Another Walk in NYC

Have you ever felt so moved by a cause that you stood up/walked/protested/etc...While in most parts of the Nation people display their views somewhat mildly, you have the people of NYC. For those who protested during the Vietnam War, please forgive me. But the people in NYC will protest about anything and at anytime. One of the first memories of NYC is people protesting a Thai restaurant in Union Square, Saigon Grill, because the wages and working conditions were terrible, this group consisted of a few old Asian women, and some younger people, totaling to about 20, they must have yelled for hours and during a NYC summer heat wave...ie. Summer of Sam-brownouts... Another memory is along a not so congested street I saw people holding signs at a free health clinic because they were protesting abortion. I also remember seeing a group of women walk near NYU shouting out some catchy saying, and it was a protest of some sort. The point is....people in NYC will not only have strong feelings toward something, but they will physically display it....always, it's truly amazing...Here is a video of a group of people protesting about the violence in Sri Lanka and in support of the Tamils...(sorry if i'm not pc...)

Filming

Here's a movie filming, well indie movie filming in Soho near Topshop! It's pretty awesome that these things happen all the time!!! Yes.. i love NYC!

Music in the City - Union Square again

Here's a guy playing classical guitar in Union Square, when I took the picture, he kind of gave me the "crazy eyes," I probably should have gave him some money...next time!

Music in the City - Union Square

Check out this band in the subway stop of Union Square...not bad!

Dancing in Union Square

Check out this Guy Fawkes, V for Vendetta mask wearing guy dance in Union Square!!!

Need Advice?!

Need advice, ask a homeless guy in Union Square, where all his worthless advice becomes your humor for the year!

Birdcage

Have you ever wanted to eat in a birdcage? If you do, go to the Sweetiepie restaurant, where all you fantasies will come true!

"I don't believe in firearms" says Andy Stitzer

Who would of thought that the oldest gun shop was in NYC? This can't be right...but ...

Bilingual

Ever see a subway service advisory in any other languages than English and Spanish? This one was in Chinese.

Scuba Gear?

Something you don't normally see in NYC is someone w/ scuba gear. Like where would she go? The Hudson river?!

50% off

So what does 50% off beer and liquor + 50% off sushi = lots of drunk people...this is the best picture I could get, at one point this guy's face was glued to the table!

Too close for comfort

So you start to read your newspaper in the subway, waiting to get to work, ultimately enjoying the start of your day and just so we're clear there'll always be someone reading your paper as well. It sucks, but it's the beauty and nightmare of the subways.

The Lunchbox

Brown Bagging it, sack lunching it...pb+j, fruit snacks, box juices, and above all, a love note is what is always in a lunch brought from home. Usually kids bring their lunches, but every once in a while you'll see some unsuspecting professional carrying their lunch....

Cute!

Making a Living

It's common knowledge that you can get any name brand item on Canal st., in NYC's Chinatown, where people constantly ask you, "want handbag, designers, Gucci, Rolex... (in their Chinese/Japanese accent) "

While in the area I saw two fascinating things, firstly, a woman was in handcuffs sitting on a chair, while two undercover policeman were talking to a man near a van. This van's doors was open and it was filled with handbags. I couldn't believe it! I seriously thought this was a dream, til someone told me, "that was a raid." It happens quite often that vendors are caught selling counterfeit goods, I remember an article in the times about millions of dollars of goods being seized in NYC's Chinatown. Below is a picture of a vendor in action. Beware, especially when they tell you, "follow me and close your eyes."

Chopsticks

Have you ever wandered into a store that really has no business being a store? Well, there is a chopstick store in NYC, Yunhong Chopstick Shop and it's nice, almost museum like, but please tell me, how is a store going to last during this economic downturn. It's a cool store, but come on!!!!

Cars

In CA there is never a shortage of fixed up cars, that are loud and look like something Matchbox made. I came across one in New York, it looked ridiculous and out of place. Check it out. And yes, those are hot highlighter green/yellow rims!

The Hop Phenomenon

So everyone everywhere loves Chinese food, right; the variety, the spice, the rush that you might eat something crazy like....dog or rats... and the fact that you love rice just makes everyone fall in love with it. While NYC has some of the best Chinese food around, you might wonder what makes one restaurant different than another (not the food of course!?!)? Is it the Food Channel raves and reviews, is it the long lines, the celebrity sightings or is it the name! On a nice mellow street in NYC's Chinatown I came across a restaurant called "Hop Kee" and while I was walking away I noticed a restaurant called "Wo Hop" then I saw one called "Hop Lee." COME ON!!! How does this happen. It definetly made my day, and I'll soon try all the restaurants. I guess....they're just going with what works. If you're ever near Mott st in NYC...check it out (FYI - Hop Kee's food is amazing)!!!

....the people

Taking your neighbors trash and calling it "Vintage" has happen in NYC and will continue to, especially now. You'll also see homeless people all over the city recycling cans, bottles, and etc. There was a documented case where homeless people were finding brass and other pricy metals and were selling them, but later the city barred doing this because of some silly...stupid something...pointless law. These were homeless people, starving, broke, and cold, and were making something to live off of. While Hawaii is great for the homeless because there's showers, beaches and shelters, New York is great for the homeless because of the many resources. Here's a few in action!

I'm not sure where the guy went, but he was collecting "plastics"...as they say in "The Graduate."

Jobs

In Soho (means - South of Houston st in Manhattan), you'll find all the shopping a woman with multiple credit cards and debt that equates to tons of unopened unanswered mail can ask for. What you'll also see is people handing out fliers and advertising their store or some amazing service only they can provide. The other day I saw a guy with a sign advertising a sample sale. The only thing about this was it looked more like "Die Hard with a Vengeance's" opening scene, where Bruce Willis is wearing a sign that nearly gets him killed, and it's where he meets Samuel L. Jackson. This guy looked like he was almost tied up. Check the picture out. It was a bit disturbingly-hilarious. And he also looked a bit homeless (maybe my imagination), I guess it goes to show you that people are getting jobs...all the time!

Subway Problems

On the weekends the subways are always slower....sometimes you can wait as long as 30 minutes. I can't tell you how much it sucks, usually M-F during rush hours the subways come as fast as 1-5 minutes. It just makes you want drink more and party harder.

And it's finally here!!!

Here's what you'll see at about 9:30pm on a Saturday night. Some drunk people, some that have just finished work, and the staple in subways, homeless.

And sometimes you'll see joggers (on a Saturday night!!! come on!!!) and this guy had a Rolex and spandex.

Battery Park

When Battery Park isn't covered with snow it looks amazing...when in NYC, it's a must!

Statue of Liberty from a far...

and closer...

Daffys (not the duck)

Check out these pics!!! I love Daffys (the store) but what a dumb headline for a store, "Clothing Bargains for Millionaires."

Strangers on a Train

Everyday I take the train at 5pm-6pm and I always see people that just have finished work, are dead tired and pretty grouchy. So I've seen my share of fights on the train, but what I mostly see (at 5-6) are people sleeping. This has got to be the funniest and brightest part of my day.

So what happens is you'll see a nice older/younger...you name it, person and they'll just be minding there business when all of a sudden a head starts to float ever so slowly towards them...right when it touches them, the stranger guy/girl wakes up. Then that person falls asleep and it happens again.....and again....and yes..again....It's hilarious. Check this video out (sorry I wasn't too still, after all I filming it right in front of them).

"Topshop" what a name!

Kate Moss' store opening was yesterday Thursday, April 2 in NYC in SOHO. There were many people waiting outside. I never understood the fascination with getting clothes first...go figure, it's NYC at its best.

Unemployment Olympics

For the unemployed!!! On March 31 in New York City, dozens of jobless people participated in the Unemployment Olympics - the events ranged from: Pin the Blame on the Boss to Office-Phone Skee-Ball. The event was organized by a laid-off computer programmer and most of the games were arranged with the help of cardboard, children's paint and chalk. Check it out!!!