Category: A Day in New York City

This Post By Robert B Hubbell Appeared Wednesday Morning on Muck Rack… Amen Mr. Hubbell

On Wednesday morning, it is clear that Trump has won and that Democrats have lost control of the Senate. Control of the House remains open. Democrats and people who love America are grieving. That is understandable. Everyone will need time to express feelings of shock, anger, and fear. Respect those who need to talk about what happened and those who don’t want to talk about it. Everyone will need to process the results in their own way. It will take time to digest what happened and why it happened.

I Know This Will Make You Smile

  This just happened and I swear it’s all true. I felt the need to spend the day alone in one of my peaceful and happy places. I knew The Metropolitan Museum where I often escaped during the Covid lockdown would provide just the quiet, and solace I required. After wandering around for a few hours with no specific objective seeing some new and fascinating exhibits I happened on a short film “An Arrested Moment” by Frank Ivory about his unexpected love affair with India. It was tucked away in a corner of one of the wings and made me feel like I was on a magic carpet ride.

   When it was time to leave and head home, an easy trip involving two buses that bring me right to my door, I saw a bus stopped at the corner. I wasn’t sure I could make it but as luck would have it the light turned red and I was able to board (that never happens !). Since I had gotten on the first bus I saw I wasn’t sure where to get off to catch the crosstown bus (stay with me here, it’s worth it). I asked the driver if he stopped somewhere near 64 or 65. “So you want to catch the M66 right?” I must look like an M66 Crosstown bus kinda gal!  “Yes” I replied. “I gotcha, get on and stay near the front”. The bus was packed and I obediently stayed near the front as we slowly made our way down Fifth Ave. I couldn’t see around all the people so I had to rely on the overhead announcements and the driver. I started getting anxious as I heard the next stop was 69th so I edged my way up to the front door. A man all dressed in black was standing in front of me chatting with the driver and blocking my way “Excuse me” I said as the bus came to a stop-he moved aside but when the driver saw me he said “wait, I thought you wanted to catch the Crosstown bus at 66th “.  “I do” I said sheepishly. “Well don’t be so impatient you have one more stop”. Ugh, the whole bus heard that! The man in black, who looked and sounded just like Jon Favreau the Director and star of the movie “Chef”, said in his heavy Queens accent, “Don’t worry we’ll take care of you, I’m a professional chef (wait, maybe it was Jon Favreau!) and he’s a professional chauffeur so you’re in great hands, and if I was 10 years younger I’d ask you out (he was WAY younger than me but it made me smile). All of this was taking place at top decibel I’m sure to the amusement of about 50 New Yorkers. As we neared my stop the driver said “hold on, your bus is there and I won’t let him leave without you” He began honking and then pulled up right next to the M66, opened his door and signaled for the driver to wait for me. As I exited, embarrassed to the core, but expressing profound gratitude to my two protectors, the chef said (still at top decibel even though I was less than a foot away) “always remember age & experience trumps (sorry but that’s what he said) youth and audacity” then, even louder, “bye girlfriend-call me”. The bus driver then waved and honked goodbye and yelled “Yes, call him”.  At that point I burst out laughing, sure I was imagining it all, but no, the M66 driver was actually waiting for me and most likely wondering who I was to get that kind of treatment.

   I’m writing this with big smile on my face so please tell me it puts a smile on your face too on this nerve wracking day!

A Day in NYC (you can’t make this up)

I started out the day crossing Lincoln Center Plaza and saw these three deeply engrossed in conversation. I have no idea why she was dressed like that but she looked great!

Then I saw this lady who was fully engrossed in a conversation with the pigeon. I stopped to take this photo and listen for awhile I don’t know what she said but she definitely called the pigeon George

I boarded the bus and snapped this from the window in front of the Deutsche Bank Bldg at Columbus Circle (in case you can’t make it out, he is applying eye makeup).

A minute later this girl got on the bus and was oblivious as I (and many others) watched her apply an entire arsenal of makeup. Fascinating!

I think these photos capture some of the unique energy and spirit of New York like nothing else.”

It’s A Jungle Out There

The Great Elephant Migration has taken over the Meatpacking District in NYC

These 100 life-sized, intricately detailed elephants are on display through October. They were created by members of The Coexistence Collective, a community of 200 Indigenous artisans in India. These eco-conscoius sculptures are crafted from lantana camara (it reminded me of bamboo), a fast-growing invasive weed known to push animals out of their natural habitats.

This amazing exhibition is a joint effort between The Meatpacking District Management Association (whose goal is to promote the area for businesses, residents, and visitors) and Elephant Family USA, an international non-governmental organization, that aims to promote conservation and coexistence between humans and wildlife. I loved that you can walk right up and touch them. They each have a name, and all are for sale. If you buy one, please don’t separate a baby from its mother:-) If only I had a bigger apartment!

Writing Postcards to Georgia Voters

I spent last evening writing postcards to Georgia voters. It was me & 99 other NYers participating in a well-organized joint effort by local churches and synagogues under the umbrella of the “Center for Common Ground, Reclaim Our Vote Campaign” to urge registered voters in Georgia to go to the polls. Because most volunteers wrote at least 20 cards, some more, some less, 200,000 GA residents, most in small towns, will receive a personalized hand written non-political postcard saying the following:

Dear Ms or Mr …….Our rights are on the ballot Nov 5: reproductive & voting rights, affordable housing, healthcare, good jobs & public schools! Vote early, avoid long lines. Bring friends & photo ID (yes GA requires a photo ID to vote).

Here’s hoping it works!

Photos of the sky over NYC Wednesday, September 11

From the brilliant sunset to an orange moon (my cell phone couldn’t capture the beauty of the moon that night, so this photo is courtesy of WGAL News 8) to the Tribute in Light beamed into the sky every year to honor and evoke the memory of all those who were lost in the Twin Towers on 9/11, the sky was amazing. Although there are two beams, because they originate in Lower Manhattan, the beams seem to merge from my window-still an awesome and chilling sight.