The Buildings of Brooklyn Bridge

Here are some pics of the buildings that surround the Brooklyn Bridge on the Manhattan side, taken from the nice little park on top of the entrance to the bridge.

Looking back at the park at the entrance to Brooklyn Bridge.

I've passed by the Beekman building twice almost every day since winter, and I've watched it turn from a skeleton to almost a building. Its is for a public elementary school and luxury rentals.

Cultural Affairs Department building getting a facelift.

Left is the Manhattan Borough President's building, and to the right is the Manhattan Courthouse.

A nice arched entrance.

Memorial Weekend on Brooklyn Bridge Part II

Walking over the Brooklyn Bridge during memorial weekend was like going to an air show. There were all sorts of military planes flying overhead. Brooklyn Bridge is a great vantage point to see several landmarks of NYC, like the statue of liberty and Governor's Island.
Apache attack helicopters.
Osprey Transport plane. One of these got into some trouble earlier that morning when it blew branches onto a crowd at Staten Island Park.

Governor's Island. It use to be a navy base, but now the city wants to turn it into an artist venue. Kirkland's Ballet School is trying to get on there.

Downtown Manhattan.

Manhattan Bridge.

That is the Statue of Liberty behind Pier 17.

Statue of Liberty.

Downtown Brooklyn in the background.

Memorial Weekend on Brooklyn Bridge Part I

On Sunday I walked home across the Brooklyn Bridge. Usually I pass through the area either underground or in a car, and there is never much to see. But the bike/walking areas are all elevated, and the entire Manhattan skyline is visible from the bridge, as well as other landmarks. Whenever the sun is out, the tourist attractions are full of people, and Memorial weekend brought a lot of people to the boardwalk.

There are gates to keep people from walking up the suspension lines, in case you were wondering (I was...).

The Mahattan Bridge makes for a better walk because the pedestrian ramp is on the edge of the bridge, while pedestrians walk on the top of the Brooklyn Bridge, away from the side.

The spire on the left is the Empire State Building, and the spire on the right is the Chrysler Building.

Span and plaque on Brooklyn Bridge.

Prospect Park

I took a walk in Prospect Park, which is a large park in the middle of Brooklyn. I really liked it there. There were far more trees than Central Park, with not only lots of shaded areas but actually quite isolated paths. I saw a drummer's get together at Drummer's Grove, where anybody with a drum could join the circle of drummers. Some people danced in the middle, most watched from the side, and there were booths selling African themed crafts.

Musicians on the Subway

Every day someone will come on the subway for purposes other than traveling. One third are people who tell a story of misfortune and ask for spare change from the riders. Another third are people who awkwardly sing or play an instrument for about 30 seconds, then walk around with a hat or can for change. The remaining third are people who sing or play an instrument well, who sometimes walk around with a hat or can, but seem to be playing because they like doing it. The musicians who do their thing because they like it are nice to have on the subway. The others are annoying. Then there is that guy with the bongos who likes what he is doing, doesn't ask for money, and should absolutely be forbidden from making all that racket and turning my trip home into a ride on a torture wagon.

Upstate Trip

I took a day trip to Upstate New York. It was nice to see the mountains again. I love the air there! I wanted to go camping, but that will have to wait for another time. I don't see as much difference between living in the city and visiting the mountains as I thought I would. Both places have lots of greenery. Oh, and I saw deer! Haven't seen deer in quite a while. I use to bump into them while hiking.

All Roads Lead To...Times Square???

MTA did it to me again today. I was peacefully sitting on the Q line, and after we crossed Manhattan bridge I counted the stops until my station, and got off. Everything went without a hitch up to this point, but I had NO idea where I was. I pulled my earphone out and listened to the announcement from the train "uh...this train will be going local now..sorry about that...". I think they ended up on the wrong line. So from there on they pretended they were an F line or something like that, except when we got to Times Square, they announced it was the last stop for this train (I think someone wanted their train back). So there I was, another lost Canadian abandoned at the Crossroads of the World by the MTA, ay. Where they had that bomb a couples day ago, too. I spent some time trying to get my bearings, then headed north to good old Central Park, and hiked 40 minutes to my real destination.

"um..hi, can you take my picture? I'm like totally not suppose to be here..."

I spotted other wary travelers no doubt lost here much longer than I.

There were some pretty big screens

Even McDonald's in Times Square is all pimped out with McBling!

The adventure didn't end there, though. On the way back home, I got down to the express line, and when I went down the stairs the train was waiting with its doors invitingly open. I got in, and waited. We weren't going anywhere, nothing was happening. Then the announcer came on and said that this line was now out of service, and all trains would be going local on the local track. What?! Not again! Did I break it?! So I got out, and got in line to go back up stairs. They closed the doors of the almost empty train, except for that old guy who didn't want to leave. Then the lights went out (that old guy is probably still in there...), and the line was shut down.

Filming at the Time Warner Tower

A lazy hot afternoon in Central Park.

The Columbus Circle monument.

The film crew.

Strangers getting into the shot.

So, I went out for a walk through Central Park to Whole Foods. Down at Columbus Circle there was about 20 actors who would start spinning in the crowd that would cross Broadway when the light was red. They did many takes, and even people who had nothing to do with the shoot would cross and start spinning for the heck of it.

Even the trees are accessorizing this year!

Odds n Ends

Lagoon, Central Park. Lots of dogs in Central Park.

The Armory. Its a castle turned into a school.

A nice chair going out in the trash. Even trash is classy in Manhattan.

Birds, Buildings, and Museums

I caught a bird and squirrel frolicking together.

I like NYC architecture. There are lots of old, decorative buildings.

I walked by the Metropolitan Museum, and often there are musicians or entertainers distracting the crowd that sits on the stairs.

Some More Colours

Colourful blossoms, New York City.

Galyn Remington

"Who would be interested in a crazy, crazy lady who paints the same trees over and over?"

But I feel she is a special person.

I saw a lady painting one of the trees in blossom, and she saw me standing watching her and we started a conversation. I asked her what she thought made a picture beautiful, and she went on the most amazing description I ever heard of what makes landscapes appealing to people. Among other things she said the painting had to have authenticity, and had to be lyrical. She described the flowing shape of the trees as lyrical. She like landscapes because they make spectacles. Nature has spectacles of beauty without people making them. Those spectacles last. Beautiful buildings can last, and be beautiful even in ruins.

She has painted the same trees for years when they are in blossom. If you want to meet Galyn Remington, go to Central Park when the trees are in blossom. She'll be happy to talk with you.

Battery Park Part II

This is part of the financial district as seen from the southern end of Broadway. I saw this going to school on Wall Street every morning.

The U.S. Custom's house has lots of nice windows.

The Statue of Liberty as seen from Battery Park.

One of the piers.

Battery Park Part I

Battery Park and Bowling Green are both parks on the very southern tip of Manhattan. I don't get down there much since I finished school because it is out of my way, but I passed through this time and took some pics. I wanted to see what it looked like with the trees blossoming.

See, blossoming trees!

It looks like a pretty building sunday, doesn't it?

This is a 9/11 memorial, including the commemorative flame in front. This ball sculpture was originally located between the World Trade Center towers before they collapsed on it. It was recovered as moved unrepaired to Battery Park.

This is the Bowling Green park in front of the U.S. Customs house.

Manhattan Bridge Part II

It would not be an album of Brooklyn without pics of Graffiti!

That netting over the rail has holes strategically punched in it to allow for a better view. That is how the community in Brooklyn participates in landmark design.

Looking back at Brooklyn. The trains go on the lower level, and cars take the upper level. The trains make the bridge shake, which is lots of fun.