Happy Holidays From The Borough

I know you were expecting my usual politically correct - non-specific winter e-mail greeting. It's the non-tree using way I've been saying "Happy Holidays" for the last few years.

This year however, I'm feeling the Yule vibe. And in just a few hours comes the Solstice (1:08 AM Saturday, for those who care). So enjoy the time with family and friends. Eat too much chocolate. Spread the magic and joy. Give away an old coat. Revel in the fact that the days only get longer from this point on.

Sending warm wishes and butter cookies.

First Snow In The Borough

Now playing: The Beatles - I'm Only Sleeping
via FoxyTunes

And a lovely Sunday morning it was, with crisp white snow everywhere In The Borough.

I wasn't adventurous enough to go up to the park and see if the snow was folded around the trees that only a few days earlier had been bright red and full of leaves, but I'm sure they were.

I'm looking forward to some BIG snows this season...

Pie Time In The Borough

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Now playing: The Beatles - I Should Have Known Better
via FoxyTunes Pie. Yummmy Pie. Have you had enough pie? Would you like a slice of pie? Pie Time is when the pies come out. Have some pie.

Save room for the Pie!

A Park In The Borough Redux

Now playing: Nick Drake - Northern Sky
via FoxyTunes
I know it's been a while. While I'm spending my days feeling like Goldilocks in a suit "no this one is too big, and this one is too small!" I haven't been keeping up my touring duties in The Borough. I was able to spend a whole day back in Prospect Park - basking in the sun and continually amazed by vistas and hues. The walk that we took, is my favorite up and down route through the park - starting at the Vale of Cashmere- taking the back route over to the pond and up and down and around the hiking trails (Lullwater is one of my favorites)- eventually ending up at the boat house. Then the most lovely part are the new hiking trails (complete with markers) that take you down to the carousel. I love that Audubon has taken over the boat house as some kind of real facility - but I still wish there was a restaurant there, or at least a 24-hour bathroom of some kind. Check out the hiking trail infoby downloading the pdf park map from their website - the trails are all in ocher dots - in reality there are a few of them and my guess is eventually Audubon will produce a better quality - more detailed trail map - that would be cool, right?

I say, even though there is big damp out there - every day the leaves are still bright and blazing - and maybe a bit mushy - but dying to be made in paper mache or centerpieces or simply arranged in a funny way. It's not just the tress and leaves that make me so ga-ga. It's all the freakin' animals.

During part of my hike I had some close encounters with mallards and other duck like creatures, and then I managed to creep up on a giant blue heron near the carousel, standing in the reeds. sweet.

Gobble. Gobble.

That Other Borough

Now playing: Slayer - Human Disease
via FoxyTunes So it was a busy weekend in that other borough (aka Manhattan). It is a well known fact that life in The Borough is deeply and directly connected to life in that other borough. I don't usually drop names, in fact I usually prefer to keep it all pretty anonymous - but I don't think MetalJohn would disapprove of being featured for the wild and wacky in the city posting.

It was a very metal birthday for John. Since it was across from Stuy town - I did manage to invite some of my local yokels to come by for a drink (or 5) and it was good. The bar is what used to b a neighborhood pharmacy, then turned into a bar (aptly names Barmacy) now converted into a tiki hut in Alphabet City called Otto's Shrunken Head. Other than some Hawaiian and Hawaiina decor and some rather festive drinks on the menu - its pretty much still basically a bar with a back room (really tiny) for bands and some games. It has a comfortable feel and still retains some of the downtown vibe.

John enjoyed my gift of old Iron Maiden LP's from the back of my closet and I played some pinball which I have been yearning to do for some while now. The flash of the lights, the sharp skills commingled with cunning reflexes. That's what I miss most about hanging out in bars, aside from the loose men and free drinks.

Now as if one big party night in the city wasn't enough, last night was the monthly meeting (read: drinking) of native new yorkers that I always enjoy. This month my cohort was going to be in full effect - it wasn't as huge a turnout as I had thought might happen (based solely on emails and the sheer number of people forwarded the info) but it was a solid group of people that I was really psyched to see.

I still find it amazing that people who maybe I haven't seen in many, many a moon, after a few minutes -the time seems to melt away - and for bad or good - I am stripped of everything except me. I am 14 again. I smile and hug everyone as much as possible. Of course it was like 85 degrees and 100% humidity at 11pm and with all the alcohol consumption after hugging so many people my shirt smelled like a gym towel by the time I got home. That 3 am shower felt good too.

Limited by the amount of time an evening can hold, by the time you've finished having a long conversation with one person - someone else has left and you can only hope they'll show up next month so you can catch up with them.

Life Goes On In The Borough

Ah yes, I've been thinking alot lately about so many different things - aside from the actual tasks that need to get done: finding a job and growing up. I'm constantly amazed at how much time it takes me to do anything. The curtains are finally up in my bedroom - it only took a little over 4 months to go from concept to done. So with that time frame in mind, something more serious, like finding a new job and changing the direction of my life - well I don't think I've exceeded my boundaries of allowable time yet.

Here in The Borough, and in the rest of the city as well - it seems noone ever has time for anything that isn't directly related to what they need to do in a day, as much as they may say otherwise. I'm talking about not returning phone calls, not answering emails, canceling lunch or dinner or drink plans "I just don't have time". How often have you said "I wish I had time to do that" or "If only there were 2 of me, then I'd have time for fun things" Well I'm here as your wake-up call. You have time, all day everyday, it's how you choose to use it, what is really important to you and a bit of how you manage your time.

Please don't get me wrong - identifying a modern social condition and placing a value judgment on that condition are two completely different things. I'm not trying to send out a secret message to anyone about their ability or inability to respond to modern communication. It's purely an observation.

I've decided that today we should all ponder the passing of time and take stock in what we can and do accomplish everyday, even if you've left a trail of unanswered communication or unfinished projects. So take some time and reflect on these words of wisdom, some coincide with my view, others are reminders that it is most difficult to exist within a time frame:

"They say that time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself." - Andy Warhol

"How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives." - Annie Dillard

"To live is so startling it leaves little time for anything else." - Emily Dickinson

"By labor we can find food and water, but all of our labor will not find for us another hour." - Kenneth Patton

"Half our life is spent trying to find something to do with the time we have rushed through life trying to save." - Will Rogers

"To think too long about doing a thing often becomes its undoing." - Eva Young

"Nothing is a waste of time if you use the experience wisely"- Auguste Rodin

"Time is the most valuable thing one can spend." - Theophrastus

"Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana." - Groucho Marx

The Last Days of Summer

Now playing: The Police - Bring On The Night
via FoxyTunes

Justice In The Borough

Now playing: T Bone Burnett - Humans From Earth
via FoxyTunes I was going to do a whole expose on the justice system here in The Borough, having served my jury duty for the next decade this week. But after alot of whining about being stuck on jury duty, for a whole 8 hours, - I talked to a friend who is very serious minded about these things. In his mind - it is not only a civic duty to show up - but you should do everything possible to sit on a jury. After hearing him go on and on about how the educated citizens of our country need to take a bigger role in the dissemination of justice- I was almost sad that I didn't get picked - "I feel gypped".

Being called for jury duty is not what it used to be. In the old days once you reported in, you were stuck in the room until they decided it was time for a break, you can leave the building now, of course you have to go through security screening each time - which is not all that fun especially for the guys wearing belts who had to take them off each time. But you can leave!!!

The room where you wait to be called, is large, with fairly comfortable chairs (no more wooden seats!), many tv's showing CNN and there is even a free internet room (ok so your time is limited to 10 minutes and when that is over the browser window resets itself and most sites are restricted - including things like social networking sites) but to be able to check email while you are waiting is a glorious modern convenience.

I still found the whole system, even with its modern conveniences, to have many faults - including making us rush to form a line - then calling our names in alphabetical order - and the whole idea that there was ONE case on the docket for the afternoon - seems like the court is under scheduled. And the number of people that got up when the the exclusions were called because they had children at home (hello its called a babysitter). I hate it when breeders get preferential treatment.

Now that's its over I realize that it was not a huge imposition of my time or even that much of an inconvenience. I suppose if I had a job and my boss was annoyed that I was going to be out of the office - I might have been a bit stressed out. As it as, it was more about keeping my brain occupied for the endless hours of waiting and finding something I could afford for lunch.

Ramblings in The Borough

So I realize that I have not updated anything ina little while here, it's been pretty quiet in The Borough. With summer ending and most of the summertime festivities done and over for the season - there really hasn't been much to report.

Gives me an opportunity to do some ramblings about job hunting and taking naps in The Borough. But how boring is that? Yes, I continue to search for a job and clean my house.

There have been a few things I've taken part in - I continue to volunteer when and where I can for environmental causes, but my main focus has been writing those sharp cover letters and scouring job boards for suitable opportunities. Not the most exciting thing to write about.

For those who care, I'm still somewhat torn between selling my soul to corporate america for lost of cash and a job I can probably do with my eyes closed - and making a big change and getting into something a bit more socially meaningful and a much lower rate. It's a hard sell to change fields at this point - which is why I keep going back to what I know and do best. Meanwhile I'm painting - making new art all the time and having immense fun with the digital cameras (have I shown you my 700 underwater photos yet?).

I had dinner with some friends for Rosh Hashannah, and we ended up taking a walk through the Slope playing one of my favorite games "Remember when" trying to remember what storefronts had been there and me pointing out spots where I had spent time as a teenager. We perused the used book shop and strolled the avenue. It did give me warm and fizzy recollections of life here, even in the 90's when there was a large extended group of friends and we spent alot of time hanging out in various bars and locales in and around the slope.

Those nights at "The Toy Bar" with clanging noise makers and over-priced Yuenlings is over - the building looks like its been condemned and I wonder where the family has gone to. A number of the daughters were about my age and I remember running into one of them somewhere else and she smiled and came over, even though we had never really known each other - she took the time to come say hello. There was this camaraderie that made you feel like you were part of something special - and everyone knew you and your family.

The Slope is not like that anymore - well not for me anyways - most of the young urban hipsters live in that other borough called Williamsburg (but don't tell them they really live in Bushwick) and the Slope is filled with out-of-towners (we call them foreigners) that say "yes I live in Brooklyn now, we left Man-hattan for Park Slope, it's so lovely". If only I could beat people up for being pretentious.

Now I know I said I was not going to rant at all - the whole point of writing about life in The Borough was to go and see and do things and talk about them - shine a light on the positive but when your home (aka: The Slope) has turned into a baby-stroller nightmare. I miss the way it used to be and that's probably why I do all of my grocery shopping in Prospect Heights.

So I guess the point is that it's better to say nothing when you have nothing good to say.

Life Outside The Borough

Sometimes you just have to leave The Borough, y'know? It becomes imperative to commune with nature and visit with friends who live outside of the city limits, and you just gotta go! Those who know me, know that I love to travel. More often I travel to far flung places, but also to more local habitats.

This particular visit was to the other tri-state area near my tri-state area - Falls Village (Canaan) CT. Twenty minutes in one direction you're in NY, 20 (or more) the other way you're in MA.

Aside from clean country air and delicious food - I was lucky enough to get an agricultural primer - going to the Goshen, CT State Fair. This was such a great experience - art displays, period crafts, wood splitting contest, a smithy and barns housing all kinds of animals including rabbits, cows(heifers) and pigs, chickens and horses. There was even a tractor pull - with all kinds of vintage tractors. - Plus as a bonus seeing the largest pumpkin I have ever seen - 461 lbs. Having never been that close to farm animals in my life and having no idea what an FFA was it was quite educational- even with all the smells.

Now on the down side, the food was overpriced (a sausage sandwich which is like $4 here was $6.50 there), and though most of the people really looked like they needed a salad and a good run on a treadmill - on the upside there were some amazing choices - fresh pulled pork sandwich, onion rings, mexican, cinnamon buns, kettle corn and any number of hamburger, hot dog and french fry stands. The smells wafting over the crowd of people with double and triple strollers.

Considering that for a two hour train ride out of NYC, you can be in rural America is amazing, but having spent many summers up that way, I see how the suburbs have encroached in the farmlands - civilization is much closer these days. Luckily Falls Village is removed from all that.

Falls village doesn't have much - its a town that seems to have had a heyday sometime in the past - in fact if you were speeding along from Cornwall to Canaan, you might pass through Falls Village and not even realize it. There is a post office and a sandwich shop, some beautiful Victorian architecture and some fabulous estates. The amazing thing is that a lovely stroll takes you to this amazing waterfall..thus the name Falls Village. A sleepy little town, where most people have to drive 20 minutes just to get milk.

It felt good to see the sky full of stars, one thing that you can't get in The Borough (or anywhere near), due to the city lights. So get out of town - see the stars, breathe in the air and take it all down 5 or 6 notches - you'll be so glad you did.

An Anti-War Protest in The Borough

Its taken me a few days to sit down and get my thoughts around the status of protesting in The Borough. It's kind of a sad state of affairs - in all fairness, I should tell you about the whole event so you can understand the dilemma more completely.

Generally being on an organizations email list means you get lots of stuff, sometimes it calls for an action, like a petition or letters to representatives - click through and it's pretty simple. It allows you to accomplish something without even typing anything in, and I think is the best alternative if you want your voice to be heard (or read).

Then there are the in-person requests. Move On (Moveon.org) and UFPJ (United for Peace and Justice) do an excellent job of creating events - but we may be at a point of saturation.

The September vigil was an event that was happening nationwide on Tuesday evening, as a protest against the war in Iraq. The Borough did not have such a great turnout - about 40 or 50 die-hard protesters were there on the steps of Borough Hall - and the crowd being so raucous, there were 2 cops hanging out int he back.

So there was an opening speech, then some words by a woman from Brooklyn Parents for Peace (which is now just Brooklyn for Peace), then they broke out into groups and they read the war calendar. Now for those of us who are not up on our lingo jingo - this is an accounting, rather matter of factly of the date (going day by day), the number of US soldiers killed and where they were from. (with an intermittent chorus of "and how many Iraqi civilians").

As powerful and emotional the whole process was (an hour of Feb 3, 3 US soldiers were killed, they were from Plano, Texas, Culver City, Clifornia and Miami, Florida...and how many Iraqi civilians...feb 4 130 us soldiers were injured..etc. etc.).

The point is that as profound as the listening of the list was, I already know how horrible the war is, umm we're against it thats why we were there. preaching to the converted.

Maybe we are just too saturated with trying to stop the war, maybe it has gone on so long that people are apathetic and preoccupied by their sky rocketing sub-prime mortgages - but we didn't even try to engage the public or make a statement to someone maybe who would change their mind...so what was the point? shameless self promotion is what it felt like.

A Bar in The Borough

Now playing: The Ramones - Howling At The Moon (Sha-La-La)
via FoxyTunes



Good-bye to Coney? Good-bye to Ruby's? The verdict isn't in yet (well the verdict may be in but the sentencing I guess is what still awaits us) - But I would be remiss if I didn't have at least one entry here that talks about the place I spend more time in the summer than anywhere else. It will take several more entries to fully say "fare thee well" to my favorite watering hole and my favorite Friday night activity 0f Fireworks on the beach in The Borough,

Ok so I'm experimenting here with my own photo (yes I finally remembered to change the batteries) and now they are letting me put up a bit of video - so here it goes - the formatting may be off - but y'all are smart you can figure it out.

I must tell you first off, that I've been going to Coney Island since I was in diapers. In those days (early 70's) you didn't go at night, not unless you wanted to get mugged or raped. My father loved taking my brother and I there, and I remember being firmly (but lovingly) told that if I got wet on the flume, I'd have to spend the rest of the day wet, so it would "behoove me" to stay dry. It was the one place where dad would let us scream and run around like looney tunes, but he always made sure we knew it was confined to us being there. And I do remember being wet and itchy on that ride home - dad giving me that "I told you so" look.

As a young teenager (I want to say I was 12 or 13) the Coney Island Museum was still just a small sideshow on the boardwalk - and I was witness, by accident, to one of the first Mermaid Parades. Now don't ask me what street they were on (was it in the parking lot across from the Thunderbolt?) It's all kinda hazy now - I don't remember it well - only a vague remnant of people having fun dressing up. I thought they were wacky. In those days it wasn't on a set day, or as far as I can remember those first few years it didn't happen every year (I'll look for a link on the history, I'm sure Dick has one)

Okay I know, what does all of this have to do with the Bar - Ruby's.... I'm getting there - hold your horses...

When I came home from college I making my first run to the Cyclone for the year (I used to ride probably 40 times a summer, but less since they keep raising the cost)- I made my usual pilgrimage to the waters edge - then I stopped at what we called "the old mans bar" on the boardwalk. That was the beginning of the end for me - meeting Ruby for the first time that summer ('91), I was legal (something that had never been true before having hung out in bars since I was 14) and it quickly became a regular stop after riding the rides - I was even babysitting an unnamed individual, I was 23, she was 13 and I dragged her to the bar after we had both nearly been suffocated on the music express (or one of the rides that worked the same way- its starts going around and you are slammed to the outside holding on for dear life).

So it has been until the new millenium, I don't remember exactly when Ruby died, but I expressed my grieving with various patrons that year I think it was 2001. (more fact checking jeeesh), probably every time I was there for the season - it had become a favorite hangout for me and the sadness that surrounded everyone helped me. Being a part of something like that, having smiles and familiar faces - people who knew you for a split second and really knew you. A alot of bad things happened that year, and I wasn't having the best time I can honestly say that Ruby's saved my life.

The last 6 or 7 years they have been shooting off fireworks on Friday nights, and it has been a regular happy hour excursion - with any number of friends joining me for a drink (or 5) some greasy coney food and a walk on the beach - awaiting the sky to light up like the 4th of July!, (only better, since you can sit under them almost!).

I have a multitude of stories about the people I've met while sitting and having a beer and some clam strips - the fisherman who is being harassed by homeland security, the guys who travel down from the Bronx and consider gong to Coney "getting away" for the weekend, the tourists who try to eat food bought at Nathans at a Ruby's table, and somewhat yokel locals who have family reunion (including a guy in a wheelchair) every Friday night - it's a real patchwork of young people, old-timers looking like they just rolled out of the 80's and 90's east village, complete with tattoos and attitude, our Hispanic friends who chose Ruby's over cha-cha's (crap hole next door, next to shoot the freak) - but we all have one thing in common - a love for cheap beer and endless summers. Beer the great equalizer.....

I know big changes are happening (see my link for the development in The Borough) and part of me wants it to stay as the same decrepit and shabby place its been in my lifetime - but I know change is inevitable - I just hope something remains.

Now most of you would think that for me, the changes would be a definite vote in favor of "getting the hell out of dodge" - and its a biggie - but I'm holding out to see what happens - I still have faith in the locals to do what is best for them and the community - but beware - I have a feeling there will be no place left in the world to "Shoot The Freak" and get away with it.

For more on the hot-bed issues, check my link (on the side) for development in The Borough, and http://www.myspace.com/saveconeyisland which, if you get to the right side of the screen, has actions you can do.

*My* bartender Frankie was interviewed recently for NyMag online - here is the link! http://nymag.com/daily/food/2007/07/frank_gluska_of_rubys_wont_be_1.html

Cicada in The Borough

"Cicadas are the loudest and most efficient sound-producing insects in the world"-wikipedia. Here in The Borough it's that time of year. The cicada have awoken, heralding in the end of summer. For some strange reason I love this sound - I know bugs freak me out - not especially fond of them crawling anywhere near where I am - but the sound of the cicada (I looked for a good link, I may try and record something myself later on), totally relaxes me.

I think we all associate good things with the sounds of summer - and when they start singing here, in The Borough, it washes away the sounds of an overheated city - air conditioners, sirens and even gun shots - suddenly I'm in the forest.

I know if I had to clear my basement of them, or step over them as I walked to the mailbox, I might not have such an amiable view of these natural sound machines -and If they were prone to flying around and got inside..I might not feel so centered and relaxed at hearing their song.

Isn't it amazing how much nature exists here, even in one of the dirtiest, most congested cities on the planet. The fact that all manner of creature can survive here is kind of comforting, to me anyway. All year long The Borough is a stop over point for many kinds of migrating birds - (we'll talk about that in September) and there are always sightings of wildlife that are not expected to be here. I'm not sure the birds and squirrels like them, but if they do they are having a tasty treat.

This is a good link, still trying to find one for NY Cicada, http://insects.ummz.lsa.umich.edu/fauna/michigan_cicadas/Periodical/Index.html
http://www.mechaworx.com/Cicada/cicadavideos.asp

Oh and most of the documentation out ther says something about them coming out in springtime, well they are dead wrong in NYC it's august..so maybe we have our own special brood.

B-52's In The Borough

So I forgot to bring my camera to last night's performance by the B-52's in The Borough, thus we have a canned picture. Since we were "holding up the back" as I so often like to do - out of the crowds, it would have been hard to get a decent picture anyway.

The evening started with myself and two friends having a quick beer down in Coney at Ruby's (more on Ruby's and the demise of Coney in a future post) - heading out to sit by ocean and take in the fresh ocean breeze :-) and parking ourselves behind the crowds - hoping the rain would hold off.

The rumor that I kept hearing is that every year for the last few years it has become a torrential rain right before they go on, or during their show - well hallelujah they managed to break the curse!

Luckily not only did the rain hold off, but instead of Patty Smythe opening - the B-52's opened!!! No disrespect to Patty Smythe and Scandal, but our first reaction was "excellent, now we don't have to hear Patty Smythe".

The B-52's came on and lived up to their marketing slogan as the world's best party band - the energy was amazing - the sound was like the last 25 years hadn't happened (does Fred age?) - we danced in the sand (umm.. we were across the street in the back) and sang along - they did all of their party favorites "Mesopotamia", "Private Idaho", a personal favorite of mine "Give me back my man", along with a few new songs - "Ultraviolet" and another song about Shopping Malls..which had the same vibe and sound that defines their music - and it still sounds fresh and new. The encores were "Planet Claire" and "Rock Lobster". We were only slightly annoyed that they kept saying "great to be in NY" hello, you're in Brooklyn...just made them sound kinda uneducated about where they were.

During Rock Lobster, it started drizzling a bit, but stopped soon after....We left dry and smiling - even with the oppressive police presence.

Now I went on last time about Marty Markowitz and the self-serving marketing that went on before the last show - he managed to repeat his whole diatribe verbatim (he must stand on front of a mirror saying "Don't smoke, even if you don't care about yourself, care about the people around you" fuck head. sorry i shouldn't use profanity but in the years before he showed up - the music started on time and we ere not subjected to 45 minutes of his moralistic ramblings.

Someone needs to tell him that we'd rather hear some music before the show starts or even an explanation of why its starting late - with an apology. Marty look in the mirror and practice this " Sorry for the delay folks, we're a bit incompetent here". And once again there were 5 times as many cops as people - and more per capita than at the Puerto Rican Day parade.

My friend who was wearing a tie-dye shirt actually got trailed and harassed by the cops -I mean he's coming back from the bathroom and cops follow him across the street and ask him what's he's smoking (funny since he had his hands on his WATER bottle) - they seriously need to focus on actual crimes happening instead of harassing tax paying citizens at a concert.

I did love the show, but I repeat what I said last time - stick to Prospect Park or Summerstage.

Monday in The Borough

Monday, Monday. I realized that for the short time I've been writing this blog, even though I've focused on things and places in The Borough - that I seem to be very fixated on the weather. This comes as no surprise to anyone who knows me and my obsession with the radar.

The weather can determine and define so much about how we live our lives - it is more than just an integral part of our lives - it is the force that defines what we do, how we do it and most importantly what we wear.

Over the weekend - storms rocked us up here in The Borough. I did manage to catch a shot of lightning (see picture). I've noticed over the last few months that the weather patterns and geography of The Borough, 9 times out of 10 - storms that come from the west don't make it here - on the night in question lightning and storms - part of a larger front that tore off the roofs of houses in Maine, missed Brooklyn altogether. It seems more obvious that its possible when you look at how Brooklyn juts out into New York Harbor that it sits on water - on 2 sides at least......when this happens it just gets gross and sticky here amd I can see the storms off in the distance. Some may call that lucky - especially if you've been through a bad storm and have flooding or wind damage - but I yearn for the break in the heat and I like storms. I get excited by thunder and lightning.

I'm not fooled by a short term weather pattern, it's not global warming or a drastic change in weather, it is just the first time I've noticed this pattern. We get plenty of rain and storms, certainly no drought in The Borough - but the cycle this summer has been one where the storms are coming from a front moving east, that they break up over New Jersey or divide - with storms moving over land (and over Westchester and Connecticut - parts of Connecticut have really had a rough summer) and the rest hitting the northern Jersey shore line. Even storms that come from the NW seem to miss us as well. New York City covers such a large area that it is not unheard of for it to be raining on the upper east side and sunny in The Borough.

Ah well - I can always look forward to a nice Nor'easter coming through.

Hazy Days In The Borough

Well I haven't written here all week, it's just been one of those hazy, hot and lazy weeks where the words melt before they even form in my head. I did spend the first few days of the week out of The Borough, in Queens at Riis Beach. Outside of my usual romps in The Borough, Jacob Riis Park/Fort Tilden is one of my most favorite places on earth and I've been frequenting it much more often than any other beach in the area. It is part of the National Park Service - Gateway National Recreation Area - truly amazing to have this within NY City limits.

It's true that it gets really hot out there...but the ocean is amazing - worth every minute of sweating as you lug your supplies across the burning hot beach. Probably the widest beach I have ever seen in my life. The surf is high enough that you don't feel like you're in a stagnant bay - but not so high that you can't swim out (like the rest of LI) - as soon as you get out past the breakers - only 2-3 feet (1m or less) - you can float in chest high clear green Atlantic ocean - which is running at about 75 degrees now...truly awesome.

On cooler days its great to go out there, climb up to the top of the fort and watch the sunset - but I've gone several times this year to watch the sunrise - also very special moments..shared only with the gulls.

It's hard to believe that there is a city beach that is fairly easy to get to (from my house it's like 45 min on train/bus combo - 35 driving), is fairly clean (plastic washes in with the tide...ban plastic water bottles!) and is never insanely crowded - though it can get pretty packed on the weekends - this one coming up with temps over 90 again - it'll be crowded.

Once I'm there I never want to leave.

Hippies In The Borough

So yesterday was a beach day. I really thought I could do a full day at the beach and stay for the free concert called "Hippiefest"- I'm sure that's the name Marty Markowitz gave to the show - (Thank the Universe for Term Limits!).

Now after a few (too many) hours in the sun, I made my way over to the bandshell, which is right next to the boardwalk - at Ocean Parkway straddling the border between Coney Island and Brighton Beach. The great thing about this venue is well it's at the beach- and on a day like yesterday the cool breezes coming off the ocean actually make it comfortable if not a bit chilly. I know I was cold, a welcome change for summer in The Borough.

The show, which had such notable acts as the Turtles (well Flo and Eddie), the guy who used to play with Moody Blues, Country Joe and Wings, Zombies, and Rascals. Not exactly what come to mind first when you think about the 60's Hippie Bands, but close enough.

All I had really wanted was to do, was to see Country Joe - minus the Fish. But after the first two acts and incessant chatter from those who purported to be former Hippies (read middle aged people in khaki's with horrid accents and nothing interesting to say) – my stomach growling and my face burnt I was really to say that I could miss Country Joe and not feel too bad about it After all I had sat through Melanie and I had heard the Zombies do “She’s not there" in rehearsal.

Oh did I mention that I was early- it got too cold, around 5:00, to stay on the beach – ocean breeze kicking in with force– so I moved over to the bandshell – what I didn’t know was that they had changed the time of the show from 7pm to WHENEVER MARKOWITZ stops talking. He went on for half an hour, mostly about money, the man has no tact. I don’t need to be reminded that when it’s free that the artists are not donating their time– oh and a supposedly free concert that is only free IF YOU DON’T WANT TO SIT DOWN. Charging $5 (and on some shows its going to be $10) to have a seat. Then they had the nerve to go around to collect money.

Then the half hour of the DJ Cousin Bruce (?) talking about his career and whatever. Dude, who cares, bring on the music. So the show didn’t start until after 8 – by that point the place was so crowded, my stomache ached from hunger and I was barely keeping my head up – when the a-hole behind me kicked the back of my chair and my head for the 5th time I couldn’t take it anymore.

So there were really no hippies (well none that had stayed Hippies, or even vaguely resembled them) many more were your run of the mill derelicts and strange locals from The Borough and children. I’ll stick to Celebrate Brooklyn and Prospect Park Bandshell.

A Canal In The Borough

When I tell people that there is an inland waterway in Brooklyn aka The Borough, they usually look at me with either complete disbelief that such a place exists or complete disgust that I would actually want to visit it.

As the neighborhoods below the canal (Boerum Hill, Cobble Hill) have become hot spots with restaurants and shopping it has become a regular occurence to walk down (or up) Union Street - over the canal. A mostly industrial area - which is now being revamped..complete with old warehouses with faded writing on the exterior and former commercial business sites - they are now being renovated and sold as condo's. The Gowanus Canal Community Development Corporation (GCCDC) being the main proponent of this change (there is always a group rallying for change- and controlling development).

The water is still not clear (ok not even vaguely) but on good days you can see fish in the canal (really) and over the years a number of strange visitors - including a seal, have been sighted in the canal system. Oh you don't believe me eh? Well in 2003 a 1-year old harp seal - lost and injured made the canal his home. The fate of said seal is not known - I've searched the web but to no avail - plenty of articles that talk about how filthy and polluted the canal system was, how much it will cost to completely revitalize it and the importance - even in recent times of the canal as a part of the transportation network.

My own experiences with the canal range from walking by and humming "ooh that smell" to stopping to enjoy a sunset. And yes in the summer there is an odor that comes up - not so nice. Even with that there is something about this small stretch of water that brings on instant nostalgia for times past. In the winter the canal frozen over looks trapped in time - I know it won't always be this way - eventually it will be fully capitalized as "waterfront real estate" and YRWP (Young Rich White People) will move in - in droves I don't look forward to that - but I can't wait till someone says "Yeah I live in Brooklyn..where? in Gowanus"- Insert your own "Go-Anus " joke here.

The charm of the bridges and overpasses - of the run down industrial infrastructure that was The Borough always make me pause and smile. The Union Street drawbridge has been a place where I have reflected on life, pondered the meaning of existence and stopped to smell the roses (or dead rotting roses) for as long as I can remember - I hope it retains some of that 'abandoned charm' - but in this new world I'm sure it will become a part of forgotten new york.

The history and details of the Gowanus Canal are definitely worth a read if you're into history. And of course I'd start with wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gowanus_Canal

A Park In The Borough

Probably the best thing about living in The Borough is being so close to Prospect Park. I know the Manhattanites have a thing about Central Park, and it is also worthy of great admiration and respect..but Prospect Park is my own salvation - the green rolling hills that separate people not by class, race or economic standing but only geography.

One of my earliest memories of the park is when my third grade class went for some kind of outing in the park - we decided that in the ravine - down many steps leading off into the woods that there was a creature that lived down there - it dwelled in the darkness waiting for unsuspecting children to wander down so it could eat them all alive!!! . These days I know the only thing going on the side paths and in the ravines is probably too x-rated for most audiences - but by the number of used condoms you can still find, I'd say cruising is alive and well. no monsters here, unless you're some kind of religious right looney tune.

The park itself may not seem as spectacular to those who have climbed Mt. Hood or stood at the top of any state or national park and been overwhelmed by enchanting views and marveled at scenery that goes on to the horizon. Nor, it could be argued, is it as inspiring as the modern marvels of architecture that line city streets. I think that is goes beyond all of these - since within an incredibly confined space they were able to create a place that relates and connects to the buildings and people outside on its periphery, but also welcomes you in and protects you from outside interference - creating vistas and enchanting experiences all within walking distance of a good bathroom (picnic house).

Even with throngs of picnickers, children screaming and playing sports on the open fields and the occasional drumming circle, It still holds its own personal charm, as a respite from the city in a quite civilized way. You can check it all out onine for yourself, including a map and all the good stuff that goes on in the park. http://www.prospectpark.org/

If you;re really interested in the history of the park, here is a good place to start:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prospect_Park_%28Brooklyn%29

Rain in The Borough

Ah a Rainy Monday in The Borough. Rainy Days and Mondays. I woke up this morning to torrential rain pouring in my open windows.

It is not so long ago that I was afraid of rain, and not because of any irrational fear of water, it would make my walls cry - ask anyone who has ever witnessed the water damage in my bedroom.

That's one of the things about living in a pre-war building, the brick and plaster really don't hold up well under the elements. My building was built in 1939, a fact I only know because my mother was also built in 1939. The brownstones that make up most of my neighborhood and the surrounding ones, built almost 60 years earlier - hold up much better under the weather (so I've heard).

Summer rain is often a welcomed relief to the excessive heat and humidity of summertime in The Borough. But it has been cooler the last few days and today is downright chilly in my book - ok so its like 65 - but after the sweltering weather we've had here it really feels colder.

These days the water seems to stay outside, but as a reminder that lingers on - I dread excessive rain (please don't even whisper nor-easter!) - always fearing that I'll be dealing with another crying wall or worse chunks of plaster falling in (yes it's happened).

Well at least i don't have a basement.

A Garden in the Borough

A lovely June afternoon I took my mother to the Botanical Gardens in Brooklyn for an afternoon of strolling - we had the best tour guide (she knew her shit!) and we got to experience the gardens in a way neither of us had ever done before, all basically in my back yard.

Usually on a Saturday afternoon the gardens are filled with the creatures that make this city unbearable at times (you stroller people know who you are!) - but this day it was serene, not so crowded. The gardens are so well maintained, the staff friendly and knowledgeable - and best of all they have free times!!. But buyer beware - they are pretty jerky when it comes to eating and drinking in the gardens - so if you're after a picnic go to the park first or after...or eat at home...It used to be that I would bring lunch and sit and sketch all day in the gardens but as you well know a few people can change the way things are done in this city. It's not a huge deal, since I don't want litter or to jeopardize the plants and trees in the park it makes more sense than alot of crazy rules.

Every time I went to snap a picture my mom leaned in to see what I was doing - so I have many funny shots of flowers with mom's head poking out.

http://www.bbg.org/

Welcome Back

Ah, the air always smells sweeter at home. Good to be back in the Borough..not that I ever really left. This will be a forum for me to express my personal views about Brooklyn aka. The Borough and document a way of life that is loosing ground.

The biggest thing for me has been admitting that not only is NYC not the place where I grew up anymore: Brooklyn is fast becoming a place I don't recognize. Aside from ranting about bad and shady development (we hate Ratner!) and the obvious ploys of Mayor Moneyburg ( I mean Bloomburg) - it goes beyond gentrification, and rich white people moving in - I feel more and more that Brooklyn is lost to me - and is it something I need to find or do, something I need to rediscover, reevaluate and try to rise above. or is it just friggin time to "Get out of Dodge".