Tag Archives: John Street

Obsession III: Rocks

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I picked up my first rock with purpose in the summer of 1983. IMAG2547I was sitting beside the road in Prince Edward Island on a hitch-hiking journey across Canada when I saw this rock and decided I should keep a memento from each province. I continued to collect sporadically over the years. IMAG2559It became ingrained in me when I hiked the mountain trails around Vancouver, beginning in the early 1990s, bringing a rock home every time.

Crown Mountain, British Columbia

Crown Mountain, British Columbia

I don’t know where all of the rocks are from, although a few do stand out.

Hot Springs Cove, Vancouver Island

Hot Springs Cove, Vancouver Island

Acropolis, Athens, Greece

Acropolis, Athens, Greece

Rasafa, Syria

Rasafa, Syria

John Street, New York City

John Street, New York City

The collection continues to grow, maybe around 400 now. IMAG2567More space is needed. IMAG2539I just have to get my partner to agree.

New York Cranes

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The New York Crane is not a rare bird. It can be see everywhere in the city, especially in Downtown Manhattan. IMAG2180As awkward and innocuous as they may appear, they have a tendency to collapse.

91st Street - 2008

91st Street – May 2008

34th Street - April 2012

34th Street – April 2012

51st Street -2012

57th Street -October 2012

Long Island City - 2013

Long Island City – January 2013

It is nerving to see Downtown Manhattan resemble a nesting ground for these cranes.

Nassau and Anne Streets

Nassau and Anne Streets

John Street

John and Nassau Streets

World Trade Center Site

World Trade Center Site

No matter how well these things might be functioning, I must admit to half-expecting one of them to “fall like a dinosaur” at any moment. I look forward to the day when they find another place to roost.

Manhattan Retreat

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Downtown Manhattan is a noisy neighbourhood, making it hard finding a place to think. For example, while there is a park around the corner….

John Street Methodist Church Park

John Street Methodist Church Park

It is claustrophobic, more akin to a prison yard than a park. City Hall Park offers a beautiful fountain, festively decorated during the winter, for contemplation… IMAG2156But the traffic, on Park Row and Broadway, is a never-ending story. IMAG2174The East River Esplanade looks like it might have moments of quiet…

East River Esplande

If not for the fact that the traffic on FDR Drive Overpass is worse.

FDR Drive above South Street and East River Esplanade

The World Trade Memorial has potential as a place of solace…

World Trade Memorial

Once the security checkpoints are gone and the construction is complete.

World Trade One has completion date of 2014

World Trade One projected completion date: 2014

Until then, I will have to accept that the only time silence comes anywhere around here is when a hurricane comes to town. IMAG0027But then the power is gone too…unless I get a generator. And there’s no quiet in that.

Writing about Distant Lands

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There is a certain schizoid imbalance to writing about distant lands.

Battle Harbour, Labrador

Battle Harbour, Labrador

My mind is half in the arctic, but when I walk the dog, I know that I am a long way from that.

John Street, Downtown Manhattan

John Street, Downtown Manhattan

I think of vast expanses, glacial winds, privation and suffering and remember that I need to get pecorino cheese and a nice Sicilian white for dinner.