The Unbearable Banishment: The ho-ho-ho-ness of New York City

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

The ho-ho-ho-ness of New York City

I can't believe Christmas is less than a week away! The season flew by, much to my utter dismay. I like the holiday season very much and will be sad to see the lights and spangles come down. Here a brief photo montage of 5th Avenue.

This is the jeweler Harry Winston. Nice color palate here, don't you think? Quietly stated.


As long as we're on jewelers, this is Bulgari with a sparkly serpent wrapped around the building.


Here's a brief video. I wanted you to see the dazzling eyes. 


Sticking with the jewelers, this is Cartier. This is always my favorite. They wrap the building with a big, red bow. It looks like a pretty package. 


Needs no introduction. The 30 Rock tree is usually photographed dead-on and full-framed. I was trying to find an atypical angle that accentuates the art deco design of the building and treats the tree as an ornamental accessory.


Even the homeless dude on 5th and 49th gets into the act! I have absolutely no idea where he plugs his tree in. I gave him a couple of bucks and asked permission to take a picture. It seemed like the right thing to do.


Mrs. Wife, The Daughters and I wish you and your family a merry Christmas and a happy New Year. Thanks, very much, for reading over the past year. I should probably be more Zen and detached about all this but the fact is I really enjoy writing and taking photos and it means a lot to me when people stop by. Come to NYC in 2013 and I'll buy you a tony cocktail at a place with a magnificent view! I'm a pretty good tour guide, as some fellow bloggers will attest to. I come with references.

He looked so irresistibly pleasant, in a word, that three or four good-humored fellows said, "Good morning, sir! A merry Christmas to you!" And Scrooge said often afterward, that of all the blithe sounds he had ever heard, those were the blithest in his ears.
Mine, too.

37 Comments:

Blogger Gorilla Bananas said...

That looks like two snakes to me. No wonder his eyes were sparkling - getting laid at Christmas does that to a snake. I'm glad you're full of festive cheer. If you were feeling Scrooge-like, I would have haunted you like the gorilla of Christmas past.

December 19, 2012 at 7:37 AM  
Blogger The Unbearable Banishment said...

It's one snake. Obviously, your simian eyes were dazzled and confused, which is what snakes do, don't they? I hope Santa brings you a nice bunch of bananas and some hot monkey action for Christmas.

December 19, 2012 at 8:10 AM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Bulgari eh? The UK' have their own unique version. It's called Aldi. The similarities are uncanny my friend. Nice photies by the way.

December 19, 2012 at 10:33 AM  
Blogger OldLady Of The Hills said...

I LOVE the pictures of the Jewelry Emporiums...! The Snake is GORGEOUS!!!
And I also love the Ribbon Round The Building look....New York at Christmas--Fifth Ave., in particular, is spectacular!
And The RCA Building, (Now called something else??) From your Vantage Points Is SPECTACULAR!!!
I have spent a number of Chrismas' in NYC---not in a long time, but...there is nothing like it! I would love to get a tour with you, by the way....Because even though I grew up in New York, I find that different people have different places they feel are important NYC landmarks....If only I could still travel.

Wishing you and yours the Merriest Christmas and A Beautiful New Year, too!

December 19, 2012 at 12:27 PM  
Blogger The Unbearable Banishment said...

Hey! We have two Aldi's in New Jersey! I don't think they look similar at all. Wink. The secret of nice photies is to take about 300 shots. ONE of them is bound to work!

December 19, 2012 at 1:20 PM  
Blogger The Unbearable Banishment said...

The RCA building is now the GE building. The PanAm building on Park Avenue is now MetLife. And they don't land helicopters on the roof anymore because there was an accident many years ago and a helicopter blade plummeted to the streets! The names change but the landscape is the same. I actually think growing up elsewhere and then moving here is a distinct advantage. I never stop looking at this place with a tourists eye, even though I became an official New Yorker a long time ago.

December 19, 2012 at 1:26 PM  
Blogger mapstew said...

Aldi eh? hahahah! What aboot Lidl?

Happy whotsit my pal, it's all a loada shite yeah? Feckin' priests and 'Oh Holy Night'! Ah feck me, ahm jes gettin' old an cranky! :¬)

December 19, 2012 at 8:31 PM  
Blogger The Unbearable Banishment said...

Lidl I don't know. Aldi, I do, but not Lidl. I have to Google it.

I don't know what it is with this holiday. I believe virtually nothing of the virgin birth story, but I look forward to this season more than any other. Ain't that weird? What a hypocrisy!

December 19, 2012 at 9:05 PM  
Blogger dinahmow said...

I don't follow the seasonal faith, but I do love sparkling things and "proper" weather for it.
And you *did* post my tree! Yes, there is a Santa Claus!

December 20, 2012 at 2:11 AM  
Blogger Furtheron said...

Happy holidays back to you... sadly given the very grey, cloudy, rainy, wet weather London despite the efforts doesn't look as good at all!

December 20, 2012 at 5:31 AM  
Blogger The Unbearable Banishment said...

Faith, schmaith. You don't have to believe to believe. I take requests. Hence, the tree. I saved the best for last!

December 20, 2012 at 6:57 AM  
Blogger The Unbearable Banishment said...

Work with what you have. How do all the decorations and lights look reflected in the wet pavement? Pretty good, I'll bet.

December 20, 2012 at 6:59 AM  
Blogger sukipoet said...

thank you for the christmas shots of NYC. I get the thrill of seeing them without the hassle of travel. Ha. I enjoy your posts, a sparkle of culture in my dull north country life. may the wife, the kids and yourself have a lovely holiday.

December 20, 2012 at 7:31 AM  
Blogger The Unbearable Banishment said...

Thanks, so much! As always, no charge. Traveling IS a hassle, isn't it? Flying and airports used to be sophisticated. Now they're about as sophisticated as the bus depot. The north country life sounds idyllic and pretty. Walking through Times Square this morning, I passes someone's sick in the street. The grass is always greener!

December 20, 2012 at 7:53 AM  
Blogger Pat said...

Now I feel I've done the New York lights. Thank you. You are getting the hang of this photie business:)

December 20, 2012 at 11:05 AM  
Blogger The Unbearable Banishment said...

As I told Mr. Chef; Take hundreds and one or two are bound to turn out. It's the same thing with a room full of monkeys and typewriters. One of 'em will turn out a masterpiece! Merry Christmas to you and to the British Empire.

December 20, 2012 at 11:23 AM  
Blogger savannah said...

you always make me smile with your gorgeous photos, sugar! we'll be on the road on christmas day, but will sit down to dinner with the coconut krewe! here's to you, Mrs Wife and the Daughters! we'll raise a glass or two to all y'all! xoxo

December 20, 2012 at 5:29 PM  
Blogger The Unbearable Banishment said...

Thank you, dear. Let's have a contest! Let's see who can raise the most glasses to toast each others' families. On your mark...get set...

December 20, 2012 at 5:42 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Happy Ho to the entire Banishment clan! i can personally attest to the amazing skills of Mr. UB as a tour guide - i was even able to pay it forward this week to my sister. As she and her partner were knocking around times square, i sent them to the marriott marquis for "that view" of the square... it was a highlight for them!

December 20, 2012 at 7:56 PM  
Blogger The Unbearable Banishment said...

See that, everyone. I have mad tour guide skills. Best take advantage while the offer is out there.

Merry Christmas. A Happy New Year to all you buckeyes, especially you and your mom.

December 20, 2012 at 8:57 PM  
Blogger savannah said...

there will be photos! ;)

December 21, 2012 at 2:48 AM  
Blogger Ellie said...

UB - The photos rock. The video is my favourite though ... for the twinkling eye, but also for the sound of NYC traffice. ;-)

Happy holidays to you and yours!

December 21, 2012 at 9:18 AM  
Blogger The Unbearable Banishment said...

Thanks, tons. You should post a few holiday pics. You're photos are so artful and I'll bet Madrid is beautiful this time of year.

December 21, 2012 at 9:39 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

What a great bit of initiative from the homeless bloke. His takings must go up with that array.

A very Merry Christmas to you UB, and thank you for all your fascinating and entertaining posts this year. I'll raise a glass in a westward direction in an hour or two!

December 22, 2012 at 6:35 AM  
Blogger The Unbearable Banishment said...

That homeless guy is there all the time and I usually just pass him by. But the tree got to me and I gave him $2 bucks.

My posts are all surface and fluff. You dig down deep in your posts. I wish I was as courageous as you are.

December 22, 2012 at 8:07 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

For some reason this blog brought tears to my eyes...happy ones! Great job I love that you always look through the lens with so appreciation. You really can take a crazy day and put a new perspective on it. Missing you this year at my house.
Much love to you and the family!
MT

December 22, 2012 at 3:27 PM  
Blogger The Unbearable Banishment said...

You didn't get tears from this idiot post! I know what kind of day you're having. If I was having the day you're having, I'd weep too!

December 22, 2012 at 5:06 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Merry Christmas to you and your family and thank you for all the lovely and insightful New Yorky / arty stuff you've shared with us.

December 23, 2012 at 8:00 AM  
Blogger The Unbearable Banishment said...

It's my pleasure! Believe me, I owe you guys thanks. If only I could parlay this into a paying gig. (Probably not the most original sentiment, but it's sincere.)

December 23, 2012 at 4:11 PM  
Blogger dinahmow said...

Yes, UB "knows" New York!

December 23, 2012 at 9:32 PM  
Blogger Joe Jubinville said...

Christmas is imperishable and no American burg does it, or anything else, quite like Manhattan. Thanks for a year of irresistibly pleasant dispatches, word and picture, from the Banishment. You seem to be smiling in that picture...

December 24, 2012 at 11:09 AM  
Blogger The Unbearable Banishment said...

Of course I'm smiling! I'm standing under the tree at Rockefeller Center! Everyone around me was smiling. Forget your cares and woes. That sort of thing. Or, as the demented MC in Cabaret told his audience: "So, life is disappointing, eh? Forget about it! Vee haf NO. TROUBLES. HERE."

Glad you enjoy the dispatches. Having spent so many years here, you have the third eye and a better appreciation.

December 24, 2012 at 11:33 AM  
Blogger Ms Scarlet said...

Merry Christmas, Mr Banish!!
Sxxxx

December 24, 2012 at 1:58 PM  
Blogger The Unbearable Banishment said...

Yes, it is! Thank you. Same to you. And a Happy Gnu Year, too.

December 24, 2012 at 2:46 PM  
Blogger Pat said...

Hands across the sea to send fondest wishes to you and les girls.xox

December 24, 2012 at 6:28 PM  
Blogger Kono said...

And i thought it was going to be a photo montage of NYC hookers, bummer, nice pics anyway though, got up to our hometown last weekend for a drunken night, damn i miss that place.

December 26, 2012 at 8:45 AM  
Blogger The Unbearable Banishment said...

No shit?! Did you go to he big Higbee Casino? Where'd you hang out? Will post hooker/junkie pics next Christmas.

December 26, 2012 at 11:07 AM  

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