New York City sharing itself with the masses. The sign says “Don’t worry. Even if you leave New York, you’ll always be a New Yorker.” I like that. I’ve always followed the Yankees but only been to one game there in my life.
I did find that city quite addicting. I think I’ll start doing a regular pilgrimage there to take in the sights and people. And pictures of course.
Photo by Mike Hartley
I enjoy finding some colors in concrete like below.
Right spot, right time. Photo by Mike Hartley
I’ve got two days of yard work to cram into one, so I’d better get outside. Plus, I’d like to put a few miles on the Miata before the rains this weekend. So off I go. Have a great day all, I’ll be back later.
Time for the weekly Thursday Doors challenge with our host Dan Antion. For those who love entrances, exits and the buildings and art that surrounds them this is the spot for you. The wonderful contributions from everywhere will delight. Share your own link in the comments on Dan’s weekly Door’s page.
A short trip to New York City last week with my better half. Some shots are from moving vehicles.
Photo by Mike Hartley
Any door that is 5 hinges is going to be a tall door.
Photo by Mike Hartley
The American Irish Historical Society entrance. I believe that was on 5th Avenue.
Photo by Mike Hartley
What a city, I could spend the rest of my life shooting New York City.
Photo by Mike Hartley
Even the simple doors were golden.
Photo by Mike Hartley
I wonder how much a room cost there.
Photo by Mike Hartley
Doors of music.
Photos by Mike Hartley
If those doors are hot, I’m not entering.
Photos by Mike Hartley
This was a cool entrance. And I had time to zoom in on the inside.
Photo by Mike Hartley
The Africa Center.
Photo by Mike Hartley
So many museums and galleries I need to go back and see.
Photo by Mike Hartley
Rockefeller Center and Top of The Rock were great. But the 9/11 Museum was the highlight of the trip for me.
No more big city shots next week. Returning to my local roots. Have a great day.
The number of cameras in this world watching us is staggering. I guess I’m one of them. I don’t do many videos. Almost none, just still photography. I enjoy people’s reaction when they see a camera now. Almost like they are offended if I raise it to my eye. Not knowing, 100 cell phones just snapped their picture, and they have been under video surveillance all day.
The city is always full of prying eyes. Photo by Mike Hartley
I have been enjoying shooting more people lately. I think I’ll head out tomorrow and do some fresh shooting.
Photo by Mike Hartley
I’m not in big cities often so NYC was unique to me but by the looks of people there it’s routine.
The Ted Kaczynski’s style is making a comeback. Photo by Mike Hartley
I’ll be back to shooting small towns in Maryland soon unless we visit DC or Baltimore. Which sound like good ideas also.
Another beautiful day. It started early, but I got a recharge from my daughter in the way of some pictures of her and daughter this morning having doughnuts together smiling widely.
I’ve been to the hardware for tools, hopefully a few minutes to do some shooting later today. Now is the time for the difficult chore of the day before it gets late. Mowing the back hill.
When visiting NYC earlier this week we walked to the Wall Street area where I shot this. I like that both are looking up. I hope our youth is looking up.
The Fearless Girl facing the NYSE. Photo by Mike Hartley
Random Thoughts of the Day
Bring it on Mother Nature. I love this heat.
I’ve got my May tan working in April.
I didn’t know how to spell arthritis before I got it.
Feels good to spend the day outside.
This yard gets bigger each year I cut it.
I love the keyboards by Billie Powell on Free Bird.
I could spend another lifetime just photographing New York City. I could spend a lifetime just doing any one discipline in photography like architecture or people in that city.
One of the few forms of transportation that we didn’t try this week in NYC.
Photo by Mike Hartley
Parts of town were so colorful and intense. Others are quite brutal and grey. I know we are going back to visit because there are some major draws that we must see. And I look forward to shooting many more images of the town and its people.
But back to my hometown state and area. Still lots to shoot and share here.
Sleeping and waking up in my own bed today. A pretty good feeling and some good rest. I slept like a rock when I hit the sheets. It was nice to be away but nothing like home.
Days of work await because things don’t stop because I was away. The grass continues to grow, bills come in, home maintenance needs continue to build. And I still have a smile on my face even though I can see I’m going to be beat at the end of the weekend.
I’ve spent a few hours cutting grass and weeding till lunchtime and I’m sore already. Plus, two other injuries of late have this body feeling the pain again. Well, it’s mind over matter today. I’m going to power through.
But first I am going to take a break and put my feet on the gas and clutch on the Miata. And remind myself how much my tires like a warm track and some great rock and roll. YEEE HA. Don’t worry, I’ll calm down a bit before engaging gears. That shower revived the body a bit. Time to free the mind.
It feels so good also to have taken a break from writing and it feels great to be back to it. A change of perspective is sometimes helpful.
Back in the saddle again here at mission control (home). My better half and I took a few days and traveled to New York City. It was a grand time. I had a few physical things bothering me, but I powered through. It was a short trip, Sunday morning, till this Wednesday evening. The weather was great and the city was alive.
The Amtrac train from BWI to NYC, to our hotel, just a few streets north of Penn Station. Then out and about to see the town. We walked to Rockefeller Center and went to the Top of The Rock. What a view, we went to all 3 levels and just marveled at the sights.
Lunch at a restaurant in Rockefeller Center and a walk around the buildings and artworks/sculptures. Wandered over to St. Patrick’s and observed mass and the beauty inside and out. Of course, the kids in us had to go over to FAO Swartz to rediscover the kids inside us. Just an update – toys have changed. Saw Radio City.
We were ready to head back, and I saw a large building with the Christies name. Just walked in and asked what it was, thinking Christie’s is an auction house for those who would spend my net worth on lunch. Turns out it was their Fine Art Gallery. And open to the public. Another wonderful chuck of time spent viewing wonderful works of art over 3 floors. Knowledgeable staff at each step but so invisible allowing for a great viewing experience. And I could take pictures. Not like I wasn’t snapping away the whole trip.
We did Times Square on the way back and had a late dinner at the Tick Tock diner which is right around the corner from where we stayed. After walking 7 miles that day we just wanted a good bite to eat and then get horizontal and rest the puppies.
The 9/11 Memorial and Museum were the highlight of my trip. Photo by Mike Hartley
Monday was spent at the 9/11 Museum and Memorial and Wall Street. The first took my breath away again and triggered some tears. The second is what I thought it would be. I wish everyone in this country could visit the memorial/museum. The only other place I’ve been where I’ve seen people be respectful of where they were was in Arlington Cemetery.
I met a wonderful young lady who worked at Newsweek which was a sister publication of The Washington Post. She just happened to be working by the display of one of the few things I didn’t know about the day. A single pane of glass, I think she said from the 82 floor was on only one that survived unbroken that day.
I’ve watched, read and seen photos/videos of that day more than most. Seeing the physical space, items from that day was totally different and even more impactful.
Tuesday, we had planned to walk a bit of Central Park. That is the day after more than 10 miles the first two days, arthritis in my feet started to bother me. That and the fact I almost ripped the nail off my little toe early that morning with a door. Still, we marshaled a dozen blocks up to catch the Uptown tour bus that rounds Central Park. Roasting in the sun on the bus for 2 hours didn’t hit us till the breeze stopped when we got off. Didn’t realize how hot we had got.
Ducked into the Playwright Irish Pub for lunch and some A/C. Did some people watching in Times Square on the way back to the hotel. Got back and didn’t want a ton to eat so we asked where the best pizza nearby was. Best answer to that question I ever got. Went to a little spot right up the street at 36th and 9th called Vito’s.
Oh, can’t forget Burgerolgy from Monday night – great smashburger. I was so stuffed and disappointed I couldn’t get a shake.
Today my better half slept in a bit. I was up early wandering around, people watched and then rested in the lobby till the free breakfast opened. Returned to sleeping beauty (she really is) and we just got ready leisurely and rolled into Penn Station early, had a casual lunch and boarded our ride home.
We already have a long list for our next visit. The highline, a Broadway play, The Summit One Vanderbilt, The Plaza, Strawberry Fields. The Met and many more. Looks like more than one trip.
We are not seasoned travels by any means. I find these short trips fun. But it’s GOOD to be HOME again.
The shot above was from my phone. I just downloaded the first cameras shooting and that was over 400 images. I’m worried about looking at the second camera and iPhone for fear of the editing time involved.
But the good side is I’m sure I’ll have a few photos that will remind me of points I didn’t bring up above.
