Showing posts with label New York. Show all posts
Showing posts with label New York. Show all posts
Monday, July 12, 2010
Book Accidents
I wonder how many Columbia University library books accidentally end up on the subway tracks of the 116th stop on the 1 line.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Hoarse and sore...
...is what I am from cheering on the New York City Marathon runners outside my apartment this morning.
It was a great way to start the day, standing on the sidelines, cheering on all of the athletes who have worked so hard to run this marathon.
My favorite parts:
-Shouting out encouragement to individual runners by name (many had written their names on their shirts for this purpose).
-Sticking out my left palm to receive high fives from runners as they passed.
Pretty awesome, feel good stuff.
It was a great way to start the day, standing on the sidelines, cheering on all of the athletes who have worked so hard to run this marathon.
My favorite parts:
-Shouting out encouragement to individual runners by name (many had written their names on their shirts for this purpose).
-Sticking out my left palm to receive high fives from runners as they passed.
Pretty awesome, feel good stuff.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Debris.
I manage a small boutique in Nolita. Every day, before I open the store, I sweep the sidewalk. Some days are messier than others, but generally the litter strewn about is not all that interesting.
Today there was a concert ticket stub in the pile of trash I was sweeping together. I was curious to see what concert this stub was from, so I leaned down close to read it. It was a concert for the band Squeeze.
Squeeze? When have they played a concert recently? I wondered. So I looked to see where the concert had taken place: The Academy.
And then I saw the date of the concert: 1995.
Man, some debris has quite the life span.
Today there was a concert ticket stub in the pile of trash I was sweeping together. I was curious to see what concert this stub was from, so I leaned down close to read it. It was a concert for the band Squeeze.
Squeeze? When have they played a concert recently? I wondered. So I looked to see where the concert had taken place: The Academy.
And then I saw the date of the concert: 1995.
Man, some debris has quite the life span.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Lopate
I listen to WNYC, the New York City NPR affiliate, a lot.
I love the Brian Lehrer show (10am-12pm every weekday) the most, but I often listen to other programs as well.
Immediately after Brian Lehrer's show is the Leonard Lopate show (12pm-2pm every weekday). I have *tried* to listen to this show, hosted by the brother of writer Phillip Lopate, many a time and enjoy it as I do my Brian Lehrer. I have concluded that this just cannot be done.
Leonard has a way of speaking that grates on me just a bit. He asks questions in a manner that, I think, sounds mildly presumptuous. I believe this is because he extends his speaking out in such a way that he always seems to squeeze in his own view/opinion of a situation at the same time he is asking his guest for their view. It can be a very leading way to inquire about something.
But as much as I always have trouble with Leonard's interview style, I am sure I will continue to listen to his program. I just love WNYC too much, and sometimes he does have some very interesting guests on, guests that don't become in any way derailed by his questioning methods, as I do.
Perhaps I am alone in my view of Leonard. I try not to judge, really I do. Sigh.
I love the Brian Lehrer show (10am-12pm every weekday) the most, but I often listen to other programs as well.
Immediately after Brian Lehrer's show is the Leonard Lopate show (12pm-2pm every weekday). I have *tried* to listen to this show, hosted by the brother of writer Phillip Lopate, many a time and enjoy it as I do my Brian Lehrer. I have concluded that this just cannot be done.
Leonard has a way of speaking that grates on me just a bit. He asks questions in a manner that, I think, sounds mildly presumptuous. I believe this is because he extends his speaking out in such a way that he always seems to squeeze in his own view/opinion of a situation at the same time he is asking his guest for their view. It can be a very leading way to inquire about something.
But as much as I always have trouble with Leonard's interview style, I am sure I will continue to listen to his program. I just love WNYC too much, and sometimes he does have some very interesting guests on, guests that don't become in any way derailed by his questioning methods, as I do.
Perhaps I am alone in my view of Leonard. I try not to judge, really I do. Sigh.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Long overdue response: Brooklyn style
A couple of months ago, I sent out a challenge to my readers: I asked anyone to give me a topic, and I promised I would write a post about that topic.
I have already addressed the three topics provided by my verbose sister, but I have neglected (until now) to respond to the one topic proposed by Sarah B., an old friend of mine from back in the day (elementary school, that is).
Here is what Sarah B. wrote to me:
"Here's a topic - Brooklyn style. Is there one? Thoughts? Are beards ironic? "
ANSWER:
This is a tricky subject, Sarah B. It is difficult for me to feel justified in any attempt to define "Brooklyn style," as Brooklyn is such a massive NYC borough, with widely varying modes of dress and grooming. Also, I've only lived here for nine years. I suppose nine years is a decent amount of time to get a read on a place, but I am well aware that there are tons of folks who've lived here longer than myself.
And... having lived here through most of my 20s, I can't really say how fashion/style differs here from other locations. I have developed my own style, and my friends have developed their own styles, while living inside an NYC bubble, for the most part.
I am most familiar with the 20s-30s demographic, specifically college-educated kids who moved to Brooklyn after graduation and have now lived here for 5-15 years. I am describing most of my friends here:
-On the whole, we dress stylishly but with comfort in mind. Lots of jeans. Lots of second-hand clothes from hip second-hand stores, lots of mixing and matching carefully chosen items from less expensive stores like Uniqlo and H&M. Most of us are artists, so there's not a lot of disposable income for sartorial indulgences, but we can be creative with what we've got. I've seen my friends grow into their own styles over the years without even realizing it. Personally, I splurge on nice jeans (I live in jeans), but top off most of my outfits with $7 shirts from Old Navy.
-Brooklyn is definitely more casual than Manhattan. There seems to be less of a need to impress here. Folks wanna look good, but they do it mostly, I think, for themselves. Trends and brand names are less important than personal taste.
I think style has a lot to do with how you present yourself with body language, etc. You have to have some level of confidence to stick it out in NYC for any length of time, and I think that translates into personal style. You can get away with a lot, clothing-choices-wise, if you believe you look good and present yourself that way.
As far as beards go...I will say that an inordinate number of the males in my life were found sporting beards this past winter - a couple of them even retained the facial hair into the spring and summer.
I don't think the beard choice was an ironic one for most of them. And if it were, I'd be likely to make fun of them for it. I do think, however, that the sudden beard-sprouting was possibly influenced by the likes of music groups such as Band of Horses (I'm not kidding - I really believe this).
If you start venturing into certain Brookyn neighborhoods where the ratio of hipsters to everone else is high (think: Williamsburg), then it's quite likely that you'll run into some irony (or plain stupidity) in grooming choices. I tend to avoid those neighborhoods.
Final thought:
I think the beard is a totally justified winter option in Brooklyn. We don't live out in the country or anything here, but we do spend a helluva lotta time walking around outside - more so, I am sure, than in many other parts of the country - and a little face protection couldn't hurt in that daily cold walk from the apartment to the subway to the job to the subway to the drinks with friends to the subway to the apartment, etc.
Was this a more straight-ahead approach to your question than you were expecting, Sarah B.? I suppose I am in a very non-ironic frame of mind these days, and that's a good thing. Eh, I've never been a big fan of irony.
-
I have already addressed the three topics provided by my verbose sister, but I have neglected (until now) to respond to the one topic proposed by Sarah B., an old friend of mine from back in the day (elementary school, that is).
Here is what Sarah B. wrote to me:
"Here's a topic - Brooklyn style. Is there one? Thoughts? Are beards ironic? "
ANSWER:
This is a tricky subject, Sarah B. It is difficult for me to feel justified in any attempt to define "Brooklyn style," as Brooklyn is such a massive NYC borough, with widely varying modes of dress and grooming. Also, I've only lived here for nine years. I suppose nine years is a decent amount of time to get a read on a place, but I am well aware that there are tons of folks who've lived here longer than myself.
And... having lived here through most of my 20s, I can't really say how fashion/style differs here from other locations. I have developed my own style, and my friends have developed their own styles, while living inside an NYC bubble, for the most part.
I am most familiar with the 20s-30s demographic, specifically college-educated kids who moved to Brooklyn after graduation and have now lived here for 5-15 years. I am describing most of my friends here:
-On the whole, we dress stylishly but with comfort in mind. Lots of jeans. Lots of second-hand clothes from hip second-hand stores, lots of mixing and matching carefully chosen items from less expensive stores like Uniqlo and H&M. Most of us are artists, so there's not a lot of disposable income for sartorial indulgences, but we can be creative with what we've got. I've seen my friends grow into their own styles over the years without even realizing it. Personally, I splurge on nice jeans (I live in jeans), but top off most of my outfits with $7 shirts from Old Navy.
-Brooklyn is definitely more casual than Manhattan. There seems to be less of a need to impress here. Folks wanna look good, but they do it mostly, I think, for themselves. Trends and brand names are less important than personal taste.
I think style has a lot to do with how you present yourself with body language, etc. You have to have some level of confidence to stick it out in NYC for any length of time, and I think that translates into personal style. You can get away with a lot, clothing-choices-wise, if you believe you look good and present yourself that way.
As far as beards go...I will say that an inordinate number of the males in my life were found sporting beards this past winter - a couple of them even retained the facial hair into the spring and summer.
I don't think the beard choice was an ironic one for most of them. And if it were, I'd be likely to make fun of them for it. I do think, however, that the sudden beard-sprouting was possibly influenced by the likes of music groups such as Band of Horses (I'm not kidding - I really believe this).
If you start venturing into certain Brookyn neighborhoods where the ratio of hipsters to everone else is high (think: Williamsburg), then it's quite likely that you'll run into some irony (or plain stupidity) in grooming choices. I tend to avoid those neighborhoods.
Final thought:
I think the beard is a totally justified winter option in Brooklyn. We don't live out in the country or anything here, but we do spend a helluva lotta time walking around outside - more so, I am sure, than in many other parts of the country - and a little face protection couldn't hurt in that daily cold walk from the apartment to the subway to the job to the subway to the drinks with friends to the subway to the apartment, etc.
Was this a more straight-ahead approach to your question than you were expecting, Sarah B.? I suppose I am in a very non-ironic frame of mind these days, and that's a good thing. Eh, I've never been a big fan of irony.
-
Friday, September 12, 2008
One day late
I have had computer trouble at home, and so I have not been keeping up with posts as I'd like...
But I do want to write a little post acknowledging the passing of another September 11, even if the post is a day late.
(By the way, my sister wrote a very thoughtful 9/11 piece on her own blog. Please note - the Catherine she refers to in her posts is not myself but my 2 1/2 year-old niece).
So, last year, I think partly because I was in the middle of some life changes, September 11 hit me a little harder than usual. In 2001, I watched the towers burn and fall from my rooftop in Park Slope, Brooklyn. In 2007, I found myself thinking about the changes in my life over those past six years, and I had an urge to call the people I loved, just to say "I love you." I was thankful that I had a few people on that list.
This year, the date September 11 did not affect my day or my feelings too much, though I did start my day by listening to some memorial coverage on WNYC.
At the end of the day, though, I did have a moment of reflection. Last evening the weather was beautiful, just the hint of a cool Fall night, so I snuck up onto my roof to enjoy the air. I had totally forgotten about the Twin Towers of Light, which I could clearly see from my rooftop, shooting out the bottom of the Manhattan island. Those light towers might just be my favorite public art of all time. They're beautiful and simple and perfect, and I was glad to have that moment to stand on my roof alone, to take a pause to remember.
But I do want to write a little post acknowledging the passing of another September 11, even if the post is a day late.
(By the way, my sister wrote a very thoughtful 9/11 piece on her own blog. Please note - the Catherine she refers to in her posts is not myself but my 2 1/2 year-old niece).
So, last year, I think partly because I was in the middle of some life changes, September 11 hit me a little harder than usual. In 2001, I watched the towers burn and fall from my rooftop in Park Slope, Brooklyn. In 2007, I found myself thinking about the changes in my life over those past six years, and I had an urge to call the people I loved, just to say "I love you." I was thankful that I had a few people on that list.
This year, the date September 11 did not affect my day or my feelings too much, though I did start my day by listening to some memorial coverage on WNYC.
At the end of the day, though, I did have a moment of reflection. Last evening the weather was beautiful, just the hint of a cool Fall night, so I snuck up onto my roof to enjoy the air. I had totally forgotten about the Twin Towers of Light, which I could clearly see from my rooftop, shooting out the bottom of the Manhattan island. Those light towers might just be my favorite public art of all time. They're beautiful and simple and perfect, and I was glad to have that moment to stand on my roof alone, to take a pause to remember.
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
I messed up...
...I really, really did. *Somehow* I got it into my head that to be able to vote in an election in New York State, one had to register (or update one's registration) at least 25 days (only 25 days!) before the election. Why oh why did I think that the New York bureaucracy could adjust its records in such a short amount of time?
I've been a registered voter since 1996, when I used my vote in Maryland to help elect Bill Clinton into his second term. At the time I was a registered Democrat. A few years later, after I had been a New York resident for a couple years and had grown skeptical of all established political parties, I switched my party affiliation to None. I was Independent and proud of it.
Proud, yes, but also stupid. New York is such an overwhelmingly Democratic-with-a-capital-D state and city that almost all elections are basically determined at the primary level, when the Democratic candidate is chosen. Since one must be affiliated with a party to vote in New York primary elections, I was essentially giving up a big part of my ability to determine our elected leaders.
For this reason, I've considered changing my party affiliation back to Democratic many times over the past several years, but it took this current Presidential election for me to finally say, "it's time." This Democratic race is intense!
I thought I'd take the opportunity to adjust my party affiliation at the same time I registered my new address change (I moved this past Fall). So...I just recently got my updated registration into the Board of Elections this week, thinking I had made it in time...only to learn that October 12, 2007 was the deadline for changing party affiliation for our February 5, 2008 primary election. HOW did I miss this piece of information???
Why oh why can I not live in South Dakota or even West Virginia, where primary elections are being held on June 3, 2008 and May 13, 2008, respectively? Then I might still have time to make the necessary changes...but then I'd also live in South Dakota or West Virginia, so...
I am just supremely disappointed in myself right now. I'm also jealous of the Iowa caucusers, who are able to register and/or change party affiliation right up to the day of the caucus. Argh.
At least I can still vote in the general election this November.
I've been a registered voter since 1996, when I used my vote in Maryland to help elect Bill Clinton into his second term. At the time I was a registered Democrat. A few years later, after I had been a New York resident for a couple years and had grown skeptical of all established political parties, I switched my party affiliation to None. I was Independent and proud of it.
Proud, yes, but also stupid. New York is such an overwhelmingly Democratic-with-a-capital-D state and city that almost all elections are basically determined at the primary level, when the Democratic candidate is chosen. Since one must be affiliated with a party to vote in New York primary elections, I was essentially giving up a big part of my ability to determine our elected leaders.
For this reason, I've considered changing my party affiliation back to Democratic many times over the past several years, but it took this current Presidential election for me to finally say, "it's time." This Democratic race is intense!
I thought I'd take the opportunity to adjust my party affiliation at the same time I registered my new address change (I moved this past Fall). So...I just recently got my updated registration into the Board of Elections this week, thinking I had made it in time...only to learn that October 12, 2007 was the deadline for changing party affiliation for our February 5, 2008 primary election. HOW did I miss this piece of information???
Why oh why can I not live in South Dakota or even West Virginia, where primary elections are being held on June 3, 2008 and May 13, 2008, respectively? Then I might still have time to make the necessary changes...but then I'd also live in South Dakota or West Virginia, so...
I am just supremely disappointed in myself right now. I'm also jealous of the Iowa caucusers, who are able to register and/or change party affiliation right up to the day of the caucus. Argh.
At least I can still vote in the general election this November.
Monday, December 17, 2007
I think I have become a New Yorker.
1) I have lived in Brooklyn for 8 1/2 years.
2) Over the last year, I have really started to enjoy Woody Allen movies.
3) Most of my friends are in therapy.
4) Seeing tourists treat my city like an amusement park disgusts me.
5) I’ve started to feel superior to people who don’t live here.
6) I can see the NYC MTA subway map with my eyes closed.
7) I am friendly but don’t like it when people waste my time.
8) I can’t imagine my life without Brian Lehrer.
9) I remember how it was before “everything started changing” (the southeast corner of 2nd Ave and 10th St was most certainly not always a Chase bank, and the Village Voice didn’t always suck).
10) I watched the towers fall from my rooftop.
11) I am homesick when I’m not here.
2) Over the last year, I have really started to enjoy Woody Allen movies.
3) Most of my friends are in therapy.
4) Seeing tourists treat my city like an amusement park disgusts me.
5) I’ve started to feel superior to people who don’t live here.
6) I can see the NYC MTA subway map with my eyes closed.
7) I am friendly but don’t like it when people waste my time.
8) I can’t imagine my life without Brian Lehrer.
9) I remember how it was before “everything started changing” (the southeast corner of 2nd Ave and 10th St was most certainly not always a Chase bank, and the Village Voice didn’t always suck).
10) I watched the towers fall from my rooftop.
11) I am homesick when I’m not here.
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