Who Says Kids Don't Pay Attention?

This guy seems to know how to do it. Saint Vartan's Park, Murray Hill. Perfect day for Halloween tom foolery.
Not that Andre had much interest.

Murray Hill = Hardcore

These are the knuckle tattoos on the barista at Perk on 37th Street and Third Avenue. Who says Murray Hill is a snooze?

Just Another Thursday Night In Murray Hill

There wasn't an impromptu fireworks show in your neighborhood? Amateurs.

This Is Why I Love New York

After dinner at the Shake Shack, and then a stroll up the Hudson River waterfront, I came home to a random fireworks show over the East River. These were Fourth of July quality. Perhaps a test run? Could this also mean that fireworks are coming back to the East River?

Murray Hill Grows Up. Just A Little.

Like the Man of La Mancha, I have a quest, a journey. I dream the impossible dream that Murray Hill may one day be a little cooler. It's a uphill battle. The neighborhood is a transitory one, known for being home to old ladies and kids fresh out of college. Its defining characteristic is that it is completely vanilla: everything you could need is within a five-block radius of your apartment, but it's hardly a mind-expanding living experience. Given that Murray Hill is walking distance to Midtown, Grand Central and Penn Station, you would think it would have more cache. This is is not the case.

Over the last few years, though, Murray Hill has evolved quite a bit. It started with the assorted glass and steel apartment buildings that have sprouted up where walk-ups once stood. Gone are the silly girls from Syracuse, living in alcove studios on daddy's dime. The fratty bars are still there, but at night they are quieter, perhaps because the clientele has to get up to go to work in the morning. In the evenings, the sidewalks are a parade of young professionals, coming home from the skyscrapers in Midtown.

The stores are evolving as well. We recently got a Fairway and a Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf. Notably, a Vince Camuto took over the space that was once a bland shoe store. Their offerings are a huge step up from the disposable fashions that used to be available in Murray Hill. Maybe the Vince Camuto people, like myself, are noticing that the area is changing, however subtly. It can be our secret.

A few of their offerings:

The Bandeau Malliot	The Dial Watch

The Ila Tote	Cowl Neck Dress

Murray Hill, 10:30 A.M.

It's nice to think that someone, while rocking out with cheap Korbel on East 32nd Street, had to stop and use a pay phone.

Bit Of A Fire In Murray Hill Tonight

Not in my building, but literally half a block away in the Sarge's Deli building. Loud and stinky, two alarm job. It prevented Libretto's Pizza next door from delivering. So much for dinner.

A Whole Lot Of Inconvenience Going On

Manhattan, at least south of 39th Street, has no power. I live on the 21st floor of a building. I have made two trips already today to go up and down for supplies. Followers of this blog know that I like running and exercise, and all that training comes in handy around floor 15, when I am panting and wishing for a death that never comes.

This is me, with my new best friend, my Dora The Explorer flashlight. It was the last flashlight Walgreen's on 36th Street had in stock two days ago. It goes with me everywhere. I love her.

Apologies for not wearing any make up in these photos. But we're in a state of emergency, and I mentioned my numerous romps up and down the staircases. For some reason, I seem to be the only person I see going up. Everyone else is always coming down.

Electricity is the ultimate commodity these past 24 hours, and East Side residents, such as myself, wander like meth addicts looking for a fix. (I've seen people charging devices outside of buildings, attached to utility outlets.) A deli on 41st Street and Park had power strips set up, in the hopes that we would buy some snacks while we waited for a charge. Well played.

Now I am at Bar & Books, where I snagged a table before the joint became packed. I will be leaving soon, full of Pimm's Cups and electricity. I still need a shower. Help?

This Is What One Wears To Preschool Orientation In New York City

Myths and legends abound when it comes to preschools in New York City. In some parts of town -- I'm looking at you, Upper East Side -- the process is akin to a blood sport. There are stories of frantic phone calls made the day after Labor Day weekend in order to score a limited amount of applications. Whispers that you can't even get into some schools without a sibling already enrolled. Some reportedly cost $20,000 a year, and that's if you're a Seinfeld.

When you live anywhere else in Manhattan, say, Murray Hill, there is no such thing as a Top Tier Preschool. (And anyone who buys into the idea of a Top Tier Preschool needs their head examined.)

Everywhere else in New York City, the preschool process is a relatively civilized ordeal of appointments, tours and eventually a pleasant phone call welcoming you into the fold. The more schools you see the more you realize where your kid would do well and where he would be downright frightened. Even if you are lazy and wait unti August to find a preschool, you can and you will get into one. This is New York City, after all. People defect to the suburbs at the last minute all the time. A deal on a house with a yard comes through and all of a sudden you have a spot.

I went to Andre's preschool orientation and left pleased with the decision. His class is quite small and the student body is diverse, which for me is a major bonus. As of September 5th the boy is going to school full time. In New York City. No blood was shed in the process.

You Have Officially Lost Your Mind If Your Are Buying Reiki Massage For Your Dog

Seen in Murray Hill, of course.

A dog/cat/litter of hedgehogs is not a replacement for a child. Sorry, cat ladies.

Already?

Abandoned Christmas trees on 34th and Park.

If You Can't Get To The Beach, The Beach Can Come To You

The joy of living on the 21st floor is seeing how creative people can be when they want to catch some rays.

I realize I'm a total creeper with my zoom lens. This building is two blocks away from my window.

Come Live In My Building!

There is an enormous one bedroom (750 square feet)-- on the 18th floor -- available in my building for $2650 a month (?!?!). At that price, it might as well be free. It's a sponsor unit in a co-op, so no crazy application fees.

Building has doorman, elevator, laundry, finished roof deck, garage and most dogs are OK. Most important: share space with Clan Millard!

Related: If you're looking to buy, the sponsor (guy who owns the building) is selling off most of the units he owned and has been renting out. No board approval and parents can buy for children. All units are renovated. Studios start around $300K, depending on the floor. One bedrooms start at $500K. Get your checkbook!

Full specs on the rental here.

Murray Hill Park Avenue Penthouse Level Duplex

Oh, Murray Hill. Why do I like you so much? You're as vanilla as a neighborhood can get, and yet you offer everything I need: grocery stores, nice restaurants, and a huge park for the boy to run around in.

Also: you have apartments like this for $5800 a month. A two bedroom penthouse duplex with two terraces. A formal dining room. Two and a half baths. White glove doorman. Hardly the den for the post-college, Daddy's-Paying-My-Rent set.

Full specs and floor plans here. Who says Murray Hill doesn't have flava?

Murray Hill One Bedroom With Yard -- $2300

Spring has sprung over in Murray Hill. This one bedroom with a 500 square foot backyard is only $2300. The living room is large and the bedroom easily holds a queen sized bed. It's perfect for a single person who likes to entertain -- and there's plenty of space to do just that. It's on 35th Street and Second Avenue, an easy walk if one needs to do a reverse commute out of Grand Central.

Full listing here.

Available Again! Full Floor Of Murray Hill Brownstone!

Look what washed up on shore yesterday -- this little number from last year. It seems the woman I rented it to is moving out early.

To refresh your memories: It's the full floor, parlor level, of a brownstone on 37th Street and Park in Historic Murray Hill. Just over 1300 square feet. Soaring ceilings, two working fireplaces and a home office. Laundry in the building. Full specs here.

It's A Lovely Day For A Penthouse

It's a great fall day in Manhattan -- and this one bedroom with wrap terrace is available on 38th Street and Third Avenue, in a pristine pre-war building with a doorman. Great space, huge bedroom and tons of closets. At $3800 a month it's practically free. Great bachelor pad.

Murray Hill Needs A Yoga Studio

Hatha Yoga Video - Revolving Lunge Pose, originally uploaded by myyogaonline.

This weekend I had to walk down to Gramercy (18th Street!) to take a yoga class. The people at the front desk were happy to see me, especially after three years. Since there is no yoga studio in Murray Hill, it was the closet place to go.

Which got me thinking over the weekend: Why is there no yoga in Murray Hill, and by extension, the Turtle Bay/Sutton area? The area is full of young professionals. Most of Murray Hill is under 30, particularly among females. There are three gyms -- Crunch, The New York Sports Club and Club H Fitness, but everyone knows that gym yoga sucks.

Making money off this would be like shooting fish in a barrel. Women *love* yoga. Even the biggest elliptical addict needs to tone her arms and inner thighs. Most people don't want all the chanting and spiritual mumbo jumbo either -- they just want a physical class where they feel nice and tight afterwards.

From a real estate standpoint, there is plenty of commercial space available along that stretch of the East Side. So why have none of the big guys -- such as Sal Anthony or Yoga Works, jumped on it?

The Magic Garden On 34th Street

I've been meaning to post these photos for a while, but in the summer I sometimes get tunnel vision and do nothing but work. Hiss, boo.

New York City is abundant with playgrounds -- and spraygrounds -- but a few weeks ago I discovered this green oasis. It's a public playground and greenhouse attached to one of the NYU rehabilitation hospitals on 34th Street and First Avenue. You have to walk through the lobby in order to get into it. Inside is a real garden with all sorts of toys for little kids. It's the kind of backyard one might find in the suburbs, except as a Manhattanite I don't have to deal with the upkeep or pay for all the wagons and yard toys.

TR pulls the boy in a wagon


In the swing


Andre loves the little cars they have in the garden


He's a little confused, however, as to how they actually work.


Despite all the real flowers, Andre liked the ones that spin


Inside the greenhouse there are all sorts of birds. One even talks!


This one had lots of personality


Giant rabbits


What is a greenhouse without a koi pond?

Yes, Virginia, I Also Sell Apartments

While I am acutely aware of my strength as a rental magician, I actually do sales as well. Case in point: This large one bedroom that I have on 36th Street between Second And Third Avenue. 19th floor, great views, doorman building with roof deck. $575,000. Co-op. Pets and pied-a-terres OK!

It's a great deal, especially if you need to be within walking distance of Grand Central or you work in Midtown. I'm

Living room. This apartment has been converted into two bedrooms, so the living is quite large.


Master bedroom


Roofdeck


Building facade