The long shadow

Magnet #1270 - Madison and 34th

When I first moved here, my first job was at Berkley Publishing at 200 Madison Avenue.

Every day I'd walk across 34th street to get to my westside train, pass this exact corner on this Tiggy Ticehurst magnet of 34th and Mad and the Empire State Building and never really look up. We could see it from the bathrooms at work - I know, because somewhere I have pictures.

But to be honest, my young 22-year-old self never really took the time to look up and appreciate how cool the view was.

I would however, go there for lunch every once in a while.

Yes. Lunch.

I'd take my $4.75, walk right into the elevators with minimal security delay (try none), and eat a $3.00 hot dog with Gulden's mustard at the top of the building - all in the space of an hour.

No way you could ever do that now with forever and a day wait times and crazy tight security. But, I have to tell ya'll, it was a fantastic way to spend the lunch hour.

And now, I get to see the ESB every day again - my new gig is just a little bit south on Madison, in the 20s. So when I walk across the island for my westside train, I have an even better view. The difference is, I don't forget to enjoy it.

I love getting caught by the lights on the corners of 29th and 5th - I look up and over, and there I am, standing in her long, long shadow.

Fantastic.

Standing on top of the world...or rock, at least

Magnet #106 - Top of the Rock, April 1943

This weekend's supposed to be the first scorcher of the summer, so I'm going for a two-fer this weekend. No. Get your mind outta Swingtown for a sec. Today is Top of the Rock, Part One.

My most favorite place in the city is Top of the Rock, the recently revived observation deck at the top of 30 Rockefeller Center. I love this place soooo much. Let me count the ways.

1. Less of a wait than Empire State Building. Because TotR has only been around these last couple of years, less people know about it. And that means, less of wait, nicer facilities, and less people. I know it's odd, I get superimpatient with crowds, and I live in one of the top destination cities in the world.
2. Just as good a view as ESB. It's true. The view from upper Midtown is just as good, if not better than ESB. And, this way, you can take gorgeous photos of downtown (with ESB in the shot), and of uptown (with Central Park in the shot).
3. Both have amazing art deco detail. Although, ESB edges 30 Rock out a bit - I mean, Doctor Who didn't do a 1930s-centric episode centered on 30 Rockefeller Center.
   
4. Fab outdoor viewing. What I love about 30 Rock is that it's outdoors, on two different floors. It may not be as high, but here, you really feel like you're at the top of the world and it feels so open and free. When you're at ESB, you feel totally caged in, and in a parapet of sorts.

Need I say more?

(Yes. But that's why there's a part 2.)