New York Night

Day 398 (February, 2, 2015) – New York, NY

Nothing much to say today. Just another long day in the Big Apple.

Queens Citi View

Day 379 (January 14, 2015) – Queens, NY

This is the view from the 43rd floor of the CitiBank office tower in Long Island City Queens. I had the chance to snap a quick picture before my meeting started. I think I could get use to this view…minus that really ugly 100 story condo building going up in midtown. I see that building from my office window and it just looks out of place. And apparently the penthouse already sold for $95 million!  This is the part of NY, I just don’t get! Fortune Magazine calls it “The House the Inequality Built”.

http://fortune.com/2014/11/24/432-park-avenue-inequality-wealth/

Three’s Company

Day 376 (January 11, 2015) – New York, NY

This is my old neighborhood. Yea, I lived in Midtown Manhattan years ago. I was on some next level ish’! I could see into Times Square from my rooftop! I remember literally watching the ball drop one New Years eve from the roof. I think I was laughing at all those suckers out there freezing waiting for hours and hours while I was just chillin at the crib until moments before midnight. And the best thing about this apartment…. my roommates!! I was on some Jack Tripper to level. It was just me and Janet and Chrissy and it was a good look every single day! But that was then….. and this is now. No Janet. No Chrissy and no fly midtown apartment. Welcome to the real world.

Flat and Cold

Day 372 (January 7, 2014) New York, NY

It’s cold as hell in New York. Winter is here in full effect and I really don’t like it. Yesterday I wake up to snow. Today I wake up to 20 degree weather. And I’m still sick. I want this cold to go away.

New Beginnings

Day 360 (December 26, 2014) – Las Vegas, NY

After an uneventful night in Sin City it’s time for the last leg of the trip. I think we have about 5 hours of driving ahead of us (plus or minus an hour because of LA traffic). For my brother it’s a new beginning. He’s headed out west to start fresh and realize his dream. I’m going to miss him, but I know he’ll do his thing out here. For me… there are only 5 more days left of this project. Wow…I really can’t believe it. What a ride it’s been. We’ll see what 2015 brings me.

Downtown Blue

Day 349 (December 15, 2014) – New York, NY

Not much to say today. Just counting the days until the year is over…..and this project comes to end (maybe).

SPIRALS

Day 339 (December 5, 2014) – New York, NY

I love the new Fulton Street subway station! And it’s not just because I’m a transit geek and planning nerd. It’s ultra fly! Super modern design…on some ol’ futuristic George Jetson type ish’! I missed three trains already exploring the station. I suspect that this will be new favorite place to shoot…..hmmm now If I can only find a dancer….I have some ideas!!!!

Wonderland

Day 336 (December 2, 2014) – New York, NY

Grand Central Station during Christmas season is like a wonderland. There are twice as many people / tourist wandering around…taking photos…marveling at the stars on the ceiling….and going to the Apple store. It’s both fast paced and frozen. But there is just something in the air. I don’t know what it is…but Grand Central is always a special place during the holidays.

Next Stop Where?

Day 334 (November 30, 2014) – Brooklyn, NY

I’m still chasing a dream. I’m still trying to become a homeowner. I can’t compete in this current market. I don’t have the cash in hand, so…it’s time to move further into Brooklyn. This use be train stop when I first moved to BK. I lived about a 10 minute walk from the Manhattan Bridge….right near DUMBO and a stones throw from Fort Greene. I loved my neighborhood. I got in when the market was still struggling and there was a lot of units on the market. That was then…and this is now. This is my second move in less than three years. My rent has been raised between 15-19% each year….which for the record is ridiculous…..so what do I do…. I move. And with each move…I move further into Brooklyn…further away from convenient trains and services. I’m moving to Do or Die Bedstuy now. It’s different than I remember. It’s changing. I’m not sure how long I’ll be able to live here either. I live in one of the new buildings that is gentrifying the neighborhood. I’m a part of the problem too.

Empty

Day 331 (November 27, 2014) – New York, NY

Empty streets and empty subways. The city is yet again asleep. Now I suspect people are in a post-turkey day dinner food coma. Or perhaps they over indulged on football and then tried to relive high school dreams in the front yard – rendering them useless and broken down. Tonight. Tonight, the city is mine. I’m wandering just thinking about all of the people I am thankful for… Tsedey, JV, Steve, Leslie, Abby, Kevin, Carl, Lan, A-Train, O-dog, Thad, James, Mom, Mike, Red, Tiff, Michelle, The Sheriff, L-boogie, Lisa, Kofi, Akan, Portia, Sef’, Faith, Ines,  Barbara, RP, Big L,…… and the list goes on an on… I’m thank for all of my friends and family. And I’m am truly thankful for all of you in cyberspace taking this 365 journey with me. 🙂