Glad To Be Home With Garden & Family

Here's a picture of part of my gorgeous family. Pictured from left to right are my eldest daughter Christina, my middle kid: Joanna, me and my spouse Doug.


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Gardens are so amazing. I'm gone ONE WEEK to New York City and when I return home to my garden this desert-type bush (blooming white, pictured left) that I planted nearly three years ago was suddenly in its very first blooming phase. How incredibly beautiful is this "welcome home" present?


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Recognize this next thriving plant? It's chocolate mint (expanding and thriving; true to its species).

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This is a view of my middle kid: posing next to a recent purchase of hers. (She's such a ham!)

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. I asked Joanna to pose more crazily . . . to make fun of magazine models. And she willingly complied (see next photo) . . .

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LMAO. She's always making me laugh! I feel so blessed by all three of my grown children. They're so beautiful and wonderful in every possible way. (I feel glad to be home, where Joanna flew up from Oklahoma to visit).



Here are my two daughters together, standing on Christina's new balcony (she's the one who bought the new condo in downtown Seattle recently; she's pictured right; as it pertains to the left-posted photo).

Today was Christina's "Condo-Warming" party. I cooked until I hated cooking for this event . . . I had forgotten how long it takes to pick peas, then shuck them, then season them to go with the home-grown salad (not to mention the food I bought from the store).

Meanwhile . . . who could ask for more loving, beautiful or deserving offspring? I am truly blessed on many levels. Thank the Goddess [and a whole lot of personal effort/sweat/working the fingers to the bone!]

Big Apple Hostel, NYC Review & What To Pack

The Big Apple Hostel, located at 119 W. 45th St, New York City/Manhattan, is where I made my first ever hostel staying trek. I spent 7 nights at this location, just 1/2 block from the bright lights of Times Square. During the day, I was perpetually out and about the city.

Previously, I had only traveled by staying in hotels (as have my family and friends) and so I learned FIRST HAND how very important it is to tell your wealthy sister it's called a "hostel, spelled H-O-S-T-E-L," and it is NOT a "brothel." (I could have avoided feeling utterly humiliated when she told all her friends stories where they enthusiastically imagined my very colorful stay in a so-called whore-house.)

Here's a picture of the Big Apple Hostel's shared kitchen area. The facilities were kept pretty clean while I stayed there. Yet -- as someone whose a lot more hotel savvy than hostel-wise -- I felt more than a little disappointed when the front clerk met me with a set of old-gray-looking but clean-smelling sheets when I first arrived. Gray sheets? Blaaaach!

When staying in a hostel, I learned it's important to make your own bed because nobody else is going to do it for you. [First reality check: this is NOT a hotel.]

After a mental adjustment (as I kept reminding myself about how very many hundreds of dollars I was saving by staying in a hostel) I walked down a hallway that felt much too narrow. People would have to turn sideways to pass one another there. The sad reality is in NY real estate is so very costly -- corners are cut EVERYWHERE inside buildings. [For example: there are no alleys for dumpsters. Instead, city garbage is piled in thick bags on the sidewalk near the street.]

This image here is of the second-floor bathroom. There were actually two of these available in the hall where I stayed. They served occupants from four separate rooms (potentially serving twelve people when the hostel is full). The only time I had to compete for either of the two bathrooms was during the morning rush. When finding such already occupied - I'd typically sneak into one of the restrooms down any of the other floors or hallways.

The photo (below-left) is a commercial view of the Red Apple Hostel's exterior. Below-right is a typical bunk-bed.

Unfortunately, my roommates were nothing like me. I believe getting good roommates in a hostel scenario would be due to the luck of the draw. Mine were all from France and in their twenties. They spoke only French in the room.

Should I ever be in the room alone, working on my laptop, they'd come in to immediately turn off the air conditioner (in-spite of that high NYJuly humidity) without ever asking how I felt about it.

If I had the windows open - they'd walk in and close them as well (until I decided to balk: insisting that the windows be kept open for a draft).

With four beds to a room . . . mine was the top bunk pictured (above right). With three roommates who never made their bed, I had to do a little self analysis to figure out why I was bothering to make mine. I decided I really like crawling into a cleanly made bed at night, where the sheets are tight: so I would continue making my bed even when it obviously did not matter to my roommates.

Here's another photo that hints of the kitchen and shows more of the breakroom situation. This area was nearly always full at night. In the morning there'd always be a chair or two available and someone to talk to (to start the day off socially).

A great deal of cooking went on in the kitchen. A very large industrial-type refrigerator is located to the left of the sink and stove for Hostel inhabitants to use.

This desk features two "rent-a-computer" options. The price for accessing the internet as of July 2009 was $1 for 10 minutes of computer time.

Meanwhile, as a service to all customers, the Red Apple offers internet access from personal laptops for FREE.

This image with the fence is the patio behind the Red Apple Hostel. Smokers and drinkers typically met out here. My internet connection did not work very well on the patio . . . so I typically mosied on back inside unless my feet were out on the street -- pounding the NYC pavement.

Here's the T.V. room (same area as the rent-a-computer desk).

LESSONS I'VE LEARNED: WHAT TO PACK FOR A HOSTEL STAY

#1. a plug adaptor (suitable for three-computer-prongs). This will increase the number of things you can plug in while in your room. (In my room, there was only ONE outlet available and one of the two sockets were already taken by the window's air conditioner. Try competing for that single plug-outlet with three other women and their curling irons!

#2 a laptop computer. Not only was the Big Apple Hostel's wireless connection FREE, but the very nice people at the front desk would happily lock up any electronics when you're out and about. Just don't leave any valuables in the room because there's no locker system and the front desk will NOT watch bags, etc.

#3. Excellent walking shoes. While I preferred to wear sandals or flip-flops (due to NYs summertime heat and humidity) after the sixth day of walking long distances -- wearing anything but tennis shoes felt impractacle and painful.

#4. Your own bath towel. While the hostel provides clean sheets, they do not provide toiletries such as soap or even a hand towel. I had to purchase a cheesy-small-green towel from the front desk for $5 (I donated it for the next hostel customer to use when I left).


#5. The hostel looked and smelled looked rather clean. Meanwhile, if you're germ conscious, you'll want to bring your own paper toilet seat covers. Also bring flip-flps to wear in the shower.

#6. The Red Apple hostel has very low lighting. (Think of a 50 watt bulb to light each room.) To read something, having a flashlight might come in very handy (else read by the light of your computer monitor!)

#7. Ear-plugs. New York's slogan: "The City That Never Sleeps" is not a compliment. Because real estate sells at a prime rate, no space is allowed for alleys with dumpsters. I could hear garbage trucks collecting trash during all hours of the night. What's more, people below at street level yell at each other, and you can hear sirens near Times Square regardless of how dark it is outside. (Did I mention roommates who snore or fart in their sleep?)


#8. You might want to bring an extra bed pillow. The bunk bed I rented came with ONE pillow and it was a very poor excuse for something that's supposed to be fluffy (think limp, saggy and terribly flat). I used my purse for a second pillow. Not only did it help me sleep better (because I knew where my wallet was at all times) but my purse was the perfect width for sleeping.

SOCIAL ADVICE:

A. Hang out in the downstairs kitchen area only if you feel like meeting and chatting with interesting people on-the-go. Work from the privacy of your own bunk instead when you're feeling like you've got to get work done (or when you do not want to feel bothered).

B. Don't expect all your roommates to speak English. Only one of my roommates spoke broken English. When she left (and I was left with the two French-only speakers) a gal from Madrid took the spare bunk. While she did not speak much English either ~ she was a very thoughtful and nice person.

C. The staff who worked the front desk were incredibly professional, cordial, and consistently friendly. I found them to give very good directions as well as advice regarding the best modes for travel.

D. Bring clothes to adjust for various room temperatures. What my hostel mates felt was comfortable (high heet with high humidity) felt sweltering hot to me.

TRAVELING.
. . . TO THE HOSTEL FROM THE AIRPORT:
I took the blue shuttle from Newark Airport to the Red Apple Hostel for $20 (not counting the driver's tip) and the other riders seemed almost hostile (not in the mood to chat or greet other riders) inspite of riding in close quarters with them. While it was easy to find the shuttle-bus at the airport, the shuttle driver honked at people, swore at riders, and otherwise created a very negative passenger experience.

. . . LEAVING THE HOSTEL FOR THE AIRPORT: Following a tip from Red Apple's front desk, I walked 4-5 city blocks and caught the bus back to the airport for a mere $15. To my amazement, the ride was ridiculously nicer. Not only did the bus-driver not swear at traffic or constantly honk the horn (she was rather polite) but the bus took me directly to my destination without making shuttle-type stops. The bus seats were much more luxurious and comfortable too. Not only that, but I noticed a few airline stewardesses chose this mode of transportation (in lieu of other obvious options).

III. GETTING AROUND NYC: The smartest thing I did when I first arrived in NYC was to buy a 7-day metro pass for $27.50 (available for purchase at any major subway station, such as the Grand Central Station, or the Times Square Subway Station on 42nd and 7th Ave). It takes a little bit of trial and error to learn exactly how the subway trains move about New York. I simply watched what the New Yorkers did at the turnstiles and quickly caught on. Due to my metro pass (which made each trip free) I never felt bad about getting on the right train number going in the wrong direction because I could simply cross the street, and get back on that train number going in the right direction a no extra fee.

IV. The best way to see NYC is primarily by moving on foot. I would guess that one New York city block is the equivalent of 4 blocks in Seattle. While visiting New York, you'll end up walking a lot farther than you ever imagined!

SECRETS I LEARNED:
Travel Guides provide false information. While they tell you NOT to bring cash -- many places in Manhattan accept cash only. The travel guides also described NY crime in such a way that I wondered if I should wear combat boots, leather pants and carry chains when I finally arrived. After being in the city a few hours, having seen tiny girls in spike heels and whispy skirts walking and talking to the locals like New York was Mayberry, however, I realized the easiest way for a New Yorker to spot a tourist is by their fanny packs.

DON'T commit that fashion taboo (no matter WHAT your travel guide suggests)! If you need to wear your purse on your body, do what New Yorkers do and wear a backpack! (Make sure your wallet is secured under a zipper and not in an exposed/open pocket!

The library near Bryant park is beautiful inside and the second floor offers FREE internet access to anyone who visits (you do not have to have a library card or be a NYC resident!)

Shopping for "gifts" on any street number lower than W. 40th saved me money. T-shirts, for example, cost an average of $18 in Times Square. The exact same shirt below 40th costs only $10!

If you can talk like you're from New York you'll get a better deal. Repeatedly I over-heard verbal exchanges about "deals" given to New York residents. What's more, I heard prices get bumped higher just because the customer was from out of town. Look and act like New York to save at flee markets, etc.

Got A New York Tattoo Today & I Learned a SEXY Walk!

Check out this bird (look closely). See anything peculiar? This was the only pigeon I saw in all of New York with a funky Rod Stewart-styled feather-do.

That peculiarity makes for a good segway because I've witnessed many funky-strange things in New York (during this week-long adventure). For starters? Many crazy people carry on conversations with themselves. I saw one guy talking to the city posters that move on a rotation basis; as though such primitive animation could make them look human. I've also stood next to a man on a sreet corner who kept muttering: "Where's God?"

Today was the first day I heard any cat-calls, however. Amazingly, such was repeatedly directed at me-e-e-e-e and it took me a while to figure out why. When I'd pass some dude who called out "Hey baby" I'd ignore him; even after he'd begin describing the clothes I was wearing (green denim shorts and a black tank top).

Then one somewhat attractive man, dressed in a business suit, ran up from behind and readily admitted that he'd been trying to catch up to me for a while: "You walk very fast." {{I started thinking: What! Is he some sort of stalker or something?}} Then he asked where I was from, etc., "No. Just let me guess. You're from Montana and you ride horses!" {A big loud buzzar sound was going of in my head over that idea.} Then he wanted to take me out on his boat and readily admitted "I'm not a sex addict or anything." {{Yes. he just volunteered that out of the blue, as though NORMAL men could possibly obsess over such an idea.}}

Jiminy Crickets it took me a long time to get that particular nut-job to go away . . . but then it dawned on me (as I passed yet another man who was sitting on the filthy street who yelled: "Work it!" at me) that my SORE HEELS were making me walk funny. Usually I step on the ground heel-to-toe but the pedicure I purchased yesterday and the constantly walking long distances in the drying heat meant my feet were totally killing me. I was walking toe-down-first, then heel.

How strange and pathetic to realize that some men think a woman who walks like she's crippled is sexy! I went back to the hostel and put therapeutic ointment, bandages, socks and tennis shoes on after that-- and all the catcalls completely stopped. [Meanwhile, I'm totally gonna try that walk out on Doug when I get home: see if he even notices.]

SWITCHING GEARS JUST A BIT: I blogged earlier that New Yorkers honk their car horns all the frigging time. didn't I! {It's totally irritating.} Today, while I walked through a high-end neighborhood in UPtown, I saw numerous anti-honking signs (such as the one below).

Here's something even much MORE exciting!

I looked all over New York for a tattoo parlor that could fit me in for artwork before I leave town tomorrow. Emotionally? I'm finally feeling pretty alright about leaving town (now that I feel like I've seen and experienced everything there is to taste or consume in this city).

Meanwhile: getting a tattoo from an unfamiliar location can feel a little overwhelming. Especially when you first walk into the parlor and the artist looks more than just a little scary. (See his picture below). Good thing I don't judge a book by its cover (my tattoo artist does high quality work and came very highly recommended).

Okay. So I'm just kidding. My tattoo artist REALLY looked like this (see below): she was located on the second floor in West Manhattan and her name is Wendi Koontz. (Isn't she a doll?)

So now you're probably wanting to see what sort of totally awesome work she did for me. It took me forever to pick out the design (see finished product, below).

O.K. Actually? That's not really my-y-y-y tattoo you are looking at (I was just fooling around again). Click on it if you want to see its original context.The NEXT picture is actually of my right arm displaying the purple butterfly, which is totally new. Eventually I'll have green ivy added to tie it in with the previous artwork I've had done. For now tho . . . this will just have to do! (To me, the butterfly means: "Change." I feel strongly that coming to New York has changed me, on many levels. I don't think I'll ever be the same). I know I'm going to move about the world differently when I get back home.

MY RIGHT SHOULDER:

This next photo is just a random sculpture of someone's head. It's sitting in someone's upper Manhattan entryway. Because it looked really bizarre and out of place I photographed it, naturally.

Taste buds alive! This next image makes me hungry, even now, just looking at the picture. This was truly the very best tasting food I've been able to enjoy in all of New York. The picture simply does NOT look like anything special -- but this truly makes my mouth salivate even now; many hours later. I bought this lunch at "5 Napkin Burger" (630 9th Avenue) and after paying the waiter his tip it cost me a total of $20. (I took half of it "home" w/me and I'm seriously thinking of going downstairs to raid the refrigerator right now.) It was just THAT GOOD. Meanwhile, the Rosemary sauce (for dipping) was to DIE for! Truly. I might have a coronary with the way this fatty food was cooked but it is worth any fat or health risk. WOWZA!

This next photo is just a random image of a Psychic shop. I liked the way the entrance looked (as I said earlier, there are MANY such tarot reader, crystal divination and psychic shops here in New York -- more psychic readers than tattoo artists. That's for sure!).

Mmmkay. Before you look at this next photo, put your New York earmuffs on because you're gonna hear swearing inside your head. I bought the following T-shirt as a present for Doug (I shipped home the first shirt I bought for him already). While that shirt is not quite as rough as this one, pictured, they both amount to me bringing a little bit of New York home with me.)

Hope that gave you a laugh.

Ready For UGLY??? [New York Continued]

I finally went into one of those really bizarre New York shops and this is someTHING that lurked inside . . . (caution, the next photo is even MORE gory-looking).This next photo depicts my oh too tired feet after walking six days, all day long, way too many miles around the big city. Most of my walking has transpired in flip-flops (true vacation style). Totally. I feel so thankful to my body for taking me so many places. The reason I am posting this image of my feet becomes more evident when you read about how these toes caused a rift here in New York. {You get to read where Seattle kicked New York's ASS!}

I was going to post a couple photos of homeless people but on some level that feels very disrespectful (and the pictures have a very depressing energy to them). Meanwhile, if you can scroll through the rest of these pictures you will get to read about a New York FIGHT I got myself into. Yikes (for the psycho who ended up running away from me)! That's another "ugly" thing that happened, in and of itself!

To get this next image, I had to place my camera beyond the cast iron bars. This is a residential garden area for a large condo complex.

Can you tell whom of the following I perceive has the "cutest butt" in all of New York?

Here's an image of the hat I bought at the flea market on Saturday . . . it's been so hot and sunny here. (Hate the way my neck looks when I reach out to take my own photo but for gawds-sakes I'm 47-years-old; need to quit worrying about vanity). This hat makes me look a tad too innocent (I was wearing it during the altercation I'm about to admit, below) and I think people mistake me for being sweet and innocent in it; as though I'm some sort of ignorant back-woods Ellie Mae character.

Did you know it was possible to grow Aloe Vera OUTDOORS here in New York? I did NOT know that (not until I snapped this photo).

Gotta love window boxes (see below).

This next picture speaks for itself.

New York's most prevalent wildlife . . .

What do you do on YOUR lunch break???

Is this not the happiest looking purse-dog you've ever seen?

While I blogged the other day about the prevalence of psychic readers in New York, there are also numerous churches and elaborate places for worship. (Click on any photo to enlarge it/see more details)

Catholic altar . . .

THE FIGHT I alluded to earlier:

First of all, let me just say that 99 percent of New Yorkers are the nicest people you would ever want to know. Truly. Well, maybe they say "fuck" a lot . . . but that's only because the rest of the people around them are all THINKING that word (and muttering "fuck" under their breath while they feign politeness).

Take today, for instance. The "walk" light came on and pedestrians all started to cross the street but a cab driver pulled too far ahead (completely blocking the crosswalk). A New Yorker who was on foot alongside of me yelled at the driver: "What the fuck you stupid fuck? FUCK!" And the cab driver backed up to give us all room to continue our passage. (I actually giggled about it. In my opinion that cabbie learned not to be such a fuck-head in the future, so the chew-out was totally appropriate).

Meanwhile: at the subway station, a family of tourists were obviously having difficulty getting through the turnstiles. The blonde woman kept running her card expecting the gate to open on its own. Her spouse had already gone through but she just kept running her card through (to no avail) and her husband was not being helpful to her.

"You have to push on the gate. It doesn't open on its own," I suggested, wanting to be of service.

The entire family gave me dirty looks (as though I should mind my own business). If I had been a New Yorker, I would have said: "Well fuck you then. Stay there and keep charging up your damned card." (But I just walked away; silently leaving them to their own ignorance.)

I would have walked away without saying anything after this next incident (that I'm about to describe) but the bully-of-a woman would not allow me to leave gracefully and she even followed after me to make a scene.

I'll admit what I was doing was probably not the most tasteful thing . . . but it did seem necessary to me at the time. I had been walking around New York in flip-flops all day and gritty sand was getting sticky between my foot and my sandal; making it uncomfortable to walk. When I finally found a public bathroom at the park, I decided to wash my feet and the only place to do it was at the public sinks. A large blonde woman had just finished using the bathroom when I did and she was definitely NOT impressed by me scrubbing between my toes with soap. She began tisking her displeasure at me.

To avoid a confrontation, I simply ignored her but that's when she became even more verbal: "That's disgusting!" she said aloud, quite pompously.

I continued to ignore her ongoing rant but she followed after me and the moment we got outside the bathroom she declared quite loudly to the security guard (and all who were around) "This woman was washing her feet in the sinks. It's DISGUSTING!"

At that time, a light-bulb seemed to bust in my head and I felt very pissed-off. So I turned around and confronted her. "What! You mean YOU don't ever bathe? The only thing disgusting here, missy, is your ATTITUDE. In fact, you are totally and COMPLETELY FOUL as a person!"

(She ran away so fast from me it was as though she vanished into the crowd).

(See why I say I could totally fit in here?)

Central Park Trees: Homes & Objects Of Worship [in New York]

I wandered just a little too far into the belly of Harlem today. I swear people began to stare at me (as if to say: "What in tarnation are you doing in our neighborhood with that big silly hat?). So I got onto the subway and took it in the WRONG direction where I know for a FACT I was getting stared at, with no other white person being on the train. So I jumped off at the next stop and took the subway back in the opposite direction towards Town Square where people of all hat shapes, sizes and shades are very polite to one another.

The bartender and I discussed Manhattan tonight and how nice people are here. He says it's because nobody drives cars around. Everybody must squeeze in together and you don't dare piss someone off because your'e on foot and cannot just step hard on the accelerator to get away!
Most of my day was spent in Central Park today. Is it just me, or does this tree (pictured below) have the profile of a young woman, arms raised high, perky bossoms as she faces westward? [Click any photo to enlarge it; see things better] Inside Central Park, the many different trees obviously provide shelter for a variety creatures. What sort of animal do you suppose lives inside the rounded-hollow high up the trunk of this next tree?

Who might take up their residence in this next, much larger, home? (This tree was located in a completely different part of the park than the first one.)

Quite unusually, this next tree looks almost phallic; as though it could be an adult female leaning way back. I imagine it would seem quite odd if a squirrell or other animal happened to poke its head out of the unusual crevace.

Ever hear of a tree condominium? Just look at the next photo which depicts various opportunities for choosing the different entrances!

This next hollowed "home" and the entire tree have personality! (It looks like an orangutang, to me).Perhaps, for the animals, this next tree could serve as a duplex! (The mother-in-law could live in the little hollow, below.)

What might be the name of the Garden Gnome who lives here???And whom might abide inside this fascinating place?

IN OTHER ASPECTS OF CENTRAL PARK:

Sometimes ya gotta wonder why musicians who play in the streets and parks do not also find an indoor venue to market their wares. That's when I realize so many are pounding on buckets, playing the whining-sounding saw, or else the accordian (and I don't know many bars that would draw a crowd by advertising a bucket drummer) but they sure sound cool!

Belvedere Castle (below) is located near the midsection of Central Park. Gotta love that Gothic theme! The view from the very top was incredible! The castle from afar!

Looking a full hour to find a bathroom, and then waitin in a very long line (because Central Park only has TWO stalls inside the women's restroom) well, it just made me dance a little! HURRY UP!

On my way "home" for the night, I saw this gentleman in white waving a "FREE HUGS" sign, high in the air. So I quickly approached and, seeing me, he immediately set it down. He refused to pick it up again (at least for as long as I stood there). This was one of the most fun statue arrangements I've seen in the park: Alice in Wonderland.

I've seen many dogs in New York but this many fur-angels in one little baby-stroller, sitting patiently all at the same time? Well, they all just deserved to be photographed!!! Count them. FOUR dogs!

This last image gives me so much peace of mind. I felt VERY unsafe until I was reassured by this poster!

Hostel Haunting

I had the weirdest, most bizarre, thing happen last night, shortly after I had crawled into bed. All my roommates had gone clubbing so I remained behind, alone, to rest my feet and upload yesterday's photos to this blog.

The second floor, where my room sits, was completely quiet. That's when my bunk-bed started to shake: as though someone had grabbed hold of its metal frame and forcefully shook it: "Wake up!"

It was such a violent shaking -- and I tried to connect its motion to sounds down the hall, where someone had opened the bathroom door. That made no sense, however, as the bed never shook before when someone opened any of a number of doors down the hall. The bed did not shake when fireworks were blasting outside and it never moved to the nightly sirens from the street below. I have never felt the bed shake like that before -- not even when my roommate crawls into her bed.

So imagine my annoyance when such shaking of my bed happened again and then continued, periodically. The shaking would resume, seemingly at random, over the next full hour. At first I didn't care who or what was doing it. Then I just became rather annoyed and I said: "Knock that off. Stop shaking my bed!"

That's when I had the mental image of a black woman with very tightly cropped hair at my bed. It became clear to me she was not "mentally all there" (so there was no convincing her that this was not a fun event) and a couple of times I could feel the bed move as though she was jumping into the bottom bunk and then climbing back out with intentional force.

I also felt very airy-type touching of my face and that just made me feel more angry. "You do not have the right to touch me. Go away." I said, firmly.

The airy touching kept happening; like someone was using a feather to gently pester the sleeping. Finally I pulled the sheet over my face (so I could rest) and activity from the bunk below began shaking the bed again.

THAT is how I eventually fell asleep: ignoring it all.

I wonder if my roomate, who sleeps below my bed, curls up in a ball with blankets over her head (each night) because of similar phenomena? I cannot ask her (if she feels the room is haunted) because she does not speak English. All three of my roomates are from France and only one of them speaks very broken English.

That's my entry for this morning. {Don't forget to take the "What Entrance Would You Choose" quiz, via the pictures I took and uploaded last night; posted below.}

What New York Entryway Would You Most Prefer To Approach?

What would it be like to live behind this purple entrance?

Or how would it feel to live in the apartment complex behind this entry door?

Walking long distances, from one New York neighborhood to another, I've passed many different residential districts. The following photographs all feature one entryway from any of a different set of condominium or apartment buildingss. When I look at these doorways, I wonder what it would feel like to come home to this particular entrance each day, after work. If you could live here and choose a doorway for YOUR home: which would you choose?

Condo entry (option 1) Option 2

Option 3

Option 4 (graffiti doorway)

Option 5

Option 6 (beneath scaffolding)

Option 7 (one of SunTiger's favorites!)

Option 8

Option 9

Option 10 (red door)

Option 11

Option 12

Option 13 (tall narrow door)

Option 14

Option 15 (below street level)

Option 16

Option 17

Option 18

Option 19

Option 20

If you liked these photographs, taken today (July 4, 2009) then proceed to the next entry on bizarre and entertaining store fronts. HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!!!

What New York Business Would You Most Like To Shop?

THIS IS THE SECOND PART OF TODAY's ENTRY. FOR THE FIRST PART: SEE "WHAT NEW YORK ENTRANCE WOULD YOU CHOOSE?"

I shopped Bloomingdales today. While I took the following photos of other store fronts, I only went into one of these. Can you guess which one?

I have no idea what this first store front image was trying to communicate. (There was definitely no ice-cream for sale inside). It looked like only salon products were being offered. How would you like to go down a few steps to shop the following "mystery" store?

This next (really cheesy) store front is located around Union Square . . . the manequins rotate in the window so at times shoppers can only see their back sides.

I believe this next business is a bar . . . (I didn't go inside).

This is the kind of New York meal you get for $15 when you shop "The Soup Man." (The biscuit actually comes whole/without someone having bit into it.)

I wanted to go inside this vintage store, but an angry-looking man came out and glared at me after I snapped the photo.

Here's that Pagan store I blogged about months ago: desiring to visit it with much anicipation(all locked up on a Saturday).
What the???

Gotta admit . . . the green does draw attention. Meanwhile, as far as marketing goes, I'm NOT certain that putting a sign promoting "wee wee pads" in the front window will attract customers from the the upper eschalon in society.

Nothing like having a big pole right in front of your store entrance. Meanwhile, the shop inside, curbside view, looked interesting.

I've been surprised by how many psychic, tart reader, and other metaphysical shops are available in New York. Here's one of the many.

Meet Nicole. She's one of the most interesting bartenders I've ever met. This bar opened in and around Union Square just last week. Nicole also works as a physical trainer when she's not dancing in cabaret. and, finally, here's one of the most unique stores I've ever seen the outside of!

If you guessed I only went into the bar where Nicole works, you're RIGHT!!!

Thank You New York/Manhattan! {Great People}

I learned a great deal from New Yorkers today. For one thing, no matter how crowded the subway seems, with barely any standing-room left, there's always a way to fit a few more passengers onto the train. What's more -- people here are regularly so very polite. I've been pleasantly surprised repeatedly by how often people apologize if they accidentally touch you with their carrying bag, etc.

From the first moment of my arrival, I realized I would have to rely on my own power to get from one place to another. Therefore, I am feeling very thankful for my now bandaged feet. It's much too humid to wear shoes here -- but the sandals tend to rub after 25 or more miles of walking.

New York is such a fascinating and yet peculiar place. (I utterly love it here.) Meanwhile, it's very different from Seattle where behind every row of buildings there's an alley that conceals all the garbage dumpsters for collecting each day's disposed material. In New York - there are no such alleys or collection bins and there's no such thing as a recycling program. (That last admission really disappointed me when I first arrived and realized I was expected to throw empty water bottles into the trash.) For New York's garbage dispursement, all businesses and residents put their garbage into large bags and stack them out on the sidewalk, alongside the street (as pictured, below). Black garbage backs line most sidewalks by evening. [Click on the photo if you really wanna see what's in that trash heep. Blaaaach.]

I took this man's picture (below) just outside the Rockefeller Center this morning.

Check out the dude farthest on the left in this next picture. (He seems to like the taxi signage)

Below is some random statue of a feline . . . complete with extremely enlarged aspects of the male anatomy (that's why I made sure to photograph it from the front end).

I read the following plaque from inside the Metropolitan museum. It might be worthwhile to click on the photo (enlarge to read it).

Below's more garbage laid out on a sidewalk for collection . . .

The next image is of Pan, in statue (one of hundreds of very old statues inside the Met).

The following woman, in the white hat, had a lot of character. She's walking with an injured foot.The next photo is of a fully fenced area below street level. (An apartment building's courtyard.)

In New York, there are so many bicyclists, such as the one below, earning money by the sweat of their pedaling legs and feet

Last night at the comedy-event inside the restaurant, I had the opportunity to meet the very famous Joe Franklin (google-search the "Joe Franklin Show" if you do not recognize him). He's pictured as standing with my new friend Kathy (whom I also met last night). The picture that someone took of me-e-e-e-e standing next to Mr. Franklin did not show up on my camera, sadlyAfter being here for just a few days - I seriously feel as though I could easily fit in here in Manhattan. I've had so much fun walking the many miles, riding the subway, exploring all the different neighborhoods. I made it up to the Bronx today. Tomorrow I'll be hanging out at the flea markets before I explore Central Park.

My three room-mates here at the hostel are so very nice. Oddly - none of them want to run the air conditioner in our room. They seem to think the high humidity is totally acceptable (while I feel like the air just clings to the skin like vaseline slathered all over). Meanwhile, I am not going to turn on the electrical equipment when it could cause someone else's discomfort/temperature wise.

New York's weather reminds me a lot of when I lived in Michigan and Indiana in the summertime.

Thursday in New York: Angry Bob

I had such a great time at dinner tonight. I went to Charley O's (713 8th Ave) and while I totaly blew my goal for doing New York City "on the cheap" today ~ I met some of the most awesome people. Here's me standing with comedian "Angry Bob" (of http://angrybog.org/ fame)


This manequin in a red skirt is a live human. She poses inside the subway for money (sort of like the various musicians who play for tips). I took this photo inside the Times Square subway station; on 42nd St. This shot is taken from the ferry at Liberty Island. As folks loaded from their tour of the statue of liberty the dock-hands kept yelling at them to hurry up. "Broaden your stride!" "Move faster people!" "Your inside now. Close your umbrella you're going to poke someone's eye out with that thing!" (All of those commands were repeated over and over as the line progressed.)

Liberty Island needs no explanation.

This next image is of the back side of the immigrant processing building on Ellis Island. Click on t he image to see the eagle-gargoyle (more).

Before leaving New York to see Liberty Island first and then Ellis Island meant getting processed (airport style) to ride the ferry. Having the fully armed Coast Guard with machine gun ready(next photo) accompany the ferry? That just made me feel a little creepy! This is just one of the very many attractive displays inside the Ellis Island Museum.

This is in the Fiancial District. The famous bull -- no bull-oney!

Gangs in New York???

What the? This picture was taken from the middle of Wall Street. Evidentally, many buisinesses do NOT have their own boilers so the electrica company provides that steam service. Meanwhile, the pipes are all pre-war and thus the steam breaks out all over the city. (At least that's what Angry Bob told me).

Click on the photo to read what building THIS is!

The rest of these pictures are just pretty random. {Enjoy}

Oh wait! I have GOT to tell you about this next photo (a really bizarre bathroom). It was underground (under one of the street level cafe's in the financial district). Soon as I opened the brightly painted door there was a MAN standing inside the bathroom. I felt embarrassed and waited outside until he left the room . . . but inside there is a stall for the ladies and another stall designated just for men. When it was my turn to leave the bathroom another male was coming in and he felt unnerved and wide-eyed. "Is this the ladies room? (He seriously gasped.) So I tried to act all nonchalant and New-York-like and said: "No. There's a stall for men too." Then I sauntered away.

Random photos . . .

When it rains in New York, it really pours. (Next photo does not do the rain justice.) Meanwhile, the air is still hot -- unlike Seattle which gets chilly when it rains.

My wet trousers . . .

Harry Potter Movie Posters are EVERYWHERE!

Ever see an indoor ferris wheel? (Times Square: Toys R Us Store)

After walking around NYC all day, I started to realize how many hours I was constantly staring at the backs of the group of people walking ahead of me.

Construction happens EVERYWHERE in the City!

How many cities do you know of with folding green chairs just for resting (Times Square)

First Day In New York City (First Hostel Stay)

Here's the bathroom I must share with a number of other men & women staying at the hostel . . . {Are you impressed? LOL} It's a good thing I had low-expectations. I feel grateful that the area at least looks and smells reasonably clean when it's uncomfortably small (I'm standing in the farthest corner taking this shot). There are no other stalls. This bathroom is "it!" (actually, there's another across the hall -- but that's it for serving all 4 rooms with a total of 16 people). Many more stay at this hostel in different halls/floors.

Here's the hostel's common kitchen area. It's not bad except for all the dead flies dangling from the ceiling light fixture.
Here's the very small room I share with three other women. {Mine is the top bunk you see on the right.}

Just walking around town -- seeing what I could find -- I spotted this very unusual building. I'm sure I'll learn its pointy-mirrored-story sometime this week.

This is a subway photo inside Grand Central Station. The subway is so very dirty. Truly. {Nothing like riding Seattle's sounder train where everything is still very new and shiny.}

Another subway track . . .

This is the ceiling inside of Grand Central Station. The photo is too dark (sorry I' don't have the software w/me to enhance it). The ceilling is full of symbols of the zodiac. AWESOME artwork!

Here I am back in the hostel's neighborhood . . . Times Square!

more of Grand Central Station:

Inside Grand Central Station (again)

Here's a concert at Bryant Park. I bought an excellent goat cheese sandwhich from one of the "Wichcraft" (that's the name; really) booths there and sat and listened to the jazz {beautiful performance} for FREE.

This is inside a shop that's in the middle of Grand Central Station

My first experiene with a street-hot-dog-vender follows. (I just observed and tried to breathe amidst so much smoky ambiance). I had no idea these little venders could make the air so thick with cloudy aroma!

More Times Square photos . . .

On my walk back to the hostel -- I spotted these police horses, teathered along the fence (CLICK on the photo to enlarge it to see the horses).

Some scrawny guy, who claimed to be from NYC, tried to start up a conversation with me on the street while I was walking. I was friendly at first but when I realized he wasn't going to go away I said: "Goodbye." and he called after me -- insisting I was beings RUDE.

Everyone staying at the hostel seems very friendly. Tomorrow I might post an image of the back deck where a handful of people are drinking their own beer (as opposed to going to any of the local taverns for drinks). I'm sipping tea.

A number of people had warned me that New York is so "expensive." So far, the prices look very comparable to Seattle. In fact, I've decided to keep a very public tabulation of my spending. Here's how I spent cash today.

• Shuttle ride from airport: $18.00 plus $4 tip to the driver: $22
• $10 sandwhich at Bryant park
• $18 for a one-of-a-find sort-of humorous T-shirt for Doug (I laughed out loud reading it)
• $10 key deposit for the hostel
• $4 to buy a towel from the hostel's front counter (silly me thought that sort of thing would be provided)
• Subway pass to gain unlimited rides for 7 days: roughly $27.50 (I think that's what I paid).

That's my list of expenditures so far . . . (I brought the tea I'm sipping from home).

Arrived In New York {Yayness}

I only have access to this NYC library computer for five minutes so here's the quick-rundown.

• I arrived in New York via Newark Airport -- it was very familiar feeling place (similar to SeaTac airport between Seattle/Tacoma) and they had extraordinary signs which made it easy to navigate. Meanwhile, I forgot how muggy the air feels on the East Coast.
• A very stinky woman on the continental airplane sat across the isle from me - she totally wreaked of B.O. {Plugging my nose as I type that admission}. 4.5 hours is long time to smell someone's foul uncleanliness.
• I witnessed my first New York "fight" on the shuttle bus to Manhattan. Another commuter exclaimed that the driver had taken her to the wrong hotel (same hotel name, wrong address) and he threatened to throw her off the shuttle while she screamed she was going to "report" him.
• I cannot believe how much people honk at one another here. My own shuttle-driver honked at anyone who left a safety-cushion between their vehicle and the car in front of them. Other commuters started honking as soon as the traffic light just began to think about turning green. "Go already!"
• I arrived at the hostel and boy is this an experience. My family has never stayed in hostels before (always staying in the fancier hotels) and this is definitely a new adventure for me. My lovely sister, for instance, has been telling everyone that I'm staying in a "brothel." {{My gawd what people must be thinking of me now.}}
• Now that I'm here . . . the hostel looks like a super cheap apartment complex, from low-rent Newy York. It's very dimly lit with very narrow hallways. The common bathroom is very small with one toilet and one old fashioned tub with a make-shift shower-head and a cloth curtaint that surrounds the tub. The desk-clerk handed me a set of sheets and one pillow case to make my own bed. The sheets are dingy-gray (I don't even want to think about who, exactly, slept on these before me). At least they smell clean.
• I just went to a little park on 42nd Avenue where a live band is playing jazz. Realizing the public library is located right next door -- I popped on over here to post an entry.

Back at the hostel, just before my walk, I realized my laptop does NOT have a port-entry for my camera's disk so I shall have to find another way to post photos. Otherwise . . . I will update with images on July 9th.

So Exhausting Getting Ready For This Trip

I'm just now gathering supplies to make sure all my animals are extra-fed, happy and sassy while I'm off to New York. Those I leave behind will have to pick up much of my slack for watering the gardens, giving the hens, dogs, rabbit and cat water (and so much more). I've been busy buying chewy treats for the dachshund & pug, cracked corn for the fowl and need to get a few plants that were just given to us established into the soil in remembrance of Mack Grimes (Doug's dad who died last week). I don't want any of the new potted plants withering while I'm too far away to tend to them.

I forget how much work I do in a day until I try to write all my chores down as a list for someone else to follow. I'm so very glad to be going on this trip -- really have been wanting to do something ADVENTUROUS and reading about how crime-ridden is New York City these days, well, it just makes the trip seem that more ominous and fun.

Pictured, to the right, is my middle-kid posing by a thought provoking sign she found while studying French in Morocco; recently. Isn't she just a doll-baby? So much fun she is!

Meanwhile - I don't think Josi had to sew hidden pockets into her clothes (like I'm doing) to make this back-packer's trek. Learning of the preponderance of theft around Central Park and beyond means I won't be wearing any jewelry. No use tempting someone to steal when they should be utterly mesmerized by my energetic beauty instead.

:D