Monday, November 19, 2007

Cooper Square igloo



Cooper Square igloo, originally uploaded by Goggla.
One of the things I love about the city is the unexpected...here we were on a beautiful sunny day that was fairly warm, and an ice structure mysteriously appeared in Cooper Square. People flocked around it, touched it, laughed, took pictures...some kids discovered they could melt their handprints into the blocks. It took about three days to melt.

Could it be a metaphor of the building in the background? A structure of glass bricks, hard and strong, but some day, it too will melt away into the history of the city.

Thursday, November 8, 2007

Remembrance of things past



Out with the trash, originally uploaded by Goggla.
I took a walk around the meatpacking district the other day. I haven't been over there in quite a while and was shocked (although not really surprised) to find a giant high-rise going up right in the middle of some of the oldest storefronts.

In this photo, my back is to the new building and I am looking at a place whose glory days have long gone. The late afternoon sun was shining right on the "B" on the wall and it just gave me the feeling of time passing...too quickly for me to stop and way beyond my control.

Thursday, August 9, 2007

Mechanics Alley


Mechanics Alley, originally uploaded by Goggla.

Just after sunset, the city takes on a mysterious air...shadows appear where there were none and the light keeps to the street, not daring to venture down dark alleyways.

Wednesday, August 1, 2007

Snowman, NYC style


Snowman, NYC style

Snowman, NYC style, originally uploaded by Goggla.

I think this is the most awesome snowman I have ever seen. This was taken at a hot chocolate fair on W 18th St.

Fortune Teller


Fortune Teller, originally uploaded by Goggla.

What does the future hold for East Houston Street? This lady resides at Billy's Antiques on Houston and Elizabeth, a treasure trove of oddities.

Monday, July 23, 2007

Mars Bar in the Morning IX


Mars Bar - Let's Party!, originally uploaded by Goggla.

The walls keep changing, but the man remains the same...this and the following photos are of the 'Morning Man' who sits outside Mars Bar on 2nd Ave & 1st Street. I see him on my morning walk and he is one of the few things in this city that doesn't seem to change. The graffiti is different nearly every day, the building next door was torn down and replaced by a condo block and the same is happening directly across the street. The world keeps spinning, but Morning Man holds his ground.

July 19, 2007

Mars Bar in the Morning VIII


Mars Bar in the Morning VIII, originally uploaded by Goggla.

The walls keep changing, but the man remains the same...

September 22, 2006

Mars Bar in the Morning VII


Mars Bar in the Morning VII, originally uploaded by Goggla.

Looking spiffy in a hat.

September 22, 2006

Mars Bar in the Morning VI


Mars Bar in the Morning VI, originally uploaded by Goggla.

Someone broke the gate in the wee hours of the morning.

September 19, 2006

Mars Bar in the Morning V


Mars Bar in the Morning V, originally uploaded by Goggla.

Early morning sunshine is perfect for the crossword.

August 17, 2006

Mars Bar in the Morning IV


Mars Bar in the Morning IV, originally uploaded by Goggla.

One of the more attractive murals...


(click on picture to see entire photo)


August 17, 2006

Mars Bar in the Morning III


Mars Bar in the Morning III, originally uploaded by Goggla.

Better get out the sunscreen!


July 19, 2006

Mars Bar in the Morning II


Mars Bar in the Morning II, originally uploaded by Goggla.

Morning breeze, no traffic, the drunkards haven't arrived yet...time for catching up on the headlines.


June 22, 2006

Mars Bar in the Morning I


Mars Bar in the Morning I, originally uploaded by Goggla.

He's looking uncertain, but I am the amateur. This is my first photo of Morning Man and I was nervous and skittering past quickly, worried he'd shout at me, "Get off my lawn!"


May 26, 2006

Monday, July 16, 2007

My Beautiful Launderette


My Beautiful Launderette, originally uploaded by Goggla.

Ah, laundry night...such a chore, especially when you have to cart a month's worth of clothes, towels and bedding down the block on a stormy night. It's not visible in this photo, but it's raining cats and dogs.

Thursday, July 12, 2007

Bird Lady of 5th Avenue


Bird Lady of 5th Avenue, originally uploaded by Goggla.

Bergdorf Goodman always has the best window displays. This dress made of feathers was absolutely amazing.

Tuesday, July 10, 2007

You Catch Them, I'll Clean Them


You Catch Them, I'll Clean Them, originally uploaded by Goggla.

I came across this character outside the Bowery Mission. He wanted to pose for the picture and played up his part as a down-and-outer. He's one of the last of these men who reside on the Bowery.

Gentrification is quickly erasing the color of the neighborhood. The Mission, itself a Bowery landmark, is flanked by a new modern art museum and the Sunshine Hotel, which houses men who've seen better days.

Although progress can be good and this formerly seedy neighborhood is being cleaned up, it saddens me to see the obliteration of an entire culture. I've been walking this stretch of street for only eight years now and in that time, I've seen the restaurant equipment mechanics, plumbing outfitters and furniture wholesalers replaced by doggie boutiques and luxury condos.

I guess I identify more with this man than I do the millionaires.

Monday, July 9, 2007

The Ghost of Peter Stuyvesant


The Ghost of Peter Stuyvesant, originally uploaded by Goggla.

They say Peter Stuyvesant still walks the streets of the city, keeping an eye on things. Could this shadowy figure spotted late one night on the Lower East Side be Old Silver Nails himself?

Saturday, July 7, 2007

Beckoning Glow


Beckoning glow, originally uploaded by Goggla.

At the end of a dim alley, on a cold stormy afternoon, a lone window warmly glows...

Moon Over Orchard


Moon over Orchard, originally uploaded by Goggla.

Sometimes the city can look mythical, like a fairy tale or a movie set. I'd been following the moon across town this night, waiting for it to come out from behind the clouds. It revealed itself here and only for a few seconds...

Friday, July 6, 2007

Shadows...


Forsyth & Henry, originally uploaded by Goggla.

This is one of my favorite stretches of shadow, under the Manhattan Bridge just after sunset in winter: Forsyth & Henry Streets, January 2007.