Hat Man

On Orchard Street...

A year later, it feels like yesterday

Where you used to be, there is a hole in the world, which I find myself constantly walking around in the daytime, and falling in at night. I miss you like hell.   

-- Edna St. Vincent Millay



neithermorenorless

New York, New York

I have to say, I've enjoyed the Feast of San Gennaro this year more than any other. Perhaps it's because Little Italy is quickly shrinking into nothingness, so it's a joy to see so many people celebrating New York's Italian heritage.  Or, maybe it's because it's the festival that keeps on going, despite gentrification and criticisms.  Yes, it's loud, smelly, aggressive, chaotic and in your face - isn't that what New York is all about?

Mmm, street meat!



Win a giant Rasta-banana!



You can't go wrong with a treat from Ferrara's...



But, the highlight of the festival was this man and his voice.  This was a tribute to Frank Sinatra on Saturday.



As usual, apologies for the video quality.  Some day, I'll learn how to zoom and focus at the same time...

You can see more photos of San Gennaro, past and present, here.

The Feast of San Gennaro

Today is the opening day of the 86th annual Feast of San Gennaro in Little Italy.  I've always loved this event as it's specific to New York and conjures up images of a city culture that's almost forgotten.  Besides, how often do you see a Ferris Wheel on Grand Street?

The festival runs through Sunday, September 23.  And, there will be a parade this Saturday featuring grand marshal Connie Francis.

Here are some scenes from previous years:

Sunday afternoon at Mona's

Bus stop

Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it not.

--Ralph Waldo Emerson

Thinning the herd...

On Broome Street...

Old and new

The sun sets on the Keller Hotel as One World Trade rises up in the background...



See more photos here.

I spy...

The gods are watching, but idly, yawning.  --Mason Cooley

Aye, Corrina!

I had the opportunity this last weekend to make a trip out to Hampton Bays and visit the Corrina, a 55' 1978 wooden-hulled trawler.  She's a working vessel and is here for the summer to catch squid.

I'm a sucker for sailors and all things nautical, so let's climb aboard!



Here we are at the wheel and what I'm assuming is the sailor's version of The Club.



This is the main cabin.  There's not much room, so everywhere becomes storage.  You can see rolled up maps - er, charts - on the upper right.  I look at this space and can't help but wonder what the rent would be if this were a Manhattan apartment.



JFK keeps guard over the Captain's desk.  The book is Patrick O'Brien - when the fish aren't biting, there's a lot of time for reading.



Here we are in the bunk room below decks.  Looks cozy, eh?



And, this is the engine.  I know nothing about engines, so can't say much about this except that it's big.



All the action takes place up on deck.  This is the net that gets tossed out the back of the boat and catches the fish.  One haul of the net can potentially bring in 5000 pounds, although there are daily limits on how much fish can be caught.



And, here is where all that fish goes - below deck into a hold.  This space will be filled with ice.



Finally, cruising the calm waters of Shinnecock Bay...



I have to give a big thank you to Captain Steve and First Mate John for allowing me into their personal space.

See more photos of the Corrina here.