Workin’ late

I go through Times Square almost every day on my way to work and back home. Yesterday I was working until midnight, so on my way back I took some pictures with my brand new digital camera. The train + train + bus ride that usually takes 1.5 hours took me 3 hours this time because of subway repairs. I should really move to Manhattan.

I know, I know, it’s a cliché. Still.. I pass this by every day.


Scientists are having a major breakthrough with death rays in a lab on top of Ernst & Young building.


I really hate the crudely photoshopped ad on top. They are reusing the “flashing” dude in subway ads by mirror flipping him. The ad is for Revlon, I think.


I could not figure how to crop this picture, but this seems to work.

I just purchased an awesome book called …

I just purchased an awesome book called “Invisible New York : The Hidden Infrastructure of the City”. As any hacker I am fascinated with all hidden technological things : tunnels, shafts, silos, generators, abandoned buildings. This book is a photographic essay about what the author calls “Serving Places” of New York City — things like abandoned subway stations, abandoned missile silos (turns out there are some in the Bronx), water system tunnels and valve rooms. Unfortunately the author did not include a “lost”subway station underground near Brooklyn College or bowels of Flatiron Building with its one of a kind pneumatic elevator system. The cover of the book features an absolutely amazing shot of a spiral staircase.
Amazon.com%3A%20Invisible%20New%20York%3A%20The%20Hidden%20Infrastructure%20of%20the%20City%20%28Creating%20the%20North%20American%20Landscape%29%20%289780801859458%29%3A%20Stanley%20Greenberg%2C%20Thomas%20Garver%3A%20Books

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My new digital camera is on it’s way from Canada.

I’s a special black finish edition of Canon Powershot G2. B&H and Adorama did not have it in stock, and the only place selling it on the web was Photocreative in Canada.
I am going to name my new camera Hoser.
Don’t you hate silvery finishes in cameras, eh?

Meanwhile — another photo from my archive.

Reverse Hanlon’s Razor

While I am a big fan of Occam’s Razor, which I find very useful in most cases, I find Hanlon’s Razor to be false on most occasions.

“Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity” – states this “law”. It’s very frequently used by many people to explain why something is one way, when very clearly it should be done completely differently.

When I worked at Nathan’s clam bar, annoyed patrons frequently suggested that the pint containers of condiments should be always on the counter and not behind it at all times. My co-worker with decades of experience told me that it was not a good idea when he noticed that I started leaving the condiments on the counter. I chose to disregard this piece of advice as it was coming from someone who was opening clams for a little bit over minimum wage for decades. I was happy with this arrangement because I did not have to waste time on moving the condiments between waves of customers, and the customers were happy as they always had a few jars within easy reach at all times.

The reason for hiding the condiments became painfully clear to me pretty soon. Two drunks started an argument right at the counter. My lineup of pint containers of cocktail sauce and horseradish became perfect amunition for their condiment fight.

Reasons for presence and abscence of features is frequently governed by