“WE BOTH REACHED FOR THE GUN”
(Altered just slightly to fit the Trayvon Martin/Zimmerman case. Frightening how almost identical the two scenarios are. )
[REPORTERS]
Where’d you come from?
[OMARA (as George)]
Virginia
[REPORTERS]
And your parents?
[OMARA (as George)]
Middle class.
[REPORTERS]
Where are they now?
(OMARA (as George)]
Sanford, Florida.
[MARK OMARA]
But he was granted one more start
[OMARA (as George)]
Attending catholic school!
[REPORTERS]
When’d you get here?
[OMARA (as George)]
2003
[REPORTERS]
How old were you?
[OMARA (as George)]
Don’t remember
[REPORTERS]
Then what happened?
[OMARA (as George)]
I joined the neighborhood watch,
Convinced I would be a cop one day
[PRESS (spoken)]
A catholic boy! A cop wannabe!
oh, it’s too terrible. You poor, poor dear.
[REPORTERS]
Who’s Trayvon Martin?
[OMARA (as George)]
An unknown boy.
[REPORTERS]
Why’d you shoot him?
[OMARA (as George)]
I was suspicious.
[REPORTERS]
Was he angry?
[OMARA (as George)]
Like a madman
Still I said, “Trayvon, move along.”
[OMARA]
George knew that he was doin’ wrong.
[REPORTERS]
Then describe it.
[OMARA (as George)]
He came toward me.
[REPORTERS]
With a pistol?
[OMARA (as George)]
From my waistband.
[REPORTERS]
Did you fight him?
[OMARA (as George)]
Like a tiger.
[MARK OMARA]
Trayvon had strength and George had none.
[OMARA (as George)]
And yet we both reached for the gun
Oh yes, oh yes, oh yes we both
Oh yes we both
Oh yes, we both reached for
The gun, the gun, the gun, the gun
Oh yes, we both reached for the gun
For the gun.
[OMARA AND REPORTERS]
Oh yes, oh yes, oh yes they both
Oh yes, they both
Oh yes, they both reached for
The gun, the gun, the gun, the gun,
Oh yes, they both reached for the gun
For the gun.
[OMARA]
Understandable. understandable
Yes, it’s perfectly understandable
Defensible. Defensible
Not a bit reprehensible
It’s so defensible!
[REPORTERS]
How’re you feeling?
[OMARA (as George)]
Very frightened
[REPORTERS]
Are you sorry?
[GEORGE]
Are you kidding?
[REPORTERS]
What’s you’re statement?
[OMARA (as George)]
All I’d say is
Though my choo-choo jumped the track
I’d give my life to bring him back
[REPORTERS]
And?
[OMARA (as George)]
Stay away from
[REPORTERS]
What?
[OMARA (as George)]
Guns and skittles
[REPORTERS]
And?
[OMARA (as George)]
And the boys who
[REPORTERS]
What?
[OMARA (as George)]
Wear a hoodie who run
[REPORTERS]
And what?
[OMARA (as George)]
That’s the thought that
[REPORTERS]
Yeah?…
[OMARA (as George)]
Came upon me
[REPORTERS]
When?
[OMARA (as George)]
When we both reached for the gun!
[FLORIDA PRESS]
Understandable, understandable
[OMARA AND FLORIDA PRESS]
Yes, it’s perfectly understandable
Comprehensible, comprehensible
Not a bit reprehensible
It’s soooo defensible!
[OMARA (spoken)]
Let me
Hear it!
[REPORTERS]
Oh yes, oh yes, oh yes, they both
Oh yes, they both
Oh yes, they both reached for
The gun, the gun, the gun,
The gun
Oh yes, they both reached
For the gun
[OMARA (spoken)]
A little louder!
[REPORTERS]
For the Gun.
Oh yes, oh yes, oh yes, they both
Oh yes, they both
Oh yes, they both reached
For the gun, the gun,
[OMARA (spoken)]
Now you got it!
[REPORTERS]
The gun, the gun
Oh yes. They both reached
For the gun
For the gun.
[OMARA AND REPORTERS]
Oh yes, oh yes, oh yes, they both
Oh yes, they both
Oh yes, they both reached for
The gun, the gun, the gun, the gun
Oh yes, they both reached for the gun.
Oh yes, oh yes, oh yes, they both
Oh yes, they both
Oh yes, reached for
The gun, the gun, the gun, the gun
The gun, the gun, the gun, the gun
[OMARA]
Both reached for the…gun
[REPORTERS]
The gun, the gun, the gun, the gun
The gun, the gun, the gun, the gun
The gun, the gun, the gun, the gun
The gun, the gun, the gun, the gun
Both reached for the gun.
WATCH THIS VIDEO, THE CASES ARE IDENTICAL !
July 17, 2013 | Categories: DAILY PHOTOS WITH STORIES OF NEW YORK CITY | Tags: "We both reached for the gun", 9/11, altered Chicago lyrics, Billy Flynn, blind jury, Chicago and Florida the same, Chicago movie, Chicago stand your ground law, fixed case, George Zimmerman, Hans Von Rittern, hoodie, laywers, Mark Omara, Musical 'chicago' lyrics, New York City, Photo of the day, Press coverage, racist, racist Florida, racist jury, racist trial, reporters, Roxie Hart, Sanford Florida, skittle, Trayvon Martin, trial is a joke, trial is fixed, wannabe cop, you can get away with murder, Zimerman trial a farce, zimmerman case | Leave a comment
WHAT’S THE COLOR OF LOVE?
by KoolC
What’s the color of love, if you should ask?
Is it blue? Oh I thought you knew, is it black?
Red, brown, round or is it white, or quite right,
What’s the color of love?
Love has no color
Just ask the true lovers,
Love is timeless, love is kindness, endless, courteous,
a little bit of teasing and a lot of pleasing,
Love is like the rainbow,
Love is like a rose – with nourishment it will grow.
Love has no color no matter where you go,
Love is respect and affection, love is honor and protection,
Love is a symphony, a song with the most beautiful melody,
Love is freedom, like the river to the sea.
Love would always say come to me, like a harp in harmony,
Love is peace and unity, its that sparkle in your eyes,
its the glory of paradise,
Love is a tender moment of pleasure, it can’t be measured.
Love is an unquenchable thirst, a desire of passion, of fire
Love can break the spell of any curse, always put love first,
I couldn’t live in a world without love.
Love has no color, love is clear as crystal, naked as a new born,
Love is beyond the galaxy, its infinity,
Love can make a blind man see, love is a phenomena,
Love has no color
Love is the greatest gift of all,
Love is what we are and who we are
and what we can be,
but love has no color
because I am a fool for love.
Love has no color.
July 16, 2013 | Categories: DAILY PHOTOS WITH STORIES OF NEW YORK CITY | Tags: 'What's the color of love?', American flag, Asian and black couple, biracial love, George Zimmerman, Hans Von Rittern, interacial love, KoolC, love has no color, love is colorblind, Love poem, Macy's Herald Square, Manhattan, New York City, New York photo, Photo of the day, poem of peace, Rachel Jeantal, teenagers in love, Trayvon Martin, young love | Leave a comment
GEORGE ZIMMERMAN’S “NOT GUILTY” VERDICT WAS BULLIED BY JUROR #B37 !
Go to CNN’S Anderson Cooper interview with her Monday 7-15-13 evening.
In only 1-½ days juror B37 has secured herself a book deal, claiming not because she “wants to profit from this”. . . and I am the pope! Her husband is a lawyer – HOW did she get on the jury?? She is also a right wing gun advocate and a proponent of the hideous Florida “stand your ground law.” One of the blind who firmly believes “race had nothing to do with it.” She claims she knows what happened that night. Listen to her words very, very carefully. The hesitations and voice say a lot more than what just her words say.
She is an older white woman, (very privileged white, doesn‘t need to work) to the point that she refers to blacks as “they” and “them” and felt sorry for the defense witness “poor Rachel Jeantel”. There was a huge racial and age gap: “She had just used ‘phrases’ I had never heard before.”
She told Anderson Cooper the jury entered the deliberation room 2 for manslaughter, 1 for second degree murder 2 likely guilty – but she was “convinced“ from the very beginning that “George” was innocent. “No doubt about it.” (It is also disturbingly cozy that she does not refer to the defendent as ‘the defendent’, ‘George Zimmerman’ or ‘Mr. Zimmerman’ – but as “George”). “We just couldn’t reach a verdict 3 to 3. So I worked so hard to go over the evidence again and again.” “Again and again“ translates as “bullied” for her right wing gun toting agenda! Remember she was the only one that was convinced from the start that ‘George’ was innocent. She was the alpha female in the group that swayed the jury to go her way, so she could write the book on how she fought to carry them to the light of the truth! BINGO = book deal 1-½ days later!
Of course towards the end of the interview, as all right wingers do, she threw in some required quivers in her voice and supposed tears. “I feel sorry for both of them.” BOTH. I say ‘supposed tears’ because her face was blacked out. When Anderson asked her why she didn‘t want to show her face, she said because wanted to be “cautious.” We know this about her: the woman has lived in the Sanford, Fla., area for 18 years and has two daughters – a 24-year-old pet groomer and a 27-year-old college student. During jury selection, she said she had been called for jury duty four times previously but never selected to sit on a case.
Never selected for a case – yet this one she seemingly was “perfect” for and swayed the whole case. If you are angry, if you feel this is as unjust and embarrassing as I do – direct your anger at her – JUROR #B37 !
PS – The case is also a sad confluence of bad things. Teenager Rachel Jeantel was interviewed on CNN’S Piers Morgan afterwards. To everyone’s surprise she IS a well spoken, intelligent (street smart) religious girl, respectful of her elders. Why sadly did Rachel not pull herself together and show herself as she was on Piers Morgan Monday night? Because she said she was angry, didn’t want to be incourt, couldn’t deal with Trayvon Martin’s death and is very afraid of death. How very, very sad that this young innocent boy lost his life due to such a “Chicago” (movie) like trial. The film, by the way, is based on a true 1924 story of Belva Gaertner and Beulah Annan. In all this time, almost ninety years later, it still rings true in America, get a more clever lawyer and you CAN get away with murder.
Juror #B37’s book, ‘George Zimmerman Is Innocent’ written with the assistance of her lawyer husband,
will be out later this year.
July 15, 2013 | Categories: DAILY PHOTOS WITH STORIES OF NEW YORK CITY | Tags: alpha female, Anderson Cooper, Belva Gaertner, Beulah Annan, book deal in 1-1/2 days, bully juror, CNN, Florida, George Zimmerman, Hans Von Rittern, Juror B37, movie "Chicago", not guilty verdict, Photo of the day, Pierce Morgan, Rachel Jeantal, racist Florida, rigged jury, right to carry guns, right wing, right wing agenda, Stand your ground law, travesty of justice, Trayvon Martin | Leave a comment
Mondays on Memory Lane: PLEASE HELP GIVE CAROL CHANNING A 2013 KENNEDY CENTER AWARD – If you are of a certain age, or you know your entertainment history, there are certain voices that on first note you recognize instantly. The Brooklyn of Jimmy Durante, the heart of Louis Armstrong, the belt of Ethel Merman, the breathiness Marilyn Monroe, the growl of Eartha Kitt, the shaky quality of Katherine Hepburn, the accent of Marlene Dietrich, the staccato speech pattern Bette Davis and above all the big hearted gravely “hello” of Carol Channing!
Carol is larger than life, she is a living caricature of herself, a favorite of the best caricature artist of all time Al Hirschfeld. She is also living Broadway history having created two of the most iconic characters in theater history, Lorelei Lee of ‘Gentlemen Prefer Blondes’ and Dolly Levi of ‘Hello Dolly’. No matter who you remember playing these characters on screen, Marilyn Monroe or Streisand – Carol originated them! But above all, there is no other creation like Carol herself. You fall in love with her the moment you set eyes on her.
At age 92, nothing has changed, her saucer eyes, her broad grin, that bowl cut hair style, the platinum blonde hair, that child-like enthusiasm with a heart of gold and above all, above all – that voice! I have had the thrill of seeing her on stage many times in my lifetime: 3 times as Dolly in 1970, 1978 and 1995. Once as Lorelei Lee the ultimate diamond loving gold digger the 1974’s ‘Lorelei’, the musical stage version of ‘Gentlemen Prefer Blondes’. In film she will be forever remembered as Muzzy Van Hossmere in Julie Andrews’ ‘Thoroughly Modern Millie’ as Carol sang in a vocal range from a high ‘C’ to the lowest note possible in ‘I’m Just A Jazz Baby’ and ‘Raspberries!’
On April 30, 2011, my good friend Jeffrey Shonert and I had the thrilling absolute surreal honor of sitting in front of Carol Channing and her late husband Harry Kullijian at the premier of her life story documentary “Larger Than Life” at the Tribeca Film Festival here in New York. This was thanks to the larger than life heart and love of my dear friend, entertainer and author Richard Skipper. As the film ran I could hear Carol commenting on the film to her husband – two Carol voices at once – surreal!! Richard, I am forever indebted to you!
Once a year The Kennedy Center in Washington D.C hands out lifetime achievement awards to the greats of entertainment. Since their inception in 1978, in all this time, Carol Channing has never been honored. How they have overlooked and bypassed this legend is a travesty and embarrassment. What to me makes it worse, last year seemingly having run out of names to give it to, they gave it to mad magazine poster child David Letterman. How throwing watermelons off a roof while stupidly grinning into the camera merits a lifetime achievement award over the life’s work of Carol Channing is beyond me! She has entertained us since the 1940’s, has worked tirelessly for Arts In Education. She IS theater!
Thank you !
Hans Von Rittern
July 15, 2013 | Categories: DAILY PHOTOS WITH STORIES OF NEW YORK CITY | Tags: "I'm Just A Jazz Baby", "Larger Than Life" documentary, "Raspberries!", 'Hello Dolly', Al Hirschfeld, Bette Davis, Broadway history, Broadway legends, Broadway musical, caricature artist, Carol Chaning, Channing Kennedy Center Petition, dolly levi, Eartha Kitt, Ethel Merman, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, Hans Von Rittern, Harry Kullijian, Jimmy Durante, Julie Andrews, Katherine Hepburn, kennedy center award, Kennedy Center Honors, Lorelei, lorelei lee, Louis Armstrong, Manhattan, Marilyn Monroe, Marlene Dietrich, New York City, New York photo, Pearl Bailey, Photo of the day, Richard Skipper, Streisand, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Tribeca Film Festival 2011 | Leave a comment
“Fucking punks!, these assholes, they always get away.”
Cop wanna-be Zimmerman’s said to a police dispatcher when he spotted doomed 17-year-old Trayvon Martin.
I am stunned, horrified but sadly not to too surprised at the ‘not guilty’ verdict of racist George Zimmerman. Myself being a white American with many international friends, I am embarrassed to be an American right now. Europe is looking at us in puzzlement at our gun obsessed racist society and politics. This is a throw back to the old south justice. How is it that everyone could see the facts, every logical, rational human being could see Zimmerman had hateful intent to not let the nigger get away – all except for six blind women on that jury?? Obviously in racist Florida, it’s open season on young black boys wearing a hoodie, walking home with a package of Skittles.
Open season on hoodies
Zimmerman’s brother Robert Jr. and blue-eyed wife Shellie are just the same, white-wannabe racists. Listen to his brother’s interviews on CNN’S Pierce Morgan show. The brother has an air of entitlement and arrogance, seemingly insulted the murder has even come to trial. Watch and look at his bleach-blonde wife’s face at trial. It is a face of haughty better-than-you supreme attitude. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Lest they forget, 50% of their DNA is a “minority” Latino DNA, but they feel themselves to be Aryan supremacists.
I am too drained from the exhaustive coverage of this disgusting outcome to go over every detail of the trial, you know them all – but one trial testimony sticks out and should stick in your mind. The local news interview of a woman who lives in the neighborhood was used in evidence against Trayvon:“Let’s talk about the elephant in the room. I’m black, OK?” the woman said, declining to be identified because she anticipated backlash due to her race. She leaned in to look a reporter directly in the eyes. “There were black boys robbing houses in this neighborhood,” she said. “That’s why George was suspicious of Trayvon Martin.”
So by default, Trayvon is black = Trayvon is an armed criminal. So it was heavily implied at trail. I suggest the defense stupidly did not make this following connection: Trayvon Martin is black = therefore he could be a great golf player like Tiger Woods, General Colin L. Powell secretary of state, Tyler Perry Hollywood actor and billionaire, Harry Belafonte singer or – president of the United States!
July 14, 2013 | Categories: DAILY PHOTOS WITH STORIES OF NEW YORK CITY | Tags: all woman jury blind, Aryan racists, CNN Pierce Morgan, defense of Zimerman, George Zimmerman, Hans Von Rittern, hoodie, Manhattan, New York City, not guilty verdict, Photo of the day, prosecution of Zimmerman, racist Florida, Robert Zimmerman brother, Shellie Zimmerman wife, skittles, supremists, travisty of justice, Trayvon Martin, trial testimony | Leave a comment
Photo of the day: MODERN DAY MARILYN – The Marilyn-esque look will last forever. I was strolling through the east village and came across MM staring down at me through the window of the wonderful 125 Second Avenue vintage shop “ENZ’S”. This mannequin has so many MM references: the cherries from her ‘The Misfits’ dress, the halter top from the famous subway skirt blowing scene in ‘The 7 Year Itch’, the pouting lips, the droopy eyes and lashes, the famous flip hairdo with an updated color – it’s Marilyn!
The east village is one of the last vestiges of what the entire “village” used to be like. Odd, unusual shops filled with quirky items, retro and hand made looks and even quirkier shop owners. Sadly in the Bloomberg/Quinn era the flavor of our ‘originality’ is quickly disappearing in favor of high rent chain stores and the ever cancerous growth of the New York University (NYU) campus. I truly hope in 2025 I will still be able too wander along some of our streets and find a Marilyn pouting at me through the window of a funky shop.
Address: 125 2nd Ave New York, NY 10003 Neighborhood: East Village (212) 228-1943
(917) 841-5989
http://www.enzsnyc.com
Nearest Transit: Astor Place (6) 8th St-Broadway (R, W) 3rd Ave-14th St (L)
Hours: Mon-Sat 12 pm – 8 pm
Sun 1 pm – 7pm
July 13, 2013 | Categories: DAILY PHOTOS WITH STORIES OF NEW YORK CITY | Tags: 'The 7 Year Itch', 'The Misfits', 1950's shop, anti Blomberg, anti NYU, anti Quinn, clothing, East Village, gentrification of neighborhood, Greenwich Village, Hans Von Rittern, Manhattan, Marilyn Monroe, Marilyn Monroe bust, Marilyn Monroe mannequin, New York City, New York photo, nyu campus, NYU takeover, Photo of the day, retro shops, Second Avenue, second hand shops, shopping, style, thrift shops | Leave a comment
Photo of the day: MMMM = MACY*S, MT. RUSHMORE AND MARILYN MONROE ! – To celebrate the summer of 2013, Macy*s launched the ‘American Icons’ campaign celebrating everything American and our American fashion designers. The one human being chosen to represent the USA is not Elvis or any of our current celebrities, but none other than the eternal blonde Marilyn Monroe! Marilyn is now a clothing brand, a merlot wine brand and a part of so many other things. She is wealthier in death than she ever was in life. Fifty one years after her death in 1962, her image, innocent sex appeal and allure continue to captivate our imaginations. Come to Herald Square, turn the corner and walk down 34th Street, and there you will see Macy*s ‘American Icon’ huge banner. What images did they choose?: the American flag, the Coney Island Ferris Wonder Wheel, the Empire State Building, Levis, Mt. Rushmore and Marilyn Monroe!
P.S. Out of all these ‘American’ fashion designers – whose clothes are really made in America??
July 12, 2013 | Categories: DAILY PHOTOS WITH STORIES OF NEW YORK CITY | Tags: "Made in the USA", 34th Street, American fashion designers, American flag, American Icons, clothing manufacturers, Coney Island Wonder Ferris Wheel, fashion, Hans Von Rittern, Herald Square, Levis, Macy's, Macy's 2013 summer promotion, Macy's flagship store Herald Square, made in America, Manhattan, Marilyn Monroe, Marilyn Monroe's death 1962, Mt. Rushmore, New York City, New York photo, Photo of the day, The Empire State Building | Leave a comment
Eyes of wonderment – KAVISH SINGH
Photo of the day: A DAY AT THE MUSEUM or THE WONDER OF SCIENCE – The Natural History Museum on Central Park West in New York City is a guaranteed place of wonder for any children of any age. Their eyes widen with excitement as they enter the doors, oooohs and ahhhhs followed by “I want to see the dinosaurs! No, I want to see the meteors”! Just hand them a map of the museum with their chaperone – and set them loose!
If you have the time and extra expense, take them to the Hayden Planetarium’s theater in the round for the “Journey to the Stars”, a 1/2 hour show narrated by actress Whoopi Goldberg (on tape, not live). “Featuring extraordinary images from telescopes on the ground and in space and stunning, never-before-seen visualizations of physics-based simulations, the dazzling Journey to the Stars launches visitors through space and time to experience the life and death of the stars in our night sky, including our own nurturing Sun. Tour familiar stellar formations, explore new celestial mysteries, and discover the fascinating, unfolding story that connects us all to the stars.” The film is projected on the domed ceiling of the planetarium convincing some of my little guests that the ceiling was actually turning.
Back inside the museum you have five floors of difficult choices to make: Dinosaurs – over 2 billion bones – the largest bone collection in the world, stuffed animals from all over the world, butterflies, space exhibits, rocks and minerals, ocean life, more dinosaurs and endless fascinating gift shops.
Rhinoceros family in the graslands of Africa exhibit
Spooky skeletons
I took my 35 students from India there Monday and they were like kids in a candy shop. Immediately the groups split up into their hierarchies. Cool girls together, science geeks together, boys who wanted to see how many fun things they could buy, the bewildered, etc, and one loner polite boy named Kavish Singh. On our trip he expressed no interest in buying anything for himself or his loved ones back home. “It is not necessary” Kavish said wisely for his eight years. “I don’t want anything, my money is just for emergency purposes.” (‘Oh boy I thought, if that woulda been me…’) I tried in vain to get him to buy a souvenir to no avail, he stuck to his earnest guns.
Kavish had kept to himself the whole trip and was always very quiet. I did discover he believed King Kong was real and that he was a very introspective, shy boy. So when we got to the museum, to my great surprise, he came up to me to hold my hand and wanted to come with me and our chaperone Ankur to tour the museum alone. “Well, you have us all to yourselves, what do you want to see? Meteors?” “No.”, Butterflies”, “No”. “Dinosaurs…” Kavish said quietly with a nod.
A sense of wonderment
Ok, so up to the top fifth floor we went. As we reached the top, he transformed, his shell was dropped and he wandered ahead, his heavy back pack on his shoulders, to marvel at what he had only seen in books and movies. “Oooooh sir, are they real?” “Yes they all are! You are the boss here, you take us where you want to go!” The rest was magic. The little wheels in Kavish’s mind were spinning a mile a minute. He wasn’t the serious little man he had been, but was a little google-eyed boy. His face broke out into beams of smiles he seemed to feel safe to reveal. It was a joy for us to lead him through the giant Dino-turtles, winged serpent like creatures hanging from the ceiling, gigantic bones and then on to the stuffed animals in their natural habitats, including soils, and vegetation. “Do they ever come alive” Kavish asked sheepishly. He knew his belief in King Kong had already been thwarted, “No,” I explained, “that was only in the movie ‘A Night At The Museum'”. He wondered and thought, reflected on the animals some more, “but perhaps if we turned out the lights and left, then we could look in the windows and see what happens?” Since our bus was waiting to take us back to the airport, I advised we will have to wait for another late night to see what really does happen in ‘a night at the museum’. . .
July 11, 2013 | Categories: DAILY PHOTOS WITH STORIES OF NEW YORK CITY | Tags: "Journey to the Stars" film show, a child's amazement, A Night At The Museum film, butterflies, child friendly New York places, children's wonderment, dinosaur bones, Dinosaurs, Hans Von Rittern, Hayden Planetarium, Kavish Singh, Manhattan, meteors, moon, Museum of Natural History, New York City, perfect place for children, Photo of the day, planetarium, science, stars, student groups, students from India, stuffed animals, sun, The Museum of Natural History, tourism, Whoppi Goldberg | 2 Comments
Photo of the day: MEET 35 OF MY NEW FRIENDS FROM INDIA – Through my friendship with Ajay and Ankur Bansal of the India Unexplored travel agency in India, I get the sheer joy of showing stary-eyed students the city of their dreams. Since they come from all parts of India, the reaction to New York ranges widely from bewilderment, confusion, to the thrill of recognizing places from their movies and music videos.
The children in this group ranged from age 8 to 15, so therefore their reactions varied greatly. The group always is divided into the expected subsections. The cool pretty girls, the science geeks, the way too cool coming-of age guys dressed as ‘NYC’ as possible, the introverted, the shy and the terribly obdeient to parents and tradition. It amuses me greatly to watch this predictable age old tradition and dividing up carry on. Can you pick out who is who in this group photo?
On Sunday, July 7th we first visited the Statue of Liberty. The high rate of security overwhelmed them a bit at first. To watch their eyes grow wider and wider as the boat drew closer was endearing. Some children just grow very quiet and look studiously up at her. Here she was! The statue they had seen in every movie, “Did you see ‘I Am Legend’?! That movie was cool!” I always point out to them that the statue is not standing still as it first appears, that she is breaking the chains of oppression at her feet and is moving forward towards freedom, “Oooooh!” I always ask – do you know what the 7 points in her crown represent? “The 7 continents” is the most frequent answer as opposed to the correct answer, the 7 seas. I then ask them to take 2 American pennies out of their wallet to show them just how thin her copper skin is, there is always amazement at that. Despite the oppressive heat wave we took the time to make sure everyone got that one special photo with Miss Liberty – you know, you get on your knees and photograph upwards so that friends and Miss Liberty are all in one shot. Then it’s the race for the gift shop. “I wanted more Liberty Statues” one adorable girl exclaimed. I assured her, once we got to Timers Square, there would be dozens including many live ones for her to choose from!
Next it was on to the 9/11 memorial. More stringent security. Since half the group was of such a young age, I had to explain the whole tragedy to them and the importance of the site. Many had thought the waterfalls would be above ground “you know, like Niagara Falls.” I told them to look up and imagine 110 floors of people working at their desks possibly about to loose their lives. Silence and bewilderment came over their faces. ‘But why?’ their faces seemed to say. How do you explain terrorism to an 8 year old? I tried in the gentlest manner possible, trying to explain “hate”. Many also sought to touch the ‘survivor pear tree’ and felt it was a true miracle.
Since they wanted an American lunch, where else but – McDonalds on Broadway with the live piano player, this was very exciting to them. They were like kids in a candy store. Very happy and very placated. We then walked around the City Hall area and waited for our bus to take us to the Empire State Building. What was incredible to them was that it was built in just 13 months. “That can’t be sir? It is not possible to construct such a thing in so short a time.”
Out of respect, I am called “sir” – it is endearing, an old age culture of respect and a bit surreal. Some dared to call me “Sir Hans” but that was tried by only 1 or 2 of the older boys. Imagine this soft little voice calling you “sir”, it warms you heart to the fullest.
The Empire State Building was the third time they were subjected to the heavy ‘welcome to New York security’, this is how our lives have changed. Security guards took away a golf ball from a little boy. I was furious and in disbelief. I had an umbrella which I could have dropped down as a missile, but this little boy’s NYC golf ball he had bought for his dad was confiscated?!? (I bought him another one at twice the price, but I was NOT going have
this be his memory of the Empire State Building!) Once we got to the top, having come from the other side of the globe, I was asked if that land mass to the west was Canada – I had to explain, no…”it’s Jersey”.
Our final stop was the much requested Times Square. The ooohs and ahhhs were abundant. Each older student was required to hold the hand of a younger student. I lead the group holding up an American flag they could follow, we were quite a parade. “Sir! This is where we should have spent the whole day!” Most of them just wanted to shop, try on Nike sneakers and buy as many I ♥ NY t-shirts as possible, and oh yes, and buy many little mini Liberty statues.
Here is where our culture differs greatly from India’s. We made our meeting point by the red glass TKTS stairs. As we waited I looked in their bags and would ask them “so – what did you buy?” Many of them responded that they had not bought nothing for themselves, but something for their sister, father, brother or mother. It was truly humbling. One little girl was so proud that she had bought a red, white and blue teddy bear with big eyes for her little sister, “I know she will like this very, very much.” I couldn’t have loved them more in that moment. Now it was time to head back to their hotel in Long Island City and continue their NYC adventure Monday . . .
FAVORITE QUOTE OF THE DAY: “Is King Kong really real? Where does he live now?” asked 8 year old Kavish Singh with thoughtful wide eyes and wonderment. I had to bite my tongue from laughing and remember I believed in Santa Claus till 5th grade, so it was with a smile I tried to explain that it had been an animated doll – he seemed disappointed.
July 9, 2013 | Categories: DAILY PHOTOS WITH STORIES OF NEW YORK CITY | Tags: 9/11 memorial, Ajay Bansal, American flag, Ankur Bansal, Empire State Building, Hans Von Rittern, India tour group, India Unexplored travel agency, King Kong, Manhattan, New York City, New York photo, old world Indian tradtion respect, Photo of the day, science geeks, security checks, seeing New York for the first time, souvenir shopping, souvenirs, Statue of Liberty, Times Square, TKTS, young students in New York | Leave a comment
MONDAY !
July 7, 2013 | Categories: DAILY PHOTOS WITH STORIES OF NEW YORK CITY | Tags: druggged man, Hans Von Rittern, Manhattan, Monday blues, New York City, New York photo, passed out drunk man, Photo of the day, psychedelic, psychedelic man photo, stoned hipped, stoned man | 1 Comment
Cher at Gay Pride Dance New York City 2013
Photo of the day: THANK GOD IT’S SUNDAY !
July 6, 2013 | Categories: DAILY PHOTOS WITH STORIES OF NEW YORK CITY | Tags: Cher, Cher gives sign of love, Cher It's A Woman's World, Cher on stage, Cher prayer hands, Cher red wig, Gay Pride, Gay Pride dance 2013, Hans Von Rittern, hudson river, Manhattan, New York City, New York photo, Photo of the day, pier 26 | Leave a comment
View of Manhattan from Liberty Island, July 4, 2013
Photo of the day: ABC’s the VIEW – A.stonishing B.ig C.ity View
Come to New York, it’s bigger than life!
Bigger than a 3D movie!
Bigger than your imagination!
July 6, 2013 | Categories: DAILY PHOTOS WITH STORIES OF NEW YORK CITY | Tags: ABC's the VIEW, Brooklyn Bridge, crowds of tourists, East River, Empire State Building, Hans Von Rittern, hudson river, july 4, Lady Liberty, Liberty Island, Manhattan, Manhattan skyline, New York City, New York harbor, New York panorama, New York photo, Opening day July 4 2013, Photo of the day, Statue cruises, Statue of Liberty, Statue of Liberty pedestal, tourist taking pictures, World Trade Center new | Leave a comment
Photo of the day: HAPPY 4TH OF JULY ! – Today I have the great honor of being one of the first and only few today to be allowed into The Statue of Liberty’s Crown! ! ! I am so excited to experience this today! The last time I was in the crown I was in 3rd or 4th grade! I feel like a child on Christmas day !
HAPPY FOURTH Y’ALL !
July 4, 2013 | Categories: DAILY PHOTOS WITH STORIES OF NEW YORK CITY | Tags: 4th july, 4th of July, Battery Park, crown admission pass, Crown view, Hans Von Rittern, happy 4th of july, harbor view, Liberty Island, Manhattan, New York City, New York photo, Opening day July 4 2013, Photo of the day, Statue of Liberty, Statue of Liberty re-opening | 2 Comments
Photo of the day: SOME PEOPLE MARCH TO THE BEAT OF A DIFFERENT DRUMMER –
SOME PEOPLE MARCH TO GET MARRIED
SOME PARTY MONSTERS MARCH
SOME PEOPLE WITH FRECKLES MARCH
SOME BRAZILIAN KISS QUEENS MARCH
SOME FLAG WAVERS MARCH
AND SOME FASHIONABLY FIERCE PEOPLE MARCH!
…WHATEVER THE BEAT OF YOUR DRUM IS – MARCH !
July 3, 2013 | Categories: DAILY PHOTOS WITH STORIES OF NEW YORK CITY | Tags: Bad Boy disco, boy in high heel boots, Brazilian drag queen, Christopher street, diversity of marchers, drag queens, fierce fashionista, gay lesbian bride, Gay Pride, Gay Pride day, Gay Pride Day Parade 2103, Gay Pride New York City, Greenwich Village, Hans Von Rittern, lesbian with freckles, lesbian with pride flag, Manhattan, marching to a different drummer, New York City, New York photo, party monster, Photo of the day | 2 Comments
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Photo of the day: WHY I MARCHED WITH PRIDE AGAINST NYC COUNCILWOMAN CHRISTINE QUINN
I lost my Gray Line tour guide job of seven years because of her bullying through a ‘headset bill‘ in New York City. It all started two years ago when two older residents on Greenwich Avenue complained about guides on open mic and insist we be rerouted. We tried all diff routes, but Greenwich is largest, best flow and connection to the rest of the routes and bus stops.
These complainers had the sirens of St. Vincent’s Hospital, a school yard with screaming grade school kids and the bars showing European soccer matches to boisterous patrons till 4am – if u do not like the noise – move to a better location, you knew what u where getting into when u moved in. So a headset law was suggested.
No one seemed to hear ’noise’ but them. Guards were placed at the corner to see if we were off mic. A noise “study” was supposed to have been done and magically was never needed.
NYC councilwoman Gail Brewer tried to help us and insisted a proviso be put in the bill the headsets be connected to a live guide. ALL tour guides rallied, spoke on TV and radio and press to “Keep New York Live”. Greg Mocker/WPIX11 befriended me and joined our cause. Rumor was that Twin America, the monopoly that owns blue City Sights and red Gray Line double decker buses was trying to get the ’live guide’ proviso thrown out. No tour guides = no high licensed salaries, no health insurance. BINGO! The proviso was erased in the middle of the night by Quinn, because Quinn is in the pocket of Twin America and they padded her coffers for her mayoral run. She simply claimed the proviso was ‘not needed’.
We held one big last ditch effort rally on the steps of city hall at noon time. 12:30….no press, no one. I called TV transit reporter Greg Mocker “Where are you?!!” ‘It’s canceled, isn’t it?’ Quinn had called the press and told them it was canceled. The bill passed with live tour guides eliminated. Councilwoman Brewer cowered under Quinn and was a bit of a wimp, she needed funding for her district. Next came the slaughter of the guides. We had a sign up book, you would sign the days you wanted to work for the next few weeks. Allllll of a sudden, any guide who was seen at NBC, ABC, WPIX11, CBS News, etc was not ‘allowed’ to sign up with no reason given. I was one of their top tour guides. I never had one complaint. I was requested world wide, did all their celebrity tours (Liza Minnelli, Heidi Klum, Cyndi Lauper, etc.) yet I was no longer allowed to sign the book. A fellow tour guide overheard my boss Eva Lee tell the dispatcher “these people are effectively no longer here.” With pressure mounting by the guides, Gray Line said we could re-apply for our jobs, but not at $17.75 an hour with insurance, but with $12.75 and hour, no insurance. We applied. “If a position arises we will contact you” we were told with the iciest of cold faces. Meanwhile through the tour guide grape vine we heard they were begging and pleading other less experienced guides to please come in.
Senior guides were offered insulting low buyouts. Gray Line wanted no one left with a memory of what it used to be like. Guides who had worked there 18 years!!, spoke 5 languages!, were now gone. They wanted no one to question the ‘new authority.’ No rebels, just quiet frightened to death zombie guides. Then they realized no one was watching the tourists on top, so they hired illiterate ‘watchers’ to sit on top and make sure guests didn’t stand up. Pay was about $7-11 per hour. The recorded tour tapes didn’t and don’t work well (at first they didn’t at all!) so now they are hiring guides who are given the answers to the Tour Guides License test, so any idiot can pass the test. Watch them, the buses pass by and the guide is saying nothing, or babbling utter incoherent nonsense. And so here we are. New York tourists are greeted by these “ambassadors to the city” – it’s a joke. The headset law was bullied thru by Quinn, the required noise study was NEVER done and hundreds of guides my age (57 and older) don’t find it easy at all to find work in this city at our age or at other companies. It is almost impossible. You have to be minimally bilingual (I am/German) or be the darling of one of the smaller companies. Smaller companies don’t have the work, salaries and clients. So many guides went bankrupt, moved, sold their things, took several other low paying jobs = slaughtered by that greedy dictator!
There are many other reasons I will cut my hand off before I vote for Christine Quinn. Zoning variances have become the norm in New York and we are becoming a city of soul-less glass boxes since she is in the deep pockets of the real estate Rudin family. Councilmembers are afraid of her. Vote against her – your funding is cut. She over turned term limits in the middle of the night as well so that elitist mayor Bloomberg could buy a third term. NYC had voted TWICE for a two term limit. How is this a free country?
She is “gay for pay” – on gay pride day she runs to the front of the parade, but has not voted for one pro gay health, housing or community bill – NOT ONE. Her ultimate sinful act was to tear down St. Vincent’s Hospital in Greenwich Village as well as the ‘Tiles For America’ memorial across the street. Built in 1849, St. Vincent’s took in the only survivors of the Titanic, was at the epicenter the AIDS crisis, and 9/11. The Rudin real estate family wanted condos there. Quinn saw to it, and while at it, tore down the adjoining church as well. She is the most dangerous thing that has happened and could happened to New York City. We rebuilt after 9/11 and hurricane Sandy – we cannot tear down the glass boxes that are rising at an alarming rate where the mom and pops used to be. We have lost more long time establishments under the Bloomberg/Quinn administration than in the entire history of New York City. Affordable housing tenants are squeezed out, the middle class is ceasing to exist. VOTE this election,
VOTE FOR “ANYBODY BUT QUINN!”
WATCH THIS! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXoANkQh93I
http://votequinnout.com/
July 2, 2013 | Categories: DAILY PHOTOS WITH STORIES OF NEW YORK CITY | Tags: ABQ, AIDS crisis, animal rights, anti gay, Christine Quinn, City Sights tours, destruction of middle class, destruction of New York City, Donny Moss, elitist government, Gail Brewer, gay bating, Gay Pride Day Parade New York 2013, Gray Line Tours, Greenwich Village, Greg Mocker, Hans Von Rittern, horse drawn carriages, Hurricane Sandy, mayoral 2013 campaign, Michael Blomberg, New York City, New York photo, overturn of term limits, Photo of the day, St. Vincent's Hospital, the Rudin Family real estate empire, The Truth Behind The Smile, Titanic, WPIX11 news | Leave a comment
Photo of the day: CHER’S GAY PRIDE DAY CONCERT 2013 – With the looming World Trade Center to the left, the Manhattan skyline all around us, Pier 26 on the Hudson River vibrated with energy as 7,500 of Cher’s screaming and adoring fans waited to see ‘the queen of the night’.
Deborah Cox opened for her, Whoopi Goldberg introduced her, and then came CHER . . .followed by a half hour of fireworks! Happy Gay Pride!
More stories and photos to follow . . .
July 1, 2013 | Categories: DAILY PHOTOS WITH STORIES OF NEW YORK CITY | Tags: 'Believe', 'It's a woman's World', ;Strong Enought, Cher on stage, Deborah Cox, gay diva Cher, Gay Pride, Gay Pride day, Gay Pride weekend, Greenwich Village, Hans Von Rittern, hudson river, Manhattan, Manhattan skyline, New York City, New York photo, pier 26, whoopi goldberg | Leave a comment
Photo of the day: HAPPY GAY PRIDE DAY! . . . now go and get married !
June 30, 2013 | Categories: DAILY PHOTOS WITH STORIES OF NEW YORK CITY | Tags: gay marriage, Gay Pride, Gay Pride day, Gay Pride weekend, gay weding cake, Greenwich Village, Hans Von Rittern, Manhattan, New York City, Photo of the day, same sex marriage, same sex wedding cake | Leave a comment
Photo of the day: LOVE IS ALL, ALL IS LOVE – CHER keeps that mantra all the time. It is so relevant this Gay Pride weekend when America has finally said you can marry whom you wish and share equal rights. Cher is love. Love is all.
June 29, 2013 | Categories: DAILY PHOTOS WITH STORIES OF NEW YORK CITY | Tags: celebrities, Cher, Cher gives sign of love, entertainment, Gay Pride weekend, Hans Von Rittern, Manhattan, Marquee Dance Club, new album, New York City, New York photo, Nightclub, Photo of the day | Leave a comment
Photo of the day: MY NIGHT WITH ANDY COHEN AND . . . CHER ! – Last night, at 2:30 in the morning the vision of Cher ascending the staircase amongst the club goers at Club Marquee was not a dream, it was a dream, some would say come true. The goddess herself after spending the evening with Andy Cohen’s “Watch What Happens Live” show on Bravo, joined Andy in attending a ‘Cher Fashion Show’ while her music was blasting.
Dressed in an Egyptian/street warrior type outfit, she and Andy watched with delight as she sang along to some of her songs. It was surreal to have Cher just a few feet away holding court over “her boys” and the Cher drag queens for Pride Week. Andy Cohen was charged with energy as he couldn’t stop grinning with sheer delight at spending the evening with Cher. Neither could we!
After the show she came down the stairs right through the club goers, onto the floor and joined the DJ on stage and spoke from the heart: “I have a lot of very special fans, but you guys are extra special. From the bottom of my heart, I mean this, I have had ups and downs in my career and you guys have never left me! You will keep me in sequins forever.”
Here’s a video montage of the evening:
June 28, 2013 | Categories: DAILY PHOTOS WITH STORIES OF NEW YORK CITY | Tags: "my boys" gay fans, "You will keep me in sequins forever.", 'Watch What Happens Live', 2:30am appearance, Andy Cohen, celebrities, Cher fashion show, Cher immitators, Cher joins crowd, Cher sings to her songs, entertainment, gay club, gay diva Cher, Gay Pride, Hans Von Rittern, her boys, Manhattan, Marquee Dance Club, New York City, New York photo, Photo of the day, Pride Week | 2 Comments
Photo of the day: TIME AND LOVE CONQUERS DOMA AND PROP 8 – DOMA lasted eight years. Prop 8 lasted six years. Kim Kardashian’s and Kris Humphries’ marriage lasted 72 days. Britney Spears’ marriage lasted 55 hours.
This old couple’s love has lasted forty-three years. Love, trust and respect have kept them smiling through the good and bad years. True love is ageless, colorless, lawless and timeless.
June 27, 2013 | Categories: DAILY PHOTOS WITH STORIES OF NEW YORK CITY | Tags: Britney Spears' marriage, DOMA, gay marriage, gay married couple 43 years, Gay Pride, Greenwich Village, Hans Von Rittern, hollywood divorces, Hollywood's all time shortest straight marriages, Kim Kardashian, kris humphries, love, love conquers all, love is ageless, love is colorblind, Manhattan, New York City, New York photo, old couple, old lesbian couple, Photo of the day, Prop 8 | Leave a comment
Photo of the day: GOLDEN GIRL WITH PARACHUTE – Brooklyn’s Eiffel Tower ‘The Parachute Jump’ has been towering 250 feet over the seashore since 1941. It was built for the 1939 York World’s New Fair in Flushing Meadows, Queens and was moved to Coney Island in 1941 as part of the famed Steeplechase Pier. The ride ceased operations in 1964 when the park shut down for good. Today it is the only remnant of that bygone era.
What has not changed, despite hurricane Sandy, is the tradition is basking in the sun on a hot summer’s day, sitting not too far away from the famed Nathan’s hot dog stand. Life will always be a beach and a boardwalk – the amusement park, the smell of Coppertone, sand between your toes, sounds of children splashing with delight in the water, beach umbrella hawkers and young men perusing the boardwalk for their golden girl.
**(Celebrating my 300th post!)**
June 26, 2013 | Categories: DAILY PHOTOS WITH STORIES OF NEW YORK CITY | Tags: 'The Parachute Jump', 1939, 1939 York World's New Fair, 1941 1964, basking in the sun, bathing beauty, Brooklyn, Brooklyn's Eiffel Tower, Carousell, Coney Island, Coppertone, Flushing Meadows Queens, girl in bikini, golden girl, Hans Von Rittern, Hurricane Sandy, Nathan's hot dog stand, New York City, New York photo, Parachute Jump, Photo of the day, pin up girl, pinnup, Steeplechase Pier, tattooed girl | Leave a comment
Photo of the day: POPE HAS YARD SALE – If men of clergy – popes, pastors, priests are called ‘men of the cloth’ . . . then this should be one helluva sale! My question is, what will they be wearing next season?!
June 25, 2013 | Categories: DAILY PHOTOS WITH STORIES OF NEW YORK CITY | Tags: 'men of the cloth', church, clergy, funny sign, grammar, Hans Von Rittern, Manhattan, mis-spelled words, New York City, New York photo, Photo of the day, pope's garments, priest's garments for sale, Queens, Sunnyside, Sunnyside Gardens, Thrift shop window, yard sale | Leave a comment
Mondays on Memory Lane: MICHAEL JACKSON 8-29-1958 TO 6-25-2009 – On June 25, 2009, Michael Jackson was murdered by his so-called doctor, Conrad Murray, by acute propofol and benzodiazepine intoxication and suffered a heart attack in his home on North Carolwood Drive in the Holmby Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles.
In August of 1967 Michael (age 7) and The Jackson 5 auditioned at the famed Apollo Theater’s talent contest and easily won first prize. Diana Ross introduced the Jackson 5 to the American television viewing audience on her TV special in 1969, the rest is history. Forty years later the story horrifically came to an end on a day in June of 2009. The news was shocking. On the west coast fans had several places to mourn, the hospital, his home and Hollywood Blvd’s Walk of Fame. On the east coast fans surged to New York’s Apollo Theater on Harlem’s 125th Street where Michael was discovered.
It was one of those summer heat waves where you felt like you can fry an egg on the sidewalk, but people came by the thousands. You had to stand in line for two blocks to get to the front of the theater to leave flowers or leave mementos behind. Street vendors lined the street with everything ‘Michael’ for sale, his music blared from every stand. Worldwide TV crews were everywhere.
Directly to the left of the Apollo was an empty lot surrounded by a blue wooden wall. Fans instinctively took out their felt tip pens and started writing messages of love to Michael. Within a few days the wall started to turn black from all the signatures. But the Apollo theater brought out plastic sheeting to cover the wall so that fans could continue to sign, day after day, the sheets filled up rapidly.
On July 1st, I came to pay my respects and watch the phenomena. After I had left a few messages on the wall, I stood back and watched the people. Hour after hour in the heat and then it struck me. As I watched people signing the wall, I noticed – there was an old black woman next to a young white woman, an old white woman next to a young black woman. There were people of all colors, all ages, all genders, all persuasions. So many different languages could be heard: Finnish, German, French, Russian, Italian, Swedish, Japanese, Chinese, Spanish, all dialects.
Hans Von Rittern and the signature wall
Music had brought them all together. Through Michael’s music they were all one, united, if only for that brief period in time. The love of music unites. Michael united all. Rest in peace Michael.
. . . Doctor Murray received the maximum sentence of four years. . .
June 24, 2013 | Categories: DAILY PHOTOS WITH STORIES OF NEW YORK CITY | Tags: 125th Street, 2009, 8-29-1958 TO 6-25-2009, all colors, all creeds, all persuasions, apollo theater, Diana Ross, Dr. Conrad Murray, Hans Von Rittern, Harlem, Harlem Apollo Theater, Michael Jackson, Michael Jackson fans, Michael Jackson memorial at the Apollo, Michael Jackson's death, Michael Jackson's mourners, Michael was discovered, music unites, New York photo, North Carolwood Drive in the Holmby Hills, On June 25, propofol and benzodiazepine intoxication, the Jackson 5, worldwide fans | Leave a comment
Photo of the day: I GOT TIME ON MY HANDS – Time seemed to stand still in the year 1962 during my private tour of the TWA Flight Center in New York’s JFK airport. The flowing timeless architecture by Finland’s architect Eero Saarinen makes you feel as if you are floating through the space, which was his idea. He said he wanted no focal point at all, just sweeping vistas. Therefore, the clock was an added idea on the part of TWA (Trans World Airlines) insisting a clock be placed somewhere within the terminal. Here it is above the floating central bridge/walkway. Sadly time did not wait for Eero Saarinen, he died shortly before his building was completed. But time actually has stood still here today, since the building has been officially landmarked and is slowly being renovated for Jet Blue airlines.
June 23, 2013 | Categories: DAILY PHOTOS WITH STORIES OF NEW YORK CITY | Tags: 1962, aviation, Eero Saarinen, Hans Von Rittern, Jet Blue airlines, JFK airport, Mad Men era architecture, Manhattan, New York airport, New York City, New York photo, Photo of the day, Queens, TWA Airlines, TWA Flight Center, vintage airline terminal | Leave a comment
NEW YORK CITY - IN THE WIT OF AN EYE 