Movie in the Making, in Alphabet City

Photo by myself around East 7th Street and Avenue A, at the edge of Alphabet City.

Shown above are some aspiring students, filming across the way from the farmer's market, located outside the rehabilitated park that was once littered with drug dealers.

The sun was streaming down the street. They had chosen a nice spot.

Related posts: St. Thomas Church, Fifth Avenue, Ready to Rumble, in Brooklyn and Lost in Translation.

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Hailing a Cab, Outside the Hudson Hotel

Photo by myself outside the Hudson Hotel, around 58th Street and 9th Avenue.

There was a little bit of a scene outside the Hudson Hotel, which was designed by Philippe Starck.

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Not much to report from this front. The Yankees won their 27th World Series last week. I watched part of the last game, and it was inevitable that the Yanks would win. I hope another team wins next year and the year after that!

Work is picking up, with clients demanding that things be done yesterday. One project is rushing to wrap up before Christmas. It's a small renovation out in Connecticut, where the pace is a bit slower than it is in the city. The race to the finish will be similar to driving a jalopy on the freeway. Oy vey!

I visited the project last week, meeting with the cabinetmakers and contractor. Funnily enough, they asked whether a New Yorker could ever live in the country. 'Would you be able to handle it out here?' they asked, and chuckled to themselves.

Related posts: A View from New York and the Plaza Hotel, On How the Streets are Numbered in this City and Going for the Gold.

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Tompkins Square Park, in Alphabet City

Photo by myself in Tompkins Square Park, in Alphabet City.

It was a gorgeous day Sunday, which resembled summer. Just about everybody was out walking around, eating on the sidewalk and enjoying themselves.

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Mark, Rupert and I spent the afternoon walking around Alphabet City and Tompkins Square Park. Mark lived there years ago, and he was shocked by how the neighborhood has changed.

Many of his old stomping grounds have disappeared. Mark had once cautioned me about Alphabet City before one of my walking tours. 'Watch out around 5th and (Avenue) B,' he'd said.

But there's nothing to worry about. The area is completely and utterly gentrified now. People have brunch. And not just brunch, but prix fixe brunch. There are cheese shops, now. I mean, come on, people!



It's hard to believe that Tompkins Square Park was once riddled with drug dealers and squatters, not so long ago. Now a crowded Farmer's Market is there on weekends. Bushels of local produce, cheeses and cider were on display.

Alphabet City is so named because it spans from Avenue A through Avenue D. It lies just east of the East Village.

Related posts: City Portraits - East Village, Really Living Real Life and Cuppa Joe to Go.

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An Oasis on Park Avenue

Photo by myself, around 94th Street and Park Avenue.

The courtyard of 1185 Park Avenue, within this huge apartment building, the size of a city block. Cars can enter and turn around, once allowed through the gates by the doormen.

The 160+ co-op apartments are extremely pricey. This year, two bedroom apartments have been listed for about $3 million, while four bedroom apartments have listed for about $7 million dollars. Whew!

Related posts: Details, Details, The Royalton, Renovated and Building for a Greener Environment.

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A Modern Icon, in New Canaan, Connecticut

Photo by myself, in New Canaan, Connecticut.

Just an hour outside New York lies an icon of modern architecture. Philip Johnson's Glass House is located in New Canaan, Connecticut.

Designed as Johnson's summer getaway, this 1,300 square foot pavilion is situated on nearly 50 acres of land. Architects consider this a major piece of work. It made a splash when it was completed in 1949, expressing the modernist ideal in the lack of applied ornament.

Typically, the wait for a visit can be up to a year. This year, tours have been extended an extra month, through the end of November, and some spots are still available. There is a bit of walking outside, so dress warmly. We drove up, but one can get to the site quite easily from Manhattan, by train.

For tickets and more information, click here.

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Friday, Mark and I took a trip to see The Glass House. I have always wanted to visit, and was shocked by how easily accessible the house is from New York.



The interiors are cozy and warm, unlike many modern spaces. There are many traditional references, in fact. The plan is based on the golden mean, a proportion that has been considered pleasing since the Renaissance.

A horizontal band along the facade mimics the wainscots of traditional homes, which in turn relates to the human body. Without it, the height of the building would seem overscaled. Exterior doors are located on all four walls, making each facade symmetrical, another classical device.

The kitchen is ingenious, with panels that flip open to reveal appliances. The bathroom was by far my favorite part, with its tiny green tiles and bronze threshold.

Johnson bequeathed the home to the National Trust for Historic Preservation, upon his death in 2005. Public tours of the house began in 2007.

If you have a chance to visit, Fall is a great time. There are some huge old homes in this town, as well as a cute main street. The train from Grand Central takes you to the New Canaan station, directly across the street from the visitor's center. A short shuttle ride brings you to the property.





Day trips are easily accessible destinations just outside the five boroughs of New York City.

Related posts: Details, Details, The Royalton, Renovated and Building for a Greener Environment.

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School's Out, on the Upper East Side

Photo by myself on Fifth Avenue, around 86th Street.

Looking very 'Dead Poet's Society', a group of tousled prep school boys roamed the street.

There are many expensive private schools in New York. The yearly tuition and competition to get in rival some universities.

Related posts: It's a Kid's Life, in Brooklyn, In the Streets with Silly String and Ice Cream, You Scream.

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Hot Diggity Dogs, All Day Long

Photo by myself on the Upper West Side, around 72nd Street and Broadway.

Gray's Papaya is a popular chain of hot dog eateries in Manhattan. They serve up hot dogs and fresh juices, such as pineapple, pina colada and orange. Their frothy, creamy papaya juice is quite delectable.

Open 24/7, Gray's is super-convenient if, say, you are stumbling home after a long night out and have the munchies. Eating standing up, facing the sidewalk, you cannot help but feel like a true New Yorker.

Gray's has been mentioned on Anthony Bourdain's food show No Reservations. Bourdain is no snob. He gave the place two thumbs up.

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It is suddenly busy at the office. Everyone is working quickly and staying later, a big change from a few months ago.

However, we're not hiring. I think that's the norm out there - things are looking better than before, however employers aren't hiring people. Yet.

I have friends who have been out of work for 5 or 6 months, and they are frankly going a little nuts. Psychologically, it is tough, dealing with the uncertainty and stress. Fortunately (I suppose, if there is such a thing) those I know who are unemployed are single, meaning they don't have kids.

Anyway, I hope that those who don't have jobs can at least know that things are getting better, albeit slowly. We will weather this storm, yet.

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On the View from the Upper East Side

Photo by myself above Central Park, around 86th Street and Fifth Avenue.

Ah, what a view? I took this photo from a project site last week.

The trees in Central Park are showing their fall colors. The large building to the left is the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

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Has anyone caught the recent episode of Frontline, set in a hair salon on the Upper East Side?

The episode, called Close to Home, originally aired October 27th. A New York hairdresser has intimate conversations with her clients, many of whom are struggling economically.

It's amazing how honest some of these talks were. The styling mirror helps, since stylist and client can talk to each other eye-to-eye, without looking at each other directly.

Mark and I only saw part of the show but plan to watch it again. I loved what I saw simply because these are fellow New Yorkers on film. Sadly, many of those interviewed thought they could solve their troubles by using their credit cards.

I always thought the Upper East Side and its residents were untouchable. Not so.

You can see the entire show free online. Click here to read more about the Frontline episode.

Related posts: The World Above Central Park, Along the Edge of Central Park and Fall From Above.

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On the Ride Home

Photo by myself on the subway, somewhere underground.

On the subway, there are as many singers, guitarists, accordian players and dancers as panhandlers. Actually, in recent times, it seems like the number of panhandlers has dropped.

It is illegal to panhandle on the subways, but people do it anyway. I've never seen anyone arrested or fined. The worst is when the subway car is packed to the gills during rush hour, and someone makes their way through the car.

A couple people gave the fellow above money. Then he went onto the next car. Through the window, I saw more donations, so he is doing okay.

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The 2009 New York City Marathon

Photo by myself, of the New York City Marathon in Park Slope, Brooklyn.

The New York City Marathon blazed through the city streets, Sunday morning.

Each year, thousands take part in this race, which traverses the five boroughs of New York City. Starting in Staten Island, runners wind through Brooklyn to Queens, up through the Bronx, down to Manhattan, ending in Central Park.

Along the way, crowds cheered and music blared. This was a landmark race, since the US managed to win the mens title, for the first time in 27 years.

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It's hard to believe that a whole year has passed since the last marathon.

Last year, the weather was similar - overcast, a bit chilly, perfect running weather.


The mens lead in Brooklyn, running at a speedy clip. I believe this was a Kenyan runner who dropped out later in the race.





The mens and womens leaders sped by as usual. I stayed around longer this year because I was so inspired by all the runners. At times it was just a tremendous sea of people from all over the world.





This year, the race coincided with Halloween. Many runners dressed up in costume. Among those I saw were a banana, a bear, a clown, and a hula dancer.

For my post on last year's marathon, click here.

Related posts: Running Down the Streets of New York, Running Along the Brooklyn Bridge and Running Amok in the Streets.

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Fall Foliage in Prospect Park

Photo by myself in Prospect Park, Brooklyn.

A little dog looked reluctantly at his owner, who was calling him to leave.

Dogs and their owners have been enjoying the landscape during morning off-leash hours (before 9 am daily) in Brooklyn's Prospect Park. The leaves have turned their colors here for a brief but brilliant Fall.

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Ah, Mark and I didn't make it to the Halloween Parade Saturday night. The winds were high and it started raining. Not the best time for picture taking.

Here's some photos from a recent trip to Prospect Park, though, showing the Fall foliage.








Rupert wishes everyone a Happy Halloween!

Related posts: Off Leash in Prospect Park, Brooklyn, It's a Dog's Life at the Mad Dog Run and On Dogs and Dogs.

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Napping Together, Underground

Photo by myself on the subway.

Three young stylish women were asleep on a late afternoon.

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Happy Halloween, everyone!

Tonight, Mark and I will attempt to attend the Halloween parade in Manhattan.

For the last 36 years, hundreds of people have marched through Greenwich Village in full costume. It is a fun and silly time.

The parade takes place along Sixth Avenue and moves uptown from Spring Street to 21st Street. Traffic is halted, people line the sidewalks and the whole area goes nuts.

The parade starts at 7pm and will be televised on NY1, the local New York news station. For more on the parade, click here.

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Touring About Fifth Avenue, Midtown

Photo by myself on Fifth Avenue, around 55th Street.

I took this photo while in a cab on Fifth Avenue.

A group of Europeans were enjoying the afternoon. Some sat on the sidewalk. (I knew they weren't American because I could hear them speaking from where I was sitting in a cab. But I wasn't alert enough to discern the language).

The sidewalks were packed with people milling around, shopping and just taking in the day. Fifth Avenue, after all, is the site of many high-end stores such as Bergdorf Goodman, Henri Bendel, Takashimaya and Saks Fifth Avenue.

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Thursday afternoon I managed to see the legendary television interviewer Barbara Walters near Central Park. She was walking fearlessly through traffic in the middle of the street, hailing a cab. She looked tiny and wore heavy black-rimmed glasses and a bright red coat.

Unfortunately I was in a cab myself and couldn't get my camera out in time. Drat!

Next time I'll have to have my camera out just for those impromptu celebrity sightings.

Related posts: On Times Square and Our Rupert, Wet and Not So Wonderful, Downtown and On Tippy Toe, Union Square.

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Baked Fresh Daily, in Soho

Photo by myself in Soho, at Spring Street and Broadway.

The display at Balthazar Bakery reads 'Croissants, Baguettes, Brioches'. A beautiful assortment of freshly baked breads decorate the illuminated window.

You can get deluxe sandwiches and salads here, as well as brioches, tarts, cookies and cakes. Everything looks gorgeous. There is always, always a long line of customers during lunchtime.

For a peek at their website, click here.

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It's sheer coincidence that I'm showing two bread photos, back-to-back.

There are fewer things to photograph during the fall and winter months. It's been dark when I get out of the office, but I knew storefronts would be all lit up.

It seemed like everyone was walking around Soho Wednesday night, enjoying the brisk air and shopping. There are tons of sales going on. Designer stores are advertising substantial discounts, so if you are one of the lucky few with extra cash and an empty closet, now is the time!

Related posts: I Scream, You Scream, Mangia and I Deserve a Break Today.

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