Some people went crazy buying all the bread in the stores or taping their windows in anticipation of Hurricane Irene. I went crazy by trying to find as many up-turned garbage cans as possible.
I shot this around 1:30am as Hurricane Tropical Storm Irene arrived in NYC. This was really as bad as it got around my building on First Avenue. There was some tree damage in the back yard, but as you can see, there are people in the video walking as if nothing was amiss.
I took this photo last Friday, a day before Hurricane Irene was supposed to pound us. Several other people stopped in their tracks to take a photo as the sky was so dramatic and brooding. I thought we'd experience even more drama with the storm, but looking back, this was as thrilling as it would get.
It's a never-ending quest for peace and solitude on a tiny island inhabited by millions of people, but sometimes, there are nights that are inexplicably silent. Sirens, jack-hammers, trucks barreling over those giant steel plates in the street (ka-thunk, ka-thunk, ka-thunk) all have explanations. But, quiet...now, that's a mystery.
This August has been surprisingly cool and cloudy, but I'm not complaining. Last summer was absolutely tortuous for me as I just can't handle heat and humidity.
So, I'm all too happy this summer to turn off the air-conditioning and enjoy the breeze.
After all, things could always be much, much worse...
Saturday night, a group of activists led by John Penley, protested gentrification in the LES/EV.
The first stop was at the Economakis 'mansion' on E 3rd Street. You can read up on some of the controversial history of the building here.
The highlight of the evening was stopping at the BMW/Guggenhaim Lab on E 1st Street where there is an exhibit called Confronting Comfort. It's purpose is to "...explore how urban environments can be made more responsive to people’s needs, how people can feel at ease in an urban environment, and how to find a balance between notions of modern comfort and the urgent need for environmental and social responsibility."
The protesters feel the exhibit fails to address or meet the needs of the community.
It's best to hear the speakers in their own words, so here are some video excerpts from the Lab:
Mr Penley and crew confront the comfort of the Lab staff by smoking...