All posts by gwong

The Line for the Apple iPhone 4

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On my first day in San Francisco this past June, I had plenty of time to just wander the streets. I happened to pass by the Apple Store on Stockton St on my way to Chinatown on this day, the day before the latest iPhone was to be released. Predictably, a line had already formed and, from the looks of things, some people at the front had probably been there since the day before. I guess people really want their phone ASAP even though there really wasn’t much of a shortage this time around and Apple does a pretty good job with updating their stock online so people don’t have to resort to this. I’m an Apple fanboy and even I don’t think I’d ever wait in line the day before. Well, maybe to sell my spot like the guy in one of these photos. After all, money talks.

These photos were taken on June 23, 2010.

Lord & Taylor’s 2008 Holiday Windows

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The same night I took photos of the Macy’s holiday window displays in 2008, I also walked up to Lord & Taylor on Fifth Avenue so I could check out their own holiday windows. Contrasted with the more fantastical theme of the Macy’s display, the one here is decidedly more classic. Classic but definitely ornate and intricate. There were a lot of moving parts in this display, maybe not more than Macy’s but definitely more than something I expected to be more staid and, frankly, more stuffy. I still personally prefer Macy’s for their creativity but going classic ain’t bad either.

These photos were taken on December 18, 2008.

The Rachel Maddow Show – Live at 92nd Street Y

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Last night, I went with my friend Rebecca to see a live edition of The Rachel Maddow Show at the 92nd Street Y. I’ve been a big fan of her for some time though I’m sad to say I don’t watch nearly as often as I once did during the leadup to the 2008 presidential election. I never doubted that Rachel Maddow would do a great job in front of a live audience but it certainly seemed like she fed on the energy and applause of a very partisan audience. And on yesterday of all days when President Obama scored some major legislative wins from the 111th Congress – a lame duck one at that – only served to put a little extra pep in Maddow’s step.

This photo was taken on December 22, 2010.

The Rachel Maddow Show - Live at 92nd Street Y

Mr. Met Enters the Stands at Shea

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Oh, Mr. Met, you really are the hardest working mascot in baseball! I just wish you didn’t have to suffer through the bad days since October 19, 2006. You know, the night when Carlos Beltran never took the bat off his shoulders to end Game 7 of the 2006 NLCS. It’s been downhill since that night but you, sir, never let it bring you down; heck, you still have a smile on your baseball-shaped head all the time!

These photos were taken on July 25, 2006.

Macy’s “Miracle on 34th Street”

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Every year, Macy’s has two window displays – the thematic one that changes with every year and, this, a depiction of “Miracle on 34th Street,” a display that’s the same year in, year out. If you’ve seen the movie before, then you’ll know what to expect from these windows. It may not have changed over the years but it’s that timeless quality that keeps bringing the crowds.

These photos were taken on December 10, 2010.

Meeting Zane Lamprey at GABF

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Back in October 2008, I went with Justin and Gordon to Denver for the Great American Beer Festival. It’s easily the largest beer festival in the country where just about every decent-sized brewery makes the trek out to. During our last day out there and at the fest, we bumped into beer media personality, Zane Lamprey, the host of Three Sheets, a TV show then on MOJO HD about, well, drinking. He was kind enough to oblige a few fans with some photos of him while he was busy promoting a party he was throwing that New Year’s Eve.

These photos were taken on October 11, 2008.

Winter Solstice Lunar Eclipse

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Without my trusty DSLR by my side, I hadn’t planned on taking any photos of this unique lunar eclipse. It’s unique in that it also occurred on the winter solstice. So why did I end up taking photos at 2:30 am? Well, that would be Con Ed’s fault. They sent a work crew to fix a mistake another crew made which necessitated the use of heavy equipment – heavy equipment that made a lot of noise. So, unable to sleep, I ended up arguing with Con Ed for a few minutes, taking a few photos of the lunar eclipse, and then back to bed for a terrible night of sleep. Bastards. Ah well, at least I got to see the eclipse. Yay.

These photos were taken on December 21, 2010.

The Hold Steady Backstage at Columbia University

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While talking to The Hold Steady lead singer Craig Finn at Rachael’s holiday party last weekend, I was reminded of this photo I took some years back. At this point in time, they had yet to release their third album, Boys and Girls in America, the album that would catapult them into stardom. They were performing at Columbia University’s annual Concert on the Steps though it would be indoors this year due to rain. That worked out great because the lighting indoors was great and the concert shots came out beautifully. I managed to get this shot of the band just moments before they hit the stage.

This photo was taken on September 2, 2006.

The Hold Steady Backstage at Columbia University

Slicing a Peking Duck

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Earlier this year – January, to be specific – Justin came down for the kind of weekend where we just basically eat and drink to our hearts’ content. On a night where we’d end up at Minetta Tavern for their $26 Black Label burger, we decided to go cheap during the day. That basically meant a food tour though Flushing with one of those stops being the $1 Peking Duck bun stand. Honestly, you’d be a fool not to stop here when you’re in Flushing – well, unless you don’t like duck. For $1, you get tasty duck meat and crispy, fatty duck skin wrapped in a steamed bun with scallions, cucumbers, and a smidgen of hoisin sauce. We were fortunate enough to stop by when they were just getting ready to carve and slice through a fresh duck. A total win for us!

This photo was taken on January 16, 2010.

Slicing a Peking Duck

Dyker Heights Lights

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Last holiday season, I took a long ride all the way down to Dyker Heights, Brooklyn. Why? Because I wanted to see what these folks who clearly have way too much disposable income had done with their holiday decorations that year. Sure, these are all really extravagant, lovely displays but isn’t it just a tad bit excessive? Especially last year when we were still in the throes of a massive recession. Ah, who am I kidding, you don’t own these sorts of home without the bankroll to be able to pay the electricity bills that come with these light shows.

These photos were taken on December 15, 2009.