What better way to reward myself after a tiring weekend of "campaigning" than a walk through Central Park with an ice cream cone? 

On the Campaign Trail

1 Centre St: the home of the Borough President's office, and where I met some important people this week. I spent all my free time the last three days tagging along with Virginia Field's staff to see her/them in action as they campaign for Mayor of New York City. On Thursday I attended a heated meeting at P.S. 20 on the lower east side, in which Chinese-American parents were protesting the cutting of after school programs by the current administration. I was by her side as she was interviewed for two news station, and had people pitching their viewpoint to me as if I represented her. The highlight was when a 9 year old boy recognized us as the only white guys in the room, and tugged at our shirts and asked, "Excuse me, are you the government?" What do you say to that, since the question really meant, "Excuse me, are you the people my parents are mad at?"

On Friday I "had drinks" with some of Fields senior staff and advisors. On Saturday they gave me a ride to Queens for the opening of her headquarters in that borough. I got to meet her and hear her speak multiple times and have been consisently impressed. Be sure to vote for Fields in the primaries on Sept 13th! 

The Berkshires (in western Massachusetts)

One of the highlights of my weekend trip with Dad was our visit to Edith Wharton's house in Lenox, Mass. She is the author of "The House of Mirth," and "The Age of Innonence," and was the second woman to win the pulitzer prize (in the 1920's). She also designed her stunningly beautiful house as a refuge from craziness of Manhattan.

Wahconah park in Pittsfield, Mass was built towards the end of the 19th century in a city that claims to have deeper roots in baseball than Cooperstown, NY. Apparently there was an 18th century law against playing baseball within 80 feet of the courthouse, so the windows to the building would be protected.

Can you tell that I'm not a golfer? 

On the way home...

125 Broad St - Where I work in the Mutal Fund Accounting department of Citigroup for a few weeks. I hope you enjoy the following pictures, intended to take you on a walking tour through lower Manhattan of all the sites I pass on my commute to and from work.

It took me a few days to realize that the nice area behind my building where I eat lunch is actually the Vietnam War Memorial in the city. On these plaques are the names of all the soldiers who lost their lives in the conflict.

Did I mention that my office is right near the Brooklyn Bridge and the heliport?

Fraunce's Tavern: just a block up from where I work is this historical site where General Washington gave his emotional farewell speech to his officers at the close of the Revolutionary War in 1783.

From what I've told, after the inagural ceremony at Federal Hall, President Washington and the other politicans walked a block to the Trinity Church for a worship service. If I remember right, this is also where Nicholas Cage found the hidden treasure that he was led to by the dollar bill and declaration of independence. 

Federal Hall: Where George Washington was sworn in as the first President of the US, and where he gave his inagural address. 

A quiet moment on Wall St. When I walk by the New York Stock exchange in the morning, it's almost overflowing with people. After the London bombings, security has been heightened even more; this morning I saw cops armed with machine guns. It's practically impossible to get a car near the building, and any car that does has to pass multiple inspection check points, as well as be searched by the canine unit. Do you notice federal hall at the end of the block? 

As far as I know, this is the site of the first Chamber of Commerce. The building has the date 1768 written on it, and it's really quite a bit more beautiful than this picture does justice.  

Ground Zero: Just a block off my route and definitely a noticeable emptiness. Because the streets aren't numbered that far south, I used to use the towers as my compass. Now I have to humble myself enough to ask for directions when I'm completely turned around.

My walk ends as I go down into one of the most humid places on earth: the Broadway-Nassau subway station. Here I catch the A train that takes me to the other end of the island.  

YO LA TENGO!! Wow, this took me back to my teenage years when I remember seeing these guys many times. They were just as creative, energetic and subtle as I remember. I wonder what tourists on those double decker buses were thinking as they drove by listening to the sounds of yo la. Happy 4th of July!

What better way to spend the 4th of July than a free concert in Battery Park!! I could see the statue of liberty from where I was standing, I was 5 minutes from wall street and ground zero, and even walked by Federal Hall, the building where George Washington was sworn in as the first President. Here's a picture of Stephen Malkmus (formerly of Pavement), with the Jinks.

Columbus Circle

Wow! this picture makes no sense if you don't know where it is, but it sure turned out cool! On our way home from the Temple, we went into the new Time Warner building on the southwestern corner of Central Park (59th and Broadway). This is a picture from the 5th floor, looking out onto the park, with a reflection of the stores in the building. You can also see Columbus Circle outside, one of the few round-abouts in the city.

The Temple

The Manhattan New York Temple, built one year ago. The 119th Temple built by the Church in the world, and only the second to be built within an already existing building (the other being Hong Kong). My family went together last Saturday night, and ended up meeting Elder James Dunn, one of the General Authorities (leaders of the Church), who is currently working in Lima, Peru.

I've just started volunteering on the Virginia Fields campaign for mayor of NYC. Last Monday I worked at the sign-in table at her fundraiser in a fancy hotel on the East Side. Here's a picture from that event, with the ever impressive Rev. Calvin Butts speaking (I was about 15 feet away). From left to right are: pioneering actress Ruby Dee, Rev. Butts, Manhattan Borough President and Mayoral canidate Virginia Fields and State Senator Ruth Hassell-Thompson.