Mobile addicts

Hello NY again, it's been a while, there is not much really exciting to blog about, beside the gay marriage politics and the deficits. Plus the unrest in the Middle East, Most New Yorkers already had media overload, I doubted any one wanted to read more about it.

Then there was the accidental death of Amy Winehouse, so what was she famous for again? A hurried stardom with two albums, a star in the making gone too soon. Even my friends from the UK asked me what was the fuss in the US on her is all about. These friends actually met her and spend time with her, and called her the crazy gypsy lady in the neighborhood bar where she started out in Campton, UK. As you can see I am running out of topics and subjects that interested me, until this morning.

I caught an approaching city bus instead of the usual private shuttle took me to the subway station. Well, let be honest, who will miss the opportunities to get on an AC bus instead of walking on a mid summer morning.

Everything was going smoothly, until an argument broke out between the ladies one sat in front of each other on the role of seat in front of me. I got the front role seat for the heated confrontation.

The careless attitude only added fuel to the fire, before long, they were screaming at each other, only felt short of high heels flying thru the air.

Talking on non-stop on your mobile in public places is inconsiderate, uncool, and abusive of mobile privilege. This is actually the first time I saw some one share my feeling towards the cell phone junkies. They are just as annoying as the one don’t seems to be able to get their hands off the phone every 5 minutes.

Let’s face it “You are not that important of a person, the you have call all day long, unless you sell drug on the sidewalk. No one important is calling you 24/7, so don’t pretend you are needed. The call you received were almost all of them from telemarketers.” So leave your phone alone.

Cell phone are for convenience, and emergencies. For a prolong conversation on the phone in public for not thing but gossip, it dame right disrespect to other people surround them. This practice should be should ban. Just like smoking on the street.

Year back, I use the method of intimidation by pretending speaking on a phone loud and acting silly in front of them, without a mobile in my hand. Never mind that I am not going to stand so low anymore, it is not worth my while.

Unfortunately, the lady on the bus did not get the message, she continued her conversation, even when the passenger in front of her turn around and stared at her. What is your experience? Care to share.

Perhaps you are the one can’t leave your phone alone?

Chance Encounter NYC.

Marriage Equality in NY

Riding on the shoulder of the gay Pride celebration is the issue of legalizes or not legalized the marriage equality law. We should found out today. There is only one vote short. It will be ashamed that it fails to pass.

Being a state with the largest and the most progressive city in the country, I think we should always take a leadership role on matters that reflect our status, controversial or not. Unfortunately the state of New York is not always willing to take the stand. In my opinion, we lost the leading edge.

Never the less, majority of the New Yorker show that they think the law ought to be pass, and why the law maker keep standing in the way, and some are hid behind the curtain of religion.

I am a devoted and church going Christian. I do not recall Bible taught us to hate the indifferences. If we live in a so call “ FREE”, “DEMONCRACTIC” society, how can we deny the basic right of her citizen? Your thought?

Some argue that same sex marriage destroy family unit. Let’s see. In the 80’s and the 90’s same sex committed couples try to have a family and adopt children, when this option were deny in many states, they discovered surrogated parenthood, that change the legalize landscape even further. The Christian right can’t stop gay couples for creating life. Resulted in the adoption battles were dropped by the Christian rights.

If any politician is using the Christian believe as excuses to block vote on this round for marriage equality, may be it is time to identify them, and vote them out of office.

As for the Christian right, I think they need to really reach deep and think hard on Christ’s teaching. I gave all the support to people that walk out of the church yesterday at the St. Patrick cathedral. I am glad that it mad it to the news and let the Catholic Church defending them. However, I think it should be fair not to just single out the Catholics, there are many churches in the country preaching the same message as well.

I believe I do not necessary have to be a believer on marriage equality bill, however I cannot honest say that Heterosexual marriage is the only way to form a family unit, and their way is the right way, and family value is only apply to traditional family.

Being gay is not a choice, or a lie style. Therefore equal right should apply to all, can’t pick and choose who have it and who don’t. Have we already forgotten the civil right movement?

Chance Encounter NYC

Tragic experiece on Trash

For some reason on this normal sunny and cool, Tuesday June morning, on my way to catch the MTA at Times Square aboard the shuttle bus. I notice there was a lot of trash all over the ave. What is going on here NYC? For we do not have street cleaning at night, is the service also affected by the budget short fall?

I under stand we are not the dirtiest big city around the world not even in the US. Never the less if we love of our city, as most of us will say, why don’t any one taking care of it? It should be a community effort, not just city Hall. You may argue that it is the wind was responsible for the trash all over the city street. I don’t think that should be an excuse if the trashcans are not always full.

There is always tons of garbage all over the Duffy square and Time Square and the entire side street that lead to it. I may be more tolerant to the trash if that is at the end of the day, but early in the morning that is not acceptable. Times Square is an iconic place for NYC. A place where everyone in the world wanted to visits, and it is exciting and full of energy, since it is such an important access for the city we should taking care of it and keep an impeccable impression, instead it is just a lighted giant out door garbage dump. Not a present experience. No wonder most resident around the area try to avoid it at all cost.

I love my neighborhood, even though it is congested. Dirty and noisy. But it always has many charming small shops and restaurants that are still family owns, and you can enjoy it without the Manhattan price. People are friendly, and the waterfront is absolutely beautiful. However garbage fill streets early on a weekday morning is a picture of horror. I wish I never noticed it this morning.

Chance Encounter NYC

What does NY meant to me

"What does New York mean to you?"

I was ask recently by a friend from afar to tell her about what does New York City meant to me?

This is a good one. I blog often on any subjects, it may or may not directly related to New York, just every day causal encounter, but I never takes time to really think about what New York City really meant to me. Have you? What does New York meant to you?

New York to me meant personal freedom:

First and foremost, she allows me to openly express myself in ways that satisfy my desire without shocking any jaded New Yorker.

As one of the top global city, she provides ample avenues of opportunities to anyone wanted to embrace the city as their home. It could be career, friends and affiliates, entertainment, education, enlighten of the souls, religion or politics, never a limited back road, rather it is the board avenue of choices, that is my New York, the big apple.

She is also energy central. My center of the universe, never lack of innovation creative energy, and always a toughen survivor, city that never sleeps.

On the softer side, she is an iconic lady, patriotic and beautiful. Never mind the noisy and congested traffics on Times Square at her belly, the Bar and club scenes down town. Just enjoy the bright light of Broadway, the beauty of her Parkland and waterfront, as well as the world-class music, arts, and culinary scene she offers.

She is a melting pot, full of incredible neighborhoods, and tradition of world citizens she play host to. Her influence is more far reach than anyone can imagine. She is an innovator, never a follower. She had her share of ups and downs and problem as in most cases of her peers. To me she by far the most romantic takes a stroll in the Central park at any time, or a carriage ride under the silver Moon. Set a small sail in the pond, the early morning along the Hudson’s, watching the cruise ship comes in, a sunset sail or just watch the sunset lay rest behind lady Liberty. As the moon raises look up and watch the colored lights of the Empire State Building, then you know you have entered my NY

It is intoxicating, irresistible, energetic and full of opportunities.

I am proud to call this city my home. My New York.

Chan Encounter NYC

Public Projects

Recently I was traveling in Asia, can’t help but wondering why public project can be built on time and on budget while public projects seems to always over run and late in the US? Any thought?

All public projects in the US large and small seems to be moving in snail pace if that is not frustrating enough it is usually over budget, and always behind schedule. In contrary, privately funded projects mushroom over night.

Let’s not even mention the world trade center project. Let’s just take the 2nd ave line project or the new World trade center transit terminals. It’s been 5 years, and millions over budget, they had to alter a beautiful design to fit the budget, and yet I see nothing visible anywhere close. While the near by architect’s residential tower on Spruce street reach it’s 76 stories in less than three year.

Places I visited on my recent trip, according to their source they can build an entire subway extension in less than 5 years. The distance is a lot further than the second ave. distance. As for the degree of difficulties: their route had to dig, as well as built both dry and wet tunnels. Yet, they do not anticipate cost over run nor delay. That brought me back to what happen in our country.

I am sure most of us are too familiar with freeway constructions. Every project goings on forever, when we drove by, we usually see a lot of signs but not often have any worker sightings that probably the main reason of cost over run. Do you have any thought on that? Please share.

I am just amazed how long public project takes in the greatest country and city on earth to complete.

Chance encounter NYC

Pedestrain nightmare

Back for another round.

This blog content does not meant any offend or disrespect to the New York’s finest it is simply an observation.

Every evening when I am in town, I had to go thru the impassable sidewalk on the infamous 42nd street heading west to my home. If you had ever experienced the massive humanity during rush hour in midtown, it is a dragged experience we do not wish to repeat.

After avoiding ran over clueless tourists in the middle of the sidewalk. I often resort to walking on the bus lane just to get from one block to the other. The experience is like dodging bullets in a battlefield, a hip twisting and fancy footwork exercise.

Once I approached the major intersection of 8th Ave and 42 streets, I can’t help wondering why there is always a gridlock on that intersection, which is not an entrance to the Lincoln Tunnel, rather it is just another ave.

Never the less, I did notice that part of the problem is actually caused by the Ever eager pedestrian both local and some visitors. Most of the pedestrian on the intersection have no patient to wait for his or her turns of the traffic light before set foot on the road, or even crossing it, even with flashing red light of warning.

Pedestrian going East or west do not want to wait for the east bound traffic trying to turn on to north bound lane on 8th Avenue to clear, in order to avoid hitting them, cars stop at the middle of the intersection, in turn, clog up the traffic on the cross road. When time come the north & south bound cars get into action in front of the bus terminal, they also rushing off as soon as the light turn yellow, like race horses trapped in the starting gate, can’t wait to get out.

While the gridlock is forming the pedestrians approached the intersection growing eager and spill into the street, causing more congestion. Not to mention rig the Metro and suburb bus stop is only a stone throw away, further clog up the traffic flow.

I see no effort to ease this congestion by the traffic department; instead the city’s solution to this is to put up barricade on the sidewalk to control the flow of massive crowds spill on to the street. The massive police present make no attempt in crowd control, their duty is to stand there having a friendly visit with each other. Little attention was pay to the traffic entanglement. It is a miracle that there is always close calls on pedestrian being run over by traffic, temper flare, but no accident “YET”.

To get this situation under control I think the Traffic department should consider issuing tickets for jaywalking to all those in violation. I am sure that will boost the city’s revenue plus keep the law and order on the street.

Chance Encounter NYC

Give Spiderman a chance

Broadway productions not only take years of preparation and hard work to bring a concept to reality, even if all goes well any show still need financial supports, and commitments, that alone is not easy to come by on these uncertain time. Many good concepts die along the way never made it to 42nd street.

That bring me to the most talk about show of the season so far, the eternally cursed “Spiderman” Which had been besieged with accidents, lead actor departures, mechanical failure on the set and surge of bad publicities. Even after three month of previews.

I can’t claim to be an action movie or show fan, nor am a comic book fan neither. In this case I make an exception, longing to see what the hype is all about, after a two months wait, I thought I was going to see the show after it is open, instead it is still in preview. Never the less, here is my take on the show.

To see a show like Spiderman, I suggested that you should at least tighten your belt for the next three months you did yourself disservice if you did not get seats on the first balcony. Unless you are willing to take a chance of getting a headache and neck injury not from falling objects, rather to follow the acrobatic of the show, you will be looking up into the air majority of the evening.

As for the upper balconies, I am not sure if they will see all the acrobatic movement of the show, since all the flying that is going on is below the seats.

The set designs were absolutely fantastic, at time I was so overwhelm by the size and movement of the sets, I was in awe. The lighting and the dances were elegant. For just these two reasons alone is worth every penny of your ticket.

To a New Yorker seeing the show, I identify the building and the location of the scene. A little sample for the detail that was put forth into the set design: Just showing the Manhattan bridge over the East River is not enough, there was a lighted subway train going across the stage, while everything else is going on below. You will experience many surprises sprinkle through out the show. If it was a movie production, a bird eye view of the city is not hard to shoot Try to achieve the same effect in a theatre environment. I gave them a lot of credit. I actually feeling like I am flying thru the city in 3-D, and this is not a video effect.

If you are looking for an unconventional story in Spiderman, you are kidding yourself. Just like you will not have a different story line in “Romeo and Juliet”. If you are looking for some big time Broadway tune like in “Jesus Christ Super star”. Bono’s music is not for you. I found all the rock tunes in the show is unimpressive; No identifiable rock jingle, no main focus on the musical score, even the love songs fail to evoke any of my inner romantic feelings. I was looking for that identifiable song. Nothing was there.

The first act although a little to at the beginning, but it does build a momentum eventually. I was satisfied when intermission came. The second act seems floundering a little, in my humble opinion.

If you go and expecting to see the old format in the same old formula of the many Broadway shows that is playing now, you will be utterly disappointed. If you are going to see the show with an open mind, the sheer set design, to experience Broadway the next generation; I guaranteed it is worth it. You will never see another one like this one any time soon, if this show goes down as a failure. That will be our lost.

In “the Phantom of the Opera” the chandelier on drop down from the ceiling once, in “Miss Saigon” the helicopter only rises up from the stage once. In Spiderman, I lost count of surprises.

I knew the critics were unkind and down right unfair, I saw the review on this morning’s newspaper, they label the show as a bust. You are a fool if you only listen to the critic, and I hope you don’t. Give the show a chance. You will not be disappointed. You can only find out if you go.

Chance Encounter NYC