One belongs to New York instantly, one belongs to it as much in five minutes as in five years. -Tom Wolfe
Ain’t it the truth. There’s a buzz, an energy to this city like nowhere else on earth. Ours was a pleasure trip to NYC, but we went with a different perspective, one of a small business owner in a big city. While we’ve always enjoyed the design, architecture, food, drink, etc. that New York has to offer, this time we noticed things we hadn’t fully appreciated before. Namely, we noticed the constant construction work going on everywhere, the workers, and notably the poor sods trying to find a spot for their work trucks (often ending up in the middle of the road). We noticed the sad state of the previously gorgeous, old-fashioned cornice work on the buildings, and how some sheet metal hack has done a cheap-o botch job to “repair” it (for sure it’s due to cost restraints, but this is saaaaad!):
Ain’t it the truth. There’s a buzz, an energy to this city like nowhere else on earth. Ours was a pleasure trip to NYC, but we went with a different perspective, one of a small business owner in a big city. While we’ve always enjoyed the design, architecture, food, drink, etc. that New York has to offer, this time we noticed things we hadn’t fully appreciated before. Namely, we noticed the constant construction work going on everywhere, the workers, and notably the poor sods trying to find a spot for their work trucks (often ending up in the middle of the road). We noticed the sad state of the previously gorgeous, old-fashioned cornice work on the buildings, and how some sheet metal hack has done a cheap-o botch job to “repair” it (for sure it’s due to cost restraints, but this is saaaaad!):
We noticed the multitude of stainless steel buildings that dot the relatively new High Line. They’re really neat – you don’t see much of this sort of thing in Toronto, so it’s novel:
We also saw the biggest rat ever seen by humankind, crossing right in front of our path while walking through Tompkins Square Park. We didn’t get a picture of the rat – he fearlessly posed for us (yes, we know it was a “he”), but we wanted to fully experience this New York moment, so couldn’t wreck it fidgeting with a camera. Instead, we present to you this picture of a NYC rat of a similar size to ours (thank you Banksy):
The food and drink, as always, were mind-blowing. You can have either the best or the worst meal of your life in New York. Thankfully, this time ours were all good. Apotheke, hidden away in Chinatown, is a little gem of a speakeasy. The ‘mixologists’, reminiscent of old time apothocarists, painstakingly poured, mixed, flambeed and spiced some of the most fantastic drinks we’ve ever had (we tried many on the menu). In the background a terrific 2 piece band-plus-singer played while we drank our concoctions off the lit up alabaster bar. This was a highlight. GO. Just make sure if you go on a certain Wednesday you know the password!
Okay, okay, digression! Rats, Food, and Cocktails have no place on a sheet metal company blog. But what about this awesome and perfectly round rainbow that hovered over the city for literally hours on the Tuesday? C’mon, surely this is noteworthy on ANY blog? It’s actually a scientific phenomenon called “Halo”, but the details of that are making my eyes glaze over so won’t be paraphrased here. In person, it’s really very, very cool. The photo just can’t do it justice.
Okay, okay, digression! Rats, Food, and Cocktails have no place on a sheet metal company blog. But what about this awesome and perfectly round rainbow that hovered over the city for literally hours on the Tuesday? C’mon, surely this is noteworthy on ANY blog? It’s actually a scientific phenomenon called “Halo”, but the details of that are making my eyes glaze over so won’t be paraphrased here. In person, it’s really very, very cool. The photo just can’t do it justice.
We return from this place with a renewed energy, newly inspired, with fresh ideas. It’s hard not to be affected by all this city has to offer, and hard not to be influenced by that New York ass-kicking attitude. Don’t worry, it wears off.