Taste of Times Square

On Monday, June 3rd from 5:00-9:00 PM, Times Square will be hosting an event called, Taste of Times Square, which will be located on 46th Street between Broadway and 9th Avenue.  Right in the center of all the action of Times Square, people will get the chance to taste different foods from New York City's best restaurants!

Taste of Times Square is an outdoor food and music festival, which features international foods from the city's best restaurants. Times Square’s most popular culinary destinations set up tables on the street to offer “tastes” of their signature dishes.

People can enjoy cuisine from around the world including Italian, Chilean, Irish, Latin, Asian and more.  If you love food, you don't want to miss this event!

Click on the link below to view all of the Taste of Times Square  Participating Restaurants:

Taste of Times Square Restaurants

This is not only a great way to get the community involved, but an excellent way to get restaurants to advertise their food to a large number of people.  By getting a small taste of a restaurant's food is an excellent way to get people to come back to you.  Food is always a sure thing when it comes to events, and is always a large crowd draw.  I know I want to go and try all the different food selections!  I think it would be a fun date or afternoon with friends to go around and try everything.  Some of my favorite restaurants are listed to be there as well.  Check it out !

Singing Waiters, Oh My!

If you ever want to go to a fun, family restauraunt, Ellen's Stardust Diner is the place to go.  Located on the corner of 51st and Broadway (my office is convienenetly right next door), this New York Broadway diner is famous for their singing wait staff along with their retro 1950s theme.

 

The diner is named and owned by Ellen Hart, a former Misss Subway back in the 1950s.  "Miss Subway" was a beauty compeition that was held for more than 3 decades, but ended in the 70s.   The winners were featured on Subway trains, and back in the day, riding the subway was considered a luxury where people dressed up.  Below is a great and interesting video which talks about the story of Miss Subway and features Ellen Hart, owner of Ellen's Stardust Diner.

Ellen Hart has photos of all the Miss Subways that won from decades ago featured all over the diner.  The singing wait staff is also dressed up in 50s attire.  It's a great place to go back in time and relive that era!  If you check out their website, you can get a feel of the atmosphere and what Ms. Subway is all about.

Check out the main website:
  Ellen's Stardust Diner

The website features a bunch of articles regarding "Miss Subway" events, as well as photos of the singing waiters.  This diner is not just any restaurant, it's a unique and famous tourist destination.
 

The restaurant itself is known for it's fun energitic atmosphere, not so much the food.  It's your basic American-style food, but nothing out of this world.  I came across a food blog that mentions Ellen's Stardust diner and the blogger's experiences with it.

Adventures of the Foodaholic

The blogger, named Maria, also describes the food and the atmosphoere.  It's a wonderful place for Tourists, but not if you want to eat the best of the best.  You go more for the environment and the singing, not the quality of food.  I personally think they are a bit overpriced, but the salads and burgers are pretty good!

 All of the waiters are aspiring actors, hoping to catch their big break if an agent or manager happens to discover them. Since it is located in the heart of the theater district, is the perfect place for actor's to work! My boss, who is a booking agent, sometimes goes down to the diner if she needs to find a singer for an event we may have. It's essentially a showcase for actor's and at the same time a way for them to make a few bucks.

 

However, if you don't like singing, this probably isn't the place for you!  Check it out, it's a really fun restaurant to be in!

Inside Out

There is always something interesting going on in Times Square. This week, a Parisian street artist and photographer named J R is showcasing his art on the street in the middle of Times Square.  He is leading a huge participatory art concept called Inside Out.

J R set up a photo truck in Times Square, which is taking people’s portraits and instantly printing them on giant posters. People can take the poster home or paste it to the ground with buckets of wheat paste and brushes provided for them.

JR was quoted in an article in NY Times saying,

 “It’s an interesting thing about New York,” J R said in an interview on Friday, “that this is a very busy city, yet so many New Yorkers have come and given their time to the project, to taking their pictures, to pasting them and to being part of an exchange. And if you look at Times Square, you see that there is advertising everywhere, so where in other cities we put the portraits on the walls, and even on roofs, here we put them on the ground. So in a way, it’s people versus advertising. It’s people, amid all this advertising, saying, ‘We exist’ and ‘We’re together. ”

NY Times

A few of the portraits are projected on the electronic advertising screens in Times Square, taking the place of some Advertisements.

JR's request: to assemble a global Facebook, in which people have their pictures taken — or send their own portraits to J R by e-mail — as part of what he hoped would become the world’s largest participatory art project.

About 130,000 people have contributed their images. and the number is still growing.  It's amazing that this many people are willing to contribute in the name of art.  I find it a fantastic and beautiful thing!  Times Square is so full of surprises every single day.

JR's mission to advertise people is such an inspiring and powerful message.  It's so true that advertising has taken over our lives, and we forget about the people in our society.  By putting the portraits on the ground, people have no choice but to look on what they are walking on.  It is a great eye-opener, and a creative way to get a point across.

A History Lesson

Times Square encompasses the diversity of New York City.  However, it hasn't always been the melting pot that it is today.

Times Square has been a source of entertainment. In 1928, about 264 shows were produced in 76 theaters in Times Square. These theaters featured the emerging popular culture – vaudeville and musicals, jazz and the movies. Today, it is still the busiest theater district in the world.

In the thirties, the Great Depression led to a deep decline in theater attendance.  Many business had to close down and were being replaced by peep shows and strip clubs.  Thus, prostitution and sex theaters defined the area for much of the post-World War II era.

The Times Square area went downhill by the end of the 1960s, and by the mid 70s, tourists avoided Times Square all together.  It had become a crime-ridden, seedy, and rough area. By the 1980′s Times Square was a porn haven and drug-ridden area of the city.  And all the theaters you see now were transformed to adult theaters and porn back then.

The "restoration" of Time Square's turned the area around.

In 1976 Fred Papert established the "42nd Street Development Corporation" to revitalize businesses in Times Square. He tried to reestablish theaters, so that when businesses came in there would be support for a clean-up of the area.

Papert realized that reforming 42nd Street would cost a sufficient amount of money. He looked to the Ford Foundation for support.

At first, Mayor Ed Koch rejected the plan. However, due to its success, Koch was forced to put funds into Times Square.

When Mayor Koch rejected the plan of the Ford Foundation, he had to come up with a better plan. Koch created a series of initiatives which cleaned up the subway and historic theaters that were now showing pornographic movies. His administration granted more zoning laws to allow for the development of office buildings around Times Square. Thus, the city got what it wanted, and money finally came in to help clean up Times Square.

By the 90s, Mayor Guilliani, determined to prevent Times Square from plummeting, used tax law and an increased police presence to clear away pornography and prostitution from Times Square. Guilliani hoped that if he could clear up the streets, businesses would move in as soon as the economy cleared. The bright advertisements once again lit up the streets.

In 1990, the city and state teamed up to create the New 42nd Street, a nonprofit organization that repaired seven theaters on 42nd street: the Lyric, the Selwyn, the Apollo, the Times Square Theater, the Empire, the Liberty, and the Victory.

In 1993, Disney signed a 99-year lease with the City and State for the Amsterdam Theater, which they renovated, renamed the New Amsterdam, and opened with the play The Lion King in 1997.  Once Disney entered the area, things began to pick up.  Disney opened up a store on Times square which attracted more family-friendly business to the area.

Taken from a recent New York Times article,

"The plan, to radically make over 13 acres, between Broadway and Eighth Avenue, primarily fronting 42nd Street, outlived three mayors, four governors, two real estate booms and two recessions. Success is evident. Crime is down significantly from the days when pimps, prostitutes, drug addicts and dope pushers prowled Times Square and the Deuce, as that stretch of 42nd Street was known. The number of tourists is up 74 percent since 1993, to an estimated 36.5 million last year, and attendance at Broadway shows has soared to nearly 12 million".  (NYTimes.com)

 Disney agreed to take over the New Amsterdam theater in days of Mayor David N. Dinkins. The restored theater has now been home to two wildly successful Disney plays, the Lion King, and now Mary Poppins. Before you knew it, Times Square was once again a magnant for tourists.

Things Got Weird..

A funny thing happened to me on the way to work on a beautiful summer day a few years ago.  Everyday I walk down 8th Avenue up to 51st Street to get to work.  For some reason, I decided to walk through Times Square in the morning. I don't know why because I really dislike walking through Times Square when I'm in a rush on my way to work.  Well, it was a beautiful day and I had gotten into the city earlier than expected.

As I was walking trying to walk around all the tourists, I was stopped suddently by a man. Usually, I ignore most people who try to sell me something or want money.  But this guy had six, yes SIX, rats on his shoulders!  Three on each side!   Obviously, my first reaction was "EWWWW WTF!"  I freaked out and I tried to run away from him, but this guy thougth it was funny and followed me!  Other people were screaming and running away as well.   I was NOT happy!  All I can say was that it definitly woke me up in the morning!

If I wanted to pet his rats, I would have asked.  People are SO weird.  Apparently this guy is ALWAYS in Times Square. If you google, "Rat Man in Times Square", his picture appears!  People will do anything for attention, but I find it creepy and just plain weird.      

Beware of all the weirdos in Times Square!   It could happen to you!

St. Peter's Square in Rome

I went to Italy a few years ago for a Study Abroad program with the University of Delaware, and was was fortunate enough to visit one of the most famous squares in Rome.  St. Peter's Square, or in Italian, Piazza San Pietro, is located in the heart of Vatican City. It's an extremely beautiful and very affluent place.
 

In April 1655, Alexander VII was elected as the new pope and commissioned sculptor and architect Gian Lorenzo Bernini to create a new square. It took twelve years to complete his vision. 

St. Peter's Square is bordered on either side by semi-circular coloumns in a semi-circle which, according to Bernini, symbolize the stretched arms of the church embracing the world. The columsns were built in 1660 and consist of four rows of columns with in total 284 columns. The columns are 66 feet high.  140 statues were installed on top of the colonnades, all created by Bernini and his students. They represent popes, martyrs, evangelists and other religious figures.

 

 

On special occasions or holidays, such as the election of a new pope or on Easter, an average of 400,000 people are in the square.  It is a holy site and home to some beautiful and famous art. 

Unlike Times Square, there are no Street Performers and it is very clean.  This is after all, a holy site and home of the Vatican.  I was lucky enough to take a tour and learn about the history and art here.  It amazes me how wealthy Vatican city is, when just outside the gates the city is full of poor people.    

 

 

I hope to visit again soon.  I loved Rome and everything it had to offer.   

The Naked Truth: Chatting With The Naked Cowboy, Himself!

Yesterday I had the pleasure of meeting with the Naked Cowboy, whose real name is Robert John Burck.  I really didn't know what to expect, but I have to say, I was completely taken back with how passionate and motivated he is about what he does. After speaking with him, I was so inspired to chase after my dreams.  Enjoy!

So where are you from?

I’m from Cincinnati, Ohio.

And how did you end up in New York?

Well I was in Cincinnati, again I was born and raised in Cincinatti, and at some point I read Tony Robbins book, Of Unlimited Power.  Tony Robbins is a motivational speaker. But everything out of the guy’s mouth… he’s very motivational. After reading him, he basically, you know, as far as getting what you want in life, you need to know what you want. You write it out, you focus on it. So for 15 years of reading him, and this is a document I read everyday (Sidenote: He pulls out a huge stack of paper that is written all over and highlighted) on either a stair climber, an elliptical or a running machine, so I’m constantly reading this dialogue. 

So he motivated you?

Yeah, I basically wrote out these goals. He basically says you can have anything you want in your life, you just gotta know what you want. It all started with goal setting, and this is the same document I've literately been reading for about 16 years.  When, just like everybody else in the world, I’m not motivated, don’t feel like doing it, don’t give a shit, I just listen to him... And my life is literately mirroring all these things I've read and studied all my life.  Goal is to be the most famous man on the face of the earth, the richest, most successful, most profitable, most affluent...

So why the naked cowboy? What made you want to do this specifically?

Well in 1998 I was in Venice Beach,California.  I was shooting for Playgirl magazine.  Another thing about Tony, he says you have to not only know what you want, but once you know what you want, find people who HAVE what you want. So who has limousines taking them back and forth, Learjets, all the money in the world? Endorsements?  Money?  Who has that?  Movie stars, kings, presidents, you name it.  So I went into political science in school, I went into pre-med (thought I’d be a doctor or lawyer). Ended up with a political science degree.

From where?

University of Cincinnati  Then I went for my masters degree in business administration.  That was a 2 year program, I did one year of it, straight As, but at that point I decided I was already going back and forth from California  LA, everywhere I could possibly go to following modeling leads, things like that. I tried to be an actor and a country singer.

 

In 1998, I was shooting for Playgirl magazine. So I was shooting with a gay photographer who was going to be shooting me nude.  I went down to Venice beach on my off time, cause I was trying to be a country singer too, and just started singing. Had an old acoustic that my mother always had the house. So I went down the beach, and I had on jeans, a vest, and a flannel shirt on.  I played all day with my guitar and was ignored the entire day.  One kid threw 2 cents at me, and a little old lady put a dollar in my hat.  So I didn't make any money.

 

And the photographer that was shooting me for the nude magazine said, "Why don’t you play in your underwear?  Do something different."  I was like, "That’s fucking great!"


I went back in my underwear, which is what Tony Robbins would call, “marshalling your resources”.

Wasn't a great singer, didn't have the best body, wasn't a good dancer, all these things.   But combining it, just going in my underwear, everybody took pictures all day. And a news crew happened to be just walking down the boardwalk, they filmed me, I was on the news.  I got an interview with the LA Times.

Did you ever imagine you would get so much attention from all this?

Yea, absolutely.  Was determined from day one because he (Tony Robbins) told me that I could be, to have everything that I want in my life.  And I have it, and it keeps growing every single day. Got a new guitar endorsement, we got liquor endorsements, Naked Cowboy oysters, Naked Cowgirl oysters... I mean everything is just growing astronomically. And I expect to be living in a penthouse in NYC.

So you obviously enjoy the spotlight that’s on you.

I enjoy it, but it’s necessary for people to see me because what I am epitomizes what anyone can do. And it liberates and frees all people to be just like me. And that’s what everybody wants; they want to walk this earth as a king or a queen. And we all have that.  It's our vanity that rules us, and that’s a good thing.

Why no boxers?

Well when the guy told me to get in my underwear, I had the same underwear my mother bought me when I was 12 yrs old.  And it wasn't a conscious decision to wear boxers or briefs, but I think it works too because people have a taboo of being locked, stuck outside in their underwear, so to speak.  And it kind of plays into that kind of common phobia that people have being stuck outside in their underwear.

           

Do you ever get cold?

I get cold all winter long, but I deal with it.  Everyday you end up feeling like a failure no matter how many times you get out there cause you have to work so hard to do it.

How do you feel about impostors?

We have no impostors, we got 4 cowboys and 4 cowgirls.

Oh, so they’re all under the franchise?

Yup, they are all licensed and franchised.

So where do you want to go from here, where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Again, penthouse in NYC, my own helipad, my own helicopter that flies me over to my home in Weehawken, NJ and a plethora of castles all over the world, because just again, the more success, the more famous or richer I am, and I want to be the richest man on the face of the earth, most inspiring, most sexiest motherfucker on the face of the earth, and I can go all day long with this. Because the greater the success, the more validation you get from everyone else, and that forces them to look and look at what I’m doing and how I've been doing it. And they recognize they control their own destinies, if they take the time.  I’m 100%, I’m focused.

What is the one thing that you have learned, that you take away from all this?

To me its always about getting greater and greater faith that everything is gonna work out. Staying in the right frame of mind, stay focused. And even when you don’t succeed on a daily basis, you don’t do everything you can, keep your spirit up, cause the next day is coming.  Cause, ultimately, I got over it.  Keeping your mentality up, which takes 24 hours a day.  And you’ll eventually, I believe, have it on a level where just nothing can bring you down... you’re like a Buddha.  You're just happy.

Do you just stay in New York, or do you travel?

Yeah, I mean I don’t take any days off. To me, the Naked Cowboy is no longer what I do, it’s who I am. Anything other than singing and playing guitar as the Naked Cowboy is pointless.    

Wow!  What a nice, sweet, and intelligent guy.  He talked a mile a minute, (my head was spinning) and was so energetic, but is also so determined and driven.  The Naked Cowboy has a truly inspiring story, and he's just getting started.  I believe he will go far!   

Give My Regards To Broadway

George M. Cohan (1878-1942) was a very famous figure in the theater scene as a composer, playwright, actor, and producer.  Little Johnny Jones, his first big Broadway hit introduced his songs "Give My Regards To Broadway" and "The Yankee Doodle Boy". His statue in Times Square was put up in the 1960s in recognition of his musical contributions to the war effort through his songs, "You're a Grand Old Flag" and "Over There".

The 7-foot tall statue of the American composer sits on an 8-foot tall base with inscriptions including "Give My Regards to Broadway," "Forty-Five Minutes from Broadway/Yankee-Doodle Boy," "You're a Grand Old Flag/Over There," and "Mary's a Grand Old Name/Harrigan".  It is a pretty tall landmark, and hard to miss! 

You can see the statue of George M Cohan in Duffy Square, which is the northern triangle of Times Square, located on Seventh Avenue, Duffy Square, was dedicated in 1937. It has been a magnet for tourists, a staging area for public rallies, and even the scene of victory celebrations. 

Who knew there was such history in Times Square! 

How-To Hail A Cab

Zoom! The cab drove right by me.
“Alright, maybe he didn’t see me…”

Let's face it, if you're not from around here, you do NOT know how to hail a cab!  Hailing a cab can be difficult if you don't know what you're doing or what to look for. Here are a few easy steps on how to hail a New York City cab:

1.  Know Which Cab is Available 

The first trick to successfully hailing a taxi is to find one that's available.  So how can you tell?  It's all about the lights!  On top of every cab is a light on the roof.  To figure out which cab is available, pay attention to how these lights are lit.  Look for the number in the center, with the words "Off Duty" on both sides of it.  

• Available Cab = Just the center number is lit and nothing else.  HAIL AWAY! 
• Occupied Cab = None of the lights are lit.  Don't try to hail it! 
• Off Duty Cab = Both the center number and the "off duty" lights are lit.  The cab won't stop for you!  

2. Hailing the Cab 

 

 

• Find an ideal spot

Street corners are the best places to a hail a cab.

• Stand on the side of the street toward where you are going

Usually cab drivers don't want to turn around, so standing on the side of the street that has traffic going downtown if you're heading downtown is ideal.

• Stick your arm out like you mean it

Lift your arm up and out!  No time for timidness; This is New York City!

 

*Please Note:

Don't whistle or yell, "Taxi!"  They only do that in the movies, and it makes you look like a tourist/dummy ;]  

3. Getting In The Cab 

• Give the cross streets or an address, not just a place.
• No more than 4 people in a cab at a time.  Don't squeeze in 6 people in a cab.  The cab driver won't move so don't even try it.  

4.  Taxi Etiquette

 

 

• First come, first serve! If you show any hesitation for a cab that stops for you, don't be surprised if someone else takes it. 
• Help a lady in and out of a cab!  Be a gentlemen!

Now go out and hail a cab like a true New Yorker!

Times Square After Dark

There seems to be quite a difference from Times Square during the day and Times Square at night.  I don't know what it is about nighttime   Maybe it's the lights, but the atmosphere completely changes once the sun goes down. 

I actually prefer Times Square at night.  I think it's just more fun than during the day. The energy at night is indescribable, but something everyone should experience.  People aren't on their way to work anymore, and it's just more relaxed and fun.

The neon signs flashing and music coming from bars and cafes, with thousands of people walking around this exciting and vibrant area.  Taking a walk down 42nd is especially fun at nighttime because the whole entire street is lit up!  Pictures don't do it justice, and I think you just have to go and experience it for yourself.

There aren't that many street performers at night, but there is still so much to see and do.  It's fun to sit on the steps in the middle of the square or go eat at a restaurant, or see a Broadway show!  

"Should The Creepy Times Square Costumed Characters Be Regulated?" by the Gothamist Blog

As I write about Times Square, I like to draw inspiration from other related blogs.  I came across a blog that I love to read on a daily basis called, the Gothamist.  The Gothamist is a great interactive blog that is updated on a daily basis about all types of news and events happening in New York City. 

Lo and behold, today there was a blog post about the Costumed Characters in Times Square!  I recently posted about the same topic in a post called, Behind The Mask, so I found this blog post esepcially intriquing

On Sunday, a man dressed as Cookie Monster allegedly shoved a child and cursed at his mother when she didn't tip fast enough.. The situation has attracted so much media attention that now regulation is being considered.

 
 Check it out:  Gothamist .  This blog was written by Sophie Keelman, an avid Gothamist blogger.  She writes,

"Super Mario groped the woman...Elmost was ranting anti-Semitic things, Spider-Man punched a woman int he face.  Now a kid was attacked my Cookie-Monster.  And those are just ones where there's been an arrest!"

While these characters are supposed to be harmless and all in good fun, this situation is actually very frightening.  It even made the front cover the NY Post.  Cover of NY Post

Even though I have felt bad for the people that are forcred to work as a costumed character, there is no excuse for this type of behavior.  In fact, I'm glad I have become aware of what is going on.  It's sad that people have to ruin such a fun and enjoyable part of the Times Square atmosphere.  Kids get so excited when they see their favorite character, and they should never be victimized to any sort of this distrubing behavior.

I hope immediate action will be taken and there will be regulations for these characters from now on.

Wikipedia Changed My Post!

So I checked back to the Wikipedia post I previously changed regarding the TKTs booth in Times Square.  Someone deleted everything I wrote!  How rude!  It is actually pretty funny to me that it got deleted so fast.  Some people take Wikipedia very seriously, I guess.

To see what I wrote in Wikipedia before, refer back to my old post What's That Big Red Thing In The Middle of Times Sq?

What the post says as of today:  "New York City's TKTS (pronounced phonetically "tee kay tee ess") first opened in 1973 and is operated by the Theatre Development Fund. There are three locations: one in Duffy Square (at W 47th Street and Broadway, the north end of Times Square); another in Downtown Brooklyn (Jay St. and Myrtle St. Promenade); and a third at the South Street Seaport in Lower Manhattan (replacing the office formerly located in the lobby of the World Trade Center, which was destroyed in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks).^[1] The Seaport location has been temporarily closed after sustaining damage from Hurricane Sandy in the fall of 2012. The Times Square booth sells day-of-performance tickets only at a discounted price. Availability can vary, and some shows may not be available".

So since someone changed my post, I decided to change it again!  It's kind of fun to change postings on Wikipedia.  They don't necessearily have to be true or factual, which is the exact reason why teachers always tell you, Wikipedia is NOT a good source!  These postings are done by anyone and can be edited at any given time.  I didn't think what I wrote on Wikipedia was that bad, but apparently someone didn't like it.  Let's see how long my new posting will last ;]

New post as of today:  "The Times Square TKTs booth only sells day-of-performance tickets at discounted prices. After standing in line for what can be hours, ticket availability is always limited. Shows may not be available, especially the popular ones. Once you get to the window of the TKT booth, you must decide very quickly which show you want to see, as the people that work there have no patience and nor do the people behind you. To do this, there are electronic signs that tell you what is avaialble at that time, which speeds the process up. If you don't have a preference of which show to see, the TKT booth is your best option. It's always a toss-up. Good luck!"

I purposely wrote something silly to see how fast this posting gets changed on Wikipedia.  I give it a week before someone deletes my post. 

Restaurant Row

Restaurant Row is one of the funnest areas to eat in Midtown.  It's located on 46th Street between Broadway and 9th  Avenue in the heart of the Theater District.  The name says it all; it's simply a row of restaurants.  There is such a variety to choose from, and you can enjoy cuisine from all over the world.   

This are is perfect for those who are going to see a Broadway show, and many of the restaurants have pre-fixed menus.  It's fun to go at night and walk down the street trying to decide which restaurant to go to.  As you walk down the street, hosts from the restaurants stand outside trying to get you to come in.  It can be overwhelming, but it's still fun to experience. 

Le Rivage is my favorite French restaurant to go to.  It's been a tradition of my mom and I to go here before we see a show!  Check out their website: Le Rivage
It's located on 340 West 46th Street, between 8th & 9th Avenue.  The service is always great, and the atmosphere is nice.  It's cozy and intimate, and the food is great too!  Yum!

To get a list of the other restaurants on Restaurant Row check out:  Restaurant Row
Here you can see the variety of places to choose from.  There are Italian, Greek, American, French, Brazilian, Mexican, Irish, and more.  This area is great because there is something for everyone. 

Time Out New York has a great  review of their top ten favorite restaurants in Restaurant Row: Timeout New York

I reccommend Restaurant Row for anyone who hasn't been to New York and is seeing a Broadway show.  It's a perfect combination for a night out on the town!

Sh*T New Yorkers Say

If you ever wondered what the stereotype for New Yorkers is, then this is the perfect video to watch. This YouTube video is hilarious and pretty accurate!  It pokes fun at the "typical New Yorker", and I can honestly say I find myself saying so many of these things.  

I can relate to a lot of the things that they are saying and making fun of.  I'm ALWAYS asking where the train is and of course always complaining about Tourists!  Watch the video if you want a good laugh!

I find that New Yorkers have an edge to them, and people can always tell when you're not from the area.  Here are 5 differences between New Yorkers and people from LA:

1. Los Angeles is the land of delusions. You can live your life thinking you’re the best invention since sliced bread and no one will question your self-importance. New York is different.  if you do develop an ego and start to think you’re amazing, there will always be something to bring you back down to Earth.

2. People in L.A. always say that they want to move to New York one day. “It’s been a dream! I’m just so jealous that you get to live there!” New Yorkers, on the other hand, constantly talk about leaving the city. “But I could never move to L.A. I hate it there!”

3. Dating in L.A. is mystery. HOW DO YOU MEET ANYONE? In New York, it’s easier but no one wants to ever settle down. 

4. In New York, you’re considered wealthy if you have a dishwasher in your apartment. In L.A., you’re rich if you live in a mansion.

5. L.A. knows how to make a good salad. New York knows how to make a good bagel. Somehow this crucial difference is more telling than anything else.

What You See Is What You Get

For anyone who wants to get an idea of exactly how chaotic Times Square is, I found a great video posted on YouTube.  This video is a perfect representation of the sights and sounds of Times Square.  I like that there is no sound editing over it.  What you see and hear, is exactly what you get during a visit to NYC.

From this clip, you're able to get a better idea of the culture.  As you can see, there are so many different things going on, which is exactly why I wanted to write this blog.  There is never a dull moment, and Times Square is always PACKED with people.  Tourists, police officers, Elmo , street performers, and more!  From the weird to the weirder -That guy with the hamsters always scares me! He walks around with a bunch on his shoulders. (Gross!)  I also always see many different dancers and street performers, who are fun to watch.

From a tourist perspective, I'm sure just watching this video can be overwhelming, but that's what makes Times Square so interesting and exciting to be in.

The Grand Place

I decided to shake things up a little, and thought it would be fun to write about another famous square. 

The Grand Place is located in Brussels, Belgium.   I've been here many times and I think it's one of the most beautiful places to visit.   Here are some of my personal photos taken last year in the Grand Place.

 You will see hundreds of people walking around or sitting outside having coffee or desert.  By the way, the chocolates in Belgium are delish!  Within the square, there is a narrow ally with a row of restaurants (similar to restaurant row in Times Square), where my family and I love to eat.  The atmosphere is full of energy, and of course, always full of tourists.  Around the holiday season, there are lights on the buildings that are synced to flash with music playing over speakers.  It's a very cool sight to see!

 This square is the most important tourist destination in Brussels. Every two years in August, an enormous “flower carpet” is set up in the Grand Place for a few days. A million colorful flowers are set up in patterns covering pretty much the entire square.  If you ever plan a trip to Brussels, this is definitely the place to go.  



Unlike Times Square, there aren't a bunch of vendors here trying to sell you things.  I also find it to be cleaner and less cluttered.  There are very few street performers as well.  Europe is a different culture with a different feel.  As I mentioned, I love The Grand Place and can't get enough of it. 

Stay tuned readers, I just might post about more famous squares around the world.

The NYE Ball Drop

The New Years Eve ball drop in Times Square has been around for over 100 years. While billions of people around the world witness the ball's decent every year, few realize the amount of work, time, and thought that goes into creating it. With modern technology through history, the ball has gotten better and brighter.

Fun Historical Facts About the New Years Ball:

•The first ball was actually made out of iron and wood, weighing 400 pounds.
•Next, a 700-pound iron ball that lasted until the 1950s.
•An aluminum ball remained until 1999.
•Next came the Millennium Ball, a rhinestone bedazzled glitter ball lit by halogen lamps.
•It wasn't until 2007 that they experimented with LED technology before converting to a full LED ball in 2008.

After switching to the full LED ball, the ball gained 90 percent efficiency, and quadrupled the brightness.

The New Year’s Eve Ball is nearly 6 tons (11,875 pounds to be exact) and 12 feet in diameter. The Ball is a geodesic sphere, and is the largest crystal ball in existence with 2,688 Waterford Crystal triangles varying in size. The Ball is illuminated by 32,256 Philips Luxeon Rebel LEDs.

For this past New Years (2013), 288 of the Waterford Crystal triangles introduced the new "Let There Be Peace" design of a dove with wings spread symbolizing a message of peace; engraving of people holding hands around the world.

A team of about 6 people operate and take care of the ball year round. Now completely computer controlled, they don’t need that many people to guide the ball as it comes down.

Maintaining the ball requires careful upkeep. To prevent spotting, a quarter cup of ammonia with lemon detergent is used, rising thoroughly and air-drying on a rack.

Next year when you see the ball drop, think of all that goes into creating the quick 60 second count down!

Big Bright Billboards

The billboard ads that live on our highways always seem to blend into the landscape.  We pass by them, but none of them really make that big of an impact. 

On the other hand, Times Square is an advertiser's dream.  It is home to:

1.8 Million Daily Passersby

32 Million Annual Tourists

48,000 Residents

158,000 Employees

1,500 Businesses

33,360 Households

40 Broadway Theatres

In total, Times Square signage advertising can expect to nearly 1.5 million impressions each day

Since there is such a large number of impressions every single day, there are so many different types of ads EVERYWHERE you look.  It can be overwhelming, especially to someone who has never experienced New York before.  This area is known for the huge bright billboards and signs.

According to The Wall Street Journal, it costs between $1.1 million and $4 million a year if you want to buy one of those flashy, digital or neon billboard in Times square.  The Tall tower in the middle of the intersection of Broadway and 7th Avenue makes $23 million a year from the billboards they cover. 

This image was taken from Business Insider.  (http://www.businessinsider.com/what-it-costs-to-advertise-in-times-square-2012-12)

In Times Square. you will see an array of advertisements such as billboards, digital signs, wall ads, neon, flashy and moving signs, and much more.

 The Wall Ad:

 I see these giant wall advertisements a lot.  Particularly  when you get out of Port Authority on 40th and 8th, right above the Duane Reed.  You can't miss it, or even ignore it if you tried!  This is definitely an eye catcher.

Billboards:

Times Square is known for it's huge billboards.  The colors, lights, and signs are overwhelming.  They mostly advertise Broadway shows, products, new tv or movies, or various celebrity endorsements.  Thees billboards are constantly changing.  It's a wonder to see, especially at night when the lights are bright.   





Electronic LED Ads:


These signs are the most attractive in Times Square.  They move, are flashy, bright, and bold.  I love seeing these signs, especially at night.  They grab your attention right away, and there is so much going on, sometimes you don't know where to look first.

For a company with (obviously) a large budget, Times Square would be an amazing place to advertise in order to reach a huge demographic.  Since this location is a melting pot of millions of people, advertising here is definitely a home-run.  While an ad averages about 2 million here (unless you are advertising on the Times Square Tower), it's still not as expensive as placing a 30-second commercial ad during the Super Bowl, which reportedly cost between $3.7 million and $3.8 million this year.

Pucker Up

Times Square does an interesting event called the Kiss-In.  This event occurs once every 5 years, marking the anniversary of the famous victory kiss on August 14, 2945 between a U.S. sailor & nurse.  

Hundreds of people fill up Times Square to honor the US Armed Forces.  The Kiss-In is not only a cute, fun idea, but it also symbolizes love, peace and hope.  

I think it's the SMALL things that make a big difference.  It's great when people come together to support a cause, and it is definitely a spectacular sight to see! 

Too bad the next Kiss-In event isn't until August 14, 2015!   We have to wait another 2 years for this fun cause.  I would also love to see this event for myself!  The Kiss-In is so romantic and seems like a lot of fun. 

 

 

Grab your significant other and pucker up! 

Yoga, Anyone?

When the weather changes from the cold, brutal winter to the hot, beautiful summer days in New York, you know it's time for Times Square's annual yoga session! What a sight to be seen - hundreds upon hundreds of people in the middle of Times Square doing Downward Facing Dog or Warrior One pose.

This yearly event is called, Solstice in Times Square: Athleta Mind Over Madness Yoga.  This year, it is scheduled for Friday, June 21, 2013

 

On the Times Square official website it states, "Thousands of yoga enthusiasts will come together for a collective ohm on the longest day of the year (June 21st) to participate in an all day yoga fest".   (Official Times Square Website)  I find it interesting that they don't just pick any random day, but the longest day of the year.



The first time I saw hundreds  of people doing yoga as I walked through Times Square I was so confused.  It was my first summer working in New York.  What is going on and don't people have work?!  I don't know why they don't make this event on a weekend where more people can participate, but they obviously still have a lot of people that come out. 

 It's pretty cool, and definitely a unique experience I don't think you can get anywhere else.  I think it would be fun to try and participate in one year.  I'm sure it's a very powerful experience if you are really into yoga.  It would be very zen ;]

Yoga, anyone? 

Behind the Masks

One of the sights you will always see in Times Square are people in costumes.  The kids love it.  Typically, you can see them standing around the Disney store handing out chocolates or taking pictures with excited tourists.  I've always ignored them, but I recently read an article in The Wall Street Journal that described a day in the life of the people in these costumes.   

Most people only see the fun and silliness of it all.  They get hugs, kisses, and smiles from kids and their parents.  However, what we don't know are the people BEHIND the masks.  You will come across an array of characters in Times Square including:

• Elmo
• Superman
• Mickey Mouse
• Minny Mouse
• Cookie Monster
• Spongebob Square Pants
• Buzz Lightyear or Woody from Toy Story
• and more!

Many of these characters are actually undocumented immigrants from Peru or Mexico who hardly speak English  With the tough economy, many have found themselves subjecting to this type of work.  They wave at the crowds of people who walk by, motioning them to snap a photo.   After photos are taken, they hold out a  bag in the hopes for a dollar or two, or even some spare change.

A woman mentioned in the article named Isabel has worked as Minnie for a few years.  As Minnie, she earns about $45 to $50 a day.

"I prefer coming here because people hug you," she said. "They treat you better than when you go to a factory."

This article really made me think.  I guess I was ignorant to the fact that those who dress up as Elmo or Minney Mouse do so in an effort to feed their families back at home.   I used to think that they were just a bunch of high school kids having fun.  I've always felt bad for them during the summer months when it's extremely hot and they have to be in those costumes all day.  Most of them don't even speak English!    

You can check out the article for yourself:  Behind the Mickey Masks

Next time I see an Elmo or Cookie Monster in Times Square, I will be sure not to ignore them, and help them out a little.  Every dollar counts.  Let's all think twice about these costumed characters.   

My 5 Favorite Things To Do in Times Square

So you want to go to Times Square.  But what is there to actually do once you are there?  Here are my top 5 favorite things to do.  (In no particular order):

1.  Walk Around. 
Seriously, just walking around is so fun!  I love people watching, and something exciting is always going on.  You never know what kind of people you will see or what street performers are there.  Sometimes you can catch a TV show being filmed.  The other day I saw Mario Lopez shooting for Extra!    

2. Visit Madame Tussauds Wax Museum
Right on 42nd Street, this museum is a lot of fun (and a little creepy).  The wax figures are so life-like, and it's cool to see your favorite celebs up close!  It's a little pricey, but definitely worth it if you have never been.

3. See a Broadway show
Going to a Broadway show is one of my favorite things to do.  If you can't buy tickets in advance, just stand in like at the TKTs booth and get discounted tickets!  I actually work right next to the Mama Mia show at the Winter Garden Theater.

4. Go Shopping - Forever 21 (For the ladies) - I think this is the best Forever 21, it's 4 floors and and actually very organized!  You can always find a cute outfit in this store.  LOVE!

5. Go to Rockefeller Center
Rockefeller Center is the best!  Especially during Christmas time with the tree is up.  It's beautiful, and never gets old.  You can also go ice skating here.  Sometimes when the weather is nice, I like to come here and eat my lunch.  It's just a great atmosphere  and fun to take people to.

Times Square is round the clock.  It never dies, no matter what time of day.  Personally, I like going at night when the lights are bright and flashing.  There is always something to do but I recommend doing any of my 5 fav things.  Get lost, take pictures, and just be silly with you're friends.  You can't go wrong.