Asking New Yorkers to slow down, behave or quit bitching is a tall order. As the Mayor’s idea of congestion pricing got voted down, came another unpopular one. With hopes of improving car and pedestrian traffic in Times Square, Broadway from 42nd to 47th streets was shutdown to thru traffic but whether this is temporary or not, is anybody’s guess. Thinking how NY cabbies have total disregard for humans - always seem ready to play pedestrian polo, and with tourists piling up wall to wall in the already congested sidewalks of Broadway, this isn’t a bad idea. And here’s the bitching moment…
Not bad...... except for the green, gaudy, cheap lawn chairs!
Car-free but it looks like people from all over the world have inhabited the streets and plan to stay! I’m not sure this is a dipstick of greater safety and access for pedestrians. Those lounge chairs can be inviting – not only for the tired tourists, but also the lazy workers who could end up taking naps on their extended lunch hour and vagrants too and possibly thugs! It's a free for all.
I was struck by the ease at which we crossed the streets to get to The Town Hall from the subway station. After our museum trip in the morning, Judy said I have to see this one. I didn’t expect to see beach chairs - and green too? I wonder if Starbuck’s had anything to do with this. It’s not my idea of a Going Green Street Fair, not my favorite shade of green anyway.
But, let’s see what happens. At least now, tourists, myself included, are able to crane their necks, and take their time taking snapshots in the middle of Times Square without getting hit by that looney NYC driver, the yellow cab with a maniac behind the wheels or the "hornless" pedicab!
It was a whole day affair, Judy tires me out. God, she’s got endurance. The only thing she hasn’t done is bungee-jump, I swear. I shouldn’t say a word, she stood in line for at least an hour to get us the free tickets. Thanks a lot for that.
Our destination : The Town Hall, for a piano concert that is part of the summer program Free For All. Years ago, this place used to be the meeting ground for people wanting to be educated on important issues of the day and now is a venue for musical and other performances not just for budding artists but also the renowned ones. Andre Watts and Garrison Keillor are among the many on the list.
We both had burgers at one of the best in town Heartland Brewery and Bar. No, 'not there for the bar, I don't drink. Judy suggested buffalo burgers, but nah.. I’ll pass. The buffalos I know from my childhood were the ones used for plowing the rice fields and hauling firewood from the forests. Could they be the same ones you now are suggesting for me to eat –wouldn’t that be tough and gamey? She said no, but I just ignored her.
Anne-Marie McDermott at the piano with predominantly Haydn sonata pieces was the program. Very talented and playing unquestionably difficult compositions, she happens to be the least of my favorites having seen her perform once before. Her body movements were too showy and distracting for me. I should’ve just watched the concert with my eyes closed, then maybe I would’ve better appreciated the sounds she made. Her selections were eclectic and I’m not sure I’m ready to embrace that either, but who am I to comment, I’m not a pro.
We both had burgers at one of the best in town Heartland Brewery and Bar. No, 'not there for the bar, I don't drink. Judy suggested buffalo burgers, but nah.. I’ll pass. The buffalos I know from my childhood were the ones used for plowing the rice fields and hauling firewood from the forests. Could they be the same ones you now are suggesting for me to eat –wouldn’t that be tough and gamey? She said no, but I just ignored her.
Anne-Marie McDermott at the piano with predominantly Haydn sonata pieces was the program. Very talented and playing unquestionably difficult compositions, she happens to be the least of my favorites having seen her perform once before. Her body movements were too showy and distracting for me. I should’ve just watched the concert with my eyes closed, then maybe I would’ve better appreciated the sounds she made. Her selections were eclectic and I’m not sure I’m ready to embrace that either, but who am I to comment, I’m not a pro.
Beggars can't be choosy, the concert is free and I can never play the way she does so I better just shut up. Sorry Anne-Marie. As for the car-free Broadway, "Let's give green space a chance".
