Week 45
November 14, 2016
Finishing Broadway
Don't Be Afraid
Train In/Out: Fairfield, CT
Miles walked: 5.2
Camera: Olympus OM-D E-M1 with m.Zuiko, 12-40mm PRO
I liked that it was Week 45 and we just elected our 45th President of the United States. What a coincidence!
Speaking of...Week 45 started out with an amazing "coincidence". I use that word loosely because I don't believe in them anymore, they are messages from the Universe, IMHO! I woke up and took my time getting ready this Monday morning, not even looking at the train schedule to choose a train. I figured I would head out when I felt like it, hit my Fairfield Starbucks and then take whatever train came. I arrived at Fairfield Metro around 10:40am and could see a few other people walking to the platform so I figured the next train was not going to be too long. And then the day got really interesting.
Trying to keep the story short for you...I co-facilitate a women's networking group that meets the second Friday of every month. A few days before today, we had our monthly meeting and one of our members, Linda, brought a friend with her, Domenica, who was visiting from Australia. She was a lovely woman and I was intrigued when she introduced herself because she told us she was an Intuitive/Medium who coaches women in self-empowerment. This type of work is right up my alley and I have a very active spiritual side to my life which has been unfolding more and more this year. I wanted to stay after the meeting and chat with Domenica and Linda, but I had an appointment to get to. I thought about reaching out to Linda, maybe see if we could all have lunch the next week. But then I thought, gee, I don't even know Linda very well, how weird would it be to invite myself to lunch to meet her friend...I'm sure their time is limited since she's here from Australia, I shouldn't bother them. I decided to just let it go.
Back to Magic Monday...I get to the train platform to buy my ticket and there are two women standing there waiting to get their tickets. Who might they be?
Linda and Domenica. Yeah. And they said they were intending to take the 11:17am train but somehow ended up catching the 10:56am. With me.
They were not phased by this "coincidence". I must say I was a bit flustered and pleasantly shocked. We had a lovely conversation for an hour and a half on the train. Domenica was very supportive and answered some questions about my spiritual journey. We parted in Grand Central after I showed them the whispering wall and pointed out some interesting tidbits about the ceiling in Grand Central. I took their photo and then a man in a suit stopped and asked if I would like to be in the photo. So I handed him my $2500 camera (ha!) and he took this photo. I LOVE that our feet are slightly cut off.
I said to Linda as we parted that I felt like I could just go home, that Magic Monday happened for the day, I got what I came for. :)
And a weird side note: I friended Domenica on Facebook. As I did this I noticed we had one friend in common...another medium I know, Angelina. There are 21 MILLION people who live in Australia. And the only two Australian people I know are Facebook friends???? How about that...
Onward.
Poor Kim, she needs the headline "don't be afraid" more than anyone right now. I actually watched The Kardashians for a few years (I have a 19 year old daughter so she was into it a few years ago). I liked the show. They are interesting people to observe. Very different life journey than I am on. Sending positive thoughts to Kim as she recovers from her horrible ordeal in Paris.
What struck me was the window washers, however they were washing the bricks, not windows! That's different.
This guy was pretty awesome, very animated and his briefcase was a speaker system and he had really loud music playing!
So here we are again. Two weeks ago, on Week 43, I started my journey up Broadway, starting at the tip of Manhattan and making my way as far as 42nd street. I had had my "coincidence" with the Native American costumed guy at the Macy's window where I've had so many Mohawk Men appear this year. The experience was so rattling I headed home early that day. Today I started again on Broadway where I left off.
The Strand bookstore had a little satellite store in Times Square. I'm actually not a big Amy Schumer fan but I did really like the title of her book.
I'm going to say that buying a hair dryer made by a vacuum cleaner company is not high on my list of things to own.
What do we have here?
I had heard about these "X" chairs over the summer. It's part of an art display which reminds people of the era of the 80's when Times Square was full of XXX rated stores and theaters.
I *think* this was the Times Square visitor center which was apprently very cool inside. I had put it on my list of places to see during 52 Magic Mondays but then I found out it had closed.
I had tried to get a shot of the guy in the sunglasses but didn't get a great shot, however I ended up liking the image because of the red M & M!
Me reflecting in an overhang covered in mirrors.
My one very slight diversion off of Broadway, I heard some commotion and traffic was all backed up on this cross street. I walked over to check it out. The musical Chicago was celebrating their 20th anniversary so they seemed to have the entire cast posing for a group photo. Of course I invited myself to the party and got right in there to grab a photo.
I renamed it Pumpkin Plaza. I'm sure they will change the sign shortly.
That's actually a full sized vehicle hanging off the building as part of the advertisement.
Our election making the cover of China Daily.
This woman was struggling a bit to get into her cab. Of course she caught my attention because of her bright jacket that matched the cab. I watched her for a few moments. She finally got in but then the cabbie was yelling at her to close the door. She really wasn't strong enough so I walked over and asked if I could close it for her. :) My good deed for the day.
So what do we have here?
It's an art installation from 2011. What's in there...
Interesting!
Not my Macy's window. And no Mohawk Man. I think the mohawk thing is likely done for 52 MM, but I still like an interesting reflection when I can find one.
I'm up by Columbus Circle now. Second time I've seen one of these large rats for a protest during 52 MM.
There's a Whole Foods in the Time Warner building at Columbus Circle. It is always hopping! I've been here once before. The lines are super long no matter what part of the store you go to.
Heading up the escalator at Whole Foods, I took a picture here in the summer I liked. This time they had holiday decorations hanging from the ceiling. They were changing colors. I liked that this color kind of matched the color of the building outside. Since I'm on an escalator I get what I can get since I'm moving.
I saw a number of these baricades heading north on Broadway from Columbus Circle.
They were on some kind of journey. There was also a woman with them with a large pack on her back but I didn't see her until they passed by.
View of Lincoln Center from Broadway (although the roads got confusing here so I was on some blend of Columbus Ave meets Broadway I believe). I liked how the stairs had digital signs built in to the risers.
The architecture started to shift a bit here as I got closer to 100th street, definitely reminded me more of the Harlem area.
Santa was in town, taking a moment to charge his phone and use some free WiFi. I gave him my Olympus E-M1 Mark II and 25mm lens wishlist.
For a few blocks it got rather dirty on Broadway.
84th street movie theater. It made me think of the TV show, Seinfeld. I need to watch it again, they were always going to the movies. Now I'm curious if they referenced this theater on the show.
Nice tree canopy.
#PeopleLeavingReligiousMaterial
Now this is just a cruel place to put a bench. Look at all those subway grates! Ack!
Again, not enough Mondays left to start a People Leaving Paint Cans page, but thanks for making an appearance.
The 1-2-3 subway station on Broadway.
Took a peek inside. Ceiling was kind of cool.
And here is where I will stop my All Broadway journey. Made it up to 100th Street, figured this was as good as any place to stop my Broadway exploration. I must admit it was fun, and rather easy, to totally stick to one street.
And as I went to cross the street and start making my way back down Broadway and over to Grand Central, this truck passed by. I liked that it said "Oz". Sometimes this journey felt a bit like I was in Oz. :)
Creepy tennis shoe display, anyone?
I met this guy by the flower market. Looks a lot like my cat, Scottie, however my kitty has black whiskers. This cat came right up to me and the camera (I got down low). Next couple of pictures are my favorites of the day...
Hi.
LOVED how in focus the eyes are as the rest of the picture drops off due to depth of field of the lens. There wasn't much light so my aperture was wide open, hence the blurry background (and nose). Very cool effect. Thanks, Kitty!!
Yes, that's a kitchen faucet. I tend to walk around with one in my pocket, too!
I said a silent prayer for her and hoped her journey was improving.
Nah. This is the fun time of year where we get to wear loose warm drapey sweaters! Of course I do go to the gym several times a week and those darn spandex gym pants don't lie. :)
And that's a wrap on Week 45 and my journey up Broadway.
Next week will be my last non-Monday trip to the city. I'm heading in on Thanksgiving Day to photograph the parade from my daughter's college Manhattan building (which is next to Macy's). Should be a special day.
Wishing everyone a safe and Happy Thanksgiving.
Until the next Magic Monday!
xo,
~MC
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