Day 26

Long Island City

January 25th, 2012



Condos looming

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Day 26

Ventilation building

January 25th, 2012



For the Queens-Midtown Tunnel. The ventilation system completely changes the air inside the tunnel every 90 seconds.

Day 26




These Queensmarked beauties come with a less-than-ideal view. See for yourself.

Day 26

Entrance for toll collectors

January 25th, 2012



Queens-Midtown Tunnel

(In case you're wondering, I'm trying to block the sun with my left hand.)

Day 26

Patriotic fire hydrant

January 25th, 2012



A remnant of 1976? No — the paint looks too fresh.

Day 26

5 Pointz

January 25th, 2012



The Institute of Higher Burnin'. It's a massive complex — this is just a small part of one side.

Day 26

Train Fame

January 25th, 2012



(The column you see is a support for the 7 train viaduct overhead.)

The four-star review is attributed to City Councilman Peter F. Vallone, Jr., a strident crusader against graffiti.

Day 26

Kingz of Queens

January 25th, 2012


Day 26

Citicorp Building

January 25th, 2012



The tallest building in NYC outside of Manhattan, it's often derided for being an immensely bland piece of architecture that is totally out of place among the much lower buildings around it. It does have one interesting feature, though, which is only evident at a distance. We'll see it later in the day.

Day 26

Long Island City Courthouse

January 25th, 2012



This is where, in response to a reporter asking him why he robbed banks, Willie Sutton apocryphally uttered the famous line: "Because that's where the money is."

Sutton claims this exchange never took place, but does answer the question in his autobiography:

"Why did I rob banks? Because I enjoyed it. I loved it. I was more alive when I was inside a bank, robbing it, than at any other time in my life. I enjoyed everything about it so much that one or two weeks later I'd be out looking for the next job. But to me the money was the chips, that's all."

Day 26

Mini-grotto!

January 25th, 2012



St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church

Day 26

Aviation High School

January 25th, 2012



A public high school that teaches aircraft maintenance

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Portal of the day

January 25th, 2012



Casa Jimmy USA, Inc.

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Dear lord

January 25th, 2012



He's on the prowl again.

Day 26

Off in the distance

January 25th, 2012



The upward arrow of the Citicorp Building

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As seen from the Greenpoint Avenue Bridge

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I’m not sure

January 25th, 2012



that importance can be steadfast. But if it can, then surely it would prevent the plaque from being ripped off its own monument. To add further indignity, this sign offers up a pretty lukewarm tribute: "pleasant personality"? I think the DOT has proven that it should leave the parks to Parks from now on.

Day 26

9/11 memorial #9

January 25th, 2012


Day 26




This tiny community library cleverly sits on a hand truck that's chained to the sign post behind it, making it something like a bike locked to a pole, which, I believe, puts it technically in compliance with city regulations. See what's currently in circulation!

Day 26

More BQE drainage

January 25th, 2012



And on and on.

Day 26

Father Giorgio

January 25th, 2012



Father Giorgio Triangle honors the man who, among other things, was the pastor of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, which is memorialized right on the other side of the BQE.