snow day in nyc: 2.10.10

it wasn’t exactly a blizzard, but new york city got walloped by a massive snow storm today. predictions yesterday were for 12-18 but we were mostly ended up in the 6-12 range. i hear we here in the bronx got the most snow, 10 inches. that’s pretty good.

new york city mayor mike bloomberg jolted parents but elated students when he announced yesterday that schools would be closed today in advance of the storm. this gave parents plenty of time to make alternative plans but the snow day was totally unexpected. our meteorologists caught it for their prediction of 12 inches of snow last weekend when we didn’t see a single flake. many were wary also because during the evening the temperature felt seasonable, warm, even. how could a blizzard be on the way, we thought…

but indeed, the predicted storm arrived with snowflakes around 4 am and by 7 am had covered the sidewalks. snow fell for the rest of the morning and afternoon. thankfully, there weren’t blizzard conditions but it was a challenge getting around.

the girls wanted to play in the snow but i am really too old for that. really. i love the way snow looks but hate that it’s so cold. it gets in places and makes you cold. i hate to be cold…and wet. ewww. sorry, no snow play for me anymore lol.

but their mom took them to the park to romp in the snow a little after we exchanged parenting duties lol. they got to enjoy it. see i remember the feb. 12 snowstorm in 2006, the presidents’ day blizzard in 2003 & the blizzard of ’96. each of those storms dumped nearly 2 feet of snow on nyc. the snow wouldn’t melt for days, it just got dirtier and dirtier…and the slush. it’s horrible getting around nyc after a snowstorm but we’re new yorkers and we do it.

anyway, the pic is from snowfall we had in december 2008. i’m too uninspired to catch another image of snow in new york lol. this one’s damn good so i’ll keep using it. happy snow day! 2.10.10. can’t wait to see what the weather will be like 5.10.10. bet you it’s a beautiful day with blue skies and a warm breeze. hurry up spring!!!



winter wonderland

new york city got its first significant snow of the season today, just in time for last minute christmas shopping. i snapped a few photos while running errands before i picked up the girls from school. of course, when they saw the snow, i had to let them play & enjoy themselves, and i snapped a few more pics.

we’re expecting 6 inches here in the bronx, which is perfect–not too much, but enough to create snow angels & fairly decent snowmen.

hope the snow hangs around through the weekend…it’s absolutely beginning to look a lot like christmas! :-)



macy’s santaland 2008

the girls & santa claus @macy's santaland

took the girls to macy’s santaland today, where we strolled through a well-imagined & constructed north pole, complete with elves, santa’s workshop, train sets, ice-skating toy bears, and of course, a session with the man himself.

after the girls whispered in santa’s ear their wishlist, we headed north on broadway to 42nd street & times square. it was a balmy night, with temps in the 60′s so we took more flicks before braving toys r us to pick up a few gifts for my niece & nephew.

strolling through the north pole

so much to see..

so much to see...

this way to santa claus

this way to santa claus

north pole & castle

north pole & castle

santas toy workshop

santa's toy workshop

gazing at the penguin playground

gazing at the penguin playground

posing with santas distinguished brown bears

posing with santa's distinguished brown bears

santas workshop

santa's workshop

build-a-bears christmas caroling

build-a-bears christmas caroling

santa could use a beer, no?

santa could use a beer, no?

oh, and santa...one more thing

oh, and santa...one more thing

times square

times square

posing in times square

posing in times square

the last day of summer

i spent the last day of summer 2008 walking in new york’s central park, something i used to do regularly in my early adulthood. new york city is looking good these days, as these photos will attest.




central park’s lake is most often accessed via the 72nd street Boathouse. rowboats are available for rental at $12 hourly. the girls and i take advantage of this at least once a year. this photo faces the luxurious apartments & homes on central park west.


this is the same shot, except now facing east. it’s a pedestrian bridge over the central park lake near bethesda fountain that is a prime spot for photo taking. i’ve seen plenty of wedding photos shot here over the years. here’s my contribution.


i was getting rather thirsty now and needed a beverage. along the pathway i was sitting an old spanish couple was discreetly selling bacardi shots, but i’m not a rum drinker. i wanted some beer and knew where “vendors” would be offering them. so there i headed.

but as i was walking south at mid-park i heard music and was drawn to the weekly disco roller-skate party in the mid-park bandstand. there was a crowd of skaters and spectators dancing to the sounds of r&b/disco gems: george benson’s love x love; i’ll do anything for you, stevie wonder’s another star & trapped by colonel abrams. got hung up on this one skater/dancer in particular: #44 in the blue ;-)

finally pulled myself away and made it to the sheep meadow just west of the bandstand. the sheep meadow has the most luxurious grass to be found in central park and is a favorite spot for sunbathers, picnickers, and sedate sports like frisbee throwing. by the time i made it here, thirst had completely overcome me. i searched desperately for the water and beer “vendors.” before finally spotting and sprinting toward one. the sight challenged, friendly pakistani dude hooked your boy up with an ice cold 12 oz. blue ribbon! never had a beverage been so welcome and hit the spot as that one. i sat sipping in the grass taking in the scene but apparently didn’t save the pic i snapped. :-(

alas, by then it was time to conserve on several fronts. primarily, the iphone battery. it was 2/3 spent and i still wanted to head west to watch the sunset in riverside park. i hustled there and while walking west on 67th street found a bodega that sold me a 22 oz bottle of o.e. heck yeah!


i entered riverside park south at 70 street and headed north to the marina on 79th where i sat enjoying the beer and this great view of the sun setting over the hudson river.


by then it was 7:00 and i hadn’t set the dvr to record the final game at yankee stadium so it was time to head home. i snapped this last picture of early twilight and headed for the subway.

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