Urban Canvas

I love how in New York, the graffiti artists don't even try to conduct their work in stealth.

Your move, Banksy.

Union Square.  On Canon Powershot.

Black-Eye Friday

In the spirit of undertaking different cultural experiences, Sarni and I decided to venture out to the stores on Black Friday.  Sarni and I both come from countries that celebrate the joy of free market consumerism on Boxing Day (the day after Christmas) rather than Black Friday (the day after Thanksgiving).  This mythical "Boxing Day" has taught us enough to know that Black Friday is no walk in the park.  Plus, I've lived in the U.S. for over a decade - I know what it feels like to get elbowed in the ribs by a woman running for that last designer handbag at 30% off.

Nevertheless, we decided to venture out in the afternoon, thinking that would put enough distance between us and the crowds.  It did not.  We returned home with raging headaches and glassy eyes.  I did, however, procure a pair of jeggings, and Sarni got a few shirts.  I'm pretty sure the Invisible Hand gave us a high five on the way home.

Herald Square.  On Canon Powershot.

How to Be Thankful in the City

Thanksgiving is a little different when you live in New York City.  Nobody has the space, time, and/or willpower to host a home-cooked Thanksgiving meal, so many of us turkey-deprived individuals head straight for the (slightly overpriced) prix fixe menus offered at restaurants around the city.

Price inflation or not, Sarni and I had a ball with Pre-Raph and Acoustic at our version of Thanksgiving dinner at Dressler, a Michelin-starred restaurant in Brooklyn.  (Dressler is neighbors with Peter Luger's steakhouse, which made Sarni seriously consider consuming a second Thanksgiving dinner).

Roast turkey, New York-style.  I've been thinking of a New York-specific "thanks" to give.  So here goes.  In addition to family, friends and our blessed lives, yada yada, I am thankful for our sweet, kind doormen.  Also for the bowls of candy that randomly appear on the coffee table in our lobby.  Because really, some things just keep on giving.

Brooklyn.  On Canon Powershot.

A Place to Call Home

Wall mural in Brooklyn concerning Fair Housing rights.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Brooklyn.  On Canon Powershot.

Cup o' Noodle

Cuddles, G and I went for a late lunch at Ippudo.  This marks the first time I've ever gotten past the front door - normally, Sarni and I slink away from the hostess stand, dejected and deterred by the multi-hour long wait.

Kids, there's nothing like warm noodle soup on a brisk fall day.  And if that noodle soup is rich ramen soup preceded by tasty pork belly buns, well, you've just hit the jackpot, my friend.  Bottoms up.

East Village.  On Canon Powershot.

All Hail the Kings

Congratulations to Sarni's rugby team, the newly-minted North East Regional Champions, the Village Lions.

As for me, I got to partake in my favorite activity, being a fair-weather fan and jumping on the fan bandwagon when a team I'm vaguely related to has done most of the hard work already.  Go Team.

The Lions dominated their penultimate game against the Connecticut Yankees.  Why aren't there photos of the final game against Middlesex?  You did read the part about being a fair-weather fan, right?  It's cold on that field, people.

Ouch.

I also developed a newfound admiration for sports photographers. Those boys move fast.

I spent a fair amount of time trying to figure out the rules of the game, to Sarni's great shame.  He told me later that while the other wives and girlfriends chattered intelligently about "scrums", "plays" and "tries", I turned to him eagerly and said, "When are they gonna do that lifting thing again?"

The rest of the time I was preoccupied with watching this very un-rugby-like dog.  You guys know I can't resist animals in clothing.

Update:  YOU GUYS!!  Sarni informed me that there's a dog owned by one of the Lions' rugby players that looks a little like the above dog, and is named "Rugby"!  How funny is that??

Randall's Island.  On Canon Rebel SLR.

My Dates with the Silver Screen

For what feels like an eternity, Sarni and I have been living under a self-imposed ban on seeing any movies in any New York theater.  If you guessed that I was the one who enforced the ban, then you're right.  Ever since I heard about bed bugs in the Times Square theater - I mean, come on, people.  That's disgusting, right?

We braved our 6-legged nemeses this past weekend and lifted the ban in a big way - we watched Megamind in 3D (above) and Harry Potter 7 (with Pre-Raph and our other friends).  If only you could see how excited I was about Megamind, but at least the blue blot-out makes me look a little like Mr. Megamind himself.  HP7, of course, is mandatory for any self-respecting Potterhead.

Kips Bay.  On Canon Powershot.

The Unshakeable Addiction

Snapped this photo while I was waiting in line at Trader Joe's.  That right there is my own personal substance abuse problem.  Consider yourself warned - those corn puffs are like little bits of a ridiculously addictive heaven.  Hey Cuddles, remember when you recommended them to me?  Yeah, thanks for that.

Apologies for the blurriness - the line was starting to move.  Also I think I was starting to get the Corn Puff Shakes.

Union Square.  On Canon Powershot.

Costa Rican Adrenaline Rush

I've tried and tried, but I can't find a legitimate connection between New York and our recent trip to Costa Rica.  However, I still wanted to give you guys a few token photos from our trip.  (Apologies to anyone who has seen these already).

White-water rafting on Rio Toro near La Fortuna.  Don't worry, we're in there somewhere.

Canopy walk in the forests near Arenal Volcano.

Tabacon Hot Springs, by Arenal Volcano.

Sarni rides the Tarzan swing over the Santa Elena reserve (see his tiny silhouette in the distance, next to the tree?)

En route to Monteverde Cloud Forest.

No caption necessary.

Beaching after hiking in Manuel Antonio.

Kayaking in the mangroves.

Our little squirrel monkey buddy.

Crocs in the Pacuare River.

Last view of Costa Rica.

Costa Rica.  On Canon Powershot and Canon Rebel SLR.

Lions and Lambs

Iron gate at edge of Central Park.

Central Park.  On Canon Rebel SLR.

An Artistic Eye

Eyeglasses ad, intentionally blurred.

Credit to Guest Photographer:  Sarni

Flatiron District.  On Canon Rebel SLR.

Where the Flowers Grow

Ah, the sweet, fragrant smell of money-lending.

Brooklyn.  On Canon Rebel SLR.

A History in Pictures

The wall mural on the boardwalk, detailing the history of Coney Island.

Coney Island.  On Canon Rebel SLR.

Peace in the City

It's really weird how sometimes, I suddenly notice something that I must have walked by dozens, maybe hundreds of times.  This statue of Gandhi stands on a traffic island in Union Square, but I have never noticed it until now.  I actually had to look it up to make sure it wasn't added recently.

I love that it's fall in the city, but there's still a few remaining sunflower stragglers hanging on.  In the photo above, you can see some of them dancing around Gandhi's head and shoulders.

Remember.

Union Square.  On Canon Powershot.

Once Upon a Time

It's so true, isn't it?  I mean, unless the picture is blank.

Happy birthday, Mom!

Union Square.  On Canon Rebel SLR.

Where's the Exit?

I couldn't help wondering what was behind this door.  A cliff?  A post-apocalyptic world?  A cash register?

Brooklyn.  On Canon Rebel SLR.

Living the Cute Life

For G.I. Jane's birthday, we went for Korean food (including their famous Korean chicken wings) at Boka (formerly Bon Chon).  Mmm.  Chicken.  The only thing that was weird was the waiter kept insisting that one of the drumsticks was actually a wing.  We're still not sure why.

After dinner, I stopped by Jane's apartment to borrow some travel books.  While I was there, I caught a fascinating glimpse into the paradox that is the high-powered New York career woman.  Next to Jane's well-loved mountain bike, piles of books (some of which were duplicates because she forgot she already had them), and cabinet of hard liquor, I found this:

A cache of cuteness.  Jane was very unapologetic about her not-so-secret stash of cute, even when I pointed out how incongruous it was with her life.  After that, there was nothing left to do except this:

In New York, even the cute need to get hammered once in awhile.  Don't you drink and drive, unusually-large-headed turtle!

New York City.  On Canon Powershot.

The Fast and the Furious

For those times when your teddy bear has a real need for speed.

Happy birthday, little brother!

Midtown.  On Canon Powershot.

Your Personal Fashion Report

Lots of girls in New York have been sporting brown leather boots with low heels or flat soles.  This post is ostensibly to give you an insight into the NYC street fashion scene, but really, I just wanted to share these photos of my new boots.

Does anyone else feel like they spend more money in NYC than in other cities?  No?  Just me?  Okay.  Note to self, must take responsibility for one's own actions.

While I'm doing that, here's a close-up photo of the boots.

New York City.  On Canon Powershot.  Special thanks for Sarni for his reluctant and somewhat grumpy help taking these photos.

Masters of Disguise

Sarni and I braved the cold to attend the Halloween Parade - it fell on Sunday evening this year, which was not good for anybody.  Still a lot of fun costumes, though.

A few wild animals, hailing a cab.  (Insert typical "it's a jungle out there" pun)

Chewbacca standing uncomfortably close to The Mad Hatter.

A storm trooper!  Keep him away from Chewie!!  Also, is someone touching the storm trooper's butt?  What is with all the molestation of Star Wars characters?

King Kong reaches new lows.  And tries out a new hair color.

The bedbugs in New York have gotten so brazen, they just stroll casually down the street.

Every guy in the nearby vicinity wanted to take a photo with this girl.  Shocking, I know.  Still, I gotta hand it to her, standing out in the cold like that takes serious dedication to your beliefs (or at least your costume).

This Lichtenstein painting was Sarni's favorite costume of the night.  The girl has the perfect Lichtenstein expression, doesn't she?

Check out this completely candid shot of Gingey punching Mr. Incredible.  Who doesn't love a good animation cross-over?

The decorated balconies of the second floor of a townhouse.  A minute later, the (presumably wealthy) owner of the townhouse appeared and started throwing candy to the masses.  It was a very odd moment.  I imagine that's how it feels to be a dog learning tricks.

On the way home, we ran into our fellow fake law enforcement officers.  They even had British flags on their shoulders!  I wonder why everyone wants to dress up as another country's security system?

West Village.  On Canon Rebel SLR.