An official visitor

President Bush arrives at the Manhattan Heliport aboard Marine One. Security looked pretty much impenetrable. I think he is here to address the deteriorating health of many 9/11 rescuers. An awful lot of respiratory problems have been reported among those who took part in both the search and rescue operations, and the cleanup, in the aftermath of the attacks. Amazing how the damage from that day continues.

Update-Turns out he was here to give a speech in the New York Stock Exchange about income inequality. Seems he criticised Wall Street for it's (admittedly outrageous) pay scales and bonuses. Kinda surprising to hear this coming from Bush. I have mixed feelings on this subject. Yes, these guys make a staggering amount of money. However, do we really want the government dictating how much someone earns? I think some sort of middle ground has to be found here. The people of this country will only support free markets and trade if they think that they gain by doing so. Those people in leadership positions in our economy owe it to themselves to make sure that the economy as a whole does share in the wealth.

I hope those ships have good heaters

Its 10 degrees outside today and the wind is blowing pretty hard. No fun :(

Scenes from the "EL"

Rode in the first car of the Z train today going to work. Here is the motorman's view

Its finally winter here

Stopped by the new Palm store at Rockefeller Center. The skating rink was jumping :)

Having a lazy evening

Our local Italian restaurant. Ordered in for a change. Good stufff here :)

Pretty day in NYC

Our first sort of wintery weather. It finally got into the thirties.

It's a dog day afternoon....

And why not, it is 70 degrees out!

Took a walk down the west side on my way to work

Start at the bottom shot of City Hall and scroll up.


One New York Plaza. Where I work.



Do not mess with the squirrels in Battery Park. They are not afraid of you. This little guy followed me around and almost climbed up my leg.



A block south of Wagner Park, Battery Park. This is the entrance to the old fortress, Castle Clinton



Another shot of the park



NY's Finest





Beyond the museum, another very nice little park






South of the park, Museum of Jewsih Heritage. Extremely well done.









The prettiest little park you've never heard of. South Cove. Just south of Battery Park City. Located right on the waterfront. It really doesn't feel like NYC in here.



The park at Rector Place and South End Avenue. Part of Battery Park City



Battery Park City. A very nice residential neighborhood located directly behind the WTC/World Financial Center.



NY's Katrina Memorial. Drawers from people's furniture lost in the flood. Located in the elevated walkway at the back of the WTC construction site entering the World Financial Center









The pit.



One of the many memorials around the site.



Ground Zero. The towers once stood behind the temporary train station awning.


City Hall Park



When you hear someone say, "you can't fight city hall," this is what they're talking about. NYC Hall

New York Stock Exchange

Got to admit that they put on a nice display for the holidays. Then again, with the bonuses being doled out on Wall Street this year, I think they can afford it pretty easily.

Beautiful day for a walk

Nice weather but weird to be sure. Mid fifties and sunny in January. Anyway, this is the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial in lower Manhattan. Really a very well done plaza. Plenty of benches, free WiFi Internet access and a beautiful view of the harbor. When it warms up a bit I envision having my lunch out here.

Part of the memorial

The entrance to Vietnam Veteran's Plaza

Someone's idea of art. Water Street acrosss from Vietman Veteran's Plaza.

Another test post. SMS is proving tricky to configure.

Are the holidays really over...

I already feel like I need a break. Not a good sign.

Back to work

My little slice of....well.