Stacy Horn

I’m not going to be able to watch the news for a while. I’m even afraid to look at the Times. The only way to do it will be to immediately scroll down past the headlines to the science section, and the arts, books, movies and tv, my people. And read Hobsbawm, following a suggestion of someone whose suggestions and reasoning has always been sound. This was in response to my question about people voting for people who do not act in their best interests.

When I was working the polls on Tuesday I wasn’t hungry when I had to take my assigned “dinner break” so I just walked around, taking pictures. This is the African Burial Ground.

I will be back tomorrow with my story of what it was like working the polls yesterday. But I’m exhausted now. First, I had to get up at 4am to get there by 5am. By the way, it’s so lovely to be out during those pre-dawn hours. I was a little scared though so I wore a whistle, in case I ran into trouble. But all was well. I had an enchanting walk through my wonderful city while most everyone else slept.

I didn’t get home until 11, though. A very long day. So now that I’ve gotten all the work I needed to get done today done, I’m going to watch a little tv and SLEEP.

I love hot dogs stands. I want to to a photo series of hot dogs stands and carts. I really should go back and make a list of all the photo series I’ve mentioned wanting to do and then didn’t end up doing. This is downtown, by City Hall and the entrance to the Brooklyn Bridge, and near the poll site where I was working. Just try and tell me that isn’t a work of art.

I can’t remember if I posted or tweeted about it, but I watched this amazing video of a subway skater, Tengu, and in addition to being blown away by the skater I loved the sound track. The composer, Jacob Ireland, sent me a link to the complete piece, Subway Track, and I’ve been meaning to post it. It’s made entirely from sounds on the subway, and I just love it. Very inventive. Turns out Ireland is a graphic designer, among other things. Many other things, including being a skater!

The crowds on 11th Street on Halloween. Costumes and candy are serious business around here.

After all my worrying, the Tardis did appear! And once again I failed to get a decent shot of it. It’s partly my camera’s fault, I swear. I met someone last night who knows the Canon G series of cameras (he has each of them including the latest) and he agreed mine just doesn’t take good night shots. “You can get the new one for $400!” he said. I tried not to sob.

The Dalek also returned, ready to exterminate, thank God. I mean, OH NO!

Giving out candy at a gallery on West 4th Street. Most of the activity was centered around stoops, but a few businesses were also giving out treats.

Tree head man. Crazy tree head man (I just saw an old Adam Sandler SNL Halloween bit).

This was in front of the building on 11th and 4th Streets that had the great decorations in the post just before this one.

Now this is commitment to Halloween and your costume. (It was also cold last night!) This picture is disturbing, but she was actually totally awesome. But too much for the children. While I was taking her picture every child who passed by refused to go up and take candy from her. I couldn’t blame them.

I still haven’t decided what I’m doing tonight. Choice 1: take it easy and walk around and take pictures, enjoying the sights. Pros: I will see all the Halloween action I miss every year because the parade takes up the whole night. I love taking pictures. I love seeing all the children all dressed up, and all the adults all dressed up to entertain them. Also, I only slept a couple of hours last night and I’m tired. Also, it’s cold. And, my next door neighbor is having a party on our stoop. That should be fun, too! Cons: None.

Choice 2: drum in the Halloween Parade. Pros: It feels great to walk up the middle of 6th Avenue drumming. My band has a good spot in the parade too, so it shouldn’t be as long a wait as usual and it’s exciting to be in front. I’ll see old friends. It’s good exercise. Cons: You have to line up hours before the parade starts and then wait there for hours shivering (although again it won’t be as long as usual). It’s cold. I’m tired. I’ll miss all the local action in my neighborhood because I don’t get back home until late.

You can see which way I’m leaning. Except the guy who runs the band sent out email asking everyone to show up. We have a good spot it’s important to make a good showing.

A ghost on 11th Street. 11th Street seems to be beating out Perry Street this year.