This Place is Double Jointed

Big Nick's - 70 W. 71st St., New York, NY
Big Nick’s – 70 W. 71st St., New York, NY

This past Friday night, while on our way to see Steely Dan at the Beacon Theater and needing a bite to eat before the show, we happened upon Big Nick’s Burger and Pizza Joint on 71st Street. What a good find! Both of their specialties were special for sure. We were completely satisfied with both the pizza and burgers. Very tasty!

Big Nick's has character.
Big Nick’s has character.

The place was small with character. Our waiter was a character, stereotypically New York in speech and gestures. We loved him. Even the bathroom was New York: down a steep flight of dirty steps with beer kegs at the bottom, narrow, filthy, with a hand dryer that wasn’t worth a crap, and a door covered with graffiti.

Old Kank
Old Kank

We were glad we found your joint, Nick. Thanks for taking care of our hunger before we went to see The Dan (where we smelled the scent of joints of a different kind). We’ll stop by again when we’re in your neighborhood!

Something’s Missing Here

Asbury Park, NJ - 2013 CLICK TO ENLARGE
Asbury Park, NJ – 2013 CLICK TO ENLARGE

Here is a picture I took with my iPhone. I used the panorama option. The scene is the Asbury Park, NJ boardwalk in August, 2013.

I was admiring the pretty color of the sky and wishing I was in Asbury Park right now. I love that town.

Something in the photo caught my eye. Actually, something NOT in the photo caught my eye. Here it is. Or should I say, here it isn’t?

Chopped!  CLICK TO ENLARGE
Chopped! CLICK TO ENLARGE

THAT MAN’S LEFT LEG IS MISSING BELOW THE KNEE!

He is not using crutches. He has no prosthetic device. His leg is simply gone from the picture. Chopped off by the amazing Apple amputation app!

As far as I can figure, it defies the laws of physics for a one-legged man to casually stroll along the Asbury Park boardwalk at sundown in August, apparently swinging his arms and enjoying himself, without toppling over. I feel nervous for him every time I look at the photo. And I feel just a tad guilty because I suspect that he was fully-legged before my camera got a hold on him.

So, be careful with your phones, people. You wield a mighty power.

(Now go examine your panoramic photos. Let me know if you’ve also mangled anyone.)