Mineral birds

You could call it kitsch, but I think these gemmy little birds at Astro Gems and Minerals are cute.

Minerals

It is cold here today ( like most of the U.S.) and cold crystals in store window seem appropriate.

Working in the Cold

Here a work crew is toiling away in really freezing temperatures on a Sunday...

Guess people get used to working outdoors in weather like this. I just keep walking when it is this cold, and hate having to wait for buses etc.

Will probably have to wear more layers.

Chinese Restaurant

Used to be more Chinese restaurants around here... who knows what prompts cycles in these things.

Architectural Detail

Some very ordinary office building from the 1920's probably has interesting stone detail trim...

Looking up around here, you are always noticing sights like this.

Cosmetics and Spa Ad

Window on Park Avenue South shows off brands of cosmetics I have never heard of...but then why should I?

Banner proclaims spa on Fifth Avenue....

Doggie Grooming Etc.

Cute place in East 60's advertises doggie grooming and boarding....

Chrysler building again

All around East Midtown, the Chrysler building keeps peeping out at you...

Love it, it is such a distinctive and beautiful building. People did not appreciate it for years after it was built...

Saloon

AT THE MOMENT, the New York Jets are still in the playoffs so people are still interested...for the moment.

This figure is mended at the crotch...victim of some drunken vandalism no doubt.

Setback buildings

In the 1930's, the city passed a law requiring "setbacks" on taller buildings as a way of letting in the sky.

In the 1960's, towers were allowed again as long as they had open plaza space.

The setback buildings are more interesting to look at. A lot of the plazas are so sterile.

33rd Street Lexington Avenue Subway ( "IRT")

The 33rd Street station on what for me will always be the Lexington Ave. IRT train ( no matter how they change the designations)--

This station is not exactly homey or anything, is it?
Needs some restoration because it has basically nice details.

Decor slow to come down

A lot of people are slow taking their Christmas decor down.

So what, in this case...hope they leave the lights up permanently.

Slow garbage pickups

It may just be an illusion, but it seems like there is more and more garbage on the streets...

Let's see if they pick this up today.

They are predicting more snow for tomorrow, which will make it even worse if they don't clean this stuff up.

Lexington Avenue

Cold, grey Martin Luther King Day finds traffic light most places.

Doorway

This doorway in Murray Hill still has a holiday feel somehow...

Awaiting the Next Holiday

It is never too early, it seems, to start marketing for the next Holiday...

Oh why not, Christmas decorations are coming down.

Martin Luther King Day

Astro Gems- Figurines

Seems to be a big bird motif in this window at Astro Gems on 34th Street....pretty.

Discarded trees

Went for a walk today..

Nice bright sunshine and just above freezing, mild winds...

What I mostly saw were tons of discarded Christmas trees.

Startled

I didn't bother to ask these people if I could take their picture ( I was mostly interested in the dog enjoying the snow)...

Wow, do they look startled.
You have to watch it taking pictures of people even in Midtown Manhattan...
some people get all paranoid about it.

Supermarket Prices

The government tells us there is no inflation, but don't believe it..

Will have to look over these local supermarket prices to see if there is anything that really is a bargain...

Food and other prices just seem to be going one way, and that is always up of course.

Independent Hardware Store

Big hardware store on 29th street ( where I buy my fluorescent bulbs) may be only independent place for miles...

Seems independent hardware stores have almost all been replaced by chains ( True Value and Ace).

Nuthouse is open 24/7 and has quite an array of material including stuffed toys!

Oh, that Garbage

Garbage remains piled up and some has been snowed on, like abandoned couch on 35th Street which I have shown before ( without snow on it).

Borders Bookstore

Local bookstore has people sitting around at tables reading and drinking coffee.

Looks cozy on a very cold January evening...

Loews Cineplex

Art Deco or "Moderne" (?) lobby of the local Loews Cineplex...

Read somewhere Loews builds these Cineplexes on a modular structure.

But this one was built some time ago....if you have one like it near you, let me know.