Category Archives: places of interest

July 18, 2009 · 10:25 pm

Michael Jackson Trading Cards

micheal-jackson-trading-cards

I saw these at the Brooklyn Flea last week. I got so caught up in taking pictures of everything I saw there that I totally missed the opportunity to buy these. What a great find.

I wonder if there are cards of Michael through the ages. It would be kind of cool to frame 10 cards that show the transition of his face from one era to the next. When they flashed the ‘Thriller Michael’ on the news I was taken back by the way he looked. Still black, he was going through his Diana Ross look alike phase then.

I wondered about these cards, so I did a little digging. Of course someone bought the url michealjacksonfuneral.org (there is a vulture born everyday) and there is a post under the ‘cool stuff‘ section that featured some of them. Seems they were made in the 80s. There are a bunch on ebay and shopzilla. The price is still low but I would imagine with time an unopened pack from this era will be worth something.

Guess I should go back and pick some up.

Haven’t had enough of me yet? You can also read me at 50-Something Moms Blog. For photo enthusiasts, visit Leaving the zip code, photos from outside the comfort zone.

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July 15, 2009 · 10:38 pm

The Art of the T-shirt

Soaring-mmortal-Blazing

I love the summertime when people proudly sport their favorite T-shirts. In some circles, picking out the T to wear to an event is akin to teenage girls and their outfit obsessions. Come on guys, the ones who do this know who you are, I don’t think I have to single you out here.

This guy was surely standing in front of his dresser pondering the perfect message to wear to the Dark Star Orchestra concert at the beach on Governors Island. This is a very T-shirt appreciative crowd. What you wear is admired, and yes sometimes coveted, like jewelry at a bit yenta-fest Bar-Mitzvah.

I Googled the message on this shirt so I would not appear pop culture ignorant in this instance (heaven forbid). I could not find any reference to the Soaring Immortal Blazing or any other phrase like Golden-maned warrior, but hey, this could be so hip it is not Googleable. (Is that a word? If not it should be). Or maybe fringe. But nonetheless, not only did I not find it, I had to read this shirt 3 times to absorb the message.

Perhaps it is simply because I am unburdened by the gravity of my mission.

Haven’t had enough of me yet? You can also read me at 50-Something Moms Blog. For photo enthusiasts, visit Leaving the zip code, photos from outside the comfort zone.

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July 12, 2009 · 8:06 pm

World’s Smallest Dog Bowl

world's-smallest-dog-bowl

I came across this woman giving her dog a drink at the Brooklyn Flea today.

I have tortured all that travel with me and shot hundreds of pictures this weekend but for some reason this one stood out.  If you know me, I am not a fan of small dogs (they are more like high maintenance cats in my book) but the way this woman was using the cap of her water bottle to give her little yap yap yorkie a drink was a perfect moment in time.

The tattoo, the nail polish and the way the woman’s hair blended with the dog’s struck me as being so sweet.

Ok, so maybe I had a little heat stroke and felt compassion for the little yapper. I am not totally heartless.

Haven’t had enough of me yet? You can also read me at 50-Something Moms Blog. For photo enthusiasts, visit Leaving the zip code, photos from outside the comfort zone.

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July 12, 2009 · 12:14 am

Cinema on the Bay presents Jaws

jaws-cinema-on-the-bay

I kid you not. In my sleepy little town they have this lovely movie series at Sunset Park, aptly named for the obvious reason that it has the most magnificent sunsets over the bay.

Do you think they decided to show this movie because it was funny to show Jaws by the water? This banner across Main Street (yes, we have a Main Street, we ooze quaint) caught my eye and cracked me up. Lovely rendering, no?

I am not sure if I am just paying more attention because I am working hard at being alert and not rushing, or if there are an unusual amount of humorous things out there lately.

What will they show next week The Poseiden Adventure?

Haven’t had enough of me yet? You can also read me at 50-Something Moms Blog. For photo enthusiasts, visit Leaving the zip code, photos from outside the comfort zone.

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July 5, 2009 · 8:21 pm

Traveling to another dimension

amy-at-the-beach

If you have wondered where I have been these past few days, I have traveled to another dimension. One that I rarely visit.

Unplugged.

Yes, I know it is hard to picture me there. And to be perfectly honest I had a functioning blackberry so I could monitor email, blog comments, twitter and Facebook.But I chose to not participate for a few days.

It was Fire Island; synonymous with sea air, alcohol and dear friends that prompted my desire to just spectate. The only thing missing was a repeat performance from the cucumber plant that we witnessed last year.

Funny, I ran into friends on the beach who asked me what I was doing going for a walk and not blogging with the breaking news about Palin going on. I will leave her for another day. I only hope my Palin condom just went up in value with this new twist of the bizarre.

Have no fear, though. I shot over 100 images. I think this one is my fave. I will not be so lame as to make this a ‘where’s Amy?’ shot, because it is obvious. But this image captures the amazing place that I was. Both figuratively and literally.

Thank you Sam and Katie, for hosting yet another perfect weekend at the beach. This shot illustrates the inside, outside, sky, sea, sand, trees, architectural wonder that they call their beach home.

Don’t I blend in nicely with the environment?

Haven’t had enough of me yet? You can also read me at 50-Something Moms Blog. For photo enthusiasts, visit Leaving the zip code, photos from outside the comfort zone

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June 29, 2009 · 8:51 pm

Time to Cry Tuesday-Nunley’s Ferris Wheel

nunley's-ferris-wheel

Ever stumble upon a piece of your childhood and feel like your breath had been stolen? The sight of this old relic caused both Gary and I to stop in our tracks. Believe it or not, we grew up in the same town. Being way older than I – not really, but I like to say that – and having moved in his early teens, our paths did not cross until later on.

Both of us stood in front of this broken down blast from the past and realized that our very first experiences on a ferris wheel had been on this very ride. I remember exactly where it was positioned to the left of the doorway, just outside the main building that housed the carousel. And the little boats where right behind it. The thought of what was breeding in that water would make a modern day mama cringe.

Damn, that thing looked so big back then. And new(ish) for I am sure it had been around for awhile by the time I road it.

nunley's-signNunley’s was a sweet little amusement park on Long Island that seemed like a Six Flags to me when I was a kid. If you lived anywhere on the south shore in Nassau County, you knew Nunley’s. A promise to visit this magical place made everyone happy.

It was on its carousel that I first learned about trying to catch the brass ring. When you caught one your day was complete.

I suppose many are still out there trying to catch it again.

Me? I was just happy to visit with an old friend. And share that memory with my husband. Who says you can’t go home again?

(FYI, this old baby now resides in front of Jordan’s Lobster Farms, another great south shore landmark. You might also like to know that the carousel has been restored and you can take a ride on it at Museum Row in Garden City)

Haven’t had enough of me yet? You can also read me at 50-Something Moms Blog. For photo enthusiasts, visit Leaving the zip code, photos from outside the comfort zone.

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May 23, 2009 · 11:46 pm

Spy Shop

spy_shops

This picture was taken on the north service road of the Long Island Expressway just before exit 37. For those who are not familiar with the North Shore of Long Island, this is what I like to refer to as the belly of the money beast. Like moneytown on my friend Twentyfour’s blog, this is a place where wealth is most often worn on the sleeve, and usually it is a designer one.

Yes, this is the land of the lifestyle of the rich and clueless.

I had seen it on my way out of the area earlier in the day and made it a point to stop on the way home to take this picture. I pass this spot often, but have never seen this store. Perhaps it is new.

I could not help but wonder how a spy shop could survive here. Note the ‘s’ at the end of shops. Does this infer a chain of these stores?

Really now, are there that many spies living on the Gold Coast? I was at a party tonight and showed a few people the picture. I asked how they thought this place stayed in business. The first response was that it was for spouses to catch each other cheating. The second was that they sold nannycams. The third was the same as the first and came from her spouse. Don’t worry, they just think alike, neither one of them would need this store.

So, any other thoughts on how a Spy Shop stays in business in an upscale suburban town?

Haven’t had enough of me yet? You can also read me at 50-Something Moms Blog.

For photo enthusiasts, visit Leaving the zip code, photos from outside the comfort zone.

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May 22, 2009 · 11:22 pm

Ground Control to Major Toilet

toilet control

When eating at a new restaurant, some people are impressed by the bar. Others are interested in the mood set by the decor. Still others focus on the food.

Me? I am all about the bathrooms. What? You are not surprised by that? Well, after all, this is the same blog that has brought you the Japanese restaurant Modern Toilet, elephant poop paper, and fart pads. Sorry, if you find this infantile. I understand, but there is something about bathroom humor that always makes me laugh. Sophomoric? Duh!

The photo above was taken in the bathroom of a very chic NYC restaurant that my sorry ass has no business eating in. Mirimoto NYC is tragically hip and filled with the most severe of materials: polished cement, leaf embedded resin, glass dividers, acrylic butt-hugging bar stools, walls created from hundreds of bottles and a crowd that frankly looked a little on the hungry side to me. Face it, if you are that skinny there is no way you are in this place for the food. Surprisingly, the food was excellent.

I entered the bathroom stall and noticed two things immediately. First, the toilet seat was heated. Seriously! I thought we are not supposed to seat on public toilet seats. Perhaps the heat is thought to kill the germs. I was in full squat when I felt the heat rising off the seat. Then I looked to the right and saw this very impressive control panel. In case you can’t read the labels let me list them here:

Flush (this one is basic), oscillating (hmm, remind me why do I want to have my toilet oscillate again?), pulsating (I guess this would be the obvious follow-up to oscillating), dryer (all that previous activity probably causes some splashing, so this makes sense), stop (good idea to have this option in case any of these features gets to be too much), rear cleansing (self explanatory), front cleansing (same), pressure (anyone wonder why we need pressure from our toilet, isn’t life stressful enough?) and of course your fave and mine, position. Not sure what the little symbols were for but I think they had to do with cleaning.

I was a few glasses of wine to the wind when I entered the bathroom, and for the life of me I do not know why I did not try out all the toilet options. I suppose I was a little bit intimidated or maybe too concerned with getting a picture to make sure I did not hallucinate this one.

I will leave you with this question. Was this panel custom designed or can you actually buy this for your home?

Haven’t had enough of me yet? You can also read me at 50-Something Moms Blog.

For photo enthusiasts, visit Leaving the zip code, photos from outside the comfort zone.

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February 22, 2009 · 5:16 pm

Mambo Movers

mambomovers1

Every once in awhile I will post about something amusing that I see on the road. Let us not forget the ever famous We are #1 at picking up #2 Call-Ahead billboard post that landed me my most famous link in the ‘press’ section of their website. Another validating reason in my continuing effort to ALWAYS carry a camera. That has extended to video as well now that I have a Flip. Note to self: post more video.

Fasten your seatbelts, kiddies, I am about to take you on a wild tangent this fine day!

Today’s installment of what-the-hell-is-going-inside-this-crowded-noisy-little head-of-mine brings you Mambo Movers. I fell in love with the name – who would not like to take the drudgery out of a move by doing a little mambo on the stairs? I hopped over to their site to check them out and they have a ‘manifesto’. OMG, who does not love a mover with a manifesto? Check this out, here is a little bit about them:

MAMBO WORLD IS A STYLE OF LIFE.
The staff is hand-picked from the music and art scene of Philadelphia according to their philosophy of life and fitness to be a part of that unique Mambo World. They are friends and work together for many years. The Mambo Guys are musicians and artists, actors and philosophers – everything but the traditional image of the surly caveman mover. 

OMG, this not only makes me want to move right now, I just want to hang out with these guys. Jeez, a mover’s groupie, my parents would be so proud! (Dear Gary, I love you but I am think I found what I want to be when I grow up. I am moving to Philly to pursue my dream of working for Mambo Movers.)

It gets better, read this blurb from their ‘Patriarch’ Todd:

A friend once described Mambo as the place where ‘The Banana Splits’ meets ‘Quest For Fire’and while I’m not exactly sure what he meant, the vision pleased me. We would certainly make a good sitcom!

Todd, I think I am in falling in love with you!

For those who are to young (or old) to remember the Banana Splits please be assured I lived and died for that show when I was 7. Come to think of it, that show was way trippy!

I also simply love, love, love their logo. Hey, if you guys can stuff a rhino in a truck, you can move my crap anyday! So let me give a little link love to the designer of that logo, who seems to be a painter by trade, Alex Kanevsky. Beautiful work, Alex. And I am not saying that as just any lunatic driving down  95S on a sunny day in February, I am actually a designer myself.

Yes, kids, a road trip with me is a never a dull moment. If you were my poor spouse you would regularly hear things like, ” Wait slow down, I need to get this shot!”

Or as my old friend Scott used to say, “That is not a shot, that is real life!”

Haven’t had enough of me yet? You can also read me at 50-Something Moms Blog.

For photo enthusiasts, visit Leaving the zip code, photos from outside the comfort zone.

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February 14, 2009 · 6:00 pm

Someone at Penn State Loves Me

penn_state

Ah, college touring. What parent does not love the idea of a few days of quality time alone with their kid? The kid, not so much. But this guy is a good sport. Like his sister before him, he humors my crazy ass with my binders, schedules and printed out directions and sits back for the ride trying his best to soak in the experience.

Being that this is the second time around I have found the best defense for boredom is to keep them laughing and to point out the absurd whenever possible.

This crazy blue haired beauty was in the window of one of the best college town shops I have seen in a long time, Peoples Nation, State College, PA. (you can look forward to many a blog post surrounding pictures I took in here). I particularly like the choice of shirt on this maniac-quin. This image is what freshman parents’ nightmares are made from.

I will be posting about the full college  touring experience over at 50-something mom blog soon. I will let you know when that is up.

For know, i could cry will be featuring the best of what makes my family laugh. Welcome to our world.

Happy Valentine’s Day to all!

Next stop, Maryland.

Haven’t had enough of me yet? You can also read me at 50-Something Moms Blog.

For photo enthusiasts, visit Leaving the zip code, photos from outside the comfort zone.

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