Times Square As A Gateway To Pleasant Things

In New York City, the mundane has a habit of turning into the exceptional, often with no planning at all. Perfunctory first dates turn into all-day affairs or a work event turns into the best time you've had all week.

My little guy Andre has been talking about Ferris wheels ever since he didn't get to go on one at Playland a few weeks ago. At the time it was getting late and no one wants to deal with a four-year-old's meltdown at the top of a ten-story high amusement park ride. So I did what all great parents do: deflect and promise vaguely to do it again in the future.

In the grand tradition of small children, Andre did not forget about my promise to take him to a Ferris wheel. Initially I thought hauling down to Coney Island was the only way to get him on one, but then I remembered Times Square. The Toys R Us in Time Square has a giant Ferris wheel, and for $11 it can quell the savage entertainment needs of any kid.

No self-respecting New Yorker ever goes near Times Square and so I had to get into the right frame of mind just to even deal with the place on a sunny Sunday afternoon. Once there, it turned out to be an oddly pleasant experience. The Ferris wheel was a hit, and the Toys R Us is more theme park than toy store. (They totally get you on the professional photographs with super heroes and dinosaurs -- which are actually reasonably priced and high quality.) The greatest accomplishment was that we left with zero new toys and zero tantrums. Praise be.

On the way home Andre and I popped into Bryant Park to take a spin on the carousel. An afternoon that I thought would be the mental equivalent of an unmedicated root canal (Times Square on a summer weekend) ended in two gentle spins on a carousel while Edith Piaf music played in the background. And 56 photos of Andre lit up with pure joy. Who knew canned entertainment could be so fulfilling?

It was while I was on the carousel that I realized that the earliest memories I have of listening to recorded music are those of Edith Piaf. My parents are giant Francophiles and traveled to France regularly, so the Piaf records were always spinning at Chez Millard.

Milord, below, is one I remember hearing for the first time when I was about Andre's age. It's still one of my all-time favorite songs. Gotta get 'em hooked when they're young.

Years ago, when I finally got to go to the Pere Lachaise, Edith Piaf's grave was the first one I made it my business to find. Always the fan girl.

Welcome, Superfans!

When it comes to being a jaded New Yorker, I could win Olympic gold. The Superbowl brought Christmastime-level throngs of tourists into the city. Given that I live in midtown, the extra people -- and their giant parkas -- in the neighborhood were no bueno.

Then this afternoon I was coming out of dance class (tap, if you were curious) and I saw these two ladies in Times Square. They are twins from British Columbia, and clearly Seahawks fans. It's this kind of happy zealousness that makes me think that perhaps this faux holiday isn't so bad.

Mary Pickford Rears Her Head Again

A few days ago I posted a short video bout Mary Pickford, since I've been on a bit of a Flapper kick lately.

I was in Times Square this morning, which as we all know is one of the most overdeveloped part of Manhattan. I looked up and noticed an old building with statues built into the facade. The details struck me as odd. Why had I never noticed this building before? 1920s era buildings are the sort of thing that pops up on my radar.

I pulled out my camera and started taking photos. Even though I've been in New York City since 1999 I never knew that this building existed, mostly because it's been covered by a TGI Friday's for years, and I have no business ever going into a TGI Friday's.

TGI Friday's moved out (Praise Allah!) and Express is moving in. The building, according to the internet, is the old I. Miller Shoe Building. It was built in the 1920s and the limestone facade features statues of Ethel Barrymore, Marilyn Miller, Mary Pickford and Rosa Ponselle.



Here is a link to what the building looked like when it was first built. It hasn't been cleaned in decades, which makes a lot of people wonder if Express will take advantage of the limestone underneath and bring it back to is splendor. There's a whole history of the building here.

What is the universe trying to tell me when a silent screen vixen pops into my consciousness twice in once week?

Times Square iPhone Issues

iPhone, originally uploaded by Panduka Senaka.

New Yorkers know that if there's no reason to go to Times Square, it's best to just stay away. Between the tourists, the crowds and the bad food, it's a place best left to those who are only in for a few days.

There is, however, a no-fee apartment building in the area, and so for a few days I found myself on 45th Street showing a few studios to a lot of people.

My job revolves largely around my iPhone, since I need it to call people, check my e-mail and check the web. Yesterday I got out of the subway, headed towards 45th Street and dug into my bag to check my phone. Oddly, the screen was black. I clicked the assorted buttons on the iPhone, and nothing happened.

Black screens are nothing new with the iPhone or even Mac products in general. What is odd is that it keeps happening in Times Square. It's happened twice now. I've also had issues with service.

So what's the deal? Has anyone else ever had cell phone issues in the vortex of consumerism that is Times Square? My iPhone was back to normal once I got to Chelsea, but it seems that Times Square is some sort of Bermuda Triangle of service.

No fee building or not, I don't think I'll be going up there again anytime soon.