Midwesterner, Northwesterner, now New Yorker

Trees

Thu, 24 Dec 2009 23:55:13 GMT

Happy Christmas Eve to those that celebrate it! I hope this finds you happy and healthy and warm and surrounded by family and smiles.

This little blog entry is a series of pictures taken over a number of days earlier in December when my parents were in town. It's mostly my mom and I in front of the various trees around New York, mostly :)

Mom and me...

...at the tree at Bryant Park...

...at the tree at Lincoln Center...

...at the tree at Wall Street...

...at the tree at Rockefeller Center...

...and Dad and me on the Rockefeller Rink :) ...

Happy Holidays Everyone!

WINDOWS!

Wed, 23 Dec 2009 02:02:08 GMT

Window watching: something that will become one of my favorite things to do in NY around the holidays (oh, hell, who am I kidding? EVERYTHING is one of my favorite things to do in NY around the holidays, lol).

Anyway, the windows on upper 5th Ave are definitely something to see. The whole spectacle and the walk down 5th from the corner of Central Park down to Rockefeller is worth it just for the lights and windows.

This year, I shall highlight three stores' windows: Bergdorf Goodman, Henri Bendel, and Louis Vuitton.

Alrighty folks, I'm giving awards this year, that's right. All 20 of my readers (lol) I'm sure will start waiting with bated breath each year and each 5th Ave store will live in fear. *nods*nods*.

So let's get started.

Louis Vuitton
Last year, winner of the "Too Much Of A Good Thing" award (though I wasn't giving awards so I just made that up). This year, they definitely get both the "Most Improved" as well as "Most Likely To Make Me Wave At Them" awards. I really, really liked them this year. The theme was travel (apparently) and getting away. As the pictures below show, they had several big departures boards (like train stations) behind the windows and they flipped around saying different things. I just thought it was eye catching and fun. (And, actually, the entire exterior of the building was decorated with flair)

The "Most Likely To Make Me Wave At Them" was because of this that was sometimes displayed. I actually *did* wave at it (and I may or may not have said, "I am!")

And when this one came up, well, it just pulled a little at me heartstrings.

Definitely Most Improved. Bravo, Louis Vuitton.

Henri Bendel
I don't know that I visited Henri Bendel's window last year. If I did, it didn't register as anything special. But this year...wow, this year. This year, Henri Bendel has definitely earned the (not so) coveted "WTF?" Award. That's right, WTF? When I first saw it I was all, "Okay....impressively put together and all that but...what's up with the mostly nekkid women?" And then my dad points out the blinking red hotel sign and the fact that at least one of these women are hanging off a balcony and he goes, "It's a brothel" I blinked a couple times, trying to focus my eyes with this new information and...OMG! I DID appear to be at the very very VERY least hinting at a brothel. It's Christmas! This is a family activity! WTF?! And that didn't even explain the mice partying below the floorboard. No. That was, like, a secondary WTF.

Here's the window overall. Notice the hotel sign (you can't see that it's blinking in this photo, of course, but it was) on the left, the woman on the balcony above it, the rather, um, interesting outfits they're all wearing, not to mention the woman hanging from the chandelier pouring Champaign.

Speaking of which...(yes, it was impressive, just the display itself, but still...)

And did I mention the mice in the floorboards partying? Cute and all but...huh?

Overall, impressive as I said. Probably artistic on some level. But WTF?

Bergdorf Goodman
Last year's winner of the WTF award was definitely a contender for Most Improved, as well. But it will have to settle for simply "Best". Because Oh-Em-Gee, each one of these windows, though I may not exactly understand them, was a work of art. They richness, the variety, the detail, so impressive, so amazing. They had several other windows but I'll highlight the five that were directly on 5th Ave.

This first one was decorated entirely with glass and mirrors. I didn't get any really great pictures of it. As you might imagine, taking photos of glass and mirrors behind a pane of glass at night is not exactly easy. Nevertheless, you get the idea of the sheer amount of effort that must have gone into it.

The next was what I called "The Dream One" (note: on the whole these appeared to be called 'A Collection of Curiosities').

This one I called 'The Doll House'. You can see all the various segments to the 'house' behind the mannequin. The second picture below shows a detailed view of just one of those sections. Just amazing detail.

This one? This one was MY FAVORITE EVAH! None of the pictures do it justice, they really don't. As you stand on the sidewalk and look into this window, it's like you're looking down on a chessboard. Only some of the pieces have come to life (sort of) with the king and queen having tea and crumpets. I encourage you to click on either and/or both of the photos below to see them bigger; particularly the second one where you can see the king is actually mid-pour of the tea. Again, the detail is stunning.

And the last one of the five I called "The Creepy One". Because, well, it was kinda creepy, why else? Or perhaps it was just weird. Either way (again, detailed photo below the overall one).

Here's what at least four of the five looked like from across the street (the red one is the chess board). And, yes, it takes great patience and timing to get this pic with no cars in it!

And lest you think I'm the only one that goes Window Watching, oh no no no. This was the crowd last Friday night outside the Bergdorf Goodman windows. They, apparently, were the things to see on 5th Ave!

Hope you have enjoyed the tour. Stay tuned next year for a new crop of awards! LOL

The End

LastingImpression

Tue, 22 Dec 2009 17:33:56 GMT

LastingImpression
Originally uploaded by redwingx

The impression left by a parked car after the snow plows came through and after the car left.

Note: I didn't take this picture this year but it's one of my fav after-snow pics I've taken in NY. And this recent snow storm reminded me of it. So if I've posted it before, oh well, it's worth posting again. Hee!

Ground Zero and Wall Street

Tue, 22 Dec 2009 02:10:02 GMT

Oh goodness, when was this? Sometime last week. The 15th, I believe. Oh how time flies. My parents and I had swung by Wall Street (a definite must see around the holidays) even earlier and yet...they hadn't lighted the tree yet! What's that?!? Travesty! So we went back after it was lit. And it was worth it. While we were in the lower Manhattan area, we also went by Ground Zero. I hadn't been in months. And, WOW, they are making some serious progress on the new building.

Ground Zero/One World Trade
It's a little hard to see what's going on here, but all those horizontal orange-ish beams below the shooting star around all the cranes? Well, that's the beginnings of One World Trade Center (formerly called the Freedom Tower). As I said, I haven't been in a while and am stunned by the progress. It's really quite uplifting.

A closer view. The entirety of Ground Zero, being a huge construction site, is still surrounded by plywood and fencing, decorated with images of what the site will look like when done. And now also decorated with wreaths for the season.

Wall Street
You know, I really think I agree with my dad: it's not as popular, it's not as big, but it's just as impressive and just as beautiful. The tree at Wall Street. The whole scene is just so worth the trip.

It has ornaments and not just lights! And in this ornament, you can see a reflection of my mom and me as I took the photo! We are the tiny little blurry blobs in the middle! LOL

And this is where I get all artsy. And this is where I disagree with my dad. He was unimpressed with my artistic endeavors. I, however, liked them. And since it's my blog, I get to post them. (and if you don't like them, please don't tell me, hehehe). These are essentially the same shot: the tree, a menorah (with five candles lit), the column bathed in red, the American flag – just so many iconic images all in one. First picture clear and the second picture...I like to think of it as 'impressionist' rather than 'blurry'. ;)

And just one more parting shot of the entirety of the New York Stock Exchange and Wall Street. Again, doesn't get as much holiday credit as it deserves. It's just beautiful.

The Morning After The Blizzard

Sun, 20 Dec 2009 21:41:48 GMT

When I awoke this morning around 6:30, I quickly looked outside and when I did, I noted that we had gotten at least a good part of the snow that had been promised. So, despite the fact that it was still rather dark and that it looked rather cold, I got dressed, grabbed my camera and headed my tired self up to midtown.

I went to 6th Ave (which has absolutely fantastic decorations around Radio City Music Hall) and Rockefeller Center and then up 5th Ave. It was sooooo quiet. And soooo beautiful.

First, I love love love New York early on Sunday mornings, anyway, because *no one* is on the streets. No one. It's like the city is practically deserted and it's got an quiet eerie beauty on any normal Sunday. Today, it was compounded by the snow. The only people out on the streets were 1) people working to shovel the sidewalks or 2) people with cameras and tripods—and there were A LOT of both!

Because of the lack of people (and cars) and because of the snow and because of the early morning lighting that wasn't quite dark but wasn't quite light, 6th Ave in particular was just spectacular. I'm posting too many pictures of it but each one I like for its own reason.

6th Ave's decorations include a set of red trees, an oversized string of Christmas tree lights, a set of oversized Christmas tree ornaments, (and new this year), a big huge model train, and a block's worth of toy soldiers (also new this year, I think). The oversized lights and ornaments were most impressive in the snow so those are where I concentrated this morning (but I will get some pics up of the other ones from an earlier outing this week).

Anyway, let's get started.

Oversized Christmas lights in the snow.

Taken from the other direction from the photo above; but I liked this because of the thermometer in the background. 24 degrees, woo!

Now the ornaments on the next block. Love them! Especially with snow on them (and yes, they're in the middle of a fountain, lol)

And here they are again, this time with Radio City Music Hall in the background. Just lovely.

Speaking of Radio City…hardly every see it this time of year not completely mobbed with people. :)

Looking south. Love the reflections off the sidewalk and water (where the ornaments are).

The lights and ornaments and such are also all surrounded by lighted trees. The whole thing together is just fantastic.

And this one is a little blurry but I just *loved* the lone cab going by. Just very New York. :)

And my favorite picture from 6th Ave, just the whole view. All lights, hardly any people, fewer cars. And, of course, being able to stand in the middle of the street long enough to take the picture!

After my adventures on 6th Ave, I headed over to Rockefeller Center. But first, just a few shots of the surrounding area. Not at all related to each other. Just some scenes from the area.

Entrance to NBC's top of the rock and the rainbow room.

Atlas. All decked out in Christmas wreaths…and snow.

Across the street from the colorful windows of Saks Fifth Avenue (this year's theme was the adventure of a single snow flake as it makes its way down to New York).

And then it was time to go see the granddaddy of them all, the Rockefeller Center tree in the snow. :) As it turns out, some of the best pictures with the fewest pictures can be taken at 7:30 am in the morning after a blizzard. Who knew? LOL

This is what it looked like when I first arrived on scene. The funniest thing about this picture? Every single person in it is in some way involved with cleaning up snow. Shovelers, plowers, sweepers, whatever. Gots to get it ready for when the tourists wake up!

Now it's for a dummer guy to stand guard. I just love the sharp morning lighting in this one.

Taken from the end of all the angels, on 5th Ave. Stunning.

And a little closer up. Again, stunning (and sooooo fantastic that since there were so few people, each of us early rising photographers had some time to stand in the prime spot and take some photos)

*contented sigh*

And then I came back and promptly fell asleep until 1:00 pm. So much for Sunday! LOL But that's okay. It was all good. And well worth it.

Rockefeller in the Snow

Sun, 20 Dec 2009 03:43:02 GMT

Well, unless you don't watch television or read the news at all, you probably know that the east coast of the U.S. is getting hit by a rather hefty snow storm. What does that mean for me up here in New York City? It means time to get out there and see it!

The real snow (apparently) isn't expected until over night tonight, but by 8:00 it was coming down and sticking, so I decided what better place to experience the first snow fall of the year than at Rockefeller Center. Of course. Most of my photos have some blurry spots where there was snow on the lens—for there snow was EVERYWHERE in the air, completely inescapable and swirling.

But no matter.

It was clear that everyone, everyone, was having a grand time down at Rockefeller Center. Smiles everywhere you looked and people taking photos. The snow did not seem to be deterring anyone *at all*; in fact, it may have made the whole thing that much more joyous.

A few pictures, now, of the pretty lights. :D

The tree (with the splotching spots, lol), the light shining through the snow, and Saks in the far background.

One of the bandsmen statues that surround the rink. This lonely guy looks like he's standing guard.

Looking up at Rockefeller Center. The snow was just amazing, swirling and blowing everywhere. Really incredible with all the various lights shining through. Very, very pretty.

Depending on how much snow there actually is overnight. I may head back out again in the morning. :)

World's Largest Menorah

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 18:40:20 GMT

World's Largest Menorah

More Holidays In New York! :)

The same evening we went skating at Rockefeller Center, we also (before our skating adventure) made our way to the corner of Central Park where the World's Largest Menorah resides and is lit each evening of Chanukah.

The schedule stated it is lit each evening at 5:30. We got there at 5:40 and it still wasn't lit. Which meant, we got to see them actually light it. Which was even cooler than just seeing it standing there.

The best part about the visit (okay, maybe not the best, but something I was very happy about) was that it was explained to us how they knew it was the World's Largest Menorah. Apparently, the Torah specifies how big a menorah is allowed to be (in cubits) and this menorah is as big as allowed. Thus, it is the world's biggest. Now I know. :)

So, here it is as it was when we saw it (it's the gold-colored structure on the left of the photograph):

Soon after we arrived, they lifted the various cherry pickers up to the top with a Rabbi and other dignitaries who would aid in the lighting.

After a few words from the rabbi (a number of those words, I'll be honest, I could have used without as they didn't feel in the ‘peace on earth' kind of theme I like to associate with this time of year, but no matter), they lit the main candle:

Because of the nature of the menorah, they couldn't use the middle candle to light the others but, in short order, all four that were supposed to be lit (it was the 4th night of Chanukah) were lit:

And then that was that. All told maybe 15 or so minutes. And we're glad we got there to see it and even gladder that we got to actually see it lit (just so we could see how they did it). I took a picture from the other side as we headed south to Rockefeller Center with the four ‘candles' lit (and I do like the Central Park horse-drawn carriage in front of it giving it the full New York flavor, lol)

Rockefeller Ice Skating

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 01:30:55 GMT

OMG OMG Yea! Yea! Squee!

Why the squee-ing? No, not a set, no, no. Something much more New York. Something so very Holidays In New York. Something I've never done before but wanted to do for three years.

I went skating on the Rockefeller Center ice rink under the Rockefeller Center tree.

It was breathtaking. Some times just awe-inspiring. Some times hilarious. Sometimes just plain pretty.

I don't think the smile left my face the entire time.

This was one thing I really wanted to do when my mom and dad were here. Because of my injuries as well as my dad's, we had to keep delaying our trip. But finally, Monday night, we were both feeling okay, so we headed to mid-town. We had to wait 30 to 45 minutes, I don't really remember but we got our tickets and on the ice right around 7:00 pm, one hour to skate before the end of the session.

The first trip around the ice, I just skated slowly, grinning ear to ear, I'm sure. Skated right by the statue and the tree, looking up into it's colorful lights and grinned even more. After a circle or two, the picture taking began in earnest.

Pictures of us on the ice here pictures of us on the ice there, pictures of us skating, pictures of us standing still, pictures by my mom, pictures by my dad, pictures of the crowd taking pictures of us, pictures! LOL

And then more skating. Skating skating skating around in little circles (because it's a little rink) and avoiding the bodies that seemed to be flying EVERYWHERE! L-O-L Oh my goodness it was CARNAGE! People who have never skated before ever in their lives still want to skate at Rockefeller. And I don't blame them for that. But, oh my goodness, so funny watching them try. As you make your way around the ice you must watch for people taking pictures and/or someone who has either fallen or is tottering on the brink of falling. One time I literally had to put my hands on my knees and just coast because I was laughing so hard: this young couple was holding hands while skating and the girl starts losing her balance and the guy keeps going. She falls to her knees and the guy keeps going, still holding her hand. She eventually ended up flat face down stretched out on her belly before he seemed to notice and turn around.

But all that, the picture taking, the crowds taking pictures of us, my dad on the ice with me, my mom on the sidelines taking pictures and just watching, it all made it perfect. The weather was great, the tree was beautiful, the experience was just fantastic. It's expensive for an hour of skating, but worth every penny.

So, now, how about some pictures of the Rockefeller Ice...from ice level? (oh, how I enjoy saying that :D )

Okay, so these aren't taken *quite* from ice level. These are from the stairs that lead down to the ice. The stairs that we are made to stand on while waiting our turn to get *on* the ice. Still. Purty, no???

But this...this...this is taken from right-under-the-tree. Ohhhh yeeaaaahhh. Just amazing to stand there and look up and see that view.

And sweet! After seeing this statue from above so many years, I've never been at its level! :)

And how about one from the end of the rink taken looking up at the surrounding flags and the tree.

Speaking of flags, this is what they look like from the ice.

And here's what Saks 5th Ave looks like from under the tree (did I mention I took a lot of photos? lol)

And this is what the ICE looks like from the ice! (oh yes, I had sooo much fun). And that little guy in the light jeans and the bright yellow hat? That's my dad! Hi dad!

Now, before I get to pictures of me, here's a picture my mom took. She was *trying* to take a picture of my dad (you can sort of see his blurry yellow cap) but this guy came TUMBLING in front (remember what I said about carnage?) LOL She was standing at the exit/entrance to the rink and she said that's just what it was like, people coming crashing into the boards trying to stop and get off. Too funny. Too fun.

Now some pictures of me (just because). First, my skates. And the ice. My skates. On the ice. My skates on the ice. (hehehe).

Me. Hee!

Me and Dad. Awww.

And then, just a parting shot. One of my favs of the night. Man. Part of me would have loved to have stayed and skated all night. *sigh* Good night.

If the opportunity presents itself. If you like to skate. Even if you don't. Go. I'll only laugh at your lack of skating ability a little. And you'll be so excited to be there you won't care. ;)

Union Square Holiday Market

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 01:54:50 GMT

Yesterday, oh how the days fly by, yesterday we went to the Guggenheim museum and then went to see some windows on 5th Ave and O-M-G, the WINDOWS! I will definitely be doing a post about that but I think I need to get back during the day when there aren't so many people to really get some pictures, because they were AMAZING, some of them.

But, for now just a little drive by holiday cheer. The park in my backyard (not literally but close), Union Square, is turned into a festive little (or not so little) holiday market every year. Best viewed at night. :)

I wanted to make sure I got some pictures last night because the Empire State Building was lit blue and white for Chanukah and 1) I wasn't sure how much longer it would be lit blue and white and 2) wanted to get some pictures of the blue and white with the red and green of the holiday market. And so pictures I got.

And then after that I just wandered a little bit to grab some other shots around the holiday market. The place is p-a-c-k-e-d, packed. Always, but it's still fun to wander in and (try to) get some pictures in.

Okay, enough talk. Pictures.

oooo, pretty

Bryant Park

Sat, 12 Dec 2009 01:53:28 GMT

Catching up catching up catching up. What, oh what, shall I write about today? So much to choose from, so little time. The holidays are in the air and my camera is getting quite the workout and I come home generally tired and full of good food. All good things, of course!

So, apropos of nothing, let's take a little trip to Bryant Park today. In reality this little trip to Bryant Park was two trips to Bryant Park for me. One...goodness gracious one was a week ago tonight, last Friday (oh how time flies) and one as several days after that. The first trip was to see the skaters on the rink and see the Bryant Park tree at night, the second was to actually *skate* on the rink. Both, most pleasant times.

Let's do this in reverse chronological order, shall we? Because this way I can just introduce you to the rink before doing a few night shots of it (and besides, my night shots are more dramatic and I want to end the post with them, lol). So, the general gist is that there's this park called Bryant Park. It's basically awesome. In the summers they have a big lawn to just hang out on, they show movies on Friday nights, they have concerts sometimes, they have all kinds of chairs and tables so you can just sit and hang out and enjoy life. In the spring they host the fashion show. But for a few brief months during the winter, mostly just December and January really, they have an ice rink. And if you bring your own skates, it's free. Which makes it even more awesome.

So several days ago my dad and I decided to go one morning. There's nothing quite like starting the day with a brisk outdoor skate (and I'm not joking...much).

Our arrival. They call the rink The Pond. Which I find cute. Very cute.

They have these wonderful padded benches inside this nice warm pavilion where you change into your skates. And they also have indoor (warm) seating to just sit and watch the other skaters. It was tempting...

...but then you lace up your skates and look to the end of the pavilion...and you just want to go!

Oh, it was a beautiful morning. I loved the morning sun shining down upon the ice, casting looong shadows as the skaters went by...

And here I am, yea! This was my first time out on skates for a couple of weeks (after an accident playing ice hockey—the one that resulted in a sling and MRI, yeah, that one) so it was a little scary. But also felt really good.

It wasn't long, however, before we were kicked off the ice for a brief period so the zamboni could clear the ice. And I couldn't *not* include a pic of the zamboni! And for a bonus, it's with the big tree that's set up at one end of the ice. That's right, as you get to skate outside on free ice, you also get to do so under this big beautiful tree. Awesome? Oh yes, I'd say so.

So that was our day time visit. Days before that was our night time visit.

As before, let's start this set of pics with a welcome sign. Again, they call it The Pond. Still cute.

Ahhhh, the tree, the tree. This taken with a building on 42nd St as the backdrop.

While we were there we wandered around a bit and watched the skaters and took in the park. They still had many of the umbrellas and tables and chairs up. I snapped this picture with the Empire State Building lording over all in the background (again I ask, awesome? Yes.) And is it bad of me to feel all proud that the admin of official Bryant Park group on flickr (where I host my photos) asked if I would add this to the Bryant Park group? Thanks Bryant Park! You made me feel all good. :)

And finally, just a shot of the rink with the pavilion and the tree that I really liked.

Bryant Park by day, Bryant Park by night. Good time was had by all.

Time Warner and Lincoln Centers

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 05:35:39 GMT

How about some more holiday cheer? On tonight's agenda: The Time Warner Center at Columbus Circle and Lincoln Center. Last year, the discovery of the giant lighted snow flakes at the Time Warner Center was a happy accident. But I'll make a point of going back each year now. And, lo, finally the scaffolding is down at Lincoln Center and the fountain in the middle is visible. Makes for some purty sightseeing. :)

For reals if you're in New York looking for holiday sights to see, if you're near Central Park, pop yourself over to the Time Warner Center to view their snow flake (or whatever they are) show. They play all sorts of carols and the snowflakes change colors to the music, all different kinds of songs, all different kinds of colors. You can view the snowflakes from the ground, second, or third floor (and you can probably even see them from below, too) and I encourage viewing from all angles. Just go see them and enjoy!

This is taken from the third floor. The snowflakes in the foreground are the ones hanging inside the center, then you can see their reflection in the big glass front window. Beyond the window are lighted trees (also very pretty) and beyond that is the statue/fountain of Columbus Circle and beyond that (that small set of lights stretching to the upper right corner) are the cars on 59th St.

Basically the same image but with the snowflakes turned a deep red. Love the red.

Looking down at the shoppers below. Look up, little shoppers, look up! Look up and enjoy the snow show!

Behind where we were standing there was also a little art gallery (modern art but I actually liked a number of the pieces). I like this photo just because it highlights both the gallery and also the lights behind; gives an idea of the atmosphere. Very cool.

And I'll leave you with one of my favs of the night, this one taken from the second floor. So many pretty colors. :)

Alrighty then. On to Lincoln Center, just a four or five (maybe six) block walk north on Broadway. Last year (and for as long as I've lived here) the entirety of the center of Lincoln Center was behind scaffolding and under construction. Kind of took away from the experience a little. But now, oh, but now the construction is done, the plywood/scaffolding is gone and in its place is a wide wide open space and a beautiful little fountain. It makes for a feeling of freedom and air; and of course, nice pictures, heh. I enjoyed the tree at Lincoln Center so much better this year and I'm sure it was not because the tree was any better, but the entire setting was just that much better.

Shamefully, I didn't capture the entirety of the space in the center, so no big grand photos (not that they would do it justice, anyway), but here's one I liked, taken from the side of the fountain looking up at the tree.

And the tree itself. It is just one PACKED tree. All kinds of stuff thrown on it, lol.

Probably my fav of this group. Would have been even awesomer of the people in front of the fountain weren't there, but what are you going to do? It's New York. Very hard to get photos without other people in them, heh. This is taken with my camera sitting on the edge of the marble surrounding the fountain. Love the reflection.

Then...then it was time for dinner. A 20 block walk north to our favorite Jewish deli in the city: Arties. Matzah ball soup and big huge sammaches. YUM YUM YUM. :)

Red Wings at MSG

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 04:15:50 GMT

This is not exactly holiday related. But, you see, in the three years that I've lived her, my beloved Detroit Red Wings have only visited the Big Apple to play the Rangers twice (TWICE!) And one of those two (TWO!) times was this past Sunday. It just so happens to have happened in here in December during holiday season, but yeah, I know, is not really holidays in New York.

But it was my time to indulge my love of hockey and my love of the Wings. And to take my camera out for a ride at Madison Square Gardens, arguably the most famous sports venue in the world. Also, I have to admit, it's fun being the enemy, being the visitor, wearing the colors and the jersey of the opposing team.

For yes, as I said to a friend: I love New York. Except when they play the Wings.

This is pretty much going to be a bunch of pictures of Detroit Red Wings (and their awesomepants victory over the New York Rangers) with a few New-York-ish pics thrown in at the beginning (and a special Ranger-And-Red-Wing special guest star thrown in in the middle!). For those Red Wing fans, enjoy, lol.

Arrival at Madison Square Gardens via subway. Even though I was rooting for the other team that night, just going into MSG to watch a hockey game is still a thrill.

Oh! Holiday related! The front entrance to MSG all decked out in its holiday best decorations. Yea, holiday lights!! :)

I'm sure all teams have similar kind of displays outside their arena, something to instill a sense of pride and belonging with their team. The size and placement and just design of this one...well, I love the Wings and nothing will change that, but this gave me a little chill. A good chill, like they got it right. I don't know how else to explain it.

Alright, warm ups. I got there in time to see warm ups and was able to get quite close to the ice on the Detroit side for some decent pictures (at least I think they're decent). So fun to see the boys without their helmets on, heh.

Gang-o-Red Wings in the neutral zone

Pavel Datsyuk

Dan Cleary and Nick Lidstrom

Henrik Zetterberg and Nick Lidstrom practicing a breakout

Ganging up on the goalie at the end of warmups

After warm ups I made my way to my seat and waited for the real action to begin. Though I did sneak in this photo of the scoreboard, advertising and hyping the game as an Original Six matchup. Oh, yeah, baby!

Then we were ready to get down to business, but first, the national anthem...

Okay....game on!!!!!

Holmstrom mixes it up early with Avery

Helm takes the faceoff

Apparently I like taking pictures of faceoffs...

And to make it all better, during the second period they introduced a special guest that was in the audience watching the game. Someone who is/was loved by both the Rangers and the Wings. It was... it was... BRENDAN SHANAHAN! (now, these photos were taken from all the way across the arena so they're a little not so wonderful, but they ain't too bad, either...and LOL the one of him checking his phone. Even super stars take time to check their messages while at the Gardens)

And, if you watched the game, you know it was a very exciting game. Tied until just three or so minutes left when the Red Wings went ahead (and then put in a final empty netter). So, a couple final pictures – the final happy scoreboard, and the Wings gathering at their goalie to congratulate him after the game.

Yea, Wings!!

... you can follow me on Twitter @ny_odyssey ...

The Nostalgia Train

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 22:25:16 GMT

I do so hope the MTA continues this tradition of bring out the 'Nostalgia Train' every Sunday in December for the holidays. It, apparently, has its critics (too expensive, to what end, etc, etc). But I think it's fantastic, just fantastic. Yes, they say it helps the MTA because it brings awareness to public transportation, and it does, but bringing it out and getting to ride on it once a year I also think just enhances quality of life, is just tradition, and gives us a connection to the past. All things worth fighting for.

And now that I've done my little bit of preaching, let me show you the fun had this year on the Nostalgia train. My mom and dad were with me and I was worried it wouldn't live up to the hype I had been giving it (resulting in me apparently asking them 09283447502 times if they liked it – which fortunately they genuinely seemed to).

As a little refresher, the Nostalgia Train is made up of subway cars that had been used in the New York City subway system but which are no longer in service; some of the cars dating back as far as the 1930's. They are all decked out with old subway advertisements, original seating, old maps of the subway as it was back then, ceiling fans, the works – just as they were back in the day. Seeing the subway pull up in the station, stepping on to one, riding one as it rocks and rolls and loudly barrels down the tracks with the lights failing with some frequency, going out and coming back on… it's like stepping into another time. And just so much fun. I really need to go one Sunday and just sit and RIDE it, rather than wander around taking pictures. Just sit and enjoy it.

But, for now, pictures. :D

Long views of three of the different cars. Looking through the car like this—it's just SO DIFFERENT than the view of today's cars. It's familiar with the poles and handholds and advertisements above the seats and yet different in configuration and style and old fashioned in every other way, but not to the point of being unrecognizable. (Note, I called the last one the “1970's car". I have no idea if it's from the 70's but it's so loud (color-wise not sound-wise) I figured it had to be, lol)

Half the charm—or at least a good part of the charm—are the old advertisements from the past. Things you just wouldn't see or hear now. Signs of the times, I suppose. But charming and often funny in their own way. The “Ben Gay Wipes Out Peter Pain" one had me giggling the most, probably (because I'm a little immature sometimes and it's just so hokey giggle-worthy), but I do also like the “thoughtful mothers bake and fry with Crisco" Ha!

The train also afforded me some views I don't normally get on the subway. First, looking out the rear while leaving the station (though I could *probably* get this if I tried on a regular subway—though it wouldn't have that nice little wreath on the back, lol). And second and something I truly *can't* see on a regular station is the MTA employees hanging out the side in between cars. This is how they make sure (back in the day) it was clear as they entered and left stations. As the conductor got up there and peered out, I stood behind him and snapped a picture as the train got on the way. Very cool.

As we got to the end of the line and then the train waited in the station to go back the other way, it gave us opportunities for some great photo ops. These are my parents looking out the back end of the train. I love this photo! Hi, Mom and Dad! You tourists, you! :D

And then I just had fun taking various pictures of the exterior of the train and got some of my favorites from the whole trip, with the last one probably being my absolute fav from the trip, what with looking in through the open door and that one lone white-haired man just sitting, reading his newspaper.

If you live in NY, you can still catch the train every Sunday in December. It leaves 2nd Ave station on the V line every Sunday at 10:00 am (and every 90 minutes after that), runs on the V line to Queensborough Plaza and back. It's good times.

And that, was the Nostalgia Train…onward ho to more holiday cheer from NY! :D

... you can follow me on Twitter @ny_odyssey ...

Holiday Laser Show in Grand Central

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 16:30:19 GMT

Catching up, catching up, and so much to catch up on!!

My parents are in town for a couple of weeks and we're hitting as many holiday things as I can talk them into. :D

Last Friday I had an MRI (again, long story) in the early evening and from there we hit two holiday items on our list of holiday things in NY to see: The Holiday Laser Show in Grand Central and The Pond (free outdoor ice skating rink) and tree at Bryant Park. But I'll save Bryant Park for another post. For now, Grand Central.

So, first Grand Central. The holiday show was very different from years past which as a big kalidascope of scenes that moved across the walls of the main concourse in Grand Central. This year, it was a laser light show that was shown on the ceiling of the main hall. In some ways, it felt smaller and less all encompassing (it's pretty amazing when the entire walls in Grand Central are lit up and moving) but in some ways it was more fun as the lasers and lights danced and transformed across the ceiling.

It would be impossible to capture the movement and feeling of lightness of the various imagines that appeared and transformed and went away, but a few still images will have to do.

First, just a still image of the main hall decked out with its holiday wreaths. What's amazing is those wreaths are really pretty good sized, and yet they looked teeny tiny when hung on the walls and columns of Grand Central.

Now for the laser show. Now, the ceiling of Grand Central contains the constellations of the Zodiak as well as others along with outlines of those images (not just the stars). The laser show highlighted each of the constellations, outlining them with light and then having them move across the ceiling before disappearing at one end. This was my favorite: Orion. (you can also see a little train car and a shooting star in this picture, too! :) )

They had snow flakes and galloping horses and (a favorite of mine) a line of skiers that seemed to ski down the zodiac and take off. Aside from the skiers, my favorite was probably pictured (poorly) below): laser outline images of the Empire State Building and Chrysler Building that kind of moved and danced around each other (here connected with a string and a little skier going between them, lol).

Then as the show approached the end they wrote “Seasons greetings" in English and then again and again and again over and over in many different languages. Very, very cool. Captured a few below.

And then in English.

The show ended, very cutely, with a big ol' mistletoe spread out over the ceiling (and therefore above everyone in the main hall). And we actually saw a number of people kiss the person next to them when they realized what it was above them. Just makes you smile all around, because, really, how can you *not* smile. :D

The Adjustment Bureau Filming

Mon, 07 Dec 2009 21:52:25 GMT

Beware, this journal is about to get all Holidays In New York on you! You have been warned! My parents are in town and we are seeing LIGHTS! And WINDOWS! And ICE RINKS! OH MY!

But first, before I go all Holiday on you, I do have a quick interlude ... another set. Yes, yes, another set. Okay? At least it's not Law and Order related! In fact, it was big time: The Adjustment Bureau staring, ... wait for it... Matt Damon. Ohhhh, yeah. Didn't get my picture with him, no (now *that* would be a coup) but it was a beautiful day and a fun set visit.

I got to the set and they were already filming a scene, there were lots of people (crew and extras) about in the park in which it was being filmed and there were lots and people already watching. And there were lots of people with massive and I mean MASSIVE cameras. So I figured that the big star of the movie must be on set or expected on set.

I find a little spot from which to watch the current scene and, as I've said before, I could watch them do this all day and never get tired of it. The scene they were filming was this guy sitting on a park bench, then he stands up and turns around really quickly and looks behind him. Then after a second, takes off at a run.

In this photo, you can just see on the monitors on the left of the photo the buy sitting down on the bench (as seen from two different cameras). And I just love how they guy standing there looks like he's talking about framing a shot.
And here? Well, here are CLACKERS! Clacker Love! :D
Moving on, this is one take of the scene, taken just after the guy jumps up from the bench and turns around. But what do I love about this photo? It's the man with the FAKE TREE BRANCH. He's holding it there in front of the light to ensure that the guy, while sitting on the park bench has the ‘correct' shadow falling on him. L-O-L. Now I have FakeTreeBranch Love.
Did I mention the MASSIVE cameras? Here are a couple of them. There were at least five or six people out there with these cameras. And as I was standing there just watching the scene, then I heard all of them start just going crazy. Clickclickclickclick. Hmmm....someone must have just arrived on scene.
And, in fact, yes, Matt Damon was in da house. Uh-huh-uh-huh. Here's him arriving on the set.
The lighting was not conducive for good photo taking but I got a few here and there. Here's a cutie smile. :)
Unfortunately, I didn't get to see him actually doing any filming because I couldn't stay (had to get back to that nasty ol' work thing, boo). But, still a fun little outing. I'll leave with one picture of the overall view just to give you an idea of how very New York it all was. We were in Madison Square Park, big black screens and camera on the left, random art in the lawn in the middle, Matt Damon is in this photo (though you can't really tell, lol) and lording over it all, The Empire State Building. Excellent.

...follow me on twitter @ny_odyssey ...

First Annual Lighted Boat Parade

Sun, 29 Nov 2009 03:21:50 GMT

Hm. What to say about this. I was in my sweatpants and sweatshirt, newly showered this evening when NewYorkology tweeted that tonight—yes, TONIGHT—was the first annual New York Harbor Lighted Boat Parade.

Woo! I was so excited! How lucky for me! What an unexpected fun little excursion! I love lights!

And…it *was* cool. Such as it was, at least. The problem? There wasn't much to it.

Yeah, I don't think I've ever described any event in New York as 'small' or 'sad'. But this First Annual Boat Parade? Well, it was kinda small and sad, lol. There were five (5, cinco, V) boats. FIVE. Does that even qualify as a parade? (note: the web site said there were five confirmed boats/ships/floating things; but at my viewing spot at South Street, only five came by).

If it were anywhere but New York, I would have called it cute. But this is New York. And here we speaketh the truth.

BUT this is NEW YORK. Which means I'm also going to be forward looking and optimistic. This was the first annual, after all, and all great traditions have to start somewhere, right? And in several years when people come for the extravagant Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on Thursday and stay for the magnificent New York Harbor Lighted Boat Parade on Saturday, I'll be able to say "I was there when it all began. When this was just a sad little five boat parade." Yes, that is what I'll say.

Also, don't get me wrong, the boats that DID participate were awesome, nothing should be taken away from them. I loved them.

I actually viewed in two locations. When I got the tweet at 6:16, I just barely had enough time to throw on my sling (long story), shove my feet in my shoes, grab my camera and head out the door to the South Street Seaport. And thank goodness I wasted no time, for I was there only minutes before the first boat arrived.

Note: many of these photos aren't going to be super great. My night-time photography still leaves something to be desired.

The first ship to go by. Unfortunately a little blurry but I liked the different color reflections on the water with the lights from the boat and The Watchtower sign in the background.

This is the second ship. My second favorite. It actually changed colors; sometimes blue like this picture below, sometimes red. It just glowed and I loved that. That's the Verrazano bridge in the background.

Here's the same ship returning back under the Brooklyn Bridge (the route went by where we were at the Seaport, under the Brooklyn Bridge then turned around). Here it's getting its red on.

This was the *fourth* ship (sorry ship #3, I seem to have no pictures of you except from far, far away), and my favorite by far. I just adored the Christmas tree of lights on the front upper deck. And it also blew its horn when it went by. It was just so festive!

Because we were near the turnaround point, we got to see (briefly) the parade double back on itself. Here is the first ship heading out passing the fourth ship still heading in.

And here is the fourth ship on the return trip back under the Brooklyn Bridge. Oh, and that little sailboat with the lights along the line for the sail? That's the fifth ship in the parade. It was both cute and a little sad, lol. But I totally give it props for seeming to be the only private boat in the parade. So…you go Sail Boat, you go!

And here is a long view of the parade as it retreated back into the harbor. Four of the five ships can be seen (my apologies Sail Boat, you just didn't fit in the shot). On the far right is the first ship, then the red glow of the second ship, then to the right of the Verrazano Bridge (kinda blending in with other lights) is the third, followed by the fourth on the far left)

After the ships took off, I decided, heck, it's a nice night, it might be fun to see if I can catch them boats with the Statue of Liberty as a background. So, instead of going home, I walked on down to Battery Park (which, can I say, is a little dark and scary at night?). I kind of got there late catching only a couple boats at the tail end. But I got some great pics (all things considered) of my favorite boat with the Statue of Liberty so all was not lost.

In the end, smaller than expected, which is really, really strange for New York. But, still a pleasant little excursion. And I really hope it grows each year. I think it could be something really fun and really bright and really festive and really beautiful and really awesome in the future.

ESB at Night

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 14:34:04 GMT

I don't think I've posted gratuitous Empire State Building pictures lately. Or maybe I have. I don't care! I'm posting more!

I walked home last night and it was a beautiful night and the lights of the city (and the Empire State Building) were just too pretty not to try to photograph. So here are three views of the ESB as I walked successively closer and closer and closer to it.

This was taken from about, oh, I don't know, 50th Street, perhaps. Right down 5th Ave, all the traffic, the ESB reflecting in the buildings on the other side, the last remaining sunlight settling in the sky in the distance…I knew it was going to be a good walk home.

Taken from about 38th St. Had to bump up the ISO so that you could see the moon sitting there next to the ESB. Yep, good walk home.

Taken from 34th St just below the ESB (obviously). I'm a sucker for American flags, what can I say? Funny story, as I brought my camera down after taking this photo, someone who barely spoke English approached me and pointed to a map and asked, “Where Empire State Building?" I just smiled and pointed straight up. Hehe.

The end. For now.

Um, er, well, you know grin

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 02:01:17 GMT

This is where I feel slightly sheepish and you indulge me.

Because, yes, yes, yes, this is another trip to a set. Another trip to an SVU set. I know, I know. But, but, I'm still trying to catch a certain person filming. And even when I *promise* myself that I'm going to swing by the set and immediately leave if that person isn't filming, well, you see, if they're actively actually filming when I get there, I have no control. I have to stay and watch. Because, honestly, I could watch people make TV all day and never get bored.

I suppose some of the photos could be spoilerish because of props and background used. But I was there and watched it filmed and I have no idea what it was about, so they're not that spoilerish.

LEGAL STUFF: All photos and descriptions are owned by me. Please do not take or repost without permission. Thanks!

So, it helps, I mean it really, really helps when the set is quite literally between the subway I get off of in the morning and my office. Because, well, I kinda then walk right by it. So I knew they'd be filming. I got to the office a bit early to get some work done and then around 10 or so headed out. And can I just say, this picture below? This is what happiness looks like, lol:

Behold, Happiness

(by they, you can click on each picture to see a larger size)

Anyway, I followed the "Set" signs (like following the yellow brick road, only different) and when I got close there was such a racket! There had to be 50 or 60 five and six year olds lining the sidewalk. I walk around them and was all...Oh HEY!! Mariska Hargitay and this week's guest star Naveen Andrews. I look, but I do not see the person I'm looking for, though. Do I leave? Can I leave? NO! I have NO willpower! *sheepish*

In any case, the kids were just trying to cross the street but the hilarious part about it was they had to halt production momentarily until they could get all the kids across Park Ave because there was NO way they were going to get them all quiet enough so they could film, LOL.

So while they were waiting, they were all just kind of hanging around chatting.

Behold, Would *YOU* Have Any Willpower to Leave? I Think NOT.

But once the kids left, they resumed filming. And this picture below? This is what OMG, Squee! Looks like. I <3 this picture.

Behold, OMG, Squee!

Why do I like that picture, because I just love pictures with the clackers (author's note: I've been informed by a friend that it's not actually called a 'clacker' but rather it's called a 'slate'. However, I choose to continue to call it a 'clacker' because I'm an engineer so I get to make up words and also because it, well, it *clacks* thus, 'clacker'. So there.). And I also love pictures where you can tell it's on a set and see the machinations of filming and production. Which is why the picture below competes with the picture above for my favorite of all the photos I took.

Behold, The Beauty of the Production

I love that you can see the camera, the boom mike, the stars, the big white screen on the right helping to light the set, the rope on the far left with 238923743 different kinds of rolls of tape on it (above the redhead's head), the extras in the background, the marks on the sidewalk so the actors know where to stop, and of course, the clacker (yes, clacker). I mean, it's just flippin' cool to see it all happen and see all that goes into it.

Speaking of the marks on the sidewalk, here's a better picture (look at the red and green marks on the sidewalk at their feet). Looks like MH *nailed* her mark. Naveen Andrews....not *quite* as good, lol (and I'm sure they just love being judged by someone who knows so little she calls a slate a clacker, heh heh heh).

Behold, The Hitting of the Marks

And here's just another one of the same scene, different kind of composition. Loving the NY cabs going about their business in the background (but note that while those cabs and all traffic on Park Ave there is regular NY traffic going about its day, all the people on the sidewalk in the background are *not* regular NYers going about their day, they're all extras/background people; I'm telling you, it's fascinating to watch what all goes into bringing these shows to our screens each week) and loving again the camera and boom mike (but since I'm giving things their own names, maybe I'll start calling it the big a$$ fuzzy thing on a stick, lol)

Behold, Real Traffic, Fake People

I was only there for two takes of this one shot and then they seemed to be calling it a wrap for that shot. They watched the takes (in the shot below, MH is watching the take being played back in the camera...actually, I'm just assuming that's what's going on and I'm fairly certain that's what's going on, but on the other hand she could be watching something *completely* unrelated or not watching anything at all for all I know, lol, but it sounded good, didn't it?)

Behold, The Reviewing of the Take (maybe)

And then someone called, "That's a wrap!" I was standing near the director's area at the time and one woman said to someone sitting in one of the chairs, "I liked the first one better than the second one but print them both." ... Yeah, I just get a kick hearing stuff like that, too.

Then it was time to head back to the office. Oh, but the fun wasn't over yet! I was getting ready to cross Park Ave, heading away from the set when someone (just another pedestrian) asked me, "What are they filming?" I said they were filming Law and Order: SVU. He asked if anyone famous was there. I said, yeah, one of the stars of the show had been there. Then this pedestrian goes, "And what about this guy?" and he points ahead of us on the other side of Park. And it's Naveen Andrews standing there at the street corner waiting to cross 51st and go back to his trailer. I went, "Yeah, he's from LOST." I almost, *almost* walked right by but knew I'd kick myself if I did. So, getting bold in my old age, stopped and asked if I could get a picture. He graciously agreed and for that I told him a little white lie – I told him I loved him on LOST and that SVU is my favorite show so this is just the best of both worlds. It was *half* true. You see, I've never seen LOST. (Sorry for the white lie, Mr. Andrews! Teehee!) Oh well. I look like butt and the two guys in the background of this pic *crack me up* but otherwise, I'm liking this pic. :D

Behold, Me and Naveen Andrews

And then it was *really* time to head back to the office. *slinks away*

Oh! But before I go, I do want to also thank OnLocationVacations for all the great tips on SVU and other filming locations!

LEGAL STUFF: All photos and descriptions are owned by me. Please do not take or repost without permission. Thanks!

... you can follow me on twitter: @ny_odyssey ...

Random Smiles

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:38:54 GMT

It was just one of those days, three of those, those *moments*. The ones that, well, I'm not sure if they make me fall in love with New York just a little bit more or simply remind me why I'm so head over heels already.

First smile:
Starting the day off right with a celebrity sighting and the best kind of celebrity sighting at that, the completely unexpected and unplanned kind. I popped out of the subway on the Upper West Side and was walking north, just in my own little world not paying attention to where I was or really where I was going when I hear this guy go, "Hey, how you doing?" It came from *really* close in front of me so my eyes snap up thinking whoever this guy is, he's speaking to me. Well, turns out he wasn't speaking to me at all, but he was just five or six steps from me coming in my direction up the side walk. And who was it?? Well, it was Jerry Seinfeld!! Dude!! He walked right on by and I'm all '!!!'! I turn around to be sure and a chauffer is holding a car door open for him as he climbed into the back of a black sedan. Yep, totally Jerry Seinfeld. Very cool. :)

Second smile:
Music, subway music. I'm walking through the Times Square subway station and I hear this, this bluegrass music. The kind that makes you tap your foot and bob your head and want to clap your hands. I come around the corner and it was a group called – love this – Ebony Hillbillies. I kid you not.

The Ebony Hillbillies

I stop and listen and managed to resist clapping my hands but I'm quite sure I was tappin my foot and bobbing my head. And I'm quite sure I was smiling.

Third smile:
Complete subway randomness that involved the press, two Rockettes, vintage subway cars, and a conversation with some higher-ups in the MTA. I told you it was random. I'm standing on the subway platform at Bryant Park, and...what's this?!? The train that rolls into the station is an old vintage subway train! The kind that I went on last Christmas and adored! What?? I get on, feeling like I'm stepping back in time but notice some commotion one car up. So I make my way up there and ...well, it's a press event and there are two Rockettes on the train posing for pictures.

You can't really see them in the first picture below—that's just the kind of commotion and crowd that was on the train. When we pulled into the next stop—the Rockefeller Center stop—we all had to get off but I dashed off and was able to get a picture of them coming off the train and then one when they were all smiley and posing, heh. You can see the old vintage car in the background (and the interior of it in the first picture).

I then just sort of stood on the platform waiting for the next train and watching the continued photoging going on. When the next train comes I get on and these two other guys get on; both have MTA badges and were clearly part of the event. I asked them what that was and they said it was just a short press event—the vintage train ran from World Trade Center to Rockefeller Center and then was done. I asked them if they were doing the nostalgia train again on the V line during the holidays and they said yes, of course, every year. My face lit up and I told them how much I LOVED it last year and that my parents were coming to visit this year and I couldn't wait to take them on it. Then *their* faces lit up and thanked me and were so glad that I liked it. We just then chatted a bit until they got off on their next stop.

And I continued on to the office.

Loving life and the subway and New York. :)

follow me on twitter, too: @ny_odyssey

The Blind Side Premiere

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 05:00:48 GMT

Oh, another Tuesday night another free movie. And not just ANY free movie, a PREMIERE. I am so, so fortunate to have friends to are wise in the ways of free movies and movie premieres. I love you guys (and not JUST because of the free movies!)

This time: The Blind Side staring Sandra Bullock. Oh yes, that's right, Sandra Bullock.

Celebrity encounters: better than The Informant
The movie itself: better than The Informant

So, overall, even more fun than The Informant, though, The Informant will always be my first premiere so it will always be special to me, heh.

In any case, on with The Blind Side!

Here's the way it works: K&S get the tickets, I save our spot in line. :D I got in line around 5:10 for a 7:00 start and just hunkered down for the wait. K&S got there around 5:30, 5:35 and C joined us at 6, just minutes before they started to let us in. Like last time we got a sweeeeta pass with assigned seats.

We get shown into the theater and greeted by the same guy again bellowing out his welcome and directions for where we should go—he's this little tiny guy with this huge huge voice and just seems to love welcoming people to the Ziegfeld! It told him I loved what he does and he said "You're the inspiration." LOL LOVE HIM! Anyway, like last time we were waaaaaaay down in the front row. Okay, so we were in the second row. We grabbed our free popcorn and free pop (woot woot!) and settled in for an hour of chatting before the movie started.

Oh, and we also took a pre-movie trip to the bathroom. Still totally in love with their sinks-in-the-stalls. I think I will have to take a different picture of it every time. This time, it's a picture of my friend C's feet as she uses the skin in her stall. (Thank goodness I have friends who are tolerant of my sometimes goofy (to put it kindly) picture taking habits :D)

C's feet in the fancypants bathroom

Also, I wanted to throw this picture in here. I took it after the movie was over and the theater had cleared out but, seriously, SUCH a beautiful and amazing facility and theater. A cathedral of sorts to movies.

So, it was getting to be movie time and it was clear when the stars of the movie entered the theater as there was a smattering of cheering and a number of flashbulbs were going off. I, like before, tried to take pictures but it was too dark and my pictures turned out to be even worse than my attempt to take a picture of Matt Damon (and that was a REALLY poor effort). I was hoping they would introduce everyone like they did at The Informant but, alas, they did not; the movie just started with no introduction.

But what an awesome movie it was. I closed my eyes at the beginning (it starts with footage of Joe Theisman's leg break; something I've seen before and wish to not see again) but after that it was smooth sailing and very enjoyable. I loved that the crowd cheered and laughed and "awwwwwed" (the "awwww'ing" was the cutest) throughout, again, watching a movie with 1000 other people is just a fun experience. And I didn't even cry until the very, very, very, end, lol.

After the movie ended is when things got a little more interesting on the celeb-spotting scene. While K bolted to the bathrooms (serves her right for getting a second free drink!) and C wandered into the lobby to chill, S wanted to see if Sandra Bullock (who was still making her way up the aisle) was giving autographs or pictures so she and I headed across the theater. Well, let me say we stood within spitting distance of Sandra Bullock for a goodly amount of time as the aisle was at a complete standstill. And I don't think she appreciated that one bit! She kept saying, "Go get the car! Go get the car!" and straining her neck to see what the hold up was. She stopped to sign *one* autograph but otherwise shot out of there as soon as her bodyguard opened up a small path. Still, S was happy to have gotten within six inches of her. :D

OMG, it's Sandra Bullock! She's saying, "Dude, where's my car?"

OMG, it's Sandra Bullock still! She's standing on her tippy toes saying, "Alright, what's the holdup, yo!"

On the other hand, the kid that played the football player, well he seemed to be soaking it alllll in. He seemed to be as much of a gentle giant in real life as in the movie. He was just quietly granting all requests for photos and grinning the whole time. When he walked by us I asked if I could have a photo and he just smiled widely and posed. I said to S "Uh, I think you're going to have to back up…back up" because he was HUGE! LOL

Quinton Aaron and me, awww, he's a big teddy bear!

There were a few more brushes with fame out in the lobby – the Ol' Miss football coach, a couple of the other people in the movie, and the family upon which the movie was based were all hanging out and milling about. But it was getting on and it was time to call it a night. So we headed out, satisfied with our night of free popcorn, drinks, and entertainment. :)

Now, everyone, go see the movie!

Stockings With Care Celebrity Bartending Event

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 20:35:21 GMT

It as been a full week, a full week. A hawk in Union Square, 24 Hour Plays on Broadway, Touring the USS New York over at the Piers and then yesterday, well yesterday K, S, and I went to a Charity Celebrity Bartending thang that was benefiting Stockings With Care, and organization that brings holiday cheer and joy to children and families in need.

We were slightly disappointed that the celebrity we really went there to see ended up not showing up, but despite that disappointment, I still had a grand time, got pictures with a number (three all told) of the celebrity bar tenders (only ONE of which was Law and Order related! Heh), and supported a charity all at the same time.

The event was to run from 7 to 11 but we knew that the bartenders work in shifts so not all the scheduled celebrities would be there the whole time. So not wanting to take any chances, we got there just before 7:00. And thank goodness we did! For two people we wanted to see where already there serving up the drinks! And who, you ask, were these two people? Well, Jesse L Martin (Law and Order) and Malcolm Jamal Warner (currently on the Sherri show but maybe best known for playing Theo on The Cosby Show)! How cool!

But first, just a few set up shots.

Just a picture of the bar. There was more space if I were to have swiveled 180 degrees, but you can see how easily the place would get crowded (particularly when there are people surrounding the bar getting photos).

And a picture of a sign a the bar just announcing the event going on there that night.

This one was taken from the far end of the bar. The guy behind the bar with the light colored hat is Jesse L. Martin. But even though you can't tell that is true, I liked this photo just for the ambiance of it. :)

Okay, now let's start with the fun stuff. :) Because, well I was all aflutter. There were lots of people there taking photos and getting photos taken so that put me in a good mood, too – because that meant I wouldn't be the only one there doing such fangirlish things!

Since we got there early we were fortunate enough to be able to find a table near the bar and got our stuff set down. And then as quickly as possible I sauntered up to the bar (yes, I said sauntered) and got Jesse L Martin's attention. He came over and asked, "What can I get you?" And I about drooled on the bar. Really, the man is all that and a bag o chips, yes, pictures don't do it justice. In person he's just that much more...

But, anyway...

I ordered my drinks for me and my friends and watched him make them up (with the help of a real bartender, lol). Got my drinks and gave him a nice tip (also for charity). We sat at our table sipping our drinks (and maybe staring and/or taking more pictures, yeah, maybe just maybe, lol).

Here's JLM hard at work behind the beer taps...

...and ringing up someone's drink order at the cash register...

...and, aw, look at that smile.

And this, this is the momentous drink. The Drink Jesse L. Martin Made. (and never you mind what's in it) LOL

But, soon we could no longer justify sitting and staring at Jesse L Martin, lol, so we soon ventured back to the bar again with Malcolm Jamal Warner in our sights. Shauna had brought The Cosby Show DVDs she was hoping he would sign and when we got to the bar and she asked, he did! He was very sweet and very nice and does have such a cute smile. He also posed for pictures. In fact, he posed for pictures with me TWICE. The first picture we took wasn't very good. I returned to the bar and apologized and said he was out of focus in my picture and could we take it again. And again, he was very sweet and posed again. This one it was much better. :) I said, "Thank you so much, you guys put up with so much from us." He just laughed and brushed it off, "Not at all." See? Sweet.

MJW chatting with a fellow bartender...

...and signing Shauna's Cosby DVDs (awww).

They then left and were replaced by another set of celeb bartenders. All of the new bartenders, however, were from soap operas. Since I don't watch any, I didn't know who they were. We also asked a couple of the event coordinators if the other person we wanted to see was going to be there and were informed that she wouldn't' be showing up. *le sigh*. We hung for a little longer but then decided to go.

BUT, just as we were getting ready to go, I mean literally getting ready to leave, it was announced that Maulik Pancholy was now tending bar, someone from 30 Rock! (he plays Jack's exec assistant). Like, bonus! So we stuck around to grab some more pictures (but of course!). He also was very sweet and gracious.

MP having fun pouring drinks...

...and laughing with a patron (doesn't he just look like he's having the bestest of times?)

By then it was only 8:45 or 9:00 or so but we'd seen who we had come to see and the bar was getting really quite crowded. So, we decided to pack it in and call it an night. But a good night all around. :)

Oh, but I've saved my favorite pics for last. My "Me and ..." pictures (in reverse chronological order). I want to hug all three of these pictures, hehe, but particularly the last one. ;)

Me and Maulik Pancholy

Me and Malcolm Jamal Warner

Me and Jesse L Martin

Woo! Thanks to them all for being so nice and donating their time for this fun charity event (and putting up with us fans! :) )

...and you can follow me on twitter @ny_odyssey...

USS New York

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 14:56:53 GMT

The USS New York has been in port in New York since November 2. It's been in port here for its commissioning as a new Navy vessel. It was commissioned this past Sunday. It holds a special place in New Yorker's hearts not just because of the name, but because of what it was made out of. The USS New York is made from steel salvaged from The World Trade Center.

So, while it has been here for a week of festivities and its commissioning, there have been free tours of the ship, as well before it left this morning (11/12) for its first mission. So, on Tuesday (11/10), I took an hour in the morning to go take a tour of the ship, kind of pay my respects.

Tours started at 9:00 and I got to the pier at about 8:50 and there was already a pretty good line. That's okay. I don't mind waiting. Besides, gave me the opportunity to snap a few pictures of the ship from the pier. She's a good looking ship, yeah?

When the ship opened, we all went through security and then boarded. It was set up much like fleet week. Weapons displays and various tanks and other military vehicles that the public was invited to climb on and handle and ask questions about. And, it just so happened, that as an added bonus, Mike and Mike (the ESPN radio show) happened to be broadcasting from the deck of the ship that morning, too.

Hey! It's Mike and Mike! And a very impressive background shot at that!

And while I was as impressed as I was last time, with all the displays, and while I did enjoy seeing Mike and Mike as an added little unexpected bonus, that's not really why I was there this time. So I mostly just wandered quietly around, looking at the other displays they had in remembrance of 9/11 and the ship's story. So I just want to post some various photos of those little things, to give a flavor of the ship and the morning.

Leading up to the ship were a series of signs that talked about the ship and her crew. The first one here is just a general one about the commissioning and the ship. The second explains the history of the where the steel came from and how/where it was used in the ship.

The gangplank leading into the ship. "Strength forged through sacrifice" and "Never Forget" were the recurring themes throughout the ship.

This was the display set up immediately upon entering the ship.

A steel plaque that was going to be hung later on which people had left mementos and patches and photos.

A life preserver on the railing of the flight deck.

This is taken looking off the back of the ship. It's the tilt rotor of an Ospry aircraft, the USS New York's flag flying at half staff, and a marine walking past.

Overall a mixture of fun as well as reflection. A good way to spend an hour in the morning, for sure. And well worth the time and the trip out there to see the ship which will bare this city's name.

Follow me on twitter, too: @ny_odyssey

24 Hour Plays On Broadway 2009

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 18:57:33 GMT

Another year has passed since I moved to New York, which means it's about time for my own NY Broadway tradition: going to 24 Hour Plays on Broadway. This year, the 9th annual, is my 4th annual trip to the show. And, I have to say, this one may be the best one yet. The cast was AMAZING, all six of the plays were great, the opening remarks almost brought me to tears. The only thing I didn't like was the musical interludes. Seriously I wanted someone with a hook to yank that woman off the stage. Oy. But whatever, the musical interludes were but a small part of an overall wonderful night.

I got there early because I wanted to take some pictures of the outside of the theater which I just never have before. Granted, from the outside you can't tell what's going on inside because it's just a regular Broadway theater with a regular Broadway show currently in it. So the outside marquis is still done up for the regular show (After Miss Julie) and no where in sight is 24 Hour Plays (until you go inside, at least).

Nevertheless, I just love the lights of Broadway and Times Square (which this theater is very near). So a couple of pictures just for the heck of it.

I get my tickets and am standing in the lobby, actually, just kind of chilling and talking on the phone with a friend when what do you know? Woody Harrelson walks by (with security guard following close behind) and enters the theater. First celeb spotting of the night! lol After a few more minutes of chilling, I decide to go into the theater to get seated (it was 7:40 after all and the show was to start at 8:00). But I was informed that the house wasn't open yet unless you had a pass. Alas, I am not important enough to have a pass. I was passless. So I chilled some more.

And it wasn't until just about 8:00 that they opened the doors. By then, the lobby was PACKED. We were informed when they finally got the show on the road that rehearsals were taking place right up until the moment they opened the doors, heh. Anyway, I was one of the first in and so had some time to kill and did that by reading the one line bios which are always hysterical and entertaining:

(click to see larger more readable size)

Anyway, there were a couple of introductory speakers from Urban Arts as well as Mont Blanc and they brought laughter and almost had me tearing up telling some of the stories of the impact that Urban Arts has had on the lives of students in New York. A truly tremendous organization.

But finally, finally, right around 9:00 the first play started. Here was the lineup:

See what I mean about the cast? Look at those names!!

So, usually of the six, there are two that are fantastic, two that are pretty good, and two that are meh. But this year, though a couple of them you came away with not quite understanding, at least they were all *very* entertaining and I wouldn't say any of them were meh. They were all great.

I this my favorites were the third one from each act (that is, the third and sixth). The third one was Diane Neal (Yea!) Leslie Bibb as sisters who thought they had bedbugs and were getting a bedbug sniffing dog to come in and find them. Well, who walks in as the dog handler and the dog? Leiv Schriber and Fisher Stevens, respectively. Yes, to see Leiv Schriber dragging Fisher Stevens in on a leash had the house rolling as it was. Then when Schriber started scratching Stevens under the ear and Steven's leg started shaking, I about fell out of my chair. Turns out, both of the sisters were all hot and bothered by their visitors and faces covered with welts and all tried to primp themselves for them. Except, well Diane Neal's character was attracted to the dog handler, Leiv Schriber (who wouldn't be? But Leslie Bibb's character was attracted to the dog—LOL! And they ended up singing opera and living happily ever after. You think I'm kidding but that's just how many 24 Hour Plays end; kind of strangely, lol. But still massively entertaining.

Then the sixth play, definitely the naughtiest of the night, was what appeared to be a man and a woman on two park benches (David Cross and Jennifer Anniston) and their inner voices (played by Anthony Mackie and Brook Shields). So, for instance, David Cross wanted to say hello and his inner voice was saying, "Tell her you want to rip her knickers off!" and he was saying it in a Sean Connery accent. And on the other side Jennifer Anniston's inner voice was saying, "Ask him if he shaves his balls!" and she was speaking in a German accent. Oh, my, goodness some of the things the inner voices were saying to say just had us On The FLOOR and I missed a number of lines because the audience was laughing so loud. At some point the inner voices started speaking to each other and then there was a dust buster and then they ended up sing yellow submarine and living happily ever after. Again, I'm not kidding. LOLOL. But it was all fantastic.

I didn't take any pictures during the performances because it's a big no-no. But at the end when the cast came out for the curtain call, there were all kinds of flash bulbs going off so I whipped out my camera and started shooting away. Below are a few shots (the annotated one kind of points out who is who, though I know I missed a number of people).

You'll probably have to click on these to make 'em larger to see very well...

In any case, it was way way cool to see all of these people on a stage together performing. I mean, where but New York, right? ;)

(Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher among others)

(Jeremy Sisto and Diane Neal (woo!) among others)

A couple more full cast shots can be found here and here though I think the ones above are the best.

When it was over I spilled out into the lobby again and chatted with some friends before eventually heading home.

Once again, a fully satisfied customer. If you want to read more about the whole process, there's a wonderful serious of blog entries at the New York Times here:
http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/tag/24-hour-plays/

Woo hoo!

Red-Tailed Hawk in Union Square

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 22:03:28 GMT

Squee!

So, I was walking home from running some errands this afternoon and I noticed a whole big group of people on the corner of Union Square and they all seemed to have their cameras out. I figured there was some performer or something but I couldn't quite tell. I was going to blow it off, and even took several steps towards my apartment but then thought better of it and went to check out what everyone was gawking at on the corner. And THANK GOODNESS I DID.

It was a red-tailed hawk. Just sitting there on a tree branch. And he was BEAUTIFUL.

I'm not even going to try to reduce the number of pictures I post, because I just can't decide which I like best and because I'm just too jazzed. I mean, middle of New York City! It's a hawk! And it was also just so awesome that as people walked by almost everyone just stopped to look and take pictures and point and ooo and ahhh. Everyone was enjoying taking a moment out of our citylife this little bit of wildlife. :)

When I first got there, the hawk was just chillin' in a tree in the corner of the park. Then he flew over and perched on the top of the subway station for about three minutes. Then he flew over and sat on the statue of George Washington that's in the park. Yes, he most certainly does seem to have a flair for the dramatic. I mean, my own pictures don't often inspire awe in me, but the subject matter of these… well, I just love them (especially a few of the George Washington ones)

Three pictures from the tree branch.
The last is my fav. It's this total Oh Hai! expression, lol.

Two pictures from atop the subway station

Six (yes six) pictures from the George Washington Statue
The first two give you an idea what the full statue looks like. The rest are just from different angles.
And the last two I think are my favorites out of the whole bunch.

Anyway, after taking a bunch of photos I just stood chatting with someone else there, just watching the hawk for about 10 minutes, speculating about whether it was a Pale Male offspring or not. Then the hawk flew back to the tree and I decide to head home, super anxious to look through my photos and get them posted. It was just so, so amazing and beautiful.

Drive by Celebrity Sighting

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:05:49 GMT

So, as I was just walking down the sidewalk on my way to work this morning, who do I see up ahead coming towards me? John Oliver, Senior Awesomeness Corespondent from the Daily Show! How fun! He was just in jeans with a backpack and looking half-awake, lol.

But after I passed him I started thinking, you know, this is the fourth time I've seen him. In a city of 8.1 million people and I keep running into John Oliver? What are the odds? The first time I was going to the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree lighting and he happened to be out on an assignment for the Daily Show (that's when I got my picture with him). The second time I went over near NBC studios during the Writer's Strike last year (two years ago?) and he happened to be there. The third time I went to see a taping of John Stewart and he just happened to be there (okay, so he works there so that's not so surprising, perhaps). And then today, just walking to work and he happens to also be walking to work. It's allllll a little suspicious, don't you think? I do to. I think he might be stalking me. Mhm.

The stalker becomes the stalkee....

;)

Seriously, though, I love random celebrity sightings. The more random, the better. :)