Photo of the Day: We'll Miss You, John Lennon
Today is my 50th day living in New York City. I mention it because this number been a recurring theme for me: I live on 50th Avenue in Queens and work on the intersection of West 50th Street and 6th Avenue in Manhattan. I find it an amusing coincidence and will gladly use today as another excuse to celebrate.
This morning I got up early to go for a run at
Flushing Meadows Corona Park. I signed up to participate in a 5K next weekend, and I haven't trained at all since my arrival. I completed a three-mile jog, but it wasn't a pretty sight. I hope to slip in a few more workouts before the race so I won't be so winded and sore for the actual event.
Afterward, I met up with friends at the
AMC Empire 25 theater in Times Square to watch
The Social Network, the highly acclaimed movie about Facebook's origins. It was a fascinating film with very sharp and witty writing and quirky actors. I don't think there's anything out there quite like it, and though it's not my favorite movie, it's definitely worth a watch. Afterward, we wandered the city looking for munchies to satisfy our cravings, stopping by
Yum Yum III for Thai food and
Crazy Bananas for Thai bubble tea. We also got some shopping done at
Jack's 99 Cent Store for cheap household goods and the amazing
Hell's Kitchen Flea Market, a playground of interesting antiques like vintage cameras, art, and books.
As evening fell, a friend and I decided to visit
Strawberry Fields in Central Park in celebration of
John Lennon's 70th birthday. It has become an annual tradition to gather at this commemorative plot to pay homage to the pop icon. Strains of The Beatles music would waft throughout the park from impromptu sing-a-longs, and the place was so crowded, especially surrounding
the famous Imagine mosaic, that it was impossible to walk through the jam-packed multitudes. Fans clipped notes to Lennon on the fences, and small shrines complete with candles, flowers, and posters developed throughout the area. It was quite the bonanza, and a true testament to one music legend's staying power.
In the evening, I met up with my friend Stephanie again on the Upper West Side at a place called
Community Food and Juice. It was described by Steph as "granola," which usually does little to whet my appetite, but this restaurant was actually very good. It was kind of nice to dig into a big, hearty dinner and not feel gross and greasy afterward. I had a rice bowl loaded with fresh vegetables and grilled chicken and topped with a sesame-lime dressing that was surprisingly flavorful. Afterward, I hung out with Stephanie and her friends at the neighboring
Heights Bar & Grill, where we noshed on beers, margaritas, and nachos and had some great conversation.
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| Movie theaters in historic buildings are so much cooler than the big-box cinemas in Houston. |
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| My tasty but wildly overpriced Coco Shrimp from Yum Yum III. |
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| Loitering after the meal with Clarence. |
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| I love old books. Even more so when they have titles like "College Life: Its Conditions and Problems" and "What a Woman of Forty-Five Ought to Know." |
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| Vintage cameras are cool whether you're a photographer or not. |
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| A John Lennon look-alike plays for tips at the entrance to Strawberry Fields. |
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| The massive sing-a-long mob gathered around the Imagine mosaic at Strawberry Fields in Central Park. |
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| One of the impromptu Beatles tribute bands that set up shop for the day at Stawberry Fields. |
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| Dear John. |
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| The bronze memorial plaque at Strawberry Fields adorned with flowers, posters, and candles. |
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| Sign-wielding devotees maintain a candlelit vigil for John Lennon. |
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| A fountain and horse-drawn carriage at dusk in Central Park. |
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| My healthy-looking grilled chicken rice bowl at Community Food & Juice. |
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| Stephanie enjoys stimulating intellectual conversation with a friend as we wait for our check. |
Is that just 3 pieces of shrimp? :-P
ReplyDeleteSo much hoopla over John Lennon... I know he was a great musician, but it's sad how much time and energy is spent mourning/commemorating him when thousands of lives are lost all around the world every day, in war, in poverty, in sickness. Interesting photos though.
Oh I forgot, Happy 50th! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, SpeechlessLaura! It was actually four pieces of shrimp...and at $6 plus tax and tip, it was like $2 apiece! They were good, but not THAT good.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I enjoy The Beatles, but I don't understand the level of idolization that goes into our pop icons...especially so many years later. It's nice to be remembered, but not worshiped.