The King , The City , and a Merry Christmas to all !!!

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and Happy Holidays to all !!!! Thank you all for your heartwarming comments on the prior post and I hope all of you have a safe and happy holiday season that brings you and your family good tidings and great joy.


The city finally gave the King some respect for the holidays and put up a billboard to let people know he is out there representing. Holla !!...as my yellow cab brother drives by !!


I have performed every one of these dances at one time or another in my life , especially my favorite move which is the walking in place Frankenstein shuffle by the kid in the green shirt in the back.....they all work well though at any festive party.




No Christmas tree is complete without a King Of New York Hacks ornament.




Blurry tree shot , but I kinda dig the way it came out.


Flushing, Chinatown in Queens.


Flushing Cabstand, Main St and Roosevelt Queens. Usually where I start my night.




The infamous 86 st in Brooklyn, only thing missing is John Travolta walking down the street carrying paint cans and eating a double stacked slice of pizza Saturday Night Fever style. Fuhgeddaboudit !!!!




Astoria, Queens. Where I spent my early childhood and some of my family still remains. Great place.


THE Snowflake 57 st and 5th Ave.

And there is certainly something great about the 27-foot Big Snowflake. To learn who sponsors it, when it is hung and lit, visit the Unicef Snowflake site.

We've learned that it has been there for the past 17 seasons and was designed by Douglas Leigh ("the man who brought animated billboards to Times Square and immortalized Time Square with its famous Camel billboard with its smoking ring" -- signindustry.com).

The further away you get , the better it looks. Brilliant.




This video captures Christmas scenery in New York in 2008 including world famous Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, UNICEF Snowflake, holiday windows and etc. Christmas in NY is the best in the universe even in tough economy time! Compliments of my man CubeNewYork. Well done !!




Tree on 58th street which is huge and a startling blue. I don't know if its a hotel or luxury condos, but it is breathtaking.


No, even at Christmas we will never forget.




This is all I can afford from the Yankees now.



God Bless America, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all our brothers and sisters overseas, we hope to see you soon !!



Hell yeah, even Darth Vader gets into the spirit now !!!!




I just signed this NY Yankee snowman to be on my tree for 8 years $180 million dollars..I hope he's not on steroids.




Don't forget St. Patricks day is just around the corner !!! A good reminder at Christmas !!!!

The best Christmas explanation I ever heard was the one Linus gave to Charlie Brown...
I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people,and on earth peace, good will toward men, and women of course.




NYC prepping the streets for the holidays !!




Even Mickey Mouse couldn't stay away from the sights and sounds of NYC !!!




This is a nice Christmas deer, However......



My niece's Christmas deer which she taped to the wall is far more superior !!!




The GE Building is an Art Deco skyscraper that forms the centerpiece of the Rockefeller Center in Midtown Manhattan. Known as the RCA Building until 1988, it is famous for housing the headquarters of the television network NBC. At 850 feet (259 m) tall, the 70-story building is the 9th tallest building in New York City and the 32nd tallest in the United States. The building is sometimes referred to as 30 Rock, a reference to its address at 30 Rockefeller Plaza.

One squeegee guy and a Zamboni Machine to clean the ice ?? The economy is bad !!


Working hard !!


One day , I'm going to drive that Zamboni vehicle !!




They have a pit which they dump all the excess ice into, never saw that in all my years til this day.


The Gold dude in the fountain?? This is who he is !!!
In Greek mythology, Prometheus (Ancient Greek: Προμηθεύς, "forethought")^[1] is a Titan known for his wily intelligence, who stole fire from Zeus and gave it to mortals for their use.^[2] Zeus then punished him for his crime by having him bound to a rock while an eagle ate his liver every day only to have it grow back to be eaten again the next day. His myth has been treated by a number of ancient sources, in which Prometheus is credited with (or blamed for) playing a pivotal role in the early history of humankind. There is an inscription on the wall behind him which reads "Prometheus, teacher in every art, brought the fire that hath proved to mortals a means to mighty ends." Rock on Prometheus, thanks for the fire !!

'
and as Prometheus watches , a lady in the Red Vest does The Rockefeller "Cha Cha" !!!
Rock on Red Vest lady !!!







The Rockefeller Tree Star.




Smaller replica of the Swarovski star atop the tree.


Yes , it is a BIG star !!!!






The Rockefeller Tree Lighting !!!






'The Tree is LIT !!


Some random trees throughout the city.




Trump building Wall ST









30 Wall St


The Olympic Station Building across from St Patricks Cathedral.


Staten Island Ferry Tree ...and no those people aren't dead, just a frequent sight on my way home after driving Friday nights and everyone coming home from partying around 4:30 AM. They just crash out on the floor waiting for the ferry to arrive. Classic. I have more shots like these for a later post.




The Herald Square Trees, love the special lights that simulates snow coming down !!







SAKS 5th Avenue Windows



I believe they are all based on a book called "Snowflake City"....




I like the sign "curb your penguin". Don't think I've ever seen penguin shit.


They were O.K. looking , but for SAKS , I thought it was ...."meh".



Santa yelling Yippee !! The Chrysler Building replica, my favorite building in the city.


The Chrysler Building during my night shift.


Front of SAKS , The Dancing Snowflakes !!!

The Dancing Snowflakes show !!! Enjoy !!






It wouldn't be Christmas without seeing Charlie Brown take care of his own tree with some help from all his friends.




The King is always watching , just like Santa Claus.
So in closing I hope I brought you good tidings of great joy, to all people who read this post,and on earth peace, good will toward men, and women...and penguins. I may not be Linus , but I am THE KING OF NEW YORK HACKS ! Be safe everyone and have a great holiday. Peace out peepers.

Grand Central, Beer Goggle Santa and Bloomingdales. Enjoy !!

Grand Central Station.....A Masterpiece

Click on the pics to enlarge and appreciate.



CORNELIUS VANDERBILT

“

If I had learned education, I would not have had time to learn anything else.

”

Born on Staten Island, Vanderbilt began working on ferries in and around New York as a young boy, quitting school at age 11. By age 16 he was operating his own business—after having borrowed money from his mother—ferrying freight and passengers between Staten Island and Manhattan. During the War of 1812, he received a government contract to supply the forts around New York City. He operated sailing schooners, which is where he gained his nickname of "Commodore."

On December 19, 1813, Cornelius Vanderbilt married his cousin and neighbor, Sophia Johnson (1795-1868), daughter of his aunt Elizabeth Hand Johnson. He and his wife had 13 children, 1 died in childhood.

You have undertaken to cheat me. I won't sue you, for the law is too slow. I will ruin you.
—-Cornelius Vanderbilt, 1853 (in a letter to former business associates Morgan & Garrison

Net worth ▲$167.4 billion, according to Wealthy historical figures 2008, based on information from Forbes - February 2008. Thanks Wikipedia.

In October 1871, Vanderbilt struck up a partnership with the New York and New Haven Railroad to join with the railroads he owned to consolidate operations at one terminal at East 42nd Street called Grand Central Depot, which was the original Grand Central Terminal, where his statue reigns today. The glass roof of the depot collapsed during a blizzard on the same day Vanderbilt died in 1877. The station was not replaced until 1903-1913.

Never knew that.


...and here he is Cornelius himself under a very large wreath. I once had his granddaughter Wendy in my taxi and as we took the same route I commented to her how I grew up in Staten Island and visited her ancestors mausoleum which is a work of art at Moravian Cemetery in Staten Island. She commented to me that she and her family were always proud that the city preserved what he built. She was a charming woman and I hope I get her in my taxi again.


Now , lets do a 360 and REALLY appreciate MY FIRST DRUNK SANTA ever in my taxi.

Thank you , thank you, please ...no please, everyone stop clapping and get back to the blog.

I got in line as 2 cabs pulled up to this Santa and as they pulled off leaving Santa Claus without a ride I felt the NEED to get Santa to his destination regardless of his state of mind.

ITS SANTA DAMMIT !!! .....so I was the lucky one to pick Santa up. Beer Goggles and all.

A Christmas classic indeed.



Before I let Santa in I locked the doors and asked if he was going to puke as he hiccuped where his destination was which was believe it or not Macy's at 34th St...His answer was "I did that already , don't worry about it" A Miracle to 34th St indeed was occurring in my cab tonight ...a drunk guy ....NOT going to throw up...and Kris Kringle heading towards the grandpooba of Santa gatherings round the world !!! He got in , asked me kindly to put some rock n roll on and BLAST it ...He gave me a station number , I cranked it up , he said "F*** yeah , thats what Santa needs" and then passed out. Tears flowed down my cheeks at the fact that Santa was sleeping in my Taxi....and here he is sleeping with his beer goggles up against the partition. It truly is Christmas.


....and he sinks lower and lower as I hold my breath that he doesn't puke...SANTA don't puke !!!
He awoke exactly at where I was gong to leave him at a red light across the street from Macy's , thanked me for stopping and cranking the music , wished me a Merry Christmas , tipped me $5 and exited the cab to a gaggle of people trying to get an empty taxi and coherently put his beer goggles on and walked into the night....my new customers asked " Was Santa drunk?". I replied , "no he was Shitcanned"....BUT he was Santa so let it go !! ...and they did.



The front of Bloomingdales.


The back of Bloomingdales.


Bloomindales has speakers set up which play Tony Bennett tracks off of his new CD, "A Swingin' Christmas featuring the Count Basie Big Band" as you walk by all the decorated windows. Tony was from where my father and mother grew up and I grew up a little in Astoria,Queens NYC. I saw him perform in Vegas at The Desert Inn for the Millennium with his daughter as the opening act and Mr.Warmth Don Rickles at a table right next to me. He actually sang a song without a microphone to show how the Desert Inn acoustics were so well built that he didn't need a microphone. He sounded great.

This is his first holiday album in 40 years.

You can hear other tracks at this site:

http://www.tonybennett.net/


...or just click on the video and listen as you scroll through Bloomie's with The King.....Soooooo what are ya gonna buy me?





Click on the photos to enlage and enjoy.




Jingle Bells.



Jingle Bells photo # 2.



Silver Bells.




I'll be home for Christmas.



The Christmas Waltz.



Christmastime is here.



Have yourself a merry little Christmas.


Santa Claus is coming to town ..why?? BECAUSE THE KING PICKED HIS DRUNK ASS UP !!!




Oh Christmas tree.


Well, thanks for visiting Bloomingdale's with me , I had a grand time and appreciate all the gift cards you'll be sending my way ....I may not work at Bloomie's but I am the King Of New York Hacks. Hope all your shopping is done and as my fellow brother Mad D.C. Cabbie always says, please don't forget the homeless. Peace out.



I really mean it ...the King was homeless once ...and it ain't no fucking picnic. Reach out my brothers and sisters, its the holidays and it is COLD here .



Nuff said....Thanks for stopping by everyone , next stop maybe Rockefeller Center...or who knows ?? Its a fun ride no matter !!!!

The King turned the big 40 !! Salvation Army Greetings and the Wall Street Tree lit to singing carolers !!

First off, thank you everyone for all the genuine comments that were left on my prior post. They all were very kind and am grateful that so many of you took the time to say some great things to start the season off right. I apologize for not responding to each one as I normally try to do , just too damn busy this last week, sick, and turning 40 is not fun except that I had a great surprise party thrown for me and a good time was had by all !!!

They even turned my party into a King theme !!!! Good Stuff !! Maybe 40 and on will be just as fun as the rest of life, keep tuning in here til I'm 80 to find out.


Yes , the King turned the big 40 last week !!
...still will be keeping his eyes on the city and bringing it to you !!




This was my Birthday Cake which will NOT wind up on the website CakeWrecks !!...hopefully.

I was shocked at the cake , King face and all, I had a feeling they would smash it in my face and say you're no king !! ...however they let me have my cake and eat it too.




My man Eddie was ringing the bell on Wall St raising money for all the good things that the Salvation Army provides for people in times of need. I asked Eddie if he would say hello to my readers and he asked if I would make a donation which as I always do for the Salvation Army put my cash in the pot , he thanked me, wished me a happy holiday and asked me what to say.




Here is my man Eddie wishing us all well just as a band that was traveling to each Salvation Army sight, just arrived to play a song and then move on to another charitable sight. Perfect timing for the King.




Not quite sure if I'm King of the Cats,The King of New York Cats, or The King Of New York Hacks !!! No worries though I'll take any title !! LOL

Can't see the video...you tube link here- Happy Holidays King of New York Hacks and Readers !!


If you have read my prior street fair post , this is the "One Man" who was playing the National Anthem as people protested America, however on this day he was chillin' playing "Silver Bells"...and he looks like Santa to boot, or maybe he is.



Can't see the video...you tube link here- The King of New York Hacks videos "ONE MAN" playing Christmas Carols !!


Announcing the New York Stock Exchange Tree Lighting
Entrance to the New York Stock Exchange and their Christmas Wreath.


Usually there is a full flag flying covering the columns, but they changed it up a bit and made it look supercool for the holidays and to remember our troops overseas. Classy.


Not a very clear shot, but the tree is not lit yet , and I'm a lousy photographer.


Tree lit during the day.


Looking good as the sun goes down !!
Now that's a Christmas Tree !!!!



They had a pretty elaborate show planned with a finale of Aretha Franklin singing some christmas carols, but I had to get to my second job driving the taxi, so I got to see this talented group of carolers who could give Aretha a run for her money, enjoy.




Can't see the video...you tube link here- King Of New York Hacks and Wall St Christmas Carolers !!



So in closing , I know I said I would try to post everyday this month, but I failed miserably at that. So , I will TRY to post something everyday or every other day to show you how the city is shaping up for Christmas and the Holidays. I will bring you to the sights you want to see as if you are in my taxi with me, not only am I your Holiday tour guide, but I am also The King of New York Hacks....or Cats...whatever. LOL

Hospital Adventure, and an inspiring New Yorker.

Sometimes when you drive a taxi, especially in New york, you eventually have someone who is feeling ill and wants to get to the nearest hospital or a clinic of their choice as soon as possible. Believe it or not we are quicker than an ambulance most of the time and we won't charge you $1000.oo for the trip. Generally they are accompanied with a friend. Last week however I had an experience with a lovely woman who was not feeling good, she was alone and needed a hospital immediately. I drove her there quickly, and she let me know later how she was doing.

She sent me an email to let me know she was doing better. She told me I could post the letter, so I'll let you see how it played out. Going into the holiday season with helping someone even though in a very small way makes you feel good. So keep up the spirits people, I sometimes drive around cursing the world that I need to drive a cab and work a day job to survive, but my experiences in the taxi are far more real than I ever anticipated...and that's a great thing.

First letter to the King:

11/22 - Sally Loper -- I got into your cab, bleeding out of my mediport. (That's something connected to me, with chemotherapy. It's not supposed to bleed. It's supposed to be disconnected after 48 hours, but this was the day before.) The people at the NYU Cancer Center told me to get there ASAP. They said "put on anything, just get yourself here as soon as you can. We'll wait for you." I was terrified.

You were just great! I only told you enough for you to drive as fast as you could, and to go through yellow lights. The traffic was really bad.

You paid attention to my name, so if I passed out you'd know it. You were so worried. You did a great job driving, told me you had been an EMT at one point (so I knew I was in great hands.)

You kept on asking me how I felt. I was just scared and nervous, but not feeling as if I would faint. But I was grateful you were asking.

When I got out of your cab, you wanted to walk me in to the Cancer Center. I didn't need you to do so, but the offer was really appreciated.

I want to thank you so much for your kindness and courtesy. You were just great.

Sally Loper

PS: If you want to put this note on your web site, please do.


My response:

Ms.Loper,

I apologize for not having returned a response sooner, but my computer was broken and I just received it back from repair. I read the email you sent me the day after, however for some computer reason, I could not type !! Now I can, and I can't tell you how relieved and happy I was to see you reply back so soon and that you were doing better !

You are an inspiring New Yorker !

You said you were "terrified"? Well you could have fooled me !! Here's my version !!

As you spoke on your cell phone with purpose to set the receiving medical team in motion at NYU and softly ask me to take yellow lights because you were...BLEEDING !! It did not stop there, you then in true New Yorker mode asked to smoke, lit up a cigarette, and told me how the city was going to shit. Then you adamantly said "The city couldn't even feed the homeless" !!
( thinking of others as you were terrified, a true angel indeed has arrived in my taxi ! )

You then drew in a puff of smoke and let it out with a spiteful look that told me right there that you are a fighter and nothing can beat YOU down.

I told my whole family about you the next day and how brave you were walking into the hospital on your own ! They were just as happy as I was to hear that you replied through my website! I am grateful that you did.

I lost my mother to cancer in 1997 and today would have been her birthday. She fought cancer bravely and blew smoke in its face ( smoked her whole life ) for 20 years ( they told her she had less than 6 months and to say goodbye to family ) before finally losing the battle at a young 57, but she gave quite the fight for a very long time and you reminded me of her that night as you do today. I was only doing what I was trained to do in those circumstances and was more than happy to give any help, whether it be blowing red lights or just moral support. The bottom line is you are a very brave woman, give yourself the credit because you deserve it. Cool, calm, and collected as you became your own EMT. No ambulance...Move with a purpose. Not an easy task bleeding into a mediport and go hail a taxi.

It was my pleasure to meet you Ms.Loper and thank you again for your much too generous tip. Thank you for inspiring me, and my family...and tomorrow as I celebrate Thanksgiving with my loved ones, know that you will be there with us as we toast you. I wish you all the health in the world and hope the holidays bring you great times. Please tell your friends/family my side of the story, I'm sure they will not be surprised.

Happy Thanksgiving,

Edward


Ms.Loper's Response:
Edward,

I am so sorry to hear about your mother. Fifty-seven is so young. It's interesting; it's only 9 years later, but there was an article in the paper about cancer now being a "chronic disease"; i.e., that so many new discoveries are constantly being made that people don't die. I'm sorry for her and for you. Losing a mother at any time is truly a traumatic, life-changing event. I don't think you ever quite get over it completely.

You were so cute. You seemed initially very cautious, not knowing quite what to say. I worried that you might be scared, asking my name so if I passed out, you could get me help. But then I think you just became worried, which I'm sure I conveyed to you. (Worry is contagious!)

Then it was so great hearing about your working in Wall Street, and your web site. You seem like such a creative guy, not letting the dust settle under your feet. I'm sure many other men on Wall Street aren't working a cab at night. I forgot myself completely, just interested in what you were telling me.

I'm so pleased you still have a whole family with whom you spent Thanksgiving! (It's only my sister and myself now, and we are not good friends at all. That may change at any time.)

I spent Thanksgiving with two close girlfriends, and one of their mother's, 90 years old, and amazingly lively, great looking, entertaining, etc. (She is a bit conventional and superficial, which my friend has been fighting against her entire life, but we all felt good she was with us and enjoying herself. We found out, just think, that she took a cruise to South America on her honeymoon. Life was so different in the 1930's when she got married.)

Anyway, I digress. Your note back to me was entirely unexpected.

I have a sense that whatever you end up doing, you'll be quite successful. You are a charming, warm, personable, bright man. I'm sure the people around you admire you.

Best, best wishes,

Sally



Wow. What a nice woman to take the time out of her schedule to say such nice things to a New York Hack. I've helped people before only to be ignored or just reactions like" you only drove us there" whether it was medical or I gave someone a break in the freezing cold and drove them home for pennies. Some people suck.

Ms.Loper does not, and in fact is a genuinely awesome person..I hope her sister and herself can mend whatever broken fence needs to be repaired. Life is too short, I have been mad at family before and mending the relationship is always the better alternative.

I was fortunate to meet her and share our little adventure to the hospital and not only did she tip me well which was my least concern , she thanked me with these letters. True kindness.

As the holiday season has arrived, help the homeless or anyone else you think may need a little break, there are a lot worse off people than you and I. I really hope you enjoyed reading this experience, its a real New York Hack moment not to be overlooked. My mother had a creed she lived by, "Be an Angel, Practice random acts of kindness" ....it seems Ms.Loper does too, keep inspiring us Ms.Loper and I'll keep watching over the city streets as I faithfully remain, The King Of New York Hacks. Peace out peepers.

Big Bird....Not the Thanksgiving Kind.

I grew up loving Big Bird. My friend used to tell me he was a bird who took too much acid and thats why he always saw the snuffleuffagus elephant. He also said Oscar the grouch was addicted to heroin and that cookie monster was a pothead who always had the munchies.Well in the summertime I was talking to a couple of the other drivers as a group of prostitutes walked by, one being about close to 7 feet tall and she was a woman.

This old time Italian driver told me her name was Big Bird. I told him thanks for ruining my childhood thoughts of Big Bird and now when I hear the term I think of the prostitute , not the puppet. I tried to get a couple of pics of her but they never came out right.

However the other day I got out pretending I was getting something from my trunk and she saw my camera and said "gimme a dollar for my pic". I denied, but got in my taxi and stuck the camera too the window and clicked away. She turned around and I didn't think I got a pic of her until I reviewed them later. Not only did I get it , but I got Big Bird giving me the bird !!! Classic !! I will try to interview her on video in the near future. She is at my garage all the time. Seedy area.


The old Big Bird.




The new Big Birds advertising slogan.


New BJ 99 cents !!! The economy really is hurting !!


and here she is Big Bird giving me the Bird !!!! Gotta love it !!! She wasn't happy as she called me a few things that I will not post to protect the pg rating of my blog. Click the pic to get a good view of her.


Lets start off the season with one of my favorite musicals from when I was a kid.








Hope you enjoyed that one, I am not heatmiser nor snowmiser and I did NOT get the 99 cents special from Big Bird !!! I am not a puppet, I am just The King of New York Hacks. I will try to post every day this month. either a story. some pics, or any requests you would like to see from New York for those who cant make it here.peace out. I am not getting Big Bird to pull the full monty so don't even go there perverts.