Days 99 to 109 - New York

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After leaving Washington, it was an overnight stop in Philadelphia before heading up to New York.

The main reason behind the return trip to New York was for New York Comic Con. Like the convention in San Diego, New York Comic Con caters to all things pop culture. Unlike San Diego, New York concentrates more on comics rather than the big movies and television shows. I was hoping to pick up a couple of sketches but most, if not all, were way out of my price range and budget. It was good to get an idea of cost so there’s always next time.

One of the best moments for me was on Day 1. While lining up to get into the main floor, comic great Stan Lee (creator of Spider-Man, the Incredible Hulk, X-Men etc.) decided that he’d walk through and greet some of the fans. All I heard was a scream (it wasn’t me) and as I turned around I saw the Great One walk towards me through the crowd.

Maybe it was the excitement of the occasion, then again it could have been the tuna and Ramen noodles from the previous meal, but I totally forgot about Stan’s age and was a little too firm with my shake. Thankfully I didn’t break any bones and Stan was able to attend to his convention duties.

I decided to stay on in New York instead of heading up to Boston or across to Chicago. I figured that after all these trips to the Big Apple I’ve only really experienced the Midtown and Chelsea districts and really needed to do some additional exploring around the other districts - the Upper West Side, Greenwich Village, the Lower East Side, NoHo, SoHo, and Tribeca.

More pics can be found in my Flickr album.

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Photos

Comic Con
"Holy Bat-sh*t Batman! It's Stan Lee!"

Comic Con
Me and some Star Wars fans. I think I might volunteer as a Wookie for the next comic convention in Perth.

Comic Con
Me and ... well I have no clue who these guys were. They were friendly enough, Big Foot had a very authentic smell.

Comic Con
Me and one of the Green Hornet booth babes. I seem to have a habit of asking guys with the shakes to take my photo. I feel like Andre the Giant standing next to her.

Comic Con
Me at the Capcom booth. Was able to have a bash on a couple of the demos.

Comic Con
Getting noticed by the guys from Robot Chicken.

Comic Con
I've been on the road for too long!

Times Square
Jerry Springer filming a promo for an upcoming 20 year anniversary.

Times Square
Not entirely sure who this guy is, but then again I ain't exactly concentrating on him if you know what I mean /wink/

Times Square
Me using my height and reach to get a better shot ... maybe I have a calling as a Paparazzo.

Times Square
Same day as the Jerry Springer sighting. Spotted Johnny Knoxville (from Jackass) doing some promo work for the latest movie.

Greenwich Village
Cafe Wha? in Greenwich Village. A number of famous musicians and comedians, such as Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, Bruce Springsteen, The Velvet Underground, Kool and the Gang, Woody Allen, Bill Cosby and Richard Pryor started their careers at the Wha?

High Line Park
Stretching 2.33 kms, the park is built on a section of the former elevated freight railroad spur called the West Side Line. Running along the lower west side of Manhattan; it has been redesigned and planted as an aerial greenway.

Top of the Rock
The view of the Empire State Building from the "Top of the Rock" observation deck at Rockerfeller Center.