Another week, another set of topics floats around in my head. I am having one of those weeks where I wish someone would follow me around tape recording all the good ideas I have and all the incredibly clever remarks I make– since by the time I sit down at the machine (or la machina), they have all dispersed to the fours winds. Al I’m left with is a rant or five, and maybe some info on something in The Borough.
I guess my rant last week was a bit harsh, considering that I have been known to watch 12-hour Stargate marathons (just a step above American Dimwit, I mean Idol) – and even though I spend endless hours reading, and doing other things – I still like my cartoons, preferably with an adult twist on them. Simpsons, Family Guy, Futurama (Bender is still my hero!), Aqua Teens (Shake rules!), Harvey Birdman, and Drawn Together – probably the sickest of the bunch. So I can’t fault you for watching the same thing as a 12-year old girl, when I watch the same thing as a 19-year old boy.
A rant? A rant you say? Plenty to rant about in The Borough these days aside from TV, mostly having to do with the fact that now that spring is in the air, the yuppies are on the streets. I call them yuppie scum, but you can call them buppies (baby-infested urban professionals) Yup they have emerged from their breeding cocoons to fill up a sidewalk near you (or rather me in this case). How to identify the buppies – they undoubtedly are pushing a stroller larger than a small car, and talking on a cell phone at the same time, carrying numerous bags and they think they are on a private street and have no regard for other people.(hey lady you just wheeled your kid into oncoming traffic, mind getting off the phone?). They are almost as bad as tourists, at least the tourists don’t give you attitude.
Speaking of tourists, the tourist situation here is a bit out of control, low US dollar and insanely cheap airfare for Europeans is literally driving them to the streets of NYC. Now everyday I battle the regular crowds at GCT, and it’s a draining experience – add in a few hundred tourists LOOKING UP at the Chrysler building while they walk and you have enough rant material to last a lifetime. At least they’re not pushing strollers…
Now for things in The Borough, there has been a lot going on with Develop Don’t Destroy - the 5 year battle to stop the mega stadium development may actually work, if only because of other financial issues that Forest City Ratner has been going through, and the supposed recession. Still the legal battles rage on, mostly to do with eminent domain abuse – which is something that every American should be aware of, since by this precedent – any real estate developer can come and take your home saying that it’s for the public good – not public use – give you $$ and you have to leave. If you fight them, you could end up with nothing and they still take your house. Since I don’t own anything, I get more caught up in the battles that have to do with urban poor, and the rich people taking advantage of people who cannot afford to go anywhere. Gotta stick up for the little people, fuck the rich.
A random thought, someone balked the other day when I told them that I donate 3-5% of my annual income to charities, that’s gross not net – and If I made more, I would donate more. If you make more than 100k a year – you should be donating up to 8% of your annual salary. Americans are such greedy pigs – instead of investing for yourself – why don’t you invest in society? And yes, it’s a tax write off, if you itemize.
So aside from that there is also news about the IKEA nightmare in Red Hook. I’ve heard (though not confirmed) that due to EPA or environmental impact – that the store is basically being scrapped after they demolished 10 civil war era buildings. This city is going down the crapper faster than you can say “spitzer”. I’m trying to confirm facts, and get the latest – but everything I keep finding is from 2005….I’ll keep y’all in the loop.
Hopefully the next time I have something really witty, I can remember it long enough to relay it to you – until then
4/3/08
Ratner is the Scumbag In the Borough
please go and visit this site, read and endorse the letter.
http://www.dddb.net/php/reading/MuseumLetter.php
http://www.dddb.net/php/reading/MuseumLetter.php
4/2/08
Borough Trippin'
I know I keep saying I am not going to rant and I am not going to name names. While I consistently strive to keep both to a minimum, sometimes it just cannot be avoided. My rants are nowhere on the humorous level of some other blogeroni’s out there (or is it bloggarazzi) , such as like Decaf is a Sin, which I religiously read and laugh hysterically. If you have the ability to rant, seriously offend, but leave just 1% of the people out there laughing and hoping for more – you’re OK in my book.
So what has been pissing me off lately? Aside from the neighbors, who I hope are struck down by the wrath of someone’s god, there isn’t much to complain about. I could rant about the media and it’s endless hounding of things to make news about – but really if it bothers me that much I should just turn the page or turn off the TV – getting out of the target range of mainstream media may be hard, but it’s not impossible. I’ve managed to completely divest myself from common pop culture – much to the chagrin of anyone who has ever asked me questions like “Did you see the big give?” Unless someone is giving it to me, I really could give a shit, - go read a book, take a class, make some art, do a good deed for an elderly neighbor, do some volunteering of your own and for heaven’s sake get the fuck off the couch.
Now onto the name-dropping part, I try to keep my entries really just about me, and maintain the anonymity of my fellow conspirators – but also give you, the intrepid reader, some insight into life in The Borough, and in those other borough’s as well.
I’ve mentioned before the monthly gathering of native new Yorkers, where usually a few regulars and I enjoy a Monday evening. I think the last time I wrote about it, it was supposed to be a big turnout, but only a handful of non-regulars showed up and it was good.
This time at a new venue on a new night, at a bar in Chelsea called Dusk (see the picture above) , with cool glass mosaic walls, a pool table and a pretty retro jukebox (or was that the magic garden cd?) . The owners are identical twins, both now bald with goatee’s, that went to Stuy and Science – and they even showed a picture of themselves in high school with pompadours and rockabilly clothes. Ah sweet memories. I really like this place, not just becuase its more convenient than other places and is roomy - but it's got a great vibe, without being pretentious. But that could be the $4 Bud's talkin'.
So what has been pissing me off lately? Aside from the neighbors, who I hope are struck down by the wrath of someone’s god, there isn’t much to complain about. I could rant about the media and it’s endless hounding of things to make news about – but really if it bothers me that much I should just turn the page or turn off the TV – getting out of the target range of mainstream media may be hard, but it’s not impossible. I’ve managed to completely divest myself from common pop culture – much to the chagrin of anyone who has ever asked me questions like “Did you see the big give?” Unless someone is giving it to me, I really could give a shit, - go read a book, take a class, make some art, do a good deed for an elderly neighbor, do some volunteering of your own and for heaven’s sake get the fuck off the couch.
Now onto the name-dropping part, I try to keep my entries really just about me, and maintain the anonymity of my fellow conspirators – but also give you, the intrepid reader, some insight into life in The Borough, and in those other borough’s as well.
I’ve mentioned before the monthly gathering of native new Yorkers, where usually a few regulars and I enjoy a Monday evening. I think the last time I wrote about it, it was supposed to be a big turnout, but only a handful of non-regulars showed up and it was good.
This time at a new venue on a new night, at a bar in Chelsea called Dusk (see the picture above) , with cool glass mosaic walls, a pool table and a pretty retro jukebox (or was that the magic garden cd?) . The owners are identical twins, both now bald with goatee’s, that went to Stuy and Science – and they even showed a picture of themselves in high school with pompadours and rockabilly clothes. Ah sweet memories. I really like this place, not just becuase its more convenient than other places and is roomy - but it's got a great vibe, without being pretentious. But that could be the $4 Bud's talkin'.
I even enjoyed walking across town, something usually I'm not such a big fan of. It was like 70 degrees with 100% humidity, my hair was frizzin' like you would not believe.
I think it was the best turnout in a long time and I had a fab time. This finishes a week or so for me where every night has had some event attached to it – making me so completely exhausted that I was tempted to call in stupid today. The best part of the evening was that I managed to connect with not 1 but 2 people I hadn’t seen in years – and didn’t recognize – one from elementary school, who I had not seen in almost 30 years – whose father still lives around the corner from me – and one from high school – who happens to be staying with his mom, who also lives around the corner from me. (see how anonymous that is!),. There were of course some regulars, and a few of old friends that I am not close to, but no archenemies or anything like that. Certainly no one threw a drink at me or spoke my name in anger. So it was a successful night all around.
I think it was the best turnout in a long time and I had a fab time. This finishes a week or so for me where every night has had some event attached to it – making me so completely exhausted that I was tempted to call in stupid today. The best part of the evening was that I managed to connect with not 1 but 2 people I hadn’t seen in years – and didn’t recognize – one from elementary school, who I had not seen in almost 30 years – whose father still lives around the corner from me – and one from high school – who happens to be staying with his mom, who also lives around the corner from me. (see how anonymous that is!),. There were of course some regulars, and a few of old friends that I am not close to, but no archenemies or anything like that. Certainly no one threw a drink at me or spoke my name in anger. So it was a successful night all around.
On the train ride home I ran onto another neighbor, well son of neighbor - who I used ot babysit for - who is now getting hitched. I was all chatty and when I got off thew train and up the stairs in The Borough, it was pissing down rain so hard that every layer of my clothing was soaked. It was such a relief after all that sticky sweaty nasty air - I actually screamed "fuck yeah"as I strode around the corner home.
I’m done with events for the week, not that bridal showers, art openings, volunteering meetings, dinners out and sitting shiva isn’t a fun way to spend 5 days.….I’ve finished my taxes and all I need to do now is get someone to do my laundry for me and mop the kitchen floor (and while you’re at it will you clean the oven?).
I think I need a people break. I keep getting emails from people saying they are coming down (or up or over) for a visit sometime in the next month or so – and I have to mentally get ready for hostessing duties – it’ll give me a chance to get out and about in The Borough, and then I can start reviewing places and things again in more detail.
There are some big things happening with the nightmare arena project, and I hear now that a future whole foods in gowanus (go anus!) is possibly not happening due to environmental problems - I'll try to find out more about what's goiung on - and let you know.
See you then!
See you then!
3/19/08
Borough-ific
Welcome to the deluge. It's been pissing down for 12 hours now. I managed to prove today, that NO, I cannot walk and chew gum at the same time. Unwrapping the gum, I put the minty stick in my mouth, and WHAM! I slide on some new sidewalk and go down. It's better than my old trick of walking into poles and walls. But it brings me to my rant (better get this out of the way) - people who don't bother to lift their umbrella's when they walk. that's it. not as bad as the gum chompers, but still an umbrella in the eye is never a welcome event - and I really wish people would not act so discourteously.
That is certainly enough ranting.
It's been a busy and eventful March. Fabulous things going on in The Borough included - First Saturday event at BMA. Which I attended. and no I didn't invite anyone - haven't you been following? I'm resigned again to just go and do the things that I want, things that I find interesting and fun and enjoy living here. I danced, in public. then denied it all.
I didn't make it to most of the events in The Borough, that I had hoped to earlier in the month. I'd been working too much and definitely getting really sick of winter. Some of the swanky events I didn't get to included a rally (or 3), several community meetings, 2 art events, and a benefit for coney - that was within spitting distance from my house - shit.
I did manage to get to a show at Irving Plaza (or the Fillmore East, whatever), Louis XIV, I have friends that are ga-ga for them - so a night out came about. I liked the vibe at the show - and lot's of hot 30-something boys (or 20something) all sporting the trendy new "I wear a yarn cap inside" style. I felt so fashion deprived. So out of touch with the modern metrosexual - millennial.
The music was forgettable, I liked a few of the early songs - they had a dark heavy sound..which I have been known to enjoy on occasion. later on i was not so in it. If it was up to yarn cap guy #3 I really should have gotten there in time to hear What Milwaukee is Famous For. I really didn't care , since I was too busy having flashbacks to 1987, and some guy telling me about some band that I really had to hear. fashion changes, pretentious urbanite white guys in clubs don't.
It was good to be back in a diner having breakfast after midnight, and stumble around The Borough and The Other Borough. Though it went from 60 degrees at 7pn to 34 by the time the show ended at midnight, so there wasn't alot of stumbling - not like the usual amount. Spring will be here soon, there will be plenty of time for stumbling then! and a few slip and falls.
I'll keep you posted.
That is certainly enough ranting.
It's been a busy and eventful March. Fabulous things going on in The Borough included - First Saturday event at BMA. Which I attended. and no I didn't invite anyone - haven't you been following? I'm resigned again to just go and do the things that I want, things that I find interesting and fun and enjoy living here. I danced, in public. then denied it all.
I didn't make it to most of the events in The Borough, that I had hoped to earlier in the month. I'd been working too much and definitely getting really sick of winter. Some of the swanky events I didn't get to included a rally (or 3), several community meetings, 2 art events, and a benefit for coney - that was within spitting distance from my house - shit.
I did manage to get to a show at Irving Plaza (or the Fillmore East, whatever), Louis XIV, I have friends that are ga-ga for them - so a night out came about. I liked the vibe at the show - and lot's of hot 30-something boys (or 20something) all sporting the trendy new "I wear a yarn cap inside" style. I felt so fashion deprived. So out of touch with the modern metrosexual - millennial.
The music was forgettable, I liked a few of the early songs - they had a dark heavy sound..which I have been known to enjoy on occasion. later on i was not so in it. If it was up to yarn cap guy #3 I really should have gotten there in time to hear What Milwaukee is Famous For. I really didn't care , since I was too busy having flashbacks to 1987, and some guy telling me about some band that I really had to hear. fashion changes, pretentious urbanite white guys in clubs don't.
It was good to be back in a diner having breakfast after midnight, and stumble around The Borough and The Other Borough. Though it went from 60 degrees at 7pn to 34 by the time the show ended at midnight, so there wasn't alot of stumbling - not like the usual amount. Spring will be here soon, there will be plenty of time for stumbling then! and a few slip and falls.
I'll keep you posted.
2/19/08
Ranting in The Borough
So no, I haven't finished putting together the revised rant list. But a few of the more obvious ones have really been circling around my little brain. Now since I seem to be only one reading this, I'm going to break my own rules and rant a bit. just because.
The first is how can I get rid of chewing gum once and for all? Absolutely the most disgusting habit I have ever had the displeasure of being forced to endure. I mean if you must chew like a cow in public, at least keep your dang mouth shut. I'm not just channeling Harv here, it is truly repulsive.
Ok, I'll stop with the negative, well the blatantly negative and move onto the other subject which is - like LCD soundsystem, says - "New York I love you - but you're bringing me down". I'd like to stop focusing on all of the horrors and atrocities ( ok maybe that's too strong) and try to see where some good is happening in this city that I barely reecognize day by day. If you have any thoughts please pass them on.
I've been going to openings at BAG (Brooklyn Artists Gym) and I have to say that they have a great space, some amazing people but I was quite underwheled by both events I've attended. I am just not sure of the artists themselves - mostly becuase they are not from here and in one instance I don't think the guy (aka artist) had even ever been here. So it's not as much of a "local artists - way for us to get some exposure in The Borough"- it becomes another yuppie (hmm what are these kids anyways - nuppies???) venue that has no real connection to the community in which it is located. They should have rented space in Williamsburg, they'd be more at home there. I'm going to give it one more shot though, since I hate to judge - I could have just gone to 2 openings that were not reflective of their overall thang. So far I'd say a mixed review, but I haven't given up on it entirely.
I also went to the Lunar New Year parade in Chinatown (Gung Hay Fat Choy!), forgot my camera (which is good since there was no sunlight and I didn't have a great viewing point). I shout out a big poo-poo-on-you to all of the people who said they were coming and didn't. I've officially now stopped inviting anyone to do anything. The parade and the whole vibe was, as always, amazing and exciting..cold..but hey that's what green tea and sweet buns are for!! I had a lovely shrimp in black bean sauce at Wo Hop and I was still home in time to cause havoc and destruction in my apartment (don't ask!!).
more soon.
2/4/08
Update from The Borough
So it seems that when you work full time, have many projects and feel the need to give back to the community - it gets pretty hard to write a blog.
I've been meaning to sit down and talk about things in The Borough for some time now, to extend personal thanks to everyone who was so kind and helpful while I was getting back into the groove of working life in NYC, and especially those who helped me directly get there.
I'm not going to go into the details of work, I mean - who really cares - I'm sure you don't want me boring you with the details of my job, anymore than I really want you to bore me with the details of yours. Unless you're a pirate or something.
I'm well into routineland now. Spending most of my waking hours either going to work, and sitting in my office - busy as a bee..many hours...the marathon of people dodging that goes on every time i travel back and forth from that other borough. It's probably the main reason I never end up going into the city on the weekends (aside from the fact that I just love being in The Borough).
Still not buying in to corporate, consumerism non-secular society - and the social conventions it imposes - but I am working, volunteering, painting and exploring The Borough.
Now as most of you probably know, I am a repository for all outmoded and outdated technology. Being that I won't participate in the capitalist-buy-it-all phenomenon, but it doesn't mean I dont enjoy my playstation (I), my 10-year old G4 or my hand-me-down 6 year old ipod mini..in fact the acquirement of fun, always appealing has me thinking that I could do with an upgrade on gaming, say to perhaps in this century. Anyone got a PS2? old mac games?you know where to bring them.
I've been working on fun art projects as well. Enjoying my status as visionary of outsider art. or crap that i like to make and hang on my walls. It keeps me busy.
And I'm trying to get back to the volunteering I did last year- though I'm thinking about doing something different this time - maybe work on the community garden. Last year I did a few Audubon clean up events, as well as a few sessions of clean-up in prospect park. I always prefer to give back to the community by helping the environment, rather than people. But I would like to find a place that I can volunteer more regularly, instead of just a few events for the seasons. I think it's really important as a citizen of the world to alwsays be spending time helping others and developing community. If you don't do this you exemplify what is wrong with american culture. 'nuff said.
Look out for my top 10 reasons why Valentine's day is a sham and just sucks outright, and My Rant list - which due to popular (ok 1 person) demand I will re-publish in a few weeks. I just normally hate putting the negative out there for the world to see, so I have to re-work it so I won't get angry hate mail from every person thats ever sent me a picture of their mewling infant.
I've been meaning to sit down and talk about things in The Borough for some time now, to extend personal thanks to everyone who was so kind and helpful while I was getting back into the groove of working life in NYC, and especially those who helped me directly get there.
I'm not going to go into the details of work, I mean - who really cares - I'm sure you don't want me boring you with the details of my job, anymore than I really want you to bore me with the details of yours. Unless you're a pirate or something.
I'm well into routineland now. Spending most of my waking hours either going to work, and sitting in my office - busy as a bee..many hours...the marathon of people dodging that goes on every time i travel back and forth from that other borough. It's probably the main reason I never end up going into the city on the weekends (aside from the fact that I just love being in The Borough).
Still not buying in to corporate, consumerism non-secular society - and the social conventions it imposes - but I am working, volunteering, painting and exploring The Borough.
Now as most of you probably know, I am a repository for all outmoded and outdated technology. Being that I won't participate in the capitalist-buy-it-all phenomenon, but it doesn't mean I dont enjoy my playstation (I), my 10-year old G4 or my hand-me-down 6 year old ipod mini..in fact the acquirement of fun, always appealing has me thinking that I could do with an upgrade on gaming, say to perhaps in this century. Anyone got a PS2? old mac games?you know where to bring them.
I've been working on fun art projects as well. Enjoying my status as visionary of outsider art. or crap that i like to make and hang on my walls. It keeps me busy.
And I'm trying to get back to the volunteering I did last year- though I'm thinking about doing something different this time - maybe work on the community garden. Last year I did a few Audubon clean up events, as well as a few sessions of clean-up in prospect park. I always prefer to give back to the community by helping the environment, rather than people. But I would like to find a place that I can volunteer more regularly, instead of just a few events for the seasons. I think it's really important as a citizen of the world to alwsays be spending time helping others and developing community. If you don't do this you exemplify what is wrong with american culture. 'nuff said.
Look out for my top 10 reasons why Valentine's day is a sham and just sucks outright, and My Rant list - which due to popular (ok 1 person) demand I will re-publish in a few weeks. I just normally hate putting the negative out there for the world to see, so I have to re-work it so I won't get angry hate mail from every person thats ever sent me a picture of their mewling infant.
1/14/08
Goodbye Dollar Dream in the Borough
Well I should start off by saying happy new year. woo-hoo 2008! Isn't that great.Dollar Dream is gone.
It started off like any other Saturday, a nice walk, a tasty bagel and then the horror of it all! My soul dropped as I rounded the corner..my haven of dollar items ..gone!
It's the sign of the times...the rising of condo towers means the demise of all that is cheap and somewhat good (if you read the labels). I will miss my never ending supply of tacky picture frames, washcloths and plastic containers. The reggae blares throughout the warehouse sized store. the echoes of french and patois fill the aisles. sure something s were $1.19, but overall a most amazing place for crap, and stuff n'junk. all within walking distance of my house.
say goodbye to dollar dream. we'll miss them. those crazy patois.
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