Respect 2

Visiting the battleships during Fleet Week in New York City is enormously popular, and in previous years I have made spontaneous visits on Memorial Day. This is a big mistake - docking of the ships at the city's piers is a well known event, and if you intend to board one, it behooves you to plan ahead and go early.

Lines are long, often resulting in cut offs for boarding that day. To date, I had never been successful boarding any of the ships during Fleet Week.

So, early Saturday morning, I headed to Pier 88 at West 46th Street. There were no lines at all, and I breezed through the entry cue area and boarded the USS Iwo Jima.

Tourists were allowed to board virtually all the various craft - tanks, amphibious vehicles and aircraft. On the flight deck, children were busy in cockpits. Part of one deck was set aside for displays of weaponry - little boys, big boys and men were all busy engaged and engrossed handling the various guns. A bit unnerving - guns are not toys, and war is not a video game. Soldiers know this, and all was well supervised by the Marines on board.

This ship is, of course, enormous, and as always, the sailors are extremely accommodating, patient and untiring, happy to answer any and all questions. I am sure many of the same questions are asked repeatedly throughout their duty with the service.

The city is awash with sailors during Fleet Week, who are very approachable either on the streets or aboard the ships. 


What has always stricken me is the respect military persons always show a complete stranger when approached and addressed. The dialog always conveys a sense of subordination, with you as a figure of authority. Responses are often appended with "yes, Sir" - something I rarely experience.

Although I do not relish or live in a world so predicated on chains of command and authority, I must admit the respect paid is a very welcome thing indeed in a place like New York where, although not the norm, there is always plenty of rudeness to go around...

Related Posts: Fleet Week 2009, Kearsage, Men in Uniform, Fleet Week (2006), Post-9/11 World.

Obsession Will Pass

I do not recall my specific needs, but some years ago, I visited John De Lorenzo & Brothers at 43 Grand Street in SoHo. The iron and sheet metal company, formed in 1907 and closed in 2008, had been recommended to me for welding. I never imagined that at some future date, the rooftop would support a huge billboard of a nude model (nearly nude with a strategically placed index finger). See more photos here and here.

The ad is for Katrice wedge sandals by designer Sam Edelman, modeled by Charlotte Kemp Muhl. The 22-year-old model/singer is signed with top agency Elite Model Management and has appeared in many national ad campaigns. She is currently the girlfriend of Sean Lennon. Together they have formed the company Chimera Music.

In America, there is an enormous amount of attention paid to exposure of the female breast. Laws govern very special anatomical limits - the requirement of pasties to cover nipples in bars etc. However, unbeknownst to many, in 1992, women in New York State won the right to go topless anywhere a man is permitted: The People &c., Respondent, v. Ramona Santorelli and Mary Lou Schloss, Appellants, et al., Defendants. Many are unaware of this ruling, including police officers - quizzing them will get varied and interesting responses.

The amount to which female breasts are exposed in public is like a societal time marker - as time passes, we move towards more exposure, with the nipple being the final and ultimate revelation. While some see this as a sign of a society in decline, others, particularly in Europe, see American views regarding the topless woman as being quite Victorian and concern to be over zealous. I am not sure what will happen if nudity becomes very common in advertising and television - whether society will implode or the obsession will pass :)

No Problema

I was in the south of France at the Nice airport at the car rental booth. The agent, knowing our travel plans (to northern Italy and back), asked with a concerned look if we wanted contents insurance (for theft of auto contents). When I asked why, he said, "You're going to Italy, you know." Aha - I see. We had not even left the airport, and national rivalry was in full swing.

Years later, on a subsequent trip with my family, we stopped to have lunch at an amazing spot right on the beach in Menton, southeastern France, near the Italian border. Many of our waiters were Italian.

Regular readers know I love France, however, I readily admit that the French can be a little particular - one must know how to act and how to handle them. This is why, when we asked to move two tables together, we asked rather timidly. We were surprised to hear the response, No Problema.

I also noticed this phrase emblazoned across the front of a road map of Italy - apparently this was a virtual national motto. I am convinced that this was Italian national pride with the added twist of posturing against the tourist experience with the persnickety French, where, for some visitors, everything seems to be a problem. I heard the refrain No Problema many times on that trip to Italy.

Last night, three of us decided to go for some quick pizza. However, our choice of where to go was constrained by one of our group, who had two dogs. So it was decided to give Ben's Pizza a try - this place, much like Nathan's of Coney Island, has a look and feel of a Klein bottle, with no identifiable inside or outside. Perfect for a motley crew with dogs in tow.

Now I had never eaten at Ben's at this location - the place always frightened me. Let's just say that cleanliness is not one of its hallmarks, and I always found the place extraordinarily unattractive and unappealing.

Our order for slices was a mess. One of our party was unfamiliar with the choices, many changes were made, misunderstandings clarified, etc. The situation was trying for anyone in retail, particularly in New York City where customer volume is heavy and patience can wear thin.

However, this man (photo center) was unflustered by any of it and seemed to have the patience of a saint. Remarkable for a place in a touristy location like this. And at every juncture, whenever I apologized, I imagine you have guessed his response already: No problema!

Ben's Pizza is located at 123 Bleecker at the corner of MacDougal Street and has been in business since 1966. There is a second location in SoHo at 177 Spring Street. The pizza itself? The reviews differ wildly. Our slices were better than expected.

Watch the World

On January 12, 2010, I wrote of my first apartment in New York City - see the story here. Living on West 22nd Street in historic Chelsea was a unique privilege, once I grew to appreciate more and more in hindsight. This was truly a case of you don't know what you've got 'till its gone.

One of the great pleasures of my short life there was sitting on the stoop on a summer evening with friends and chatting amongst ourselves, with passersby and with neighbors. We had no idea we were reenacting an historic activity, something New Yorkers have done in many neighborhoods across five boroughs for ages.

I frequently sit on the stoop of my current residence, a townhouse in Greenwich Village (see Being Trumps Doing here). Unfortunately, my neighbors rarely do the same.

Stoop sitting still exists in some neighborhoods. In many, however, they have become resting spots for loiterers, visitors and drug users. Many buildings have installed wrought iron gates as a deterrent. Even though these gates are not locked, most nonresidents will avoid opening a gate.

The benefits of stoop sitting are many. It provides entertainment, socializing, becoming acquainted with neighbors, crime watch for improved safety, and some fresh air. I have met celebrity chef Mario Batali on a number of occasions taking a break and stoop sitting across from his restaurant, Babbo, on Waverly Place.

Stoop sitting in New York City was common by the early 19th century. New York City is a place where one finds a lot of running and chasing of people, places and things. But the savvy urban dweller or visitor will find that much can be seen and learned and people met by just staying in one place (see Taste here). Like the café habitués of Europe have found, people watching is a pleasurable activity unto itself. Find a spot on a park bench or stoop and watch the world go by :)

Photo Note: The stoop on the left is on Washington Square North, as viewed from my stoop (see it here). The stoop on the right is my first NYC apartment residence, located at 431 West 22nd Street. I believe the building may have remained a rental, accounting for its poorly maintained condition - such a pity.

Wallflowers are Welcome

For many, the school dance was something to look forward to. Here was an event, sanctioned by both the school and parents, that permitted physical expression and better yet, a place where kids were encouraged to approach those of the opposite sex.

Unfortunately, if there was hope that a school dance would help the wallflower or introvert break out, it usually did not. Their plight was made more painful as they watched longingly from the sidelines, isolated and on display for all to see.

However, even for the extroverts, make no mistake. If a boy was serious about a girl, enormous courage was needed to ask her to dance - the implications of public rejection loomed large. Of course, there were a small number of men, brazen and thick skinned, for whom apparently public rejection meant nothing. I see men (or should I say land sharks) like this today, who have no fear whatsoever approaching women in any environment, making their pitch, for all to hear and see. But for most, the rejection monster raised its head at the thought of approaching the woman of your desire and asking her to dance.

Women had and still have a very sensible solution - dance alone or in groups with other women. If a man has the courage to pry one away, she will, if interested, most likely oblige. This ups the ante of course for a man interested in a woman - he must now face the prospect of group rejection and humiliation. Only the seasoned land shark with thick skin is willing to swim in these waters.

Times have changed. School dances are now faced with more provocative, sexually suggestive dancing, aka grinding. Some schools have even cancelled dances entirely. Others have resorted to a variety of rules and enforcement - see New York Times articles on the phenomenon here and here.

Irrespective of time or culture, there is no question that most dancing has a sexual element. Generations of parents have struggled, attempting to control the impulses of youth, at sea in an ocean of hormones. But in the anything goes environment of New York City, the gyrating, writhing and provocative dress found in the annual Dance Parade are really quite tame. And the performances in the ensuing Dance Fest held in Tompkins Square Park are an international smorgasbord of dance styles and traditions with 161 participating organizations. The Dance Parade & Festival is both a venue for unstructured fun as well as a myriad of serious dancers and performers. See my gallery of photos here.

I'm sure many will be pleased to know that in the Dance Parade, where spectators and dancers can both be found in great number, Wallflowers are Welcome :)

Related Posts: Dance Parade, Dance Parade 2009.

Catch Em If You Can

When you happen upon a hand balancing act on the street and are reminded of the Alexis Brothers* from Cirque du Soleil, you know you are seeing world-class professional talent. I have done many stories on street performers, particularly in Washington Square Park, including a recent one on street acrobats. In the interest of variety of subject and setting, I try to limit posts on a particular topic.

However, watching the duo in the Park on Sunday afternoon, shown in today's photo, it was immediately apparent that this was not your average street show. The display of strength, skill, movement and presentation was remarkable in this hand balancing act with Rudi Macaggi and Lea McGowan. The audience was transfixed.

Rudi is a third generation entertainer and acrobat from Milan, Italy, who has traveled the globe, performing on stage since the age of 7. He has worked venues in Las Vegas and Atlantic City and has had national television appearances on Penn and Teller's Sin City Spectacular and The Tonight show with Jay Leno. In 2006, Rudi won first place in the Crazy Caliber category of the TV show America's Got Talent.

Rudi's one man show has been seen around New York City at clubs like the Slipper Room and The Box (both in the Lower East Side). The Acromedian does a one and a half hour show - an amalgam of visual comedy, hand balancing, acrobatics, story telling and standup, peppered with his famous quip, "I like you."

His street show featured his hand balancing routine with Lea along with a number of stunts, such as doing a one armed handstand while dribbling a basketball, as well as his finale of a back somersault landing in a one armed handstand - you can see my short video of it here. Always on the move, catch 'em if you can :)

*Note: If you have never seen hand balancing act of brothers Marco and Paulo Lorador, who performed in Cirque du Soleil's shows Saltimbanco and Mystère, you can see a video from their act at their website here.

Trapped in Paradise

Heaven may not be what you hoped for if you are unable to relax, let go and appreciate the seraphim and cherubim. Otherwise, you may find yourself like Woody Allen in a taxi in Manhattan - "You look so beautiful I can hardly keep my eye on the meter."

I felt very conflicted sitting in the Conservatory Garden - I had an loose agenda for the day, but sitting in this garden just made it nearly impossible to entertain leaving. I was truly trapped in paradise.

This is one of New York City's "secrets" - few will make it this far north on Fifth Avenue. The formal garden was designed by Gilmore D. Clarke, the landscape architect for Robert Moses. The main entrance is through the Vanderbilt Gate at Fifth Avenue and 104th Street. The gate once served as an entrance to the chateau of Cornelius Vanderbilt II, the grandest of the Fifth Avenue mansions - see photo here. It stood at 58th Street and Fifth Avenue near the Plaza Hotel. It was demolished in 1927. The gardens are divided into 3 styles - French, Italian and English. From the Central Park website:

Conservatory Garden began as a large, E-shaped greenhouse, or conservatory in 1898. It featured an indoor winter garden of exotic tropical plants and outdoor decorative Victorian flowerbeds. In 1937, the deteriorating structure was demolished and this six-acre formal garden was designed in its place.The Central Park Conservancy began its restoration of the area in 1981, starting with the Garden’s fountains.

Conservatory Garden is divided into three distinct styles – French, Italian, and English.The northern French-style garden features an ellipse of meandering boxwood and pansies, and showcases spectacular seasonal displays of tulips in spring and chrysanthemums in autumn. In the center is the charming Three Dancing Maidens fountain by German sculptor Walter Schott.The central Italian garden features a wisteria pergola, a large lawn surrounded by clipped hedges of yews, a 12-foot-high jet fountain, and two exquisite allées of pink and white crabapple trees. On the walkway under the wisteria pergola are medallions inscribed with the names of the original thirteen states. The Italian garden serves as a backdrop for hundreds of wedding photography sessions.

I hope you visit. I'm sure you will enjoy being trapped in paradise :)

The Cable Building

I hated the Cable Building. It was gray and grim, as were the spaces and long hallways ringing the interior atrium. Everything about it was unappealing to me, even its location at 611 Broadway and Houston Streets, now a prime shopping district.

But when I needed commercial space, my conversations with brokers invariably led to the Cable Building, where, any day of the week, small spaces were readily available at reasonable rents. The mention of "611 Broadway" made me cringe. The idea of traveling through the building's long serpentine corridors for use of water and a shared bathroom was very unappealing to me. The only real way of securing these amenities en suite was to rent an entire floor of a building, which I finally did.

Much as someone who has to work through a childhood fear of dogs, it has taken me decades to shake off my feelings about the Cable Building. All so ironic - anyone visiting today would be incredulous that I would reject or have misgivings about this historic structure.

One of the most difficult things to communicate to those who have no experience of New York City prior to 1980 is how rough a state this city was in. SoHo was a no man's land, the East Village uninhabitable. Everyone I know had personal experience with being mugged/robbed. Car alarms provided music. Graffiti painted subway cars were the norm. Glass shards on the street from auto break-ins would be a daily sighting.

Running a business in New York City has all the typical expenses - salaries, insurances, holiday and vacation pay, staffing, etc. Operating in New York does, however, present things which make it even more onerous - high rents, problems parking or standing for delivery vehicles or visiting customers, freight which will have to be taken to its destination by elevator - generally only retail stores can afford ground floor space. At one time, ground floor industrial was common. No longer.

When possible, working from home, sans employees, solves many of these problems. I did this for many years. But time came, as it does for many, that working from home was no longer viable - there were just too many activities inappropriate in a residential building for a business of my nature - receiving supplies, shipping goods and seeing customers meant excessive traffic and noise. So I was forced to shop for commercial space.

Moving was not the worst prospect - working at home is not the dream life many think. Yes, there is no commuting, but working alone every day takes its toll for anyone with any modicum of social needs. I have met some who are happy to work alone. The question is whether you can do this on a full time basis.

One big problem in looking for space is that I had been severely spoiled by working at home. The ambiance of a residential building and the amenities of a home, i.e. a kitchen and private bathroom, are all very different in a commercial building. I needed small space and a building that permitted light industrial use - this is a challenge anywhere, including the suburbs.

My office is only two blocks away from the Cable Building, and I often visit Crate and Barrel on the second floor - as much to enjoy its beautiful space and views as to peruse the merchandise.

Try as I may, there's no getting away. My fate seems to be intertwined with the Cable Building :)

Note about the building: The Cable building was built in 1893 and designed by McKim, Mead & White. Its name hearkens back to its brief history (less than 10 years) as a power plant for a new cable car system in Manhattan, extending from Bowling Green to 36th Street. The basement, 40 feet below street level, houses enormous steam engines, boilers and winding wheels. Read Christopher Gray's Streetscapes article from the New York Times here.

Every Inch Has a Price

We price apartments and commercial space in dollars per square foot. We pay for loss factors (unusable space not usable but included as rentable space). Messengers squeeze through tiny spaces - see story here. Subways are overcrowded. Cars are jockeyed in lots and garages at extraordinary rates. People have been murdered over parking spots on the street.

Some store pots and pans in the oven. Why not leave them in the dishwasher? Who has room for a dishwasher? We move the toaster a few inches to make space for the blender to make space for the dish rack.

Bicycles hang from hooks in the ceiling. Many pay for off site storage. There is typically no room for washer/dryers in apartments, so most carry their laundry to a laundromat. There are very few tennis courts and rates can run to $100 per hour.

In New York City, every inch is spoken for and in that type of environment, every inch has its price - a hefty price.

Everything is designed around space constraints. We think vertically. Everything is stacked - apartments, businesses and their contents. Air rights are bought and sold - see here.

Hot dog vendors pay extraordinary fees to operate outside the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This is the premier spot in the entire city for street vending of hot dogs. Pasang Sherpa contracted for $642,702.19 per year to the New York City parks department for the right to sell hot dogs there (to close shortly after opening). Then, in 2007, disabled Vietnam veteran Dan Rossi set up shop, acting on an 1894 state law that allows disabled veterans to sell in restricted areas. For free. On a recent visit to the Metropolitan Museum steps (see story here), I spoke to Jose Cabrera, who works for Rossi. Jose is also a disabled vet, having served two tours in Iraq.

Of course other veterans have followed suit and the whole situation is a mess. The city claims there is room for only one vendor. From the New York Times:

... there is room for only one vendor because of regulations regarding the location of the carts and because bus and taxi boarding zones must be kept clear.

Two weeks ago, officers began handing out summonses, in most cases saying the carts were too far from the curb. Vendors said they were in a bind: If they were near the curb, they would be ticketed for obstructing the bus and taxi stops, and if they were farther out on the sidewalk, they would be ticketed for being too far from the curb.

Dan Rossi has weathered the police ticketing and hot dog vendor battles. Recently, however, the city has been looking to diversify the food options outside the Met and has leased vendor space to Cake & Shake of Long Island City, Queens for $659,350 for a five year period. Read the whole New York Times story here.

I assumed once someone acquired a license to vend on the streets, they would not be hampered by space constraints most New Yorkers face. But even in the great outdoors of New York City, every inch is spoken for and every inch has a price ...

Note: The name Sgt. David Gonzales across the top of the cart is not the owner's name, rather, that of a Vietnam vet killed in action and friend of cart owner Dan Rossi.

White by Desire

I can't say that New Yorkers have an exclusive on making impractical choices, but examples do abound that give evidence that it is at least a worthy contender in any competition for foolish choices. Trends and fads drive residents of this city as much as anywhere else, where it often seems that displays of extreme lack of sensibility is its own form of rebellion.

And what better way for some to display that defiance by sporting a large dog with roots from a climate completely antithetical to that of New York City? Breeds inappropriate in any number of ways for city life, or ones requiring extreme maintenance.

I recall the 1980s, when the Shar Pei, with its heavily wrinkled skin, was all the rage. Rapid breeding resulted in many health problems such as allergy-induced skin problems. Many required eye surgery, with some owners seeking the skills of a eye surgeon for people. I rarely see the Shar Pei here any longer. Akitas were also quite popular at one time. Now I often see the Shiba Inu, a small hunting dog from Japan with a cute, foxlike appearance.

On Sunday, I met Sofie, a beautiful, cheerful, friendly Samoyed - a breed originating from Siberia that is a nomadic reindeer herder. They have a dense double coat, which means lots of hair shedding. They are very youthful, energetic dogs with a desire to pull sleds and a love of the cold. Perfect for the Manhattan apartment resident, n'est-ce pas?

Their cheerful nature and beautiful white coat, for many, outweigh any practical considerations. The breed's ear-to-ear smile has given the Samoyed its alternate name, "smiling sammy."

In fairness, after speaking to the owner, I found that Sofie is very well cared for. It is possible to keep a dog like this healthy and happy in a New York City apartment with work, and many pet owners are ready willing and able to do whatever is necessary.

Samoyeds are extremely well insulated. Sofie actually loves sleeping in the snow. In their native environment, Samoyeds kept their owners warm at night by sleeping on top of them. The dog's owner told me that once it begins to get warm at all, she runs her air conditioning 24/7.

I was surprised to learn that early Samoyeds also came in black - white has become dominant due to popularity. If not for the constant care and responsibility, I could easily fall for the cheerful charm of the Samoyed. I, like many others, do love that white color, and the Samoyed that we see today, more than White by Design, is White by Desire :)

Note: For lovers of white, see my stories White by Design and White by Design 2.

Sardines

I've been reading a lot about sardines today and the origin of the expression "packed like sardines" - I could think of nothing else on Sunday while traveling on the Lexington Avenue subway.

This trip to the Upper East Side and, ultimately, Central Park, illustrated beyond a doubt the need for the Second Avenue subway. Construction has finally begun this week on this much needed subway line - proposals go back over 80 years. The massive boring machine has begun digging and, according to the transit system, will not be shut down until the project is completed (2016).

The Upper East Side of Manhattan and east midtown is essentially serviced by one subway line - the IRT Lexington Avenue 4, 5 and 6 trains. This line is so heavily used that it has become not only the busiest in the NYC transit system - it is now the most used transit line in the United States, with more riders that the entire transit systems of San Francisco and Boston combined.

What may come as particularly surprising is the overcrowding on Sundays. The East Side not only has the typical density of residents found in Manhattan but also is home to many attractions, particularly museums along Fifth Avenue, aka Museum Mile, so this subway is heavily used by tourists on weekends.

This trip was also an experience in extreme diversity. On this one car of the train there were two Islamic women in black Burkhas. An extremely tall orthodox Jewish man with a wide brimmed black hat towered over two young black girls. A young Asian woman stood next to me with makeup so heavy, she had the look of a traditional Thai or Burmese dancer. A woman with very striking white hair and surreal skin tone took a seat near a black man completely hunched over listening to music.

My thinking was that sardines was a convenient metaphor, but I assumed that there was much more variety of humans in that one subway car than in a can of sardines. Now I have learned that sardines are actually several types of oily fish related to herrings, so actually, a fair variety are used. Everything considered, I think it is reasonable to say we're still packed like sardines :)

Note: Nothing compares to overcrowding of subways in Tokyo - if you want to see the most outrageous subway packing/stuffing, see a video here.

Creative Expert

Years ago, I used to spend many summer afternoons in Washington Square Park watching Dave, a Christian evangelist, make a presentation arguing for the existence of God. Anyone was invited to join the discussion, which, at times, became a quite lively debate. On one occasion, in frustration with someone who was making a number of unfounded statements, Dave retorted "Saying it doesn't make it so." This was the first time I had heard this adage, and I liked it. It applied to so many scenarios, particularly regarding assertions made when asking about someone's livelihood and answering by giving one's aspirations.

Pardon my cynicism, but in New York City, I am forever meeting individuals who are self-proclaimed artists, writers, composers, producers and recently, fashion designers. I say self-proclaimed because saying it doesn't make it so and in the art world, credentials can be as simple as a proclamation or business card.

I once met a fellow tenant in my office building who worked for a company specializing in branding. He offered his services and card - below his name was printed "Creative Expert." Rather incredulous that anyone would not only make such a bold assertion but then commit it to print, I showed my graphic artist the card.

Unfettered, my friend assured me that many people will believe what you say, particularly if it is printed on your card. She told me of an instance where she was called for a job - the client had been told that she was a Photoshop expert, which she was not. But it had been said. To this day, we use the phrase Creative Expert as a source of amusement in our office.

So when I met Geary Marcello and he told me he was a fashion designer in the ensuing conversation, I just filed it for future investigation. His business card read "Creative Director. Couture Women's Wear Special Occasion and Costume Design." Now my antenna went up. Creative director. Fashion designer. These are real jobs, not the more incredulous and nebulous Creative Expert. And certainly a man with a septum curl, tongue chain, goatee and tattoos is not an ordinary man. But none of this saying makes it so.

Some online searching and a visit to his website certainly showed that Geary was in fact who he said he is. I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt. After all, this is New York, center of the American fashion industry and a city whose streets are populated with many exceptional people. This website is filled with examples of celebrated individuals I have met in ordinary places. I am reminded of my encounter with Afghan popstar Walid Soroor, whom I met in an Indian restaurant in Jackson Heights, Queens.

Of course, the eternal cynic sees the Internet as just another incarnation of the devil's playground - a new place where saying it doesn't make it so and a forum for the Creative Expert :)

Note: Geary was extremely congenial and happy to pose for passersby like myself. He hails from Los Angeles, California. His long list of clients includes: Lucy Liu, Bill Cosby, Lena Horne, Lindsay Lohan, Jim Carrey et. al. You can find his website here.

Philanderers with Fruiterers

There was a fruit vendor on the corner near my office. The fruit and pricing was good and the location very convenient, so my coworkers and I soon developed a relationship as regulars.

Relationships have certain key elements. Mutual trust, respect, and love. Fulfilling mutual needs. Responsibilities and obligations. A fruit vendor relationship is no different. Often, however, there is a price to pay for the conveniences found in New York City.

Our vendor was a small and frail man from Pakistan, and we soon referred to him as "the little man." He was very poor and spent long days in the hot summer sun. We all liked supporting him. Our fondness for him grew. However, like many relationships, there were problems and the relationship became strained.

Things were pleasant as long as we purchased the quantity he wanted us to buy. If we wanted a half pound of cherries, too bad - he refused to sell less than a pound. When we asked for a pound, one and a quarter was put on the scale, and it was suggested we take two. This was four times what we really wanted. And did we want some nice bananas or peaches to go with the cherries? His recommendations were in his hand and being added to our bag, only to be stopped by virulent protest.

We soon wearied of the daily battles defending our fruit needs and consumption. We could no longer trust him, he had no respect for us, and our love for him had faded. No need for counseling. We were looking for divorce or at least a trial separation.

Separation, however, was not so easy. Walk by the fruit man and expect to be greeted, or should I say apprehended. Why didn't we want any fruit today?

We were in the worst breakup scenario where, due to circumstances, both parties are forced to continue to make daily contact. Like coworkers or neighbors who have had an affair.

We found ourselves crossing the streets to avoid him and hiding food purchases from him as best we could. But he was crafty and observant, often hailing us from afar and offering our favorite fruit. But we were steadfast in our avoidance. We had no desire to become like victims of battered spouse syndrome who become trapped in abusive relationships.

He became angry. Were we seeing someone else? Yes, we were. No use hiding it any longer. He knew our dirty secret. And although the relationship was over for us, in his mind, we were nothing but philanderers with fruiterers :(

About the photo: A real instance of philandering with fruiterers. I patronized this second man for years, however, I now typically shop for fruit with other needs at larger nearby markets. I still buy from him on occasion. I am sure he knows I am cheating, but he is always pleasant. Some tolerate philandering better than others :)

Color of Money

This appears to be a case of color by number, but no one appears to know what the numbers are.

One of the most commonly asked questions regarding the Empire State Building is the significance of the lighting colors and how the color schemes are decided. I wrote about the lighting schedule on March 27, 2007 in Equinox. The color schedule and meaning of the colors is easily found at the official ESB website.

In celebration of the NYU commencement, the color scheme was purple/purple/white (NYU's school colors are purple and white). The special lighting was further enhanced by the fact that the building could be seen looking up Fifth Avenue from Washington Square Park, NYU's de facto "campus."

The process as to how the decision is made, however, is shrouded in mystery. According to the New York Times, a spokesman for the Empire State Building said that the building “doesn’t discuss the intricacies of the lighting approval process.” Out of curiosity as to what is involved in having your choice of colors for lighting, I downloaded the Empire State Building Lighting Partner application. It is quite simple and straight forward. In the first paragraph you are told:

Selection as an Empire State Building Lighting Partner is at the sole discretion of the ownership and management of the Empire State Building Company L.L.C. The Empire State Building is a privately owned building—not owned by New York City or the State of New York—and, therefore, has its own policies. Selection as a Lighting Partner is a privilege, not an entitlement.

There is, however, no discussion of money, but the phrase "Lighting Partner" would lead one to believe that there is a cost. No crime there - after all, the building is a private enterprise.

There was some outrage recently when the building was lit red/yellow/red from September 30 through October 1, 2009, to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the People's Republic of China. Many speculated that it was strictly a decision based on what China was willing to pay.

NYU certainly has a lot of influence, clout and its share of controversy - see Gorillas and Cookies here. It also has a lot of money. And at least for the NYU commencement, purple is the color of money :)

Very Resilient

This store, like Crocs themselves, has and will continue to attract critics. The thing that has made this project particularly contentious is that this building at 143 Spring Street, previously the home of Tennessee Mountain Ribs restaurant, was in serious disrepair - work did need to be done. So the criticisms gravitate towards the architectural details of what has been done and, of course, the presence of Crocs in SoHo.

There have been many articles about the building since Crocs's acquisition in 2006 and several articles since their opening on Saturday, May 8, 2010.

Built in 1818, the Federal era 192-year old, three-story structure is listed on the National Historic Register. In the 1970's it was combined with a 1925 garage building. The reconstruction project was done by architect William J. Rockwell. The exterior wooden clapboards have been replaced and the south face re-bricked (salvaging some of the older brick.) Much of the interior beam work is original.

Many were perplexed about the lengthy process in development - Crocs acquired the property in 2006. The building has landmark status, which makes any work a formidable and lengthy process, resulting in the appearance of neglect by Crocs in the first couple of years of acquisition before construction began. Crocs, Inc. is not the landlord - the property is owned by Abba 1 Realty LLC, and Crocs, Inc. has a 20-year lease (handled by Robert K. Futterman & Associates, LLC).

The greater mystery for many is how Crocs remains in business. Their very existence in the marketplace inspires violent outcry from some critics. There is a subculture of haters, with blogs and websites decrying Crocs, such as ihatecrocs.com. They have been the object of satire on shows like The Daily Show and Real Time with Bill Maher. The fashion industry has had its own critics, with many considering the shoes a fashion disaster.

But Crocs is another success story in the ugly shoe movement - Uggs, Birkenstock and Crocs have all been massively successful in spite of critics, detractors, haters, websites, and comics. Comfort has been a big factor in the success of all of these brands. In the case of Crocs, their proprietary Croslite foam* is a big feature.

Adoption by celebrities has fueled the popularity of Crocs. Chef Mario Batali was an early user in 2005 - the waterproof shoe in tandem with its comfort was perfect for working in a commercial kitchen. His bright orange Crocs are part of his signature appearance. Michelle Obama has been seen with them as well. The Niwot, Colorado-based company now sports over 100 shoe styles and has sales averaging $200 million dollars per quarter. They are sold in 125 countries and 6,500 outlets in the USA.

There is something about that Croslite foam that appears to be very resilient :)

*Croslite is a closed cell EVA foam developed by the Canadian company Foam Creations. The closed cell structure inhibits bacterial and fungal growth and resists odor. The material conforms to the shape of a wearer's feet, has extraordinary impact absorption properties and is reported to reduce fatigue and other medical benefits. Scott Semans, George Boedecker and Lyndon Hanson bought the license for the material and introduced Crocs at the Ft. Lauderdale Boat Show in 2002 (this shoe was an improved model of a boating clog already in production by Foam Creations). In 2004 Crocs, Inc. purchased Foam Creations. They hold four patents and constantly have to defend from "Croc-offs." The name Crocs was short for crocodile - the shoes, like the reptile, were fit for both land and water.

Window of Opportunity

This is a daily photo website, and although it has evolved to become much more story and text driven than at its inception (where the text served as more of a caption), I assume many of you are interested in photography and imaging.

The advent of digital cameras has brought many more individuals into photography. The Internet and digital media has provided a myriad of online forums, all easily available to the masses. Camera technology has made it much easier for the average person to get very good results. Preview screens provide immediate feedback, providing an excellent learning tool for identifying problems, rather than having to wait for film processing.

The cost of photos is essentially free, less amortization of the equipment. This means more photos can be taken, important in difficult shooting situations where a number of shots increases the chances of capturing that special moment. Post-processing on a PC with applications like Photoshop essentially brings the darkroom to the desktop. For me, this is one of the most important tools in the digital photography process.

So, with all this technology and increasing numbers of photographers, one problem remains - how do you differentiate your photos?

Subject and setting. If you are interested in color photography, for example, it is going to be difficult to get the kinds of results Steve McCurry gets just by being in India, Kashmir, Tibet, or another exotic locale, and getting such unique subjects and settings.

However, few have the ability to travel to locations like these very frequently, if at all. It is unlikely that one will find many unique subjects in and of themselves - in a city like New York, nearly everything has been combed over. A rarely seen subject will require research and travel - places like the Hole, the Black Cowboys, etc.

One strategy is to shoot familiar subjects from different vantage points (see Dachshund Octoberfest here) and at different times. Although the magic hour (early morning and at sunset) is often celebrated as the optimal time of day for shooting because of the quality of light (see Light on Bobst here), I also see the early morning as a time to capture activities particular to the early morning (such as deliveries to the meat packing district) or familiar subjects in an atypical way - quieter settings free of traffic and pedestrians and subjects illuminated by the sun in a unique way, like today's photo of the Washington Square Arch with light pouring through it.

See you in the morning for that window of opportunity :)

Posts taken in the morning: Hawk Fest, Quietude, 23 Skidoo, Homeless Art Scene, You Don't Say, Out There, Little in the Middle, Kristen, For Whom the Knell Tolled, Hua Mei Bird Garden, Coup De Grace, Eight Twenty Five, Slummin', Fresh Meat, True North, Snow Play.

Quite Refreshing, Really

I am not sure that I buy the idea that "opposites attract," a phrase often used to defend the pairing of individuals who go together like salt on a wound. On the other hand, I once had a conversation with a friend which I will never forget.

This individual was very meticulous in his work - he was known for precision in both his practice routines and performance. I also understood that he was very tidy in his personal life. He had lived in a number of places and was a recent transplant to New York City, a place that did not seem very fitting to his temperament.

One evening, standing in the vestibule of my apartment building, we did some catching up and he told me why he had moved to the city - for a woman. We exchanged notes about relationships and the difficulties in people accommodating each others styles. The subject quickly turned to living habits and neatness. Knowing this man's style, I was assured that his girlfriend was like himself.

However, I was shocked to learn that she was nothing of the kind. She was, in fact, an absolute mess, disorganized and forgetful. I asked him how he could possibly tolerate living with a woman like that, and his answer was just riveting - "I find it quite refreshing, really."

This had a profound effect on me, and subsequent to that conversation, I noticed how being around someone who was easier about the minutiae of life could often be liberating. This is not always successful, of course. I am reminded of the film The Way We Were, where the ability of two very different people (Robert Redford and Barbra Streisand) to get along is painfully tested and results in a parting of ways. In the end, Redford explains that his decision to separate is due to their different styles.

Having the ability to let go is of tremendous value in a place like New York City. This is not the most hospitable environment for control freaks or perfectionists who want things just so. The city is built on diversity - the beautiful and ugly, the noisy and serene, the rough and polished, planned and spontaneous events. Anyone hoping for a pristine environment conforming to his or her wishes, obsessions or compulsions is in for a trying time and neuroses. You will be tested at every turn. Give a little, and whether you are looking at violet Veronicas or in the subway, you might find the city's diversity quite refreshing, really :)

Confession: Today's posting demonstrates only a half step to full abandon. At one time I would have felt compelled to know the exact species of plant in this photo, which I do not. However, I did not feel comfortable letting the photo stand on its own without identifying the flowers, so I did email today's image to a friend and regular reader of this blog to at least get the genus - Veronica, aka Speedwell. The bed of flowers is located in Washington Square Park.

Sober Kids in India

One of the great things about New York City is that at any given time, somewhere, some group is celebrating something. And unless your religious or other affiliation prohibits it, most likely you are welcome to join in.

Religious or secular, many need very little reason to party, as perhaps was the case yesterday evening with the person at the head of the line waiting to get into this bar. When I asked him what the line was for, he had no idea and apparently no interest in finding out. His response was rather perplexing, since both inside and outside the bar it was obviously a Mexican themed celebration - Cinco de Mayo, to be specific. Confetti was fluttering in the air, and people were outfitted in traditional Mexican costumes. The bar was bursting at the seams and overflowing into the street.

The bar is located on University Place in the Village, no stranger to partying. Just down the block is New York University, which has had the distinction of making Princeton Review's "top party school" top 20 ranking.

Growing up in a poorer and work oriented environment, at times there is a tiny nagging feeling that festivals, parties and parades are a capricious unnecessary extravagance. This is money and energy that might be put to "better" use for those in need. I wrote about this and the need for human celebration on June 13, 2008, in Let's Have a Parade.

Growing up as a child, I often heard the cliched "Finish your dinner, there are children starving in Africa." For some of the celebrants last night, the admonition might better be an analogous one I have seen bandied about: Finish your beer, there are sober kids in India :)

Note: Cinco de Mayo (Spanish for "fifth of May") is a holiday held on May 5. Not to be confused with Mexican Independence Day on September 16, Cinco de Mayo commemorates the Mexican army's victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862, under the leadership of General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguín. In an unlikely victory, 4,000 Mexican soldiers defeated a much larger (8,000 soldiers) and better-equipped French army. The holiday has very limited recognition in Mexico - it is primarily an American celebration with its roots in California in the 1860s.

Lost in that Wool

Please click to play the waltz, Lost in the Lonesome Pines, to accompany your reading.

Want to take a hayride? Mingle with sheep, goats, chickens, cows, horses, peacocks, pigs and geese? In New York City? No, this is not a petting zoo.

Welcome to the Queens County Farm Museum, New York City's largest remaining tract of undisturbed farmland. A working farm dating back to 1697, it encompasses a 47-acre parcel that is the longest continuously farmed site in New York State. The site includes historic farm buildings, a greenhouse complex, livestock, farm vehicles and implements, planting fields, an orchard and herb garden.

We had a free tour of the Adriance Farmhouse with our guide, Mister Marty. Flemish styled, the house dates to 1772 and is the centerpiece of the farm complex.

And everything is free - tours, hayride, butterfly garden and cavorting with the animals. This place came as a huge surprise. I had heard vagaries about a farm somewhere in Queens. Actually, this place is right on a major thoroughfare - 73-50 Little Neck Parkway in Floral Park. It is open 7 days a week, all year. There is admission only on days with special events. See the farm museum website here.

I always relish the opportunity to pet sheep. I had competition with others, however - there was a group of us jockeying for position to get lost in that wool :)

A Stop for Complainers

New York City's extreme nature leads to a plethora of love/hate sentiments and conflicted feelings. Many threaten to leave and never do - I wrote about this phenomenon in Not Going Anywhere. Having to commute daily using the New York City subway system is, for many, one of the greatest pains they have to endure.

When under fire, however, the transit system is often defended by its very detractors - just another example of the love/hate relationship New Yorkers have with this city.

The city's transit system has much to defend. It is one of the world's busiest and most extensive. In tandem with the bus system, one can get to virtually any destination within the five boroughs using public transportation alone.

The subway system runs 24/7, making maintenance and repair an extreme challenge. All track work has to be done while the system operates and thus necessitates frequent service suspension, disruptions and changes. This is a necessary evil and way of life for the underground rider.

I have traveled by this train yard numerous times, always by car on the Belt Parkway, and I have been amazed at this vast sea of subway cars. On this particular occasion, traffic was very heavy and gave me an opportunity to take photos while driving, reaching across the passenger side and bracing the camera as well as I could against the the passenger window frame.

This is the New York City Transit Complex at Coney Island - one of the largest transportation facilities in North America. Opened in 1926, the Coney Island Complex occupies 75 acres of land in the southern part of Brooklyn, New York.

There are three storage yards which have the capacity for storing nearly 1,800 subway cars. The Coney Island Tower serves as a command center coordinating the moves of subway cars. The car wash cleans the exteriors of over 1,000 cars approximately once a week for a yearly total of 50,000 washes.

The complex consists of a number of shops:

Overhaul & Repair Shop. The overhaul shop also works on maintaining and restoring the cars in the fleet of the New York Transit Museum. Within the Overhaul Shop, there are four 30-ton cranes capable of moving entire subway cars from one work station to another.

There is also: Paint Shop, Wheel, Truck, & Axle Shop, Maintenance/Inspection Shop, Pneumatic Shop, Traction Motor Shop, Small Motor Shop, Shoe Beam Shop, Battery Shop, and Training facilities.

New York City is full of surprises. With all of its miscreants, vandals, abusers, and users, it really is a miracle that all our systems work so reliably - power, water, sanitation, transportation - all managed by civil servants, a group popular for bashing. Perhaps the MTA should make the Coney Island Complex a subway stop for complainers :)

Related Posts: Unkindest Etch of All, The Subway, The El, Subway Art.

Kick in the Shins

Just shortly after enrolling at New York University in the early 1970s, I received an extremely unusual request. A high school history teacher contacted me from my hometown in Connecticut and wanted to make a visit to the city to experience the Village in its turbulent times. I was quite taken aback, but I agreed.

One of the few incidents I recall was a visit to Mamie's Ice Cream Parlor, located at 35 West 8th Street. Apparently we were quite a motley crew of hair lengths and generations - the waiter, taking our order, asked "Can I help you, gentlemen?" adding, "and I use the term loosely." To which our older companion responded, without hesitation, "Don't use the term too loosely or I'll kick you in the shins."

How cool to have not only an adult but also a figure of authority on your side. History teachers were never the most popular figures in school, and most students felt at odds with them, groaning and resisting the requisite memorization of facts. Here, at last, a school teacher and students were all on the same team. He appeared to be a bit of a rebel, and what better time and place to exercise his rebellion?

Ice cream and gelati shops have gone through waves of popularity in New York City. There are always new incarnations with a different spin, but authentic ice cream parlors have slowly died out and are now quite scarce. So I made a visit to Forest Hills with a friend to seek out Eddie's Sweet Shop at 105-29 Metropolitan Avenue. Eddie's is one of the last remaining classic ice cream parlors in New York City. The century old shop has been in continuous operation since 1909, when it opened as Witt's Ice Cream Parlor. In the 1960s, it became Eddie's.

We arrived late in the afternoon - the place looked like it had seen a tidal wave of business. The counter staff definitely appeared to be overworked - an early heat wave had everyone out, with ice cream on the agenda for many.
Most go to Eddie's for the ambiance and a menu of all the classics - banana splits, malteds, floats, egg creams, frosteds and sundaes. And everywhere you look, in one form or another, there's cream. See the menu and more photos here.

I'm happy to report that in spite of an overworked help and regardless of a customer's politics or appearance, no rude remarks were made and there was no need to threaten a kick in the shins :)