11th Street storefront.

I stopped for a few minutes in front of this storefront on 11th Street in the East Village tonight. Ikea has nothing on old-fashioned craftsmanship.

Tacky women and tacky decorations. Just another Manhattan Monday.

The last thing I want to see when I'm in Bryant Park during the holidays is the cast of Bravo's Real Housewives of New York. But as I meandered through BP with an old friend of mine our lives forever changed for the better pretty much stayed the same. There they were, on the ice at Bryant Park's free rink. Kelly, LuAnn and Co. were sported out in their finest for what looked like a completely scripted scene. One of the crazies jumped on the ice in a purple leotard, my friend and I winced in pain, and parents hid their children. Look for highlights coming soon to a TV near you.



No really, hide the kids. It was downright terrifying.

Moving on.

The night shifted to Rolf's Bar in Gramercy. More than 70,000 lights and what seems like just as many Christmas balls hang at an almost uncomfortable level. If you've ever been to Germany during the holidays - most likely the southern Bavarian region - let me know if this is common practice. And if you go, you can't leave without trying their Glühwein, a warm spiced red wine that will make your taste buds start singing Christmas tunes.

Click to enlarge...this one's worth it.

My favorite shots are underground.

I love it down here. Characters. Bands. Great lighting. $1 magazines. And in today's case a fast moving train and a young woman frozen still.




There's something about the two objects crossing on film that I can't get enough of. I took a similar shot nearly three years go when I first moved here:




One could argue that I need to find new inspiration. But these trains are our lifeblood, as much as we might hate to admit that. There is life in, on, and around every subway car and station. They thread the otherwise unconnected masses together. They make us creatures of habit. They're trains, after all. So that makes them pretty bad ass, or at least that's what the permanent kid in me likes to think.

Classic sign.

This one is a favorite of mine. Classic neon in midtown. 48th Street parking garage. I've been here before...

Occasionally inadequate cameras pull off decent shots.

And by decent shots, I mean colorful blurry ones:




Back to 6th I went tonight, this time taking shots of the oversize Christmas lights. Here's another shot to give you have a better idea.

Ignore the crowds, soak in the rest.

Despite the cold weather I've been lengthening my trip home after work by a decent amount. The quickest way to travel is down the 6 to Union Square with a transfer to the L. The combined time I spend outside during this route (office to subway and subway to home) is no more than 200 yards. That is nothing when it comes to what my walk used to be before I moved, not to mention what the typical commuter probably does. But a number of reasons have diverted me off of this trek.

For one, I'm craving time outside. The biting cold isn't here yet but it's still too cold to sit outside during lunch. Throw in some Christmas shopping and tourist oogling, and I have myself a reason to hike to Rockefeller Center. F/V downtown to 14th Street, connect to the L, and homeward bound. The suicidal issue problem with this walk is that the area is that I must navigate through the Perfect Storm of holiday crowds.

Rockefeller Center - tree, shops, ice skating
Fifth Avenue shopping - three wide, slow moving groups
Radio City Music Hall - miles of dancing legs and the crowds they attract

But through all of it, I don't mind. I absorb the holiday cheer in the air. Breathe in the nut cart. I can unwind after what has been a very long busy season. The therapeutic walk does the body good.



This is a shot looking up 6th Ave towards Rockefeller Center. The holiday balls were hanging off of a hot dog cart.

Kodi - great friend and loyal companion.

The East Village lost a great friend this week. One of the best dogs and companions I’ve ever known. We shared some good times together. 11th Street won’t be the same without him.

And just like that, the holidays are here.

Well this didn't take long.

As mentioned last week Christmas lights were spotted on Park Avenue, but now that Thanksgiving is officially over it's as if FAO Schwartz threw up all over midtown. Consider this the official kick-off of the Trying to Outdo the Neighbors coverage.



Much like many of the corporate behemoths that call Park Avenue home, my building's managing company does a major league job of decorating the place. Wreaths, menorahs, trees, the whole nine. But in an effort to be greener this holiday season the outdoor lights adorning the patio's barren trees are now LED. I don't know - is the blue tinted light that thees babies give off really worth it? Does it make much of a difference when the ozone depleting classic lights are used inside?

Meh.

The MTA looks good in Art Deco dress.

One arm or not, it was back to work for this guy today. I'm still not able to tie my shoes or put on a shirt on my own yet. Yep, breaking one's collarbone reverts you back to the age of two and a half.

Maybe it was because of my snail mail pace, but as I walked to work today I noticed something refreshing about the corner of 51st and Lexington. The downtown 6 train's southwest entrance is styled to match the art deco building next to it. Art deco you say? It's the RCA-turned-GE-turned-gift-to-Columbia-University building. Find a history lesson here. Boom, you've been schooled.

Here's what I'm talking about.

Current Subway entrance signage:



Fancy schmancy signage:



I can't begin to count how many times I've walked past this corner with my head down and ipod cranked.