Snow day, Lower East Side

Snow day, Lower East Side, originally uploaded by Alex Whittaker.

The first snowy day of the season hits the Lower East Side in early December.

Protest Graffiti, Lower East Side

Protest Graffiti, Lower East Side, originally uploaded by Alex Whittaker.

This graffiti piece, protesting recent developments in the neighbourhood appeared on the outside of the alternative culture centre ABC No Rio during September.

Plastic Graffiti, Lower East Side

Plastic Graffiti, Lower East Side, originally uploaded by Alex Whittaker.

Been a while since I've taken any Lower East Side photos but here's one to at least keep the idea of me having a blog going.

Graffiti, Lower East Side

Graffiti, Lower East Side, originally uploaded by Alex Whittaker.

This was part of a much bigger piece of graffiti (or street art if you want) in Freeman Alley on the LES. Check out some of the other pieces on my Flickr.

Hipsters, Lower East Side

Hipsters, Lower East Side, originally uploaded by Alex Whittaker.

I don't tend to take many photos of people, especially in the street, and this is actually a detail from a much bigger picture but I really like it.

Beer advert, Lower East Side

Beer advert, Lower East Side, originally uploaded by Alex Whittaker.

I don't believe anyone has actually ever said "Hooray beer!"

Radio store, Lower East Side

Radio store, Lower East Side, originally uploaded by Alex Whittaker.

I love the details on this building. It's so easy to just wander around New York and you can easily miss places like this.

Photographing the Lower East Side

Bakery, Lower East Side
Originally uploaded by Alex Whittaker.

I've not written anything here for a while so here's a pretty picture instead. I'm kind of thinking of turning this blog into a photo blog about the Lower East Side. As I reckon pictures are better than my ramblings. This place is a few blocks down from my flat, I really love these old style signs that you get everywhere in New York.

No mo LoHo

Unhappy bin, New York
Originally uploaded by Alex Whittaker.

See, I told you LoHo doesn't really exist. Now to go about creating my NooDel Wikipedia entry.

Hell Square

Cheap T-shirts, New York
Originally uploaded by Alex Whittaker.

So it seems like I wasn't the first to re-name the area where I live. Reading through the archives of Curbed they have decided to re-christen my neighborhood with the delightful moniker of Hell Square. Whilst I can kind of see where they're coming from this does seem a bit much - yeah the area is going through a pretty major gentrification, and the number of consciously trendy bars and restaurants can get a bit much - but was it honestly a lot better before? I suppose it's hard for me to comment as I'm probably part of the problem as much as anything but personally I like the fact I can get a good meal, hear some great music and drink in some pretty decent bars all within a few minutes of my front door. And if this is supposed to be killing the neighborhood then just check out the thriving Essex Street Market with extended hours and new stalls opening up all the time. The LES has a history of changing communities and I think the latest influx is putting as much in as it is taking out. And it's hardly like the rest of Manhattan is any different.

So about the name

It seems to me that every street in New York claims to be a different neighbourhood. Some of them really exist like SoHo (South of Houston) and TriBeCa (Triangle Below Canal). Some of them don't really exist at all like LoHo. And some of them are just clever names that estate agents came up with in order to create the impression of a neighbourhood (see DUMBO). So I figured I'd start making my own up. To start with I've rechristened my block NooDel - North of Delancey - which, handily, is where it is. I of course now expect property prices to sky rocket and everyone to start talking about "that NooDel style". You'll see it on a T-shirt soon, just you wait.

Greetings world

Clown Doll, New York
Originally uploaded by Alex Whittaker.

So I figured I'd get myself one of these blog things. Partly because I'm curious. Partly because I came up with what I considered a cool name. Partly because I feel like imposing my views on the world. But mainly because Ed has got one. And anything Ed has got I want one of. So let's see if I keep up postings or not.