núria macià antolínez » NYC

Jaywalking

nmacia — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 13:21:44 +0000

Times Square, New York (USA)

Jaywalking is the term that popularly coins the fact of a pedestrian crossing the street ignoring the traffic lights. It is an unlawful action in many countries and is punished in some states. However, in New York, police are pretty permissive and just jaywalkers whose behavior goes beyond a non-written rule are warned.

In addition, jaywalking has an integration effect over people coming from abroad. Tourists, their first days in the City, observe the traffic lights, but they realize soon that it makes no sense to wait for a light to change its color. At the beginning, it is uncomfortable to break the rules but, eventually, it becomes uncomfortable waiting for the indications. And you feel better soon.

To justify the violation, one can think that the system is designed for the vehicular traffic and manages the transit to avoid crash accidents in the intersection. As the traffic is not uniformly distributed, the system is inefficient for pedestrian which must wait unnecessarily. Taking into account the bug of the system, pedestrian has the right to decide when crossing.

Apart from justifying this behavior, other questions arise such as why we cannot wait. Is it a waste of time? Because of the rush of the society? We could just enjoy the wait…

Anyway, if you want to be a pure New Yorker, ignore the lights and cross the street unless the traffic is moving. And please, bear in mind that the guide of “How to become a true jaywalker” states in its first chapter the sole rule that nobody can forget when stepping in the road: “Cabs do not like jaywalkers”. You will learn this soon.

Independence Day

nmacia — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 23:51:53 +0000

: New York (USA)

Morning saw the City calm after eleven days of rains. This sunny day allowed people to have picnics and enjoy a peaceful holiday. At eight, however, things got hectic. The roofs of the buildings welcomed the most impatient onlookers. Neighbor communities began the preparations with the following ingredients: barbecues, beers, and joy. The streets became crowded. The flood of people was on the Hudson River way to attend the expected spectacle. It was nearly time of fireworks!
And, it was amazing! For one hour, bright cubes, palms, smilies, flowers, and multicolored spheres sparkled on the sky. The views were impressive, beautiful fireworks superimposed along the Hudson River and with New Jersey at the back.

There is no thirteen

nmacia — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 01:56:39 +0000

Some days ago I noticed that there is no button thirteen in the control panel of the elevator of my building. The owner, the architect, or someone else should be superstitious. Because of that, an ad hoc control panel was made and the displayer programming was adjusted to jump from 12 to 14. Nevertheless, despite these precautions, the 13th floor still exists.

It is fun to see how numbers, black cats, broken mirrors, stairs, salt, and so on, all of them quotidian elements, turn into malignant for some people, and how curios folkloric remedies survive and new appear to dodge the evil or protect from it.

I am not superstitious but I admit that it is a charming way to contribute to make up mystic stories and, at the same time, keep in mind pieces of our history, which are the origin and the real explanation of these superstitions.

I encourage you to provide your comments about a superstition and its origin.

Panel control of the elevator

Everything must go

nmacia — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 01:25:35 +0000

Manny's Music, New York (USA)

Manny’s Music, a classic among the guitar stores founded in 1935, has been definitely closed. I just visited this place twice, but the first time I already felt a unique vibe coming from the stories that it enclosed. This store, which walls were covered by pictures of legendary stars and real gems of guitars, had lived through fashion without losing its identity, which was as exceptional as admirable.

Its last day was really sad. Some people came to recall old and happy memories and see off this small museum. Many others were bargain hunters looking for a great discount. There were also visitors that became part of this “everything must go” by chance since this institution was one of the main attractions around Times Square. However, they did not expect to witness the end of the tale.

Although nothing lasts forever, I do not like losing this kind of places because of money troubles and hope that, at the same time and in another place, a future legend with more luck is ready to take Manny’s Music baton.

Manny's Music, New York (USA)

Squared Sun

nmacia — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 03:37:32 +0000

May said goodbye with two magic moments. On Saturday 30 and Sunday 31, the so-called Manhattanhenge, an astronomical event in which the Sun is perfectly aligned with the Manhattan’s grid, took place. The connoisseurs were ready in the strategic points, along the 14th, 23rd, 34th, 42nd, and 57th streets, with their cameras, to hunt the perfect framing, the alignment between the Sun and the streets and buildings of the City. Those who didn’t know anything about the event could even feel that something unusual was happening since the rays of sunlight that filtered through the streets flooded them with an intense bright orange light. For all of us, it was the gift of the day. Simply impressive.

Here you have some shots of these gorgeous sunsets. Just for your information, there are two more opportunities on July 11 and July 12.

34th Street Manhattan, New York (USA) {Raw picture}

34th Street Manhattan, New York (USA) {Treatment suggested by FX}

34th Street Manhattan, New York (USA) {Raw picture}

42nd Street Manhattan, New York (USA) {Raw picture}

Sullivan Street Bakery

nmacia — Wed, 27 May 2009 01:16:41 +0000

Two delicious bombolinis from the Sullivan St Bakery

The Sullivan St Bakery, located in the 47th Street between the 10th and 11th Avenues, bakes every morning the famous bombolinis. What is that? It is a spongy full doughnut with vanilla cream or raspberry jam filling and sugar on the top of its outer crust. Mmm… Delicious! This breakfast is one of the petits plaisirs of the life.

Free hugs

nmacia — Mon, 25 May 2009 00:52:26 +0000

Union Square, New York (USA)

It is good for your health! This is the slogan to get or give hugs in Union Square. Scientifically proved, hugs have beneficial effects on blood pressure and decrease the risk of heart diseases. Besides, they make feel good and get a smile out of anyone. Such happiness led Juan Mann to give free hugs to strangers, which quickly became an international movement. If you want to know more, see the official web page of the Free Hug Campaign
I agree with the positive benefits of hugs but, with the swine flu floating in the atmosphere, it is not really prudent to give hugs at will to everybody.
Anyway, I confess that, in my case, curiosity was stronger than caution and I hug the girl of the picture. I felt happy for a long while thinking of what a fun situation was.

Dirty place

nmacia — Fri, 22 May 2009 01:02:43 +0000

Manhattan, New York (USA)

It is well known that New York is a dirty place and, unfortunately, it is true. Despite good intentions of people, something else is necessary to keep clean the City.

Romantic ideas are as corny as beautiful

nmacia — Wed, 20 May 2009 00:54:23 +0000

Some time ago, someone told me how he planned to propose marriage to the woman of his life. His project included a pretty day in New York, a walk in Central Park, and the suggestion of a rowboat ride. In the middle of the pond, he would tell her one more time how much he loves her, offered her a lovely ring, and popped the question, which he expected that would be answered with an enthusiastic “Yes, I do!”.

Fortunately, it didn’t happen in this way. I agree with her that it would have been too romantic and the episode would need to be classified as top secret, something to tell nobody. Actually, in my mind, I like to add some humor to the situation and imagine the ring dropping into the water or a sudden heavy rain, something that would jinx the declaration and turn it to a funny story.

However, taking this picture, I realize that this is, more or less, the moment that they missed and I have to admit that, although it is corny, it is also beautiful and, therefore, forgivable.

Central Park, New York (USA)

Tom Thumb in the Big Apple

nmacia — Fri, 15 May 2009 13:19:36 +0000

Tom Thumb in the Big Apple

It is a pleasure for me to announce the première of this web site which coincides with my stay in New York in the wake of an internship at the Bell Labs. I feel The City pushes me to build my own place on the Internet, and here I go!

My purpose is to share both amazing events and the progress of my research with a touch of creativity. I will try to improve every day the quality of the content and, as a charming challenge, captivate you through my “Tom Thumb” adventures in the Big Apple.

Basically, you will find a brief presentation of who I am, my curriculum vitae, my humble publications, and finally, my not-to-miss blog.

I hope you enjoy it!