Focusing on Life :: Looking Up

I think we all get tunnel vision from time to time; I know that I do. For me it is about my commute; it eats up 3 hours of my day every Monday through Friday. A coping mechanism is to find ways to use that time productively; reading, working, and the occasional 'power nap' (aka exhaustion). 

What happens when we pull in to Grand Central Station is that most people 'hit the ground running.' There is a mass shoving to get to your destination for the day. For the most part I keep my eyes on the road (so to speak) and stay focused to navigating the streets of New York. I do, in fact, forget to look up. I forget that I work in a very iconic place. This week I took Sally's Focusing on Life prompt and played tourist for a few moments.

I've been in the Chrysler Building many times, but always for a meeting. It is a real office building, and it's conference rooms look the same as any others. Typically I am rushing to the meeting, so I hurry through the lobby. But this week I decided to walk over during lunch and pull out my iphone and snap a few pics like any other tourist, which by the way there were many.

I thought I'd take you on a quick tour of the Chrysler Building lobby. A gorgeous example of Art Deco Architecture. The first picture is standing just in the entrance and looking back out to Lexington Avenue, but looking up through the backlit glass above the revolving doors. 

Once inside, looking up you see ceiling murals. I love the one of the Chrysler Building itself. 

When I have come here for a meeting, I needed to check in with security. This is mandatory in every building in New York City after 9/11. At the concierge desk, if you look up you see a clock that flips the numbers for the hours and minutes of time (click on the photo to see this one better). The main elevator again reflects the Chrysler Building itself with the base of the spire on the doors. Looking up you see the geometric patterns of the light sconces both beside the doors and above the doors.
Walking around the corner you find the stairways. I tried to get a good shot of the lights, but my iphone just wasn't cooperating. However, I do like the reflection of the lights in the marble walls. For a better picture you can check out this link. The stairway feels straight out of the movies. I expected Greta Garbo to cascade down the stairs at any minute in some flowing gown.

One last little picture I snapped on my way out was this great old post box. You'll find these all over Manhattan in the old buildings, and this one was such a great example. I slipped my phone back in my pocket, darted across Lexington Avenue to my favorite deli to grab a little pasta salad before heading back to my office. It was a nice little break for lunch. Thanks for a great prompt this week Sally!