JOHN LENNON October 9, 1940 – December 8, 1980. This is me attending the screening of the hand restored “Yellow Submarine” at the Zeigfield Theater in NYC May, 5, 2012. I had the privilege of meeting Al Brodax the producer of the 1968 art masterpiece. All you need is love…
December 8, 2012 | Categories: DAILY PHOTOS WITH STORIES OF NEW YORK CITY | Tags: Al Brodax, Hans Von Rittern, John Lennon, Manhattan, New York City, Yellow Submarine, Ziegfield Theater | Leave a comment
THERE ARE FAIRIES IN NEW YORK CITY!: . . . well, yes, we have many different kinds of fairies 🙂
December 8, 2012 | Categories: DAILY PHOTOS WITH STORIES OF NEW YORK CITY | Tags: Christmas window display, Fairies, fairy, Hans Von Rittern, Macy's, Manhattan, marionette, New York City | Leave a comment
HOW MUCH IS THAT DOGGIE IN THE BASKET?: This is Madison the Scottish Terrier, she is very comfy being taken for a ride in her Duane Reade shopping basket. Madison was coasting along Third Avenue and 32nd Street, lovingly pulled by her owner Bernice (Bernie, as she prefers to be called). “Madison is only a one block errand dog, today we are on a three block errand, she doesn’t do three blocks.”
When I bent down to get a close-up of Madison’s adorable face and noticed the cart marked ‘Please do not remove from store’, Madison seemed to be saying ‘Hey, I didn’t steal this thing, Bernie made me do it!’
Bernie is a retired architect who at one time lived on Park Avenue, “but those were the good times, I live in this neighborhood now.” I could relate to that. It turns out were are both Nikon enthusiasts, except Bernie still shoots with a traditional film camera. She reminisced about her old days and said when she looks at some of the big architectural projects she had done she thinks “my god, did I really do that?” Bernie lit up when she talked about the past. We started to say our goodbyes and Bernie said “well I have to get home to Lexington.” “Great,” I said, “you’ve only got one more block to go.” “No,” Bernie answered, “that’s my other dog.” I smiled broadly, you see, Lexington and Madison happen to be major avenues here in New York.
As I walked away I started to wonder, exactly when did Bernie figure out Madison and the cart are a perfect fit? Doesn’t matter, they are both happy (except for Duane Reade of course).
(Duane Reade is our giant drug store chain here in NYC.)
December 7, 2012 | Categories: DAILY PHOTOS WITH STORIES OF NEW YORK CITY | Tags: 'How much is that doggie in the window?", architect, Bernice, Bernie, Duane Reade, Duane Reade drug store, Hans Von Rittern, Lexington Avenue, Madison Avenue, Manhattan, New York City, Nikon, Patti Page, Sotty dog. Scottish Terrier, stolen cart basket | 3 Comments
ENJOYING THE LAST WARM DAYS OF WINTER WITH VERA: Yesterday was one of those last early warm December days you could find a comfortable chair in the park and close your eyes and drift back to summer memories of years gone by.
I took advantage of the warmth and made myself comfortable, as I did, I was intrigued by the woman sitting nearby, I sensed she has a bright spirit by the accessories she was wearing. A purple crinkle fabric handbag and a classic Vera scarf to go with her elegant black velvet jacket. Remember Vera deigns? How chic they were in the 1960’s with the little lady bug logo? Bright splashes of bold colors on bold flowers and bold waves of the paint brush swirled delicately about. Marilyn Monroe was a fan of Vera scarves.
I had to photograph her. What resulted . . . is this picture of peaceful elegant serenity. Beautiful expressive scarf, beautiful expressive hands, beautiful expressive face. Ageing gracefully has always been an art.
http://www.theveracompany.com/
December 6, 2012 | Categories: DAILY PHOTOS WITH STORIES OF NEW YORK CITY | Tags: ageing gracefully, Bryant Park, fashion, Hans Von Rittern, Manhattan, Marilyn Monroe, New York City, old woman, sunning, Vera, Vera scafrs | 2 Comments
SCOTT CLARKE aka CRABBY CARDS has become a dear friend and we have never met! We are one of the many Facebook friendships that have resulted from finding things we have in common – for us it’s CHER.
He is a wonderful father, friend, fan and humorous and humanitarian cartoonist and caricature artist. Cher herself is a fan of his cards as are many of the celebs he so lovingly portrays. He works hard at his local Annapolis, Maryland Home Depot where paints all the event signs, does face painting for the children’s events and in his spare time cares for his group of seniors he calls “my Golden Girls.”
This morning I awoke to find I had joined the ranks of Cher, Dolly Parton and Streisand! I have been Scot-tooned! He has lovingly captured “me”!
If you have a nearby event or need the more unusual cards for all sorts of events and causes check him out! Cards, signs, posters, shirts that have a bit of sass, laffs and attitude, please contact him or visit his web site, you won’t regret it and it will make you smile!
Scott Clarke
Artist, Writer
443 875 8641
crabbycards@aol.com
www.crabbycards.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Crabby-Cards/163880840406766
December 5, 2012 | Categories: DAILY PHOTOS WITH STORIES OF NEW YORK CITY | Tags: Annapolis Maryland, caricatures, celebrities, Cher, Crabby Cards, Facebook, hand made greeting cards, Hans Von Rittern, Home Depot, Scott Clarke | Leave a comment
THE BAD SIDE EFFECTS OF GLOBAL WARMING: . . . is this.
It was 65 degrees (15 Celsius) yesterday in New York City! And what does that result in – one of the older ‘regulars’ in Times Square, still wearing winter mittens and a pair of Uggs. Of course the Christmas velvet reindeer antlers with a Statue of Liberty crown to hold them in place. The pink wig matches his pink bike and matching pink streamers. Since it was so warm yesterday that rest of his outfit was shed to reveal tiny polka dot bikini.
But . . . don’t you just hate it – when you realize, after you’ve left the house, that your bikini top doesn’t match your bikini bottom? I hate when that happens!
* We have several ‘regulars’ – the naked cowboy, the naked cowgirl, the naked Indian and the naked candy man.
December 4, 2012 | Categories: DAILY PHOTOS WITH STORIES OF NEW YORK CITY | Tags: Hans Von Rittern, man in bikini, Manhattan, New York City, polka dot bikini, Times Square, Ugg boots, warm weather | 2 Comments
DINNERTIME FOR OSCAR!: This is ‘Oscar’ my (sort of) pet squirrel. He is named Oscar because he showed up on my 3rd floor windowsill about 5 years ago on the night of The Academy Awards. I have been leaving him a peanut on the windowsill every morning for breakfast ever since then. There is also a water dish (I have blogged about before) on the fire escape for him to drink from.
At sunset yesterday I heard a scratching at my window. Oscar was still hungry. I opened the window just a bit and his whiskery nose poked in and busily sniffed about. ‘There must be peanuts around here somewhere! I know he’s got ’em!’
Well, after four peanuts Oscar was finally well satisfied. He did take a fifth peanut and ‘hid’ it in the fire escape stairs for tomorrow morning.
A funny Oscar anecdote: One summer I had forgotten I had left the window open and I am sitting in my office and all of a sudden hear some crunching. I come into the living room and there was Oscar sitting on a nearby bookcase with a pile of peanut shells all around him. It was the funniest sight! Of course it went so lightning quick I didn’t have a chance to grab my camera then, but today I did. Hmmm, maybe tomorrow it’ll be walnuts 
December 3, 2012 | Categories: DAILY PHOTOS WITH STORIES OF NEW YORK CITY | Tags: Academy Awards, feeding squirrel, Hans Von Rittern, Hans' home, New York City, Oscar, Oscar the Squirrel, peanuts, pet squirrel, squirrel, Sunnyside, Sunnyside Gardens, water dish, windowsill | Leave a comment
“THIS TIME OF YEAR THE CRAZIES COME OUT”: This is officer Fernandez who I met in Times Square, he has been on the Times Square force over fifteen years.
Me: “Aren’t you cold?”
Officer: “Naw, I’m wearing my bullet proof vest.”
Me: “Oh I see. May I take your picture?”
Officer Fernandez very proudly stood tall and struck a pose.
Officer: “Yeah sure, but make it quick, this time of the year the crazies come out.”
Me: “Christmastime and the cold, really?”
Officer: “Yeah, it’s those darn office holiday parties.”
Click.
December 2, 2012 | Categories: DAILY PHOTOS WITH STORIES OF NEW YORK CITY | Tags: bullet proof vest, Christmas, Hans Von Rittern, Manhattan, New York City, Officer Fernandez, police officer, policeman, Times Square | Leave a comment
Photo of the day: THE ‘BITTER’ COLD – On today’s front page of many papers is a picture of police officer, Larry DePrimo in the bitter cold, buying a homeless man a pair of shoes. The photo was taken on cell phone by a passing Arizona tourist and has gone viral world wide. While it is a beautiful and touching story – I have a contrasting one I posted over a year ago here on Facebook.
On Tuesday February 11, 2011 that night it was 22 degrees freezing with wind chills below zero, this man seemed frozen over his cart. He did not have gloves and his hands had turned brown from frostbite. He did not move. No one helped him. Notice his left hand, his fingers are straight together, it is an unnatural way for your hand to be if you are ‘sleeping’. His hand was frozen. I stepped near the grate, the so called ‘warm air’ was at best minimal. I have been told to freeze to death is somewhat merciful, you numb and fall asleep. Whether he survived the night I don’t know. I am conflicted to hope he survived or if the merciful wish was for him to ‘fall asleep.’ It took me a long time to flag a police car, they said he is on top of a grate and therefor “warm and fine”. I called 911 & 311 repeatedly, because supposedly the NYC law is that if it goes below freezing it is manadatory for the homeless to be brought to a shelter – but no one came. The traffic cop on the corner said there is nothing he could do. I went home with tears in my eyes and could not sleep that night.
It truly is a ‘bitter’ cold.
November 30, 2012 | Categories: DAILY PHOTOS WITH STORIES OF NEW YORK CITY | Tags: 311, 9/11, frostbite, Hans Von Rittern, homeless man, homeless person, Manhattan, New York City, no police help, Officer Larry DePrimo | Leave a comment
THE PERSIAN ROOM AT THE PLAZA HOTEL, 1974: Where were you 38 years ago on November 29, Friday night, 1974? I was 18 years old and took my friend Amy Hernandez to see a drag revue at the Plaza Hotel’s Persian Room, one of the most magical places within the Plaza. For more than forty years, from 1934 to 1975, the Persian Room was the place to be in New York City. An unparalleled array of performers graced its stage—everyone from the incomparable Hildegarde Shirley Bassey, Ethel Merman, The Mills Brothers, Kay Thompson (mother to Eloise), Eartha Kitt, Bob Hope, Liberace, Diahann Carroll, Julie Wilson, Andy Williams, Josephine Baker, my dear Celeste Holm and Marlene Dietrich’s last New York appearance.
It was done in high Persian style in deep iridescent tones of blues, greens and purples – nowadays we would view the decor as high camp/kitsch, but it was divine! The entrance looked like a golden gate to a palace. Today it is where the main lobby of the hotel is on the left side as you enter the Plaza Hotel, with sadly not a hint of it’s decadent past.
Amy Hernandez’s mother owned an east side townhouse bar and restaurant called ‘The Beef & Bourbon’ and the bourbon, her mom’s (and Amy’s) favorite drink of choice, flowed freely. Amy had an uppity twin sister named Carol who never liked anything I had to say and would just say “Oh Hans…”.
‘Manhattan Follies’ was the talk of the nightclub world and I just had to go! Impersonated that night were the then staples: Dietrich, Garland, Ross, Channing, Marilyn and Mae and that new sensation Bette Midler. The headliner was up and coming drag star Craig Russell who would go on to make the hit 1977 film called “Outrageous!”
The room still had a ‘cigar & cigarette girl’, a shapely woman with a tray strapped under her bosom selling smokes for high prices (Lena Horne started out as one). A Weegee-like man went from table to table with a huge old fashioned flash camera an offered souvenir photographs.
Some of the photo’s fun details: I am wearing a black and white polyester Marilyn Monroe print dress shirt with an awfully huge white poly tie. The suit is black velvet bell bottomed and huge platform shoes (that you can’t see here) that had silver stars on them. The program pictured here on the right, is next to me by my seat. Amy’s polyester print blouse was black and white to match me. Note my index finger is extended on my lap because I am trying to show off a silver ring in the shape of a man’s head wearing a turban which I felt was appropriate for the evening’s occasion. Amy and I didn’t know we were partaking in history because sadly the ‘Manhattan Follies’ was the last and final show to play at The Persian Room.
The 1970’s was a glorious era. My era. A decadent era of nightclubbing, dancing, glitz and glamour. Studio 54, Xenon, 12 West, Ice Palace and the Paradise Garage. Huge shoes, hair sprayed hair, big eye glasses, bell bottoms and that wonderful disco music.
Where where you November 29, Friday night 1974?…
November 29, 2012 | Categories: DAILY PHOTOS WITH STORIES OF NEW YORK CITY | Tags: "Outrageous!", 1974, 1977, Andy Williams, Bette Midler, Bob Hope, Carol Channing, celebrities, Celeste Holm, cigar cigarette girl, Craig Russell, decor, Diahann Carroll, Diana Ross, Eartha Kitt, Eloise at the Plaza, Ethel Merman, Hans Von Rittern, Hildegarde, Josephine Baker, Judy Garland, Julie Wilson, Kay Thompson, Liberace, Mae West, Manhattan, Manhattan Follies, Marilyn Monroe, Marlene Dietrich, New York City, nightclubs, November 29 - 1974, Shirley Bassey, The Mills Brothers, The Persian Room, The Plaza Hotel | 4 Comments
NEW YORK GLITTER:What is more shiny and bright than New York?
New York and Christmas just go perfectly together just like the glass ornaments in my tree, I love they way they reflect light and shine – just as New York City does.
And what is more New York than a bright yellow shiny taxi cab or bagels and cream cheese from your favorite delicatessen? The iconic I Love New York logo or the silhouette of the beautiful Flatiron building?
Christmas trees and New York – two big extravaganzas filled with colorful ornaments.
Big, shiny and bright! HAPPY HOLIDAZE !
All these ornaments are for sale on my EBAY page, seller ID: VONRITT
November 28, 2012 | Categories: DAILY PHOTOS WITH STORIES OF NEW YORK CITY | Tags: Bagels and cream cheese, Christmas ornaments, Christmas tree, delicatessen, Flatiron building, Hans Von Rittern, I Love New York logo, Manhattan, New York City, yellow taxi cab | Leave a comment
MEETING OF THE ‘M’ CLUB: The great painter Edouard Manet said: “There is only one true thing – instantly paint what you see. When you’ve got it, you’ve got it. When you haven’t, you begin again. All the rest is humbug.”
I as a photographer say: “Life is art = Art is life. If you have life in your eyes, you see the art.”
On one of the last warm days last week I came across this endearing scene. It is under the elevated ‘7’ train that heads towards Shea Stadium.
The meeting of ‘The M Club’. Mini Matisse, mini Mondrian, mini Manet and mini Monet.
A local day school teacher brings his little “M’s” to various spots here in Sunnyside Queens to inspire them to paint what they see and feel.
Matisse is in her blue period. Mondrian is being very colorful. Manet is feeling very precise and Monet is just going wild with his expressionism. Who knows what paths lie ahead for these four adorable children, one may be a lawyer, one our next president, one may be a psychiatrist and one may have their paintings hanging in the Museum of Modern Art!
Paint on dear children, paint on . . .
November 27, 2012 | Categories: DAILY PHOTOS WITH STORIES OF NEW YORK CITY | Tags: 7 train, arts, Children painting, day school, finger painting, Hans Von Rittern, Manet, Manet quote, Matisse, Mondrian, Monet, museum of modern art, New York City, Sunnyside | Leave a comment
THE LURE OF CYBER MONDAY: I fell asleep watching TV Sunday night and as awoke in the middle of the night, I found an eerie glow coming from my computer in my office as if it was luring me with all the tempting cyber discounts being offered today. “They’re here . . . !”
November 26, 2012 | Categories: DAILY PHOTOS WITH STORIES OF NEW YORK CITY | Tags: "Poltergeist", computer, Cyber Monday, eerie, Hans Von Rittern, Hans' office, internet, media, New York City, Queens, Sunnyside, Sunnyside Gardens | Leave a comment
CAMERA GLOVES !: My dear friend Nana Kuatto’s godmother Elina in Finland has made me ‘camera gloves’!
Mittens always keep your hands the warmest and nothing is warmer than 100% wool. Well, Elina Kiviniemi has combined the two ideas and created “Camera Gloves”!
It’s freezing cold outside and you’re taking pictures. Having to take off your gloves will leave your finger frozen in minutes. No need to worry. The right hand camera glove leaves the thumb and index finger free for you to securely hold you camera while your free warm index finger snaps the picture. Leave it to the Fin’s to come up with this idea! Elina Kiviniemi has also made wool socks for President Clinton and his family and she has received a personal handwritten thank you note from Bill himself!
My picture taking this winter will be warmer thanks to Nana and Elina’s thoughtfulness and my warm “CAMERA GLOVES from FINLAND”!
If they’re good enough for the Clintons – they’re good enough for me!
November 25, 2012 | Categories: DAILY PHOTOS WITH STORIES OF NEW YORK CITY | Tags: 100% wool, camera equipment, CMERA GLOVES, Elina Kiviniemi, Finland, hand made wool gloves, Hans Von Rittern, Manhattan, Nana Kuatto, New York City, photo equiptment, President Bill Clinton, The Clintons, winter gloves | Leave a comment
CONFUSED SMURF FOUND WANDERING IN TIMES SQUARE . . .
“Didn’t the parade used to come through Times Square? I’m confused, I’ve got to find the parade –
before the parade passes by
before it goes on, and I’m the only Smurf left
before the parade passes by.
I’ve gotta get in step while there’s still time left
I’m ready to move out in front
Life without life has no reason or rhyme left
With the rest of them
With the best of them
I wanna hold my head up high
I need to get a goal again I need to get a drive again
I wanna feel my heart coming alive again
Before the parade passes by…
Before the parade passes by
I’ve gotta go and taste Saturday’s high life ! “
November 24, 2012 | Categories: DAILY PHOTOS WITH STORIES OF NEW YORK CITY | Tags: "before the parade passes by' lyrics, 'Hello Dolly', alone smurf, Hans Von Rittern, Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade, Manhattan, New York City, Smurf, Streisand, Times Square | Leave a comment
Lyric from CHER’s 1979 album “Prisoner”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2a_YSdQLHWo
I’m shoppin’, gonna buy my blues away
Shoppin’, I’m walking up to the counter and say
I want this sweater, I sure feel better
Shoppin’, gonna take my troubles to town
Shoppin’, you don’t need money down
Charge it, wrap it, send it shoppin’
Ever since my mother took me to a big department store
My heartbeat escalated all the way to the second floor
I couldn’t hide my passion for the latest fashion craze
My mama told me that’s just another phase I’m going through
Whatcha got that’s new?
Shoppin’, gonna buy my blues away
Shoppin’, I got bad news today
Instead of eating ’cause my man’s cheating
Shoppin’, I’m gonna take my troubles to town
Shoppin’, while everyone else is smokin’, token’, coken’
Well, I’ll be shoppin’, hit it, boys
Excuse me Miss, see that, the dress over there?
How many colors does it come in?
Yes, all right, no, I’d like every one
No, I’m not going to try it, I know it’ll fit
Ooh, you know what?
Let’s go up, oh, they’re having a sale
My God, I love salesNo, I don’t have a last name
It’s just Cher, just plain Cher
Ooh, I like the shoes
Do you think you could wrap this thing
It’s all pink and wrinkly it’s…
What a darling little bag
Shoppin’, I’m gonna buy itShoppin’,
I never try it on for size
Shoppin, will I like it
Shoppin’, does the color match my eyes?
Folks say I’m daring for what I’m wearing
I’m always scaring the people’s staring
So I’m declaring, I’m tired of swearing
I’m just shoppin’
Shoppin’, I’m gonna but my blues away
Shoppin’, I got bad news todayShoppin’, I’m gonna take my troubles to town
Shoppin’, don’t need money down
Shoppin’, gonna buy my blues away
Shoppin’, walking up to the counter and say
I want that sweater, I sure feel betterShoppin’, charge it, wrap it, send it
Shoppin’, instead of eating ’cause my man’s cheating
I’ve been shoppin
‘While other people may be smokin’, token’, coken’
I’ll be shoppin’
November 23, 2012 | Categories: DAILY PHOTOS WITH STORIES OF NEW YORK CITY | Tags: Cher, Cher 'Shopping' music video, Cher lyrics, Hans Von Rittern, New York City | Leave a comment
YMCANDY MAN: “Young man, there’s no need to feel down.
I said, young man, pick yourself off the ground.
I said, young man, ’cause you’re in a new town
there’s no need to be unhappy.“
“But I can take a rainbow,
wrap it in a sigh,
soak it in the sun and make a groovy lemon pie.
I’m the Candy Man, the Candy Man!
I mix it all with dough and make the world taste good.“
“Young man, there’s a place you can go.
I said, young man, when you’re short on your dough.
You can bake there, and I’m sure you will find,
many ways to have a good time.
It’s fun to stay at the Y-M-C-A.“
November 21, 2012 | Categories: DAILY PHOTOS WITH STORIES OF NEW YORK CITY | Tags: Hans Von Rittern, lyrics, Manhattan, New York City, song, The Candy Man, The Candy Man lyrics, the naked candy man, the naked indian, The Village People, Times Square, Y.M.C.A. lyrics, YMCA | Leave a comment
JESUS IS KING AT THE WORLD TRADE CENTER: I am born and raised in this city. Walking past construction sites is a part of the fabric of life here. At first you gaze down into the big hole, then as the months pass, you start to gaze up as the construction rises in front of you. First the beams rise to the sky, then followed by the mortar and brick – nowadays that step is mostly skipped in favor of quickly just putting up sheets of glass.
Wooden walls or chain link fences keep us safely separated from the site. The temporary ‘wall’ surrounding the site becomes a form of city art. Posters advertising the latest show, cable TV shows, spiritualists, party, politician or artist. They get torn, sometimes artfully so or get glued or stapled over, layer by layer, a sort of record of time. That is usually collaged with a colorful array of graffiti, some of it the usual street gang type (kING63) or profound messages or rather naughty ones. But never have I looked up and have seen the graffiti on the building itself – and on top of that – a religious message.
At the World Trade Center construction site, along Church Street, as building #3 rises, look high up at the buildings cement core and you first think the spray paint markings in safety day glow orange would naturally be some sort of construction markings of distance or height. The answer is no. If you look closely, it is a message declaring “Jesus is King.”
I have never, ever seen a construction site graffitied by it’s workers much less religious graffiti. I am equally astounded it is allowed by the site – apparently so . . . Merry (early) Christmas 🙂
November 20, 2012 | Categories: DAILY PHOTOS WITH STORIES OF NEW YORK CITY | Tags: architecture, construction site, construction workers, graffiti, Hans Von Rittern, Jesus is King, Manhattan, New York City, religious message, spray paint, Trade Center #3, World Trade Center, WTC construction site | Leave a comment
Councilman Jimmy Van Brammer speaks to the gatherered community honoring Lou as bereaved family members listen on.
SUNNYSIDE MURDER: Lou Rispoli and his partner of 31 years Danyal Lawson were married at Queens Borough Hall on July 24, 2011, the first day that same-sex marriages became legal in New York State. On Saturday, October 20, 2012 at 2:05 A.M. he told his partner he was going out to get some milk. At approximately 2:15 A.M., at the corner of 42nd Street & 43rd Ave. Louis Rispoli was assaulted by 3 male white suspects in their early 20’s who brutally bashed his head in with an unknown blunt object . . . five days later Louis died of his injuries. The suspects fled in a grey sports car and have not been caught.
On Saturday November 16, at 4:00 P.M., my mother and I along with our councilman Jimmy Van Brammer and several hundred residents of Woodside and Sunnyside, Queens gathered and marched to protest the senseless violence and to pay tribute to this beloved member of our community. Danyal’s and Louis’ family members were all present to see this outpouring of concern and love.
Crimestoppers will pay up to $22,000 for information leading to the arrest & indictment and the NYPD will pay $10,000 for the arrest & conviction of the persons responsible for this crime. Please call Crimestoppers at 1(800)577-TIPS.
DANYAL WALKING HOME WITH HIS LOVED ONES AFTER THE RALLY
November 18, 2012 | Categories: DAILY PHOTOS WITH STORIES OF NEW YORK CITY | Tags: Councilman Jimmy Van Brammer, Danyal Lawson, gay activist, Hans Von Rittern, Lou Rispoli, march against violence, murder, New York City, same sex marriage, Sunnyside, Sunnyside Gardens, Woodside | Leave a comment
I ♥ NY AC/DC THE BEATLES DUB STREET LED ZEPPELIN GRATEFUL DEAD FUCK YOU FOO FIGHTERS COCA COLA YOU SUCK AVOID HANGOVERS STAY DRUNK PINK FLOYD THE WALL WOLVERINE BAD PULP FICTION RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS ASK ME ABOUT MY ABILITY TO ANNOY COMPLETE STRANGERS WE CAN DO IT = $1.00 each.
November 17, 2012 | Categories: DAILY PHOTOS WITH STORIES OF NEW YORK CITY | Tags: $1.00 each, ask me about my ability to annoy complete strangers, avoid hangovers stay drunk, Bad, buttons, Coca Cola, Dub street, Foo Fighters, fuck you, Grateful Dead, I ♥ NY, Led Zeppelin, pinbacks, Pink Floyd, pins, Pulp Fiction, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, the Beatles, the Wall, we can do int, Wolverine, you suck | Leave a comment
THIRTEEN DOWN WAS A BITCH: Part of her morning routine is to secure a warm sunny chair and table early in Bryant Park, to settle in her belongings and to do her crossword puzzles. She is one of the regular homeless faces I recognize in the park. One never knows what brings you to such a point and what story lurks behind that sleepy face next to you. She being an avid cross word puzzler makes me curious what her past was -secretary, business executive, wife, teacher, accountant, clerk – I wonder?
Bryant Park is situated right behind the huge public library here in Manhattan filled daily with avid readers. The advantage is they discard their daily newspapers in the nearby trash bins. So her morning routine begins – find a spot, find the daily papers, find the crossword puzzles, tear them out of the paper and then start with #1 across. Being homeless, you never are assured to find the next days paper to find out if you’ve solved them all correctly or not, but it whiles away the hours.
#1 across was the easiest, it always is, likewise for #1 down. #2 across follows easily.
#7 across required some thought. #11 down she wasn’t sure of the spelling.
Solving #22 down made the others fall into place. #39 across could be one of two names. But . . . #13 down – was a bitch, so, she decides to take a nap.
November 16, 2012 | Categories: DAILY PHOTOS WITH STORIES OF NEW YORK CITY | Tags: Bryant Park, Crossword puzzle, Hans Von Rittern, homeless, Manhattan, New York City, New York Public Lilbrary, newspapers, old woman | 4 Comments
MIDNIGHT MOVES: Where else but in New York can you find a place to play a friendly game of chess – at 2 a.m.?
The Village Chess Shop has been at the same location since 1972. In the heart of Greenwich Village, just one block below Washington Square Park. It was the first place created where chess players could come and play, as well as a place to shop. “The Chess Shop” has hundreds of chess sets from all over the world displayed. Many a tourist has come in smiling, saying how wonderful that such a “museum of chess” exists.
“The Chess Shop” is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year! Your move . . .
Village Chess Shop 230 Thompson Street New York City, NY 10012
November 15, 2012 | Categories: DAILY PHOTOS WITH STORIES OF NEW YORK CITY | Tags: 24 hour, chess, chess players, chess sets, game of chess, Greenwich Village, Hans Von Rittern, Manhattan, midnight chess, New York City, The Chess Shop, Thompson Street, Washington Square Park | Leave a comment
A CHRISTMAS TREE IS COMING!: Today Rockefeller Center will erect the annual New York City Christmas tree. Not your ordinary tree. This Norway Blue Spruce is from our neighboring state New Jersey and weighs 10 tons. It will stand a 80 feet (24 meters) in height, 50 feet wide (15 meters).
If you have ever complained about putting up the lights on your tree – you have nothing to complain about. This tree will take 40,000 LED lights winding over 6 miles of wire! The world famous Swarovski company will supply the crystal star atop the tree. The official lighting ceremony draws thousands of people including a gaggle of celebrities and will take place Wednesday, November 28th. Tis the season . . .
November 14, 2012 | Categories: DAILY PHOTOS WITH STORIES OF NEW YORK CITY | Tags: Christmas tree, Hans Von Rittern, Manhattan, New Jersey, New York City, Norway blue spruce, Rockefeller Center | Leave a comment
“YOU WANNA SMOKE SOME WEED?”: It was yet another afternoon in Bryant park with her daycare giver. The same bench, the same people walking by with their same lunch, the birds are hungry as usual. It’s just another ordinary day. Then Thelma read the election results reporting marijuana had been legalized – that finally broke the monotony of the day! “You wanna smoke some weed?” she asked. Her nurse, (let’s call her Louise) explained it was only legal in certain states like Washington and Colorado. That was Thelma’s buzz kill to what might have been a really fine afternoon, “damn!”.
November 13, 2012 | Categories: DAILY PHOTOS WITH STORIES OF NEW YORK CITY | Tags: 2012 election, Bryant Park, Hans Von Rittern, Manhattan, marijuana, Medical marijuana laws, New York City, smoke pot, Thelma & Louise, weed | Leave a comment
NEW YORK CITY - IN THE WIT OF AN EYE 
