Posted in BY THE WAY, Fab Fotos, New York Speaks, Only in New York, tagged Central Park, Government, Installation art, Murray Head, New York City, Organizations, Photograph, Photography on May 15, 2011| Leave a Comment »
Orangent you glad that Murray Head sends me photographs to post?
FAB FOTO FRIDAY
Even though it’s Saturday, these photos were taken on Friday so they still count as our FAB FOTO FRIDAY featured photographs. You’ve heard of Sunday in the Park with George, this is Friday in the park with Murray!
"Can you hear me now"?
Oh so pretty Orange Flowers
Bold and beautiful Baltimore Oriole
Baltimore Oriole profile
Why are Goldfish Orange?
Little Duckling
All photos courtesy of Murray Head
Posted in BY THE WAY, New York Speaks, Nick & Nora and Flora & Fauna, Only in New York on May 8, 2011| Leave a Comment »
If you or your son/daughter/husband waited until the last minute to make a brunch or dinner reservation for today – don’t fret there’s always a way in!!
Take it from a wise old owl!
"Do You Have A Reservation?"
"Well, Do YOU??
"Sorry. Oh, why thank you. Let me check again"
"Table for Two, right this way"
All photos courtesy of Murray Head.
Posted in BY THE WAY, New York Speaks, Only in New York, tagged Battle of Puebla, cincodemayo, Grito de Dolores, Mexican Army, Mexican cuisine, New York City, Olvera Street on May 6, 2011| Leave a Comment »
Last year I posted a blog about how Cinco De Mayo was celebrated, its origin and how we have adopted and adapted this holiday today. I thought re-posting it would be a good idea and informative to my newly-acquired readers!
This is Why We Celebrate Victory
If you’ve noticed a sudden dearth of avocados, limes, Corona Extras and Jose Cuervo at your local grocery store over the past couple of days, don’t panic — no one is conspiring against you. Instead, your neighbors are simply stocking up to celebrate Cinco de Mayo, a holiday celebrated in Mexico and all over the United States with delicious Mexican cuisine, far too much alcohol and plenty of fanfare.
But Cinco de Mayo (“the fifth of May”) is much more than an entertaining way to forget an entire day’s worth of events. The holiday owes its origins to the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862, when the Mexican army overcame seemingly insurmountable odds to defeat invading French forces from conquering the state of Puebla. The victory remains a cause for commemoration nearly 150 years later.
Interestingly enough, Cinco de Mayo isn’t celebrated in Mexico nearly as much as it is in the United States, as the country’s most widely recognized national patriotic holiday is actually the Mexican Independence Day on September 16. But Cinco de Mayo gets plenty of attention in the U.S. not just from Mexican-Americans, but also from anybody interested in seeking out new forms of cultural exposure — largely due to the efforts of liquor companies and Mexican restaurants.
Last year, MTV Tr3s sent comedian Cristela Alonzo to Los Angeles’ historic Olvera Street to report on the community’s deep understanding of Cinco del Mayo. While the holiday has historic roots, Alonzo acknowledged that many participants view Cinco de Mayo as “an excuse to get drunk and party.” But as Alonzo learned, enjoying the rowdier aspects of Cinco de Mayo doesn’t have to come at the expense of forgetting the holiday’s cultural significance.
“What’s important is to remember the meaning behind the holiday,” she reported of her findings. “It’s about freedom and to celebrate those who had the courage to defend it.”
So as you immerse yourself in today’s festivities, make sure to put your ice cold cerveza down for long enough to acknowledge the true meaning of Cinco de Mayo, a holiday built on the foundation of freedom. ** This article is from the MTV website
And today!
Cha Cha Cha It’s Fiesta Time
You know what they say: Drink responsibly, Drive safely – OH WAIT, we live in New York City, we can be totally irresponsible – BUT then again here is May 6th to think about!
Posted in BY THE WAY, New York Speaks, Only in New York, tagged Government, Installation art, May Day, Multilateral, Murray Head, New York City, Photograph, United Nations on May 2, 2011| 2 Comments »
If you have been following the blog or FAB FOTO FRIDAYS you know that a while ago I featured an art installation on Dag Hammerskjold Plaza near the United Nations. It is called Borders with human-like sculptures posed standing and sitting in the park. Today is MAY DAY! In additions to the Borders “people”, Dag Hammerskjold Plaza was home to a true May Day celebration.
photo by Murray Head
photo by Murray Head
photo by Murray Head
photo by Murray Head
Dancing Around the Maypole
Photos by Murray Head
May Day Maypole Ribbons
Photo by Murray Head
May Day knows no Borders!
photo by Murray Head
Posted in Fab Fotos, New York Speaks, Only in New York, tagged Central Park, Empire State Building, Flatiron Building, Installation art, Murray Head, New York, New York City, Skyscraper on April 29, 2011| Leave a Comment »
FAB FOTO FRIDAY
Fridays are for Fotos and as you know I have several recurring themes. I love RED is Where You Find It which is really a sub-category of ART is Where You Find It and then there’s ONLY in NEW YORK because my city is an ever-changing canvas replete with people who live or visit New York City, truly the Capitol of the World, as well as art installations, parades, tourist attractions and above all (no pun intended) the City itself with its Skyscraper Skyline.
My favorite photographer, Murray, was out and about down in the Flatiron, Madison Square Park area the other day and yes he does leave Central Park once in a while lol. Anyway, he took some very interesting photographs of some of the more distinct and unusual buildings in that neighborhood. Or maybe other than the Flatiron Building (one of my two very favorite buildings in NYC), the buildings are not so unusual BUT you know where I’m going with this….the eye of the camera as seen with the eye of the artist produced some beautiful shots and here they are.
The Flatiron Building
photo by Murray Head
It's White at Night
photo by Murray Head
Building with a Gold Crown
photo by Murray Head
STOP - Water Tower
photo by Murray Head
Gold Dome
photo by Murray Head
Posted in BY THE WAY, Friends, New York Speaks, Only in New York, tagged Easter Parade 2011, Fifth Avenue, Finley Ray, Helen Uffner, Lori, Peter on April 26, 2011| 2 Comments »
Helen and Lori
Here we are post-Parade and post-cocktails too!
Helen and her sunglasses!!!
Check out Helen’s saucy vintage hat!
Finley and Gigi on the Avenue
Dapper Peter and Dazzling Jessica
"Sorry about the hat" - The real Helen
I hope to have more photos soon!
Posted in BY THE WAY, New York Speaks, Only in New York, tagged Easter, Easter bonnet, Easter Parade, Fifth Avenue, Helen, holiday, New York, New York City, Times on April 26, 2011| 8 Comments »
Yesterday in spite of dire predictions of showers, Fifth Avenue was crowded with New Yorkers and tourists. The annual Easter Parade has been a New York tradition since the 1870’s. Over the years, it has attracted the colorful, the crazy, the fashionable and the NOT so fashion-minded.
Peter and I and our friends, Helen and Catherine joined us in strolling down the Avenue. Helen was wearing a very saucy hat from the 1940’s or 30’s (I should have asked her for clarification). Anyway, she looked lovely and maybe she’ll be in the Times next week. She had one of her employees join her who was decked out in an unbelievable knock your socks off vintage outfit. Jessica was a vision of the past in a deep wine red dress, sable fur draped over her arm, wearing net gloves and classic heels from that era. Topped off with a perky fur hat tilted to the side , she turned everyone’s head – check out the Times, I bet she’s there.
I’ve never gone for the vintage look when it comes to the Parade but that’s mainly because I maintain I can’t find vintage clothing in my size. Well even so, I like to wear wide brimmed hats and I like to decorate them with lots of flowers and ribbons. I have made a few and recycled them and sometimes reconstructed them so when Catherine decided to join us, I offered her a hat. She picked a favorite of mine, pink with a very wide brim. She wore a beautiful sun dress and the hat complemented it perfectly. Peter was dapper as usual in a soft gray double-breasted suit, vintage tie and a straw “boater”.
We had a great time, strolling along the Avenue and having our photo taken many times. And as the day wound down, we decided to top off the afternoon enjoying a cocktail. Now where to go? Elegant was the byword of the day so we headed to the King Cole bar in the St. Regis Hotel. It was definitely the right choice. Turns out many of the people whose outfits we admired apparently had the same idea. The King Cole bar was only the more elegant with everyone’s Easter finery.
I managed to forget my camera at home (that was a first). So I’m dependent on others to send me photos from the Parade. So far I only got one I can use but am hoping for more. I’d like to show Finley Ray in her bright orange and hot pink sun dress and wearing the wreath of flowers Gigi made for her.
Lori, Peter and Catherine
Posted in BY THE WAY, New York Speaks, Only in New York, tagged Drag Queen, Dress, Easter, Easter bunny, Easter egg, Easter hat, Easter Parade, Fifth Avenue, holiday, New York City, Rabbit, Religion and Spirituality, Traditions on April 24, 2011| 4 Comments »
Since I know you don’t all live in New York City, I thought you might enjoy some FAB FOTOS of Easter Hats from the famous Fifth Avenue Easter Parade. These are some of the prettiest, wildest, biggest, smallest, and creative from Parades past. If the weather holds (and it’s not promising), I hope to take photographs of this year’s offerings.
The Big Apple
Big Hat-Little Kid
Two Flower Girls
Our Friend, the Dapper Dude Greg!
Photo by Dubois
Peeps!
Drag Queen in the Pink
Teeny Tiny Topper
On the Rotogravure
Going Green for Easter
Posted in Fab Fotos, New York Speaks, Only in New York, tagged April Fools Day, Central Park, Gold Finches, Murray Head, National Audubon Society on April 3, 2011| 1 Comment »
It’s kind of a lame and late for an April Fool’s Day joke so let me say right up front, the fact that Friday’s Fab Fotos did not get posted till Sunday is NO JOKE! Other things kept popping up and some even got posted for that matter…this is where a cliché comes in handy; “Better late than never.”
After the Robins as harbingers of Spring, come the Finches.
I wonder who hangs these Finch feeders in Central Park? Maybe the Audubon Society although in addition to that organization, there are hundreds of amateur bird-watchers and lovers.
Flock of Finches Feeding
Photo by Murray Head
Caught in the camera in midair
Photo by Murray Head
Feet First Finch
Photo by Murray Head
Approaching the Dinner Table
Photo by Murray Head
Apparently Finches are a bit territorial about their feeding stations and quite testy too.
"Oh No You Don't"
Photo by Murray Head
"Now scram"
Photo by Murray Head
I'm Full
Photo by Murray Head
"I'm Not a Gold Finch"
Photo by Murray Head
Now how did he get in the picture?
Posted in BY THE WAY, Friends, New York Speaks, Only in New York, Smooth or Crunchy, tagged Boston, Chiara, Chiara's birthday, New Jersey, New York, New York City, New York City Metro on April 1, 2011| Leave a Comment »
The back story to this photograph is that my lovely daughter Chiara got married in June ’08 and although they were living in Boston, Tom and she got married in New York City. So they weren’t really here much before or after the wedding. They came in to get the license and left the day after the wedding for a two week honeymoon and returned directly to Boston.
Soooo, Chiara had a New York license from before when she lived here and it was in her maiden name; It hadn’t expired so she kept it. Time passes, one child is born, Finley Ray. More time passes and another child is born, Francesca and still the license had not expired. Chiara was still in Boston all this time.
This January they moved back to New York City, so she has been here for 3 full months, (can you see where this is going?). She just had her 34th birthday last week and Tom bought her birthday cake. I think the message is pretty clear – When the hell are you going to change your name?
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