Scenes in NY

I found out yesterday I may have some time off in between contracts at work--which would be ideal! I'd love to have a European-style August and just chill. One thing I need to do is catch up on my writing. I got another rejection e-mail from an agent yesterday, which reminded me I need to send some more queries. Just narrowing the field!

Also I'll be participating in the 3 Day Novel contest again this year, for the fifth time. You're allowed to write an outline and as many notes as you want, just no prose. I've never taken advantage of that before, though I've meant to. Every year I just sat down, said a quick prayer, and started typing like hell. I think I'll try a little preparation this time and see if that helps. It takes place Labor Day weekend so a break from work right about now would be perfect.

Here are some pictures taken in New York this summer--just some everyday scenes that tickled me for one reason or another. Summer in the city can be very uncomfortable and smelly, but it's great for people watching. Enjoy!

There are a lot of car services in Brooklyn, which I didn't realize was special until I had to explain how it worked to every house guest we had from out of town. Basically they are taxis but you agree on the price beforehand and they will come pick you up when you call. In between jobs you see them hanging out parked around the neighborhood on quiet streets, usually smoking or talking on the phone. It was super hot and this driver was stretched out having a nap. Guess he felt pretty safe!

This is near Madison Square Garden in my work neighborhood. My first thought was, "Why is there an ad with both Jay-Z and the Nets on it?" Then I looked closer: it's kind of hard to see, but if you look closely on the right there's a white space, and there are two guys on a platform painting on the new ad. This was taken around ten in the morning, and it was finished by the time I left the office. Pretty cool!

I love this photo. There was this garbage can up in flames in midtown, and all these people just glanced at it (or not) and kept walking. Some people (like me) took a picture and kept walking. Eh, there are plenty of cops on the street, they'll figure it out.