New Light Show at Empire State Building

So I'm looking out my window last night and notice that the Empire State Building is moving. Not really, but its lights are . . . which is something I've never noticed before. Turns out this is a brand new presentation--an installation of synchronized LED lights that was installed this summer for its debut this month. You can see a better video of it from the New Jersey side and listen to the music it's synced to here HERE.

Art at Grand Central During Christmas

I love these handmade baskets for sale at the temporary Christmas art fair set up at Grand Central. There are also very nice shops set up at Bryant Park and Washington Square. The one at Washington Sqare has a booth selling some amazing hot chocolate: nunuchocolates.com.

Sketching

I had some coffee at the Macy's new wine/chocolate/coffee shop on their remodeled second floor shoe section and the man next to me saw me drawing. He asked me to draw him (the third drawing). Then he signed it. Turns out he's a comedian called Mr. Pregnant. You never know who you're sitting next to in New York.

The Apple Store at Grand Central

I have been attending some free workshops at the Grand Central Apple Store. At any part of the day, people swarm this place. It's very open and inviting. You can walk in and just start using any of their computers with no questions asked. There are plenty of Apple employees walking around, but they seem to be there to help answer any questions. I mean you can spend an hour checking your email and no one will kick you out. . . not that I've ever done that. . .doh!

Cooking Class

Husband and I enjoyed a cooking class at Williams Sonoma. The whole meal needed some gravy.

Christmas at Columbus Circle

One of the places that is a must see in New York during Christmas is the Time Warner Shopping Center on Columbus Circle. Husband and I were here this evening for a cooking class at Williams Sonoma. See how these giant glass stars change colors?

Views from Around the World or Spam?

Last week's clicks on this blog.

Grimaldi's Pizza in DUMBO

An historic building, great views of old Brooklyn, coal brick oven pizza, a line to get in--that's Grimaldi's Pizza in DUMBO (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass). Frank Sinatra used to hang out here, and that's whose music is played inside. The atmosphere is fun, active and noisy. It's a good destination on a pretty day. The line forms outside so be prepared if the weather's not so great.

Up Close!

Central Park the night before the Macy's Parade is the place to be to see the spectacle of the balloons being inflated. The crowd was thick, but we had a special pass allowing us to cross over the barricades and get close enough to poke them and get these great pics.

Helium, Anyone?

One of the many trucks bringing helium to the balloons laid out in Central Park the night before the Macy's Parade.

No Longer Shady

So many trees were downed during Hurricane Sandy in Shady Park it may need a new name.

Visiting My Dad

Back in the Midwest, I got to spend a day with my dad. The place he is staying is now bringing in dogs to visit the residents. This one was so shy he had to be pulled up to get close enough to be petted. I was told that he came to the place with so much energy and had to be scolded to not jump. Apparently he's been so abused in the past that he overcompensates when corrected. Poor thing.

Total Loss

There are many cars parked along our block with a murky film of condensation in their windows--cars that were flooded by Hurricane Sandy. This one has been inspected by the insurer, Geico, and has "T/L" marked on the windshield indicating "total loss."

Subway Musician: Lorenzo Laroc

There is always a musician playing to crowds at Grand Central's lower subway entrance. It's a perfect place to play considering the acoustics are similar to one's bathroom shower. I haven't noticed a "bad" musician there ever. I wonder if you have to audition to claim a space in the subway. I know you have to apply for a permit. I'll check on that.

This amazing performer was playing a homemade electric violin to the background of pop songs such as Led Zeppelin's Kashmir and 50 Cent's In Da Club. You have to hear this guy. Would you like a $10 CD? I'll pick one up for you. Watch Lorenzo Laroc Perform at Grand Central.

Unique Subway Seating

I realize that my entries have been fairly mundane lately. You may consider that strange considering New York City is the best place to experience ancient and avant-guard, world-famous artwork, theatre, music. But to this Midwesterner, just getting out on the crowded sidewalks, taking the subway, spending most of my day walking--these activities are still so new to me even after two years. When I see something interesting, which is almost every day, I snap a picture, and even though it's not necessarily awe-inspiring, it is unique.

Here is a good example. This simple brass tube twisted just so around a steel beam in the subway at Bleaker Street provides much needed, space-saving seating for two people. Form and function! Beauty and practicality! Yes, I sat there until my train came. It was very comfortable.

What Would You Do?

We have lived here almost two years now. Last week we drove to Hampton Bays to spend a night, and as we drove back, it was still exciting to see the jagged horizons of skyscrapers as we approached from the east. 

Prior to that, my husband and I took a detour into the town of Jamesport, where some of his co-workers live. We looked at homes for sale and apartment buildings and got the general feel of what it would be like to live there. This got me to thinking that I need to step up my game and get out more often--we may not live right across the East River from NYC after our lease is up in 2014.

What things would you do if you had a year to live NYC? Maybe I could go there for you and give a first hand report. I invite your comments!

Desperate for Cash

The cops eventually shoed away this man who was fishing for coins in the Bryant Park fountain yesterday in 40 degree weather. 

Theatre: Glengarry Glen Ross

LOVED this play starring Al Pacino! We ordered tickets two months in advance to see him, but the truth is that all of the actors were terrific. I must watch the movie now so I can re-live this gripping story. Best actor was Bobby Cannavale as Ricky Roma. 

The Known Universe at the Museum of Natural History

When I had company last, they wanted to see the planetarium at the New York Museum of Natural History, and what a great place to go! It was my second time, but that didn't matter. There is never enough time to spend to see it all. I recommend visiting this place in the morning and starting at the top floor, having lunch, then staying the rest of the day until closing so you can tour as many exhibits as possible. Here's a link to one of their programs, an amazing video of "The Known Universe." It takes about 6 minutes to view it.

Fog

What a thrill is was to watch the fog slowly clear outside my apartment window revealing the skyscrapers across the river.

One If By Land

When friends visited recently, we were walking in West Village and came across One If By Land Two If By Sea, a restaurant that's known as the most romantic place to eat in the city. And it absolutely stunningly beautiful inside. My husband and I went there shortly after this visit, and we were seated at a table overlooking a lovely garden. The garden is also owned by the restaurant and is part of the experience. It is maintained like a botanical park, beautifully appointed on this visit with fall accents of flowers and gourds. This is a great place to impress that special someone.

Spotlight on East River

What you're looking at is the glare from a helicopter spotlight on the East River just outside my apartment. This occurred during the first week of the United Nations being in session. It did not appear they found anything of interest.

This is a famous spot in Long Island City where graffiti artists can request a space to paint legally. It will soon be purchased to create apartments. 

I have read that there are thousands of free-roaming cats in New York City. They are classified into two categories: feral and abandoned (domesticated). A workshop called Trap-Neuter-Return is offered regularly in all five NY boroughs to humanly control their population. I ran across this cat having an afternoon nap in a warehouse doorframe--it does appear to have a collar, so maybe it has a home nearby.

Now this is what I need--a folding bike. They weigh approximately 30 lbs. and come with a sweet carrying case. This one is regularly parked outside a restaurant I pass by to get to the subway. I hope to catch the owner sometime and ask how he/she likes it. They are surprisingly affordable: $200-$400.

Sandy

My husband and I were in Tucson, Arizona when the storm hit, and we still haven't been able to get a flight back to New York. I found another blogger who is posting pictures of our area plus updates of power outages, etc. I hope to get back and continue blogging next week. My prayers go out to those who have suffered due to this calamity. LIC Blogger site

The Garment District: Ribbons Anyone?

The Garment District

The garment district is the epicenter of New York's fashion design and fashion manufacturing industry. There is a high concentration of fabric stores, trim shops, notions stores and garment production-related services within just a few blocks. But you can also shop the items they make for retailers at wholesale prices. 

I needed a wrap to wear to my daughter's wedding and decided to see what was available there. Customer service there is lacking, because, I guess, they would rather sell you large quantities of fabrics and buttons than their clothing line. I didn't find a shop that actually had a dressing room.

I went in for this wrap. . .

 

And came out with this one. It was expensive, but I was told, half the price I would have paid retail.

The Highline in Fall

 

The northern section of the new Highline Park (created from an abandoned elevated railway on the west side of Manhattan) has been completed and is open to the public. The top picture shows where beautiful birch trees brush your shoulders as you walk through making you feel cozy and close to nature. It was crowded this day, and a sudden shower came making us duck for cover. We took a cab home instead of getting drenched looking for a subway entrance. We got drenched anyway flagging down the cab.