Archive for December 2007

Finding a Christmas Tree in NYC

December 17, 2007

One of the more fun aspects of Christmastime in NYC is the carting of trees around Manhattan.  I mean, when I was living in other states it was standard procedure to get in your car, go to the place that had trees, find a tree, throw it in the car, and take it home.  But, in Manhattan, you don’t do that.  First, the place with Christmas trees has no parking.  Second, as a Manhattanite you often don’t have a car.

Instead, it’s a little old-school.  You walk to the closest place with trees and you carry your purchase home.  Usually, it’s a family affair with two people carrying the tree.  It does tend to keep the size of trees down, but that’s also true of NYC apartments.

Anyway, I was down on 14th Street and saw a place with trees.  I wish I could have caught some people carrying one away, but no such luck.

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Yeah, there’s not even the traditional parking lot or empty lot…just the sidewalk.

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As for me, I set up a Nativity (from Hummel).  All my tree stuff is in storage.

-H

Some Christmas Lights Near Grand Central

December 16, 2007

A very typical Christmas view on Park Avenue just south of Grand Central Station.  The lights on the trees are really standard throughout all of NYC.

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I just like this picture which I took for no particular reason other than how it contrasts with the normal night lighting of Grand Central.

-H

Waiting for a Wii

December 15, 2007

While I was on my way to Church on Sunday, I ran into other sorts of worshippers.  They were willing to wait for a Wii game console at Best Buy on Fifth Avenue.

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Not a huge crowd, but they were determined.  The guy in yellow was making lots of announcements about they’re needing a coupon or ticket or something.

-H

Christmas Decorations on Sixth Avenue

December 14, 2007

Just a couple of quick pictures of how some of the really tall buildings celebrate “the holiday season”.

Here’s a couple of pictures from in front of Fox Studios.

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And here’s from in front of Chase Bank.

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-H

Grand Central’s Vanderbilt Hall Christmas Shops

December 13, 2007

I keep pointing out that everyplace that’s wide and open (at least in NYC terms) becomes filled with kiosks for the Christmas season.  Just inside Grand Central Station (or Terminal) is Vanderbilt Hall.  It’s big, it’s open; and right now it is filled with open-air kiosks selling Christmas gifts and stuff.

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And, yes, it is jammed with people.

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Unlike a lot of these sorts of places, I’ve actually bought stuff here.  They seem to have some of the higher quality goods and I like the ambiance.

-H