On progression (or lack thereof):

If you’re playing something that’s supposed to sound like it’s supposed to be . . . and you’re perfecting this mandatory expression with mandates all around it, it’s nothing more than a statue. Like polishing a statue.”

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Last year, Lily took me to the LES Tenement Museum – we went on a guided tour specifically focused on the garment industry in the early 1900’s (highly recommended, by the way). I found it fascinating to learn that NYC’s first garment district was located in the place where I go to work each day. Since then I’ve been looking around for little remnants that have been under my nose this whole time; I’ll be posting pictures of old signage and storefronts as I find them. Here’s a gate pattern that I found especially interesting – it was the former site of Fine & Klein Handbags, a Lower East Side institution since the 1960’s. When Murray Klein passed away in 2007, the building was put on the market and was purchased by SAS Property Management. According to this article written in 2008, the building was slated to be turned into a boutique hotel – but as of today, it still looks untouched.

The Railmaster was first released in 1957 as part of the famous Omega technical “master” triumvirate, alongside the Seamaster and the Speedmaster models. The Railmaster heralded a double-housing case and special dial design that helped it withstand extreme magnetic fields, making it useful for railroad engineers, scientists, electricians and technicians. The modern interpretation of the Railmaster unfortunately lacks the same technical features as its predecessor, but fortunately it’s still a very handsome watch.