New York Archives - Page 5 of 7

Gorgeous Government Buildings

March 8, 2011 RH

Having grown up in NYC, I take many things for granted. Architecture is one of them. 45 years of seeing the same buildings. Why would I stop and look now?

Well, over the weekend I visited the Museum of the American Indian for the first time in the downtown location. Walked into the building and was blown away by the interior. Seriously, blown away.

The Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is one of the finest examples of Beaux Arts buildings in the city. The winding staircase! The rotunda with the huge skylight (it was leaking)! The marble everywhere! I’d be beyond thrilled to have a living room as nice as the ladies room.

Go visit. The museum is free because it’s a government building. Good museum too!

And look at all these other beautiful government buildings. I just pass them all the time. Maybe now I’ll stop and say hello.

Ruder Than You

March 2, 2011 RH 4 Comments

When Travel and Leisure released their list of the rudest cities in America, New York wasn’t on top. Who beat us? Los Angeles! I recall feeling robbed when I read the article. We’re number 1! We’ll show those tanned bastards!

Well, someone is doing something about it. “Rude NYC” recently launched so we can all share our rudeness with each other and the world. People are encouraged to send stories, videos, photos and tweets.

Some examples:

From @TheCitizeNY on twitter – Frail older woman w/ luggage, getting on airport bus, asks driver for assistance. His reply: Not in my job description, lady.

Couple is taking a picture outside of a parking garage in Herald Square (weird?) homeless guy walks up to them and says to the man – “Dude, come on I could do better than her!” – Submitted by David J.

Woman is crying on the phone, walking slowly holding up sidewalk traffic, man decides to cut her off and says “GET OVER IT!” – submitted by Jim K

Psychic is trying to get me to come into her storefront for a reading in Midtown East back in the fall – I reject and keep walking, she says “you’re going to come down with cancer”. Ouch. – Submitted by Jane K.

We’re taking back the title, baby!

NYC Museums @ Your Fingertips

March 1, 2011 RH

Talented New York photographer and web developer Dan Nguyen has come up with a list of all the museums in the 5 boroughs. “Yeah, so?” You say. Well, it’s not just a list.

I Heart NY Museums is an interactive beta site which allows the visitor to view admission prices as well as addresses and hours. It looks kinda like a spread sheet with a map on top.

The focus is on price. Which museums are merely “suggested” donation and which are the most expensive? Are there free hours such as MOMA’s Friday evenings? It’s all right there in front of you.

Currently, there is no phone app. Nguyen is working on the data so he or someone else can make this awesome app.

via Brokelyn

Dogs Welcome!

February 25, 2011 RH 1 Comment

Gone are the days when you had to leave little Fido or Fifi alone while you went out on the town. Fido Factor is a beta site that allows you to search local pet friendly facilities.

Looking for a dog friendly restaurant, bar or hotel? B-i-n-g-o. FF provides maps and reviews. Parks, pet services, yada yada!

But check it out. Hel-lo iPhone App! Fido Factor is located in some pretty major cities (of course, NYC) so you can hit the road with your mutt and research that perfect watering hole for both of you whilst on your way.

Just make sure your dog understands the definition of “watering hole”.

NYC Weekend Getaways

February 18, 2011 RH 6 Comments

For the first time in over 10 years, I don’t have a country escape from NYC. Now that the weather is showing signs of improvement, it’s all about my summer vacay. I’m assuming it’s wise to book a rental like asap, right? No, I don’t want to go to the same place for the entire season. A week or a few weekends breaking from the Big A will suffice.

Now, I’m usually an upstate gal, but maybe I want to try something new? Below is a list of lovely weekend getaways from NYC. Any thoughts for a secluded place in the woods where our dogs can run free? Must be close enough to restaurants and culture or we’ll die.

1. Catskills. Better the devil you know. Been going to the Catskills since birth. There’s something nice about knowing where you’re going without having to explore. Especially since this will be our “relaxing” vacation with the dogs. I’m including the before-you-hit-the-Catskill-area too…New Paltz, High Falls, etc.

2. Hudson Valley. See Catskills. I’m talking the other side of the river, even though HV encompasses both sides all the way up to Albany. Rhinebeck, Red Hook, Tivoli.

3. Finger Lakes. Never been. I’m eying it as a possibility as it looks beautiful and it will probably have everything we’re looking for. Plus, my friend Scott who went to Ithaca says I’ll love it. Moosewood Restaurant and very pet friendly because of the veterinarian school. Added bonus: Seneca Falls aka “The Real Bedford Falls“! Best to hit that during Christmas season when the “It’s a Wonderful Life” festival is on.

4. Berkshires. It’s got the hikes, culture and restaurants. There’s something…goofy about the Berks. Like chainsaw-bear goofy. I like the Berks. They just don’t excite me.

5. Martha’s Vineyard/Nantucket. Never been. Whaddya think? As you can see, I’m more of a woodsy person than a beach person. I do like a laid back atmosphere. Hamptons not for me! Would I hate it here? I dunno.

6. Jersey Shore. Hanging out with Snooky and the Situation! Actually, Cape May kind of intrigues me. My senile grandmother used to talk about her childhood summers there all the time. And you know, I love me some Victorians! We can also hang with The Queen of Jersey Shore.

7. Shelter or Fire Island. Yeah, I’m grouping them together. Maybe for a weekend, but I’d get claustrophobic if I had to spend more than 3 days. How are they with dogs anyway?

New Yawk Accents: All 5 Boros

January 28, 2011 RH 1 Comment

This is too funny! It’s not a recent video, but I just discovered it. Some woman takes us through the distinct accents of each borough. I LMFAO at Da Bronx, but wasn’t too thrilled about her Brooklyn. After 45 years, I don’t think I could tell ya which borough a person is from by hearing them talk.

Pet Friendly Flat with a Catch

January 25, 2011 RH

The Lower East Side’s Ludlow allows pets in the apartments. The owner, who also runs an animal shelter, requires that they get spayed or neutered before moving in.

I love this woman. Who’s to complain? Many landlords won’t rent to people with pets at all. At least she allows responsible animal people to live there.

Personally, I’ve been known to only rent to people with pets because I know firsthand how difficult it can be to find housing.

The only problem I see with these new apartments with tons of amenities located across from Katz’s? Well, not everyone can afford them.

Via City Room.

Subway Stories

January 14, 2011 RH 2 Comments

So, this video of the rat in the subway car is making it’s way around the internet. Lucky for me, I’ve only ever encountered rats on the platform where I can walk away.The video reminded me of my own nightmarish subway stories. Awoken by a rat, huh? I once woke up to the guy next to me fondling my right boob. I jabbed him, but stayed right there waiting for him to try again so I could really smack him. He didn’t. Instead he followed me off the train and up Dekalb Avenue. He stopped me and had the audacity to offer me money to lift my shirt. That’s when I let him have it. And I’m glad I waited because it was sooooo worth it!

Actually, the only stories I have are pervert ones. There’s the guy who whipped it out and started jerking off in my face at 3am on the F train. We were the only ones on the car, so that was scary. I did something I learned the first time I was flashed (it happened quite often back then). I screamed my head off and acted totally nuts. He walked away. Just like the others. Now I take cabs home if I’m out too late.

I have a friend who saw someone shoot himself on the subway. That’s a sad story.

How about you?

Brooklyn By The Sea

January 11, 2011 RH 1 Comment

NYC Snaps Photos and Furniture

January 4, 2011 RH

What happens when a photographer/design consultant teams up with a furniture designer and reclaimed timber expert? “Made of New York” furniture happens.

John-Michael Ekeblad is the photographer. He builds the frames around the images as well. His work is snippets of NYC life. The cockroach is kind of our mascot, isn’t it?

The reclaimed wood furniture is pretty awesome. Prices aren’t crazy for the quality of work and materials. Just check out some of the stuff for yourself!

Black armchair: $1150.

Dining O-Stool: $290

Dresser: $990.

Via Cool Hunting.

Coney Island 1/1/11

January 3, 2011 RH 1 Comment

Happy 2011! We made our annual trek down to Coney for the Polar Bear swim. Apologies for the photos in advance. Arrived too late to get the 1pm “Everybody into the water!”, then realized my lens filter was shattered and stuck on the lens. So, some artsy “cracked lens” technique going on here.

New Year’s Day Polar Bears 2009

OTBKB

Check out the shot of me photographing this guy!

A Decade in NYC. Final Chapter

December 31, 2010 RH 2 Comments

The 2009 event to remember was another plane crash, but this time with a happy ending. Captain Sully became our hero when he landed the downed plane safely on the Hudson and saved everyone aboard.

And finally, it’s 2010. I’m confused as to whether or not this is part of the oughts or part of the new decade, but in any event it looks like Armageddon. Tornadoes, blizzards, even a local earthquake. Nothing compared to Haiti’s earthquake, for sure.

Guess we should stop whining about a bit of snow and be happy for what we’ve got.

Happy New Year!! Bring it!

A Decade in NYC. Part I
A Decade in NYC. Part II
A Decade in NYC. Part III

A Decade in NYC. Part III

December 30, 2010 RH

2006: Yankees pitcher Cory Lidle crashes his plane into an apartment building on 72nd Street, killing himself and his flying instructor.

Also in 2006, legendary Bowery rock club CBGB closes it’s doors. The final nail in the coffin of old school NYC.

By the end of 2007, the bed bug epidemic swept the city. Three years later, we’re still dealing with it.

2008 was the year of Obama. New Yorkers took to the streets to celebrate in every borough (including Staten Island, but they were evidently McCain supporters).

A Decade in NYC. Part I
A Decade in NYC. Part II
A Decade in NYC. Final Chapter

A Decade in NYC. Part II

December 29, 2010 RH 2 Comments

The day the lights went out in NYC. August 2003. Where were you? I was upstate. Oddly enough, I missed the black out of 1977 too because I was at a bungalow colony with my family that summer.

In 2004, the Republican National Committee decided to hold their convention in our little liberal paradise. WTF? They were met with some resistance. Go figure.

Finally, the end of 2005 brought us the transit strike. Right in the middle of winter. Fun.

A Decade in NYC. Part I
A Decade in NYC. Part III
A Decade in NYC. Final Chapter

A Decade in NYC. Part I

December 28, 2010 RH 1 Comment

The oughts are almost over and the teens are just around the corner. Since I just realized this today, I’ll be grouping up on my look back at each year of the decade. Today: 2000-2002.

Back when we were partying like it was 1999, some were concerned about Y2K. The millennium went off without a hitch. Unfortunately, a year and 9 months later, we got a front row seat to what disaster looks like. Obviously, September 11, 2001 is New Yorkers’ most unforgettable event of the decade and possibly the century.

My special NYC moment of New Year’s eve 2002? We said good riddance to Mayor Guiliani! Complain as much as you want about Bloomberg, but Guiliani was the devil.

A Decade in NYC. Part II
A Decade in NYC. Part III
A Decade in NYC. Final Chapter

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