A lovely day in the neighborhood?

[sheldonm]

  Jim Alfredson said:

  sheldonm said:

  Jim Alfredson said:

  Big Al said:

Who says NY has the worst drivers?

Not me. I think drivers in Chicago are far worse than drivers in NYC.

...been on the interstates around Boston???

Yep. Chicago is worse.

I guess I've driven there so many times that I don't notice nor does it bother me......or maybe I have become one of them!

m~

[Big Wheel]

  sheldonm said:

  Jim Alfredson said:

  sheldonm said:

  Jim Alfredson said:

  Big Al said:

Who says NY has the worst drivers?

Not me. I think drivers in Chicago are far worse than drivers in NYC.

...been on the interstates around Boston???

Yep. Chicago is worse.

I guess I've driven there so many times that I don't notice nor does it bother me......or maybe I have become one of them!

m~

Ha ha. Clearly you guys have never driven much in South Florida.

[7/4]

  sheldonm said:

  Jim Alfredson said:

  sheldonm said:

  Jim Alfredson said:

  Big Al said:

Who says NY has the worst drivers?

Not me. I think drivers in Chicago are far worse than drivers in NYC.

...been on the interstates around Boston???

Yep. Chicago is worse.

I guess I've driven there so many times that I don't notice nor does it bother me......or maybe I have become one of them!

m~

Do they try to change lanes in a traffic jam that isn't moving as if it's going to make a difference?

[Christiern]

They're still at it ...

The bottom picture is taken from the front door to my building.

[Michael Weiss]

Ah yes, the good ol' wind machine....

"War of the Worlds", last scene, taken from our apartment window in Brooklyn, November 30, 2004

Edited June 15, 2006 by Michael Weiss

[Christiern]

They are noisy, too. Here are some photos from today.

This is 104th Street, Jodie Foster retreated to her trailer and they are blowing wind into the trees (we have tiny trees on the block, but they brought some big ones--on the right).

This afternoon they will will shoot in front of my building, so they parked a wind machine right in front.

My doorman likes the machine.

[GA Russell]

On Monday all the tobacco plants bloomed.

Yesterday it rained all day thanks to Alberto. No problem here, but some flooding in Raleigh.

[Noj]

Can you say, "bastard" boys and girls?

In my neighborhood they've thoroughly congested my drive to and from work all week with hordes of construction, road crews, new signals, and malfunctioning street lights. It's been a hoot!

[Christiern]

  Noj said:

In my neighborhood they've thoroughly congested my drive to and from work all week with hordes of construction, road crews, new signals, and malfunctioning street lights. It's been a hoot!

Sounds familiar--what's the name of the movie?

[fasstrack]

NY is in one of the greatest resurgences, at least on some levels, in the almost 52 years of my entire life lived here. Right now it's putting the spring back in Spring. I feel safe walking pretty much anywhere, particularly in Harlem and the Lower East Side, two neighborhoods that were a crapshoot at best to walk in not that long ago. Not only do I feel safe but these neighborhoods are not only alive but teeming with life.

You haven't lived til you've seen Harlemites come out for church on Sunday morning. The women's hats alone and the competition outdoing each other! The services, especially the music in said services are among the most invigorating around, and for the price of a buck in the collection plate. My favorite is St. Mark's United Methodist on 137th and Edgecome. I went for John Hicks' funeral and have missed only one Sunday since.

As for the Lower East Side, a neighborhood that was a war zone a mere 10, even 5 years ago it is the site of really hip community gardens, an indie movie house on E. Houston, an awesome knish joint that's been there 96 years and they downright spoil you, outdoor beergardens, a great vegan restaurant, etc. etc. To walk around on a weekend is not to know what kind of adventure awaits. On a recent Saturday I was drawn in by the sound of a brass band on Mulberry St. I got closer and these young players were really getting it on things like Just a Closer Walk, New Orleans St. Parade, etc. Turns out it was a wedding procession. The bride and groom came out from the church, she looking radiant, he peacock-proud. They were having such a great time that when I congratulated the groom he actually invited me to the party! (I demurred and continued my rounds).

This is not to say I live in a picture postcard. There is still racism in parts of the city with unfortunately familiar names like Howard Beach. There is still poverty here, though it's getting hard to find completely poor neighborhoods. I asked my friend economist Jared Bernstein, an expert on the minimum wage and various economic trends, why there don't seem to be any poor neighborhoods any more in NY, fearing he would say the poor have been pushed out due to high rents fostered by gentrification in the aforementioned areas. He rejoined that the poor have not fled the city but rather have been absorbed into more affluent areas. This is not a good sign and poverty can not be prettied up or swept under the rug. Economic growth and the city's healthy glow is somewhat superficial and one shouldn't be lulled into a stupor by the pretty sights and sounds. This is not paradise.

But oh those pretty sights and sounds! It is a great time to drink in some glorious neighborhoods.

Edited June 16, 2006 by fasstrack

[AllenLowe]

well, they caught the racoon killer - turns out it was part of a love triangle- a racoon, a cow, and a goat (went into a bar...). Well, the racoon and the goat we're having a drink, and the goat told the racoon she was pregnant; the cow came by, overheard the conversation, and demanded the goat have an abortion. The goat got mad, said she'd sue for child (er, goat) support, so the cow pulled out a pistol (not sure where she was holding it) and started firing. Well, it wasn't pretty - cows can't aim to well, especially when they're mad (yes, that's where mad cow comes from) - and, as she said afterwards anyway, why cry over spilt milk?

[fasstrack]

....but the cow was Polish, see, and he turned the gun on himself. The goat started laughing and the cow got pissed, turned and said

'what're you laughing at? You're next....'