stops from my house. And instead of walking back the same way, I decided to take the train home. As I was walking down the stairs into the subway, a well-dressed middle age woman was walking up the stairs. All of the sudden, she stopped, and puked all over the stairs. Right in front of me. I was so taken aback by the situation that I didn’t even stop to see if she was okay. Which bothered me later, after I fully processed the situation.

Then, just before getting on the train, I saw my first subway rat. Great times on the G train.

A used-to-be-flower shop just North of my apartment. I love seeing the old, faded paintings on the brick buildings.

McCarren Park, also North of my house. That’s the Empire State Building in the distance.

A restaurant/bar with really cool windows/doors.

The subway stop around the corner from my house. A little ghetto, but awesome.

A sweet old warehouse converted into apartments. I love how the loading dock has just been bricked over, and the frame was left.

In the subway, you’ll see all kinds of people…

I’ll only say this: I’m sorry that it’s sideways.

Taking it easy

One of the great things about New York is that there is always something going on. A party, an event, a show, etc… One of the bad things about New York is that there is always something going on. There is always the temptation to choose going-out over sleep. And going-out usually always wins that battle.

There’s a reason they call this place “The City That Never Sleeps”. I never been known to go out during the week, but here, every night seems like a party night. And it’s been adversely affecting my health. I have my second cold and third sickness since getting here at the beginning of January – so needless to say, this weekend I will be staying in. Or at least that’s what I’m saying right now.

On Tuesday I went to “Green Drinks NYC”, a networking event for people involved in Green-Business. It was really fun, because the event was actually on a boat cruise around Lower Manhattan. I met some really nice people, and while it was my intent to take in the view, I was almost exclusively talking to people.

At one point a woman came over and said, “Wow, that was amazing. I’ve never been under the Brooklyn Bridge before”. I completely missed it. As well as the Statue of Liberty and pretty much every other sight to be seen.

Then the next night I went to a pre-Fashion Week party at a club in the West Village – or the meatpacking district, not quite sure which one. Regardless, it was really fun, and there were some crazy dressed fashionistas out that night. But I was out a little too late for a school night.

And now I’m pretty sure I’m sick for lack of sleep and lack of food. It sounds pathetic, but it’s my own damn fault. With so much going on, I forget to eat dinner most nights. But don’t get me wrong, I’m having the time of my life, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Sorry for the lack of pictures. It’s my goal this weekend to finally go out and explore my neighborhood – look for updates on Williamsburg soon!

The next best thing in Christmas lights

On my way home today just before getting on the train, these caught my eye from nearly a block away. They are strings of lights that hang down in the trees, and look awesome. I don’t know where you get them, but I can definitely see these being a hit for Christmas 2009.

The video isn’t that great, but you get the point.

I think I’ll go to Boston

Even though nearly everyone here absolutely loves New York, nearly everyone needs a break once in a while. It’s true, there can be too much of a good thing, and absence really does make the heart grow fonder. At least when I’m talking about New York City.

So this past weekend I went up to Boston to visit a friend from good old Wisconsin. Boston is a really beautiful city, right on the water where old architecture mixes with the new. It’s also surprisingly clean compared to New York. But actually, I think that everywhere is clean compared with New York.

On the Chinatown bus, it’s $15 one-way for the 4 to 5 hour ride. I paid $20 on the way back, and had a bus with outlets and wifi. Yes, traveling wifi. It’s amazing for email and facebook, but forget about streaming videos. Oh well, I guess I shouldn’t look a gift horse in the mouth (I’ve never really understood that saying).

This is of an old building in the downtown area, which all my English friends will appreciate. The lion and unicorn are from the Royal Family coat of arms. So either this is a throwback to old times, or more likely from back in the day when the Brits ran the show.

Not really sure where I was, but it’s a cool clocktower.

I might regret admitting this, but I had no idea that Cambridge was basically Boston. I’m not sure if it’s technically the same thing, but a short ride on the train will for sure get you to Harvard.

Pretentious men playing chess in public at Harvard. So cliche, I love it.

A little bit around town

I always carry my camera in my pocket. Here’s a little bit of what I’ve been walking around and taking a look at lately:

Times Square in the snow.

Sweet scrolling marquee at Fuse, that goes up and around and into the sidewalk.

Hot. Pink. Tights. This lady was serious. Sorry for the bad camera angle, but when the flash went off, I nearly dropped the camera.

Empire State Building. Just a couple blocks from where I’ve been working.

Red Bull Snowscrapers 2009

I took the afternoon off today for a very good reason. 16 of the top snowboarders in the world were competing in East River Park on a specially built 9-story ramp right along the river.

I’ve been planning on attending since the day I arrived in New York, and saw the “Snowscrapers” posters in the Subway. Today was finally the day, and despite being absolutly freezing, it was everything that I hoped.

I showed up at 2:30pm, even thought the gates were not supposed to open until 3pm for the contest at 6pm. I wanted to get a good spot, and I sure as hell did – right on the gates next to the landing. When all the riders landed, they’d walk right by. I’m pretty sure that the kids next to me got autographs from every single rider. It was pretty cool.

Below are a few pictures, and then the video is of Shaun White – star of the show, who ended up stopping right by where I was. It was pretty sweet, and definitly a highlight of my time in New York thus far.

The landing with the Williamsburg Bridge in the background.

The nine-story drop.

Shaun White and his bodyguard.

A rider during the prelims.

Snowboarding in Manhattan

This afternoon I plan on braving the cold and wind in the East River Park to witness Shaun White and 15 more professional snowboarders tackle the giant “Snowscraper” built for the purpose of this Red Bull compeition. The picture below isn’t mine, it’s from the NY Times – but look for my pictures tonight or tomorrow. It’s going to be awesome.