New York, New York

"We had this fantastic contradiction of people who hated you so much, they were willing to give up their life to take yours- and people who loved humanity so much, that they were willing to run into the damn building, in the smoke and flame, just to save the life of somebody they never met." 

With tears streaming down my face, I watched the final installment of Ric Burns' 8-part documentary series NEW YORK on Tuesday night. Never anything more truer than the description from former New York Governor Mario Cuomo on the events of September 11, 2001.

For a fabulous blog post, see Things Best Left Unsaid. Thanks Hartwick for telling me about this Tuesday night series.

New York, NY on Vimeo

About a month or so ago, George Harvey sent me a link to this site called Vimeo. This morning my mom had sent me another video link and it reminded me what a great site Vimeo is. Vimeo.com is a hundred times better than YouTube. These are rather serious amateur filmmakers and they take a lot of pride in their artistic expression. The HD ones start out a little stuttery, but keep with them.

This short film is shot in high def, with a great soundtrack; an ode to the pulse of Manhattan Island. It's very well done.


New York City - prototype video from John Shultz on Vimeo.

The best city in the world

I scammed this great shot of Dan from John Hartwick. Sorry Hartwick - but I couldn't resist.

They're all back safely and they've had the absolute time of their lives. Anyways, New York, thanks for taking care of these folks for those incredible 5 days. They took away more than a good time. They got to see how a real city operates.

I have to take more time to vent out our brief conversations from today about what an amazing place NYC is and how we are severely lacking here in Vancouver - or Canada for that matter. For example, Dan said that the service every place they went, was over-the-top first rate. He told the servers at the various spots "You did a great job." Dan worked in the food service industry for years, manager of a restaurant and a pub, so he knows when they've got it going on. He was blown away with New York's people and the level of their work ethic. He said when he complimented these people, they don't seem to even understand what you're talking about. They're just doing their job. But come to Vancouver and see the flip side of service and efficiency.


Warning: Major Oncoming Rant


One of their taxi cab rides with "the handsome cabbie" brought out a point. The handsome taxi cab driver is doing his degree (what was he taking at NYU?) and working of course at the same time. His comment to Dan was that Vancouver has a lot of bums. He meant bums, not like dumpster-diver old guys with beards and wearing rags, he meant bums - like you're a bum - you don't do anything - you're lazy. And you know he was bang on.

It would seem that New York people have a higher standards for themselves. In Vancouver, we seem to have an over-abundance of young 'adults' with their grunge dregs, tatoos, piercings and of course their dog, on the street asking for your cash. So why doesn't New York have this many of them? I don't think most Vancouverites want to face that truth.


And Sam Sullivan - take a vacation - go to NYC and pull your head out of your ass before we host those damn Winter Olympics. It's going to be REALLY EMBARRASSING when a New Yorker finds themselves unable to hail a cab and then call for a cab, wait 30-45 minutes only to get some guy who barely speaks English say "Oh sorry, I don't drive to North Shore."

A place in New York

Believe it or not, I haven't yet seen Sex and the City Movie. I know - what am I doing with my life? Anyways, with Dan still in New York, I thought I would post some before and after shots of Carrie Bradshaw's apartment. I love the reno - I think that it was about time for her to give her apartment a boost. The blue is pretty intense - but just look at it! It's gorgeous.

my bet is that Hillary's gonna knock it out of the park tonight.

Yeah, I'm Canadian, but I'm standing by right now watching the beginning of Hillary's speech at the DNC. I think she's gonna do it right. We can only hope for a brighter future. No how, No way, No McCain. God Bless America.

It's August 26th; Do you know where your summer went?

I found THIS gorgeous photograph on, where else, Flickr. The Photographer is Feke Laszlo from Budapest. Is it not the most fitting August photo?  

Also, the Apple-Dumpling Gang is gearing up for their New York, NY extravaganza trip. I AM SO FLIPPIN JEALOUS I COULD SPIT.  Anyways, as I've said before, New York is the best city in the world - for a million different reasons.  Dan, don't drink on the plane.  Take an Ativan. It's way better.   Make sure to take photos of the Park.  And photograph your drink at Tavern on the Green too.  A $20 vodka and cranberry. That will make excellent blogging.  

PS I couldn't find the perfect photo for NY, but I did find THIS on Flickr. It's taken from the 35th floor at bar/lounge at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel. Amazing. You chumps better go.