Quite All Right

To Hell With The Devil

2011-10-05T21:12:00.004-04:00

After receiving some really encouraging and super nice emails from around the world, it looks like there are some people that actually do enjoy my blog and photos. So consider my arm twisted and I'm starting it up again.

Here's a picture from an opening of Jonas Mekas film strips at the Agnes B. store in Soho about a week and a half ago.

Expect more regular updates and photos from now on. Thanks for all the notes.

Where's Quite All Right?

2011-09-09T15:02:00.003-04:00

I used to post nearly every day or at least once a day. But I lost my inspiration. I don't actually think my photographs are really all that good either so I stopped posted very regularly. If I change my mind I'll post again, but for now I don't have anything to post.

Ready or Not

2011-08-27T14:36:00.002-04:00

Ready or not here comes Hurricane Irene.

No bread in NYC

2011-08-27T14:34:00.001-04:00

There is seriously NO BREAD in New York City. All the panic-stricken New Yorkers scooped it up in a frenzy last night.

Bergdorf Closed!!!

2011-08-27T14:22:00.002-04:00

Sorry girls, no shopping today!

Cigarettes, Please

2011-05-26T01:28:00.003-04:00

Please have your ID ready.

Night in New York City

2011-05-26T01:01:00.001-04:00

A beautiful spring evening in the city.

French Sneakers

2011-05-10T19:51:00.006-04:00

I should have bought these sneakers in Paris. I figured I'd go back to the store (somewhere on Rue St.-Honore), but then I didn't and now I'm wishing I did. That's something I am trying to do more of, just do it when you think of it rather than waiting until later. What are you waiting for? To find a better pair of sneakers somewhere else? Now it's too late, but it's never too late. Good thing to keep in mind for the future.

Anyone going to Paris anytime soon?

Actress for Hire

2011-04-25T02:21:00.003-04:00

Oh Kristin Elliott, what were you thinking when you plastered your headshots all over Williamsburg? Did you imagine that the casting gods would shine a light on you and give you a role in the next Woody Allen movie? While that may still happen, at least some bearded, fixed-gear riding, skinny jean wearing, Whole Foods shopping hipster got an excellent opportunity to make a funny drawing on a random lamp post.

Easter Ears

2011-04-25T02:16:00.001-04:00

Somewhere in the West Village on a cloudy Saturday afternoon before Easter.

Here Comes the Tax Man

2011-04-14T00:14:00.002-04:00

The door is wide open. No time like the present.

Magic Cupcake

2011-04-14T00:03:00.003-04:00

These are mostly magical after you eat about six of them in a row. Magic Cupcakes at the Duane Park Patisserie.

Chambers Street

2011-04-13T01:01:00.003-04:00

Waiting for the subway at the Chambers Street stop on Sunday afternoon.

National Debt Clock

2011-04-06T00:51:00.004-04:00

I never noticed this before, but the other day I saw that the infamous National Debt Clock is located right above the Internal Revenue Service office on 44th Street near 6th Avenue. How ironic, right? Better get your taxes done, you only have 9 more days!

This clock is a must visit for any tourist visiting New York (at least it's on my list of tourist sites.) I know all the best places in New York City. Anyone want a tour?

"Tip" "Wow" Tank You

2011-04-06T00:49:00.001-04:00

One of the local deli's in the neighborhood. I like how worn out the counter top is.

Sew Buttons

2011-03-20T14:02:00.008-04:00

New York City has something for everyone and can truly be an oasis of unexplored treasures if you ever get around to looking for them. I have been needing to find a store filled with nothing but buttons for months! I need a few replacement buttons for two shirts that I love wearing and yesterday I finally decided to venture out to cross this one off of my ever expanding list of things to do. A button store of this sort has to exist somewhere in Manhattan, right?

Luckily, I found just such a store conveniently open on Saturday afternoon called Lou Lou Buttons (212-398-5498). They're located at 69 East 38th Street right near 6th Avenue and they're open from 10am to 6pm on Monday through Friday and from 11am to 5pm on Saturday. They have loads of buttons! It's a slender little drawer of a shop filled with nothing but buttons. Row after row after row of all sorts of magical little shapes in every color and size you can possibly imagine. It's neatly organized and the guys working there were super friendly.

I showed the salesman exactly what I needed and in less than 5 minutes he expertly pulled out a few boxes of buttons until he found the exact buttons I needed. He filled them into two little plastic bags and I was on my way. Now I just need to find a girl who will sew them all on for me.

All Books Must Go

2011-02-22T01:36:00.004-05:00

There's a huge sale this week at the 57th Street and Park Avenue location of Borders which is totally going out of business. They filed for bankruptcy last week. Other better performing branches of Borders are staying open, but the company is struggling with the massive changes rocking the book industry and hasn't been able to meet its debts or pay publishers and landlords.

Random Crap

2011-01-19T20:48:00.003-05:00

She asked me directions to a bar in the neighborhood. I pointed her in the right direction. Isn't gambling illegal?

East River Dreaming

2011-01-18T01:23:00.004-05:00

The Roosevelt Island tram sails high above the East River and brings people back and forth to the city all day long. This would not be a fun place to get stuck on a cold winter day, but the view is nice. I've never taken it before, but it looks like a fun ride. It was closed for most of last year for repairs and remodeling, but it's recently back in service.

Help Us Help You

2011-01-13T20:26:00.006-05:00

The truly awesome thing about living in New York City is you never know what you are going to get hit over the head with from one day to the next.

For example, a random heavy set Hispanic dude in his mid-thirties with an ace bandage (or a cast) on his right arm might just come up behind you while you are reading the subway map and assault you.... w/ Hammer. Then he'll flee on the subway to an unknown destination. Watch your back!

Late Night Snow

2011-01-13T02:57:00.002-05:00

It snowed on Tuesday night. Unfortunately it didn't really last very long, but it was good while it lasted. I pretty much want it to snow all the time in the winter.

Above the Star 2

2010-12-21T18:50:00.005-05:00

All new commentary free blog. Make up your own witty and snarky comments.

Above The Star

2010-12-15T14:11:00.007-05:00

A view down on the Crystal Snowflake on 57th Street from the windows of Bergdorf Goodman. This is a nice view of the Bulgari and Tiffany stores that you don't see very often from this perspective. It's actually the UNICEF Snowflake and was designed by Ingo Maurer and features over 16,000 Baccarat crystals. UNICEF's marketing department does a totally crap job of promoting the snowflake because everyone knows about it cause it hangs in the middle of the city for six to eight weeks every year at the corner of one of the busiest intersections in the world, but no one has any clue that it's put up by UNICEF. Where's Audrey Hepburn when you need her?

Pee-wee Herman on Broadway

2010-12-12T23:38:00.006-05:00

Pee-wee Herman outside the Steven Sondheim Theater on Sunday after a rainy evening performance. His show plays on Broadway until early next month. My six word review: "It was very entertaining and funny."

It's Like Halloween Never Ended

2010-12-10T01:55:00.007-05:00

I was out in midtown Manhattan earlier this evening and I saw an interesting guy crossing 2nd Avenue at 53rd street. Normally you don't see anything out of the ordinary in this neighborhood, but when you see someone dressed in 8" silver boots and a full length fur coat and feathers it makes you stop and stare. Of course, this being NYC, no one really stops to give this much of a second thought. It's as if nothing was all that unusual about this sort of look. I stopped and waited for him to come out of Walgreen's. I was actually wondering what he purchased,

Anyway, I don't know quite know how to explain the face paint or the rest of his look, but it certainly makes a pretty good statement and I appreciate that. When I asked him to take his picture, he was more than happy to stop for a portrait. Beautiful.

Rainy Day

2010-12-01T15:17:00.002-05:00

A standard rainy day in New York City. Energy levels are low today. December 1st too.

What a Racquet!

2010-11-16T00:19:00.003-05:00

I spotted this enormous racquet on 6th Avenue and 40th Street. He gives private lessons too and if you need to improve your game you probably won't miss many shots with this one.

Late Night Skittles

2010-11-16T00:12:00.006-05:00

Cool girls from the Bronx know that the only acceptable late night candy is Skittles. They really don't get any cooler than this. No fake ID required.

Christmas and a Coffee Con

2010-11-12T09:56:00.006-05:00

For the past week or two I've been going over to 55th Street (adjacent to the Robert Indiana "Love" sculpture partially visible in the background) in the morning to get my coffee. There's a little breakfast cart there and a large coffee is only $1.25 which is the cheapest in the neighborhood and, quite frankly, I think it tastes a lot better than Starbucks, Zibetto, Fika or any of the other fancy places in the area. There are, no joke, at least 30 different places to buy coffee in a two block radius of my house. I've tried them all. Maybe not all, but most of them. Not including the four Starbucks locations which are all the same...awful. So I've been going to this new cart to get my no-frills coffee which is great aside from the fact that the guy calls everyone "Boss" which is only slightly grating, but not enough so that I don't still go there in the morning.

Today, as I was walking back and passing in front of the unbelievably and wildly overpriced supermarket pictured above, a reasonably articulate and casually dressed black man approached me. In New York City, when a stranger approaches you it's always startling for a second. Your guard immediately goes up, more so than it already is, but that's just the way it is. After you realize that the person is semi-normal or just a tourist or not otherwise frothing at the mouth it's really not such a big deal to tell them where Carnegie Hall is located or how to get to the F train. This morning, however, was slightly different.

I'm walking back with my morning coffee (I resisted the urge to get a couple of high calorie doughnuts) and this guy approaches me on the sidewalk. I must have jumped a bit or something because he immediately apologized and said sorry to bother me, but he didn't want anything. Whew. Everyone wants something.

Ok, so I am thinking to myself, what do you want then? He begins his lengthy explanation. Somehow he dropped his car keys in the sewer on the corner and it's wet and watery down there and he couldn't get them out with a coat hanger. Dubious enough, but I'm sort of intrigued where this story might be going. He says that everything is OK, he's not going to get towed, the traffic cop has already assured him of that. At this point, I should have just walked away because traffic cops in New York don't care if you are the man in the moon because you are so getting towed whether you dropped your keys or have a crying baby locked up in the back seat. Since I was in no particular rush and I sort of enjoy these versions of street theater I decided to continue to hear him out if for no other reason than my own personal amusement. He continued. He reassured me that he didn't want anything and that because his keys were dropped down somewhere irretrievably in the sewer that he needed to go home to the Bronx or some other distant borough to get his spare set. The man told me that he would give me his license to hold and....blah blah blah. Now he lost me. I just tuned him out completely. I don't want some stranger's license. I don't want to be bothered on the way home from getting my morning coffee. I don't want anything other than to drink my hot coffee. I am more than happy to tell you where to get a great bagel or which diner serves the best breakfast, the best exhibition at MoMA or even how to get to Carnegie Hall (practice!) or really any other basic thing, but holding your license while you take the imaginary bus back to the Bronx is way too much for 9:30am in the morning. Of course he wanted money. So I just lied and told him that I had no money on me and he actually thanked me and moved on, eager I am sure to find his next more gullible morning coffee con.

What would you have done? Most people in New York City, busy and rushed on their way to work on a Friday morning, probably wouldn't have even stopped for 5 seconds. At least I gave him an opportunity to work on his pitch.

Oh and the picture above is right outside where he stopped me. The city is crazed right now with every business installing Christmas lights and decorations. I sure wish they'd wait another week to give us a break between the holidays.

Art Party

2010-11-11T16:59:00.008-05:00

I went downtown to a small party/cocktail sort of thing last night. There was wine and cheese and it featured the work of the artist Spencer Tunick. Moby was there for a while and here he is talking to Spencer. The works on the table in front of them are 8" x 10" color photos of various installations around the world.

A Trip Down 57th Street

2010-11-11T16:07:00.002-05:00

Rush hour on November 10, 2010.

Marathon Madness

2010-11-06T17:32:00.003-04:00

The New York City Marathon brings people to the city from all over the world. Here's a group from Japan crossing 57th Street on Saturday morning.

Halloween 2010

2010-11-01T18:37:00.006-04:00

It was another wild night in New York City for Halloween. The streets in the Village were jammed with thousands and thousands of people out in creative costumes celebrating the holiday and there was a massive parade as well. I'm not really sure exactly what everyone is celebrating. What is the point of Halloween anyway? Are people celebrating the arrival of the Great Pumpkin? Time to check Wikipedia. I thought it was a worldwide phenomenon, but it looks like the don't have Halloween in Russia, China, Italy, New Zealand or basically just about anywhere aside from Ireland, Scotland, US and Canada. How is this possible? Don't they eat candy in the rest of the world?

I went out for a delicious sushi dinner and then enjoyed everyone acting crazy and running around in costumes. As far as I could tell, everyone seemed super happy and like they were having a really good time. I'll all for that.

Halloween Cupcakes

2010-10-30T12:05:00.006-04:00

The good thing about cupcakes is that they can manage to make them fit for any holiday. These kinds of sweet Halloween treats are available just about everywhere.

Two Months Until Christmas

2010-10-29T01:38:00.008-04:00

I should really update more regularly, but I seemed to have lost my inspiration for being consistent. At any rate, I kind of think that my observations would be better received if they were a lot more timely.

Case in point is the above picture which I shot on October 8th. I know that Barnes & Noble at Lincoln Center is closing after the 2010 Holiday season, but who came up with the brilliant idea to yank out the Christmas wrapping paper in early October and display it all over the main floor? Do the sales execs at B&N actually think that anyone who is not completely sane would buy gift wrap in October? I know times are tough, but that doesn't mean we want to be whacked over the head with anything even remotely dealing with Christmas before Halloween. What's next, Easter baskets in January?

And what's up with the kid with the glasses? I think he was as shocked as I was. This is a really good way to ruin Columbus Day, Halloween and Thanksgiving for everyone, Barnes & Noble.

Gnip Gnop

2010-10-26T02:28:00.006-04:00

I don't often go to charity events like this, but a friend was involved so I was somehow convinced to venture down to 23rd Street to this huge cavernous basement space called Spin New York. It's filled with over 30 ping pong tables and a bar and lots of young New Yorkers and some not so young ones too. The place has been around for over a year and seems to draw a crowd. This just shows you how many places there are and how much stuff goes on in New York that you can't possibly be on top of everything no matter how much you read Urban Daddy and Very Short List and every other semi-informative email newsletter.

For a Monday night charity table tennis tournament (models vs. whoever else), the place was reasonably full, if only because there were globs of models and semi-famous actors there for the breast cancer charity event. I don't know how it fares on other nights of the week. Unfortunately, you can't really see any models in my picture, but just imagine a bunch of tall thin girls with long hair wearing tight black pants and tank tops and you'll get the idea. I didn't see Susan Sarandon (she's an investor in the place), but I wasn't really looking for her either. I saw lots of models or wanna-be models. I mostly liked the green floor. I admired that. I said hello to a few people that I just happen to know and then it was off to other events and happenings in the big city.

For the record, I'm not so bad at table tennis. Anyone want to play?

I must say that I also like Gnip Gnop. It's just as fun and you can play at home. We had this toy growing up. Add it to the Christmas list.

Bruce Willis' Graffiti Truck

2010-10-07T01:25:00.003-04:00

I spotted this amazing truck in very crowded rush hour traffic on Lexington Avenue in the 60s. Bruce Willis appeared to be making his way incognito down towards Bloomingdales. As hard as they try to go unnoticed, you can always spot the famous celebrities driving around town in graffiti trucks.

Newspapers

2010-10-06T11:07:00.003-04:00

Morning in Manhattan.

I haven't been uploading very many new pictures lately. Not sure why, but I have a ton of photographs that I have just never posted. Some are good and some are great. I delete the really bad ones. I suppose I've been distracted. Sometimes I feel like posting and sometimes I don't.

How Not To Ride A Bike

2010-09-27T19:35:00.005-04:00

Spotted in Central Park. Four things to note:

1. No helmet
2. No hands
3. Flip flops!
4. Talking on cell phone

I wanted to bump into him just ever so slightly so that he crashed horribly on the pavement, but realized just in time that it wouldn't be so nice. I'm ok with the no helmet in the park, but surely get a headset for talking in the park and the flip flop bike riding is only ever OK near a beach. Your rules may differ.

Fashion Week

2010-09-15T01:00:00.008-04:00

Last Friday night on the streets of the West Village. This plaid-suited pair sauntered along as a large group of friends and acquaintances ate dinner outside.

Here's a smart tip, good manners go a long way. So always remember when you return your suits to the closet that there's no need to be offensive to someone you just met. Even if you are wearing a goofy plaid suit.

The Truth About Shopping

2010-09-13T20:32:00.005-04:00

Dior is renovating their store on 57th Street for the next few months. They'll have a brand new boutique opened just in time for Christmas. Instead of putting up an ugly plywood wall to cover the construction, they came up with a brilliantly designed large handbag. It's one of the best examples I've seen of how to do something super creative with what is usually a very boring construction site.

A lot of people love shopping and I think that this article is probably one of the most informative articles I've ever read on the subject.

Big Mac Attack

2010-09-13T20:18:00.002-04:00

I was trying to take a picture and then this bus went by right in front of me. No wonder everyone in America is so fat. These things look (and taste) delicious.

East Side Serious

2010-09-13T20:09:00.005-04:00

More seriousness on the East Side. A grim look is common in NYC especially when you are on the way to the tanning salon.

Random Midtown Corner

2010-09-13T00:57:00.008-04:00

This picture gives you a brief sense of how busy it sometimes gets on the streets of my neighborhood during the middle of the day.

Directly across from the the architectural monstrosity called Trump Tower is the busy NYC location of Abercrombie & Fitch. The worst thing about it, aside from the idiotic line to get in, is that they pump tons of A&F scent into the street and it smells awful. If you are allergic to bad cologne and find yourself in Midtown, steer clear of this corner. You can see Tiffany's and Louis Vuitton in the background. Gucci is across the street too. It's a busy retail location.

I have no idea who the gentleman is who happened to be standing there right at the precise moment I took the photo, but I must have seen his blue jacket and I decided to capture his stoic countenance. So good and serious.

Doggy Bag

2010-09-12T14:32:00.002-04:00

If you're going to bring home a doggy bag, then it makes total sense to have the dog carry it.

Open Door Policy

2010-08-12T01:41:00.006-04:00

Why does every guy who owns an expensive and flashy sports car in New York City feel the compulsive need to open all the doors and windows in the middle of the street? Is this absolutely necessary? Ok, we get it. You have a snazzy car. It matches your small penis.

In case you are wondering, the car is a Lotus.

Three other automobile related things I just noticed in picture. (1) Stylish looking woman wearing white trenchcoat and smoking is carrying a Mercedes Benz tote bag. (2) Zipcar office in background. (3) Food establishment on corner called "Speedy's."

Dominican Devils

2010-08-09T00:04:00.010-04:00

I'm not sure exactly what these two characters are dressed up as, but they sure look like devils to me. I found this unlikely pair standing on the corner of 56th Street and 6th Avenue on my way to lunch at the MoMA this afternoon. Halloween is still months away so unfortunately they didn't have any candy for me. Though I do especially like the Tropicana Orange Juice bottle.

I later found out they were part of the the 28th Annual Dominican Day Parade where New York's Dominican community comes out to celebrate their heritage with dancers, musicians and bold costumes on 6th Avenue in Midtown. There's always something going on in NYC. I don't even have to barely step outside the front door to find something unique and interesting. I suppose this is why I pay so much to live here. Enjoy the photos. Buy an Andy Warhol book.

Saturday Siesta

2010-08-07T21:27:00.007-04:00

Taking a well-deserved nap after a sunny Saturday spent biking tourists around midtown. 58th Street and Broadway. 6:15pm.

It's amazing how much traffic I am getting from all over the world. Click the map to the right a few times to blow it up full screen and see where. Also buy a copy of my new Andy Warhol book, "The Autobiography and Sex Life of Andy Warhol." It's inexpensive and if you like art and appreciate great photography you are sure to enjoy it. It's less than $30 on Amazon. What a bargain!

Street Bracelets

2010-08-03T01:36:00.005-04:00

A selection of colorful woven cloth bracelets for sale at one of those awful 6th Avenue (who calls it Avenue of the Americas?) street fairs at 7pm on Saturday.

Happy Ice Cream

2010-08-03T01:32:00.004-04:00

A very happy man holding a just purchased ice cream cone on Saturday night on 14th Street and Broadway just below Union Square.

What gives with my camera and the blurry images? Ugh.

Shirts at the Strand

2010-08-03T01:22:00.004-04:00

There are a bunch of t-shirts featuring literary classics for sale at New York's largest bookstore, The Strand.

This one caught my eye mostly because I can't imagine that J.D. Salinger's heirs would give permission for this cover to be exploited so brazenly, but they probably don't control the rights to the image and now that he's dead who really cares anyway. I always thought his "don't publish club, don't talk about don't publish club" credo was a little bit of a put-on anyway. If he didn't want to publish his writing it's really no big deal since it seems he kind of went off the proverbial deep end back in the mid-60s. Besides his behavior was really odd in the years to follow no matter how you look at it and I'm sure his writing was more "Raise High The Roof Beam" than "Catcher in the Rye."

At least someone's making some money off these shirts.

Lunch Time

2010-07-30T00:16:00.004-04:00

You can always find time to grab a quick bite to eat on the busy sidewalks of New York City. This is true especially if you're taking a short break from your intensive summertime training for the New York City Marathon.

Stoop Sitting

2010-07-21T20:28:00.002-04:00

Sometimes I wish I lived downtown so I wouldn't have to post pictures like this one. Typical stoop sitter, uptown-style.

Lights at Night

2010-07-13T02:49:00.003-04:00

A look out at New York City on a typical summer evening.

I haven't been very good about posting lately. I've been preoccupied with a million other things and it seem that every time I think to get around to posting, it's always so late and I feel too tired to post anything. I have been taking a lot of pictures, some good, mostly bad. I am going to try to be better about it. I have been good about riding my bike a lot lately. 10-15 miles a day or so. I am in really good shape now so that's something to feel good about.

Fun Slide

2010-07-13T02:40:00.005-04:00

A slightly abbreviated summertime view of the amusement park in Central Park.

Norwegian Elevator Constructors Union

2010-07-03T15:04:00.007-04:00

A few months back I received an unusual email from Norway. Coincidentally, I visited Norway back in October, 2008 when I attended the wonderful annual film festival in Bergen. A movie I produced, "Guest of Cindy Sherman," was invited to screen in the festival and I had an amazing time there. I thought the email might have something to do with the movie or my trip to Norway, but it was entirely unrelated.

The email I got was from the Norwegian Elevator Constructors Union asking about a picture they had seen on this very blog. They were writing an upcoming article about escalators, especially the old wooden ones, and wanted to know if they could use a picture for their member's magazine which is published a few times a year. Even though there was no fee for the usage, I said "Sure, go ahead and use my picture." The picture they liked was the one I took of the old wooden escalators in Macy's. It is sort of fitting that this comes up today as tomorrow is the great big Macy's 4th of July Fireworks show. At any rate, the original photograph ran here a little over a year ago in May, 2009.

Months have passed and I had almost forgotten about it until I when to get the mail today. There was a large white envelope from Norway and contained in it was my complimentary issue of the magazine. Even though I can't read a single word of it (since it's entirely in Norwegian), I was pleasantly surprised to see that not only did they use my picture "in" the magazine, they used my picture on the cover. In some ways I suppose this makes me a professional photographer now. It seems these kinds of things happen to me all the time. One day I decide to start a blog of random pictures and the next one of my picture is selected to appear on the cover of a magazine.

I feel a little bit like they owe me a payment. There's a big difference between using the picture in the magazine and using it for the entire cover in full color, don't you think?

Gwyneth Paltrow's Graffiti Truck

2010-07-01T12:13:00.003-04:00

When she's not off on a movie set, jetsetting around the world to Spain and other exotic destinations or writing for her Goop website, Gwyneth Paltrow can be see beating around town in this fabulous graffiti truck.

I came across this one parked way out in Queens by MoMA PS1. It's obviously way cheaper to park out there and a lot easier for her to get a spot than in the overcrowded West Village.

Hey Asshole!

2010-06-30T19:26:00.006-04:00

You really shouldn't take random pictures of homeless people with any sort of crazy look in their eyes. I should learn this lesson quickly, but I haven't yet.

Is it any surprise that instead of thanking me for taking such a wonderful portrait that this guy/woman, proceeded to scream obscenities at me (including the wonderful blog title above) in broad daylight and literally chase me down the street? I had to actually run away. I took off in the direction of the Museum of Modern Art and deftly eluded capture. You know you don't have a great picture until you have to run to get it.

I see this guy around a lot in my neighborhood. In 85 degree heat he's usually seen dressed in his stylish bright red jacket and scarf while lugging a couple of roller suitcases filled with God knows what. Most notably though, if you're lucky to catch him on a good day, you'll see him/her with a full face of lipstick smeared all around his lips. It's crazy interesting so if you have an extra compact to donate to the homeless, I know someone in need.

Gagosian Shop

2010-06-29T01:47:00.009-04:00

Following the sold out event at the New York Public Library on Wednesday night, last Thursday John Wilcock, Gretchen Berg and yours truly did a book signing at the Gagosian Shop for the new book on Andy Warhol that I just published. The book is called "The Autobiography and Sex Life of Andy Warhol" and it's available at Gagosian (featured in the window!) It's also available through Amazon or at most bookstores and museums around the world. It's gotten great reviews everywhere. I should probably post a lot more pictures about it on here, but you can find a ton more information on the Facebook page.

We had a really fun time hanging out and signing books at Gagosian. They have an amazing selection of books, limited edition posters and prints and all sorts of stuff I would want to buy. Everyone was really nice at the shop and John told a bunch of great stories about the time he spent with Marilyn Monroe back in the 1950s. After the signing we went out for a celebratory dinner at Elaine's way up on the Upper East Side.

It was a great time. Wish you were there!

An Afternoon Stroll

2010-06-28T01:05:00.004-04:00

When you leave the house on a hot summer Sunday, you certainly don't want to forget your yellow parasol. Spotted on 72nd and Madison.

Sienna Miller's Graffiti Truck

2010-06-22T02:28:00.007-04:00

When you visit New York, you definitely want to drive around in a truck that makes a statement. I saw this one parked in front of the New York office building for the Director's Guild of America on 57th Street which is where Sienna always gets a legal parking spot.

This location is close to the Burger Joint at Le Parker Meridien where every star visiting the area grabs a burger and fries. It's also only a block or two down the street if she needs to run in and pick up something at Bergdorf Goodman, Louis Vuitton, Chanel or even the Apple Store.

American Elm

2010-06-15T17:39:00.005-04:00

This should be the title of the next Green Day album. Surely it's better than American Idiot. Plus they get to save a couple hundred trees in Central Park.

Can Collecting

2010-06-15T17:33:00.002-04:00

When the weather is nice, it's a good time for can collecting on the Upper East Side. I forget where I shot this, but somewhere way uptown where aluminum cans and plastic bottles are plentiful.

Love NYC Style

2010-06-11T01:51:00.006-04:00

After you live in the New York City for a while, you come to realize that nearly anything goes here. So if you are planning a NYC destination wedding (assuming you have to get married), you might as well make the very most of it. Thus, it's totally a-OK if that involves taking your wedding photographs during a mid-week rush hour in Midtown.

When you and your spouse-to-be come to New York to get married you're definitely going to get those precious photographs of the two of you that you'll cherish for a lifetime. You only have to make sure you do it just right.

For best results, I recommend that you pick the absolute busiest time of the day. A few minutes after 5pm is ideal for the perfect light and catching hundreds of thousands of people headed out of work in the concrete jungle. Also make sure you take your photographs smack in the middle of Midtown right next to one of the most photographed landmark art sculptures in the city as well. You'll also want to commandeer a super busy bus stop, push everyone out of the way and work around the tourists and elderly gentlemen waiting for the Uptown local. No one will mind one bit. Of course, you should try to ignore the extremely smelly homeless man who's been using the bench as his see-through bedroom. Also don't worry if there are multiple bags of trash strewn carelessly about the sidewalk. You'll probably want to photoshop these out of your photos, but I think all this adds to the realism of the location.

I didn't intend to be a wedding photographer, but I think I got the shot.

We Love You

2010-05-25T02:30:00.001-04:00

Do we really?

The Balloons at the End

2010-05-24T02:29:00.004-04:00

They always save the balloons for the very last song. LCD Soundsystem played four sold out shows in New York City. I went to the last show on Sunday night at Terminal 5 (a huge spacious club on the West Side of Manhattan) and if this picture is any indication, it was a great concert.

His and Hers

2010-05-19T01:31:00.003-04:00

A pair of Vespas near Grand Central Station.

Out of Business

2010-05-19T01:23:00.003-04:00

This seems like one of those stores that we'll look back at ten years from now and say, "Can you believe that were actually stores that you brought your junk to and they sold it for you on eBay?" Google Maps has a picture during obviously better days.

Umbrella Pole

2010-05-19T01:18:00.003-04:00

People die; cats die, but life goes on. Spring ambles on. Today was one of those days where it was so rainy and windy that broken umbrellas were wrapped around street signs.

No Posts

2010-05-16T17:57:00.003-04:00

I haven't been posting very much lately. After Mr. Orange and Isabella died, I just didn't feel like posting. I have been taking lots of pictures, but I would also like to buy a new camera and I can't really afford one right now. I'm going to try to post some pictures soon.

Kate Bosworth's Graffiti Truck

2010-05-05T01:30:00.005-04:00

Kate Bosworth was in town this week for the Met Ball which is certainly one of the most glamorous costume parties of the entire year. I don't know how she manages to make such a grand and stylish entrance every time, but she sure knows how to slip around town incognito. I saw her driving this clever little graffiti truck uptown and down.

That's the great thing about living in the city, if you keep your eyes peeled you'll catch a glimpse of one of your favorite celebs behind the wheel in the Big Apple.

Oprah's Coming

2010-05-05T01:24:00.006-04:00

She's coming to Radio City Music Hall with the lovely Christina Aguilera. I'm sure all the tickets are already completely sold out. My younger sister would like this. New York always has everything. I don't even like Oprah very much and this would probably be plenty entertaining if you can stand hanging out with a couple thousand housewives from New Jersey for several hours. Sorry Julie, you can be pretty sure Oprah Winfrey isn't going to be in Atlanta anytime soon.

Who's Making the Donuts?

2010-04-29T02:49:00.003-04:00

When you go to Dunkin' Donuts at 2AM on Canal Street you kind of half expect they might have some donuts for sale. After all, it is a donut shop. Can you believe that they had zero donuts? None. Nada. Munchkins and bagels don't count. Especially not when you have your heart set on a donut. While I'm at it, I might as well tell everyone that I prefer the alternative spelling: doughnut.

Pixie Taxi

2010-04-29T02:42:00.005-04:00

Isn't this what you would call a classic pixie cut? They seem to be coming back in style.

It's always a little awkward to hail down a taxi cab. You can't really pose or look great doing it. You just flail your arm out there and hope for the best. She seems to be doing a good job looking good and getting a cab.

Traffic Cone Hair

2010-04-29T02:35:00.004-04:00

I love colorful hair when it's done correctly and this fashionable New Yorker seems to be doing it right. It's not super ideal when your hair semi-closely matches the traffic cone like things, but what can you do? It kind of intriguing the way the barrel is cut in half so that it fits around the pole from the scaffolding. What's going on there?

I also took notice of her nice colorful flats which fit well with her hair. Maybe she needs a Paul Smith toothbrush or two (see below)?

Brushes of Teeth

2010-04-29T02:29:00.004-04:00

They always have great displays at Paul Smith. I feel pretty strongly that with your toothbrush it's better to go with quality over style. Don't screw around with oral hygiene.

I'm sticking with a Spinbrush (now curiously owned by Arm & Hammer) or an Oral B because they're the best. But if I was deciding on style alone I'd go with one of these colorful brushes. I should get a few spare ones for the country house or the private jet for guests who forget their toiletries.

Quick Getaway Vehicle

2010-04-28T02:25:00.007-04:00

I found the perfect ride for the next time you are either going to a Young Jeezy concert or want to blend into the scenery while robbing a midtown bank branch. Here it is rounding the rotary at Columbus Circle late today...the perfect pink stretch limousine.

So Long, My Friend

2010-04-25T02:11:00.013-04:00

Many, many years ago, Mr. Orange (or OJ for short) was rescued from the streets of New York. He was found in a light rainstorm, hiding behind the back wheel of a parked car on a nondescript side street. Faced with an unpredictable future scurrying under cars and noisy city buses or living a harsh existence as a deli cat catching mice and eating scraps of food from empty tin cans, he moved into my apartment for a few days. He needed a home. At first glance, you immediately noticed that he was an exceptionally scrawny cat, terribly malnourished and had deep gashes on his neck that needed to be medicated with some sort of sticky ointment. He had a wild look in his eye and was extremely skittish. But as the days went by, he found a name, he calmed down and he recuperated from his brief, harsh life on the street. In no time at all, he quickly became accustomed to having a home and being properly cared for. It was hard to let him go and he decided to stay. He ate enormous portions and he grew and grew and grew into a large, healthy and loving cat. A few days visit somehow turned into sixteen years and Mr. Orange had found a home. More importantly, I found a lifelong friend.

Living in a busy city like New York, it's often easy to forget the important role our furry friends play in our lives. But there they are, day after day, week after week and year after year. Every time you open the apartment door, they run to greet you or turn over from their napping place and give you a knowing glance, happy that you are home to give them some attention and affection. They gladly return the loving feelings and brush up against you or meow affectionately at the door. Our pets are a constant in our lives, an important part of the family, and a reminder of a quieter existence behind closed doors that is far from the hustle and bustle of the quick pace in this busy metropolis.

Mr. Orange was a very independent and super feisty cat. This attitude perhaps came from his early life on the streets or maybe it was just his natural strong-minded spirit. He never liked to be restrained or held for long periods and would always squirm free from any attempt to hold him down. That's not to say he wasn't friendly. In fact, it was quite the opposite with OJ. He would always come right over, no matter who you were, in order to know what was going on and see who you were. He loved to jump up next to you or climb on you, provided of course that you didn't try to prevent him from making a prompt and easy getaway. He was extremely curious, endlessly interested in whatever was going on and eager to prove that he was rightfully the center of attention. He liked to crawl in boxes and shopping bags and climb on the highest thing he could find in the apartment. He loved loud music and always jumped up on my desk whenever I played a song that he seemed to like. There are many, many wonderful memories of OJ that make me happy. He met all my friends, either in person, on the phone meowing in the background, in pictures or even via webcam. He was very much a multimedia cat and he excelled at using all types of technology.

It's only been a few short hours since he died this afternoon and already I am reminded of both his presence and his absence. His bowls are no longer in their place near the refrigerator. He is no longer here waiting for me in his favorite place on his soft cashmere blanket or running into the kitchen. When I came home tonight, I realized that the first thing I would always do when I entered the front door is to call him by one of his many nicknames and look for him to see what he was doing or where he was hanging out. It's very sad to realize that he will no longer be there for me. I'm very sad he's gone and I'll miss him a lot.

Lilac Season

2010-04-21T00:08:00.013-04:00

It's lilac season right now and these very fragrant flowers are available in small bouquets at all the Korean delicatessens across the city. Technically, it's part of a shrub or bush known as Syringa (Lilac) which prodces pale purple flowers every year, at least according to Wikipedia. In the language of flowers, lilacs symbolize love. I like to think that tulips are my favorite flower, but then I'm reminded of how much I like the smell of lilacs. They only last a short time and right now they are in bloom and they're the best.

My sister and I used to drive to New Jersey every spring around this time when she still lived in the city. We'd go shopping at the mall on a Saturday afternoon and have a great lunch at Friendly's and then we'd drive around until we would find a lilac patch on the side of the road where they grow wild. After locating an especially bountiful patch, we would jump out of her car and run and grab as many as we could possibly carry in our arms. We would rush back to her car after picking what seemed like enough lilacs to fill her entire trunk. Since my sister doesn't live anywhere near New York any longer, I would appreciate it if anybody reading this who knows anyone in New Jersey to please tell them to fill up their car with lilacs and deliver a boatload of them to my apartment. They make everything smell so nice. They used to have lilac soap at Neiman Marcus that my mother would get me for Christmas. I'll take a case of that too!

Lobster Lunch

2010-04-19T17:39:00.005-04:00

Less than a block away from a shoeless man boldly eating out of a trash can, I spotted a bright red lobster suit handing out flyers to a well-dressed man wearing a Burberry coat and scarf directly in front of the Thomas Pink shirt store.

Trash Can Lunch

2010-04-19T17:29:00.005-04:00

It's hard to know what's going on in Midtown and you don't really want to ask barefoot people who are eating out of the trash exactly what they're doing. Plus it's never a good idea to disrupt someone's lunch. My guess is that this is either a really hungry homeless guy or it's another one of those avant-garde performance art pieces on Madison Avenue.

No Smoking Sign

2010-04-18T20:56:00.004-04:00

What's worse than a completely redundant No Smoking sign? I think everyone knows by now that smoking isn't kool. Additional bonus of buying el cheapo sign is that they've ruined the granite.

Sunday Afternoon Stroll

2010-04-18T20:53:00.002-04:00

Taking a stroll down 6th Avenue near the New York Public Library.

42nd Street Couple

2010-04-18T20:52:00.001-04:00

Standing on the corner of Bryant Park at 42nd and 6th.

Waverly Inn

2010-04-16T00:32:00.005-04:00

I was waiting in line for the men's restroom at the Waverly Inn the other night. After we were waiting what seemed like an inordinately long time, I said to the guy in front of me, "It makes you wonder when guys take a long time in the bathroom." He looked around and kind of shrugged his shoulders agreeing with me while also expressing his impatience. When he came out he said, "It's the mirror." I'm still not totally sure what he meant. You be the judge.

Best awkward Waverly Inn moment for Donny Deutsch at 6:20 here. It almost seems he's angling for a date, doesn't it? Nice job on making the girl cry. Probably not the best way to ask Ashley for a date, Donny.

New York City

2010-04-16T00:12:00.004-04:00

Everyone feels this way from time to time in New York City.

Burger Mania

2010-04-13T02:09:00.003-04:00

Manhattan has gone burger crazy the last couple years. I've never been to this place right in the heart of Times Square so I can't vouch for their burgers, but I like the sign. HB Burger is part of Heartland Brewery which isn't the most well-respected eating establishment in the city, but who knows maybe they make a good burger.

Missing Presumed Missing

2010-04-13T01:56:00.005-04:00

Does this sign strike you as really strange too? I saw this in the subway at 42nd Street. She's been missing since 1995! Why put up this sign now? Obviously someone thinks these Church of Scientology members didn't do a very good job of taking care of Lisa McPherson because there's a lot more to this story.

Oranges and Tulips

2010-04-13T01:52:00.003-04:00

I told you we would check in the with the Park Avenue tulips. They are coming. While you're waiting, enjoy an orange.

Poland in Grief

2010-04-12T01:55:00.007-04:00

Mourners came to light candles and leave flowers late on Saturday night at the Consulate General of the Republic of Poland on Madison Avenue and 37th Street in Manhattan after the tragic plane crash that killed the President of Poland, Lech Kaczynski, his wife, and dozens of other high ranking Polish military and government leaders.

The Power of Words

2010-04-12T01:19:00.011-04:00

The Morgan Library and Museum is a wonderful and mostly overlooked institution in the New York cultural landscape. It's located just a short walk east from the Empire State Building in an area of the city that doesn't really have a name (West Murray Hill? North Madison Park?). Nevertheless, there are often great exhibits there and one of current ones got me to make it all the way over there for a late Friday night visit. In case you were wondering, admission is absolutely free on Fridays from 7pm to 9pm; other times it's $12 for adults. As far as I'm concerned, I think all museums should be open until 9pm every night of the week. And while I'm making random suggestions, I also think every book and magazine store in the city should be open until Midnight (a few are...if you know where to go!)

The exhibit that inspired my visit is a small trove of ten letters from J.D. Salinger to his friend Michael Mitchell who designed the cover to "The Catcher in the Rye." Four of the letters were on display in two glass cases when I visited. The rest are scheduled to be exhibited in the coming weeks. It was a very unique experience to wait in a short line and then crowd around the display cases in a large and dark book-lined room to read his one and two page personal typewritten letters from the 50s and 60s. My favorite line in the letters was this one: "It's a big shitty world, and it gets shittier by the minute." I am glad to see that Salinger was so optimistic after all his literary success. No wonder he never published anything after 1965.

Color Coordination

2010-04-08T01:39:00.001-04:00

I am not sure how he managed to find a tie to match the shirt or vice versa, but this is a significant accomplishment.

Tribeca Twins

2010-04-08T01:36:00.002-04:00

I ran into this pair in the window of the New York Academy of Art in Tribeca. They seem very happy perched here in the window.

Tulips on Park Avenue

2010-04-08T01:34:00.001-04:00

I've been monitoring the tulip situation on Park Avenue and it's only a short while before fields of my favorite flowers will be blooming. We've had some excellent growing days this week. More to come.

Uptown on the Bus

2010-04-08T01:32:00.002-04:00

Headed uptown in the rain. Madison Avenue near Hermes.

Not Her Week

2010-04-08T01:28:00.003-04:00

Sandra Bullock sure had a tough week. Luckily, it seems her philandering and soon to be ex-husband isn't getting a dime. Makes you wonder, what's wrong with Elin Woods?

Unseasonably Warm

2010-04-08T01:21:00.006-04:00

The weather has been really topsy-turvy lately. One day it's cold and then the next it's 90 degrees. People don't know what to wear. Some people are wearing shorts and t-shirts in April (see background), and others choose to steadfastly hang on to the winter and wear their cold weather gear: down coat, hat, scarf, and gloves. If you like winter like I do, this is a great way to capture my attention and I'm also very likely to take your picture. She yelled at me after I took her picture.

54th Street Scream

2010-04-08T01:13:00.001-04:00

Slicing Nova Lox

2010-03-29T02:30:00.004-04:00

Nova or Nova Scotia salmon, is sometimes called Nova lox and is salmon cured with a mild brine and then cold-smoked. It is beyond delicious on a bagel with cream cheese and the guys behind the counter at Zabar's slice it as good as any place I know.

Shopping for Cheese

2010-03-29T02:28:00.001-04:00

Zabar's on the Upper West Side has an enormous cheese department. It sure was crowded on Sunday afternoon. It almost felt like going to a concert because people kept bumping into me.