Tattered Awnings

I think it is just because I've been busy watching the traffic that I haven't posted any sightings lately. Summer is a busy time on Central Avenue - more pedestrian traffic as well as more crazy drivers. I was narrowly missed driving home the other day by an erratic driver who cut in between me and several other cars. Not my favorite time of year for commuting up and down Central Avenue.

I was stopped at a traffic light and spotted this building with the tattered awnings. It is sad to see the blight throughout the city of Albany. On almost any corner you can find dilapidated buildings. Boarded up, run down, abandoned - some still occupied. It is unfortunate to see since there was a time when these buildings were quite stately.

I spotted this hawk on my lunch time walk around the city of Albany. It was perched on a light pole over Hawk Street.  No kidding!!!

Be Observant

 

Driving to work every day can sometimes become routine. I try not to let that happen and be observant of my surroundings. I noticed this traffic signal the other morning. The portion of the light that is blocked is the left turn signal. I've been meaning to report it to the locals since there is a department that handles this. It is a very busy intersection of Central Avenue where this particular light is located. I hope it has been corrected - I haven't checked in the past few days.

 

On another note, there isn't a day that goes by that I don't see some building in Albany that I find fascinating. The architecture is so varied and buildings with so much history. Be observant and take notice. There is so much to see. Even the areas that are getting somewhat run down (which is a shame) still have a lot to see.

 

 

 

 

Weather

The weather this winter has been very mild with little or no snow. Yesterday a thunderstorm blew through in the afternoon followed by a beautiful rainbow. Many people posted pics of the rainbow on social media. Today the sky looked interesting to me with the sun peeking through the clouds and a few flurries. This was the morning view. The temps are getting colder and I think that snow will be just around the corner.

The good news, for those of us who are not missing snow and cold, is that even if we get snow, there is not that much winter left.

Make the most of your day and enjoy the sunshine whenever possible.

Happy New Year 2016

Happy New Year

It's been a while since I posted to this blog. Friends have asked why and the only thing I can think of is that I didn't feel that there was anything of particular interest to report. I'm sure that on a daily basis I see something that is worth a pic or worth mentioning, but I don't always make note of it.

Happy New Year, 2016!! Today while driving on Central Avenue I spotted a gentleman in the car next to me who had a full beard and very long hair. What made it remarkable was that his hair almost looked like a wig. It was curly, but not kinky, and blond, sort of a dirty blond. His beard was dark. He took a second look my way, and I did a double take his. It was the hair - flowy, and sensuous (his). I'm not sure if it was his or a wig. It doesn't really matter and we will never know. If I see him again, I'll be sure to take a closer look. 

I will start paying more attention to what is happening around me so I can share more about the fascinating sights and sounds that surround us every day. The Central Avenue sights are very often unusual and interesting.

This pic is not that guy, just a similar rendering.

 
 

S.W.A.T.

  Today on Central Avenue


I spotted this vehicle.  The license is "APD754" which I assume is Albany Police Department.  My curiosity definitely got hold of me wondering why the Albany Police have such a vehicle and also what were they doing cruising on Central Avenue on a peaceful Thursday morning.  I tried to get a better pic but they turned before I had a chance.
In any case, I'm hoping that there is never a need for such armor in Albany - though with the drug war continually escalating and different types of terrorist activity in the country who knows??
Peace.

Sunset Reflection

Last night while driving down Central Avenue I happened to catch a glimpse of the sun shining on the Alfred E. Smith building. It looked as if the building was on fire with the setting sun reflecting on all that glass.

I'm not sure that the picture captures the intensity of what I saw. 

Floppy Ears

Today while stopped at a red light on "the Avenue" I spotted a woman in the car next to me who had one of those stretched ear lobes. I could only see her left side and it was a pretty big hole. In her right hand was a cell phone being held up to her right ear. You can get a ticket for talking on a handheld device in NYS. I wondered if she had the phone on that side because the earlobe stretching was affecting her hearing? Joke. It could make it hard to hold a phone to your ear. I don't know. 

For the record, I have pierced ears. Two holes in each ear, and my lobes are slightly droopy because of the years of wearing long dangly earrings. So, why would I go to all that trouble to stretch my ear lobes when just wearing earrings will do it for me? I don't understand the purpose of stretching ones ear lobes, but to each his/her own. Mine would flap too much while swimming, biking, and running if I did that, kind of like my hound dog.

Enjoy your day, and let's hope Spring comes forth soon.