Monday, October 31, 2011

Saying goodbye to Ruby's

It's been almost a year since the previous "last" day of Ruby's at Coney Island and, as far as I know, there is still a chance they may be back.  But, at their closing party yesterday, I had it in my mind to say goodbye to the Ruby's I've always known.

I haven't prepared my pictures yet, so here are some videos.  The first shows the iconic photographs being taken down...



Here is a clip with "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" playing on the jukebox.  If Elton were here, I'm sure he'd agree...



And, this one really breaks my heart.  A couple dances to Frank Sinatra's "The Summer Wind"...this is how I'll always remember Ruby's.

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Just another day at Rite Aid

The Rite Aid on 1st Avenue at 5th Street has a bad reputation for being a nightmarish shopping experience, but I usually just find it amusing.

Night shift at Rite Aid

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Dogs on parade

One of my favorite events in NYC is the annual Halloween Dog Parade in Tompkins Square Park.  Here are a few of my favorites from this year:

The obligatory hot dog never gets old...

Halloween Dog Parade

I loved this little bat.

Halloween Dog Parade

A tiny firefighter...

Halloween Dog Parade

And, a big firefighter!

Halloween Dog Parade

Someone doesn't like Occupy Wall Street...

Halloween Dog Parade

And, the star of the show...Elvis!

Halloween Dog Parade

See more photos here.

See previous dog costumes here.

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Friday afternoon at OWS

It was busy day down at Zuccotti Park last Friday.  Each time I've visited, the air is abuzz with activity and optimism.

First off, I like this sign.

Occupy Wall Street

Here we have the Time's Up folks using pedal power to charge a battery that is, in turn, charging a bunch of cell phones.

Occupy Wall Street

The barber of Zuccotti works on a client...

Occupy Wall Street

I like this man's attitude.  Elementary Kindness.  Is that so hard?

Occupy Wall Street

And, is this not the best jacket ever??

Occupy Wall Street

Finally, some music, dancing and juggling...



See more OWS photos here.

Previous OWS posts here.


Monday, October 24, 2011

Chillmaster Dance Party V

Another Chillmaster Dance Party is in the books!  Each one is a blast and thanks to the Chillmaster and Marty After Dark for making it all happen.

Here's Marty getting prepped for the party...

Chillmaster Dance Party V

Yay, Gumby!  His smile always cracks me up.

Chillmaster Dance Party V

And here we are at the Chillmaster's...

Chillmaster Dance Party V

My photography skills went downhill from here, so to see what went down after this photo, check out Marty After Dark.

Pics from previous Chillmaster parties can be found here.

Previously.

I think I found some of that $700 billion in bailout money...

Where that bailout money went...

Careful, your soul is showing...

Where that bailout money went...

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

More from OWS

What I've enjoyed most about Occupy Wall Street has been the discussion is has generated.  Every day, everywhere I go, people are not just talking about the protest, but talking about the state of our economy and society.  During the last several years, I never heard this type of widespread discussion - except maybe in Tompkins Square Park - and I was growing increasingly depressed that no one in this country cared about anything other than TV, iPhones, Kindles and the next American Idol.  Talking with so many people over the last few weeks about our issues and future has given me a new sense of hope.

Something I cannot seem to convey in photos of OWS is the air of enthusiasm and optimism that permeates Zuccotti Park and the protesters where ever they go.  Just being with them, I've been encouraged about our future and really do anticipate that something positive will come of this.  Those who live in the area should make a point of visiting the park at least once to experience the event first-hand.  Anyone else who has been down there and has come away with a different perspective, please feel free to share in the comments.

Rise up

Occupy Wall Street

Occupy Wall Street

Occupy Wall Street

This man was on his third day of a hunger strike...

Occupy Wall Street

All of the above photos were taken October 17.  Seem more here.

Here's an interesting first-hand account of Zuccotti Park from someone who flew all the way from Atlanta just to see it for himself.

Previously.

Monday, October 17, 2011

Making the 99% shirt

Today was shirt-making day down at Zuccotti Park, so I chose to get one with a red 99% design on it.

Occupy Wall Street

This guy worked like a pro.

Occupy Wall Street

The printing is free, so just bring your own shirt.

Occupy Wall Street

Bonus:  here's a video of the crowd at Occupy Times Square this past weekend.  This was taken from Broadway and 44th Street.



Previously.


They live!

Keep those magic sunglasses on, people...

Arm yourselves...

Zombiecon...I hope

No one is safe...

Zombiecon

They're becoming self-aware!

Zombiecon

More...

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Eastern State Penitentiary

I am notorious for losing track of time.  Here we are in October and I am still catching up with summer...or was it spring?

Losing time is a bad trait to have these days when news and gadgets are rendered obsolete the next day, or even the next minute.  But, maybe it would have been a good trait to have 180 years ago when serving a life sentence at Eastern State Penitentiary in Philadelphia.  Being a true penitentiary, Eastern State was a place for soul-searching and repentance.  There was no death penalty; punishment was absolute solitude, with 23 hours  a day spent alone in a cell and the remaining hour spent alone in an enclosed yard.  There were no books except the Bible.  With no one to talk to and only one thing to read, I imagine forgetting about time was an asset.

Here is a shot of the front gate, the last prisoners would ever see of the outside world.

Eastern State Penitentiary

Today, Eastern State is preserved as a ruin and museum.  Some parts of it were modernized (if that's the right word) in the early 20th century, but most of the original elements remain, like this cell door.

Eastern State Penitentiary

A cell block hallway...

Eastern State Penitentiary

A typical cell...not much room for anything in here.

Eastern State Penitentiary

A hallway in a more 'modern' section of the prison...

Eastern State Penitentiary

The only light in cells came through a skylight, so imagine how dark it would be in here at night, on cloudy days, and in winter.  This photo was taken on a bright summer day.

Real version...

Alone with one's thoughts...and all the time in the world to reflect on how it all could have been different...

Eastern State Penitentiary

See more photos here.



Monday, October 10, 2011

Occupy Wall Street - Day 19

Here are some photos I took October 5 of Occupy Wall Street down at Zuccotti Park in NYC.  This was the day the labor unions joined the protesters and declared their support.

Occupy Wall Street

Occupy Wall Street 

Occupy Wall Street

Occupy Wall Street

Occupy Wall Street

Watching the protesters

See more photos here.

More to come...

Previously.

Sunday, October 9, 2011

Friday, October 7, 2011

Occupy Web Site

Ugh, after such a dismal and sad week, I thought it time for a unicorn chaser, so here's an unexplained photo of a topless Marty Markowitz.

Topless Marty

Oh, now you need another chaser? Ha!

I'd show you something more timely, but I've not had internet service for a couple of days, so I can't upload any new and exciting photos. How am I writing this post, you ask? Well, Max Headroom has been unemployed for the last couple of decades, so he was eager to work his internet magic when I called in a few favors.

Speaking of unemployment, there will be many more Occupy Wall Street photos to come...whether you like it or not! I've been spending some time down at Zuccotti Park, where the protesters are camped out, and I must say that - political opinions aside - I am so happy to see people getting angry, speaking up, and being heard. Each time I've gone down there, I've been joined by thousands of others - all ages, races, occupations, and backgrounds. For me, it's been a unifying experience and, now that my friend Bob is no longer with us, I feel obligated to observe and report.

In the meantime, be sure to check out the photos and video from my friend GammaBlog, who is doing some fantastic documentation.

Thursday, October 6, 2011

The Villager pays tribute to Bob Arihood

Jefferson Siegel of The Villager has written a thoughtful and informative piece about Bob. Read it here.

From the article:
If you wanted to find Bob, you headed to Ray’s on Avenue A where he could be found almost any time of day or night. As if he was a good-natured gravitational field, people found themselves drawn to Bob for his wit, wisdom, compassion and, most of all, his conversation.
And:
Bob Arihood was a true Renaissance man in every sense. His passing is an incalculable loss to the East Village and to all the lives he touched.

The 19th-century German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche wrote, “At bottom every man knows well enough that he is a unique being, only once on this earth; and by no extraordinary chance will such a marvelously picturesque piece of diversity in unity as he is, ever be put together a second time.”

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

At the vigil for Bob Arihood

Outside Ray's Candy on Avenue A and 7th Street.

Vigil for Bob Arihood

Vigil for Bob Arihood

And at Lucy's Bar...

Jewels

Memorial for Bob Arihood

Previously.

Occupy Wall Street, Day 14*

Here are some photos I took of the Occupy Wall Street protesters on September 30:

Occupy Wall Street

Occupy Wall Street

Occupy Wall Street

Occupy Wall Street

Occupy Wall Street

Occupy Wall Street

Occupy Wall Street

Occupy Wall Street

See more photos here.



*Dedicated to Bob Arihood. May we all find peace.