In Awe of the Oculus

Jutting into the blue sky and reflected into the wavy blue glass of the modern skyscrapers surrounding it shines the brilliant white spine of the Oculus.  Somehow, the structure manages to appear part T-Rex, part whale, part dove, and all sci-fi, while being truly magnificent.  It isn't the set for a new Transformers movie though - it's the new transit hub at the World Trade Center designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava for the bargain price of $3.7 billion (that's right, billion, with a "b").

The Oculus under construction.
Source: New York Times

Although the area around the Oculus is still under construction, the Oculus officially opened in early March 2016.  Eventually, the Oculus will function as part of a massive transit hub that connects One World Trade Center to the PATH trains (to New Jersey). lower Manhattan subway lines, and the new MTA station at Fulton Street.  For now, it's an Instagrammer's paradise (you have to admit though that some of these shots are really, really cool).  After seeing a friend's post of the structure, I decided to go downtown and see what the big deal was.  My verdict: it might have cost a pretty penny (or $3.7 billion dollars' worth of pretty pennies), but the Oculus is a damn cool piece of architecture.  Here are some of my shots from my first trip - I love the black and white contrasts within the structure.

Reflections of the Oculus in the Millennium Hotel across the street.

You can see Freedom Tower through the Oculus' retractable skylight.

Buildings surrounding the Oculus.

Entering the Oculus.

The ceiling above the MTA entrance.
The shadows look like a whale's fluke moving through the water.

My favorite shot.  In the West Concourse.

Read more »

Posted in: architecture,English,Financial District,Freedom Tower,J-Mad,Manhattan,MTA,New York,New York City,Oculus,Post-Bar Life,Santiago Calatrava,Tribeca,World Trade Center

World Buddies

After spending time working in Geneva among international organizations and observing the United Nations system, specifically during its sessions during the 2014 Human Rights Council, one of the challenges encountered was reconciling the apparent disconnect between what happens at a very broad, high-level general assembly/HRC session translating into real, positive changes for people on the ground experiencing actual human rights violations and suffering.  Seeing the discussions happening in Geneva, surrounded by the type of politics that accompany such exchanges and knowing some of the problems faced by real people in other countries, is disconcerting and tough to account for.  The Daily Show did an excellent job in this segment capturing some of these feelings that many exposed to the system experience, and in doing so, hopefully challenged citizens and their diplomats around the globe to work better and smarter together for a greater, common good.

The Daily Show

Get More: Daily Show Full Episodes,The Daily Show on Facebook,Daily Show Video Archive

Read more »

Posted in: 3L,English,Geneva,Human Rights,J-Mad,New York City,Post-Bar Life,Switzerland,The Daily Show,United Nations,United States,World Buddies

Cosmopolitan Cobra

The Daily Show - Poisonous Cobra Enjoys Freedom
Tags: Daily Show Full Episodes,Political Humor & Satire Blog,The Daily Show on Facebook

Apparently, this adventurous cobra has been found chilling in a corner of the Reptile House in the Bronx Zoo. But, by the tweets that the BronxZoosCobra posted on its Twitter, it sounds like the snake had a good time out on the town.

Some of the BronxZoosCobra's highlights are as followsss:

Does anyone know if the Whole Foods in Columbus Circle sells organic mice?

"Indiana Jones, why did it have to be Indiana Jones?"

"Give me your tired, your poor/Your coiled masses yearning to breathe free" Powerful words at the Statue of Liberty. #snakeonthetown

Getting my morning coffee at the Mudtruck. Don't even talk to me until I've had my morning coffee. Seriously, don't. I'm venomous.

City may not sleep, but I'm ready to. Ooh a chimney! I bet you bragged to your friends about having a working fireplace in NYC. Hi roomie.

Not a fan of G.I. Joe.

Anyone know of a good vegan restaurant near Union Square? #snakeonthetown

This was totally worth an entire blogpost.

Read more »

Posted in: Daily Show,English,J-Mad,New York City,snake,Washington DC