Photo of the day: AN UNEXPECTED DAY AT THE BEACH FOR CHARLIE – Weather forecasters predicted rainy downpours for Tuesday, hardly a day to go to the beach. But Charlie insisted mom take him anyway since by 11am it still had not rained the and sun was peering through the clouds. “Can we just go on the boardwalk, they’ll be no wet sand there?!” Mom gave in and they headed off to the Coney Island. By the time they got there by noon the sun was high in the sky with no sign of rain and the warm sand was beckoning Charlie – ‘come play with me…’
Coney Island boardwalk
There is a magic to going to Coney on a day when everyone else didn’t think it was the day to go – you have it alllllll to yourself. You can see waaay down the boardwalk with no crowds to obstruct your view of the end.
Nathans
Hans Von Rittern (me) taking a bite out of Coney !
No long impatient waiting on line for mom to buy you that hot dog and soft fries at Nathans – just walk right up and smell that griddle! The amusement park is open just for you alone. All the rides are calling ‘ride me first!’ The thrill of running around the rides trying to decide ‘which one first?’ Then hoping on and having the flying elephants and rockets all to yourself to command. Yippee !
Coney Island flying elephants
Coney Island rockets
But the sand, that wonderful stretch of sand, beckoned Charlie, “please can I play in the sand?!” Reluctant to sit in the hot sand because of Charlie’s fair skin, mom remembered she had brought her blue rain umbrella ‘just in case.’ Mom smiled approvingly. Charlie pulled his mom to that special spot he had picked out. It was just them and no one else! There was that special feeling the beach was his and no one else’s. Charlie had brought his favorite dump truck to play with and settled in. Mom opened the ‘just in case rain umbrella’ and let Charlie conquer the beach.
Alone with dad at Coney Island’s Wonder Wheel
July 24, 2013 | Categories: DAILY PHOTOS WITH STORIES OF NEW YORK CITY | Tags: Brooklyn, Coney carousel, Coney flying elephants, Coney Island, Coney Island amusement park, Coney Island beach, Coney Island boardwalk, Coney Island rides, Coney Island Wonder Ferris Wheel, Coney rockets, desserted Coney Island, Hans Von Rittern, New York City, New York photo, Photo of the day, rain umbrella, Tom's Coney Island | 2 Comments
Mondays on Memory Lane: EVERYTHING OLD IS NEW AGAIN, REMEMBERING 1970’s SHOE STORES – Just as the young women of today are teetering on their nine inch platforms, the exact same shoes were the rage in the early to mid 1970’s. In the disco era it wasn’t only women teetering about, it was men also. I was about six inches taller in those disco days.
There were many “cool” in vogue streets to buy your shoes in those days. One was, believe it or not, today’s staid East 59th Street between Third and Second Avenues, right behind Bloomingdale’s. Right around the corner on 58th Street and Lexington Avenue was Arrowsmith Shoes (advertised in the above 1975 ad). The other of course was West Eighth Street – shoe mecca.
The coolest pair I ever bought, which I am missing and lamenting to this day that I didn’t keep, were bought at 227 East 59th Street in a store called “Jumping Jack Flash” they specialized in ‘Galm Wear’ glitter suits, outrageous platform shoes and accessories. I afforded myself one $75 (or about $100) pair there – they were navy blue with wooden platform and heel. On each toe was a silver leather star and on the outer side of each shoe was a silver shooting star. I wore those shoes to every “in” event till the shoes finally fell apart. I also had 3″ high buffalo sandals, rubber wedgies, black velvet Herman Munster-like ‘evening’ shoes I would wear to formal events to the consternation of my mother.
1974 Off to London wearing my Jumping Jacket Flash shoes (covered by the bell bottoms.)
West Eighth Street in Greenwich Village was shoe mecca. Literally one shoe store after another, 3 blocks of wedgies, heels and platforms, not to forget outrageous boots. It was a common thing to spend your night in “shoe alley.” You got dressed as funky as you could and would start at Sixth Avenue and walk up one side of the street, in and out of every single shoe store, upstairs and downstairs, admiring the hip disco funky clothes, jewelry and wide belts. Passing legendary Electric Lady Recording Studios, the head shops and the 8th Street Playhouse, then a revival movie house soon to become famous for showing “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.” You stayed the longest in the stores which had the best disco music blaring. The shoes were made of every material possible: wet look vinyl, leather, plastic, wood, cloth – you name it. Then when you reached Broadway you would cross the street and peruse every single store on your way back down the street, finishing with grabbing a hot dog at Gray’s Papaya at Sixth Avenue and then head onto Christopher Street to join the evenings ‘parade’. God I miss those days! It’s all gone now. The shoe styles have returned but the fun of the era is but a memory. Both streets have lost their flavor and soul. East 59th Street is now mainly cabinet shops and furniture stores. On West Eighth Street, one third of the stores are empty due to Mayor Bloomberg/Councilwoman Quinn and landlord greed.
Empty West 8th Street 2013, Greenwich Village
But – I have one outrageous pair left! (See top left main photo). They were even a bit too outrageous for the times then, so I didn’t wear them as much, and so they have survived. Aqua marine perforated leather, with orange leather lace-up, brown heel and toe and clunky wooden platform and heel. My treasured memento of dancing a little happier, knowing how to balance myself as I walked and being always at least three inches taller.
July 22, 2013 | Categories: DAILY PHOTOS WITH STORIES OF NEW YORK CITY | Tags: 1970's New York, 227 East 59th Street, 8th Street Playhouse, Arrowsmith Shoes, Bloomingdales, Broadway, buffalo sandals, Christine Quinn, Christopher street, clothing, disco boots, disco music, disco wear, disoc era, Electric Lady Studios, Est 59th Street, fashion, Glam wear, glitter wear, Gray's Papaya, Greenwich Village, Hans Von Rittern, herman munster, jumping jack flash, Jumping Jack Flash shoe store, Manhattan, men's platform disco shoes, Mike Bloomberg, New York photo, Photo of the day, platform shoes, Retro shoes, revival movie house, Rocky Horror Picture Show, shopping, Sixth Avenue, wedgie shoes | 2 Comments
Jahvaris Martin listening to his mother
Photo of the day: A NOD AND THUMBS UP FROM JAY-Z AND SYBRINA MARTIN-FULTON! – It was an incredible impassioned day for me Saturday at the New York rally for Trayvon Martin. The night before I made a sign which read “#B37 BULLIED THE JURY” (see my previous blog) to hold up at the rally for all to see. I got there two hours early, at 10am and met so many passionate people, angry, sad, determined to do something. All colors, all genders, all ethnicities, all ages = America. I stood my ground at the front of barricades where the press was starting to gather. TV crews and newspapers from around the world – and me. One indignant reporter who came at 11:30 argued she should have my spot since she was “press”. I told her “if you’re so ‘press’, you would have gotten here earlier, you snooze – you loose.” I stood my ground with one other young lady from New Jersey.
Hans Von Rittern (me) at rally with my sign
The crowd around me
The Trayvon rally NYC press
As the rally was starting, a surprise visit was made as Beyoncé and Jay-Z suddenly appeared from the background and stood silently nearby along a wall. Rev. Al Sharption introduced the powercouple as “one of the most badass muscians around!” “They are not here for a photo op, they are here as parents,” Rev. Al Sharpton said to a huge round of cheers and applause. “Jay Z told me, ‘I’m a father. Beyoncé is a mother.’ We all feel the pain and apprehension — the law must protect everybody, or it doesn’t protect anybody,” Sharpton said. “We do not come from hate, we come from love of children.” Protestors chanted at Beyoncé “No concerts in Florida!”
Being in the front row I had three goals: for my sign to be seen by the Trayvon family and supporters, to see Sybrina Martin-Fulton up close and of course to take great pictures. I got luckier than I could have imagined.
Beyonce & Jay-Z read my sign seconds before he gave me the thumbs up!
Beyonce meets Sybrina Fulton
Beyonce staying in the background to listen
Beyonce wipes a tear listening to Sybrina Fulton
Since I was front row, I held my sign with my left hand and my camera in my right hand. As Beyoncé and Jay-Z arrived, they looked into the crowd but fixed their eyes on me and my sign. There they were looking at me smiling, and just as I was taking their picture – Jay-Z read the sign and gave me a thumbs up! A thumbs up from Jay-Z! OMG ! I was so stunned I didn’t click the camera to get the shot, the photo you see here is seconds before he acknowledged me.
The Martin Family arrives
The Martin family arrived, Sybrina Martin-Fulton and her surviving son Jahvaris Martin. They were joined by Judge Greg Mathis, congressman Charles Rangel, Fulton’s attorney Benjamin Crump and Rev Michael A. Walrond Jr. of Harlem’s First Corinthian Baptist Church who implored the crowd to keep fighting long after the rally ended.
JAY-Z’S REACTION TO SHARPTON’S “BADASS”
When Sybrina came onto the stage she seemed overwhelmed by the thousands that had braved the oppressive heat to stand ‘their’ ground. As she stood there for a few moments she scanned the front row of mostly reporters and saw me and my sign. She looked at it, look into my eyes and gave me a discrete nod, it was an intense moment for me, I quickly gave her the thumbs up and love hand signal and she smiled at me. To be acknowledged by this gracious strong woman out of all the nearby people was an experience that moved me to tears. The photo here is of her looking at my sign. When she finally spoke, I lost it and just cried (as many did). It was a touching moment to see a grieving mother maintain such dignity and grace. What was most powerful to me was how she firmly held onto her surviving son’s hand for support throughout most of the rally.
SYBRINA FULTON ACKNOWLDEGES MY SIGN
Sybrina and Jahvaris hold hands tightly
Attorney Crump, Jahvaris Martin, Sybrina Fulton, Rev. Al Sharpton
Sybrina Fulton thanked the crowd profusely with a shaking voice as her eyes teared up. “Thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart, I will not disappoint you.” “Trayvon is not here to speak for himself,” Sybrina Fulton began. “Trayvon was no burglar,” Sybrina said. “George Zimmerman started the fight, and George Zimmerman ended the fight.” She was refusing to be lost in her own hurt and she urged others not to allow themselves to give way to anger. She said she wanted their voices to be heard, but to be effective they had to stay true to what has been her unwavering approach amidst the outrage. “Peaceful.” She said rather than railing, she and those working with her will be planning, carefully divining the most effective course. “I feel nobody is hurting more than me and my family,” she said. “So please, follow us. Let us lead you.” Her goal was clear: “So we change some of these laws.” “My son died without knowing who killed him. He died without knowing who his murderer was.”
Sybrina Martin Fulton New York City 7-20-2103
Sybrina Fulton and attorney Crump
Speakers at New York Trayon rally
The rally began and ended in all joining hands in prayer. I took so many photos and have so little time to edit them all thoroughly, but here are a few to capture to moment. Afterwards it was like a large peace rally, all displaying their signs and messages. Many of those I will blog about in days to come.
“THIS HOODIE SHOULD NOT KILL ME”
July 21, 2013 | Categories: DAILY PHOTOS WITH STORIES OF NEW YORK CITY | Tags: #B37 BULLIED THE JURY, 100-City “Justice for Trayvon” vigils, al sharpton, anti-Florida, Beyonce, Beyonce and Jay-Z, congressman Charles Rangel, Fulton's attorney Benjamin Crump, Hans Von Rittern, Jahvaris Martin, Jay-Z, Judge Greg Mathis, Manhattan, New York City, New York heatwave, New York photo, no concerts in Florida, One Police Plaza, Photo of the day, protest signs, rev al sharpton, Rev Michael A. Walrond Jr. of Harlem’s First Corinthian Baptist Church, Stand your ground law, Sybrina Fulton, Sybrina Martin-Fulton, Trayvon Martin, Trayvon Martin rally, Trayvon Martin's mother | 4 Comments
New York City, July 20, 2013
Photo of the day: BEYONCE AND JAY-Z SHOW SUPPORT FOR TRAYVON MARTIN – Surprise guests at the New York City rally for Trayvon Martin were power couple Beyonce and Jay-Z. They were not there for the publicity and simply stayed in the background. Rev. Al Sharpton said “they are not here for a photo op, they are here as parents to show their support.” The crowd went wild. I was lucky enough to be front row and got some of the few photos that were to be had. 
July 20, 2013 | Categories: DAILY PHOTOS WITH STORIES OF NEW YORK CITY | Tags: 100-City “Justice for Trayvon” vigils, Beyonce, Beyonce and Jay-Z, Hans Von Rittern, Jay-Z, Manhattan, New York City, New York photo, One Police Square, rev al sharpton, Trayvon Martin, Trayvon Martin rally | Leave a comment
New York City subway
Photo of the day:
NOT GUILTY?!
– Join the millions of Americans across the country today Saturday July 20, in front of your local Federal Building to show your support of the grave injustice of the murder of Trayvon Martin.
The “stand your ground law” is a red neck excuse for murder, this is not the era of Tombstone, Arizona of shoot first – ask questions later.
Join the civilized other Americans to show your love, outrage, peaceful support and brotherhood of this boy’s lost life.
Trayvon mother Sybrina Fulton will be at the New York rally – so will I !
Link to all the planned USA rallies: http://www.mhoodies.org/national_day_of_action_in_100_cities
TRAYVON’S PARENTS WILL BE IN NEW YORK CITY – http://nationalactionnetwork.net/press/the-mother-father-of-trayvon-martin-to-join-rev-al-sharpton-national-action-network-nan-for-the-100-city-%E2%80%9Cjustice-for-trayvon%E2%80%9D-vigils-in-front-of-federal-buildings-on-Saturday/
Rev. Al Sharpton, President of National Action Network (NYC vigil)
Sybrina Fulton, Mother of Trayvon Martin (Sybrina Fulton will attend NAN’s pre-vigil rally and weekly live radio broadcast before attending the Noon NYC vigil)
Tracy Martin, Father of Trayvon Martin (Miami vigil)
Martin Luther King, III (Atlanta vigil)
& Hundreds of civil rights activists, elected officials, & community leaders
WHAT:
100-City “Justice for Trayvon” vigils
WHEN:
SATURDAY, JULY 20, 2013 –
10:00 a.m.
Rev. Al Sharpton will deliver pre-vigil remarks at NAN’s weekly live radio broadcast and action rally. Sybrina Fulton will be in attendance
106 West 145th Street (at Malcolm X Blvd)
12:00 Noon EST
NEW YORK CITY
Federal Offices
1 Saint Andrews Plaza (Right next to 1 Police Plaza)
Sybrina and Jahvaris Fulton, Judge Greg Mathis, Kadiatou Diallo, Shianne Norman & others will
join Rev. Al Sharpton at this location
MIAMI, FLORIDA
Wilkie D. Ferguson, Jr. United States Courthouse
400 North Miami Avenue
Miami, FL 33128
Tracy Martin will join NAN’s Southeast Regional Chairman at this location
ATLANTA, GEORGIA
Martin Luther King, III will join NAN at this location
Richard B. Russell Federal Building
75 Spring St. SW
Atlanta, GA 30303
July 20, 2013 | Categories: DAILY PHOTOS WITH STORIES OF NEW YORK CITY | Tags: 100-City “Justice for Trayvon” vigils, Atlanta Georgia, current-events, Federal Hall, Hans Von Rittern, live radio broadcast, Manhattan, Martin Luther King, Miami Florida, New York City, new york city subway, New York photo, Occupy Wall Street, peaceful demonstration, Photo of the day, politics, prayer vigil, Re. Al Sharpton, rev al sharpton, Stand your ground law, subway graffiti, Sybrina Fulton, Tracy Martin, Trayvon Martin, Trayvon Martin rally | Leave a comment
Washington Square Park
Photo of the day: LEFT OUT TO FRY – Your flip flops are sticking to the tar in the streets, your ice cream cone drips down your arm the moment you reach for it, your underwear is wet and you haven’t been swimming, the back of your neck “is feeling dirty and gritty”, walking more than three blocks you start to feel faint, every metal object in the city is hot to the touch, you dread the thought of going down to that lower level subway, what can I sacrifice to pay that higher electric bill this month?, I wonder if the Twilight Zone’s “Midnight Sun” episode is on METV tonight?, you’re on your fourth ice cold $1.00 water bottle, all of a sudden carrying an umbrella doesn’t seem so old Asian lady dorky-like, your sun screen just melts right off your arms…, what idiot goes jogging in this polluted heat?, you find yourself listening for the Mr. Softee truck music (which you loathe), oh hell – I’m taking my shirt off…why didn’t I exercise more?, will Mayor Bloomberg arrest me if I jump in that fountain?? Here I go . . . !
“WHEN will this heatwave end?!?!” (Twilight Zone ‘Midnight Sun’ episode.)
July 19, 2013 | Categories: DAILY PHOTOS WITH STORIES OF NEW YORK CITY | Tags: Greenwich Village, Hans Von Rittern, heatwave questions and list, Manhattan, midnight sun, Midnight Sun episode, mr softee, New York City, New York photo, oppressive heat wave, Photo of the day, things you hate in the heat, Twilight Zone, uncomfortable, Washington Square arch, Washington Square fountain, Washington Square Park, wet sneakers | Leave a comment
Photo of the day: FOURTH DAY OF NEW YORK CITY’S HEAT WAVE – take off your shoes, take off your socks, take off your shirt, your top and your hat and jump into the nearest open public fountain or sprinkler capped fire hydrant. Temperatures have soared from the low nineties to today’s expected high of 98 degrees! Oh hell, just take it all off and jump in !
Stay cool all
July 18, 2013 | Categories: DAILY PHOTOS WITH STORIES OF NEW YORK CITY | Tags: Bikini ladies by pool, Greenwich Village, Hans Von Rittern, Manhattan, New York heatwave, New York photo, people playing in public fountain, Photo of the day, Washington Square arch, Washington Square fountain, Washington Square Park | 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
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
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
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: CARRYING THE TORCH OF FREEDOM – ( or . . . GETTING INSIDE A LADY’S HEAD ISN’T THAT EASY!) Having had the privilege to attend the opening of the Statue of Liberty’s crown on the 4th of July was a thrilling and very moving experience. The crowds were huge. The line in Battery Park to buy non reserved tickets was two hours in the heat. My reserved ticket line wait was only about 45 minutes. I bought the ticket May 7th on line the second they announced the reopening. Security everywhere is very tight. The screening tent is still at Battery Park and not at Ellis Island as at one point suggested, since Ellis Island is more destroyed than we thought. I was told by many of the park rangers (I kept asking again and again) when Ellis would open – the unanimous answer was “up to two years.” The damage was so severe to the understructure and main lobby and also the pier/harbor.
The Fourth of July ticket !
Anticipation!
The boat ride to Liberty Island was just ‘different’ than usual. There was an electricity in the air of ‘being the first’. It was truly moving to see every color of skin, to hear so many different languages, all ages, all religions coming together to marvel at Auguste Bartholdi’s statue from France. The excitement on board was like little children about to see the Christmas tree. Everyone had huge smiles. We were there! The original landing pier is no longer in use – half of it was wiped away in hurricane Sandy. An old smaller pier at the tip of the island is now being used.
Security is over the top if you want to go into the crown. “No back packs!”. Fine I thought, so I bought myself a small fanny pack and carried my camera. I was stopped by security and asked what was inside the fanny pack. “My keys, phone, wallet, some pills, etc.” “No keys or change allowed,” I was told to my stunned surprise. You are forced the rent a $2.00 locker and have to leave yourself only with: wallet, phone, pills (if needed, but no liquids allowed) and a camera – that’s it! This caused quite an angry commotion by many of the tourists and I was quite annoyed myself, not even a fanny pack! Later I came to understand why = because the space in the crown is so very small.
Red, white and blue bunting greeted us.
Inside Lady Liberty’s robes
Ok, into the restored pedestal. The park rangers greeted you with beaming smiles “Welcome Back!” they all cheered. Inside the ground floor of the pedestal is the original glass torch, beautifully restored. I decided to marvel at that later, the crown was waiting! The climb begins. Fair warning: if you have a heart condition, are overweight, claustrophobic, afraid of heights . . . this is not for you. Regular stairs at first in the pedestal, but then as you enter the statue herself, it still is that extremely narrow staircase wrapped around to what amounts to basically a large vertical pole. (Woody Allen once quipped: “The last time I was inside a woman was when I went to the Statue of Liberty”).
The narrow climb
Close quaters !
The last time I myself visited Lady Liberty was when I was in 3rd grade in 1964 with my classmate Dagmar Kiefert (we are still friends). To be climbing these stairs again 49 years later was an emotional climb. And then…you feel a breeze, you hear park ranger’s voices, you start to see light and then all of a sudden, it is as if you are living a movie-like dream – you are there! A view of New York’s harbor! It was surreal. My first reaction was ‘This is IT?!’ The space is so very much smaller than I had remembered as a tiny tot. Everything is bigger when you are in third grade. I was somewhat stunned. What to do first? Get someone to take my picture? Take pictures? Take it all in?? As welcomed as I felt, I felt rushed, who knows who is coming up the stairs next, and how many? Most of the ‘windows’ are now sealed with plexiglas, but some are opened on the right lower side. Three medium sized windows which I didn’t even realize were opened (I was that excited) and 3 porthole-type windows only about 12″ in diameter. I was advised to strap the camera around my wrist, stick your arm out the porthole window and you can photograph her torch. Incredible! I was too excited and emotional to concentrate on the quality of the photos, luckily I am going back on July 10th and will concentrate more on the photos, rather than the experience.
49 years later – I made it again !
In the clouds, a birds eye view.
Inside Lady Liberty’s face!
As you climb a few steps down, there comes the most haunting thing of all, you are inside her face! Sadly the structural beams hinder a decent photo, but it is almost more thrilling than the crown – so Alfred Hitchcock like. At certain points in the climb you can touch her skin and realize how thin it only is, 3/32 of an inch (about 2.5mm) thick, the same as two American pennies placed together. It is amazing that she has weathered all the storms in the harbor. Next stop is the pedestal on the way down and the view of Liberty Island and the city is breathtaking. *Don’t forget to look up at her!* Sadly you can see that many of the trees on Liberty Island are dying or dead from having been immersed in the salt water for so long after the hurricane. All the landscaping has been replaced with new sods of grass and the areas are roped off. The restaurant is opened again and I ate lunch by the waterside, listening to a little jazz trio playing, while literally watching the world go by, every nationality you can image. It was the ultimate American Independence Fourth of July Day I could have possibly spent and will treasure it for the rest of my life. I took hundred of photos and have so little time to edit and post them all, but here are a few for you to enjoy. HERE’S TO LIBERTY !
(More to come…)
In the arms of Liberty.
A TRULY HAPPY 4th OF JULY !
July 5, 2013 | Categories: DAILY PHOTOS WITH STORIES OF NEW YORK CITY | Tags: 1964, 3/32 of an inch (about 2.5mm) thick copper skin, 4th of July, Auguste Bartholdi, climbing inside Statue of Liberty, copper skin, Dagmar Kiefert Ryan, Ellis Island destruction, Hurricane Sandy, Independence Day, Inside crown of Satue of Liberty, Lady Liberty, Liberty Island, Liberty pedestal, Liberty statue, Liberty tourists, Manhattan, New York City, New York harbor, New York photo, Photo of the day, re-opening day July 4 2013, Statue of Liberty, Statue of Liberty arm, Statue of Liberty face, Statue of Liberty torch, view from Statue of Liberty crown, Woody Allen | 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: 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
NEW YORK CITY - IN THE WIT OF AN EYE 