4th of July

V.I.P. Men's Suits

On lower Broadway, V.I.P Men's Suits was closing. Two men in suits came downstairs while I was taking the photo from across the street.

$300 Off Every Puppy

Sure, there didn't seem to be anyone in the old, locally owned business I passed in the West Village, but there were plenty of people in the boutiques and the designer dog stores. Usually the puppies in the windows are capering about, but on this day every puppy seemed to be slumped over forlornly, adding to the pathos of the situation.

West End of Canal Street

Deco post office and family.

Yuppie Apocalypse

It's amazing how people go into any place with this vibe and outdoor seating. According to the internets, this is a very popular restaurant and it is 100% organic, started by a South American businessman and confessed "foodie" who polled NYC diners on what kind of restaurant they want. They advertise gluten-free pasta on the awning. Like other Manhattan restaurants, this would not look at all out of place in an airport or mall:

Sure, I complain about the ubiquity of subway tile and pressed tin ceilings in Brooklyn, but at least those elements have some character and link to what New York is supposed to be about. I think the bottom line is that yuppies especially don't have good taste. How could you voluntarily spend all day in a Starbucks? Does no one notice that it's ugly and gross in there?

Also, watch out for lime green! Everything is lime green!

Slobbily dressed yuppie couple out for a stroll.

Here's a similar business, advertising nothing over 500 calories on the sign. And the lime green.

Okay, so I guess I should just go up to people and ask to photograph them instead of taking these blurry photos, but I just wanted to point out how poorly these people dress, and how men and women of this social group are constantly in workout clothes. A blight!

I Don't Remember Where This Is

Old-Fashioned Signs in South Williamsburg

Is it really South Williamsburg or is it Wallabout? Is Wallabout a real neighborhood name? I like this area a lot, it is between Clinton Hill and south Williamsburg, following the BQE.

I don't think this blog will be a success because it's very hard for me to take a decent photo of a building. Anyway, I walked around this Hasidic neighborhood on a Saturday, the Sabbath, and it was ghostly-empty. It's weird to be in New York when no one's around. The sound of a plastic bag blowing in the wind startled me. Plus it was one of those going-to-rain days where the air is gusty and a storm seems to be a-brewin. I love that weather. I also love all these old signs. God, the Feltly hats one! It's like stepping back in time. Too bad it's such a cruddy photo.