Outside Looking In
It is 4th July, fireworks are rumbling out there in the far distance and I should love to show you some spectacular shots but . . . that's not going to happen. Instead of celebrating with family and friends, all of whom happen to live in other countries, we have had a quiet evening at home on the sofa catching up with Game of Thrones. At times I feel as though we might be missing out on a Ralph Lauren /Tommy Hilfiger lifestyle fashion shoot of celebrating with family and friends and firing up the grill but hey, this is New York, city of immigrants, of whom I am one. And protestors! Independence Day to me is a little like Thanksgiving, celebrations of a rich cultural heritage which have me more than a little on the outside looking in but that's OK because while I am on the outside looking in I enjoy watching you have all the fun! The clock has just ticked over into the 5th but Happy 4th July everyone. Hope it was a good one!
The bulk of the above photos were taken at a rally to "Restore the Fourth" protest against the NSA down at Federal Hall on Wall Street, which considering how hot it was today, passed quite peacefully and without conflict. A day for keeping it cool. * * * * *
It looks hot Patti … love this ‘snapshot of NYC” thanks 🙂
I was just thinking about your fabulous fog shots, so cool!
Looks like you caught a bit of everyone in the act! Love the fountain shots!
Children have all the fun on a hot day!
Good to see the Reverend Billy (frame #6) still out there leading the masses … the Ranger in #5 is Jim – good guy who has a firm but understanding way about dealing with protestors… I know him well and I’m sure he kept his cool ;-))
So much to say about the wonderful Reverend Billy, he reminds me of a cross between Kurt Russell and Elvis! Thank you Pat for putting Jim’s name to his face and yes, he did indeed keep his cool! Hope you had a great day!
Next time I run into Billy I’ll tell him that 😉 Had a beer with him at The Freak Bar in CI after the Mermaid Parade.. life long member of his congregation at The Church of Stop Shopping… have a great weekend – stay cool ;-{)
No! I am so jealous – beer with Billy at Coney Island Freak Bar! We should be writing the movie! I have instructed my family that I wish for Billy to conduct my funeral service. You must remember Joe the Carrot Man?
Of course – he was a fixture in UnSq – I probably have some shots of him somewhere 😉 I stopped by the park today before walking up towards WashSq – bloody hot but I had to get out the house after not shooting for a few days due to a nasty summer cold & the holiday.. have a good one & remember to hydrate ;-{)
Sorry to hear you haven’t been well Pat, and in this awful heat 😦 Hope you managed to get some decent shots in the shade of Washington Sq, that’s cabin fever for you!
Nothing like some time in the street to make me feel better – thanks – feeling much better today… I was very thankful for that NYC water hydration station yesterday and was very tempted to jump into the mix at the fountain in the park – be well Patti B-)
Love the idea of Restore the Fourth – and great to see something of the celebrations that didn’t make the international news! Love your kids in the fountain shots Patti – such innocence.
Meredith, you have probably seen more of the celebrations than I did! Don’t you just wish you could frolic in a fountain like that? I know I do!
Oh yes, me too! I never got a chance as a kid – we didn’t have them … No no – here in SL just the CNN/BBC best of bland highlights package, nothing controversial like Restore the Fourth!
Love the fountain shots, especially. Hope you are enjoying GoT. x
Thank you Gaynor, I was playing around with the speed dial on the fountain shots – spreading the splash so to speak!
wonderful NYC report again, Patti!
P.S.:
I’m very satisfied with the paper.li service
– free to sign in and to choose informative websites:
http://paper.li/
Oh my daze Frizz, this is exciting, and a little overwhelming, in so many ways . . . . will get back to you on this!
Here are some more signs a Buzzfeed collection of yesterday’s Restore the Fourth.
I’ve never been there, but your pictures make me want to see more of New York. And I like your writing.
It really is one of the easiest cities to explore and make your own! Thank you ninano and I do hope you visit soon!
Patti, you’re a part of us. Almost everyone who is here came here from somewhere else. The people that were here first, that’s another story.
Tom, does this mean I now have to roast a turkey with all the trimmings come Thanksgiving? Happy to do this at Christmas (cultural heritage/tradition/baggage – take your pick!) but once in the year with the turkey business is more than enough for me!
wow gorgeous pictures.
Thank you neonspndx, not quite a day at the beach but making the most of it!
FAntastic shots Patti! So much vibrant life in your captures!
The vibrancy is a good contrast to my slothfulness but I’m blaming the heat for this episode, thank you Elena!
My favorite shot is number 8. I don’t know the story behind it, but he sure looks happy.
We’re living in Canada, Patti — also on the outside looking in.
I love that somewhere in Canada there is a little corner of the Bronx!
As for the photo, it was taken down on Wall St after the protest. The two little girls were having fun shooting from water pistols, the man on the ground playing along and getting cool in the process!
Absolutely brilliant reportage (as always) – love the preacher shot!
Thank you Richard! I have always meant to do a post about the Rev Billy and will set about it asap. He is a genuine crowd stopper that’s for sure!
you really can catch the feel of a day like that!
One of those crazy days of summer, thank you Inge!
July 4th was always interesting in my household growing up. My Scottish mother regularly threatened (jokingly) to hang the Union Jack out front with a sign saying “We’re still here. You can’t get rid of us that easily.” 🙂
You ca take the woman out of Scotland but . . . . . 🙂
Love the kids dousing the guy with their water bottles and the priest, who I assume was preaching to the crowd 🙂 The guy in uniform seems a little upset about something! I bet the fountains were popular in the heat too. Anyway, time for everyone to put on their DVD of Enemy of the State 😉
Jim, the Park Ranger (Federal Hall is run by the National Park Service) was doing his best in keeping part of the stairs clear for people to come and go. The woman on the left took this on board and did a great job keeping the stairs clear. Honestly Martin, it was too hot for anyone to get hot-headed and carried away.
Will do more on Rev Billy soon, he’s a hoot!
Ahh – now you’ve told me he’s the Park Ranger I know his heart’s in the right place 🙂 Sorry, not used to all the different US uniforms! I did wonder about the Reverend… Loundls like a great post up and coming 🙂
I should have explained more in the post but on this occasion I am pleading the heat!
Great as always Patti! Thanks.
Wow, thank you MBL!
I’ve never been to New York but your images are so rich. The goodwill and unity in it I see in these images is at the heart of what celebrating independence ought to be.
Thank you so much TiTi! Is it somewhere you would like to visit one day? Hope so! Crazy things will always happen here but, as you say, the goodwill and unity really do drive the city.
Just stumbled onto this:
http://gothamist.com/2013/07/05/photos_the_21_best_signs_from_the_r.php#photo-20
next to last one is my favorite … says it all IMHO!
Nothing like a good protest sign to clear any misunderstanding, or at least kick start a decent debate!
Always a bevy of colorful characters…that’s NY, anytime of the year. You capture it so well. The NY police do a fantastic job these day, keeping things under control without being heavy handed. I think after years of rough times, they’ve mastered the art. Love those fountain photos too!
Lyn, I have plenty of photos of the NYPD getting heavy handed with the OWS protests and they were the shots I was able to take before it became too rough, or having my camera phone snatched out of my hand by one irate member of the riot squad!
But getting back to this event, yes it was all kept under control on both sides. How much fun though to keep so cool in the fountains!
It’s crazy that I made this comment and then a few weeks later, the T. Martin protestors are pulled out & arrested for no reason. I have seen NY cops behave admirably well under trying circumstances in recent years. I hope they’re not going back to the old days (like the 60’s & 70’s) when things were much tougher. But now there are too many people like yourself out there keeping an eye on things. So good for you!
Fabulous fountains shots Patti! You gotta love the way New Yorkers celebrate independence day 🙂
Wish I had been quick enough to get shots of people waiting at the subway with beach chairs and umbrellas! 🙂
I can really feel the heat steaming out of these pictures. Another great set of pictures capturing the life in New York. So much energy and intensity. And by the way, nothing wrong with Game of Thrones!
Thank you Otto, always lovely to have you visit! Strange to say but as hot as it does get, it helps to get out and tap into that energy, this is what I tell myself . . . !
As for Game of Thrones, I am at the part where I dare to hope Tyrion and Sansa live happily ever after!
you always capture a lot of life 🙂
There is so much out there, thank you Joshi!
Interesting glimpses of a life very different from mine. Nice series, Patti.