Snowy Central Park...

(I hope you're sitting comfortably,
because there are a fair few photos coming up...)

Yesterday it snowed pretty much non stop all day, but unfortunately it had rained for a whole day before that, and it wasn't really that cold so it was too wet and too warm to settle... however, by around 11pm last night the snow had started to settle rather nicely and by 8am this morning there was LOADS of snow! I woke up to a full thick blanket all over the road, all over the cars, all on the bushes and trees... it was lovely.

One thing I've been wanting to do is see Central Park when it's all snowy, and as today was the heaviest the snow's ever been since I've been here (it was like the amount of snow we used to get when we lived in Moorside), I thought I'd make the most of it and get on the train to Central Park...

As soon as I got out of the train, the sound of the city was completely different, everything was so quiet and peaceful, and the park was a sea of white.

The park couldn't have looked any more different from when I last went in the Autumn.

There were icicles hanging from all the street lamps and lamp posts around the park.

This person was rather well prepared for the snow... snowshoes?!

Nearly the whole pond was frozen over and covered with snow, you couldn't even tell there was any water there at all, the ducks must have been freeeeeezing.

The little hills that in the summer are covered with sunbathers and people reading had now become prime sledging locations.

The photographers were out in force and there were a fair few TV News vans dotted about too.

The ice-rink was out of action, but the little diggers were trying their best to clear the snow for the skaters, they were creating banks of snow that must have been 10-15 feet high at the side of the rink.

I've noticed that the snow plows are fast to respond to the weather, people are clearing pavements, clearing driveways, clearing their cars and clearing the cars very quickly after it starts snowing... it puts our shortage of grit supplies to shame.

The steps that usually lead down to the fountain by the Boathouse had become another sledging slope for the braver Xtreme Sledgers (that would have been me and Tom!)

Some folks even had their skis out!

Business at the Boathouse must have been a wee bit quiet today... I was hoping to get a hotdog there, but I don't think their snack counter was open.

I was amazed to see the Pedicabs were still out and about - I hope their passengers tipped well!

I think the schools must have been shut, because there were loads of keen sledgers about. There were vendors offering rubber rings for rent too, I'm always impressed by the vendors in New York, if it rains they have umbrellas, if it's sunny they have sunglasses and water, if it snows they have rubber rings!

The Promenade was eerily quiet, the benches are usually full of people reading or musicians, or entertainers... not today.

The pigeons were all huddling together and nestling in their puffed out feathers to keep warm.

It was an absolutely amazing site, I was so glad I made the trip - it felt like I was wondering through Narnia or a Winter Wonderland or something - it's funny to think it's practically March though. I've always wanted to see Central Park in the snow, and now I know it's even more beautiful than I could have imagined.

Holga Surprise...

I got my Holga film developed this week, the film was from way back in the summer - during Abi's first visit! I'd forgotten what I'd take photos of so it was a lovely to surprise getting the film back. A load of them have overlapped, so they didn't come out too well, but a couple of them came out OK. This one was taken from the Top of The Rock.

Sand Art Part II...

As I walking through Union Square this afternoon I spotted the mystery sand artist in action! His name is Joe Mangrum (www.joemangrum.com), and I have a feeling these Union Square art attacks are a regular thing now - so expect more photos to come...

It was great being able to see him actually creating the sand art this time, he had attracted quite a crowd too. I was a bit surprised he was doing it this afternoon because it was a wee bit windy - it obviously wasn't windy enough though because he was creating another amazing piece.

He has lots of bags of sand, all different colours, he reaches in, grabs a fistful of sand and then lets it flow through his fist making a little funnel between his hand and his little finger. He makes it look incredibly easy, but I have no doubt that there's a lot of skill involved.

He was using some fantastic bright colours this time - the flowers were really pinging off the pavement.

I think he was only part way through as it doesn't look as full as the other time, or the pieces on his website - but it was already looking great.

Maybe next time I'll get to see one at a different stage - right at the beginning? Or maybe when he's clearing up... who knows? I'll let you know as soon as I see him again.

McCarren Park...

I walked through McCarren Park on my way to the bus yesterday evening and this evening - both times just as the sun was senting over Manhattan... the picture didn't come out too well but it looked absolutely beautiful.

It actually made me go all goosebumpy - sometimes I get waves of 'I'm in bloody New York!' and seeing the skyline from a distance always makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end.

Almost There...

Abi went to the US Embassy in London yesterday and has had her Visa approved... the brilliant news is that it's not a 6 month Visa - it's a 2 year one! So that means we can relax a bit more and make our own minds up about when we want to come home rather than wait for work to tell us.

It looks like it's likely to be the end of March that she'll be coming out now... I was hoping it'd be sooner, but it she has to give a month's notice on her room and get stuff sorted. I hope it's sooner than that though - I've had enough of waiting now...

Manhattan Map...

Here's a little video of it being made...

Sandy Union Square...

When I was walking from work to the subway station this evening there was this incredible sand painting on the pavement... I can't imagine where the artist would have to begin... or how they'd tidy it up... but I think it's fantastic.

Good job it wasn't windy tonight!

President's Day...

Today is President's Day!

I'm not entirely sure what it's all about but I'm happy to take the day off... I've just looked it up on t'interweb and it says that it's to celebrate Washington's Birthday, but it seems to fall on different days of the month each year. It's apparently always the 3rd weekend of February, but I would have thought that someone's birthday would always on the same date? Oh well, I don't really understand, but I'm more than happy to take the day off!

Papabubble...

Walking back from China Town towards Bowery I spotted an interesting shop called Papabubble, the windows were quite dark so I went in for a closer look only to find that it was a sweet shop!

The shop looked like a fantastic sweets laboratory, with white tiled walls, beakers and test tubes and utensils hanging up. They make lots of delicious sweets like rock and those big rock lollies and some more sculptural bits and pieces. They have lovely little jars of sweets, different flavoured rock, rock with different words and pictures in the middle. You can also order your own custom made candy, so you can have your own message in the middle of the rock, or you can have lollies made to your own design, or they'll make a bigger object out of candy - their website has a massive rock toothbrush on it!

It was a wee bit expensive, bit it would be a great idea for a promotional item, or for a wedding for favours or for party goodie bags or something.

I think I might try and go back their on a Saturday to see them make the sweeties, it looks like they make it all right infront of you on these big hotplate type surfaces. I might even splash out and get some of their 5 Boroughs Rock Mix or some Banana flavoured rock... Yum!

Chinese New Year...

As well as being Valentines Day yesterday, it was Chinese New Year - so I went along with Amelia to see what was happening in China Town and to get a bit of lunch. When we got there, it didn't seem to bad on the outskirts of China Town, so we mooched in a couple of shops looking at the mixtures of tat and traditional bits and pieces.

As we walked on a bit we could hear some crashing and bashing or cymbals and some drumming, so we walked towards the noise... it was the dragon dancing shop blessing ceremony thing. I remember seeing the same thing in London one year when we went, and the dragon would go up to each shop and get a cabbage that was hanging up outside the shop. This was pretty similar, except there weren't any cabbages, and everything just sounded a lot louder (and more annoying, it seemed that the old men with the cymbals were battling to see who could be the loudest for longest - not as fun as the clapping game!).

Lots of people were firing off firecrackers and confetti cannons in the streets - the confetti looked beautiful as it floated around in the wind. Some of the cannons had small red parachutes in them with a little scroll attached, as soon as people saw these shooting out of the tubes with all the other glittery ticker tape there was a chorus of 'Ooooooh' and then a mad rush to try and catch the parachute. People had collected empty tubes and joined them together to make long parachute grabbing sticks. I tried my luck at grabbing a parachute (I had an advantage as even without a stick I was taller than everyone else), but unfortunately the wind wasn't blowing in my favour.

The ground was covered in a confetti carpet - it looked lovely but I'd hate to be part of the big clean up operation today!

Lots of children were running around with cans of silly string and throwing little firecrackers at the ground - I was keeping a close eye on my coat, it wouldn't have been a very happy new year for the child who got bright blue string on me - luckily I escaped unscathed.

As the afternoon went on the crowds grew bigger and bigger and it was pretty hard to get anywhere, so we went to go and get some lunch. We'd been told that the Golden Bridge Restaurant was supposed to be good for Dim Sum, but when we walked in the doors we realised that every Chinese family in New York must have been thinking the same thing...

This the scene that met us at the top of the stairs! It was absolute chaos! I just thought 'bugger this' and walked out again. After walking in and out of what felt like 20 restaurants, all of them rammed and with an hour long waiting list - we finally managed to get a seat somewhere (albeit at a table with another man munching away on chicken feet!).

It wasn't really the best food in the world, I didn't really enjoy it - but I also don't think it was the best restaurant to go to for fine Chinese food. It was an experience though (the best bit were the spring rolls) and it was nice and cheap ($12 each for a LOT of rice, noodles and dumplings).

Just as we were getting ready to go we heard the cymbals and drums again, banging and crashing away outside. Then, all of a sudden the restaurant had a couple of brightly coloured visitors...

In all three dragons visited the restaurant, apparently there are different companies that do the dragon dancing, all competing with each other, some are visibly better than others (bigger drums and prettier dragons), but I think the restaurants and shops give them all some money to bless their business for the following year. I think it sounds like a nice little money earner, I think I might get a tambourine and a dragon hat for next year - make some extra pocket money.

As we left the restaurant, we heard some different drumming, then we saw a little marching band coming round the corner - it was a Chinese American marching band, who preceded to play 'It's a Small Small World' on their tin whistles!

It was bizarre... but then again very fitting as the whole afternoon had seemed a little bizarre.

After it all I was in need of a pint in a quiet pub.

Snow Day...

For a lot of New York, today was a Snow Day!

The subways were only half full, the farmers market had only a handful of stalls setting up and nobody was in the office apart from us Elmwoodians. The forecast had been for snow the night before, but I didn't really have my hopes up for any decent amount (I'd been disappointed the previous week with similar rumours or 'Snowmageddon' heading our way)... but this morning I woke up, looked out the window and saw a lovely blanket of snow on Myrtle Avenue and big chunky flakes falling down.

Union Square was lovely and peaceful this morning.

It didn't stop snowing all day so when I left work this evening there were big walls of snow along the pavements where all the snowplows had been out.

The fire hydrants all had little hats too.

Poor Ghandi was looking a bit cold in Union Square, wading his way through the snow...

This chap was clearing the pavements outside Whole Foods, there were two of them wearing the same coats and the same fantastic wellies - I want some!

One thing I've noticed on the odd occasions it has snowed, they are incredibly quick to get out and clear the pavements, the other day when there was a small layer in Brooklyn people were out clearing the pavement outside my apartment. It was really impressive - although I expect it's to stop anyone slipping and hurting themselves and then suing the snow or something!

There's more snow forecast for next Friday - I hope we get LOADS so I can have a snow day and go and take some proper photos with my proper camera instead.

Eisenberg's Sandwiches...

For lunch yesterday Eliot took us to Eisenberg's Sandwich to celebrate a big win we'd had in Leeds. I wasn't really expecting much from the outside, or from the inside really - but Eliot was raving about it. It looked very dated, and cramped - as you walk in there's a narrow space to walk down, trying not to knock the people sitting up at the counter we walked to the back of the shop to see if they had any tables available, but the place was heaving, and we'd soon find out why...

We sat up at the counter and looked at the menu, it was full of typically New Yorky sandwiches like Pastrami, or Reubens (which I've just looked up, is corned beef, sauerkraut, swiss cheese and Thousand Island dressing), burgers and omelets, 2 eggs any style... fries, onion rings, coleslaw - the lot.

The man at the counter let us try some of the Pastrami... it was the most delicious Pastrami I've ever tasted, it was so thin and light and looked just like extra thin bacon - it was incredibly tender and was really yummy having it hot (I've only had cold pastrami before).

I settled on a Meatloaf sandwich and no sooner had I finished the 'wich' part of my order, my sandwich had been made. I wish I'd taken a photo of it because it was HUGE, it was about 2 1/2 inches thick! It was absolutely delicious, even better with a bit of coleslaw and onion rings.

As we were sitting eating our sandwiches we looked up at all the photos of celebrities that eat there regularly, I didn't really know who many of them were but I recognised the Bruce Springsteen's guitarist from the E Street Band, Tim Allen, Geoff Goldblum and Cynthia Whatsherface from Sex And The City. Maybe if I go there enough they'll put my photo up on the wall.

It was great sitting there hearing all the orders come through, seeing them all fly out, hearing everyone enjoying the food, hearing the regulars come in and talking to the guys behind the counter - one man came in and sat next to me, he was obviously a regular because when ordering his omelet he said '...and if any onion rings happen to fall onto my plate, that'd be good!' so he got a free side of onion rings!

I think Eisenberg's will become a new place to have a treat for lunch every now and then - it was super fast, reasonably priced and absolutely yummy.

Eisenberg's Sandwiches - Done!

Them Crooked Vultures...

On Monday night I went to see Them Crooked Vultures at the Roseland Ballroom (just off Times Square)... they were INCREDIBLE!

Them Crooked Vultures is a super-dooper group made up of Joshua Holmes from Queens Of The Stone Age (he plays guitar and sings), Dave Grohl from Foo Fighters (he plays the drums) and John Paul Bloody Jones from Led Zeppelin (he plays every instrument in the world!). Their stuff's quite heavy - it's definitely heavier than Foo Fighters, but I think quite a lot of it sounds like Cream, you can tell John Paul Jone's Led Zeppelin days have influenced the sound... then again it's very varied, they play really powerful riffs and then have a funky bassline with it - whatever it sounds like, it works.

I arrived at the Roseland around 7ish, when the doors opened - I didn't think there'd be too much of a queue - I looked and saw a smallish queue so I went to go and get some food, but as I walked down the road a realised that the queue had been split into bit (to keep an entrance clear), the rest of the queue was huge... it went on... and on... and on... it literally went round the block!

It moved pretty quickly and I finally got in, after being frisked and having ID checked (the security's a bit tighter here than gigs at home)... although despite frisking people there seemed to be an awful lot of people who managed to get their 'erbal cigarettes in...

I went to the bar to get a Jack Daniels and Coke and nearly fell over when the the barman gave me my change from a $20, the drinks were just a wee bit expensive...

$9 ($10 including tip) for a tiny plastic cup! Luckily I think he'd got the measurements the wrong way round, it was 3 parts Jack Daniels and 1 part Coke... I took my drink and found a good spot behind the mixing desk. Looking around I could see a lot of more 'mature' men around, I think they were fans of Led Zeppelin - then later when John Paul Jones came on stage and the whole place erupted it was clear that he was drawing a large portion of the crowd. Everyone was loving it when he was doing his mini bass solos too.

The Roseland Ballroom's not quite as grand as it sounds - it doesn't feel like a ballroom, but it is a good venue, these pictures were taken on my phone, so it looks like I was a long way away, but it still felt quite intimate really.

I was absolutely amazing seeing Dave Grohl playing the drums again - the last time I saw him play drums was during the very first Foo Fighters gig I ever went to with Benj in 2000! He hits them so hard, I can't believe he doesn't break the sticks more or the skins, he's just like Animal from the Muppets. Joshua was a brilliant front man, he kept saying how much fun they were having - they all looked like they were enjoying themselves... and John Paul Jones was quiet but incredible!

The sound the produced was deafening, I don't think I've ever been to a gig that was so so loud, there were times when they went off on one and they were all making a big noise together and I thought my ears were going to fall off! They played for about 2 hours and my ears have only just recovered... I think I must have been yelling at the cab driver when I was telling him where I wanted to go afterwards.

It was a bit funny going to a gig like that on my own - it was even stranger seeing them without Tom, hopefully we'll get to see them together soon - maybe next year?!

I bought myself a little reminder of the gig - a limited edition (signed and numbered no less, 130/300) screenprint... it's not the prettiest print in the world, but I've always wanted an artists print of a gig poster from a gig that I actually went to! It's now framed outside my bedroom.

It was a fantastic night. I hope you get the chance to see them soon Tom - until then, here's a little taster for you (this is from the gig)...

Super Bowl Sunday & Scuppered Plans...

Well... it was Super Bowl Sunday today, but unfortunately my plans to go and watch the event were scuppered.

Late this afternoon I got on the G train to go into Manhattan, to a sports bar to watch the game, but after traveling just one stop away from my apartment the train had a wee problem. There was apparently a systems malfunction at the station ahead, so our train was still in the station until they managed to fix it. The driver was very nice and opened the doors as he didn't want us to feel trapped because we weren't going anywhere... after what felt like absolutely ages (but was probably about 15-20 minutes) I'd had enough of sitting and waiting, so I got out and walked back to my apartment.

On my way back I saw lots of people outside the station all talking about if the trains were running or not - it's so annoying when the G train's not working properly because it's the closest train and it links to the L and the A for getting into Manhattan. I heard one girl on the phone who sounded quite worried about how she was going to get home.

I checked on the internet but the only news I could find was that no trains were traveling in either direction, so I wouldn't make it to the bar for kick off. I think they managed to sort the problem out later but with delays on all trains.

I couldn't find any sites streaming the game live, so I wasn't able to see the any of the action afterall. Oh well, there's always next year.

B is for...

Burger, Beer, Bargains and Brrrrrrrr...

Yesterday I went into 'town' to do a little shopping, it was supposed to be snowy - but there's was nothing in Manhattan and only a bit in Brooklyn. I think Washington must have got out share too.

It was absolutely freeeeeeeeezing though, when the chilly windy was blowing it made it pretty painful, and after a couple of hours I was ready to warm myself up with a burger and a beer. I popped back to BLT Burger, I hadn't been in a couple of months so it was nice to go back and find that the burgers were as delicious as ever! Best burgers in New York so far.

During my shopping I managed to picked up a these couple of bargains:

They were in the sale in Urban Outfitters - $10 each instead of $60!!!!

I know this isn't the most exciting post in the world, but this weekend's been a bit of a 'getting stuff done' weekend... I'll hopefully be more adventurous and be able to post something more interesting next weekend.

Snowy 14th Street...

The walk into work this morning was very pretty, getting off the subway and walking through Union Square park looked like this...



There's not been any snow since last night, but there's some more forecast! Hopefully there'll be some more at the weekend, lots and lots and I can go to the park... fingers crossed.

Groundhog Day...

Today was Groundhog Day!

The Inner Circle of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club gathered at Gobbler's Knob (I'm not making any of these named up, they're real!) to see if the little Groundhog would predict a long winter, or a short winter.

Apparently the whole thing is determined by whether or not the Groundhog sees his shadow and woddles back into his burrow. If Mr. Groundhog sees his shadow and scurries back home it means that we're in for six more weeks of winter, if he doesn't see his shadow and hangs out for a bit, it means Spring will be on its way sooner.

Well, the results were in and Punxsutawney Phil (the most famous Groundhog of all) predicted six more weeks of this mighty cold winter. Judging by the weather outside tonight, I'd say he's right. It's started snowing and is set to snow all night apparently.

Controversy has struck the Groundhog predictions though, because the majority of local Groundhogs didn't see their shadow, and so predict a shorter winter. So just like British weather forecasts, it's wonderfully vague.

I love all these strange traditions.

International Evening...

To continue our international themed evening, the Welshman, Thai lady, Japanese lady and I went onto the White Horse Tavern in Greenwich Village, famous for it's past regular Dylan Thomas who drank there shortly before he went home, became ill and died! I'm sure it's nothing to do with the beer though... I hope. Apparently Jim Morrison used to drink there too, but things didn't turn out to great for him either...

After a drink there we went next door to the Dublin 6, an Irish bar that thankfully wasn't themed like all the other Irish bars in Manhattan - it was nice and cosy and had an open fire. We left there after it got a bit noisy.

Around the same area as the White Horse Tavern is a very special shop called Myer of Keswick, I think it might come in very handy when I'm feeling homesick and in need of some home comforts (http://myersofkeswick.computerperfect.com/Home.html). It sells all things British, Ribena, Jelly Babies, Ambrosia Custard and even Irn Bru!!!! The shop was apparently set up by a butcher's son from Keswick, he realised that lots of ex-pats wanted decent sausages so he set up a sausage shop, then over time I think he just added some extra bits and pieces... like Monster Munch!

After pressing my face up on the window of the shop for about half an hour, looking at all the lovely things that we have back at home, we went on to a bar that Syan said Damien Hirst goes drinking in when he's in New York...

It was in the Meatpacking District, which I love - but when we arrive outside the bar I noticed it was 5 Ninth, the restaurant Mops, Pops and I went to when they first came out. It certainly felt very different, in the summer we sat outside and it was boiling hot and the restaurant was heaving, but last night it was freezing outside and the whole place was extremely quite and cozy, it was very nice. I have to say though, I'm glad I decided to buy a round in one of the cheaper pubs, the Meatpacking District is a wee bit expensive - but a nice treat though for a special belated Burns Night.

Belated Burns Night...

Some hae meat and canna eat,
And some wad eat that want it;
But we hae meat, and we can eat,
Sae let the Lord be thankit.

Here it is, Manhattan's finest Haggis offering from the St. Andrews Restaurant (just off Times Square). Served on mashed tatties and topped with neeps, it was tastier than I'd imagined but it was far from the delicious Haggis we have at home.

I wore my best MacLeod(ish) tartan shirt and met Will, Ting and their neighbour Syan (not sure how you spell her name, it's said like Cyan the colour?) for a belated Burns Night celebration. I was the only one who had Haggis, Will had a big steak, Ting had fishcakes and Syan had smoked salmon that was served with the oddest choice of accompaniments... one corner of the plate was covered in finely chopped red onion, another corner had what look liked crumbled egg whites and in the other corner was the crumbled yolk?! I'd never seen anything like it?

The restaurant seemed very nice and had some other tasty dishes on the menu, like scotch eggs! The walls were decorated with old fashioned tourist posters for the Isle of Skye and the railway lines, all the waitresses (of which none are Scottish I don't think... Irish, but not Scottish) wore tartan skirts and the chairs and booths were clad in tartan too - so my shirt clashed a bit.

It was a bit of fun, and it was nice to be taking part (albeit late) in the celebrations, it was a little odd to be celebrating Burns Night in Times Square with a Welshman, his Thai wife and their Japanese friend... I'm sure I'll never have a Burns Night like it again!