Stranded
Back to New York after some time out on the road (another long story . . .) and the drama whereby newly elected Mayor Bill de Blasio (Democrat) is getting flak for not having cleared the streets of the Upper East Side as soon as is usually expected in this part of town. Bill de Blasio, soon to be resident, if not already moved in to Gracie Mansion on the UES, will soon come to know, again if not already, that it is not all mink and designer handbags in this part of town as per the suggestion in today's NYT's. These photos in a few short blocks and not counting the ones I didn't take i.e. the one bundled and huddled sitting on the church steps, all doors closed.
Oh the deep freeze, these photos make me feel it in my bones. Warm hugs to you, V
And to you Vickie, thank you so much!
Hmmm. Margie
Yes indeed Margie . . .
You should send the pictures you left t to the mayor’s office. He needs to be reminded that NYC is not just one neighborhood.
Surely Tom if he knows anything about NYC he knows that by now . .. I hope!
Well put- and photographed. Having recently started a ‘reading frenzy’ of Afghani and Ethiopian authors…and looking around our own back yard, well…let’s just say the odd little complaints we endure pale by comparison…I will still write about my humdrum life, but my sense of the world is growing by leaps and bounds.
There is much to be said for the warmth and security of a humdrum life anywhere . . . . Love to know the titles of what you are reading! All best to you Christine!
I just finished a novel by young (so many are these days :)) Ethiopian novelist Dinaw Mengestu, “The Beautiful Things That Heaven Bears”. I am planning to read another of his- “How to Read The Air” and also tackle Dostoyevsky…I am feeling like an impoverished reader of late. I will admit, however, I cannot seem to get through Rushde’s “Midnight’s Children”….even with help from an extensive Wikipedia guide to characters. Is there hope for me with Dostoyevsky???
Reblogged this on iteensmash.
Thank you so much iTeen!
Yeah:) It’s my pleasure 🙂
Hi there. For me these are great pictures in lots of ways. I really like your black and white. I know for many its a personal thing but these, for me anyway, are perfect (particularly 1 and 2 🙂
They remind me of the kinds of photographs I look at in a book I have called “Private Pictures” by Anthony Burgess.Mainly from the seventies, black and white, press photo’s of famous people like films stars etc (before everybody on tv became a celebrity!)
This is helped by the appearance of quite an old station wagon in top left photo 1!!
Anyway, love the set but number 2 in particular grabs me! Always a pleasure to look at pictures like this!
Peter, thank you so much for your very generous comment! It was a simple afternoon out and about, no real intention of taking any photos but these scenes seemed to pile up, one on top of the other which is why I decided to include them all around the image of #2.
I look forward to exploring “Private Pictures”, and once again, many grateful thanks!
I am picturing that one huddled on the church steps…..you see it all!
The person on the church steps is still there, so many days later. Which is sort of good news . . . . isn’t it?
Ugh … !
That’s for sure . . .!
What a welcome home, huh? I see that you’re taking advantage of whatever the streets (and weather) have to offer though, and with skill – the second photo really has a nice Weegee feel to it – that gritty sidewalk texture, the composition. It’s very good! As for the content of these photos, well, no surprise there!
Lyn, it was a welcome home in more ways than expected but that’s another story I’ll eventually get around to! Funny you should mention Weegee – I know someone who used to hang around with him “he was such a sweet guy!”
Interesting! Maybe you should get a few stories before it’s too late. How about a photo while the stories are being told? Taken on the street, of course, in a dark alley… Speaking of stories, I look forward to yours…
Very good story telling photos. It’s not all gold that glitters. The ‘open slather free market’ does have its victims.
Thank you Gerard although I can’t help wondering if those with the “gold” aren’t the true victims of the open slather free market. I mean how much gold does any one person need?
And here I was thinking that the majority of New Yorker’s would stay warm in the Arctic Vortex and the volumes of snow with the knowledge that they’ve seen the back of Bloomberg. Oh well!
Gorgeous monochromes, Patti.
Allan, these few shots are the tip of a huge homeless iceberg. The situation for the invisible homeless tied up in the stats of local government is nothing short of a mess.
hi Patti,
I like very much, that many of your photos and comments
have a political dimension:
“…sitting on the church steps, all doors closed….”
thank you for political statements at
http://flickrcomments.wordpress.com/2014/01/24/weekly-photo-challenge-juxtaposition/#comments
handling fashion hybris and animal rights,
racism, religion and wars:
“if I close my eyes and think back I see Too Much White,
the pigeon and the kicker, and the
Jesus Missile for peace and destruction!”
Always a pleasure, thank you so much Frizz!
Great series and lovely B&W’s. It’s been extremely nasty and cold winter for us up here in Toronto so here’s hoping that we are coming to an end soon.
Thank you Mark, keep warm up there – more nasty weather today . .. 😦
And all the doors are closed. Your photos bring the important focus to the fore.
Thank you Elena, it was a different picture in Starbucks, Mcdonalds and good old Dunkin Donuts!
You always capture the soul of the streets and this piece of writing was full of biting truth. Well done!
Thank you so much LFR, we all of us walk the same streets together . . ..
The voice for the voiceless.
Thanks Patty
You are very kind, thank you so much Marcelo.
He will soon discover that you can’t please everyone – some compelling documents here !
It happens to the best of them, thank you Pat!
Windows into the world, Patti..
Difficult to ignore the view . . . thank you Cath!
Beautifully framed story, Patti!
Thank you Richard, the story fell together too easily.
And when I think New York, I always think the glam and glitter of the theater and eateries; but like San Francisco and other cities, there is the ugly truth. It seems the mayor has more to clear up than the streets of the UES.
To tell you the truth Angeline, I couldn’t live in NYC if it was all glam and glitter – there is so much here that is just so ordinary, domestic, topsy turvy, all sorts of people living on top of each other. It’s not a gated community that’s for sure but nor do we have a dedicated homeless part of town such as the Tenderloin in San Francisco or Skid Row in LA. Beyond certain pipe dreams I don’t know what the solution is.
Great B&W shots conveying some of what it is like to be homeless in any big city. Ralph McTell’s Streets of London came to mind.
That song is so timeless isn’t it, always gives me goosebumps. Thank you Martin!
That shopping cart filled with chairs — there’s a story there, I’m sure.
Funny you should say that Charles – I see that chair all over Manhattan. Stories indeed!
I really enjoy your social photo documentaries Patti. Every photo has impact.
Thank you Lignum. It’s rough enough out there at the best of times let alone the worst.
Excellent pictures.
Thank you so much Rabirius!
I keep reading about the winter storms, these pictures bring it home.
And it’s not getting any better any time soon either! Lovely to meet you Rufus, thank you so much for your comment!
brrrr… ok, enough time has passed, let’s hear all the stories!!!
Getting there Derrick, very slowly!
tick tock tick tock!! LOL
Unfortunately the these “residents” of Upper East Side aren’t the one’s who will be heard by de Blasio or most any other mayor. A strong social comment, Patti, with excellent photos.
I have to so agree with Otto, a strong social comment and supported with excellent photographs. I do so hope the streets are beginning to be cleared and that the mayor takes note of the homeless and less fortunate. We all deserve a certain standard of life and at times we can so easily fall on hard times where we require help and a voice to make the powers that be stand up and take note of the plight of the poor and homeless. Best regards, james
excellent work here
Good thing it doesn’t snow here Patti, although the chill up North can be quite as severe. A great and telling series as always.
SSooo sad when it’s cold and there are no rooms at the inn. You captured the struggle of
some during times of inclement weather. Beautifully shot photos that tell a story without words.
Rockin’ it, Patti, as always.
Isadora xo
Stunning photos, Patti. Again a thought provoking post!