Coffee Time

Guy and Gallard is one of the better coffee outlets around here..

Much better than Starbucks, even if that's not saying much.

Tudor City, October 30 2010

"Autumn is here and the sadness is upon us"--old Irish saying

Tudor City garden does seem wistful as Fall moves in...also so empty of people on a pleasant Saturday afternoon ( everyone out of town?)

Lifestyle Choices in Murray Hill

How healthy is the Red Mango? Or are you more interested on the toppings you can get on your pizza?

I will consider both such seeming opposites when it comes to lifestyle choices...

But I probably would go for the Red Mango first.
Even though mangoes are not my favorite fruit.

Trendy Hairstylist

"Trendy Hairstylist"-- maybe that is redundant, aren't ALL hairstylists trying to be trendy?

Like the way the large eye floats in the window of this establishment...gives it a surreal touch.

People in the waning Fall

Today was the last of the mild Fall days, according to the weather man, so people were out in light clothes and enjoying sitting out in the fading afternoon light...

Tomorrow it gets chilly, and this is the last "Indian Summer" day..

Movie themed bar and restaurant

Over at 34th Street and 3rd Avenue is a bar and restaurant (with outdoor tables) which has movies as its theme...

They updated and upgraded it a while back. Lost in the process was a great poster of Laurel and Hardy..

Guess they are trying to attract more of a yuppie crowd who, after all, don't know who Laurel and Hardy were and wouldn't like them if they saw them.

natural clean, needle building

There are all sorts of dry cleaners around here, of course, but don't ask me what "Natural Cleaning" is...


Just remember a time when "French cleaning" was very popular, whatever that was.

What is now called a "needle building" rises mid block not so far from where I live...

"Needle buildings" in midblock (particularly the taller ones) were banned for a while but now I think they are permitted again. Real estate developers often win in long run except in areas like Greenwich Village, where zoning board is made up of preservationist fanatics.

Turbulent tree roots

Gnarled roots from this tree will not "behave" and grow neatly into the urban space provided for them...suspect they will break up surrounding sidewalk some day.

Love the texture of that bark.

Street Photography- friends and family

Sunny, beautiful Fall day, tons of people out with cameras taking pictures of their kids, friends, etc.

Man posing in lower shot has Empire State Building up above him but you cannot see it from this angle...(guess that's what guy taking photo had chosen as background to picture of his friend).

24 Hour Fitness?

I know this is "the city that never sleeps," and that there are 24-hour establishments all over the place, but I still didn't expect a 24-hour fitness club...

Well, I am sure there are people who like the idea.

Tasti-D-Lite Store

"Tasti-D-Lite" is so funny sounding that it tempts you to try it.

At the moment, just more forbidden fruit.

Cookies at Clover Bakery

Looking but not touching...I have always liked these sort of cookies but I rigorously avoid eating them.

One of these days I am going to break down and get some to have with coffee.

Artisanal Restaurant

This is not an advertisement for the Artisanal restaurant on 32nd Street ( I have never eaten there, but I would like to)..

Just wandering by and thought how charming it looked.

Of course, the real test how is what the food is like...but the "ambiance" is sure nice, that's for sure.

Street Sale, Godburger sign carrier

On Second Avenue, a woman had a lot of old stuff from her place that she was selling off..

Asked her permission to take photo...she ducked out of picture range and then started saying to a passer-by, " Oh, look, I'm on television!" Who did she think I was, Eyewitness News?

Another sign holder: for the Goodburger Shop further up Second Avenue.

More meetings at Armenian Cathedral Hall

As I have noted, Armenian Cathedral hall is always busy with some kind of meeting..

Have shown the Tibetan protestors ( we are down the street from the Chinese mission to the U.N.)

This group is Local 79 of the Laborers.

Fall In Murray Hill

Some of the side streets are more decorated for Halloween than others ( I will try to get photos where they have gone wild on decorations)--

Mostly, though, it is just quiet and cool as the trees begin slowly to change color...no frost yet.

Don't Enter, Weird Store Window

This is one place where traffic comes out of the Midtown Tunnel... they sure make it clear that it is no place to be driving the wrong way.

Took this shop window picture on 42nd Street because it was interesting and now realize I don't have the slightest idea what kind of store it is...will have to go back sometime and find out.

Prejudice and ignorance

Think this sign at local Unitarian Church is politically correct but maybe wishful thinking...

Basques have been part of Spain for many years and there is still violence brewing there. Northern Ireland is still a hot spot. Heaven help us with the Middle East...

You can't tell me these people don't know each other, they are prejudiced anyway.

Demise of a Neighborhood Institution

Really sad to see the 24 hour Mini Market closing...probable reason is rents going up...despite hard times, commercial rents are still going way up in Midtown.

Dog and Decor

Can you spot the doggie in this picture?

Halloween decor is so busy that you may miss puppy at lower right.

When I took this, a woman was trying to get the dog stand still so she could take its picture. Fat chance of that.

The Ever Popular Chrysler Building

Tourists you see in next posting were mostly taking pictures of Chrysler building ( and also Grand Central Station).

The Chrysler bldg. has become so popular now that one local TV station uses it with its logo all the time..

Whatever you think of Walter Chrysler's greatest erection, it sure has stood the test of time.

Sunday Shutterbugs

Sunday, October 17 was mild and sunny in Midtown and photo snapping tourists were out in force!

I just blended in with my camera and felt uninhibited about taking pictures of anything I wanted to.

NYC doorman

Park Avenue and side streets are just the places to find typical natty NY doormen...

They have a good union, by the way, and a prodigious memory for who gives them what at Christmas.

34th Street- Astro Gems and Minerals

Was able to get some good shots without window glare at the Astro Gallery of Gems...

Reminds me of gem display at the Museum of Natural History.

They should have little cards identifying what the stones are..or sea shells or whatever.

Roofscape, Urban bleakness

Midtown has its grittier side..

Odd roofscape in side street shows jumble at skyline.

Drab, very drab stretch of same street

Inflatable ghost

Halloween store has new decoration: inflatable fifteen feet high ghost activated by wind machine which flaps around in the breeze...

Recession Sale at Vintage Clothes, plantings

Vintage Clothing Store has big sale on old "rags"-- notice how Halloween motif has been snuck in there, lower left...

Not so far away, ritzy apartment complex has colorful Fall plantings

Pet Photos, Barber Shop

Within a few yards of each other are ads aimed at totally different "market segments" I think...

Pet photography for those better off and with a great fondness for Fido, and a very reasonable barbershop.

Barbershops like this still exist but are a rarity ..most places are "stylists."

Looking Up and Down--Water Tower, Garbage Pails

That's the way it is around here in Midtown--look up and you probably see a water tower somewhere..

Look down, and you'll see garbage pails and other detritus waiting to get picked up.

Halloween, Retro Clothes

This neighborhood has a couple of stores catering right now to Halloween ( wow, they must be expecting a big season this year)...

Retro store features Elvis look

Girls' Entrance

Local parochial school has separate entrances for boys and girls...

Nice architectural detailing.

Portents of Halloween

Halloween is coming and decorations are appearing in shop windows.

Top: Optician's on 3rd Avenue/

Bottom: Florist's nearby

Fall slowly moving in

Fall is not moving in all that fast...which is just as well.

Local school had their weekend Greenmarket again...

Street flowers keep appearing in bunches-- I don't know what they are but they are colorful and pretty.