searing gusts
– photo by Mitch Waxman
That which does not think nor breathe yet instead hungers, a malign intelligence which cannot possibly exist yet nevertheless stares down upon the world of men from the apex of the Megalith, sits upon what can only be called a Hlidskjalf.
Odin had one, a chair set upon the highest peak from which he would dispatch his all seeing ravens- Huginn and Muninn– to spy upon men and report tales of mortal vanity and sin back to his “high seat”.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
A feverish and singular eye gazes down from its sapphire high seat, its vantage affording it the 53rd highest point of view available in New York City.
Your humble narrator maintains a vast cadre of whistle blowers, neighborhood cranks, idle laborers, low level government workers, and casual informants in the prosecution of this blog. Reports returned from this network who have witnessed the tableau laid before them from atop floors of the Megalith are tantalizing.
One might see the Battery and Hell Gate, Brooklyn’s East River and its Jamaica Bay coastlines, and every bridge to Manhattan for the price of turning ones head from up there- or so I am told.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
That behemoth which cannot possibly lurk there, squatting diabolically atop the highest point on Long Island as it searches the land below for rapacious profit, what can it know about the human world it gazes upon? Can it understand individuality, and environment, or does it just see numbers?
Were such an impossibility to exist, would it believe itself to be some sort of god as Odin did- an undying and omnipresent entity served globally by a growing and humorless army of mortal acolytes?
– photo by Mitch Waxman
All this is idle speculation, of course?
little memories
– photo by Mitch Waxman
What you’re looking at used to be one of the centers of the world, the Long Island Railroad terminus at 2nd street and Borden Avenue. The original version of the place was built in 1861 and provided egress to Manhattan via an enormous ferry terminal which shuttled commuters back and forth across the East River. This was (and is) the literal “End of the Line”.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
The station was electrified (WRONG, Sharp Eyed Reader “Kevin” points out that these are diesel trains) along with the rest of the LIRR western spurs, when the tunnels to Manhattan were opened in the early 20th century. The tunnels allowed direct transport to Penn Station, eliminating those delays associated with weather which plagued the ferry service.
Today, excess capacity during the slack time between rush hours can be found idling on the tracks on any given day.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
Several versions of the station have been installed here- for instance, a calamitous fire in 1902 destroyed the wooden buildings and train sheds which distinguished the place in the late 19th century. A trip to the acknowledged masters on the subject- the website arrts-arrchives.com is recommended for the curious.
The Boulevard of Bravery
– photo by Mitch Waxman
Word came to me that Jimmy Van Bramer, who is my local City Council representative, was going to conduct a ceremony in Woodside at the firehouse of the Rescue 4 Unit. Designed to honor the members of that storied unit of the FDNY who fell in the line of duty on September 11, the event was scheduled for noon.
I packed up the camera, and accompanied again by the Charismatic Croat, set off for Woodside.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
Rescue 4 was hit particularly hard by the attack on 911, and Mr. Van Bramer had gathered several prominent members of the local political establishment and fire unions. Along with family members of the fallen, they came here to designate this corner of Queens Blvd., where Rescue 4 (and Engine 292) is housed, as “The Boulevard of Bravery”.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
A subject I normally won’t touch with a ten foot pole, September 11th is the stuff of history now, ready for postmodern interpretation and analogy. Future scholars will build careers upon the topic, discussing its ramifications and debating deeper meanings.
Ten years, from a historical point of view, is nothing.
It’s 2051 at the earliest that the subject will be able to be discussed apolitically, and probably much further into the future.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
The turnout for the event was massive, with several retired firefighters and a coterie of political stars, as well as an enormous mainstream media presence- which is rare in Queens. Also in attendance were the Emerald Society Pipe and Drum Corps of the FDNY. In the audience were several people who had lost a loved one in Manhattan, ten years prior, family and friends alike.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
Then, of course, there were the Firemen.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
As mentioned in previous posts, despite my advancing age and infirmities, it still takes a great deal of effort for me not to chase after a speeding fire truck yelling “firemen, firemen” in the same manner as I did as a small child.
Ten years ago, it was custom to break into spontaneous applause when a fire unit passed by, and few if any FDNY personnel had to pay for their own drinks at any saloon where their affiliation was known.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
After unveiling the street sign mounted on a post above Queens Blvd. along with family members of those lost from the Rescue 4 detail on September 11th, Mr Van Bramer presented the unit Captain with a duplicate sign, presumably for display within the firehouse.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
Then the Drums sang out and the Pipers began to roar, and the Emerald Society performed the hymnal “Amazing Grace”.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
The admonition offered by the attendant clergy (and by a few of the politicians), who led a spiritual moment of prayer for the deceased, was to perform some sort of good deed today.Render some sort of good natured action for another, which would honor the occasion, and which was referred to as a national day of service.
frenzied throng
– photo by Mitch Waxman
As you may have noticed from the little flickr badge on the right hand side of this page, it’s been a rather busy few days for your humble narrator. The Working Harbor Committee Tugboat races were a hoot, as always, but I’ve had to develop and deliver the shots in a somewhat timely manner- despite the annoyance of a computer system crash and a concurrent setback in my overall schedule.
Such is life.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
Some extremely exciting stuff is on the front burner right now, and October is looking to be another incredibly busy month. I can’t discuss any of it yet, but there will be several intriguing “events” which will be described to you in some detail in the coming weeks that I’m involved with.
Suffice to say- “Want to see something cool? Come with me, bring a camera and ID”.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
What does all this shadowy discussion and veiled promise have to do with shots of speedy trains and hidden trackbeds? Nothing at all, but this is a visual metaphor for what it feels like to be me at the moment.
A deer in the headlights, with a juggernaut hurtling ever closer.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
Just in case you were wondering- the trains are Metro North at Spuyten Duyvel, LIRR at Woodside and then DUPBO near Hunters Point, and Amtrak at Sunnyside Yards.
Catching up on the latest round of research, getting the next series of postings together, getting back on track. Expect regular but rather short posts for the next few days as I pull together the next session of this, your Newtown Pentacle.
dream breeding
– photo by Mitch Waxman
The Working Harbor Committee will be presenting the annual Tugboat Race this Sunday, and I hope you’ll be able to make it. The shots in this post are from last year’s race, which I had the privilege of attending.
This is a rare opportunity, from a photographic point of view, to witness this sort of thing. Dynamic, colorful, quick moving- a challenge.
from workingharbor.com
19th Annual Great North River Tugboat Race and Competition Set for Sunday, September 4
Hudson River Park Pier 84 at West 44th Street, Manhattan – 9:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Events include a tugboat parade, a mile-long tug race, nose-to-nose pushing contests, line-throwing, spinach-eating and tattoo competitions.
Best viewing is from a Circle Line spectator boat that will follow the on-the-water action.
Good viewing from shore along the West Side riverfront, at Pier 84 and at the Intrepid Museum pier.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
To attend the race, one must simply show up at the pier and enjoy, however the best views (and photos) will be available form the Circle Line observer boat which will labor to keep up with the fleet of contestants. Details on ticketing for the Circle Line boat appear at the bottom of this posting.
Note: As a disclaimer, I’m a member of Working Harbor Committee, but strictly as a volunteer (It’s a non profit organization and I receive zero proceeds for promoting the event).
also from workingharbor.com
Schedule of Events – Sunday, September 4, 2011
- 9:30 a.m. – Spectator Boat departs Pier 83 (boarding begins at 9 a.m.)
- 10 a.m. – Tugboat parade heads north from Pier 84
- 10:30 a.m. – Race begins off Pier i at 70th Street and the Hudson River
- 10:45 a.m. (and earlier) Tugs cross the finish line at Pier 84
- 11 a.m. to noon – Nose-to-nose pushing contests and line-toss competition off Pier 84
- 11:30 a.m. Spectator boat returns to Pier 83
- Noon to 1 p.m. -Tugboats and crews gather for lunch at Pier 84; public is invited to participate in spinach-eating contest and amateur line-toss and knot-tying events
- 1 p.m. – Crew tattoo contest and awards ceremony
- Public Transportation: Any subway to 42nd Street, westbound 42nd Street crosstown bus to the last stop.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
Working Harbor comes up a lot here at Newtown Pentacle, whether it be in the context of the Newtown Creek boat tours or the many “Hidden Harbor” trips which they produce. What doesn’t get mentioned that much are the groups many efforts at promoting and revealing the harbor as a career choice for kids from the inner city, it’s annual Senior Tours (produced in conjunction with the offices of the Borough President of Manhattan) which offer a free day on the water to senior citizens, and a host of smaller events which go largely unsung.
They’re a good bunch of joes.
also from workingharbor.com
New York, New York, August 30, 2011: The Great North River Tugboat Race and Competition-one of New York City’s most popular Labor Day weekend events-returns for the 19th year on Sunday, September 4.
More than a dozen tugboats, the maritime 18-wheelers that normally dock ships and push barges, will thunder down the Hudson River Sunday morning as they vie to be named the fastest boat in their class.
The race, on a one-nautical-mile Hudson River course that extends from about West 70th to West 44th Streets, typically draws thousands of spectators, some watching from shore; others getting right in the middle of the action aboard a Circle Line spectator boat that travels alongside the tugs.
This year, tugs will range from 100-foot, state-of-the art 5,000-horsepower workhorses to a 25-foot, 200 horsepower workboat, named The Bronx, to a century-old harbor tug, now a museum ship, named Pegasus. Working boats from many of New York Harbor’s major towing companies will also complete, including tugs from McAllister Towing and Transportation, Miller’s Launch and Donjon Marine. A handicap system will give smaller and less powerful boats a chance to win trophies.
The race typically draws thousands to the riverfront, which is one of the reasons the tug companies enjoy participating. “New Yorkers sometimes forget they are surrounded by water, and that there is a whole maritime industry working here. This tug competition is the one time a year people can really see what we do,” explained Craig Rising of McAllister Towing and Transportation, one of the largest and oldest tug companies in the country. It is also a field day for the tug crews, many of whom bring their families aboard.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
This is a great party on the Hudson, and a tremendous boost for the crews of the maritime tugs which seldom get a chance to show off their skills and incredible hardware to the public. In addition the race itself, there are “best maritime tattoo” and “spinach eating contests (Popeye brand spinach, natch)“.
Line throwing contests are scheduled, as well as nautical knot tying classes for kids. Family friendly, the event will be at Pier 84 (just south of the intrepid and just north of 42nd street), and the spectator boat will be boarding at the Circle Line pier at 42nd street and the Hudson River.
Hope to see you there.
also from workingharbor.com
The tug race spectator boat will be a Circle Line Sightseeing Boat. It will depart at 9:30 from Circle Line’s Pier 83 at 43rd Street and 12th Avenue (boarding will begin at 9 a.m.), and it will return at 11:30 a.m., so that passengers can walk just one block north to the events on Pier 84. Tickets are $30 adults; $25 for children under 14. Free for ages 4 and under. Tickets can be purchased in advance online at http://www.workingharbor.org or at the Working Harbor Committee tent on the north side of Pier 83 on the day of the event. Admission to the Pier 84 events is free.
The race is organized by the Working Harbor Committee, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to spreading the word about the rich history, current vitality and future potential of the New York/New Jersey Harbor. The organization also provides Hidden Harbor Tours® and runs an extensive youth educational program.
Full information is available at www.workingharbor.org.
Friends of Hudson River Park and Circle Line 42 are co-sponsors.
