quiet nights

New York City is eerily quiet and mostly empty in the week between the gay national holiday and that other national holiday. A farewell photo from the loaner camera - my trusted friend returned to me via fedex yesterday all fixed!

post pride

Happy Pride 2009!

Today is the annual March for LGBT Pride and this year marked 40 years since the people having a drink at the Stonewall Inn decided they weren't going to take it anymore and fought back against police trying to raid the place. The following year, in 1970, the Christopher Street Gay Liberation Day March was held and went up one lane of traffic from the village to the Sheep Meadow in Central Park as described in this video.
In 2009 the marches that most resemble the one from 1970 in militant character would have to be the TransJustice action and the Dyke March. Frank Rich has own take on the history of Stonewall, helpfully pointing out how young and desperate the rioters were, but also forgetting the fact that several were also transgender or gender nonconforming, which only added to the daily harasment they faced at the time. Democracy Now offers an interesting look back at the history around Stonewall with many diverse voices, especially from the drag queens who did the hitting that first night. There have been a few reunion panels with original members of the Gay Liberation Front and other groups this year, I'm not sure if any have been taped.

lavender nights

For those of you out tonight in a festive city have fun and be safe!

transjustice

The march stepped off at Union Square this year. Instead of rain, thunder and lightening, there was sudden, bright, oppressive sunshine.

break

A break in the clouds in an otherwise overcast week. A pause in the street on an otherwise busy day.

hiz honor

At one point during the Mayor's pride reception at Gracie Mansion yesterday the sun broke through the clouds and hit the bridge in a way that lit it up very sweetly.

hawk watch

Back on the job - thanks to Chris's camera loan.

in transit

The last image taken with my trusty point and shoot before I had to ship it off to VA for repair - the flash is not working. Today I discover even the camera on my phone isn't working. Maybe I'll just describe the photos I would have taken for the next couple of weeks...

seen

Meanwhile a blurred sighting was called in from Brooklyn at some point last weekend. Details are still hazy...

rain III

Another rainy day in the city. Nevertheless I biked it to yoga and back. When I stopped by the hawk's nest the park service people told me one of the fledglings had just been hit on the westside highway.

klee

B's friend J suggested we have dinner at Klee in Chelsea. It was delicious, lovely, possibly decadent, a perfect antidote to a wet Thursday. TGIF!

correction

I have to correct a previous posting, there are in fact still three red-tailed hawk young at the nest. And they are now starting to venture out in the tree, so I guess that would make them fledglings. When I stopped by yesterday the parks department was putting up a fence around the tree to keep dogs and people away in the event of a fall.

sunset III

below

I have yet to climb up on the Highline and was almost tempted to do so on Sunday, but it was too chilly and I had neglected to bring a jacket out that evening.

rain II

two

There was a light rain when I stopped by the red-tailed hawk's nest this weekend and it was harder to get a shot for some reason. Mama was ripping something apart for them on the other side of the nest and it also appears that we are down to two young now. How fast they grow in two weeks!

after the rain

fierce p*

chez laura

Mannahatta

Biking home last night I ran into the Museum Mile Festival. A friend tipped me off about the Mannahatta exhibit at the Museum of the City of New York and I ended spending over an hour there.

special

So have you kicked the Starbucks and Ben & Jerry's habit, or are you giving in to recession specials? Can you have your cake and eat it too?

eagle

Capping off a weekend of movies with a drink on the roof deck of the Eagle. And that caps off with a last stop at the grill. Happy Monday everyone!

mama

Happened to bike by the red-tailed hawk's nest yesterday afternoon and stopped to check on the family. Apparently mama had returned about an hour earlier with an afternoon snack of pigeon - yum.

art II

Jeff reminded me to go and check out his installation at a group show in Williamsburg. I didn't know it included performance art. If you're in Brooklyn this weekend check out Bushwick Open Studios.

tgif

Today is not a day for the bike path, but the perfect rainy afternoon to catch flicks at NewFest.

salon II

Summer is here and the salon moves outside. Rick hosted a lovely dinner in his garden followed by a reading in the salon.

yellow III

new

pink V