freebird

Temple Bar / Dublin, Ireland
As grey and dreary as Dublin can be at times, the colors of the Temple Bar area always serve as a "pick me up" - lots of happy drunks.

mission accomplished

Times Square / New York, New York
As if Times Square wasn't already a disaster, last week Mayor Bloomberg began his 6 month experiment of closing off Broadway from 46th St to 42nd St to vehicular traffic. While the concept isn't so bad as the city can always use less taxi, bus and car traffic in already congested areas - whoever made the decision to put the cheap plastic lawn chairs out there so tourists can rest their asses and feel right at home - should be dismissed. If the objective is to make an already tacky area even more tacky - mission accomplished.

the afterparty

Old Town / Bucharest, Romania
Wondering what to do after that wild and crazy Memorial Day party? You can always hit the afterparty. Bucharest - a dichotomy of old and new. Similar to Berlin, it has a certain edge to it that keeps it interesting.

stoj!

Auschwitz I / Auschwitz, Poland
I recently finished reading The Boy in Striped Pyjamas which once again brought back to mind the atrocities carried out at the three concentration camps built by the Germans in Auschwitz (or "Out-With" as it is called by Bruno). Millions upon millions of people were systematically murdered here, primarily Jews but also non-Jewish Poles, Czechs, Yugoslavs, French, Austrians, Belgians, Dutch and many others.

sea of yellow

5th Avenue / New York, New York
Oh to be back home in NYC - engulfed by the endless wave of ubiquitious yellow taxis.

burgers n' kebabs

Old Town / Krakow, Poland
It must be a European thing - burgers and kebabs. Never just burgers or kebabs but always together, and usually also offering pizza and southern fried chicken. One stop junk food.

no hobgoblins here

Redcross Way / London (Southwark), England
Taking the train down from Birmingham to London last Saturday, I struck up a conversation with another wanna-be photographer - and he recommended that I find myself in Southwark around mid-day as there was an amazing open market where I could find good fresh food and drink. Around 1pm I jumped on the underground to the London Bridge stop; found the market and got myself a fresh warm baguette, some hummus, olives and a cold pint of Guinness - then headed towards the Thames to enjoy the brilliantly warm afternoon. Walking along Redcross Way, I came upon this underpass.

picture not required

Puke Pub / Pukekura, New Zealand
The owners of Puke (think "cookie" though the logical pronunciation probably holds true, as well) Pub have made innovative use of their township’s location slam bang in the middle of the South Island bush: their pub specializes in local ‘wild food’. Roadkill of the Day heads the menu. ‘You kill it, we’ll grill it.’ There are also Bambi burgers. But the Puke Pub’s speciality is possums. New Zealand’s authorities have been trying for nearly 60 years to eradicate their country’s most despised pest and the Puke Pub is doing its bit to help. The Pub serves its possums in pies, or cooked up into a dish called Guess the Mess (possum, pita bread, salad and quirky sauce). And ladies, take note in these hard economic times, employment available - picture not required.

repair required

Av. Rodrigo de Bastidas / Santa Marta, Colombia
Last night (and technically into this morning) a major installation occurred - now requiring repair. I am April's fool.

foot loose & fancy-free

Bulevardul Regina Maria / Bucharest, Romania
Go ahead - get yourself a pedicure in Bucharest. Your feet will appreciate it after walking the Old Town area where the architectural gems still standing justify the city's distinction as the "Paris of the East"..

alkohole urgently needed

Jewish Quarter / Krakow, Poland
Work seems neverending - I need alkohole. Enough said.

capitalism gone wild

Bulevardul Unirii / Bucharest, Romania
Dominated by the colossal Palace of Parliament, the Bulevardul Unirii was designed with intentions of rivalling the Champs Elysees but is mostly interesting for its old fashioned Communist architecture. Unfortunately, the enormous billboards on the apartment blocks around the square cloak any meaningful view of the buildings - another testimony to the final victory of capitalism in the Romanian capital.

liq u

Christopher Street / New York, New York
The subliminal messaging here is somewhat appropriate for its West Village location - an area with an abundance of sex shops like Toys in Babeland, Leatherman, The Pleasure Chest, The Pink Pussycat, Lips...

madonna monday

Kuekenstratt / Willemstad, Curaçao
Just like the real thing, this store in Willemstad was bold and brassy Madonna. I have no idea what commercial business is conducted here - there were silver mannequins in various stages of haute couture undress scattered across the front window on the second floor. Just like the real thing.

truth in labeling

Puke Pub / Pukekura, New Zealand
Pukekura is a small place: it has a population of two. Peter and Justine Salter claim to be mayor and mayoress, law enforcement officers, cook and cleaner, gardener and rubbish man of their tiny township in the middle of the bush on the West Coast of New Zealand’s South Island. The Salters are also owners of the Puke Pub (Puke rhymes with cookie) which specializes in local wild food. It would appear that the Salters also like their guests to know exactly what they’re eating and are true to the core in labeling ingredients. I'll take that with a glass of opaque white liquid produced by the mammary glands of your cow out back, thanks.

why go bald

South Great Georges Street / Dublin, Ireland
A landmark well-known to Dubliners since the 1960's, this city centre neon sign, which had been destined for demolition was restored in 1999 to its former glory. It was about to be removed and dumped when a group of preservationists pushed for its restoration instead. The classic retro sign has since appeared in the films "A Man of No Importance" and "Educating Rita". It is apparently Bono's (U2) favorite Dublin landmark - but based on the many photos of Bono, it wouldn't appear he's a client - or at least not for hair loss.

park this way

Lafayette Street / New York, New York
Just arrived home from 3-plus weeks in Birmingham, England - working late nights and every weekend. So this weekend I'm parking - with no plans other than dinner tonight at one of my favorite restaurants in Hells Kitchen, Chelsea Grill - and sleeping in! My new 24" iMac arrived while I was gone so I've just set it up (gotta love a mac - plug it in and go). Having all of this screen real estate will be awesome for my photography work - looking forward to it.

barra an teampaill

Temple Bar / Dublin, Ireland
From a tourist perspective (and I'm sure my Irish friends will cringe), what could possibly be more Irish than The Temple Bar in Temple Bar. Temple Bar is an area on the south bank of the River Liffey in Dublin city centre. Unlike many of the areas surrounding it, Temple Bar has preserved its medieval street pattern, with many narrow cobbled streets. It is promoted as "Dublin's cultural quarter" and is filled with boutiques, restaurants and a lively pub nightlife that is particularly popular with tourists. In 2005, visiting American rocker Aimee Mann when visiting Temple Bar described her shock at encountering "overflowing pubs, drunks, urine stains and pools of vomit". Enough said.. cheers!

expanding waistlines

Kenmare Street (Nolita) / New York, New York
New Years resolution #1 - no more eating. With a houseful for the past week-plus, it has been non-stop eating testing out lots of new recipes. Everyone is happier for it - though several pounds heavier. Speaking of which, this photo was shot during a late night run to Little Italy to satisfy one of the kid's cannoli craving. And of course we had to determine which was better - "the best cannoli on planet earth" vs. "#1 cannoli king" - the cannoli king was a clear winner. Whew - it will be awhile before I hit the Corner Deli which I hear has awesome chicken tacos and hibiscus lemonade on the fly. Mmmmmm.

yoga - not for christians!

Watchtower Society / Brooklyn, New York
From lower Manhattan, one can gaze across the the East River to Brooklyn Heights where the Watchtower Society owns significant waterfront property. Well, not unsurprisingly, those friendly Jehovah's Witness folks that you turn off the lights and hide in the bathroom for when you see them walking up your steps are not big fans of yoga. Is yoga suitable for Christians? Well, the Watchtower advises that for those simply exercising for the sake of their health, there are many avenues available that do not involve exposure to the evils of spiritism and occultism. Beware, you mat rats!