Tag Archives: new york city

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

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.

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

Enjoy the Go!

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Do you like hearing words of encouragement while taking care of business in the bathroom? On the go and need to find a bathroom post-haste? Stuck in the Times Square area? Well, then step right up and enter Charmin’s annual holiday pop-up bathroom! While you’re doing the deed, you’ll be serenaded by the strains of their official with no other discernible lyrics besides the cheerfully sung “enjoy the go!” Charmin – making your number two their number one priority this holiday season!

These photos were taken on December 15, 2010.

Believe

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This is what you can see on the facade of Macy’s Herald Square – “Believe” in giant Christmas lights on the 34th Street side and the Christmas tree in lights on the Broadway side. I’m all for believing but I’m reminded of another kind of believing – the kind the New York Mets engaged in selling their fans last offseason. “We believe in comebacks” being chief among them. Last night was a gigantic gut punch for Mets fans – Cliff Lee spurned the New York Yankees only to run into the arms of his old flame, the Philadelphia Phillies. Even when Mets fans, they lose. Of course they do. Believe. Whatever.

These photos were taken on December 10, 2010.

Just Some Old Guys Watching Basketball

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If you watch any of ESPN’s college basketball coverage, you’ll recognize these old guys as, from left to right, anchor John Saunders, analyst Digger Phelps, and analyst Bob Knight. Saunders is one of my favorite ESPN anchors/commentators – he’s smart, witty but he never makes the broadcast about him, unlike some of his fellow colleagues. Digger is a rare breed – he’s both the on-air goofball as well as a solid analyst. He’s best known for the tielighter, where he “accessorizes his flamboyant attire by matching his neckties with a like colored highlighter.” Bob Knight or “The General”, as he was known when he was a stern head basketball coach who’s a bit of an asshole but really was a great coach and leader of men, graduating more basketball players than just about every other coach there is. Sadly, he’s a snoozer on air – all that fire and energy on the court just never made it to the broadcast chair.

When I took this photo, these guys were watching the final moments of the first game of the Jimmy V Classic doubleheader. After the game ended, it would be back to work and on air for these guys.

This photo was taken on December 7, 2010.

Just Some Old Guys Watching Basketball

Syracuse Fans Cheer On Their Team at Jimmy V Classic

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Last night was the annual Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden, an event I attend with my friend Rachael just about every year since we’ve been friends. This time, for the first time in a long time, we actually stayed the entire time for both games. A good thing since the game I really wanted to see was Syracuse-Michigan State in the nightcap. It was back and forth for about, oh, the first four minutes, 35 seconds but after taking an 11-10 lead at 15:25 mark in the first half, Syracuse would never trail again. Sure, the Spartans would close to within two, 48-46 at the 13:16 mark in the second half but they would never get closer as the Orange then went on a 24-12 run to end the game. I took this photo at the 13:04 mark, one second after Rick Jackson made a dunk on a play he started by making a steal at the other end.

This photo was taken on December 7, 2010.

Syracuse Fans Cheer On Their Team at Jimmy V Classic

Macy’s 2008 Holiday Windows – “Believe”

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These were posted on a previous blog of mine – don’t remember which one because I’ve gone through quite a few in the past two to three years – but I figured it’s worth reposting, especially as it really is ’tis the season. The Macy’s 2008 holiday windows theme was “Believe” which I think is still the theme, even in 2010. I could be wrong. I haven’t seen this year’s windows yet but I’m hoping to check those out soon.

For a better description of 2008’s theme, I’ll let designer Paul Olszewski explain:

I wanted to take all the simple things that surround us during the holidays and make you believe that so much more goes into them, so much magic goes into them, than meets the eye.

These photos were taken on December 18, 2008.