At Long Last, my nyc experience is complete

I've battled roaches, and won.

I've fought with mice, and lost, then won, only to lose again.

I've melted into a puddle on the sidewalk in the middle of the summer when it's 95 outside and 92% humidity.

I've frozen my a$$ off in winter.

I've experienced an epic snowstorm.

I've navigated the City and subway on crutches.

I've seen the marathon, several parades (Thanksgiving, St. Patrick's, Mermaid, Tartan, etc.), watched the tree lighting at Rock Center, seen the ball drop at Times Square, dancing at Lincoln Square and the Winter Festival.

I've been to holiday markets, and green farmers markets.

I've listened to pipes rattle, squeal, hiss, ding, spit, and howl when the heat comes on in the winter.

I've fallen asleep to the hum of air conditioners on a summer night, only to be awoken later when people at the sports club a block away cheer at the latest touchdown.

I've watched the fireworks from the FDR.

I've been trapped in an elevator. (Not for very long, but still, it counts.)

I've awoken early in the morning to a woman screaming from the middle of the street, "Call the police, call the police, call the police."

So I did. (The domestic dispute, eventually ended. She was fine.)

I've seen the garbage and construction crews work the tunnels in the subway, and have wondered and read a book about Mole People.

I've been stuck on a subway and waited hours for the A train late at night.

I've learned to sleep through sirens of all sorts unless the stop at my building.

I've attended protests, seen the Central Park Skate Dancers, and been harassed by rent-a-cops for taking pictures.

I've walked past accidents where a bus and a semi-truck have run over people, and seen a body covered with a sheet.

I've had a neighbor in the apartment across from mine, die, then decompose in his apartment for three days. In the summer.

His relatives succeeded in dripping his oozing decomposing bodily fluids along the hallway into the elevator, then back along the hallway and down three flights of steps, then across the lobby as they removed the mattress from said apartment.

I've lived on a fourth floor walk-up and hauled my laundry, down the stairs, around the corner, past fancy restaurants and café's a couple of blocks away to the Laundromat.

I've arrived home late at night to find Amsterdam Ave blocked off at 79th street and filled with fire trucks and ambulances, only to discover that said fire trucks were responding to a now gutted building that just so happened to be right next to mine.

I've peered out my window and looked at the shattered windows and blackened rooms across the narrow chasm between buildings, and slept in a room that smelled like smoke for days, with a broken front door (thanks firemen, No, REALLY! Thank you!) because I had no place else to go.

I've walked from the very tip top of Manhattan to the other tip (Inwood to Battery Park) mostly.

And yet, until tonight my NYC experience wasn't complete.

You see it all started with a leak.

Or should I say drip.

Yes, drip. Or several or hundreds of them. And bulging bubbles of paint that hung from my bathroom ceiling over my sink.

Resulting in me vacating the medicine cabinet and moving all my skin and hair care products into the hallway.

And a couple of calls to my Super. (He lives upstairs from me.)

Tonight when I arrived home from a night out on the town, (book browsing, dinner @ Whole Foods, and the movies (Twilight, it half-way sucked)) I found disaster.

The only thing that remains of half my bathroom ceiling are the original lathe (as in lathe and plaster) slats from 1920.

Oh, and creepy dark crevices that make me scared that roaches will begin to invade again, or that mice will drop between.

I'm just glad I had the foresight , or shall we say intuition, to close my bathroom door today when I left.

Oh, so happy that the resultant mounds of dirt, dust and plaster chunks were contained to the bathroom.

Although, I am saddened to know my hesitance in removing my trusty, fluffy, cozy bathroom rug led directly to its demise.

-Bitter

No, I didn't take a picture, I cleaned the mess up, sanitized, and disinfected quickly, since the facilities were needed immediately.

Voting, it went smoother this time

I'm happy to report that voting went A LOT more smoothly this time. (Click here to read about last time.)

The down side is that the police officers wouldn't let me take pictures, and they threatened to confiscate my camera.

The good thing is that I was greeted immediately when I walked through the door and was directed to a check-in table.

The next volunteers in turn quickly looked up my address and directed me a sign-in table, giving me clear directions on where the table was located.

While standing in line a friendly gentleman went along asking for last names, there were two people signing voters in, one covering the first half of the alphabet and the other the latter.

He quickly moved the line along, moving people ahead in line when the second sign-in book was available.

The volunteer handling my sign-in book had a little difficulty with alphabetization. She kept thinking that BITTER was found somewhere after BRINKERHOFF. I had to help her realize that BI comes before BR, . . . and BO. But it went smoothly and fairly quickly, and posed no problems.

When I finally arrived at the booth (which looked a lot nicer this time), a volunteer stepped into it with me, I was a little unnerved by this, but she calmly and happily described how to cast my vote.

1- Pull the lever over.
2- Turn the knobs.
3- Pull the lever back over.

Voila you're done.

She left me, I snapped a few pictures. Voted. Then stepped back out.

Overall, it was a vast improvement from when I voted in the 2008 Presidential primaries.

Here's the photo I promised from last time. I was too close to get the overall effect, so I just took a photo of the lever. I'm not going to go into details about my photo taking troubles, but let it suffice to say that the cops were NOT happy with me.

The End, cafe mozart

A week ago a friend came to the City to visit, so we hit the town to celebrate. Bitter Style, of course, so we dropped by The Hampton Chutney Co. between 82nd and 83rd on Amsterdam, to get dosas, then walked down to Cafe Mozart for dessert.

My friend had been dying to go to Cafe Mozart since I blogged about their luscious Hot Chocolate Souffle in June 2007, so we headed south umbrellas in hand, but not unfurled, sauntering down Amsterdam.

It was a nice evening, cool, but not cold. Quiet, but Citiesque. We dropped into the Jaques Torres store and bought some chocolate covered pretzels and dark chocolate covered almonds (Mmmmm). We browsed the flower selections at several corner shops and enjoyed the misting rain against our faces.

We chatted about old times and caught up on the new, and before we knew it, we were there. When we rounded the corner of the correct street, I was a little confused. The string of lights outside the restaurant were out. I double checked, yes, that was the restaurant, we'd turned on the correct street.

We chatted while crossing the street, ducked between a couple of parked cars, and around the scaffolding poles to the sidewalk shed, then shrieked in horror as we caught sight of this sign.



This is what it looks like inside.



What a sad day.

The Upper West Side's lost another one of their gems.

Oh, the memories. The good times. The birthday celebrations. The crazy wig for the birthday girl or guy. The decadent desserts and yummy food. (Can you tell I ordered dessert here more often than food?) We miss you.

.

.

.

It took us a while to decide, but we ended up going to Grom instead. The pear gelato was fabulous of course.

-Bitter

NYC, clean renewable energy

Yay! It's about time!

As reported by the NY Times, Mayor Michael Bloomberg " is seeking to put wind turbines on the city’s bridges and skyscrapers and in its waters as part of a wide-ranging push to develop renewable energy."

Read more about it here.

Happy Day!

-Bitter

Gardens, in the sky

Image credit: SOA Architects, via the NY Times

An interesting read from the NY Times about vertical farming. Here's to a greener us, and fresher produce. Although I wonder if I'd actually want to eat anything that actually grew in our smoggy polluted city... but that's a topic for another day.

NY Times article here.

-Bitter

Tartans, and bagpipes

Rainy Tartan Day Parade, originally uploaded by dustin____.

Guess where I'll be tomorrow.

Yes, you guessed it, the Tartan Day Parade.

To quote Roja Heydarpour at the NY Times from last year's parade:

"Several thousand pipers and drummers in kilts will march up Avenue of the
Americas tomorrow for the ninth annual Tartan Day Parade. A celebration of
Scottish culture, the parade is the culmination of Tartan Week in New York."

The Skinny
Where: 6th Avenue, b/n 45th St. & 58th St.
When: 2:00
Who: Cool people.
Why: Because there are going to be men in skirts, oh, and BAGPIPES!!

Official Tartan Week website

-Bitter

Kristy & Rolf, engaged

Well, actually, they're married now. But last fall I I did an engagement session with them. They're a sweet couple and I enjoyed working with them.

Here are a couple of my favorites from the day. Loved the leaves and colors.





Congrats Kristy & Rolf!
-Bitter

Matt & Mary, engaged

Last November Mary, Matt & I ducked into NYC’s Central Park for an Engagement Session, it was (dare I say it) bitter cold, and we were lucky to survive those few short hours without major loss of limb or digits due to frostbite.

Matt & Mary were definitely troopers. They are a darling couple, very much in love, and were fun to work with. Here are a few of my favorites from the session.

Sheep’s Meadow with the buildings of Columbus Circle and Central Park West in the background.


Some of my favorite benches in Central Park (near the Bandshell), I love the couple in the background of the photo.


Down on the Bethesda Terrace.


Aren’t they a darling couple? :)


-Bitter

New Year's Eve at Times Square, going green

No, they aren't going to get rid of the tons of confetti; however, the ball is going high-tech. This year's 100 Anniversary ball was made out of L.E.D.'s (light-emitting diodes). Very super cool. :) (FYI - the celebration started in 1904, but 1908 was the first time they dropped the ball.)

To quote from the NY Times regarding how much power the ball is going to save:

"...The new ball will use about 15,000 watts compared to the old ball’s 30,000 watts....Power up 10 toasters, keep them toasting for six hours — the length of time the ball is lighted — and that will be the equivalent amount of electricity. “With half the amount of power, you’re getting twice the amount of light, so it’s four times more efficient,” said Brett Andersen, general manager of Focus Lighting."

I have family in town for the weekend, we're planning to watch the ball drop from 7th Avenue and Central Park South, and then stroll through Central Park to watch the fireworks. :)

What are you doing for New Year's Eve?

-Bitter

For information regarding the New Year's Eve Celebration at Times Square, click here.

Leaf Angels, in central park

Two weeks ago while I was out shooting a portrait session in Central Park for another photographer, I caught this image.



Fall leaves lay thick upon the grass as far as the eye could see. They beaconed to be played in, and this gentleman blissfully answered the call.

I turned around just in time to see him plop down onto the ground and proceed to move his arms and legs back and forth with a bagel and coffee clutched in his left hand. It was just like little kids playing in the snow, sans coffee of course.

He was ecstatic, his coffee didn't spill, and I was happy to get the shot.

Fall is my favorite time of year.

-Bitter

Holiday Market, at columbus circle

Well, it's officially cold. I risked getting frostbite on various parts of my body in order to bring to you the following fabulous photographs. I hope you appreciate the sacrifice I made going out into the cold dark evening and facing the brutal winds that cut right through the liner to my ski parka.

Note to self: break out winter gear and find gloves.
_____________

So without further ado, I bring you the Holiday Market at Columbus Circle.



Somehow I've managed to miss this event for the past two years that I've lived here.

I discovered the market after strolling down Columbus Avenue last week during the Lincoln Center tree lighting celebration. I made it down to Columbus Circle and voila, there they were all these little booths set-up on the corner of Central Park.



Everyone was bundled up.



Here's the view facing the Time Warner building.



And a fabulous booth I found along the way. *grin*



Chocolate dipped strawberries.



And delicious looking candied apples. yum!




If you happen to stop by the holiday fair, drop us a line in the comments section to and let me know what you saw, bought, or ate. :)

-Bitter

An Ass, in nyc

So there I was, minding my own business, finishing up the last bites of a slice of ultra thin crust pineapple and ham pizza when I looked up and saw a mule pulling a small wagon down Isham Street toward Inwood Hill Park.

Yes I was surprised, we don’t see large four legged animals up in my neck of the woods. Dogs, yes. Mules, no!

So I did what any self-respecting blogger would do, I hot-footed it home to grab my camera. (Perhaps I should start carrying a small point & shoot with me at all times. Of course that would necessitate me buying a point & shoot….)

Fortunately they stopped for a brief moment in the park, and I snagged this shot. Quite profound wouldn’t you say? The mule gazing off into the urban distance.



The mule & owners ended up spending the night at the Van Cortland Park stables in The Bronx.

It turns out that the couple (Bud & Kenny) are planning to travel the world on foot. You can read about their travels, gawk at their solar powered trailer, or donate to support their journey at http://www.usonfoot.com/.

Anyway, it’s just not something you see every day on the streets of New York.

-Bitter

Linkage, to new york portraits

I'm on the run today and won't have time to blog later, so I'm sending you over to fellow NYC Blogger, Kitty @ New York Portraits.

Her write-up reminds me of my first three months in The City, where I lived on a couch in the front room/living room/kitchen. And my subsequent apartment that had a kitchen just as she describes.

I am now the proud owner of a fairly long/skinny kitchen, and I felt immediate kinship with the developer she mentioned. I ended up taking apart some metal IKEA racks and rebuilding it with shelves and a counter top. It's pretty ghetto, if I ever get brave enough, I'll post a picture so you can see it. ;)

How the Other Half Lives, by Kitty @ New York Portraits

-Bitter

Stealing Shots, not so covertly

A week ago I had the pleasure of shooting fearless bridal session (more commonly known as Trash the Dress) with the Sarah in Central Park. I'm processing the photos tonight and had to share when I came across this one. Check out the camera action she's getting. lol

When we got done shooting at this spot, Sarah turned to me and said laughing, "They were taking pictures." I'm just glad I caught it on camera. :)

It was tricky getting shots both with and without the boats in the lake. That pesky couple in front kept getting in the way. They went back again and again, they probably kept wondering why she was sitting all by herself in the middle of the lake.

Stay tuned for more pictures from Sarah's Fearless Bridal session later in the week. They're awesome!
-Bitter

The Constitution, pt. 2

A few weeks ago, I wrote about how NYC is attempting to limit our first amendment rights by restricting photography and the right to assemble here in The City. Some of you have been asking if things ever worked out. In the words of Queen Juliana, here's how things stand.

Neglecting, the blog

I'm sorry I've been neglecting the blog. I know a lot of you click through regularly to check out the latest buzz, because I've been regular about posting it.

So I'm going to press the restart button and am starting anew. So here's the low down on why the blog has been neglected.

1. As you know, I've been writing a book...well, even that has been neglected the past few weeks.
2. My mom got remarried. It was a nice vacation, fabulous weather, UT and CA were great, (If I ever get tired of NYC, watch out CA I'll be looking for a new hood) and it was so good to see family again!
3. I'm starting a photography business.

You're what!?!

Yes, you heard right. Since I bought my new Cannon DSLR back in April, I've re-discovered a love-affair with taking pictures. And at long last, the large creative void in my life left by being a non-musician is slowly being filled.

Wow that sounds so cheesy, but it's true, so I'm leaving it in.

I've been developing a portfolio, working on verbiage and pricing for my photography site, and even met with some models on Saturday to help showcase my skills.

So what am I going to focus on? Weddings, headshots, and relaxed portraits.

Need new headshots for the upcoming season, or in the middle of planning a wedding for next year? Spending the day in The City, or at the beach with your friends or family and want me to tag along to capture memories while you're playing? I'm the photog for you.

**I'll be running some introductory specials, so if you need a photographer within the next few weeks, drop me an email and we'll chat. :)

Enough of the advertisement. lol Here's a shot of one of the photogs I met last Saturday at the shoot in Central Park. It was a great day and nice weather, wish you were there. I'll post some more photos tomorrow.

The Constitution, is my permit

Have I mentioned lately that I'm a little busy?

I have?

Oh, okay, well, still busy.

For those of you who only follow along online, my mom is getting married this weekend. :) You may leave your congrats in the comments section below, *hint, hint*. So, Lanie, here's your advance notice. When I fly out of town on Thursday, I'm toying with the idea of not posting until I get back in town a week and a half later. For those of you who don't remember. . .

In the mean time, here's what I did over the weekend. Read the NY Times article, sign the petition, stay up to date about this issue with Picture New York, watch the YouTube clip below, or browse through the rest of my flickr photos from the 1st Amendment Rally at Union Square.



Picture New York.

Picture New York WITHOUT pictures of New York.

Send a message to Commissioner Katherine Oliver, Mayor's Office of Film, Theatre & Broadcasting.

Sign the e-petition.

-Bitter

B&N, potter style

After the Scholastic party down in SoHo, I headed uptown to Barnes & Noble at Lincoln Square. They held a costume contest and a local performing arts school acted out scenes from the HP books. It was great fun.

If you want to see more photos that I took at B&N, click here.

-Bitter

These ladies were the first in line at B&N.








Look! It's Hedwig!



And yes, that radish is real.

SoHo, potter party

So last Friday, I slipped out of work early (with permission) and headed down to SoHo. Scholastic turned a section of Mercer Street into a faux Diagon Alley. It was fabulous.

My first stop was The Daily Prophet where I was given a press pass, after which I ran around capturing moments like crazy.

Just photos today and pretty much the rest of the week since, I'm a little busy. . . Wednesday and Thursday, I'll post some of the photos I caught at Barnes and Noble, and at the Grand Hallows Ball at Borders.

From the Whomping Willow to an entire Quidditch team the scene in SoHo was wonderous to behold. Wish you were there!

-Bitter

Click here, to see the rest of the SoHo photos.

Fourth of July, what are you planning to do?

Hi all, just a short post today to wish you a great Fourth of July! Last year I got together with a friend and watched the fireworks from the FDR and 34th? Street. This year I'm going to a Yankees Game, and might go down to Brooklyn to photograph the fireworks with the City in the background. We'll see.

Here are a few links for those of you who have yet to make plans.

About.com gives concise advice on where to see the fireworks, the hot dog eating contest, or take a cruise.

And for those of you with kids, the NY Historical Society is having a little shindig for kids.

Just a short post for today, Grandma Bitter (age 85) had a heart attack yesterday afternoon and was rushed into surgery to have a stent put in, she is doing much better now. She lives out West and fortunately has lots of family nearby, so both she and Grandpa Bitter are being looked after. I'll be using up my lunch break today to call her, so I most likely won't be checking in with you all later. And since I'm taking tomorrow off, I'll see you on the 5th.

Hope you have a great Fourth, and I'll report back on Thursday with photos from the game.

-Bitter