Art with Soul

Graffiti art work on 27th and Lexington.

A Day in the Head of a NY Tourist

I'm a tourist. I love Times Square! I think my 8 month old, 2 year old, 4 year old, and 6 month old will LOVE it too and cherish these Times Square memories forever!

I like to walk slow on the side walks of Times Square to make sure I soak in all the scenery. I like my family to walk in a straight line side by side down the side walk. Although this barricades the rest of the walkers and prevents them from passing me, I like to have my complete family in a row.

I like strollers. Each of my 4 kids likes to have their own stroller and I like to push them slow around the city. It's hard to maneuver the stroller through the city, but I don't care.

(Left: three strollers blocking intersection)

(Below: Two strollers at dead stop on sidewalk staring at shiny things)

I like bright lights. If I see a shiny bright light I make sure to stop immediately (even if it is in

the middle of the street or sidewalk) and stare and point and the source of the light. I'm like a bug sucked into the zapper. I'm a tourist, I can't help it.

(Below: Man stopped to take pic while stranger with stroller blocks the other lane.)

I get tired from walking so much that I like to stop and rest a lot. I like to wait and rest in doorways. Even though that is a high traffic area, I like to stop and block all entrances to buildings. I do this outside the local super market in Idaho, so why not here?

(Above: A group of tourist SITTING directly in front of my work building and LEANING against the door. I didn't care if he saw me taking his picture...he deserved it.)
(Below: Two separate family's block entrance to Starbucks. Luggage is a bonus)

I LOVE revolving doors. We don't have these in Wisconsin. They are fun to spin round and round. It's funny to see how many people can fit in one section of a revolving door and make it move. I know this blocks other people from using the entire doorway, but it's just too much fun! I like it so much I usually come to a dead stop in the middle of the revolving door and pose for pictures. I find it so funny that I end up falling out of the doorway to the ground laughing. Now I have blocked the doorway AND the street because it is THAT funny! I bet New Yorkers get a kick out of this!

I look for celebrities all day! I know they are here somewhere!

I like my map. I got it at Duane Reade and it sooo big! I can only read my map when I'm standing completely still in the middle of the sidewalk with my map stretched out it is full size. Even then, if I have problems, I wait till someone accidentally makes eye contact with me then I will ask them for directions to Toys R Us.

OMG NYPD!!!! You think they will take a picture with us?! I wish I had my pink NYPD beanie I bought yesterday!!! That would be soooo kewl!!! Look, he let me wear his hat instead! Facebook profile pic!!!!


(Above: 3 of 3 million girls that pose with a NYPD officer daily)

I like waiting in lines because I get to chat with other strangers! I like to tell them where I'm from and everything we did that day. I mean we are ALL tourist! New York city is like Disney World, everyone comes to have a good time, but no one actually lives here!

Lets get a family pic in the middle of Times Square! Who will take the picture for us? Look for someone that looks nice so they won't steal our camera.

I can't believe they have an Olive Garden here!!! Who needs Little Italy when you can get all the soup, salad and bread sticks you want for $6.99! Let's wait in line for hours so its like we never left Kansas!

I'm scared of gangs in New York. I strap my money belt tight for fear that someone will rob me. And I try not to make eye contact with anyone on the subways or streets. They probably have a gun and will shoot me if I look at them.

I feel sorry for homeless people. I give them all money because that's the right thing to do. Can you believe all the kids that homeless man said he had living under the Brooklyn Bridge? Good thing we have him a $20!

Man, I don't know how people live in this city? I mean, I would go crazy here. All the people, lights, noise, gangsters! It's a fun place to visit, but I could never live in New York. The entire city is one big Times Square.

Homeless People that Make Me Smile

Have you ever noticed that everything is funnier when it involves a homeless person? Seriously, I don't look twice at a regular man walking down the street eating a sandwich, but watch a homeless man walking down the street and eating a sandwich. I guarantee he will probably be stumbling, drooling and wearing a weird ensemble of clothing made solely of shopping bags, card board boxes and toilet paper. Homeless people are not that much different than every other New Yorker, they just live life on the streets with a little more humor.

Friday I did everything possible to avoid a homeless man on the street. Cell phone to ear and juggling a grande coffee and ipod in the other hand, I was deep in convo on the phone while running to catch the 6 train. I passed a homeless man on the street and I noticed his eyes follow me before he jumped up to started screaming, "BRITNEY....BRITNEY SPEARS." I was followed for two blocks by this homeless man shouting, "Britney Spears," at me the entire time.
I didn't correct the dirty old homeless man, I figured I would let him enjoy his few blocks of fame before he returned to an everyday drunken man.

I think I now like homeless people. Even if they serve no other purpose, at least they keep me smiling.

Just another day at the office

This guy was kind enough to smile when I took his pictures. Washing my windows at work while dangling 17 stories high can not be the high light of his day. I asked him what was the craziest thing he has seen while washing windows. He smiled and said he sees crazier things on the streets below him rather than inside the buildings.
I would not want to look down if I were him.

Homeless People That Make Me Smile

New York Super Hero

Why the sad face Robin? Are you still upset with Mr. Freeze? Is Batman bragging about his Batmobile again? Buck up little soldier, your day will come soon. One day Batman's fancy bat suit won't fit him, and I'm confidant you will find a girl that is not poisonous. New York is a big city and I'm sure the perfect heroine is just around the corner!

My Personal Space

On my subway ride to work today a young black guy was sitting infront of me. He was in his 20s and looked like he was straight from Africa. He was very very dark, had on an old suit jacked with a yellow and red collard shirt and a an old red and blue tie (none of which matched and all were clearly hand-me-downs or simply found some where). His pants were cargo khakis. The kind where the pant legs can zip off and become shorts. He had a resume folder in his hand. He was probably going for a job interview.

I studied him the entire subway ride. Clearly I don’t know his story at all..and I could be completely wrong about him. But he reminded me of the stories of the African men that move to the states having nothing and struggle to adjust to American culture on no funds.

A young woman (prob my age) was sitting next to him. She had fancy brown tall boots on and a beautiful pink pea coat. Her hair was pulled back in a neat pony tail and had a Starbucks in one had and her ipod in the other. She was your typical New Yorker.
It was amazing comparing these two. They sat right next to each other on the subway, practically touching, and I can’t even imagine how different their lives are.

My heart ached for this young man as I watched him soak in the scene. Again, I have no idea if my assumptions are right. But he was clearly trying his hardest to look professional. He obviously had nothing, yet was out with his resume doing everything possible to look the part and work.

Usually my subway ride is filled with young business professionals reading the Wall Street Journal, kids in school uniforms with backpacks on wheels, and homeless men passed out and sleeping in their own urine.
I’m use to this scene and as a New Yorker, I have learned to stay in my personal space and remain unphased and untouched by the people and things that surround me day to day.

Maybe I should rethink my personal space…

Now what am I going to do?

Don't you hate it when you get all the way home and realize you left your hula hoop on 28th street!

Dog of the Week

What a predicament; he can't read the sign that says "exit only," and now he dropped his subway card on the ground.
Can't an ol' pup ever get a break!

Peace

Poems

I'm not sure which is funnier; The fact that this guy is writing poems on the street with a type writer, or the fact that there is a line of people waiting to buy these poems.
This city makes me smile.

Oh my god...

Yesterday I saw the most amazing thing that stopped me dead in my tracks. I had just left my flag football game and was running to catch the 6 train on 59th street. I had my iPod head phone on one hear, and my cell to the other as I was trying to make brunch plans before I lost phone reception on the subway. When I saw the man in front of me, I stopped. "Shannon, hold on one sec," I said on the phone as I just stood and watched the man a few feet infront of me.

He was using a newspaper as a mat as he knelt and prayed. He was clearly Muslim and it was his daily time to pray. He was just outside Bloomingdale's, kneeling, praying, kissing the ground, then would repeat the process. He was totally and fully engaged in his time of worship and nothing affected him during this time of meditation. Tourist walked around him and stared. They looked at him like he was insane for worshiping his god in public. I saw the same look in their eyes that I give to crazy homeless people that invade my personal space. It's the scared, you're gross, don't touch me I don't want to catch your disease, look.

This man's actions touched my heart. I can't remember the last time I saw someone drop what they were doing and worship openly in public because they felt it was the right thing to do. This man didn't care what people thought about him, or that he only had a newspaper to pray on, or that he was knelling next to a dirty hot dog stand. He wasn't obnoxious, loud, or insensitive to the people around him, he simply wanted quality time with his god and nothing was going to stand in his way.

It was stimulating to see someone passionate about his beliefs in the middle of a hectic city. I'm sure people could argue all day that his beliefs are false and his actions are a waste of time. But above all else, he is passionate. He is doing what he believes in by loving his god. He has dropped everything worldly and stopped to acknowledge what is important to him.

I turned my iPod off and pulled out my ear phones. I hung up the phone realizing I could be late for brunch. I leaned against Bloomingdale's still in my football jersey and soaked in the scene.
The man finished praying, kissed the ground one last time then stood and turned back to his hot dog stand.

I continued to watch him; admiring the man that made me re-evaluate my "busy day."
That's why I love this city. Just when you think you have your life together, a hot dog vender will set you straight.

Bathroom Art

This art summarizes the East Village. I believe this is the only neighborhood in the world that appreciates the creative, tacky, chaotic life style and turns it into art. These people are different and they go against everything in the norm. I love every bit of it!

Times Square Crazy of the Day

Crazy is a strong word for this fella. Simplistically practical is what this man is. Why need a fancy prosthetic leg when an orange traffic cone does the trick?! The cone doesn't really match his sailor hat, but it is free and the durable orange plastic is guaranteed to last a good 20 blocks (not to mention the fabulous reflectors on the sides that will be a valuable source of safety).
Bravo my friend! Way to be resourceful!

Homeless People that make me Smile

Well hello there sir. How are you? Your long face and droopy eyes tell me you have had a long day. Did you have a busy day saving all garbage from the streets of New York? Did you catch every NYC garbage can along 7th avenue? I can tell it bothers you to see innocent trash being tossed to the side without a second thought. You truly have a passion to save all waste city wide and I applaud your efforts. You are right, I can't believe what some people call "junk" and just throw in the garage to be swallowed alive by the waste management trucks. McDonald's cups, pizza boxes, gum wrappers, these products have feelings too! Who knows were they would be today if it wasn't for you dedicating your life to saving them from destruction and giving them a happy home on top of your head. That used napkin looks so proud perched on top of the mound. And to think, that napkin could be in some land fill in Staten Island right now!!! A suburb is no place for a used paper product. What kind of life would that be?

Thank you! Thank you for all your hard work city wide.
Napkins, straw wrappers, cups and candy wrappers world wide are cheering for ya!

Sleepy City

This is the city that never sleeps. The air is filled with the flashing lights of Times Square, smokey exhaust puffing from the over sized buses, the fresh smell of delicious treats from every restaurant, bar, and bakery, and the welcoming sound of entertainment from the heart of Broadway to the amateur streets of the East Village. In the town that encourages working hard and playing hard, it is always refreshing to catch New Yorkers going against the norm. These local sleepy heads are enjoying the day with a nap and some fresh air! What better way to truly enjoy the city then with a little New York dirt and grass (or New York garbage depending on your preference) and enjoying a little shut eye!

Dog of the Week

Homeless People that make me Smile

Star light, star bright
First first homeless man I see tonight
I wish he may, I wish he might
Wear more than undies on the street tonight.

Dog of the Week

Looks like another sad story of a young boy who has turned to the streets. A sad scene known all too well on the lonely streets of NYC: obedience class drop out, hung out with the wrong muts and got stuck on a long road of drugs, alcohol and prostitution. It's now just him, the clothes on his back, and his dog bowl. Have a heart and drop a buck or a biscuit for Hunter.

Times Square Crazy of the Day

You will have to take my word on this. This jolly man stood in the middle of Broadway with a hat made of feathers and did bird calls. Fortunately, traffic had stopped for a red light, so he was able to take up the entire street with calling all birds in the metropolitan area. He had huge colorful peacock feathers that stuck up in the air. His free hand cupped his mouth as he showed off his best bird call that would put Alabama turkey hunters to shame. I watched mothers grab their kids and pull them far away from the scene. I got excited and grabbed my cell phone! I snapped a picture a little late while he was just finishing his calls.

With my camera mid shot, an elderly business man next to me laughed and said, "you must not be from here." I looked over my shoulder and smiled, "Actually, I do live here. I just like taking pictures of crazy people on my lunch break."
He laughed hard then when he finally caught his breathe said, "I can't believe you haven't run out of film!"

******Update******
9/26/07
New pic of our feathered friend! Yes, he is still flying around the city!

Times Square Crazy of the Day

Tourist truly get a false sense of New York City life when they visit Times Square. Just 13 blocks long, this a a gold mine for crazy characters. Today while I stepped out of the office for my 3 o'clock ice coffee break, I ran into 3 surfers (with surf boards), 4 men that stood 7 foot tall and dressed like the Queen's guards, and a man gagged and tied while people chanted "this war is made of lies, how many more must die." Ohhh right..AND I stepped in urine. Man, I love this city!!!





Not sure what point they were trying to make, but it made me smile.



Hudson river is the other way buddy...


Of course I snapped pictures, otherwise people wouldn't believe me. Can't make this stuff up folks! This is quality Times Square crazy people!!

Guess what I just stepped in...

Urine. That's right. I stepped in urine INSIDE DUANE READE!

Dog of the Week

My favorite part of this picture is the dog's tennis ball he has placed at his owners feet. You know what he is ready for after his nap!!

WSP

Washington Square park is the emotional heart of Greenwich Village. This beautifully bazaar square ties the city together into a fanatical package that is bursting with New York character. Tucked comfortably between NYU, mom and pop sandwich shops, hot bars and upscale brownstones, this park is a gathering place for musicians, entertainers, public assemblies, movie shoots, chess and scrabble players, dog owners and people of all ages from Villagers to visitors. This weekend dear friends and I took an after brunch stroll through the park. I truly believe no other spot in the world attracts so many over-enthusiastic locals.

Who says grown men aren't children at heart??? This man proves that he is just a fun loving 13 year old girl inside. He and his friend had a serious baton twirling practice session. This wasn't for tips folks, this was the real deal.











As we were admiring our boys new found love of baton twirling, we suddenly found something much better (believe it or not) in the distance. Just a few yards in front of us was a real life re-enactment of Star Trek. Right between the dog park and the chess tables, an "instructor" was giving sword fighting lessons. Where do people like this coming from?? I couldn't help but snap a few pictures. Let's just hope the baton men and the sword fighters don't decide to join forces....that could get ugly!

Although it was hard, we had to keep moving through the park. Within seconds we had found our next target. Now everyone can appreciate a good pianist, but this man brought his entire piano to the park. He tilted his head back and belted tunes through the park and his fingers vigorously punched on the keys. He was pretty good and I definitely had to appreciate his effort to lug that piano around town.

I love this park. I love the old people dancing to the jazz band in one corner while couples relax in the grass. I love the hippie NYU students painting and writing poetry in the center while kids run around eating Magnolia Bakery cupcakes. This park is the heart strings of New York City. Not all strings are pretty or even normal, but they play a vital part to keep this crazy city alive and kicking.

New York Cares

I want to start volunteering in NYC, so I went to New York Cares website to review volunteer opportunities through out new york. They must have 1,000 projects on the site and I couldn't find a single one I liked. I have decided I'm pretty picky with who I like to serve.

- I don't like homeless people
- I don't care for old people
- I hate AIDS
- I like animals, but I won't go to Harlem to walk them
- I'm not good at math, so SAT prep courses are out

I finally gave up and joined New York Young Republicans instead.

Dear American Dream

Dear American Dream-

First and foremost, I would like to thank you for all your hard work over the last 231 years. You have single handedly formed and molded the citizens of this great land to abide by simple rules to make the country a better place. You have given every child something to strive for. From the time we were tots we understood we would go to school, not do drugs, graduate from college, marry my college/high school sweetheart, get a job, quit my job a year later when I got pregnant and be a happy mother of 2.3 kids and a golden retriever in my 3 bed 2 bath house in my safe suburban neighborhood, all by the age of 25. You have provided this safe path and I am grateful you have set the guidelines so we know our course in life. Many of my dear friends have already completed this entire list and they say it is just as perfect as you have promised. I too look forward to one day checking off my to-do list of life just as you envisioned.

Today is not that day.

Today my age changes to one year older. I know you disapprove of me overlooking my list yet another year and I hope I have not disappointed you as a citizen. I have reviewed your list at great extent and although I appreciate the steps, I have decided it is not for me.
Not today.

Instead, today I will continue to be happy, healthy and loving life, but at my own pace.
Today I will keep working long, hard hours and enjoy the success at my career which I love. I will continue to act younger than my age, stay out too late, dance more, and laugh too loud. Today I probably won’t go on a date, but I will go on a long walk with a dear friend. I will skip lunch today and save the calories for a late night milk shake with my roommate. I will walk home instead of taking the subway so I can soak in this beautiful city I live in and smile at the characters I pass on the street. Today I will finally tip the old woman under the bridge that sings hymns loud enough to echo through the park. I will sit by myself at a café and do nothing but enjoy my cup of coffee. I will listen more, remember more faces and be more observant. I will buy fresh flowers today and actually make time for the friend I have been putting off. I will watch less TV and replace it with knitting, cooking and reading. I will act like a tourist and take lots of pictures as I stroll through a new museum. I will go on a longer jog and show off my curvy figure in an expensive dress I worked hard for.

Today I won’t get married, I won’t have a baby, I won’t buy a house, dog or car. But I will continue to be blessed by the people surrounding me and live my life to the fullest!

With all my love and respect,

Your (happy) American problem child

Morning dip

At least this homeless man is bathing! The best part was watching him WALK from his wheelchair to the fire hydrant, then using his tools to unscrew the top of the hydrant to create his bath water. Guess in the city, ya do what ya gotta do for a little bath.

Cupcake Kid

This is what happens when fat kids grow up and get skinny! This guy is so determined not to eat cupcakes he has tattooed it to his body! Weight Watchers is an easier solution buddy! Furthermore, why would someone go through this pain and torture of withholding cupcakes from themselves?!?! Stay clear of this crazy head! This is the kind of guy that would shoot up a Buttercup Bakery.

Rockin' Baby

Last night my office attended Summer Stage which is an outdoor concert in Central Park. This rocker dad passed me at one point of the show. Looks like his little baby was ready for the show!

One of my true loves in the city

Bryant Park in the Summa time!

Dogs of the Week

I passed this big guy on the Upper East side. I bet his view of the city is a little different than most.



This little guy lives in my neighborhood and I pass him on the walk to work. Some would call this haircut animal abuse.

A Homeless City

I don't like homeless people.
I just don't. I'm not going to apologize for it. I know its wrong and I should love and care for others, but one of my weaknesses is loving the homeless. I don't want to get close to them because I feel most of them suffer from mental illness that I don't want to get involved with. I also feel a portion of them choose to live that way. Homeless people scare me. I have never given them money and when I walk past them, I avoid eye contact at all cost. I have only given food to a homeless person one time and that was only because I knew if I didn't give it away I would eat it and I didn't want the added calories.

I'm not saying I'm right; I am just explaining why I feel this way. I do give money to my Church's homeless organization and I belong to a knitting club that knits scarves for the homeless. Those are the small things I do to contribute from a distance.

In the City, you get to "know" the homeless people you pass every day. I know that if I pass Grand Central Station on the east side of the street I will pass a larger woman wearing a long skirt and a baggy t-shirt asking for, "a quarter for a burger," outside the Wendys.

I know in east midtown, on Park avenue I will see the "luggage guy", who stands all day with his boxes wrapped in colored duct tape. He is probably one of the cleaner homeless men. He usually has his hair cut and his gray beard is normally tamed. He is harmless and just stands with his boxes all day watching people pass. He has made handles for his boxes made of the tape. A couple times a year he will find new tape and re-wrap all his boxes. I often wonder what is in all the boxes and more importantly what he is waiting for.

I know every morning on 49th street between Madison and 5th, a homeless man with matted long hair and wearing green pants that are too big will be stumbling around outside the Au Bon Pain. He won't ask for money..he just stands and looks at the pastries through the window. I have seen people give him food from inside the deli but he usually stares at it like he doesn't understand what to do with it or why they gave it to him. Every now and then he will pass out or fall over on the side walk.

I know on 3rd avenue between 30th and 40th I will pass the "boom box homie" who is always pushing a shopping cart full of his "belongings." On the top of his bottles and boxes in his cart is a boom box that is always turned too loud and playing his favorite tunes that he likes to sing to at the top of his lungs. He pushes his cart and stops at every garbage can looking for bottles. He digs through the trash and sings and taps his foot to the beat. He may be crazy, but he is happy every time I see him.

I pass these homeless individuals on a bi-weekly basis. I know where they are and how to avoid them. And when I see them coming I hold my purse tight and look the other way.

They bother me and I feel If I don't make eye contact then I won't see the hurt in their eyes.
I don't want to see the hurt because I don't want to feel bad for doing nothing. Every day.

Today one of those "gross, disgusting, crazy homeless people" got my attention.
I have passed this homeless women about 5 times now. She is always around Union Square and she always has her old, gray boxer by her side. The women looks repulsive and unhealthy. She has sores all over her skin and is always bent over looking half a sleep or coked out. I want to look away the second I realize who she is. Except, her dog catches my eye.
Today I couldn't look away. In a city that rarely takes time for the homeless, this women had someone that truly loved her. She was foul, ugly and probably a walking disease, however this ol' dog didn't care. The dog didn't care that people didn't like his owner. He didn't care that no one talked to them or fed them. To him, she is beautiful and loyal and he is proud of her. At one point the women got up and walked away. The dog followed. I snapped a few pictures because that's all I could do.





I leaned against a pole and watched this duo. Of course I didn't help; I just observed. I wonder why this dog loves her? I wish I understood this unconditional love he had for her. This blind, unrestricted, selfless devotion.
Her sign broke my heart. I can tell myself she is crazy everyday , but I can not deny that she was talking to me.
She is right. The truth does hurt.