Monday, January 31st, 2011 - Talking During the Morning Commute

Here's the thing - if you are on a subway during the morning rush hour: Don't Talk. We don't want to hear about your shopping or how bad your feet hurt or hear you striking up conversations with strangers. All we want to do is enjoy some peace and quiet on our way to work. It is an unwritten rule and we get really annoyed when you break it.

Verdict: Hate New York Today

Sunday, January 30th, 2011 - A Beautiful Central Park View

One place that is stunning in the winter is Central Park. I happened across the following shot while walking on Fifth Avenue. I love that you can see the towers of Columbus Circle in the background and the snow gently stacked on the statue.

Verdict: Love New York Today

The golden statue is of William Tecumseh Sherman who was a United States general in the American Civil War (1861-1865)

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Saturday, January 29th, 2011 - I Hate the 6

Every time I have to ride the 6 I am grateful not to live on the East side of New York. You will never be more squashed into a subway train than when you ride the 6. It is an all-around unpleasant experience.

Verdict: Hate New York Today

Thursday, January 27th, 2011 - Another Day Another Snowstorm

Well, the snow hit us again today (in case you were living under a rock and didn't see the news). I was able to capture some great pictures on the way into work (yes, I had work today). I have to say, it was actually fun navigating through the quiet streets hearing the crunch of snow underfoot.

A burgler's guide to who isn't home.

 A bike that won't be going anywhere soon.

 A unique spin on child labor - check out the kid on top of the car scraping off snow! His mother came outside a minute later and was screaming at him to get off of the car!

The news channel filming by the Christopher Street subway station.

Verdict: Love New York Today

Monday, January 24th, 2011 - Lunch at the Plaza Food Hall

Ate at the Plaza Food Hall today - the food was great as usual. One thing worth noting - they've added tables! Now the thing about the food hall is that when it opened, it was all bar seating - which was ok in a group of two but any more than that and it just didn't work well. Today, after an absence of a couple of months I went back and they've put tables in - what a huge difference. You can actually eat with a group there now! What a concept!

Verdict: Love New York Today

Sunday, January 23rd, 2011 - OMG it is COLD

I cannot even describe how cold it is in New York today. While walking on the street I saw a bottle of beer that had spilled at some point; the beer had frozen as it poured out - I would have stopped to take a picture but I was way too cold. Yesterday in a cab I heard on the radio that tonight is set to be the coldest night in New York in six years! Lord this winter is dragging on.

Verdict: Hate New York Today

Saturday, January 22nd, 2011 - A Trip to the Whitney to See Edward Hopper

I made a trip to The Whitney today, specifically to see the Edward Hopper exhibit. The Whitney is an interesting museum - they have a lot of modern art (which I tend not to love) but they also get great exhibits that make a trip there worthwhile even for me. The Hopper exhibit was great, though I was surprised that there weren't more of his seascape pictures included. According to the audio guide, Hopper's wife donated most of his work to the Whitney so they have the most extensive collection of his work; that said the exhibit only took up about five rooms, and included other artists as well. It was worth the trip and I'm glad I went, it just would have been nice to see even more.

Pictured - Long Leg by Edward Hopper, one of the many pictures we didn't see at the Whitney exhibit.

Verdict: Love New York Today

Friday, January 21st, 2011 - A Pushy Old Woman

I was on the subway today, commuting to work. There was a fragile old woman sitting in the end seat on the train. Her skin was paper thin and you could tell she had seen a lot in her long life. I was standing close by, getting pressed closer and closer to my fellow travelers as the car filled to capacity. You literally couldn't fit anyone else in. A young woman - one of the last to make it in before the doors closed - had a puffy coat on; like all puffy coats it takes up room but is all fluff. As I stood there thinking kindly thoughts of the old woman in her green coat and matching knitted hat with a pink flower, she pushed the young woman's jacket (and the young woman herself) away from her. The jacket wasn't touching her mind you - it was just barely encroaching on her personal space in a subway car packed to capacity. So much for the kindly thoughts...

Verdict: Hate New York Today

Wednesday, January 19th, 2011 - A Cab Driver's First Day

I am in the second day of a cold; I could feel it coming yesterday and it hit me full force overnight. I had a work event tonight and afterward all I wanted to do was grab a quick cab home. I hopped into the cab, gave him my address and he asked how to get there - not completely unheard of for those of us who live in the most confusing neighborhood in the city (duh, the West Village). Everyone gets confused in the West Village, including cabbies. No hard feelings. As we're heading south, he drops the bomb - "this is my first day". O. M. G. Wow. So I tried to be nice and tell him that he would get the hang of it, that numbered streets are easier. He seemed nice enough, and I gave him a good tip even though it took way too long to get home. Even though I live in New York, sometimes I don't want to be the first bitch that a poor cab driver on his first day encounters.

Verdict: Love New York Today (welcome new cabbie!)

Monday, January 17th, 2011 - People Who Push Dogs in Carts Instead of Walking Them

As indicated by the title of today's post, I saw a woman pushing her dog in a cart this afternoon. Now look, I'm not inhumane - I get that the salt on the street can hurt dog paws (well, now I do; coming from a no-snow environment, I didn't know this until I moved here and some dog-owner friends told me about it). But pushing a dog in a cart? It seems a bit extreme. The funniest thing about these carts is that many of them look like old-time strollers - the kind where the baby would be laying down. So you don't really know if it is a baby or a dog until you're close. It's one of those things that you see and think to yourself "only in New York..."

Verdict: Hate New York Today

Sunday, January 16th, 2011 - The View from Columbus Circle

I went to Columbus Circle today - great views. For those unfamiliar with New York, Columbus Circle is basically one of the only malls in the city (and certainly the best). So on a day like to day (freezing, and only getting colder!), if you have to do some shopping, you might as well be inside and enjoy the view.

Verdict: Love New York Today

Thursday, January 13th, 2011 - This is Disgusting

I was on the 6 line today and saw one of the grossest things ever. Check out the woman in the corner. If you look closely you can see that she is actually clipping her fingernails on the subway. This is so disgusting. I cannot understand how someone actually does this in public, and on public transportation no less. Finger clippings flying around - ick.

After I subtly took this picture she may have realized how grossed out everyone was. Maybe. I'm not counting on it.

Verdict: Hate New York Today

Wednesday, January 12th, 2011 - Snowrific

Sadly, it wasn't enough for a snow day (at least for me). But we did wake up to a beautiful morning and as I walked around the West Village, I took the picture below.

Verdict: Although no snow day, Love New York Today.

Tuesday, January 11th, 2011 - Snow Anxiety

I'm in a totally different position with this storm than I was with the one that hit on December 26th. For the earlier storm, I was out of town watching the weather with a mindful eye towards my return flight. It was all anxiety and nonstop weather channel checking. This time around, I'm sitting in my apartment IN New York and hoping we get more snow. See, now that I'm here, I want a snow day! I want to enjoy the beautiful white snow before it becomes gray and gross. I want to see dogs frolicking in the snow. I want the fun. And unless we get more snow overnight, no snow day for me (sad face). And I'm still checking the weather channel nonstop!

Verdict: Hate New York Today

Monday, January 10th, 2011 - More Snow is Coming

This is posted on The Weather Channel today:

Total storm accumulations over 10" appear likely in southern New England, possibly southward into parts of the New York City metro area. 

A repeat of December 26 is possible as there is a chance that blizzard watches and warnings could be posted including New York City and coastal southern New England. These blizzard conditions may develop as soon as Wednesday morning, persisting through much of Wednesday before slowly winding down Thursday. 

Uhhhh, yowza! A repeat of December 26th?!?! The trash hasn't event been cleared from before Christmas and now we're about to be hit with this? 


Verdict: Love New York Today (hoping for a snow day)

Sunday, January 9th, 2011 - Holland Tunnel Still Has Christmas Spirit

I gave in today and finally took down my Christmas decorations. But the Holland Tunnel is still holding tight to the holiday spirit.

Verdict: Love New York Today (because Christmas decorations, even after the fact, make me happy)

Wednesday, January 5th, 2011 - Chivalry is not dead!

Today the most astounding thing happened on the subway ride home: a guy offered me his seat! He literally got up and stood for several additional stops and asked that I take his seat. (And no, I'm not a pregnant woman, disabled or elderly - people for whom everyone should give up a seat at any time.) The funny thing was that I didn't really want to sit down but since he got up I felt like I had to. But the point was made: chivalry is not completely dead in New York!

Tuesday, January 4th, 2011 - The Birds!

With all of the news about the thousands of dead blackbirds that fell to the ground in Arkansas over the weekend, imagine my surprise while standing at Penn Station today:

There on the wall, four bird murals (and they totally look like they could be blackbirds). So this made me think: whether it is graffiti, murals, street art or randomly placed objects, every day brings the possibility of interesting discoveries in the world that surrounds us. Too often we don't notice these things until something brings it to the forefront of our minds (like the birds today - would I ever have noticed these if this event hadn't just happened? I don't know how many times I have stood in the same place and never seen them before.)

  Verdict: Love New York Today

Monday, January 3rd, 2011 - I Hate Buses

A new year, a new way of doing the blog. I've decided to add titles beyond just the date. Since I'm not sure anyone is reading this, I don't really know how useful this will be for anyone other than me, but what the hell.

Anyway here is my New York thought for today: I hate buses. They are these lumbering behemoths that take up way too much space. You're sitting there in your cab and they come barreling into your lane with an utter lack of regard for the space your cab was occupying. And because your cab would be flattened in an instant you are forced to yield and let them in. And then you're stuck at another red light. It is no better to be a pedestrian. Buses often go over curbs while making turns  - watch your toes! No but seriously, don't stand close to the edge of the sidewalk when buses are around - it is just not a safe idea.

Verdict: Hate New York Today