My First Coffin ~ New Galleries at Thomas R. Pryor Photography

83rd Stickball 1964

In Yorkville, mid summer 1964, a guarantee way to get your candy store blackballed was not keep your sodas cold. After a good sweat from a long game on a hot day nothing was more disappointing than the first slug of a luke warm Mission Cream bottle. In "My First Coffin," I cover the ins and outs of candy store protocol in 1964 NYC. Published in A Prairie Home Companion,  read the opener below...

My first coffin was metal. It measured six feet long, three feet wide, and three feet deep. It rested on a wood base that lifted its height up by one foot. It sat in near darkness at the rear of the parlor. Everyone paid their respects. Upon close examination, you saw it bled sweat and you heard it release a soft steady communal hum. It held something we cherished and missed all the time. It chilled soda bottles in Joe's candy store. The cooler was battered and colored red, with a raised Coca-Cola bottle cap appearing on all four sides. A similar model followed Ike across Europe throughout World War II. I loved the coffin. I kissed it when no one was looking.

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This coming week, Thomas R. Pryor Photography introduces these new galleries dedicated to loved NYC locations: Yorkville, Carl Schurz Park, Central Park, Rockaway Beach, Coney Island, Eastside of Manhattan (neighborhoods and East River), Westside of Manhattan (neighborhoods and Hudson River) and NYC General Locations. Please visit the site and view photos - on sale at affordable prices.

Rory Pryor @ lake @ 1962

Roosevelt Island lighthouse from Carl Schurz Park 2012

Tommy Pryor at Hockey Field @ Carl Schurz Park @ 1964

83rd Street Summer 2013

Hot Fun in the Summertime ~ NYC

It's summer in the city. The last two weeks I've snapped a 1000 pictures without breaking a sweat.  Rockaway Beach, Gramercy Park, West Village, East Village, Central Park, Carl Schurz Park. To name a few neighborhoods.  I'll put up some photos here and lead you to more at a public photo page at Facebook that you can view with or without you having a Facebook account.

Here is the link to more pix.

Hot fun in the summertime in New York City.

The Yorkville Stable Ghost on 76th Street

On 76th Street between York & First Avenue, there's a reminder that 100 years ago, four legged animals ruled the roadways. Maybe most were horses, donkeys and mules, but that doesn't stop the Impala there now from jumping over the clouds.

Here are a few pictures of the Impala on 76th Street along with Carl Schurz Park photos and a cool car on Broome Street and Dummies on Bleecker Street.

It's June in New York, you will see it all, if you look.

I entered this photograph of the fountain in front of the Plaza Hotel in a contest at a site call Trazzler. If you like the photo could you please vote "like" for it at the link below and leave a comment.

thank you, Tommy

"Crossing Fifth Avenue, I saw the classic statue in the fountain in front of The Plaza Hotel next to Central Park. The air was still wet from the rain that had stopped a moment before. I couldn't get the Moody Blues lyric "giving freely, and completely, to my lady" out of my head as I watched the statue make a soft bow to the old hotel."

http://www.trazzler.com/trips/plaza-hotel-in-new-york-ny-1

Every Picture Tells a Story, Don't It?

Another Manhattan photo day: Gramercy Park Ivy and Balconies, Sheep Meadow Squirrels, East River Clouds Boats Lighthouses and Bridges ~ The Plaza fountain and a pretty midtown building in blue. I'm struggling between my need to write and my urge to photograph all. Trying to calm it down, go with flow, and see what happens next. 

Can't wait for this Monday, June 11th, I open up for Adam Wade at his monthly show in the Theatre under St. Mark's @ 94 St. Mark's Place. Admission is $5

Next Tuesday, June 12th is our next "City Stories: Stoops to Nuts," storytelling show at Cornelia Street Cafe with amazing near equinox talent: Barbara Aliprantis, Robin Bady, Leslie Goshko, Joy Kelly, Mike Fornatale and The Tall Pines.  Admission is $7 and includes one free drink.