It's Christmastime in the city pt. 1

I was arguing with myself over whether or not I should do any holiday posts this year. I got all wrapped up in trying to gauge whether or not anyone is interested in reading this stuff but ultimately I decided to do what I've always done—write whatever the hell I like and hope it amuses. All pics are click-able.

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Here's the beautiful Bryan Park skating rink, all up and running. The building in the background is the back of the big New York Public Library on Madison and 42nd. The front of the building is guarded by two stone lions, Patience and Fortitude. Unfortunately, the statues are so old and frail that they can no longer hang big wreaths around their necks.

If you look in the upper left, you'll see the neon-lit point of the Chrysler Building. The structure on the left is a 2-story restaurant/bar. You can get drinks and a not-too-cheap meal while watching skaters either glide gracefully or fall flat on their asses. It's dinner and a show.


Here's the rink from another angle with the Empire State Building bathed in red. Come to Manhattan and you, too, can ice skate in the shadow of two of the most important architectural landmarks in the city.


Behind these hallowed doors below the wreath you won't find a bigger collection of thieves, vipers and swindlers. I've spent most of my career working for these clowns and I feel very different about them today than I did 18 months ago. 18 months ago I wouldn't have referred to them as clowns. Santa will, inexplicably, be very good to them this year.