satie

I borrowed this digital piano from my cousin a few months back. I've been holding it hostage ever since. He's busy with a new TV so I suppose he's not missing it much right now. I used to "play" the piano when I was younger, and when I recently heard for the first time the 1st Gymnopédie by Satie, I thought it sounded nice yet simple enough for me to learn. I think I'll try the 3rd next - I couldn't find the sheet music online for the 2nd.

The piano is nice. The keys are weighted, so it actually feels like a real piano. Well almost - real pianos have hammers that create a sort of variable resistance when the hammer reaches its fulcrum point. This piano has a more linear resistance. Through headphones, the piano sounds great. Through speakers, it sounds just ok, though it might just be the way I'm routing the output. There are no built-in internal speakers. I'm considering getting one of these in Paris. But I'll more likely have a guitar. Whichever it is (maybe both?), I hope to take it more seriously and do some lessons or something.

did you know?

I sure didn't. I guess I never thought about it but I guess it makes sense. Seems like there were a lot of blankets out lately...

staple street

"People don't know where Staple Street is." Or so says the developer of 5 Harrison when asked why he chose a Harrison address instead of a Staple street address. Staple street, in Tribeca, stretches for only 2 blocks. It's a narrow street running north-south going from Duane, to Jay, to Harrison. In this photo, the camera is pointing north toward Harrison.

I happen to like pedestrian bridges between buildings, and I liked the feel of the street so I stopped to take some photos. The sun was going down so the street was a little dark. A google search brings up this new york times article. Read on if you're interested in learning a bit of it's history.

tribeca

Funny how people really get into their habits and stray very little from them. This is in Tribeca, taken today, maybe about a 5 minute walk from my job, where I've worked (except for a small break) for 9 years or so. It's about 2 blocks away from a restaurant that my coworkers and I use to frequent (too much if you ask me). And I've never walked around here.

I've told myself in the past that I'd go explore more, and I think overall I have explored quite a bit. But there's still so much to see. Every new cafe, every restaurant I pass I seem to want to try, but I know I could never get around to hitting all of them.

I'll admit that I know only a very small slice of New York. And I wonder sometimes why I'm leaving it. I think though, that leaving it will make New York even more special to me. I look forward to appreciating it even more. And plus, I hear there are a few cool things in Paris too ;-).

woodside lines

Ok so I wanted to bring my camera into work today to maybe go shooting after 5 but I got sidetracked this morning and forgot. It's actually probably a better idea to get well first before wandering around in the cold with my camera. I do need some newer photos though. This one is from last March.

flushing

You'll find a few asians in Flushing. Wikipedia says that it's gotten the name "Little Korea" though I don't think I've ever actually heard it called that. I always associated Flushing more with the Chinese than with Koreans but admittedly, I don't spend too much time there.

I like how amidst all the Chinese characters you can find a sign that says "Italian Spanish Barber Shop." You may have to click through and zoom in to see it.

woodside station

The 7 train approaches the 61st St/Woodside station.