KING OF NEW YORK HACKS

Twaz the Nite B4 a NYC Kristmas

2011-12-24T12:32:00.000-05:00

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the City

Not a creature was stirring, not even the King Eddie;

The taxis were parked by the meters with care,

In hopes that King Edward soon would be there;

The year has been tough, blame the banks and the Fed,

No worries tonight, we’re here and not dead;

When in my back seat, arose such a clatter,

I turned to look and see WTF was the matter.

In the rear view mirror, her eyes had met mine,

A pregnant girl named Ho, her gaze, had met mine !

The moon on her face , that heavenly glow,

A newborn coming to New York City… we understand such a glow.

When what to my city eyes, should all this appear,

But a hansom cab, and a driver full of cheer,

With a little young man, so cocky and quick,

I knew in a moment it must be Nicky Ho…The Pimp

More rabid than Yankee fans, her shouts
they did come,

She whistled, and cried, and shrieked out “Nicky you’re a bum !!”

Now Nicky, now Ho! This is no way to behave,

Order in my Taxi, preparations must be made !

Park your cab Nicky, in the back you will go,

Steady breaths and be rhythmic, the world awaits another Ho !!

All traffic and lights in the way of this ride ,

Surely these obstacles ,will cause someone to die;

So up on the sidewalk, the backseat screamed with glee ,

This Taxi full of Chaos and the driver is me !!

And then, on Park Ave, I heard on this haul,

The knocking and banging from an old man with a drawl,.

As I turned to the Ho’s, and was calming them down,

Into my Taxi, Kris Kringle entered like he owned the town!

He was tattered with rags, from his foot to his head,

And his face looked quite famished , perhaps he was dead.

A knapsack of booze he had flung on his arm,

And he said “Occupy Wall Street” sure’twon’t do any harm!

His eyes -- how they shifted, his cheeks red as
cherry,

His ears like a devil, he called to Nicky and said be merry !

His sly little mouth was drawn up like a curtain

And the whiskers of his chin were like worms I was certain !

The base of a crackpipe he held tight in his hand,

And the smoke that bellowed, The King knew this is banned !!

Nicky screamed "WTF I’m here with my Ho",

Kringle just laughed, and said "indeed I do know !"

The King hit the gas, in the air such a chill,

I shouted “get the fuck out”, "a baby coming is God’s will !";

A blink of his eye, and a twist of his noggin,

Gave me the trust, I will be able to
continue my blogging ;)

He spoke not a word, but uttered right to Nick,

“No more pimping for you, or I’ll be back, ya little dick”,

And laying his finger upon the flicking of his nose,

Gave a nod to the King… out of my Taxi he rose.

He jumped on my hood and to Miss Ho he did speak,

“A lovely gift this baby is, see things aren’t so bleak”,

“Be good now Nicky, and Ho do the same,

your child will need you, no fingers to point blame”

…surely I must have gone insane…

"Merry Christmas to all,
and to all a good-night.

Three Ho’s for all of
you …Ho Ho Ho !"..."Aigghhhttt"
…

"and to you King.. A Very Merry Christmas"

then he laughed like a child
and this is what he said
“HO HO HO HO”

singing waking the dead
“ho hohohohohoo” “hahahahahah”

"MERRRYYY CHRISTMASS !! "

Then this fella Kris Kringle,
rose above the street lamps

Caring about me,
and the New York City Tramps

Nicky said to no one … “he gave me a chance “

I said “Use it well....you have True Romance” …

Into the fog I continued my drive,

To Lenox Hill Hospital

where
the King ...

became alive …

ironic aint it :-)

...and the Ho's lived happily ever after. :-)

Ho Ho Ho !

This is what the King looked like
so many moons ago
at Lenox Hill...
I was not a Ho.

Cute, aint I ?

So in closing

I wish you best wishes and cheer,

A very Merry Christmas

and a Happy New Year

Please don't forget the Homeless

PEACE OUT PEEPS

#KONYH

The KING of Photography Jez Coulson, The Diners on the Edge of New York, and the K.O.N.Y.H.

2011-11-03T06:35:00.006-04:00

Not a normal post , but one I hope you read on.. a great experience for King Edward :-)

Two weekends ago I was very fortunate to participate with an amazing group of professional photographers from the "World Photography Organization New York City Project "Diner on the edge of America" led by world renown reportage photojournalist, and New York City knighted KING of photography, Jez Coulson !! ....Yes, I knighted him !! You wanna be knighted ?? Come and visit me !! ;)

Jez Coulson is a New York based photojournalist and 'reportage artist' , he has won numerous awards for his work in journalism covering conflict in Africa and the Middle East and in Northern Ireland, he has also won awards and accolades for his commercial photography, and for his work as an artist. For more information about Jez, visit his website and blog.

View Jez Coulson's
You Tube Description of Workshop and Jez

I have conversed with many brilliant photographers since I started driving a taxi, and blogging...but this was my first interaction on a practical basis of actually holding a camera, WITH that professional, using the techniques such as composition, depth, focus, and a King's eye hahaha..I already had that last one perfected ;) ...However , I was extremely fortunate to acquire the rest from this extraordinary workshop !

Diner on the edge of America ? In New York City ??....I liked this idea...No..I LOVED this idea !!!

I've been to so many diners over the last 20 years, more of them closed than are open !!! ...I had to participate in this project...A famous reportage photojournalist who eats at diners ??

The King must pursue this...he must....it has to be too good to be true for a fellow blogger to be doing a project on NYC Diners ?...

...nope, it IS TRUE !! Here is a pic in a diner of Jez Coulson on the right and the brilliant Multi Talented Photographer/Editor/Creative Director Amin Torres on the left who manages the famous blog BOCETOS, ...unfortunately you see a ketchup bottle that Jez would like to smash over my head right now for not taking it out of the picture before snapping it !!! Hahaha !! See ! I AM Learning !!! ( Sorry Jez!) Just click on their names to visit their brilliant blogs which have won MANY awards and collectively had more than 30 million visitors pay attention to their New York City pictures that will leave the King's blog just a distant memory !....However, please feel free to visit my stale humor and pics every now and then anyway folks. :)

Jez has a gift for teaching, and speaking in front of a group.... he reminded me of a cross between Ewen McGregor, Charlie Sheen, and Atticus Finch...He is from England but has spent much time in America, AND diners...don't get me wrong about the Charlie Sheen reference, Jez has a verbal gift and structure while presenting with an English accent, that McGregor has perfected in his roles...and Sheen has also done extensively with charm and humor, which make them both so successful as actors, and people...but he also has an honesty that he doesn't hide and wants to help you reach the highest level of talent you have without compromising yourself...thats the Finch that maybe I'm not clear on, but you'll just have to book meeting him for his Chicago Workshop from December 9th to 11th to know what I'm talkin' about !! ..

Jez Coulson, The King of Photographers has been "winning" long before Sheen started saying it...Jez has been around the world in very difficult places to take photos, such as South Africa, Northern Ireland, Rwanda... winning awards and being humble about it...If Jez wasn't carrying a camera, I'd expect him to be wielding a light sabre like McGregor...He's not only a cool dude, he's an artist...not just a photographer...and when you visit his blog, you'll see what I'm talking about...Trust the KONYH on this one, you won't be sorry.

So how did King Eddie meet Jez Coulson ?? I've conversed with him over the years through our blogs because he has an affinity for New York City Yellow Taxi Cabs, and a great sense of humor.. like me !! hahahaha....thats right :) ..when you see his pics with reflections of yellow cabs in diner windows, it just shows that even though he wasn't born here..He IS a New Yorker...some people live here their whole lives and don't GET New York...Jez "GETS" New York, and it shows in his pictures. Jez has actually done a photo trip with my friend and fellow yellow Noah NYC Taxi Photo , if you've never seen Noah's NYC Taxi Blog, well... now you will ;-) ...its brilliant.

Here is a pic of Jez taking a pic of the KONYH while my fellow "diner picture taking comrade L to the D to the double Cc ...the beautiful... world famous... photojournalism photographer Lauren DeCicca as she bites her lip not telling me I'm using too much flash !!" ( sorry :) ) ...they both really have the patience of Saints to deal with the likes of me..Once again, click on her name to see her brilliant work. :)

...and Saturday morning, the day of the first shoot..we began in a diner taking random pics...and I was fortunate enough to meet this lovely woman who was not camera shy...and I began to shoot photos while Jez Coulson told me how to change my point of view...my angles...my rhythm.."keep snapping" said Jez...I snapped...Move your hands..I moved them...take that butter knife and stab yourself..."I refuse"...Jez smiled, ...he said "you have a chance at being a photographer matey" hahahaha :) ....what a beautiful woman. :) ...I kept snapping...

...and kept snapping...

..and even when new customers came in...I kept snapping..

When I traveled to a different diner...I kept snapping...

I love random subway pics...

...The King loves taking a blurry picture...which to my surprise Jez encouraged...He said "Take the Pic"...he wasn't with me, but I heard his opinion on what would make a good picture ringing in my head....I snapped....and kept snappin...thanks Jez....

...and I arrived at another diner with a new perspective...I was seeing things differently now...I like this new point of view...I thought I was already a photographer because I took pictures...how wrong I was...I snapped away...at The Brooklyn Diner, in Manhattan :) Ironic no ??? LOL

...ordered what I always have ordered since I had my fist paper route when I was 7 years old and bought my first Vanilla Egg Cream...My favorite, and have never not ordered it in a diner. :) ..This one was , as expected... delicious...if a diner makes it, its usually delicious...order on, it comes in chocolate too, but I'm a Vanilla Egg Cream Connoisseur and this was GOOD....Damn Good :)

...Saw a Chocolate Milkshake which look pretty good too...Hey !! Remember folks this is about the focus of the plates and the depth of the photo, not the food !! hahahaha Like we can resist !!! ...Like a true NYC diner, Brooklyn Diner gives you the extra shake left in the big tin...Nice !!

...and the Chef's work frantically while I snap away for a perfect photo !

...I asked what was the most popular dish at this diner, and this is what I got....HOLY SMOKES !! ....lets not discuss all the words to describe this Brooklyn Diner NY Hot Dog..Nuff Said !! hahahaha. :) ...I could not finish it and ate the rest later...Whoa !! Will not do that again !! Holla !!

This diner photography isn't good for my health !!

So I went to the editing session on Sunday , the last day where they pick a picture we took that is worthy... here is a brilliant shot of Universally known Jes, Amin, and renown Steve Marshall who has the blog photo-dialogue...Yup , THAT Steve Marshall.... oh, and the fat head looking stunned in the right bottom corner,... well that's me, The KONYH :) ...hopefully you won't delete his sorry blog after you visit these pros !! ;)

Here, Jez is telling me all the things I did right ...AND all the things I did wrong !! Which is why I look like I'm gonna barf !!! The King is being schooled !!...and the best part is I'm lovin' every minute of it, and am grateful to have such a brilliant teacher and colleagues to school me on how to take brilliant photos !! ...Wow..I'm not worthy I'm thinking to myself...sheesh, how the hell did I wind up surrounded by such talent ???!! ...oh yeah, I'm the King, of Hacks :) ...

....and a few days later I arrive at the Chelsea Art Museum for the exhibition...and am BLOWN AWAY by my colleagues work hanging on the wall ... along with MINE hanging on the wall....Brilliant !! . :) The King's pic is the lady drinking coffee !! Brilliant !! I am in AWE !! Our pics are being displayed til the 12 th of November !! Lovin it !! Come visit !!! Now you have a reason !! Hahahah !! ...seriously you do :)

...and Here's King Edward with the "Mega" ( as Jez would say ) photo picked for the exhibition...one of the proudest moments of my New York City picture takin'taxi life... that would have never existed had I not become a NYC yellow taxi driver...or become a blogger, or have met Jez Coulson, and had his guidance along with my colleagues to take such a brilliant photo...Amazing is an understatement..felt pretty damn good , thanks Jez and all my fellow workshop mates. :) Our work is being shown at Chelsea Art Museum until the 12th of November, now that is MEGA !!

Here's a pic of Amin and Jez once again laughing at too much flash !! Haha !! Hey mates I'm gettin better !! LOL...OK...I know I'm horrible !!

....and if you find yourself walking into a diner and wondering if your pic is being taken, or if the King is driving by in the reflection of a New York City Minute, through the shadow of a diner..pause and ask yourself why you're not in it , or taking it...or if you're suddenly in the lens of a photographer who is in a Diner on the Edge of America that was taught by none other than Jez Coulson who has a class in Chicago next month ...do yourself a favor if you're near it and sign up...well worth the money, experience, and becoming a part of the World Photography Organisation which is second to none.

When I was a young NYC kid, a teacher had forbidden me to be creative...( and trust the King, I WAS creative !!) ...because she said it was ignorant, and my words would offend people... But in my present time, I've experienced enough of life, and have regained the soul of confidence to realize that I can have faith in a world that was almost stolen from me, only to be introduced in the present time as a spectator with a possibility, that my inner being of creativity can exist... and was awakened...in a Diner on the edge of America....

Like many taxi drivers in New York City where the Autumn days are long and boring, I love taking pictures well into the evening... Then in the evening of a New York City moonlight, my inner being fades with memories, and sometimes those memories are like the whirlpools of time under the Hells Gate Bridge, where my Grandfather almost drowned once, but hung on...it builds a balance that creates hope...the hope of life, and perhaps a picture...that will evoke my emotion..and perhaps yours..I hope.

Maybe someday The King will be a professional photographer, and amongst my colleagues we will all exist equally...maybe... sometimes all experiences blend into one...and King Jez Coulson will guide us through it....like he did me...

New York City Diners were created by the world's immigrants and the hands of a time where an Egg Cream are not soon forgotten.... On some of these diners lie the remnants of a food riot...deep beneath the scars of New York City's appetite are the recipes, and most of the ingredients are yours....

The King is possessed by the photos and food of New York City...and the teachings of Jez Coulson... AND my colleagues... Here are their brilliant links, I encourage you all to visit every one of them... :-)

Thank You !!

My classmates. Please visit their "Mega" talented photo blogs :-)

http://laurendeciccaphotography.com/ Lauren

http://www.harmonyom.org/ Veronique

http://www.ullmanphoto.com/ Dana Ullman

http://www.cherylanngould.com/-/cherylanngould/ Cheryl Ann Gould

http://www.photo-dialogue.com/ Steve Marshall

http://laurendeciccaphotography.com/ Lauren DeCicca

http://youtu.be/MxKWILykUi8 JEZ DINER INTRO YOUTUBE

The Chicago Diners on the Edge of America ...Sign up if you are near Chicago !! :-)

http://www.worldphoto.org/festivals-events/buy-tickets/city-project-chicago/

...and through their pictures and links there is a Yellow New York City Taxi ....and King Edward drives through it...Thanks for riding with me friends..

Peace out peeps.. :-)

A King's Report from Occupy Wall Street.

2011-10-13T18:41:00.001-04:00

Hot New York Pretzel...sooo goood. I knew that would get your your attention. : )

OK...I took a some heat from my last post because I wrote about Occupy Wall Street, got a few unhappy emails asking me to stick to my pictures and regular stories about NYC...The thing is, once behind the wheel as a taxi driver, my ass is occupying a front row seat to New York City, and like the description of my blog says, "watching the city and bringing it to you, I am the King of New York"... well, if I brought you anything less like the mainstream media has in the past few weeks, I'd be the Joker...So I did just that and went down there to talk with people, and here are my thoughts. : )

A few weeks ago when Occupy Wall Street began, the media didn't cover it at all...the only information I would get on it was online, youtube, or people I would drive that went to the protest,were planning on attending it, or were just regurgitating what they read or saw on the internet.

The newspapers and media showed the mace incidents, the Brooklyn Bridge arrests, some unsavory characters who were living in the park and stating that this was the only type of people associated with this protest...and a lot of it was horseshit. The media focused in on people who were dressed different, didn't know there history, or were there for the free food...almost sounds like a meeting of congress. Anyway, when I went there, I was shocked to find they established a medical unit, a kitchen, a legal team, a comfort unit (clothes, blankets etc.), a media unit, an art department, 2 greeting tables, a library, and sanitation cleanup crew...they are not as unorganized as the media portrays...not to mention they have professionals working with them...I met Doctors, Lawyers, Medics, Librarians, Journalists,Professors, Ex-Bankers, Iraq-Afghan Veterans, and many more that are part of this protest...

Why are they being discredited ? What happened to journalism in this country ?? How can we not take veterans who served 6 years over in Iraq and Afghanistan seriously or at the very least hear them out ?
I may not agree with any of them, or I may agree with all, but I thought we are entitled to make up our own minds from fair and unbiased reporting...maybe not...this young man spoke about the fed and had a video go viral, but I don't see Geraldo Rivera interviewing this 20 year old frustrated student from Long Island who doesn't want a lifetime of debt.

I know some people say "Why are they protesting Wall St ? Why aren't they at the White House ? Who are these people ?

Well, from what I gathered, they are us. Americans. Unhappy Americans...like em or not, its a fact....and they chose Wall Street to begin their campaign...and were moved to Zuccotti Park peacefully...I spoke to bankers who told me about the firms they worked for and the way they pass off losses onto their retail clients charging them extra fees...in detail they explained why they are frustrated with the system that rewards the people who subscribe to hurting the little guy... the little American. One writer told me that Mayor Bloomberg's girlfriend who was the Superintendent of New York Banks is on the board of Brookfield Properties who own Zuccotti Park...I looked it up and he was right, she is on the board ...Well that's a "Public-Private relationship" that I haven't seen in the press at all...the writer told me he wasn't allowed to print it.

Is this the journalism we want for this country ??

Yes, there is a drum circle there which consists of some hippie types, and many other individuals...I'm not a drum circle kind of guy, but I do own one musical instrument...a cowbell... and I just had to park the ole Taxi and use the opportunity to practice my musical skills since the Yankees were knocked out of the playoffs...heh heh..you know you want more cowbell. : )

I met Nurses who are only given a 36 hour work week so they have to foot their own health plan, Veterans who came back from the war and can't find employment, Parents with their children working two jobs and worried that they'll lose their apartment soon due to rising costs and no pay raises, Construction workers who work in dangerous conditions...Real issues , real people...A lot of benefits that were fought for many years ago have been slowly taken away, and people are scared.

OK, enough of my ranting...lets go back in time...

The NYU Brown Building is a tragic piece of history...I took a walk by it the other day.

The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in New York City on March 25, 1911, was the deadliest industrial disaster in the history of the city of New York and resulted in the fourth highest loss of life from an industrial accident in U.S. history. It was also the second deadliest disaster in New York City – after the burning of the General Slocum on June 15, 1904 – until the destruction of the World Trade Center 90 years later.

NYU Brown Building Today.

Thoughts about the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire on its centennial.

Where organized labor had its tumultuous beginning.

It is now a National Historic Landmark.

The cornerstones explain the fire...

...and the history.

A reflection of a time not to be forgotten.

It's remarkable how history tends to write itself through tragedy in that we tend to need catastrophic events to initiate change...

The fire caused the deaths of 146 garment workers, who died from the fire, smoke inhalation, or jumped to their deaths. Most of the victims were recent Jewish and Italian immigrant women aged sixteen to twenty-three; the oldest victim was 48, the youngest were two fourteen-year-old girls. Many of the workers could not escape the burning building because the managers had locked the doors to the stairwells and exits to keep workers in, and union organizerss out. People jumped from the eighth, ninth, and tenth floors. The fire led to legislation requiring improved factory safety standards and helped spur the growth of the International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union, which fought for better working conditions for sweatshop workers.

What will history make of us ? ...we can do much better.

This spirited young girl is building a mountain of student loans...

The movement even have their own paper...The Occupied Wall Street Journal.

I haven't seen anyone interview Queen Mother Sylvia Jordan who is 92 years old, an Army Chaplain, Blind and in a Wheelchair...but the King did...She told me stories about the civil rights movement, a former WWII Buffalo soldier, and one of the few surviving HR23 (served in the United States merchant marine including the Army Transport Service and or the Naval Transport Service) during World War II. She is still fighting for the Merchant Mariners of World War II Bill for benefits that were killed by Congress. She is an inspiring woman and if you are in NYC, stop by and talk with her, she is an amazing human being.

Queen Mother Sylvia Jordan with Winnie Mandela

...and is blessing the youth of today...this young kid is a medical student with a boatload of debt.

The volunteers for the legal team are made up from all races, creeds and colors...paralegals, lawyers and clerks...these are tomorrows leaders peeps.

...and a lighted hula hoop keeps people smiling down there.

They put the King on a leash because of my cowbell playing...but they couldn't stop my howling at the economy. Owooooooo ! !

..and this I agree with no doubt...Wall St, certainly needs an enema...maybe two.

Even 3 years olds are pissed off at the lies.... that's not good...a juicy box won't fix that.

I've seen some wrong on both sides...I've seen some people rude to the police, and I've seen some police rude to regular people and trying to agitate them...even the King almost got caught up in one of those orange nets they have when I was just coming out of a building while they were protesting outside Wall St...I also saw a Police Officer juggling with one of the kids and discussing pensions, and how bowling pins are easier to juggle with two people rather than balls...the pins have a handle to focus on, who knew ? Can't save the economy but hey, at least we all go down juggling. Overall, they are all decent people down there with some opportunists mixed in like any event of this nature has...but they are educating each other with purpose and want a better America, I just cant argue with that...nobody should, and the media is dropping the ball...maybe they should use bowling pins too. I don't get to be on a side as a Taxicrat, in the course of a night I drive them all, Liberals, Republicans, Tea-party, Democrats, Rich, Poor, Happy, Sad, young. old...they're all American. Hopefully through the peaceful process, I hope the important issues will be addressed so our country can start functioning on the higher levels we are capable of and eventually we can end these wars and bring our brothers and sisters home...10 years is enough..

I may only be a Taxicrat, but I listen to the issues of all who flow through the ebb and tide of a New York City Taxi, and if I figure out what the answer is, you'll be the first to know as I honk my horn at the challenging times ahead and keep bringing New York City to you as I remain...

The King of New York Hacks.

Peace out peeps.

The King of New York Hacks, Occupy Wall Street, and the"WE ARE THE 99 %" song by Jeremy Gilchist .

2011-09-30T05:30:00.000-04:00

I thought I'd touch on the Wall St occupation...hey, I AM the King of New York :-)

I've had fares that agree with the protesters and think the banksters are crooks, and I've had customers who think they are a bunch of clueless hippies who should find a job...what do I think ??

Well, being a Taxicrat I can only report what I am seeing from both sides...I pick up one person who tells me how they have student loans over $50,000 in debt and can't find a job...they ask me, if they took my parents home because they couldn't afford the payments anymore, will they take my degree too if I can't pay ?? I assure him he'll keep his knowledge and eventually be employed...hang in there.

I also pick up the tired police officer after a double shift who tells me how he is embarrassed how some have acted and hopefully he won't be judged by the poor actions of a few bad apples...I assure him we will not, certainly I won't...hang in there.

...it was only a decade ago when we were all standing together in this country after being attacked, and now there is a tension in the city unlike anything I've ever felt before...and contrary to what many people are seeing on the internet, it has been a very peaceful protest outside of the incidents that happened Saturday..

I've heard many things about the occupation of Wall St this week...the latest was all those people protesting are the same idiots that bought houses with 0 down and if you gave them 99 more weeks of unemployment they'd crawl back into their caves...

Well, I disagree with that comment, maybe some are like that, but certainly not all of them. I stopped by Zuccotti Park a few times this week and talked with a lot of people..The Pilots from Continental were there, the Transit Unions will be there, The Postal Service has begun to help them...I spoke to many people including the police who want some kind of reform...there are a lot of people who are victims even with the best laid plans...I've been in this city my whole life and have never seen the likes of whats happening right now...I'm not sure what will happen, but something is happening and its getting bigger..

The Bull is in its little prison so the tourists and locals are not able to rub its balls for good luck.

If people think highly trained pilots are hippies, well the media in this country is not doing their job.
This IS ON Wall St !

Pizza's being delivered to the park 24 - 7

from South Korea no less !!

...and the police are getting along fine with the movement as far as I could tell this day...

...and yes, the stars always come out to show their support..Thats Susan Sarandon...she tried to seduce me, but her politics got in the way of our almost torrid love affair. :-)

The construction workers building the New World Trade Center have no problems with what the movement is about either...oh yeah , what is the movement about ??

Well, I asked that question to many of the people protesting, and it seems day by day they are being more clear about why they are there and what they want...I met lawyers, laid off, homeless, unemployed, working poor, paramedics, nurses, business owners, etc...Other unions are joining them and when this happens, I think we will see their main points being recognized...The lack of corporate regulation and the pure greed shown by places like Goldman Sachs and Bank of America are sure to be news as this unfolds...its a really long list, so I'm not surprised there isn't just one demand...there is a LOT of corruption in the world today...and unfortunately, history repeats itself often...

The BOSS TWEED times..very similar to today. (Come back and click the link to read about Boss Tweed)

For example, the construction cost of the New York County Courthouse, begun in 1861, grew to nearly $13 million – about $178 million in today's dollars, and nearly twice the cost of the Alaska Purchase in 1867.^[13] "A carpenter was paid $360,751 (roughly $4.9 million today) for one month's labor in a building with very little woodwork ... a plasterer got $133,187 ($1.82 million) for two days' work"...

Well just like then, a lot of people want to know where all the 9/11 money went, and why the New World Trade Center is taking so long and costing so much...the Wall St Journal reported that crane operators are making $500,000 a year and some are just relief operators who stand by all day...Similar to Boss Tweed, I think Boss Bloomberg will have a lot to explain about in the future.

Tweed accomplished many great things for New York City, but he was also cooking the books and a fraud...Tweed died in the Ludlow Street Jail on April 12, 1878 from severe pneumonia, and was buried in the Brooklyn Green-Wood Cemetery.^[22] Mayor Smith Ely would not allow the flag at City Hall to be flown at half staff...New York City has quite a history.

....it seems for now Liberty is in a fog, like when I took this pic below of Lady Liberty in the fog from the Staten Island Ferry....

We are living in troubled times, I see many struggling and I am one of them...I don't have the answers, but I see enough hard working people working two jobs some three just to keep a roof over their head and their bills paid...nobody is off jet setting to Monaco...the system is broke...and for our kids, and our kids children we must find the answers to maintain the freedom and liberty our forefathers built for us to uphold...not destroy it.

OK, thats my two cents on it...I'm going to keep asking people questions this week and hopefully I can give you a birds eye view of whats happening here in New York City. Like I tell people, we don't have to agree or disagree, but we must recognize that this IS happening, and sharing our thoughts makes us both better off from the experience...somebody shared the below song written by Jeremy Gilchist of the UK who is seeing similar circumstances across the pond...It was the first song I've heard about this movement, and I thought it was pretty cool...so here it is, the first one is a collage of recent events to the song and the one below is of Jeremy himself singing it...

We are the 99 Percent

Jeremy

Jeremy wrote this song for all those protesting in NYC as part of the Occupy Wall Street Demonstrations. Lyrics below:

They can take our money
They can take our homes
They can steal the future
Mortage our souls

Occupy the politicians mind
Buy the truth and sell us lies

But there's a rising on wall street
I am you and you are me
We are the 99%'ers
On the right side of love and history

It's hard to say where it went wrong
Decades before me and this song
Through the banksters and the wars
You know I just can't take it anymore

There's a rising on wall street

I am you and you are me
We are the 99%'ers
On the right side of love and history

Jeremy Gilchrist 2011 -

Jeremy Gilchrist Website

...all in all , what I want is for the 10 year war to end...We've lost 5000 kids already, and have bankrupted the country doing so...enough already, bring them home.

I may not be occupying Wall St, but I'd prefer my friends occupy their beds in the USA and not a foxhole in Iraq or Afghanistan...but what do I know, I'm just a Taxicrat reporting to you from these historic city streets as I try to remain, King of New York Hacks.

Peace out peeps.

REBORN finished...Ten Pic Tuesday.

2011-09-27T03:41:00.000-04:00

Well, I'm still trying to figure out how to display all the photos I took during September 11th Memorial 10 year anniversary...I may just make a slide show, but til then I thought I'd do a 10 pic Tuesday and start up regular posts again...I'll also be posting my taxi stories in the near future because they are just too good not to share...but for now, here's ten pics that I took on September 10th...enjoy.

One World Trade.

The New World Financial Center.

Motorcycle Tribute..

Wall St Hot Dog stand

Human Statue

Snake Ambassadors Dewey Dawson and Mike Richardson of New York City

Lady Liberty

USS New York - forged from the steel of the World Trade Center

Staten Island September 11th Memorial

Statue of Liberty from The Staten Island Ferry

Peace out peeps...Happy Tuesday.

REBORN cont'd. Catman Charlie and The KONYH - Cat on the Head Guy New York City

2011-09-20T06:47:00.003-04:00

Whats up peeps...I'll be continuing that 10 pic Tuesday like I was doing once September is over...I'd like to finish my posting about the rest of my walk around Ground Zero before I move on to other posts. I'm trying to post a good portion of the pics but my account album for photos is full and I have to figure out what I need to do to post all the pics I have, or create an account on a photo sight with a link...but I'd rather post the pics with my words...if anybody has a tip I sure would appreciate it. So I thought I'd share this part of my walk with you while I figure the rest out.

...During my walk I was coming up Broadway and spotted a familiar person across the street and crossed over to talk to him before I headed to St Pauls Chapel which was an oasis and camp for all the responders in the wake of September 11th 2001.

In 2008 the second post I wrote for this blog was about a guy I saw walking around Times Square with no shirt and a cat on his head screaming to people and pointing to a cat...on his head.

I didn't carry a camera then, and said to myself, "man, I'll never see that one again"...but I did a few weeks later ...and took the pic below...I titled my second blog post CATMAN BEGINS . He's become quite popular and most people will refer to him as "the Cat on the Head Guy"...this was cool.

So, to bump into the Catman on Broadway while doing my annual walk was an uplifting sight, knowing I can finally find out more about him...I've seen him from time to time while driving my taxi, but I always had customers in the car and never had the chance to call him over...now I did...and I'd get a good pic too !

I don't know about you, but every time I hear or use the ole "Ladies and Gentleman introduction", I think of Kermit the frog on The Muppet Show and how after he introduced whomever was the guest of the show he'd scream "Yayyyyyyy!!!" (click the yay to hear kermit)...best show ever those Muppets.

Ladies and Gentlemen...sans the beard, New York City's only Cat on the Head roaming street performer Mr. Charlie Perito and his cat Nicholas !!! Yayyyyyy!!!!

Charlie told me Nicholas is the THIRD cat that he has performed with, and that Nicholas loves being perched up there on the summit while watching all the happenings in New York City as they walk around town.

I asked him how did he start doing this and he told me how he was with his girlfriend one time and the original cat climbed up the chair where Charlie was sitting and rested on his head..He then found he could get up with the cat and walk around, so he took it to the streets of NYC.

The King is not a cat person being I'm allergic to their dander, but most cats I've come across in my lifetime listen to no one...People never train a cat to do a trick...however, Charlie is the exception...check out this video I filmed of Charlie inviting you to New York City while Nicholas reaches the apex of Charlies noggin...well done Catman.

So whaddya think ? Ya don't see that everyday...Ha !! I told Charlie he should walk around the block to where the cabaret bar The Pussycat Lounge is and he'd find other people who have the same thing on their mind and might throw a few dollars to his charitable fund...but he was heading north to The Great White Way.

Someone who saw the video messaged me that they like my accent ?? Accent ?? Moi ?? Us New Yorkers don't have accents, fuhgeddaboudit !!! I moved to Florida for a bit when I was younger and everybody made fun of the way I said Lobster and dollars...It always came out Lobsta and dollas !!..A Lobsta for Fi Dollas ??? Fuhgeddaboutit !!

Hey, its a dialect....who needs "R"'s anyway. :-)

...and off goes Charlie, walking up Broadway talking to everyone and introducing his feline friend Nicholas to the peeps of New York City...and that my friends all happened in a New York Minute.

So if you find yourself in New York City and see a dude with a cat on his head calling out for you, don't think you had too much at happy hour, that's just Chuck and Nick doing their thing, while another cool cat is behind the wheel of a yellow taxi doing his thing, scoping out the next piece of this city to bring to you as I remain , not the King of Cats but The King of New York Hacks.

Meow peepers.

REBORN

2011-09-17T08:32:00.000-04:00

So, once again I took my annual walk downtown New York City using the route I would take when I worked at 4 World Trade Center over 20 years ago...I documented my walk in 2008, if you haven't read it, here is the link September 11th Tribute 2008 . Its also in the sidebar on the right hand side with my 2009 and 2010 tributes if you feel like reading them...the 2008 one tells you a bit about me in the first few paragraphs if you've never been here before...

I took almost a thousand pictures during my walk on September 10th, and there was no way I could really capture in words how I felt or convey to you what it felt like here in NYC in one post...I tried, I usually line up all the pics and just let them tell the story as I reenact what I was feeling at that particular moment, but as I tried to sort the pics out, it was hard to leave many of them out...so I said fuck it, I'll put as many pictures of what I saw during my walk and keep my words short ( I'm aiming to keep it to under 75 pics a post ) ...I'm going to post at least 7 or 8 times to get through them all, but you'll see pictures of the tragedy, the progress, and what is beginning to feel alive again...some pics you may not want to look at, and some you will...but this is up close and personal with yours truly.

Ok, here we go ...this was my first sight when I took my walk this year of Battery Park, where they were flying 3000 flags and where The Sphere has been on display with an eternal flame since 2002. The Sphere was originally on a fountain in the center of The World Trade Center, and a frequent place I would eat my lunch, watch different entertainment shows they would have, or sit and people watch... it was an extremely popular meeting place filled with energy all the time..occasionally extra security was brought in to protect the King from being molested by all the women there, but that story is for another day ;-)

The Sphere was damaged during that tragic day, and stands today as a symbol of the indestructible spirit of New York City...of our Country...of you.

The Sphere and the Flags

Veterans paying their respects from wars gone by ...this soldier is proudly wearing his Vietnam Veteran shirt.

A motorcycle tribute...

This had all the details if you look closely, click on the pics for a better view...

The mirrors carved into the Firefighters Maltese Cross .

As you can see in the background, tourists looking at their map, a bicyclist and a jogger...on a Saturday morning there wasn't usually much activity down here...today had a different feel to it...it was busy...

Remember...

One Life One Flag

The Flags were set up... one for every victim...

Will never forget...

Names of the murdered make up the stripes to the Flag of Honor.

I experience similar memories of my walk in 2008 coming across Firefighter Brian Cannizzaro's name, whom I went to elementary school with and whose father was my basketball coach. A great person never to be forgotten.

...and Captain Patrick Brown, whose mass card I came across on my walk in 2008...a hero to all...

An American Flag to accompany the flags of the fallen...

This young girl was eating breakfast and checking the phone...its strange to think she may have been 10 years old when that tragic day happened.

...and just like in 2008, not an American Eagle, but it sure is nice to see a New York City patriotic pigeon again paying his respects and standing guard...

They may call them flying rats, but I dig the New York City pigeons...They got character.

Sphere and Eternal flame.

A box of memorial magnets was placed in front of The Sphere with a sign on the box of flyers saying thanks for paying respect and please take one...These were left byTuesday’s Children which is a non-profit family service organization that has made a long term commitment to every individual impacted by the events of September 11, 2001 and more recently those who have been impacted by terrorist incidents worldwide.

The Eternal Flame.

One Life ~ One Flag

The Flag of Honor and Flag of Heros List of how they are organized.

The Irish Flag.

Japan...There were flags representing 92 countries placed in the park alomng with all the others.

The Italian Flag.

The Flags of Honor.

I turn and glimpse over the Sphere to see the progress in the sky...

...almost...next year we'll get there.

The Flag of Heroes.

the Flag of Honor.

The Countries...

The spirit of the flags flyin...

Remembrance field of honor..

This was the first of many vendors that represent some foundation that is selling flags, plaques, or other items that state they are raising funds for the victims of 9/11...there are so many of them now that I just say I gave already and move on ....some are pretty aggressive too...what kills me is how many first responders died...and are dying, yet still can't get any help or medical care with all these foundations who are supposedly raising money for them...I hate to talk like this, but its a fact. So much money was raised and so little reaches the people who really need it...don't get me wrong, I know some of the foundations personally and have seen the tremendous work they are doing, and have done to ease the pain and help families who are in financial need...but I've also seen shady funds...you know what I'm talkin about, makes me sick...ok nuff said..

This is usually where I would begin to see 4 World Trade Center so many years ago, and in my last few walks haven;t seen much progress since that tragic day...the red plant pots are a nice addition though.

...except today, I get my first glimpse of a giant American Flag hanging...

Freshly painted pots..

New modern benches...

As I was walking I heard screeching tires and now have found the fresh tire marks left by what I'd heard a few moments ago...a donut.

I stand in the middle of the street just like I do every year, and seeing the flag hanging from one of the new buildings makes me stop and pause...

Finally a sign of real progress and hope...

It felt ....good.

On the right of me lining the street were a string of Dodge Vipers...that was the sound of the screeching I heard and one of them was the donut maker I showed you...one..

They each had a 9/11 Memorial Magnet on the door...These cars aren't cheap, the one below goes for about $100,000. Yes a hundred thousand !! ...two

Three...

Four..

Five...

I didn't ask who they were with and didn't really care...I thought the donuts in the streets while some people were clearly paying respects was a little over the top...but like I said earlier, today had a different feel in the air and it wasn't somber...six

seven..

Thats about a million dollars worth of vehicles there...maybe they'll let the King sell them so I can buy a taxi medallion, those are only $750,000...or how about we just sell them all and get our first responders the medical they need...

eight ..8 Vipers !! Can we please get medical for those who need it...ok ok nuff said on that, for now, but we'll revisit again at the right time.

For now, ...I'll tell you a true story I have about the Dodge Viper...I moved down to Florida many years ago and got a job as a Car Salesman at Ed Morse Dodge/Mazda...we had two Vipers on the lot...one in the showroom and one that was kept by itself and roped off for serious buyers...

So one day this hot shot comes in with his young daughter who he was going to buy the Dodge Viper for...He gets in the car with my coworker who's already telling me how much he's gonna make selling this car to them..I never saw the car move yet so I was into it..The father is kickin the tires asking all about the car while the girl just wanted to be sure that she could get some fire stripes on the car...My buddy is agreeing to everything "sure sure, we have the best detail shop in south Florida, we can put blah blah blah" you get the idea.

So the dealership was on a dead end street, and that's where we usually would test ride vehicles being there was no traffic...So the hot shot and my buddy buckle up and the father hits the gas and screeches the tires which I could see made my buddy nervous because the manager didn't like screeching tires on a car not sold....they go down to the end and turn around and come back...about 50 yards to the end is all...the father says "good car, feels like I'm in a cockpit" ..My buddy was beaming with delight...Then, the daughter chimes in, "My turn Daddy, let me take it for a spin"...

So, she gets in the car, her and my buddy buckle up and they take off down the block...no screech of the tires, as the father is now telling me how he used to test race cars in Daytona...As we are watching them head down the dead end, she didn't slow down at the point where she should have, to begin turning around and she went straight through the end into and over a dirt mound about 6 feet high and right into the drink, which was a swampy lake about 2 feet deep at that time...BIG cloud of dust and a parking lot full of Holy Shits as all the salespeople ran towards the scene...

The front end was in the mud with the rear resting on the 6 foot hill... they were beat up a little bit, the girl was hysterical and my friend was bleeding from his head in shock, but they settled down and were ok, but stuck in the car...in its weird position..A helicopter came with rescue people to cut them out of the car and bring them to the hospital,.and while we were waiting the father turned to my boss and says "she don't even have her license yet, will she get in trouble ?"...one more Holy Shit was heard as far as Mexico that day...when I see the Viper, thats what I always think of and laugh...True story.
Vipers...Pffft !!! lol

New corner cafe's are bringing life downtown again...George's.

Cafe Bravo...

The Pussycat Lounge..under construction , but open.

...and Charlotte's place...I'll be doing a whole post on this little oasis downtown that is open to everyone. It is supported and operated by Trinity Church Wall Street, which is just around the block.

Where my old workplace used to be, they have almost finished one of the smaller buildings that will make up the new World Trade Center...thats not what they're calling it, but I am...for now...

...and as I approach Trinity Boxing I am reminded ...

We Got Back Up....

The open air gym had a woman training inside under The American Flag and some motivational posters...

We Got Back Up...yeah....we did.

10 years later, still fighting...remembering that day...we rose.

We swing big with everything we've got...We hit big or miss big and like to live life as big as we can....

...and though we are tired and weary, this fight is still on...and still going strong...we get back up...

We Remember...we Reflect...

and we REBUILD.

...and we'll continue until its ...ALL back up...We are ...REBORN.

God Bless All.

Never Forget

2011-09-11T19:12:00.000-04:00

A friend Eric I Stand Up Comedian wrote these words, which I found to be perfect for today.

Sometimes, people do evil things.

Sometimes, evil things end up hurting innocent people tremendously.

Don't be convinced, by another, or by your own greed, or by your own envy, to do an evil thing.

Don't tolerate the behavior of people who do evil things.

Don't be afraid to say &/or do unpopular things, even to your detriment, if it will stop the spread of evil.

And as hard as it is to do all of the above and to STILL be a trusting person - be a trusting person.

Never forget.

~ Eric I , Stand Up Comic

Never forget.

...took my yearly walk yesterday downtown and have many thoughts and pictures to share...but for today I found what Eric said to be the best words to share...thank you Eric.

Today was a day to look around and remember how lucky we all are to have the people we have in our lives, and never forget... to be happy.

God Bless my fallen brothers and sisters, and I pray for a safe passage home for my brothers and sisters who remain at war..

God bless all of you..

~ Edward ...King of New York Hacks

10 Pic Tuesday ...10 Years ago...REMEMBER...

2011-09-06T22:25:00.001-04:00

Time Warner Center...eerily resembles what my city has lost....

The World is ours...

Bomb scare Columbus Circle...just another night in NYC...

Solitude in the city...

Bedbugs...NYC got lots of them...notice how the mattresses are covered in Saran Wrap to suffocate the little buggers...no worries, my taxi only has rats....some people call them Investment Bankers. Ha !!

Everyone's welcome in the King's Taxi...These are the steps to Lincoln Center.

The King's competition...

Reflections of NYC...

Hailing...not the icy kind ;-)

NYPD Motorcycles Times Square...

10 years ago...I remember...

Today...

View heading downtown on West Side Highway...

Remember...

One World Trade Center...REMEMBER...

10 years already...still at war...still not built...

I remember...

Peace out peeps...

...next post on September 11th.

10 Pic Tuesday 3 and The King of New York Hacks

2011-08-30T00:00:00.002-04:00

Be careful whose door you knock on in New York City...sometimes if you see this kind of picture before you knock, you may just want to keep movin' or you'll wind up sleeping with the fishes if ya know what I mean.

The old telephone booths don't exist anymore, but when I have to change into my King costume because Batman or Spider Man are getting they're ass whooped, I always use the one with the light out...being the King isn't easy in this city.;)

When my eyes start seeing the road like this I know its time to turn my taxi in and sleepy time is necessary...don't drive when you're tired peeps, way too dangerous.

Gotta love a bail bonds that uses a young Frank Sinatra's mugshot for advertising...♫ if you can get busted here, you can get busted anywhere, its up to you New York , Bail Bonds ♫ !!

Everybody remembers the "Tank Man" of Tiananmen Square in China, when an unknown man stood up to a column of tanks...well this is the "downtown pigeon" who blocked the NYPD from putting more security on Wall St...forr a few minutes at least..NYC pigeons are pretty damn tough.

Here is one of the infamous New York City manhole covers...these are great in a stickball game and if you want to be remembered, you better hit the ball Three Sewers long...Willie Mays was a Three Sewer hitter...The King ?? Pleeeeeaaaaaaaasssssssseee...They don't measure my home runs by sewers, they call my shots Chrysler Buildings, because thats what I aim for... and generally hit. Ha !

The sad thing is as you can see if you enlarge the pic is these are made in India...I have nothing against India, I'm just scratching my head thinking that we have enough talent here in the USA to make the cover for some shit...Politicians are good at covering their shit, maybe every time we catch them doing a no no, they have to make a sewer cap...here's a link how they were made, pretty scary...NYC MANHOLES

Here is the King's Taximeter...always a good thing when it is running $$$$$$$

The Statue of Liberty usually comes off her pedestal and visits the King when I'm downtown...she really loves New York and always tells me her crown is better than mine...I agree Lady Liberty.

Below is a statue that has a plaque next to it that reads:

Invitation To Prayer

On September 23 1857, a businessman named Jeremiah Lanphier ignited what became a spiritual revolution in New York City. It all began at a simple prayer meeting in the financial district.Within months similar gatherings were being held throughout New York and across the nation. tens of thoudsands of lives were transformed.

At that time, there were 30,000 men idle on the streets of New York. Drunkenness was rampant, and the nation was divided by slavery. Ministering in the dark slums of Hell’s Kitchen, Lanphier poured himself into the lives of people who were homeless, helpless and hopeless.

Lanphier's story affirms that one person in humble obedience to God can make a profound difference.

As you can see his hands are opened as an invitation to pray with him...which the King did...and I prayed for a beautiful blonde...and closed my eyes...

The next thing I knew my prayer came true !!! Ha !!

This lovely young woman was sitting at the statue with a friend when I came to take a picture of it and was willing to be pictured in my blog while her friend was camera shy and ran for the hills !...I wrote her name on notepad that I left in my taxi one night and it wasn't there when I went to get it...so I hope she sees this post and comments so I can insert her name properly...thanks for being a good sport. :-)

So, another 10 pic Tuesday is in the books..or the blogs...The Hurricane wasn't so bad for the King, some lost power, a little flooding, but overall nothing major thank God...Thanks to all for sending their well wishes to me on Facebook and here on the blog as the storm came into NYC. All the thoughts and prayers that you sent worked big time for the King and NYC during the hurricane, not to mention they kept me in good spirits knowing that people from around the world were inquiring of my safety...my family and New York City thank you mucho... I may not be Jeremiah Lanphier, although I do pray up a storm for those who need it, and I'm certainly no pigeon, but I can hit the ball Three Sewers, and see a future passenger hailing my taxi 10 city blocks away...as I drive up to them... and introduce myself...

The King...of New York Hacks.

Peace out peeps.

Mob Scene Gallery, New York City Gangland, and The KONYH

2011-08-24T17:34:00.001-04:00

If you ever find yourself in Little Italy and spot a building that looks like our Capitol Building, then you know you are walking where New York City was once a Gangland.

This is the old Police Headquarters where the likes of Bugsy Siegel, Meyer Lansky, Eddie McGrath, and Vincent "Jimmy Blue Eyes" Alo did their best to stay out of during an era of organized crime that is historic to New York City. This building is incredible and hard to believe it was once the main precinct in the city. It is now used for private residences. The King doesn't have enough tips to move there...YET. ;-)

So when you see the awning with The Statue of Liberty holding a Tommy Gun...you know you've arrived at The Mob Scene Gallery in Little Italy. "Hey Statue, drop the gun and get me a cannoli !!" ..Who doesn't know all the lines to The Godfather ?

MOB Scene Gallery sits beside the former NYPD evidence vault where heroin seized in the 1960s 'French Connection' case mysteriously vanished. You can see in the reflection of the door the tenements of Little Italy where not long ago, many offers were made that you couldn't refuse.

Enlarge the pic but I'll briefly tell you what The plaque says "ON THIS SPOT , once operated "Little Rock's Pool Hall, Hangout of the Monk Eastman Gang and the scene of a brutal attack on neighborhood youths by corrupt NYPD Lieutenant Charles Becker, who was executed three years later in the Sing Sing Prison electric chair.

Born in 1873 to a respectable New York family, Monk became a badass in Manhattan’s rough Lower East Side by the age of eighteen. He found work as a bouncer—when the saloon owner first turned him down because he had two bouncers already, Monk beat them both up and was promptly hired in their place. He soon developed a loyal following of immigrant toughs, and by 1900, he was the most feared gang leader in lower Manhattan, protected by corrupt politicians and crooked cops, and commanding an army of two thousand pickpockets, thieves, prostitutes, and thugs.

After the United States entered World War I in 1917, the 42-year old Eastman decided to join the Army. During his military physical, the doctor observed all the knife and bullet scars on Eastman's body and asked him which wars he had been in; Eastman replied, "Oh! A lot of little wars around New York.".^[8] Eastman ended up serving in France with "O'Ryan's Roughnecks", the 106th Infantry Regiment of the 27th Infantry Division. After Eastman's discharge in 1919, the Governor of New York, Al Smith, recognized Eastman's honorable service by restoring his U.S. citizenship.

A lot of history came out of this small spot in NYC.

This is a pic inside the museum where an exhibition of Legend Crazy Joe Gallo is on display...

Gallo started as an enforcer and hitman for Joe Profaci. Gallo's reputation soared when it was suspected that he was lead gunmen in the execution of Albert Anastasia in 1957. The owner of this gallery actually owns the infamous barber "Barber Chair # 4" where Anastasia was rubbed out...He acquired it from Henny Youngman the famous comedian who always said " Take my wife Please ! ".

Old dial phone probably used in bookmaking and numbers...The King had a phone like this growing up, kids today have no idea what it is !!

The ole dial that if you messed up you had to start all over again dialing the number...I remember when the first push button phones came out and we thought we were cool if we had one that made new sounds that if you hit the numbers right you could play a song and impress your girlfriend....today you could play the London Philharmonic live over your cell phone !! Man these kids today got it made !!

Hmmph I feel like an old fart !!

The museum has many interesting artifacts and changes as the year goes by...this item is one of John Gotti's ties...The Dapper Don's tie.

Gangster shoes.

Joseph "Crazy Joe" Gallo...gunned down April 7, 1972 while celebrating his 43'rd birthday at Umbertos Clam House in Little Italy.

Joe Gallo's funeral card.

This is a pic of Crazy Joe Gallo and Armando "Mando" Illiano at a birthday party for Lisa Essary who was Joe Gallo's new daughter by marriage. The slogan "Jive Ass" which is on the upper right wall was the nickname for the birthday girl.

Fashion, Hair and furniture of another time...

The picture below was from The New York Daily News.

"These are good boys" Sista Baez told newsman after the Gallo Gang stormed her Brooklyn apartment to rescue six young children from a mattress fire. Crazy Joe Gallo's brother Albert Jr. (center) was among the daring participants as well as Frank Illiano (far right) and Anthony Abbatamarco (far left). It was Joseph Profaci's refusal to carve up rackets belonging to Abbatamarco's dead father that instigated warring between the two factions. (Pic Arthur Nash collection)

21 year old Joe Gallo.

This is Arthur Nash below, right before he pulled out his Tommy Gun and shot my NYC Taxi to smithereens !!!
Ha !!

No way, Arthur Nash couldn't have been nicer to the King.

Arthur Nash is an historical archivist and author based in New York City and the curator of 'MADE in America', the first public exhibition addressing Organized Crime's sway on Pop Culture in the United States.

Nash is a major contributor to John Walsh's National Museum of Crime & Punishment in Washington D.C., as well as the Biography Channel's documentary series 'Murder, Inc.'
He gave me a tour of his brilliant gallery and told me stories that as a New Yorker I appreciated even more...He knows his New York big time, and if you should find yourself in Little Italy, be sure and visit 396 Broome Street, Little Italy between Mulberry & Centre and check out MOB Scene Museum where not only will you get to see some real authentic Mob memorabilia, but he has cool shirts and other accessories to make you remember your visit..very cool...Tell Arthur The King sent ya...but leave the gun, bring him a cannoli.. C'mon !! Thats my favorite line !! :-) ...if you don't you'll sleep with the fishes !! C'mon !! My second favorite line !! ...ok...just visit Mob Scene and get the feel of NYC. Nuff said.

New York City Gangland - Arthur Nash ..A must have book for any collector of organized crime history. With rare pictures of Bugsy Siegal, Mayor LaGuardia, a formal picture of Lucky Luciano to a class picture with Peter Gotti. Also, there are pictures in the book from John Gotti's private collection that show the stroller and carriage that belonged to Victoria Gotti who was just 2 months old when the portraits were taken. Wow. Arthur Nash has preserved some real NYC history in this book folks. This is a fast and fascinating pictorial read that you won't forget.

Gotta love the little museums that pack a big punch in NYC ...I always wanted to shoot a Tommy Gun and scream Top o the World Ma !! ...but I think I'll stick with what I know and remain behind the wheel of my taxi and eat a cannoli as I remain.... The King of New York Hacks.

Peace out Cannoli eaters.

10 to the P, 2 the KONYH...Holla peeps, its Ten Pic Tuesday !!

2011-08-23T00:45:00.000-04:00

The King always chuckles as he drives by this banner and thinks about The Honeymooners episode where Ed Norton is reading a script and says he has a string of poloponies ( sounded like pawlahpanies ) only to be corrected by Ralph saying "Thats POLO PONIES !!!!" lol show was great and still is !...Some of the youngsters in my family have come to love The Honeymooners thanks to DVD, but unfortunately some would rather watch Jersey Shore or Mob Wives...I still think Ralph sayng "BANG ZOOM To the Mooooon Alice !!!" is a lot funnier than one of the Jersey Shore princesses saying "F*** You I'm drunk !!"...maybe I'm getting old. Hmmph.

However, Nurse Jackie has a way of keeping it real if the King needs some medical attention, or just summing up the bad apples we tend to meet from time to time..."Life is full of Little Pricks" ...indeed Jackie.

Here is a life size creation of what the King will look like in about two more years from driving these NYC streets and having to deal with little pricks...besides my own perverts !! Ha !! ...well, at least I'll still have a sense of fashion. Overalls and a tie are making a comeback ;-)

Surfs up on Broadway...maybe he's headed for the sewers, thats where the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Surf...."Ride The Flush !!" as they say.

The window dressing always has a youngster peering out the corner of his eye before his mama gives him a biff off the head and says "get your mind out of the gutter!!"...whats that ?? No noo , the young King never would stare...too long... before my inevitable biff off the top of me head !! Ha !!

Competiton feels like a Nascar race at certain times of the night, were not crazy, its just a crazy way to earn a living !

This vehicle I bought at The Museum of Moving Image makes life easier and saves me plenty on fuel too !! Hey, Batman has his Batmobile and the King has...well..umm..a bicycle with a ceiling fan...Hey its great on gas !! This museum is in Astoria, Queens and has an ever changing theme which is always worth a visit.

Music, Mosaics and mood...all in a subway tunnel...you may encounter half a dozen musicians in your travels on some nights...

...and while I'm riding my Kingjet ( ceilingfan bike ) for some R & R or in my King Kave ...and there is a passenger somewhere freezing, lost, drunk, sick, pregnant, sober, lonely or just plane late to work who needs a Yellow Taxi...the King will exit his domain...

...if you shout those sacred words that only The King will respond to.....'YO TAXI !!!!" .....and The King of New York Hacks will be on his way to save your day...

I may not have a string of Polo Ponies, nor is my Kingjet as fast as the Batmobile...but should you find yourself saying those sacred words in my city, ponies and bat's will not show up... but who will is faster than a hansom cab...more powerful than a luxury limo...its a pigeon...its a ceiling fan bike !... its... The King, of New York Hacks.

Peace out peeps. : )

10 Pic Tuesday 2 and The King of New York Hacks

2011-08-16T05:58:00.000-04:00

See, I told ya I'd make this T to the P happen...I may even throw in a few Twenty Pic Tuesday's being that I am such an incredible photographer that The New York Times has called "The only man who can juxtapose New York City while someone is urinating in his back seat" ...OK, maybe they didn't say that but it did happen, and they SHOULD write about the King !! Ha !!

Gotta love sweet summer NYC days with a nice air conditioned refuge of literature at The New York Public Library...This is where the planned statue of Edward, King of New York Hacks will be erected in 2012 to remind us how important reading his blog has been to the world...Seriously, I read that somewhere... :-)

...and when I celebrate my statue, I'll kick back with a smoke at Nat Shermans where you can get some of the finest cigars in the city...and a cool clock with some Native Indians.

The King's friends are always happy to see him...even the imaginary ones ;-)

Never gets old, my favorite building The Chrysler...I could take pics of this all the time...love this skyscraper.

Down the road these baby's will be extinct...some people are buying these to preserve them for the future because they are such a durable car and a New York City icon...The Ford Crown Victoria.

These SUV like the one below will be replaced with the new mini van Nissan NV 200 ...still wish the ole checker cab came back.

Cluster boxes for mail delivery saves a lot of knee problems and time for the mailman on these Harlem streets that have many stairs and obstacles...these pop up more and more round the way.

Harlem Shuffle...always a pick up game somewhere...not quite a dunk yet, but you're gettin' there kid...The King beat the Knicks in scrimmage this year and they refused to make this news public...seriously, I read it somewhere.. ;-)

Nothing like cooling down on a hot day or getting a free car wash by a NYC fire hydrant...just dont keep your windows down because the kids have pretty good aim using a hollowed out soda can to get the water pointed at you to soak your dry ass. HaHa ! I'm serious !! I don't need to read that anywhere, its happened to the King !! ..The price I pay for royalty...ahhh but I digress... :-)

...and if you ever need to know what time it is, get warm, or get lost...Grand Central Station is a pretty good place to accommodate all...

So there ya go folks, my second successful 10 pic 2sday, well its not successful until someone reads it... so congrats and thanks if its you, this is a team effort...

Eventually, all NYC streets merge into an avenue, and hydrant water runs through it. The streets were paved by the labor of great people, and my taxi flows on the blacktop, over the sewers of time. On some of these streets are endless thoughts. On top of the pavement are the words, and some of the words are yours...I am haunted by the streets of NYC.

So until my next post which may be before next Tuesday, all I can say is...I may not have been written about in the New York Times (yet), nor have I beaten The New York Knicks ( I probably could though ), but a nice young lady did urinate in my back seat once, right on the floor behind me, not a very pleasant experience...and that statue just may come to be if my literature ever makes it to the NYPL... However until then, I'll be driving through the urban waterfalls that cascade through a soda can held by the children of NYC...and remain...

Edward...The King of New York Hacks...and future statue ;-)

Peace out peepers.

Ten Pic Tuesday and The King of NY Hacks

2011-08-09T05:29:00.000-04:00

Thats right...a little Teee Peee Teee, 10 to the P to the T... Ten Pic Tuesday..why not eh ?

The King of New York Hacks personality brightens everyone's day behind the wheel. :-)

The King and his personality on the 67th floor shining away ! Ha !

ESB always a sight to see...This is where I fought King Kong.

...and kissed a few girls heh heh heh ... ; )

Black long sleeve shirt not advisable on days over 95...They'd be smiling in my chilly Crown Victoria Taxi.

These old lamps give atmosphere and character to NYC.

...and whaddya know , a line for the bathroom !!

Fleur de lis Bryant Park

Cigarette de bris Bryant Park

Woman working the Newstand

How bout a shine right outside the Library ?

I'm no Librarian , and I cant shine shoes for shit...but I can bring you New York City, because that's what I do... as I remain...wait for it....The King of New York Hacks.

I think I'm going to do this every Tuesday from now on, I kinda dig it...

Yeah...10 Pix 2sday.. I will do it...I dig it the most. : )

Peace out peepers.

Rudys Bar & Grill and The King of New York Hacks

2011-08-07T19:14:00.000-04:00

If you're in NYC and happen to be in Hells Kitchen before a storm comes , I got a place for you to ride out the storm....

Rudys Bar & Grill ..Perfect 10 by the King.

This historic bar and grill for imbibing was one of the first in New York City to get a liquor license in 1933 after prohibition ended, its also one of the first to serve the King when he became legal and could barely afford a pitcher of Rudy's blonde ale ( Delicious and only $7 now !! ) !!.

Rudy's is the best of what some consider a "dive" bar in the city, others refer to it as a coined term from former manager Ernie as a place for the "upper low class" ...regardless of where you think you fit in , Rudy's is a place where you can meet anyone from your local taxi driver to the most popular celebrity of the moment and have a great time in a very relaxed and upbeat atmosphere.

Baron the 6 foot Pig has been here for twenty years, and aside from being stolen twice he has been a welcoming sight for hungry and thirsty eyes !! ...His Bacon Butt is now bolted to the pavement, so don't think you'll be taking him for a third time !! Ha !! Always makes a fun picture entering and leaving !!

The atmosphere is dimly lit, but not too dark where you are squinting at things, and just light enough to tell what gender you are looking for, or if you need to run out the door because thats your wife in the corner !! Ha!

If you are too young and not of legal drinking age, don't even try it...they have experienced NYC bouncers who have seen it all and have TWO posters like this made up of false I.D.'s stating "You fake 'em, we take'em"...and they will.

You can cozy up to a nice small table with red duct tape reupholstered seats for some quiet drinking time and build up an appetite for some of Rudy's Hot Dogs.

Lighting always sets the mood

Here is the other "you fake em , we take em " ..they'll have a third real soon I'm sure !

Rudy's bottled beer, not one over $4...thats a treat in Manhattan.

Draft beer is great, from Rudy's Blonde at $ 2.50 to a pint to a Stella for $5...best prices in the city. :-)

AND its a full pint, not these new cheesy looking 12 oz glasses shaped like a piunt glass to maximize profits...Rudys is the REAL DEAL !!! A PINT IS A PINT !!!!!

The modern Jukebox has something for everyone...

With extra mood lighting for that certain song you are playing ;-)

Pearl Jam playing, Derek & the Dominos coming up...and one of my favorites Iron Maiden ready to rock the crowd !!! Rudy's has it all !!! C'mon bloggers get down here !!!

Although it was raining, Rudy's sports "Jacks Backyard " where you can dip out to and smoke if you need to or get married as some people have done...or smoke, drink, and get married to round out the night !!!

This was a currency by a former Manager Ernie..." In Ernie We Trust " ...I think since S&P downgraded America this may be the next viable currency...I like the pig on it too...makes sense.

Raining in Jacks Backyard.

Rain doesn't stop New York from drinking and smoking outdoors.. :-)

A seat at the bar is a hot commodity, and if ya get one you wont be disappointed watching all the action around the entire bar...good times I tell ya.

Quench your thirst.... and since by now you should be hungry....

Time to order some FREE Hot Dogs !!! Thats right FREE Hebrew Nationals !!! Only da Best !!! Now try to beat THAT in New York City !! No way can you find a better bang for your buck !!

Gary the Bartender serves up the best combo in the city !! Gary is from Scotland and you couldn't ask for a better person to make New York City the place it is...Cheers Gary !! This is one hell of a place !!!

$2.50 for a Beer and a Hot Dog with da fixins...At Yankee Stadium this would cost me $17 !!!!

Forget Da Bronx, I'm watchin' da game at Rudy's !!!! With a REAL PINT !! A Pint's a PINT I tell ya !!!

Not to mention the new Budweiser stools for sittin' at the bar...Brilliant !!

Or a Duct Tape table seat , just as good ; )

The Pig approves.

...as does the other gentleman Pig.

So get out of the rain...or the sun..

...and get into Rudy's Bar & Grill for an inexpensive priceless time of fun right in the heart of Hells Kitchen at 627 9th Ave at 44th St...Trust the King on this one, you won't be disappointed. ;-)

Pork, Peeps, and Pissed for a few shekels...The ole Triple "P" is a good hat trick ;-)

So, maybe we'll bump into each other or I'll get to take you home as I remain traveling through these city streets and bring them to you as The Pig of...Ahem, there's only one Pig round here and thats Baron at Rudys Bar & Grill....just as there's only one King... The King of New York Hacks.

..Peace out Peeps.

Is Gold Money ??

2011-07-13T21:07:00.000-04:00

KONYH will accept Gold for Taxi Ride Payments, I don't care what double B thinks.

This has been a KONYH financial update, I'm no Ron Paul....I'm just, (wait for it)...

...The King of New York Hacks.

Peace out peeps...I'll take Silver too. Ha ! :-)

"Gourmet Dog" Staten Island's Best Hot Dogs - King of New York Hacks Food Review

2011-06-30T19:02:00.001-04:00

So recently, Mayor Bloomberg said if you want to date on the cheap, head towards the Staten Island Ferry...Now I may not agree with him on many things, but I always tell people that the best bang for your buck is The Staten Island Ferry which is FREE...Free boat ride, free sightseeing, free people watching, even free music occasionally...Below is the Staten Island side St.George Ferry Terminal which leaves you off right across from the single A division Staten Island Yankees Stadium, but more importantly should you feel like you worked up an appetite on the boat is the place for Staten Island's BEST Hot Dogs, Gourmet Dog !!

GOURMET DOG !!
A small place that packs a BIG tasty punch and turns Hot Dogs into a scrumptious delicacy.

I arrived just before closing which is 8pm...If you come during Lunch and Dinner hours there is a crowd of people getting their Gourmet Dog fix in to live another day !

They have a menu that sports the title "The Best Dogs On The Island" and has such dog names as "The Coney Island", "The Downtown", and "The Popeye" which is an Andouille chicken sausage topped with spinach and tomatoes sauteed in olive oil, pepper and garlic, smothered with mozzarella on Italian bread...O_O Do I have your attention now ?? Oh yeah, this establishment does not play around, these are some serious dogs !

...and something that I love to have is Breakfast for Dinner...doesn't everybody ? Once I make it through tasting all the dogs I'll be trying out the Steak and Eggs for dinner without a doubt !!

No shortage of toppings available should you want to create your own Hot Dog masterpiece...I see a baked beans and pepper jack cheese covered dog in my future. :-)

Now this is important...there are many Hot Dog joints in New York City, yes we all know that famous one in Brooklyn and the other one in Manhattan...However, Staten Island's Gourmet Dog does something that makes me rate this place as a MUST visit because they do NOT leave their Hot Dogs on the grill waiting to be sold while drying up...They cook them fresh as ordered, keeping all those juicy flavors preserved for your tastebuds, hence the sign below at the top of the pic "If your NOT PATIENT your in the WRONG PLACE" ...Now thats a nice New York City touch right there, holla that peeps.

I ordered "The Reuben" which is topped with pastrami, sauerkraut, spicy mustard and finished with melted Swiss Cheese...Yes, I said topped with PASTRAMI ! Can you dig it ?!?! I CAN !! I also ordered "The Chili-Ree" which is old school classic Chili and melted cheese on a toasted bun...Holla that y'all. Those are my fresh dogs cookin' on the grill.

Oh yeah, pastrami on a hot dog....what a delicacy !! Who needs French food !??!! This is New York City food to the 10th power !!

While I was waiting I checked out their vast menu which has "Super Subs", Burgers, specials, and they also have Italian Ices !!

My finished masterpieces....Chili-Ree on the left, The Reuben on the right....yup, that's pastrami on my dog...this is gonna be an experience. A great one. :-)

Wow...Juicy, beefy,with an explosive flavor mixed with tasty Chili and cheese, (Fresh Cheese not that squirt stuff) and a brilliant tight snap to the dog, and washing it down with a Dr.Browns cream soda...Priceless.

All the spices and fixings should you want...yup, thats peanut butter on the left...Hey why not ?!

...and you gotta love a condiment tray that has maple syrup on it...and if you put it on your dog you will howl at the moon like I did...I can't wait to try the rest of the food on their menu, if only I had more room in my belly ! The King will be back !! Owoooooooooo !!!!!

Here are the creators of Staten Island's Best Hot Dogs... Art, James, and Eric.

They have created a brilliant New York City atmosphere in the most friendly way and bring a welcoming spirit in the air that makes you feel at home while enjoying spectacular views of the harbor, downtown Manhattan, and food that will leave you yearning and craving another visit. Well done gentlemen.

Not surprising they got a Grade "A" from the city inspection...This place is spotless !! They aren't serving dirty water dogs here...AND they take credit cards, AND support The Wounded Warrior Project...

Gourmet Dog is Grade "A" in food, price, and most of all, people...

So if you're looking for an inexpensive outing in New York City, race your butt over to The Staten Island Ferry and enjoy all the free there is to take in with a stop at Gourmet Dog for a perfect finish...

I may not be the best hot dog in this city, I'm more of an old dirty water dawg I guess...but one thing I do know is how to find and eat the best New York has to offer and pass it on to you, as I dream about Pastrami on a Hot Dog and my next visit to Gourmet Dog...I am , The King of New York Hacks.

Peace out peeps.

Has Change come ??

2011-05-25T12:53:00.001-04:00

As I drive and see many people suffering financially and emotionally during these turbulent times, I wonder if we will have some kind of reset and hold those who have hijacked our America responsible for their greedy actions...or will we just keep moving along like business as usual...Anybody have the answer ? I'd love to hear it...Is there an answer ? A way ?

Unite ?

Speech still stands tall. Over 70 years later, instead of radio and airplanes, we have internet and space shuttles, but we are still the same... We have changed technology, but can we change our mentality...

I'm not Charlie Chaplin, or a Great Dictator...but I think of these things as I witness the changing of the world on these streets driven by The King of New York Hacks...and I hope.

Peace out peeps.

Spring...

2011-04-24T19:26:00.001-04:00

...in a city with many bright lights and tall buildings sometimes us New Yorkers neglect to see the other parts...until Spring.

Gotta love a blue dragonfly that poses on an old bottle for The King...thanks buddy.

This is where The Godfather exterior church scene was filmed..Mt Loretto Church, Staten Island...

40 years later and there's a TV show about Mob Wives from Staten Island...ironic ??? Nahhhhhh.. ;-)

Hope everybody had a safe and Happy Easter, Passover, and beginning of Spring...I thought winter would never end here after all the snow this year...but I'm not Frosty the Snowman or the Easter Bunny...however, I do hop along these city streets in a yellow taxi... as The King of New York Hacks... Peace out peeps...love those marshmallow thingys. :-)

The Kings Hiatus...

2011-03-31T17:43:00.000-04:00

Well, had a bit of the ole writers block and was a bit under the weather as well...will be back up writing and am working on a video too if all goes smoothly in the near future...Just following my Doctors prescription of course ;-) Ha !!

Well, I hope everyone had a Happy St Patricks Day and I will post this week the one I had planned but never got around to it...I post on Facebook a comment or a joke every day so feel free to friend me....just didn't have the time to pour into blogging which is regretful....til then, I'm no Doctor...and will be a writer again as I resume driving through these chaotic times as the one, the only...King of New York Hacks.

The King, The Cold, and Chocolate by The Bald Man.

2011-02-13T00:11:00.000-05:00

So...it has been cold and snowy as a Muthaf ***er !!! Driving...Sucked...Walking...sucked !! Snowballs ?? Very good...Sidestreets ?? Fuuhhgeddaboutit !!!! If you went down one you were staying there !! As you can see below is a main road, and the drifts from the plows were a good two feet if you tried to turn down one !! Global warming ??? Pfffttt !!!!

As you can see the King had a lonely cold walk down the middle of the street to get home...snowshoes would have come in VERY handy ...but who knew ??? The world is melting last I heard : /

One thing I always tell people in my taxi is to dig out their hydrants if there is one near their home, because the last thing you need is a firetruck showing up and now they have to DIG to save your ass...It did hurt a few fires that happened in NYC, so it doesn't matter where you are...

Shovel that hydrant out !!!

However with all the nonsense that snow brings to New York City, there is also a tranquility if you choose to seek it out. Central Park is always a good place for that.

Silence in NYC is always a frozen moment in time...that you won't forget anytime soon.

Sometimes you really appreciate what the snow brings to the photos you take...Bethesda Fountain, Central Park.

I always like to stop by FAO Schwarz to see what toys I can't afford and pick up something small for the little ones in my family...as you can see the soldier is always happy to see the King toy shopping !!

It was snowing so much I thought this would be a great gift !! Noahs Ark !! Surely we may need it when all this snow melts !!

....Ummmmm....Mr.Schwarz, I think Noah built the REAL one for a lot less !! O_O Guess its off to Toys R Us !! HA !! $2,399 !!! WTF !!!

Now some things in New York City are WORTH going a little out of your way for...like when its cold in the fall at Yankee Stadium and a beer is $12 and a Hot Chocolate is $10, not worth going out of your way for neither...but if you are near Max Brenner's Chocolate by the Bald Man on a very cold day in the NYC, then I encourage you to fork over $5.25 for perhaps the BEST Hot Chocolate you will ever have...outside of making your own that is...when I make a Hot Chocolate for a woman, she usually proposes to me right after she tastes it. ;)

The Bald Man.

Max Brenner.

I order the Italian Thick Hot Chocolate which is "THE" one to order. ;) Trust me, I'm a taxi driver.

You can also get Pizza here...mmmmm...Chocolate Pizza !!Yeah, NOW you're paying attention !!!

Double Chocolate Pizza Slice, with melted grilled marshmallows and crunchy bits...are you kidding me ???
Think Willy Wonka at the San Gennaro festival in Little Italy !! ..the food here is a bit gimmicky, but it is Chocolate and kids love it...oh and like adults don't ?? However, you can see its pricey, I prefer a perfect slice from many Pizza places in the city from $1.50 to $3.00 depending on where you go and whats on it !

I did purchase this item...a Chocolate syringe filled with warm fresh Chocolate...for a quick fix man, first one is free ;)...I put it on some cookies later on, totally delicious...I even put it on a frozen Ellio's pizza and it tasted AWESOME !! ..actually, off topic for a second...A blogging friend, Kathy Frederick, who writes the brilliant blog "The Junk Drawer" questioned on Facebook the other day what is a better word to use than AWESOME ?? She was tired of it and wanted a better word...something fresh and better...I was laughing out loud at some of the responses, and there were many, spiffy, wunnerful, Epic, cool beans,etc.. !

My first reply was Badass and some other word I mixed together...but someone replied just say "William Shatner !! " ...Damn thats good I thought !! Anything he touches is gold !! I also thought of Abe Vigoda who has a website dedicated to if he's still alive and is one of the nicest people you'd ever meet. I think screaming either of them are interchangeable...and both work for AWESOME...really they do.

For example:
King: "Man I just had a Chocolate syringe from the bald man's and dat shit wuz... William Shatner !!!"
Passenger: " Sheeeeet King, I had the Double Choco Pizza and that shit wuz totally... Abe Vigoda !!"

OK, why am I talking about this ?? Maybe "Chocolate" is the new substitute word for awesome...Sweet ;)

This is the Hot Choco concoction.

Yeah, I want one too. :-) PURE CHOCOLATE , White, Milk, and Dark. :-)

A Giant container spinning melted chocolate at a certain temperature...swimming would be nice :P

They even sell a book called Chocolate, a love story...I guess we all have one don't we ? ;) ...and yes, the King gets no freebies, I paid my way !! ( Maybe I'll become a food critic though..hmmm HA ! ) Max Brenner is even on the receipt !

Had one of these too...with syring chocolate...it was a mix of Shatner Vigoda bliss.

I may come back and do a pie one night with some family for dessert....that didn't come out right. :P

Yup...I know what your thinking...DON'T !! HA ! Look at those marshmallows !

So in closing, I hope you enjoy Chocolate,Warmth, and being Bald... or Hairy... or whatever your diet allows you to enjoy and get the most out of it when you need it the most...on this day I was lucky enough to savor this Hot Chocolate for about an hour it was that good, and stayed warm with the lid on..

Have a safe weekend folks, Valentines is arriving and I'll leave you with this observation from one of my passengers...The other night I was discussing Valentines Day and one said..."Valentine's Day is like herpes, when you think its gone, it rears its ugly head once more. Thats why I call it VD"...Never heard that one before, told it to my next customer and they laughed ! I won't tell ya if it was a male or female..or it may have even been a tranny who said it...maybe it was the Queen of England who proposed to me once and I refused because she doesn't have a sense of humor ;)

However, I hope your Valentines Day is as sweet as anyone who visits my blog ;) ...I'm not going to be the King of England, but...I shall remain in your hearts as...The King of New York Hacks. Peace out Peeps.♥

King of New York Hacks, New York City Statues, Hero Behind The Cape, and Bears !! OH MY !! 1-11-11 Today !!

2011-01-11T22:35:00.001-05:00

Another year, another sunrise.

Lets hope we get to see all of them before the Mayans come and take us away in a UFO.

Its snowing outside right now, and it snowed last week already for the first time this year. I took this picture the day before it snowed, and as the old saying goes,

RED SKY IN MORNING, SAILORS WARNING; RED SKY AT NIGHT, SAILORS DELIGHT

It certainly rang true. It snowed the next day. I did a weather forecast on Facebook with this photo, and for those of you who are on Facebook I encourage you to friend me as I will be adding photos a few days a week of New York City or links I find funny or interesting that will never make it to this blog. OK.

Lets ride.

Lots of Garbage still around this city and more snow just means bigger piles of snow AND trash.

However, even when it snows and The King is off the road, believe it or not you can still get around via many other ways to travel..like, a Hansome cab...Not as safe as The King or as handsome... OK, Ok, maybe more romantic...but not in the summer when all you smell is horseshit and garbage. LOL ( trust the King, take them in Spring, Fall and Winter ) :-)

The Pedicabs were very busy as I overheard this driver telling his passengers how they filmed the movie "Serendipity" around these parts. I looked at the advertisement on the back of the bike and it was a protest against some salon saying they steal from clients coats at the coatcheck !! Ha ! I wish I could do that !! LOL

Even bicyclists were out enjoying the snow which can make New York City eerily quiet sometimes.

Occasionally, the runners move quicker than the cabs and cars.

...or you could just take a silent walk with a friend.

The day before I did a double-take when I passed a statue near Madison Park. I thought I saw a statue wearing a cape...A REAL fabric cape, not an attached bronze one as some statues have...as I noticed it and other passengers did too, we discovered it was a promotion for a new TV show with these boxes (shown below) next to each statue with a cape.

I went to investigate knowing that Batman is a big fan of mine and always recommends to the Mayor that the city should erect a statue of me for always saving his ass...Is it my time ?? Did they finally do it ??

The KING !?!?!!..... Uhhh..Nope...The Hero. This was at the Simon Bolivar statue, who was a Venezuelan military and political leader. Together with José de San Martín, he played a key role in Hispanic America's successful struggle for independence from the Spanish Empire.

Simon Bolivar with CAPE.

Later I came across Robert Burns who is largely considered the National Poet of Scotland.

Whats that ??? You never heard of him ??? Perhaps you know a song he wrote that you probably sang on New Years or heard it before...Auld Lang Syne . Yup, damn good song if I must say so.

Now ole George Washington had a cape too in Union Square draped over his horse...but then I came upon a strange but familiar sight...

I walked over to this mysterious caped statue with my Kingsense tingling...I approached slowly and asked him...

WHO ARE YOU ???!?!?!?...No response...I asked louder...and got in front of him.

I said WHO ARE YOUUUUUU ?!?!?!?!?!?!!?!?!?!?!!?!

He replied in a terse tone. I'm Abe man. O_O
"Sheeeeeeeeeiiiiittttttttt Abe, didn't recognize you with that new cape on, thought you was the Bat--awwww forget it. "

Next time I'll just look down to see who it is. :-) Ha !!

The weather seems for the birds, and I guess it is. All the same bird except for one I had to zoom in on.

Not quite sure what kind of bird this is although it reminds me of a Finch.

On such a snowy day I decided it would be pretty cool if I went into the Central Park Zoo being that I haven't been there in yearrs and it would be unique with the snow falling...No lines and not many people either !

The seals were loving this weather !

Ignoring me because I had no fish.

YO King !! Get me some fish !!! ...or a beach ball !!...or..FISH !!

I walked up to this tree to find a big red lump in it. It was The Red Panda, who was sleeping at the time...I used my animal language that I learned from Dr.Doolittle as a child and sure enough...

He turned and told the King to fuck off. Real nice Red Panda...Real nice...He's actually related to the raccoon even though they call it a Panda. Very cool to see up close.

This Baboon was eating snow and when I wasn't taking pictures was giving me the bird...man these animals ARE from New York City...

Finally this Polar Bear was nodding for me to look at a sign that was hanging up behind me...but before I looked, I was in awe of just how immense these animals are and are killers...If I'm right, I believe they are the only animal that actually can hunt a human...incredible creatures. Hard to believe I'm in the city.

Yes, I now see your point Polar Bear...and I'll take the "B" away and replace it with a "Y" so not only will I treat bears good, but I'll treat this year as if its my last and enjoy, embrace and savor the moments.

I hope that wasn't such a painful ride through the snowy streets of NYC with me to start off the year...

In a few minutes the time will be 11:11:11 and date 1/11/11 ...one is always a great place to start all your goals...and a perfect time for a wish...and if you read this after, I give you permission to make that wish anyway. ;)

So hop into your year and my taxi where my door is always open and you'll get to explore and experience the journey with me through 2011.

I wish you and yours a brilliant year to come as I remain...No not Batman...Nope..not Abraham Lincoln...Yes, thats right, just me...

Edward...The King Of New York Hacks.

...and like my man D.C.Cabbie always says...and trust the King, IT IS COLD out there peeps..

Please don't forget the homeless.

Peace out peeps.

King of New York Hacks wishes a Happy New Year to EVERYONE !!

2010-12-31T21:53:00.001-05:00

Soooo we got our asses kicked by a blizzard and some poor handling of it, but The King made it home that night safe and sound even though many peeps just abandoned their vehicles and went home. All is back to normal as we head into this bright New Year, I expect this will be a better year for all of us and extend my best wishes for a safe, healthy and Happy New Year !!!

Many years ago I resolved never to bother with New Year's resolutions, and I've stuck with it ever since. ~Dave Beard

But I found this generator and, I think I will give "Be Remarkable" a shot this year !!
(I thought I was pretty remarkable already, but there is always room for improvement) ;)

Here is the link to find out yours ! New Year's Resolution Generator 2011 !! Good luck ! ;)

...and after all that shoveling, and I've never been a fan of working New Years Eve.

This King is OFF DUTY.

So in closing for the year, thank you for following my blog this year and hopefully tomorrow to begin a new chapter of the trials, photos, and thoughts I will bring to you as I wholeheartedly remain...

The King of New York Hacks...

Happy New Year to all my blogging friends, much love to you all, and raise a glass to all that will never be able to raise a glass again,we will never forget your sacrifice, always remembered ,never forgotten...

Bring on 2011 :-)

Please Don't Drink and Drive...I mean it, call a Taxi instead of a lawyer. Peace out peeps.

King of New York Hacks and The Christmas Story

2010-12-22T12:30:00.001-05:00

This is a less than 4 minute rendition of The story of Christmas. You don't have to be religious to enjoy it.

So, sit back and smile for the next 3 minutes and 53 seconds, trust The King on this one.

The Christmas Story (2010 version) - as told by the children of St Paul's Church.
...or you can click this link if you don't have flash on your phone like me. :-) The Christmas Story

You don't have to be religious to love Christmas, or to say it to someone who is, mind you.
Unique and wonderful video. Even my atheist friends are enjoying it. :-)

These Children are from New Zealand and perform an event called GLOW Christmas Carols with glowsticks. I heard about it from a passenger I was driving who was a volunteer nurse and spent time with the organization World Vision New Zealand, but was a Buddhist and she loved every minute of it she said.

I had to post it after she told me about it.

“Let my heart be broken by the things that break the heart of God.”
- Bob Pierce, World Vision Founder

World Vision was founded in 1950 by the Reverend Dr Bob Pierce in response to the needs of Korean War orphans.- Click this link to learn more World Vision New Zealand

I will be posting again before Christmas, hope you enjoyed the video, but I'll share this quick experience I had in my yellow chariot before I post tomorrow or the next day.

I had a couple of passengers the other night, it was cold and brisk, and in Midtown near St Patrick's Cathedral a middle aged woman jumped into my warm taxi with a young child around 5 years old was my guess...as they discussed all the wonderful things the child saw at Rockefeller Plaza with the ice skating, the giant Christmas Tree, and as they talked I found out the woman was the child's Aunt. The Aunt inquired to the small child, "and did you ask Santa for everything you want for being such a good girl this year ?? "...The small girl responded as I looked into my rear view mirror to watch the child reply so enthusiastically with a grin as if she outsmarted the world "yup, I asked him to bring Uncle Bob home from the War"...I could see the Aunt was a bit shaken by the reply but she stayed composed and hugged the young girl saying, "well honey, because Santa is so busy that night, I'll bet if he can't bring him home, he'll stop by and have cookies with Uncle Bob and tell him how he met you in New York City "...to which the beautiful child quipped with her precious smile from ear to ear "Yeah, that would be AWESOME ! "...and to which my eyes met the Aunt's in the mirror and no words need be said as we smiled at each other.

Through the eyes of children folks...

I'm no Soldier at War as Uncle Bob is, nor am I Santa, I'm just The King of New York Hacks who hopes the two meet up for cookies that night, or even better, that they ALL do. Peace out Peeps.

King of New York Hacks wishes everyone a Happy Thanksgiving...GOBBLE TIL YA WOBBLE !

2010-11-25T20:52:00.000-05:00

Just want to let all of you know how grateful I am to have the privilege of your loyal readership.

I hope everyone has a full belly and content heart.

The test of thankfulness is not what you have to be thankful for, but whether anyone else has reason to be thankful that you are here.~Anonymous.

I am glad and thankful that ALL of you are here. :-)

I'm no Turkey, and I am thankful for all I have, as I remain...

The King of New York Hacks.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE ! GOBBLE TIL YA WOBBLE !

Please Don't Drink and Drive and Remember the Homeless.

Peace out peeps.

King of New York Hacks, the Artist, and a New York Minute.

2010-11-12T21:20:00.000-05:00

Driving a taxi and meeting someone famous is always a fun thing, unless its Charlie Sheen on a bender and he's trashing my cab and running from the bill...but I never had Charlie in my Taxi, and I'd bet he'd stiff The Waldorf before he'd stiff a Taxi. Anywayyyy...

This past Halloween as I was headed home from the parade, I was walking to the subway and saw this man below making funny faces and charming children that were walking by his home. He was only wearing a simple clever mask made out of what appeared to be an index card, and I asked if I could take his picture for my blog, and he agreed. I told him I was a Hack and he immediately asked me, "How do I compete with all the other crazy drivers ?" I told him, "carefully, or I wouldn't make any money"...I showed him some of the pictures in my camera of the costumes I just photographed, but told him that I think I will remember his costume the most, and that the children seemed to find it very amusing compared to all the elaborate and expensive disguises. I told him about my blog, and gave him my card, but he told me he really doesn't use the computer.

I smiled.

I've met so many people who have not embraced computers and refuse to..amazes me.

I then asked him if I could have his mask so I could scan it for my posting, and he said "of course" in a foreign accent that I could not pin down, and I'm pretty good because I speak English in 40 different accents. ;)

As he went to hand me the mask, a gust of wind blew it down the street and I chased after it where a lovely buxom woman saw it flying by with me in tow and stepped on it bringing it face down to a halt... I said mockingly "Oh Nooo!! You stepped on a MASTERPIECE !" ... and in true New York fashion, she didn't miss a beat and said, "careful honey, you don't know if I just increased its worth BECAUSE I stepped on it"

Touché...well played footstomper of the night.

So I went back to talk with the Gentleman, and we laughed about how I saved his "masterpiece" and he told me how my pictures of Halloween were so different from his as a child, and we began to exchange childhood memories of Halloween..He making costumes out of paper, and myself recalling how I used a burned cork to blacken my face as a hobo...We discussed how Halloween is now a BILLION dollar industry and not the same as it was when he celebrated, nor I. Below is the mask he was wearing with a little cut-out that his nose fit through. Brilliant. He had shopping bags with him, and I'll bet he made good use of this mask ALL day.

He then showed me how if you draw the face on the paper, then fold it in half like below...and just rip where your nose will go ..."Voilá !!!" a Halloween mask that didn't touch your bank account.

He then pulled a blank piece of paper from his pocket and showed me how to do it from scratch and handed me the mask below...once again.. "Voilá !" I then inquired if he was an artist of any kind, and he humbly said yes I am an artist of many different things, and quickly changed the subject asking me if there were any children in my family and I said "yes, and of various ages"...I hope I wasn't his subject in this work below....but then again, I was the only one there now !! lol

So he pulled out another piece of paper, same size, and began to draw while looking at me...Uh Oh !! ...so he laughed as he drew and told me the children will laugh when I show them the picture of me that he was making...I was laughing out loud waiting for this caricature he was creating to make more kids laugh with his creations and humor...and once again "Voilá !! The King Caricatured !!! ...or maybe not ;) HA ! As I was observing the pic when he finished and I wondered why he drew two lemons on my head, however he kept writing in the bottom right corner...

...and he signed it.

Jacob El Hanani, I googled him when I got home and his accent was hard to pin point because he was born in Casablanca, studied in Tel Aviv and Paris, and worked in New York City not to mention all over this country. His works have been shown at MANY important places such as The Guggenheim, The Whitney, The British Museum, and the most important, The King of New York Hacks Refrigerator.

I'm in good company. ;-)

...and those lemons, were actually sunglasses I forgot were still on my head after the long chilly night, even had a rosy windburn ! lol ...However, I am not as good looking as he made me out to be, what a nice guy. ;) I assured him my family would laugh at this pic of me, nor would they let me forget it !! LOL I shook his hand, thanked him, and we wished each other well...as Halloween, came to an end.

..all....in a New York Minute.

Just click here to see his history and works-------> JACOB EL HANANI

...or click this one from The British Museum which shows Jacob without the mask. --> JACOB

Pretty impressive collections he has created...but certainly not the masterpiece portrait of The King that will fetch a gazillion dollars at Sotheby's on auction...nah, I think I'll keep this one for me...Thanks Mr. Hanani, you are a kind man with a humorous mind and heart...and I could never auction off a priceless New York moment like that...I'm not greedy, and I'm no artist....I'm just...

The King Of New York Hacks

Peace out peeps.

King of New York Hacks and The New York's Village Halloween Parade Final, The Gallery is up !! 377 Pictures !!

2010-11-04T15:03:00.008-04:00

Just click below to see all 337 pictures from New York City Halloween.

KING OF NEW YORK HACKS 2010 HALLOWEEN GALLERY

Yes !! The link above is the road to my 337 pictures of Halloween...you can visit and "LIKE" any photo you wish if you are on Facebook, and if so FRIEND ME !! ... that will help me review and write about next years parade, so I encourage you to visit , because, all of you were there with me...so fess up whoever was dressed as The King Of New York Hacks ! lol

So enjoy, and if you don't visit, here is a great photo from the gallery anyway...

I wasn't the only King there on Halloween... The Lion King was too !!

Its a big city, I knew I'd bump into another King eventually...but I'm no King of The Lions, and that King looks pretty cool in my book, plenty of room as long as he'll let me remain.....

The King of New York Hacks.

Peace out peeps.

King of New York Hacks and The New York's Village Halloween Parade Part II - Follow The Yellow Brick Road to Geriatric Superheroes !!

2010-11-03T06:28:00.001-04:00

Well, that was an interesting election night, good or bad I hope we are on a yellow brick road to recovery because this economy has been blowing like a Twister !!

So, keep following The Yellow Brick Road like this dude ....to your BRAIN.

These empty scooter were in waiting for their elderly owners, who reallllyy can't keep up like they did back in the day...and they WEREE REALLLLY GOOD back in the day....but as the night goes on you shall see that these are for the Geriatric Superheroes !!!

Green Lantern...Grey Hair now...His ring looked a little tarnished too.

Elderly Joker, beard and all but still laughing it up !!!

Elderly Joker still has the moves as his "old" arch enemies are getting along fine with him now !

Old Green Lantern and Old Captain America..."Hey Cap', stay away from those buffet's bro !!"

Old man Batman on the left dancing with Old man Joker hitting on Old Lady Wonder Woman....never would have bet on that one as a kid . LOL

Old man Superman taking a break as the female keeps rocking and she's sporting a can AND Roller Skates !!! Gotta love it ! Supes had skates on too though. :-)

Super Heroes and Villains all dancing together in their old age...its like a bizzarro world !

KING : "Uhhhh ...yeah Batman , the bathroom is the other way"
BATMAN: " Don't get snippy with me or I'll whoop yo ass just like I did to Alfred my butler !!"

Super Grover !!!!...Old with a diaper of course.

Wonder Woman already tuckered out gets on her scooter !

BATMAN: "Thanks King , I found the Bathroom !!"
KING: " No problem Batman, as I think to myself "That was the coat check room" O_O

Poor FLASH having a wardrobe malfunction with his Depends diaper...looks like he's not as quick as he used to be ! ;)

However , there is the generation they left behind to continue their shenanigans !!
Joker and Batman in action again !!!

The Mighty Thor and his winged damsel.

Harlequin.

Thee Batcycle !!!

The Batmobile !!! THIS should be what a New York Taxi LOOKS like !!!

Whoa there Batman !!! Just me The King, don't run me over !!

Hula girl looking happy.

Aloha girl looking happy.

70's statioon wagon tricked out for muckfilm.com crew.

They were having fun waiting to drive up the parade route.

Freddy Kruger , ALWAYS hooks up with a girl !!...no pun intended. ;)

Dr.Body Parts was accepting new patients.

Frankenstein always makes it for Halloween.

...and how better to finish than with a Great Dane...ooops correction SUPERDANE !!!!!!

That is some dog, and I'm dog tired, hope you liked round 2 and more to come the next few days.

I may not be Old Superman , or Old Batman, but I'll tell you one thing, my yellow taxi could have taken out all those scooters filled with Old Super Heroes and I would have become the most evil villain of all time known only as...The King of New York Hacks. Muhoohahahaha.but The King would never do that ;)

Peace out voters.

King of New York Hacks and The New York's Village Halloween Parade , Part 1

2010-11-02T08:19:00.001-04:00

BOO !!! GET OUT AND VOTE TODAY !!

I hope everyone's Halloween was enjoyable and safe, and no one got tricked but only treated you to what you deserve...and to those of you who got TP'ed or the ole bag of shit lit on fire only for you to put it out, well what did you do to deserve that ?!?! LOL

Well I went to the New York Village Halloween Parade this year and must send the kindest thanks to Jeanne Fleming and her crew who organize and make such a spectacular event possible through tireless fund raising and coordinating with all the proper city agencies and sponsors every year. I'm sure I speak for everyone there or who watched it on TV or will go to the Halloween website in the near future that they did it again, as they always do and staged another brilliant Halloween Parade as is done every year, and this one by far.

Thank you Jeanne Fleming and to her most creative and artistic crew !!!

It is fantastic that they pull this extraordinary event off each year and for those of you who have never been to New York, visit one Halloween and enjoy it yourself up close !! Many of the people who participate are real performers and as eventually you'll see through all the photos, its better than a Broadway show !

I will go into some detail on particular photos but here is the direct link for you to go to the website of the parade and view all of my pictures, which are not up yet, however will be soon, and I will let you know when they are to view all of them, 350 plus of them !!!. The King's finger was tired of all the pic taking, but well worth the outcome as usual.

These are the links: New York's Halloween Parade , or http://www.halloween-nyc.com/ .

I will give my usual thoughts and experiences, and hopefully you will enjoy all the photos and my insightful and clever observations...Yeah that's right, The KING is insightful and clever !! ...No ??? Damn. ;-P

Well I'll give it a shot anyway peeps, and remember this is only part one...I'll be posting through the rest of the week so enjoy.

My first sign of the dead came on the bus to the city !! ZOMBIES are taking over this town !!
The King didn't look appetizing to them...wasn't sure how to take that as a good thing or bad ?? LMAO Great costumes , a lot of hard work goes into looking that good...well, evil. ;)

Now since the Giants won the World Series last night, I have to send a shout out to to my buddy RKB in the NYC because I think she won't see these kind of Zombies in the future... I hope those Cubbies play the Yankees next year ! What a way to go though !! Keep the faith Illinois !!...and you too RKB ;-)

HULK SMASH !!!! Yeah, like he could really harm the King....all I did was tell him I would set him up with Charlie Sheen's soon to be ex wife...and The Hulk chilled..lol

This cat was groovin' and cruisin' to scary sounds over his stereo turning heads everywhere as he flashes the King the peace sign from his mint classic Chevy...Peace indeed bro, scare away !!

I took this pic through the glass at a salon as they were airbrushing and painting people for the parade ! A lot of work goes into Halloween round the NYC !

Even The Chile Miners made it to NYC after all they have been through !!
They were wearing shirts that said "Thank you World" "Thank You America" and had signatures all over them as they were having a great time !

Hmmmm...maybe not the real miners, these are women, but its a great costume !

I thought I've seen everything, BUT a T-REX eating an Apple ???? Carnivores really are cutting down on meat ...who knew ???

New York Downtown Clown was there and rockin' with his crew ready to march the parade !

You know Freddy never misses a Halloween Party ....or your dreams !!! Muuhuuhahahahah!!

A new concept of technology, The Human Breathalyzer, just take a look where to BLOW !!
LMAO !!

Some really well crafted and original costumes with lighting on the inside that just makes you really appreciate all the work that goes into having some fun every Halloween...unless you were her....I never did see her again. O_O

I haven't seen a jean jacket with a Robert Crumb pic on it in a long time ! Very Cool, and not his costume...but I had to take a pic of that nostalgia !
Crumb Rocks !

This Vampire Dude was setting the mood for the evening...he gave me a sticker that said Vampire Freaks on it with a pic that looked just like him, when all of a sudden he tried to decapitate the King and swung at me !!... but held up when I looked at him because he recognized me and said "Oh shit King, my bad !" , turned into a bat and flew away...No shit , true story.

Jeff "The DUDE" Lebowski, from The Coen Brothers "The Big Lebowski" !
I walked up to him and said "DUDE , IT'S HALLOWEEN !!"
DUDE replied dryly "Thanks King." ...damn man , The Dude will never change ! LOL

THE Jagermeister !!! Now this stuff is pure EVIL as he is !!

Geriatric Wonder Woman and Geriatric I don't know who the other hero is, but they had a whole crew of Geriatric Superheroes which I'll post more pics of and about in one of the next posts...Hilarious idea and everyone had a lot of fun with them. Check out Captain America smokin a cigar wearing a depends diaper ! LMFAO !! Now that is some funny shit !!

The King went from Old heroes to young Tigresses...and yes, they molested me....twice. ;-)

I ♥ N Y !!

The Hula Hoop from Hell Scream and the laughing man all having a great time...they had great music playing and everyone was having a great time as you can see ! Love that green tongue !!

King Tut loves chillin' in New York City, but he knows I'm the real King of New York...Hacks. ;)

Elaborate costumes as they dance to thee Emperors and The King's groove !

It was on. Once everyone was dancing, they didn't stop ! Now remember this is all on the street, and it was pretty chilly and windy too, but the party went on.

The Jagermeister girls never slowed down and were chillin, literally ! They were bundled up pretty good compared to others.

....like this beautiful girl who was trying to seduce The King...ahhh but I don't kiss and tell ;P

...and on a pleasant night like this, even the worst of enemies call a truce...

The Pope and The Devil shaking hands

So not a bad way to end the first of the next few days of Halloween Pictures, I'll be posting til the end of the week, so hope you liked round one...and it is nice to see good and evil getting along...but I'm no Pope, and I certainly am not the Devil...but they do shake hands when they are in New York City and bump into me...or neither will get a Taxi from, you know it...

The King of New York Hacks.

Peace out tricksters and treaters. Halloween ain't over yet. ;-) ...and don't forget to vote.

The King of New York Hacks, Halloween, Graffiti or Art ?? Part 2

2010-10-30T19:51:00.022-04:00

So I guess it is official on how we all feel about Graffiti...The eye of the beholder is our guide to what is and isn't art...and from some of the comments which were all insightful from my prior post, I agree that it is an art, when not destroying public places or trying to desecrate anything either.

This building is consistently changing legally and gives the artists a place to really shine without breaking the law so we can see their full potential. Hopefully more places will exist like this in the future, I love the concept, especially bringing in artists from around the world and their interpretation of our seasons, times, holidays and whatever else they want to express.

As years ago the Subway cars were literally COVERED in spray paint, but they had a certain, "Hey , now THAT is a New York City fucking subway car....Damn that was beautiful" as the art flew by you at 60 miles per hour because it was an express train not for your stop. Now the trains are treated to repel paint , and "scratchiti" ( The art of scratching into the glass) is hardly ever seen now.

The Eye of The Beholder...The truth for so many things my friends...no doubt.

I'll keep the comments brief, just enjoy the rest of the art, and enjoy it for what it is, and will soon be something else. Seems they had some Halloween theme and it was a nice touch.

A New York City Cat...lots of crazy cats in this town.

Mayor Bloombergs House.

Masters at work...my battery died in my phone to get his finished product..Bad King..BAD !!

The Graffiti Artist Palette. Complete with respirators.

If you look closely its a girl he is painting.

Putting on the finishing touches of his mural, respirator on.

They have no limit, they reach to them.

Yeah, even some badass female tagger artists in this city. They are GOOD !

Light bulb looks happier than my last post. ;-) Guess the electric bill was paid. ;P

KING KONG and The Rats of the N.Y.C.

Scary skulls fitting the season for fright night.

Wouldn't be complete without pumpkins and ghosts.

5PTZ is one bad ass piece of work. If you are ever in New York, GO !

These two taggers, PK, and KID...I went to high school with them and they are still doing it...and they are in their 40's...However, they just get their tag names out, not like the real art of the murals but a huge part of the subculture.

This one blew me away..."LETTERMAN" !!! I use to watch this on "The Electric Company all the time as a kid. Just may be my Halloween costume tomorrow. Sweet.

If you don't know Letterman,he was always saving words from the evil Spellbinder who would mix a word up to only have Letterman save the day.
Faster than a rolling 'O'
Stronger than silent 'E'
Able to leap capital 'T' in a single bound!
It's a word, it’s a plan...it's Letterman!

The voices of the cartoon were all EXTREMELY famous people. Very Cool. Nice props on the 5PTZ to good ole Letterman.
Zero Mostel—Spell Binder
Joan Rivers—Narrator
Gene Wilder—Letterman....Enjoy the clip. ;)

....and as I turn around from the 5PTZ ready to head back to my $$$ making domain...it looks pretty nice over there .

The King slowly turning into a zombie...ca...cant stop it !! :P

You can do it too !! LOL

http://www.makemezombie.com/

So in closing all, Have a safe and Happy Halloween...Please don't let your friends drink and drive and be safe...will have costumes from the city tomorrow posted on Monday hopefully...til then, I remain not Frankenstein or Mayor Bloomberg...I'm just The King of New York Hacks. Peace out Peeps.

King of New York Hacks, Halloween... Graffiti is it art ?? Part One. You decide peeps. Comments are free !!

2010-10-28T00:12:00.038-04:00

I grew up in the "tagging" era...and it still resides here in my head and heart even though I was never a tagger...but is still here nonetheless albeit not as you would see in a movie like "The Warriors"... However it still exists...and it is still so very much, NEW YORK CITY , and I consider it ART...as many do... much more than some of the shit I see at the tax deductible donation museums where a piece of dogshit on a Popsicle stick is considered an educational enlightening experience satisfying to the senses...

" What the fuck did you just say about that shit on a stick ????" Oh Yeah , OK I get it , your friend made it and you're the curator.... Sheeeet ...literally ! LOL

Art is cultural, inventive, dignifying, and gifted....

"Sheeeeeeet, now that I read what I wrote I should spray paint my blog on the walls !!"

What the hell are you laughing at ...I'm serious LOL

...nah , I'm not that good....but these artists are ALWAYS discounted...trust me, I know some of the best personally and they got the SKILLS !!! Period !

I'll write more personal stuff about the culture in the future , but for now ...sit back and enjoy urban ART !

Ahhhh...Crisp day, my favorite building in this grand city...The Chrysler...'nuff said.

A Destination, not in Manhattan of the old , but the Queens of the New.

A sight on my way there...I got a feeling he does love NYC.... deep down. :-)

This is what an electric company bulb looks like in the dark for not paying to use him. ....what do I say to this...Fuck 'em...light a candle. ;)

These are the pieces that you need to stop...and..absorb the...whatever it is you feel.

The Grizzley inside of you....yeah, you know where it is , just go and use it...its there use it .

New Yorkers Represent. Peace brother.

Death...Life...No Symmetry needed on these streets...or buildings as we look up.

Hey Obama, is Dental included in that new Health-care Bill ? I know of some cabbies in need ...

NO ...FUCK NO !!! ....and we never FUCKING will !! But GOD forbid they put this in the Met, or MOMA...This IS art my friends...I don't really give a shit if you think it's not.

INK is expression...doesn't have to be on your skin...still ink tellin' the story. Peace.

Dude is trying tto eat my name because he found out Dental is NOT in Obama's health plan ! LOL

Hey Neon lights, or paint on the wall, I'll take it and props to the painter !! Holla brother, this is some real NYC art !!! ...not that I'm biased 'cause my name is Eddie. ;)

Walk down the wrong alley in the N...Y...C...and this is what you'll see.
Happy Fuckin' Halloween any day of the year peeps....watch yourself...Fo' Real !!

TNT..Shotguns..and probably Acid...hell, I feel like I'm back in High School LMAO !!

Unfortunately this was me !!! LOL

Round the world Graffiti Art peeps, don't get more real than this...artists from around the world come to leave their mark or "TAG"....and it's only PART ONE. From Munich to 5PTZ NYC ...:P

So I hope you scare the shit out of everyone for Halloween, watch scary movies, and make sure you look at the candy you are getting so you have no allergy issues for the children or even worse stuff if ya know what I mean...I'm a Celiac, I can't trick or treat my ass round the way like I used to...I gotta read LABELS !! DAMN !! LOL ! ...Most important item, keep the kids safe peeps...but hey, you don't have to listen to me...Who the hell am I ??? Oh yeah....

Peace out peepers, hope all is well with you, and hopefully see you next time for part 2, which will be BEFORE HALLOWEEN...til then...I'm just....

....wait for it....

The King Of New York Hacks....( enter Shaft Theme ) Damn Right !!

The Lioness from Hells Kitchen.

2010-10-21T18:08:00.010-04:00

Well hello again everyone, been a while... but I'm back at the keyboard and have some nice pictures of the end of summer coming up and the changing colors of New York City as Fall is here, and we are still hoping for CHANGE...more than the colors, but the stuff in our pockets and the well being of each other. That's what HOPE is for no ??

They both go hand in hand.

I have come across some very special people through blogging, some I have met in person and most I have not. If I had the time to post about all of them I would, so forgive me if anyone thinks I'm slighting them in any way. It just happens that this person has some roots from the 10036, and for those of you not in the know, THAT is the real HELLS KITCHEN zip code...not some fussy ass French dude in a kitchen who yaps like a Chihuahua at people even if they made a bowl of cereal. This person was in the Hells Kitchen that was full of murders, deviants, and a sweeping crack epidemic before Rudy Giuliani turned it into Disneyland.

I just recently found out a great friend of my family had his leg amputated from suffering through years of kidney disease and dialysis. He was one of the most disciplined and athletic individuals I have ever met in my life. He was also a selfless missionary. He gave, never took and yet still fights the good fight, looking forward to rehab with a new prosthetic leg.

That is the heart of a Lion.

However, every once in a while I come across a story that I just need to share with everyone, and hope it raises an awareness to what I believe is a great cause and usually a great story. Well with this there is both. I have followed a blog since I started writing called Smarty Pants Rants , and she is smart, funny, takes great pics and is very funny....oh AND she has Type 1 Diabetes.

I know first hand from living with my nephews who have suffered with FSGS, what a tough road it is for children or adults to endure the process of medications, injections, side effects, and all the rest of the turmoil and restrictions on diet and daily routines that most of us take for granted, and how fucking tough they are to endure it with a smile, even when there are complications, and make it all seem so routine as I still grimace when I see all the medications and injections they go through daily, seemingly with ease.

The hearts of a Lion.

Well this fellow blogger, Sara is her name...and she is fighting for the CURE for Diabetes...I don't need to write much, Sara will tell you it all in her brilliant video. Just so you know, it takes a lot of time and work to upload pictures and write just a blog..I can only imagine the countless hours Sara spent on making this short movie about diabetes awareness and being brave enough to use herself ...Sara has encapsulated her life in a less than 6 minute video, and I implore you to watch it...trust the King on this one, it is THAT GOOD.

Most people watch 6 minutes worth of commercials a day, so please, watch this and learn.

Sara says:

"I hope...I still have a tiny, shimmering chunk of HOPE inside! Life would be different without diabetes, but I know it would be nothing without the people who give my REAL life REAL meaning – the ones who inspire me to keep hoping. So I test, and read up on the latest developments, and raise money for research. And I HOPE….."

...and I hope to Sara, for you and everyone else who wants the CURE. You deserve it.

Ladies and Gentlemen...The Lion Queen.

To view it on You Tube to see the whole screen and read all the subtitles:
Click--------> Fight Type 1 Diabetes

Brilliant, no ?? The King doesn't lie.

Click This Word Link To Donate TO Sara's Walk

In closing once again, I am just a courier of news from New Yorkers who are elsewhere now, today... but bring a strong spirit wherever they go and we were glad to have her while we did....Today I am no King, I am just a member of the human race who hopes...hopes that Sara's words resonate to you...and one day to all.

I encourage all of you to visit her blog and tell her what you think...and continue to HOPE. Smarty Pants Rants.

Thank you Sara, You truly are The Lioness from New York.

Peace out Peeps.

-Edward