Happy Halloween!

...from the ladies of Rite Aid:


...that old gym teacher:


 ...our local gyrotonic dude:


...my favorite Chelsea couple:


...and the lovely folks at Mars Bar:

'Tis the season...

...for all things spooky!  I love this time of year, not only because I'm a big Halloween fan, but the light and sky cast an other-worldly atmosphere over the city.  Buildings and places that look totally harmless in bright sunlight suddenly take on a sinister air...

Life is a killer...

...and a serial one at that...

Halloween Dog Parade

Some highlights from the Halloween Dog Parade in Tompkins Square Park last Saturday...















More photos here.

Need coffee, stat!

The old hospital

20th Annual Halloween Dog Parade

What could be better than dogs in costumes? The annual Halloween Dog Parade is happening in Tompkins Square Park on Saturday, noon to 3pm.

Dachshunds dressed as hot dogs never gets old! One of my faves from previous years was a black lab dressed as a Swiss army knife. This is, in my opinion, one of the most creative and enjoyable events in the city, so don't miss it!

Celso

The first time I noticed the work of Celso, it was of a mural on E. 2nd Street depicting nude women on a jungle-leaf background. The entire wall was covered in graffiti, but that little patch drew my eye every time I walked by and I remember thinking his was a style I'd not seen before and I liked its beautiful simplicity.



Sadly, that original mural is now gone, but Celso's works can be found all over the city...













All photos are from my flickr.

Parkside

I remember trekking out to the Parkside years ago to see local bands and enjoy cheap drinks.  I recall ordering vodka with orange juice and being told they did not stock juice...how to make a screwdriver?  My drink arrived day-glo orange and I didn't bother asking.



Back then, the Parkside felt like it was on the edge of civilization, way out on Attorney Street, which felt so distant and desolate late at night...and nowhere near a park.  I went in recently on a Sunday afternoon and was happy to find the place empty, save for a lone pool-player.  The interior looks a lot less divey than I recall, but I was still pleased to see all the board games and game tables, instantly making me feel at home.

Corner florist

Conflux Festival 2010

If you need something to do this weekend and failed to nab any slots for any of the Open House New York tours, you can still find plenty of entertainment at the 7th Annual Conflux Festival in the EV.

Per the website,

Outdoor events take place throughout the neighborhood and include art installations, interactive performances, games, guided expeditions, audio tours and more. Stop by Conflux Café for details or view the schedule online or at confluxfestival.org/mobile. Outdoor events are all $free.

Have fun!

Variety

Street fun

Something I love about NYC is its playful childishness.  Amidst traffic, stress, skyscrapers, big business, violent crime, poverty and stinky streets, we have this impish creativity that makes me smile.  Nothing brightens a heavy gray day than rounding a corner to find, say, a crochet bike!



Or, even more amazing, a car!





These fabulosities are the work of Olek, a Polish-born artist and crochet queen.

The bike cozies started appearing on Rivington, outside ABC No Rio a few months ago and have spread to the Essex Market, Soho and - I hope - beyond. Catch them before it snows!

Thank you for the days

Thank you for the days,
Those endless days, those sacred days you gave me.
I'm thinking of the days,
I won't forget a single day, believe me.
--The Kinks

Rusted