steveb leatherworks: the blather

It’s all about Artur Avenue in the Bronx, – thats right N-Y-C- and no I dont mean the tourist-y part either – ok, ya don’t got a problem with that? doya? This area is home to the very best italian food in the tri-state area, hands, down bar none, fact – plain and simple.

deer – like rats they are… I liked it better when Bambi’s kind were behind some kind of fency-y kind of thing, because once they are moving around in traffic, we are all in big trouble especially if you are on a bike. This shot was taken  on Freddy’s property, in the middle of the afternoon. This deer, clueless and fearless was pretty damn stupid.. 

This laser eyeball uniform wearing babe is not loving her job and she is not loving me. She has one of the worst, most unenviable jobs a person in NYC can have – NYC Traffic Enforcement. These guys get kicked, cursed and spit on.  I’d imagine the owner of this car also has some strong feelings about the scene unfolding here …

It is a rite of passage for many kids. A horror for some… I am talking about Little League … here seen in Newton Massachusetts a town i was visiting in a few weeks back. A truer slice of American culture you’ll not see anywhere. This same scene plays out all across our great country, in each and every town – if you stop and look… 

I guess some pizza, not quite fit for human consumption is fit for the birds as evidenced here. Wanna bet some of these pigeons become part of the “landscape” as they chow on this feast…in the busiest of  streets..  5th Avenue…lol

Along the lines of Swanky Frank’s I present for your hot diggity doggin pleasure – Botsford Hot Dogs. Good food, but no place to squat makes stopping here kind of an iffy proposition – unless the weather is good in which case you can sit at some of the picnic tables placed outside along the edge of the parking lot. The ambiance doesn’t do alot for […]

Saw a mismnatched pair at Bill’s Drive In. Guys looked like friends from way back with the Harley rider of the two saying the “he tried” talking sense into his Honda riding buddy when he bought the Honda…ha.. bless our friends… whatever would we do without them?

Back in the day, I worked around the corner of this Hotel. This was a rough and tumble neighborhood that hosted at this location – a SRO homeless squat of a place, I dont know i’d classify it as a hotel, more like a residence – nasty, drunks, druggies, fighters and troublemakers all called this dark, all business block (no residences) […]

the Boss turned me on to a really pretty spot right in our own backyard, so to speak. The property (a well known horticultural landmark)  as I understand it, was donated to the community by a wealthy resident some many years back as a Public Trust kind of thing. Tucked away right in the middle of […]

I was walking around NYC as usual, camera in hand and met a proud rider. He loves his bike and worked hard to get it…pretty obvious.

No secret here, I like to visit scary places. There are some people who are urban explorers who do lots of research and really drill down into the whole thing of it all, get the full history, sniff the place out first and are highly prepped about the nature of a site, its longitude, latitude, security, etc and there are […]

Pupkin and I went and  visited the Greek the other day. The trip is a southbound 2hr slog through the NYC/NJ urban sprawl – which we made is surprisingly good time, flying the entire way (and if you’ve ever travelled with the two of us, i do mean flying)..with nary a lick of traffic – quite amazing. To boot, […]

This was a big hospital for the mentally ill. It was open for about 63 years . It is not far from the secret location and over the years I have seen all sorts of things take place there. Movies have been shot, buildings have been knocked down and some buildings have been rehabbed and others are in the process of being rehabbed. As those who know me will attest, […]

Farms, here’s a little dairy operation not too far from the secret location (killer ice cream too!!) – ayuh, still a couple of them farms left although most are turning into strip mall and condo developments. These guys rock 

I am so stuffed – and man, I’d kill for a nap. Went to Pepe’s today with Freddy and had a white clam pizza, Freddy had the 1/2 sausage, 1/2 plain. We both had medium pies. I had a Sam Smith Lager. Stick a fork in me.

Just a typical day in the hood. Fireman on the street, folks running around. All is good. Fo youse not in the know – Bx.  – it stands for “da bronx” – aight? 

Visited a most historic battleground recently..It was good and kind of reminded me that this country has some great history. Check out the pics and then do a little research on the significance of this battlefield/historic site. Can’t help but feel the sense of “big stuff a happenin” when you are here…

Although i am a Harley fan and devotee, i am no hater of metric brands… at all. Owners show pride the same as the HD riders.. and here is a fine example…You can only imagine it is not easy to keep a nice bike in the city or keep a bike nice in the city – but […]

Want to pay props to the Vista market for their outstanding beer selection. I am surrounded by all manner of “lick her” stores” an for the most part – they all suck. I am sure they are good stores, but I don’t drink much but beer these days – and their beer selections stink. They vary in […]

Truth be told, i didn’t come up with the idea…actually Fast Eddie made something like this which was the inspiration. I saw his construct in Sturgis last year and had been meaning to do something like it since.  Well, I finally got around to it, and after rigorous testing, I have to admit – this piece is ready for prime time… come and get ’em!! […]

Well, courtesty of my Northern-most good friend and fellow operative Jason (Ironthread fame) you’ve seen the Green Mtn’s of VT in the Fall, winter and now Spring. Jason writes… Steve, Our backyard view changes every minute penidng weather. Here is a afternoon shot last week after a high ele storm.

i love it, i get to be both all salty and “in your face” with the title of today’s post, but at the same time, i get to teach you all something..!  ha – home run! Took a beautiful 200mi.ride up North and back for a family dinner last night and left early enough so […]

One of my favortite past times – people watching in NYC One of the best places to do it on a sunny Spring day – Bryant Park, 42nd Street and 6th Avenue. When i first began working in NYC in the early 1980’s – this park was a rat infested, overgrown hangout for the homeless, […]

I am a big fan of the Japanese two-wheel street scene. There is a cut&paste art component attached to this culture and i think it is great. These guys are so rowdy, smart and subversive – i cant help but smile when i see their work! We need some more  of this in NYC, methinks… The art […]