I Wore Levi’s . . .
Halloween hit the streets of the Big Apple big time the other night which made a change from this time last year when Hurricane Sandy hit where it. Big time. Somewhere in this melee of costume phantasmagoria a parade made its way up Sixth Avenue. I heard the music, saw some of the banners and bones tipping over the tops of the crowd but really, the whole city was a parade. Now, however many days later, streets are being barricaded and made ready for tomorrow's New York City Marathon. Another parade of endurance, athleticism, colour, panache, human spirit and individualism . . . it never seems to stop! Oh, and tonight the clocks here go back which always takes me back to that Seinfeld episode . . .
Ha, ha…gee that was quick. Within seconds of asking when the next art offering would come ‘down under’ they arrived. What a nice medley of subjects and character. My choice would be the green hulk. Do kids only get the lollies or adults too? I don’t think adults in Australia participate, just the kids. Kids get a bit miffed when some sourpuss gives them just currants, carrots or raisons.
Not so sure about the crucifixion theme, perhaps Easter was mixed up with Halloween. All seem to enjoy themselves. The couple dressed as Queen and King were a bit self conscious as if more time was needed before a mirror or something.
Thanks Patti.
Gerard, you only have to ask! The munchkins here love their Halloween candy and aren’t too impressed with anything less. I keep forgetting about the candy bit and one year I went out at the last minute to get a stash but all I could get was the leftover dark chocolate peanut stuff. The children who came to the door were not at all impressed and we have never been bothered again. As for the adults, the night has more to do with drinks at the bar!
Fantastic!
Thank you Christine!
Patti, you do with mages what I wish I could do with words. The writer’s mantra is “Show don’t tell” You show, brilliantly.
That writing mantra is a tough one and I wish you all the best for your writing projects Tom. You have to get it all out, put it all down on paper in order to know what to take out, or so I have been led to believe and as always, easier said than done!
These are great, Patti! What an experience. I’ve only been in NYC on Halloween once but I’ll never forget it. And I’d never seen that Seinfeld episode. Thanks so much for the laughs!
Glad you had an unforgettable time Pierr and thank you so much!
Zombies rule!
Certainly for this one night of the year they do!!!
(I should have titled this post “The Night Wendell Blended In” – Wendell, a fixture down in Union Square, is always in costume and always stands out. It was sad in a way to see him the other night, blending in and disappearing into the crowd.)
Lovely photo of Miss Subway :). I don’t know why but for a second there I thought that was a transvestite. I like Miss Piggy and the striped dog too 🙂
Paula, I have posted before quite a few photos of mistaken hers who have been a him but more than happy to let it go, let the viewer see what they see, and feel. What I absolutely love about photography is how little I know about myself so what am I to know about those whom I photograph? Conjecture is one thing but the joys of discovery are never ending. Here’s to Miss Subway!
🙂 yes, here’s to discovering 🙂
Halloween was a bit of a washout here. Strong winds, heavy rain. Not one little kiddy wink knocked at our door and now I’m going to be forced to eat all the treats. The subway is my favourite from a great bunch of photographs
Oooh Mike, strong winds and heavy rain sound like the perfect Halloween soundtrack but best to keep the little munchkins safe and sound. Enjoy the treats! Getting ready for Guy Fawkes?
Wonderful Patti
You’re welcome, thank you Burgess! Hope the glorious Jacaranda is still in full bloom!
Wise costume choice Patti 😀
But what a spectacular collection of ghouls you have for us!! My pick is the beauty queen and the nun 🙂
Madhu, I sometimes long to bust out of my Levi’s and get into a more colorful outfit but then I remember how much I love my Levis. And lipstick! As for the beauty queen and the nun, a life of their own!
This is so cool 🙂
Thank you mcralf, certainly some cool bods out and about this night!
You tell such cool stories with your camera, Patti! That first shot is phenomenal – gallery ready! What fun.
I have to tell you Richard, I was so thrilled to get this shot. It was all happening out on the streets but of course everyone needs bread to get by!
my favorite: the dog prisoner!
P.S.:
I’m curious on your coming Marathon shots!
Frizz, that was one of many cute pooches of the night! As for the NY Marathon shots, I am still recovering from seeing the elites fly by. I have blurry shots to back me up!
at least no Boston bombers imitators there …
Thank God!
fabulous story!
Thank you so much, there are so many stories out there!
we don’t have halloween overhere (well only a little bit in some places 😉 ) i really enjoy these photos. love the one from the green guy hugging his phone!
Thank you Inge! I think the green man was receiving instructions for the task ahead. Either that or “what time are you thinking of coming home?”
Always colorful New York City! I like the subway shot and Dorothy from behind. Margie
Margie, I know people who have left NYC because they needed the break from the colour, some sleep! God speed Dorothy, who I always get mixed up with Alice. In wonderland!
SO much fun! And so completely appropriate that Dorothy is winding her way back home in your last fantastic shot! Enjoy that extra hour:)
I so hope Dorothy found her Toto! Thank you so much Elena and isn’t that extra hour such a bonus!
looks like fun!! Now where was your costume??!!
Yes it was fun Derrick and my costume? It was a mixture of Heidi Klum’s latest Halloween makeover (she doesn’t need any more link factor!) meets Johnny Cash (wo)man in black Levi’s!
# 5, with the policemen on their phones & the officer looking on is too funny – great capture. I like the first too, with the juxtaposition of those pastries & the costumes. The subway shot & Dorothy winding her way home, too. I agree, Levis were the best bet given your mission!
Just when they thought they had a quiet moment to check their Facebook, or whatever! Glad you love the Levis, they can take you anywhere and everywhere!
Great costumes…I like the dog best. Looks like a fun Halloween was had by all!
Thank you so much Beth, that dog is quite the star!
These are terrific Patti and what a night to be out on the streets of NYC as the Zombies and Ghouls become fenced in as the barriers are erected overnight for the Marathon Run. I hope non of the Zombies escaped…….
Thank you James, it is one of the most fun nights to be out on the streets!
You have conveyed this perfectly in your images. Thanks for sharing Patti and have a great wekend
Personally I prefer Halloween over marathon! It’s much more fun with costumes and party people!
Some marathoners manage to run in costume and make a party out of it but it still looks painful to me!
Halloween was a trip over to Acton for me to get some photos of trains and some for the Geograph project. There could have been some blood on the tracks – foolish office workers at late-lunch running across the level crossing at Acton Central and turning back with squeals when they saw the opposite barrier coming down. I can’t believe people continue to be so stupid after all the horror film adverts that network rail have been showing 😦 Apart from that I had a great time and it looks like you did too 🙂 Love the dog in prison uniform – goes well with the Beetlejuice costume in the following shot. Not sure about those jokers wearing police costumes though 😉
Oh Martin, those plonker jokers . . . . 😦 Relieved to know it didn’t end in tears. I was in Virginia not so long ago, taking sunset shots along an empty railway track when out of nowhere that freight train sounds its horn . . .
so much fun and some cool make-ups 🙂
They did so well didn’t they Joshi!
Hey there! GREAT PHOTOS!! I was the Harpo you photographed in Union Square. Any chance of those shots going up, or was my face too weird? 😛
Liz, absolutely not weird at all! Great to meet you and yes, every chance of coming up on the screen, soon! Thank you so much for the best Harpo! All best!
Dorothy in high tops or the Princess on the subway….so hard to choose a favorite! Did you go as a photographer?
Thank you so much Annie, I went as the Invisible Woman!
Living in a country that doesn’t celebrate Halloween (although that seems to be changing with popular culture) I’m always amazed to see to what ends you celebrate it. Were you dressed up?
These are lovely photos. I enjoyed seeing them. I sure hope you’re not on Kramer-time. That was a funny episode.
Thank you Lignum! They do go to town on Halloween here don’t they! But somehow it all seems to fit in, it’s a big part of the year and a favourite celebration for many. And that’s the adults! Everyone is back after the long summer, the days are getting shorter and colder and it is one last blow-out before the long winter ahead, before the big “family” commitments of Thanksgiving, Chanukah/Hanukkah and Christmas i.e. The Holidays! When living on Kramer-time might come in a little handy!
And yes, I did dress up – I wore lipstick!
Your killin’ me! Halloween is my FAVORITE, and I have been in Europe for 5 years (Switzerland) where there is NO Halloween. I get bummed out every year. It is so bad here that last year we were invited to a Swiss “Halloween” party, and my wife and i showed up and we were the ONLY ONES IN COSTUME! HOW EMBARRASSING. Great post.
That is so sad, you poor things – the Swiss will be talking about you for years to come “those crazy Americans!” Hope you get to come back and enjoy a Halloween on home turf soon and thank you so much for your kind words! BTW, what did you and your wife dress up as?
That was the best part..There is a very famous chocolate shop here named Sprungli. She dressed up as a piece of Sprungli chocolate. I dressed up as a huge Moose..Perfect Moose costume, antlers and all. We stood next to each other and had people guess what we were. NOT ONE PERSON GOT IT. We though we were hilarious! If only we could have gone to an American party. Chocolate Moose..I smile just thinking about it!
If it’s any consolation I think you were hilarious and I wasn’t even there! Well done on putting in the effort and what a great costume partnership. I am sure you have given the Swiss some food for costume thought when it comes time for them to dress up for their next Mardi-Gras… Those crazy Europeans!
Loved sharing this with my kids!
And when they grow up they have all that dressing-up to look forward to! (Hope they didn’t have nightmares . . .)
Uummm … creative – NOT. Gosh, how can people in good conscience leave their
homes and look like that even on Halloween.
My vote goes to the prisoner dog … and … bloody Jesus. hahaha
Perhaps it’s the one night of the year for wish fulfillment, not to mention date prospects!
hahaha … or raising h-ll and being free from restrictions. Sometimes, I add that to my wish or bucket list.
Freedom of me without fear of embarrassment. hehe