#8 Highline to Riverside (4/30/11)

I have been back in New York two months today, and I am still struggling to get back into my "New York State of Mind." Billy Joel had it much easier because he was from Queens. I have been feeling very melancholy, balancing my machine-like momentum and my emotional struggle to make New York my home and have a real purpose in being here. Only back for two months, I already had to make a quick jet home for my Grandfather's funeral. Two days before my Grandfather passed away, I decided I needed to take a long walk. It was a nice day and I have always wanted to walk home from work, which is more than 150 blocks... here is my adventure "home"...

*This post is dedicated to John N. Provo (9/26/1940 - 5/2/2011)

View of the Statue of Liberty from the Highline (http://www.thehighline.org/)

Beautiful tulips on the Highline

The USS Intrepid - US Navy WWII aircraft carrier (http://www.intrepidmuseum.org/). My Grandfather was in the Navy during the War in Vietnam.

One of the Intrepid's propellers

"The World" cruise ship

Submarine

My favorite kind of Cherry Blossom Trees. This spring has been very mild but the flowers have been very pretty and have lasted longer than other years.

This is some sort of submarine, I like that it looks like a bottle of wine ;)

From the bottom... it is kind of hard to see but it was all set up with a toilet and a kitchen.

From the top

Geese! It's nice to see animals in the city other than rats and pigeons.

The New York Central Railroad 69th Street Transfer Bridge

Hudson River Park

The General Grant National Memorial (http://www.nps.gov/gegr/index.htm). I need to go see this for real...

Riverside Park

Different kind of Cherry Blossom Tree

The Riverside Church (http://www.theriversidechurchny.org/)

The George Washington Bridge

#7 The Easter Parade (4/24/11)

"Sunday best gets new meaning during this annual procession, wherein participants show off elaborately constructed hats—we’re talking noggin-toppers shaped like the NYC skyline or the Coney Island Cyclone, not just a boring old fedora. The tradition started in the mid-1800s, when high-society ladies would promenade in their Easter finery after church, and has since evolved into a showcase for chapeau artistry. '[We] design and make hats that are runway-worthy,' says Ellen Christine of the Milliners Guild, who adds that the group starts planning months in advance for its appearance in the parade. Anyone with a hat can join the festivities, though less creative types can still gawk at the sartorial displays (people—and, occasionally, dogs—often come out in costumes as elaborate as their hats). Fifth Ave from 49th St to 57th St (no phone). Sun 24 10am–4pm; free" (Time Out New York).

The Easter Parade 1900

Easter Bunny Topiary in Rockefeller Center

St. Patrick's Cathedral

The "Easter Bunny" at the Easter Parade

Eggs in the window at Burberry on 5th Avenue

"The Roses" by Will Ryman on Park Avenue, now through May 31st

"Easter Parade" Trailer

How'd They do That? The Broadway Science Behind the Magic of the Legendary Macy's Holiday Window Displays

"Year after year, Macy's Herald Square outdoes themselves with their famous holiday window decorations. Playbill takes a sneak peek behind the magic, to see how Macy's puts together this massive operation. And this year, they got a little help from Broadway to bring the festivity to another level" (Playbill.com).

#6 Oh Tannenbaum Con (12/24/10)

Inspired by Time Out Magazine's "Your Best Holiday Ever" feature this week: http://newyork.timeout.com/things-to-do/585303/holidays-in-nyc?cmpid=TONY121610

Brooklyn Borough Hall Tree: This tree is strung with 2,500 multicolored bulbs and placed in front of the 162-year-old Greek Revival Borough Hall.

Downtown Brooklyn

more Downtown Brooklyn

South Street Seaport

South Street Seaport Tree

I had to try one... "Old Red Nose Ale" from Heartland Brewery

"Oh Buttonwood Tree, Oh Buttonwood Tree" (The Wall Street Christmas Tree)

Madison Square Park: In the lower left hand corner you see a square of white lights. That is Jim Campbell’s art installation "Scattered Light," a mesmerizing scrim of hanging bulbs illuminated across the path leading to the tree.

Madison Square Park Holiday Tree, a 25-foot-tall Fraser fir and the first community Christmas tree in America, it was first lit in 1912.

Macy's, Inspired by the famous “Is There a Santa Claus?” editorial in which a little girl named Virginia O’Hanlon questions the existence of St. Nick. It was theater in each of the windows.

A "Snowcap" and the Bryant Park Christmas Tree

Me and Nikki having a beverage at Bryant Park and enjoying the ice skaters.

Lord & Taylor
“Share the Joy” theme was inspired by customers, who traditionally mail in letters describing how meaningful the holidays are to them. This year, the store decided to turn those tales into window displays. In one 1970s scene, three figures dance under a disco ball.

Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree: This year’s a 12-ton, 74-foot Norway spruce—from an NYC firefighter’s yard in Putnam County.

Snowflake Spectacular at Saks: Gigantic snowflakes inspired by Wilson Bentley (one of the first known photographers of snowflakes)’s photographs glisten ten stories high on the Saks facade, while a modern version of “Carol of the Bells” reverberates down the street.

Saks Fifth Avenue
Windows: “Bubbles and snowflakes"

As I continued to stroll up 5th Avenue, I admired Cartier

and Fendi

and Tommy Hilfiger

Henri Bendel collaborated with the New York City Ballet & George Balanchine’s the Nutcracker.

5th Avenue Star

East 57th Street

Bergdorf Goodman (my favorite for the night's windows) created the travel-inspired motif “Wish You Were Here,” influenced by Judy Garland films (look for nods to "Meet Me in St. Louis" and "The Harvey Girls") and the work of Salvador Dalí.

Barneys New York
 partnered with the Food Network, Cooking Channel and illy caffè for the theme of “Have a Foodie Holiday.”

Park Avenue Trees: Illuminated with simple white and gold lights, these 104 Douglas firs are lit in remembrance of fallen American soldiers. The tradition began 65 years ago, to honor those who gave their lives during World War II. Park Ave between 54th and 96th Sts.

#5 Foods of New York: Chelsea Market/ Meatpacking District Tour (12/23/10)

I got to switch roles and took Foods of New York's (http://foodsofny.com/) tour of Chelsea Market/ Meatpacking District with Curt. It was great fun to be the tourist for the day.

Festive "Winter White Spice Cake" cupcakes at Eleni's Bakery, Chelsea Market (http://elenis.com/)

Kerrianne and Curt at The Lobster Place, Chelsea Market (http://lobsterplace.com/)

Hypnotized lobster

Me and Kerrianne eating Garganelli with oxtail ragu at Macelleria (http://www.macelleriarestaurant.com/)