Time to Celebrate (Responsibly)!

Congratulations New York, your first calendar month in 40 years with not once homicide!

That is because all the crime went to Newark....

Wow, Haven't Posted In a While...

Lots of broken umbrellas everywhere...

Hello All!

I've been slacking in updating my blog, but not in getting things done. I've been staying some days in Brooklyn, some days in Manhattan. I was a little sick for a while, and focused all my time on work and mock trading. I've spent more time outside because finally there is SUN than I have online. The weather in NYC was exceptionally nice mixed with some exceptional storms. We had a lightning storm last night which screwed up the cellphones and internet in Brooklyn.

I've been on top of mountains, and through some nasty storms, but when the wind blows in NYC, it is unbelievably strong. I use to laugh at New Yorkers because they tended not to wear hats, or rain coats. They just exposed themselves to the weather. I figured they simply did not know how to dress for bad weather, being city folk and all. But really, I've broken several umbrellas already in the wind, and almost lost a hat. Umbrellas don't last at all. After every storm there are broken umbrellas littering the street. All my good storm gear is in Texas because I didn't expect to need serious gear like that in Manhattan.

I got a new tripod to replace the one that was broken, so I should have more pictures for you soon.

On Set of Law and Order

I got on set of the television series Law and Order while they were filming another episode of their 20th season. The set was seriously restricted and I had to lie my way in (I was there early and the production crew thought I was a camera man for an interview, so I ran with that idea). I couldn't take many pictures because it is a workspace and the camera makes noise (the set has to be silent). Also people get nervous when there is a camera around because that is exactly how plot twists get leaked to the public before the episode is shown. And it is not comfortable to be there because every five minutes a new person would come up and want to know who I am and if I have permission to be there. I understand their side of the business (they are spending $10k for the space, the salaries for the 50 or so workers and actors, and the equipment), and they are under pressure to film their scenes and move on to the next project. It is not a space for curious on-lookers. There wasn't anyone to make small talk with either because everyone was visibly under pressure to get something done (whatever it was). It was fun to watch the director and actors work with each other, because I've only see that in videos. There is a lot of tension on set. It is not a fun place, really.

The whole block was filled with trucks and equipment. There was police cars and an ambulance there as well. They brought their own generator and crane and had powerlines laid all over the place. The director and actors arrived in a stretch limo, which makes sense from a security point of view because it is easier to guard one car. I stood next to Alana de la Garza for a while, but I could say anything because they were rolling. I wanted to see the hair/makeup station but I couldn't find it. I think they did that before they arrive in the limo. I couldn't get near their cameras either to get a closer look at their setup.