Lexington Avenue Steam Explosion by JimmyOK

Last Wednesday there was a steam explosion in New York City one block from where a friend from Flickr, Jimmy O’Kelly, works. He took this shot and Yahoo News interviewed him over the phone to add his commentary to their online news piece. I found this style of news reporting — a photo slideshow with voiceover not from a news reporter, but from eyewitnesses — much more palatable than watching it on TV.

I compare living in a city like New York to living in London: in the days before terrorism was on high-alert (although London had that for years when the IRA was active), “there is always something going on” usually referred to newsworthy events in arts, science, sports, some cultural or social activity. These days metropolises are targets, and since 9/11 I’m sure New Yorkers are more than a little jumpy.

I remember last autumn when Jimmy and I were walking around New York in the middle of the night when the city seemed quieter and saner. He told me the City takes a lot out of a person; the stress takes its toll. I believe it.

Technorati tags: New York City, Yahoo News