January 16, 2010
Answer: Avoid MTV
(Fifth Av & 43 St, Manhattan)
Posted by jpchan at 12:26 PM
Filed under: Signs
October 1, 2009
Warnings
(8 Av & 20 St, Manhattan)
Posted by jpchan at 11:15 PM
Filed under: Signs
January 16, 2008
Hmmm...
And all this time I thought the promise of the Internet was that everything wanted to be free, or at least available on easy terms.
(Liberty Travel, Broad St, Manhattan)
Posted by jpchan at 10:59 PM
Filed under: Signs
October 19, 2007
Practice, Practice, Agent?
What's the LA equivalent to How do you get to Carnegie Hall?
(Los Angeles, CA)
Posted by jpchan at 3:19 PM
Filed under: Signs
October 8, 2007
Candidly
(Grand St, Manhattan)
Posted by jpchan at 6:18 PM
Filed under: Signs
April 25, 2007
Humphrey Boulevard
(Staten Island, NY)
Posted by jpchan at 5:55 PM
Filed under: Signs
January 11, 2007
Celebrity Refill
Now, I know this can’t possibly be Mayor Bloomberg refilling his Lipitor, but that doesn't mean I can't still chuckle to myself at the thought of it. Who knows? Maybe he earned some of his fortune through stock photo modeling.
(Whitehall St & Stone St, Manhattan)
Posted by jpchan at 11:05 PM
Filed under: Signs
August 6, 2006
Keeping Flushing Clean
As a Chinaman, I feel slightly embarassed by this. I mean, couldn't we have just kept all the text in Chinese? Talk about airing dirty laundry! I don't see signs like this in SoHo.
Also, I've urinated in the Public many times. Usually without incident.
(Roosevelt Av, Flushing, NY)
Posted by jpchan at 4:09 PM
Filed under: Chinatown
June 4, 2006
Any Item
What makes our booth so popular? Our customer guarantee: you'll pay at least $2 for anything we sell, dude.
(2 Av & 86 St, Manhattan)
Posted by jpchan at 12:25 PM
Filed under: Signs
May 16, 2006
Small Moments In The Pig City
Alternate titles:
Courage, my word [via iTunes]
Put on a happy face
Yeah I'm impaled on a spit and being roasted alive, but I'm still me
Hang in there baby, Friday's coming
Posted by jpchan at 7:47 AM
Filed under: Signs
April 27, 2006
K-Town Krazy!
Whatever happened to a simple "All Employees Must Wash Hands Before Returning To Work?"
(35 St, Manhattan)
Posted by jpchan at 10:12 PM
Filed under: Signs
April 23, 2006
Alert!
This bus unsettles me, but I'm just not sure why...
(48 St & 9 Av, Manhattan)
Posted by jpchan at 7:44 PM
Filed under: Signs
March 21, 2006
SF/SJ: Sloganeering
In the heart of Chinatown, I find the real America.
More SF/SJ:
SF/SJ: Slanted Screens
SF/SJ: Tourists Shot For Shot
The SFIAAFF
Chapeau Shopping
Bay Area Transit Is Rapid
The Guest Cottage Life
I Visited The Mothership
Special West Coast MICW
You Heard?
Babe's Mufflers
Flight To
Posted by jpchan at 10:07 AM
Filed under: Signs
March 5, 2006
Subway Metacritic
I'm guessing this means two tumbs down? (One for the film, the other for the socks.)
(Bleecker St Station, Manhattan)
Related post:
Why NY Ad Graffiti Rocks
Posted by jpchan at 5:40 PM
Filed under: Signs
February 3, 2006
Signs Of The Recent: Geisha Podiatry
(Broadway & Cortlandt St, Manhattan)
Related posts:
Signs Of The Recent: Fun Vs. Doubt
Signs Of The Recent: Hotlights
Posted by jpchan at 10:07 AM
Filed under: Signs
February 2, 2006
Signs Of The Recent: Fun Vs. Doubt
Posted by jpchan at 10:07 AM
Filed under: Signs
February 1, 2006
Signs Of The Recent: Hotlights
Posted by jpchan at 10:07 AM
Filed under: Signs
January 25, 2006
Leave The H Off For
Posted by jpchan at 10:07 AM
Filed under: Signs
January 8, 2006
Phone Booth Advocacy
Posted by jpchan at 10:07 AM
Filed under: Signs
December 17, 2005
Dueling Signs Of The Apocalypse
(Franklin St Station, Manhattan)
Posted by jpchan at 10:07 AM
Filed under: Signs
December 16, 2005
The Next Great Depression
Posted by jpchan at 10:07 AM
Filed under: Signs
November 30, 2005
Good Luck
Posted by jpchan at 9:09 AM
Filed under: Signs
November 29, 2005
Orient Overseas Container Line
(South Ferry, Manhattan)
Posted by jpchan at 1:45 PM
Filed under: Signs
November 7, 2005
Rent Is Too Damn High
...and if you don't care to vote for Bloomberg, may I suggest the Rent Is Too Damn High Party (if only for the name)?
Posted by jpchan at 10:07 AM
Filed under: Signs
October 21, 2005
Date With Ikea: Darn, Another Street Name Taken
Finding a cool nom de street that some other hustla hasn't already taken is getting tougher and tougher.
(Ikea Elizabeth, Elizabeth, NJ)
The Search for Street:
The (Still) Birth of Cool
Posted by jpchan at 8:52 AM
Filed under: Signs
October 19, 2005
Date With Ikea: A Shoutout To MS
Until Ikea comes to Brooklyn, a trip out to the blue and yellow giant still means a day trip for us city folk. So why not make a mini-vacation out of it, snapping photos and getting all excited over $.99 cafeteria cheesecake like a tourist?
This shot is for the Mighty Mikael, who helped me set up this very blog. (He may or may not like hot dogs.)
Posted by jpchan at 12:19 AM
Filed under: Signs
September 28, 2005
A Double Take
(Trinity Pl & Exchange Alley, Manhattan)
More signs and things that wouldn't warrant a second glance if one weren't still a 12 year old boy on the inside:
I Swear I Did Not Photoshop This
The Unbearable Heaviness of...Adulthood
Such A Deal
Posted by jpchan at 9:48 AM
Filed under: Signs
September 2, 2005
The $80 Question
Posted by jpchan at 9:03 AM
Filed under: Signs
August 13, 2005
Well Into The Hundreds
In New York summers get hot, well into the hundreds
You can't walk around the block without a change of clothing
Hot as a hairdryer in your face
Hot as a handbag and a can of mace
In New York, I just got a place in New York
New York, New York
(12:27 p.m., Brooklyn)
Posted by jpchan at 12:29 PM
Filed under: Signs
August 10, 2005
If You Were Still A Pill
Posted by jpchan at 8:04 AM
Filed under: Signs
July 26, 2005
Swinging
Posted by jpchan at 8:57 AM
Filed under: Signs
July 17, 2005
Find That Perfect Way To Keep You Happy
And right across the street:
You Can't Put Your Arms Around An Ambulance
Posted by jpchan at 9:46 AM
Filed under: Signs
July 15, 2005
Label-Free
Although some photoblogs choose to keep a safe -- or maybe just tasteful -- distance from controversial subjects, you can be sure that Bklyn Blggng will always go one step further for its readers.
Maybe even two or three steps.
Posted by jpchan at 8:58 AM
Filed under: Signs
July 7, 2005
Peace is Still The Dream
I was going to write about New York's loss (and London's win) of the 2012 Olympics, but in light of this morning's terrorist attacks in London, it seems trivial and disrespectful to do so. Let's hope there's no more bloodshed there (or anywhere else) today.
Related Posts:
Lost Amongst the Pigeons and the Crumbs
Peace is the Dream
Posted by jpchan at 7:32 AM
Filed under: Signs
June 21, 2005
The (Still) Birth of Cool
As I grow older, I find myself more and more fond of sharing unsolicited advice. Today’s lesson is about accepting the fact that you can’t always win.
I know it takes a big man to admit he can't be a playa 100 percent of the time, but fortunately by admitting this, I am also reassuring myself that I am a big man.
Take my street name. It may be hard to believe, but "JP" wasn't my first choice. But this guy that owns a business in Flushing had already taken my first choice – and he was a lot bigger, smarter, and richer than I was.
So what could I do? Well, first I cried and cried, feeling sorry for myself and verbally abusing anyone that tried to console me. (That last part is what hydrologists and psychologists call “displacement.”)
But after about a week of this, I realized I had to move on, or at least get out of bed. And when I did, I found the strength within me to accept my situation and make the best of it.
I think you know the rest of the story.
Posted by jpchan at 4:15 AM
Filed under: Signs
June 16, 2005
If You Were A Pill
Posted by jpchan at 4:05 AM
Filed under: Signs
June 10, 2005
The Light From A Cake
Does anyone else find these Western Union ads hilarious -- and vaguely creepy?
And damn, I finally managed to convince most of my non-Chinese friends that not all of us eat dogs. Now I have to explain our affinity for radioactive pastries.
Related post:
Chinatown
Title reference: Camper Van Beethoven
Posted by jpchan at 6:50 AM
Filed under: Signs
June 4, 2005
The Hardest Button To Button
Posted by jpchan at 8:11 AM
Filed under: Signs
May 25, 2005
Stealing Down A Wrong Way Street
If there's anything kids understand, it's a really firm admonishment. Because only then will they realize that they have to ignore it.
Skateaway is a song I haven't heard in, like, forever.
Posted by jpchan at 8:33 AM
Filed under: Signs
May 20, 2005
All Those Signs, I Knew What They Meant
My feeling is that in most other places, this sign would simply read PARKING SPACE FOR RENT. But of course, New York ain't like most other places (as if you couldn't tell by the fact that even in Kensington, Brooklyn, people are asking $200 a month for a parking space).
No, in our Darwinist Metropolis, you gotta work a little harder to get what you want. So even a flyer for a parking space becomes a pitch aimed very squarely at its target demographic, the yuppie Kensingtonian. What’s more, the very fact that the flyer is cleverly written -- and illustrated! -- tells the buyer that the seller is trustworthy because he/she is, in fact, just like them. Which is to say, bluntly, well educated but not rich enough to live in Park Slope.
I like the new Coldplay single enough to quote it in the title, play it repeatedly (to the annoyance of my houseguest), and of course plug the band.
Posted by jpchan at 8:22 AM
Filed under: Signs
May 10, 2005
Beautiful Garbage, Beautiful Dresses
Posted by jpchan at 8:23 AM
Filed under: Signs
May 8, 2005
All About Our Mothers
Happy Mother's Day! You did remember to get her something, right?
Posted by jpchan at 8:51 AM
Filed under: Signs
May 4, 2005
Rodenticide (Special Guest Star: Tiki Barber)
Sometimes, I don't ask why things are the way they are. I just keep the thought to myself and press the button on the camera.
Releated post:
Rodenticide
Posted by jpchan at 10:02 AM
Filed under: Signs
April 23, 2005
An Educated Consumer Is Our Best Customer
Posted by jpchan at 9:16 AM
Filed under: Signs
April 21, 2005
Sometimes Salvation
Admittedly, it's been years since I last wore a Santa Claus outfit and
rang a bell, but I'm glad to see that the Salvation Army is still
leaving interesting garbage out on the sidewalks of 14 St for
photoblogging wags like myself.
As the song goes, you can lead a horse to water, but faith is another
matter.
(Salvation Army Greater NY Division Headquarters, 120 West 14 St,
Manhattan)
Posted by jpchan at 6:30 AM
Filed under: Signs
April 18, 2005
BPC DFZ
Posted by jpchan at 8:47 AM
Filed under: Signs
April 4, 2005
A Our The or This
Posted by jpchan at 8:31 AM
Filed under: Signs
March 30, 2005
We Had a Winner
Take a chance take a chance take a chukka chance chance take a chance take a chance take a chukka chance chance...
(Wall St & William St)
Posted by jpchan at 11:43 AM
Filed under: Signs
March 23, 2005
Freight Entrance
(7 Av & 14 St)
Posted by jpchan at 10:21 AM
Filed under: Signs
March 20, 2005
The Needle and the Damage Done
The junkie chic look of the early nineties is back! I guess a Kate Moss comeback can't be far behind.
(55 St & 5 Av)
Posted by jpchan at 4:22 PM
Filed under: Signs
March 6, 2005
Peace is the Dream
Whatever you think about the NYC 2012 Olympic bid (I'm a supporter), you gotta love their current ad campaign, which was meant to be seen by the IOC during its recent four day evaluation visit. I wish we'd see more messages like this, preferably not in the service of some bank or athletic footware company, however.
If anyone from the other 2012 candidate cities (Paris, Moscow, London, Madrid) is reading this, tell me how our ads compare with the ones you got.
(42 St & 7 Av)
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Posted by jpchan at 1:44 PM
Filed under: Signs
March 2, 2005
Terminal Couture
(Broad St & Marketfield St)
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Posted by jpchan at 8:41 AM
Filed under: Signs
February 11, 2005
Such A Deal
Is it still Tax-Free Week in NYC?
(Trinity Pl & Rector St)
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Posted by jpchan at 7:50 AM
Filed under: Signs
January 20, 2005
Golden Touch
If you want to avoid severe confusion, don't read more than one self-help book at a time. Just take my word on this.
(1 St & 4 Av, Bklyn)
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Posted by jpchan at 7:44 AM
Filed under: Signs
January 14, 2005
Always A Diversity of Opinion
NYC's high density of zealots and smart-asses of all stripes means that signs and ads often become mini public forums. I love the juxtaposition of messages, the multiple layers of meaning, and always the humor -- intended or not.
Posted by jpchan at 8:02 AM
Filed under: Signs
January 12, 2005
Meet Me at the Corner of Dirt & McGirt
I'm a fan of Mayor Bloomberg. I think his pursuit of educational reform is nothing short of noble and I hope he's re-elected this year by a large margin. Fixing the City's schools is a politically risky and hugely complicated task, but he's shown real courage in tackling the issue head on. New York City has a million kids in the public school system, many of whom are poor and/or immigrants. For them, a decent education is their only chance at a better life. Let's support the Mayor in his efforts.
It's true, however, that Mayor Mike can come off as being "out of touch" with the common man at times. However, I think this is because he does much less cheap populist pandering than most other politicians, which on the whole is a good thing. But the truth is we've been weaned on political gimmickry and we can't help but be a little suspicious and disappointed when we don't get it. For example, I wish he had pandered to us a little bit by renaming this street Ol' Dirty Slip after ODB's untimely passing last year.
(Old Slip & Water St)
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Posted by jpchan at 7:39 AM
Filed under: Signs
January 7, 2005
Truth in Advertising
This sign still makes me laugh every time I pass it. Are they being modest or evasive? It's funnier not to know.
(Factory Shoe Outlet, 1 Rector St)
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Posted by jpchan at 11:25 AM
Filed under: Signs
December 22, 2004
Ordinary Joe Without Cash
I need some cash!
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