What Things May Come

Rain Dancers – Feb. 25, 2010

kingmikeip — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 07:41:21 +0000

The wintry snow-rain mix once again greeted New York City on Feb. 25, 2010. As usual pedestrians did their normal rain dance. Here’s my version.

Blizzard in Central Park – Feb. 10, 2010

kingmikeip — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 05:10:33 +0000

New York City was hit with a huge blizzard on Feb. 10, 2010. I decided to take a stroll in Central Park. This is what I saw.

Times Square New Years – The Aftermath

kingmikeip — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 21:14:25 +0000

Times Square New Years celebration is one of the world’s biggest – if not the biggest. It is certainly the most well-known one. All the broadcast and cable news channels always focus on the before and right after the ball drops, however, here’s a tiny peek into what Times Square looks like after the celebrators have dispersed.

A street cleaner cleans up confetti and other trash left behind, while a hot dog vendor heads home.

Broadway is littered with confetti and trash.

A street vendor fulfills the appetite of a couple hungry guys.

MTA Budget Shortfall

kingmikeip — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 03:52:32 +0000

An MTA budget shortfall of almost $400 million threatens to affect bus and subway service. One of the lines that was proposed to be cut was the W train, which provides local service in Astoria and in Manhattan on Broadway. Currently the plans are to discontinue W train service leaving just the N train in Astoria. No additional N train service will be added which will create possible crowded trains and delays.

Passengers leave an N train at Broadway Station in Queens on Dec. 16, 2009. If proposed cuts are approved, the N train will be the only train serving Astoria.

The W train’s days may be numbered.

Joe Napolitano is concerned that additional N train service will not be available.

Jamell Frasier takes the W train to work every day. He is worried about overcrowding.

High School Football – #5 Curtis stuns #1 Fort Hamilton – Nov. 21, 2009

kingmikeip — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 00:01:25 +0000

Fort Hamilton, the #1 high school football team in New York City was supposed to breeze through the playoffs. They were 11-0 going into the semi-final game against #5 Curtis. Fort Hamilton had previously beaten Curtis earlier in the season and entered the game with high hopes. Curtis, however, had a chip on their shoulder.

Led by Penn State bound defensive end Dominique Easley they did everything within their power to prevent a second loss to Fort Hamilton. Curtis struck first, but Fort Hamilton was able to control the tempo of the game. With just minutes to go and vociferous crowd behind them, it looked like Fort Hamilton would end up victorious 19-12. Then the unthinkable happened.

Curtis mounted a huge drive bringing them within Fort Hamilton’s 10-yard-line. Curtis quarterback Kelvin Ruano got a bad snap on 4th down. He unhesitatingly picked up the ball, found an open lane and rushing in for a touchdown. Curtis coach Pete Gambardella decided to go for the two-point conversion – and the win – and it paid off. Ruano found a wide open Jevon Gardner in the end zone to seal the upset.

Curtis defensive linebacker and Penn State bound Dominique Easley was a defensive force in the game.

Fort Hamilton quarterback Frank Laino tries to avoid Curtis defenders.

Curtis running back Jevon Gardner rushes for a few yards.

Curtis’s Wesley Foryoh returns a punt for a touchdown.

Fort Hamilton’s Brandon Reddish has a leaping catch.

Fort Hamilton’s Alton Richardson pierces Curtis defenses.

Fort Hamilton’s Brandon Reddish runs for a touchdown in the second half.

Curtis defensive back Adebowale Godwin returns an interceptions in the second half.

Fort Hamilton defenders can’t prevent Curtis quarterback Kelvin Ruano from rushing for a touchdown in the fourth quarter. This touchdown led to a two-point conversion which sealed the victory for Curtis.

Curtis defensive lineman Krenar Suka hugs Sharon Irwin after their win.

Curtis cheerleaders go wild.

Dominique Easley #58 leads the post game celebration.

2009 NYC Marathon

kingmikeip — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 19:32:22 +0000

The NYC Marathon was held on Nov. 1, 2009. At 26.2 miles, it is the ultimate challenge for distance runners. The marathon stretches through all five boroughs; starting in Staten Island and ending in Central Park. Here are some highlights.

Magdalena Lewy Boulet from California. Boulet, the top American female finisher, clocked in 2:32:17 and sixth overall.

Meb Keflezighi from California, originally from Eritrea. Keflezighi, the first American to win the race since 1982, finished in 2:09:15.

Jaouad Gharib from Morocco finished third with a time of 2:10:25.

Ryan Hall from California, the second American to finish, placed fourth with a time of 2:10:36.

Abderrahime Bouramdane from Morocco checks his time. Bouramdane finished fifth with a time of 2:12:14.

Mike Sayenko of Washington finished 14th with a time of 2:16:38.

Fans bundled up to cheer on the runners during the brisk November afternoon.

Seido Karate Tournament at Hunter College – Oct. 17

kingmikeip — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 01:21:13 +0000

My neighbor was competing in a Karate competition at Hunter College today and invited me along. It’s the first time I photographed anything martial arts related. I feel I shot it a little too loose, but I know what to expect next time.

A competitor has his arm iced down after receiving some bruises from his previous bout. A fellow competitor admires the bruise.

A competitor screams as he knocks down his opponent.

United Nations Protests – Sept 23, 2009

kingmikeip — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 04:26:10 +0000

Sept. 23, 2009 was the United Nations general assembly. Leaders from around the world came to speak. Due to the high visibility of the event, there were hoards of protesters. These included protesters for Iran, Honduras and Falun Gong.

Iranian protesters held signs of Neda – and symbol of their struggle.

Iranian protesters chanted “hey hey ho ho Ahmedinejad’s got to go.”

Iranian protesters made peace signs to symbolize what they really wanted for Iran.

Falun Gong protesters did so in silence.

Honduran protesters drew a much smaller crowd than the Iranians.

Other pro-Iran supporters sang instead of chanting.

Orthodox Jew Protest – Sept 16, 2009

kingmikeip — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 06:05:10 +0000

Orthodox Jews protested on W. 58th Street in front of the Israeli Hospital, Hadassah on Sept. 16, 2009. The protesters claimed the hospital performed experiments on a three-year-old child that almost killed him. The child’s mother was also arrested on accusations she failed to feed the child, which she denies.

A couple protesters break from the crowd to conduct a sidebar conversation.

Protesters listen as speakers condemn the hospital.

A young Orthodox Jew is caught off guard making a phone call.

The protesters board a bus to head back to Brooklyn.

First Street Shots

kingmikeip — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 00:24:51 +0000

So I wanted to give my shot at doing some incognito street shooting. I geared up with a Leica D-Lux 4 and hit the streets. Here is my first take.