This isn’t our typical Sunday Missed Connection, but it moved us in a way that it would anyone that’s been in a similar situation, whatever the cause. Dude needs advice, just like a lot of other people do that have been in dumping/dumped kind of situations:
i met a girl a little over a year ago, and we fell in love really deeply. at the time, i wasn’t willing to use labels like “falling in love” to describe what was happening. my brain would have asked a question like “at what point does it qualify as ‘love,’ ” but at this point, i have no choice but to admit that i loved her very much, and i still do. i have never felt so closely connected to someone, and our relationship has been one of the most amazing experiences of my life.
anyway, she went on a couple of long trips (she was gone about a month and a half). the traveling made her reassess a lot of things. she ended up sleeping with someone during the first trip, and seemed to be reassessing her life and relationship during the second. she felt that she could see our lives going in different directions, and she decided that we should break up. (of course i’m shortening the story a LOT.)
In a city whose mayor has been one of the nation’s most outspoken proponents of gun control, Councilwoman Diana Reyna of Brooklyn has distinguished herself by considering a bill to ban sales of a different weapon: the machete. In July and August, four machete attacks were reported in the southern part of Williamsburg, where many of Ms. Reyna’s constituents live. Late last month, worries over machete violence again rippled through the community when a stray bullet hit a 5-year-old girl in nearby Ridgewood during a shootout. One of the young people involved in the attack was seen wielding a machete. Ms. Reyna has attributed the seeming proliferation of machetes in part to the rising membership and influence of the Trinitarios, a local gang that has adopted the name — and evidently, the preferred weapon— of a revolutionary group that fought against Haiti during the Dominican Republic’s struggle for independence in 1844.
While we understand that machetes have legitimate uses in, uh, getting rid of stubborn weeds in gardens, they do seem to strike us as bit excessive. On the other hand, knowing how this stuff goes, virtually anything can serve a deadly purpose if one intends it to do so. That the call for the ban comes from the Burg (and recalls the days of old) does come laden with some symbolic value.
Comments Off on From South Williamsburg, Call for a Machete BanTags:Williamsburg
Yes, we know this a shot of Lower Manhattan, but it was shot from Brooklyn, making it very “on topic” for GL. It comes from photo contributor Charles Andrisano. All we can say is wait until you see the shot he sent us from Coney that we’re using tomorrow.
November 2nd, 2008 · Comments Off on Bklink: RIP Studs Terkel
We are a day late and a dollar short on this, but Studs Terkel, one of the true greats died at the age of 96 on Friday. It is among the things bringing us great sorrow this weekend.–NYT
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One can always count on the G Train to provide ample chuckles, but this tale is downright f’ing scary. Here’s a story that comes from Brookynian, and boy, it’s a good one:
riding on the G train from lorimer to bedford nostrand. guy gets on the train acting a little crazy, white guy, maybe 35, had that sort of psychotic pressense to him and was carrying a motorcycle helmet and had a backpack on. he sits down next to a young (early 20’s) very attractive girl and blatantly and rudely hits on her, she was uncomfortable and got up and switched seats. i am sitting directly across from this nut and we made eye contact a few times. he even tried to talk to me a few times….i forget what he asked but he was speaking directly to me and i think i did not respond. next thing that happens….
he announces “Lady’s and Gentelman there is a bomb in my bag that will go off in 10 seconds”! he than proceeded to stand up and put his motorcycle helmet on. people freaked and ran to either end of the train in a panic, the energy was intense. He went on to say praise Ala several times. i stayed put, scared shitless counting down from 10 mentally in my head embracing the moment and preparing for the great void that is death. i could feel the energy get more and more intense as my mental countdown closed down in my head, finally 3, 2, 1…..nothing. i looked at him and knew at that point he was full of shit.
November 1st, 2008 · Comments Off on GL Adoptable Brooklyn Cuties of the Week: Annabelle & Augie
As part of our ongoing Adoptable Brooklyn Cutie of the Week we are bringing you a two-part edition today brought to you by Chris, who has 4 wonderful fosters in need of a ‘forever home.’ This week we have Annabelle and Augie.
Annabelle
Age: +/- 2 Years
Sex: Female
Type: DSH, brown tabby
Spayed: Yes
Vaccinated: Yes
Health: Excellent
A former feral, it took her a while to get used to come around, but now she loves being a housecat. She loves to climb onto laps and get comfy, and likes nothing better than a good headscratching. ! She’s full-grown (but compact), a lovely brown tabby color, with sad, soulful eyes and a cute trilling purr when she gets going. She will cuddle or play with just about any cat, young or old. She could be an only child, but she would really do best with other cats; she hasn’t met a cat yet she doesn’t like!
Augie
Age: +/- 2 Years
Sex: Male
Type: DSH, silver tabby
Neutered: Yes
Vaccinated: Yes
Health: Excellent
He was neutered and vaccinated as part of a local Trap-Neuter-Return program, but we realized he was actually very tame. He’s now an indoor cat with a lovely personality. He loves playing with other cats and loves lounging with humans. Would do well alone or with other cats. He has been eartipped but it doesn’t take away from his handsome mug.
If you interested in bringing one of these lovable kitties home, please email Chris at garbageface@gmail.com. Stay tuned next Saturday for part two where we’ll meet two more of Chris’ foster kitties!
There were many, many photo ops like this around Brooklyn yesterday and Correspondent F. Jasmin Adams took advantage of the day to walk the streets of Carroll Gardens and catch some of the Halloween mirth.
We just got word in that Barrette Bar in Prospect Heights will officially be having a first Sunday of the month queer night. Barrette’s owner writes via the Brooklynian Message Board:
“We’re back! Barrette’s new MONTHLY queer party: Sunday Night Mass is back, first Sundays of the month, beginning this Sunday, November 2nd with “Cock the Vote!”, a pre-election night of fun and frivolity!
When: Sunday, NOV 2nd, 8 PM to 1AM
Where: Barrette, 601 Vanderbilt
What: Drink specials, go-go, soul and rock & roll
Hosted by Bloody Belle with DJ Tanner
http://www.myspace.com/sundaynightmass
sundaynightluv@gmail.com
Our photographer writes: “This restaurant/bar (now closed) was used as the exterior location for the mobster hangout in Donnie Brasco. It’s located at West St. and Java St. in Greenpoint.”
Here’s this weekend’s tour from our friends at the Center for the Urban Environment:
Sheepshead Bay & Manhattan Beach. Saturday, November 1 – 10:30 am -12:30 pm – with Ron Schweiger, Brooklyn Borough Historian. Take a walk along the water through these historic and colorful neighborhoods which were part of the largest and most popular resort in the United States a century ago. Visit sites of the old resort hotels and restaurants, where Diamond Jim Brady and Leonard Jerome came to the Sheepshead Bay racetrack. We’ll see the plaque for Vince Lombardi, the great coach of the Green Bay Packers, who grew up in Sheepshead Bay, and the only NYC landmark in the Bay, Lundy’s. Walk across the historic 127 year old Ocean Avenue footbridge that has its own special history and then marvel at the mansions as we walk through the streets of Manhattan Beach and learn of its history. Meet at street level of the Sheepshead Bay Road station of the Q train.
October 31st, 2008 · Comments Off on Fun Vid: The Creepiest House in Brooklyn?
This specimen comes from Dyker Heights, which is best known for its over the top displays of Christmas lights. Apparently, some of the locals dig Halloween too.
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Here’s our weeky restaurant feature from Eat It: The Brooklyn Food Blog, a great local food blog. Today, the featured spot is Enid’s:
Last weekend I went with a couple of friends to Enid’s (560 Manhattan Ave. at Driggs Ave., 718-349-3859) for dinner. I really like Enid’s; I’ve had some of the best brunches there, and I think they have the best Veggie Burger around, but there are some negatives. The technical address lists Enid’s as being in Greenpoint, but since it’s on the border with Williamsburg, and perhaps because of its proximity to McCarren Park, it’s been adopted as a Burg hang out. I’ve read many online complaints that if you’re not a “hipster”, or if you’re more old than young, you won’t get good service there. I once took my parents, neither old nor old looking by any standard, but they’re also not twentysomethings, and we were all but ignored by the hostess. When she did come over, she rudely suggested our party sit at two different tables. We left immediately.
On this particular visit, my friends and I were treated well and were even allowed to lounge a bit after we had paid our bill. Having once been solely a bar, Enid’s returns to its roots during late night hours, so it boasts a number of creative cocktails, albeit a bit weak. I tend to stick with the beer on tap.
So, here’s our question: Who wants to live in a spot that is arguably one of the more gaping assholes of Brooklyn? Clearly the developers of this building whose official address is 235/237 Gold Street are betting there will be takers. (Or saying prayers there will be, at least, if the prices and/or rent are low enough.) We would also wonder who lent money for this project, but we already know how these decisions have been made: without much concern about success or failure. There are two parts of the project. (Brownstoner took a look at this thing in August when it was only a few stories tall.) The one above is a 13 story building that will have 133 apartments. There’s also a bigger building–one that will be 12 stories but will have 377 units. How anyone living in this spot, which is near the intersection of Flatbush Avenue and Tillary Street and is right where traffic comes off the BQE on to Tillary, will make it across the street alive is a most interesting question. There could be a air gondola we don’t know about. Otherwise, buyers may be given free multi-million life insurance policies. Seriously, it was frightening to simply stand there and take photos from across the street let alone to contemplate crossing. Upside: easy access ot a self-storage building which is between the building and McDonald’s is just across the street. Otherwise: You’re pretty much f.u.c.k.e.d.
October 31st, 2008 · Comments Off on Tish James & Others Call on Brooklynites to Do It Up on Election Day
We don’t print many of the press releases that come from the Borough President’s office as many are simply to self-serving and of little interest. Even this one, involves exhortations from local officials like Council Member David Yassky, whose recent vote on term limits we found both sleazy and morally corrupt. But we digress, this is about getting out and supporting Barack Obama. In any case, here’s the release, with a couple of quotes from objectionable public officials (guess who) removed:
On Tuesday, November 4th, an election of historic proportions will take place in our country. Record turnouts are anticipated. Public Schools used as Poll Sites have the opportunity to take advantage of Election Day foot traffic by organizing bake sales; these PTA fundraisers will also be of historic proportions. New York City Public Schools want to remind the community about the impact of contributions to Bake Sale Fundraisers on General Election Day, and how important these donations are to the success of our children’s futures. Some goals of Public Schools, which funding is needed for are: more field trips; books for libraries; science labs; and arts programs. We encourage voters and bake sale participants to act generously on Nov. 4th, because their contributions are an investment in all of our futures.
This was the scene outside One Hanson Place last night between about 5PM and 6PM as angry workers and union members protested outside as residents of very expensive apartments were (presumably) returning home. The workers are outraged because the employees providing services to the (rather wealthy) residents are not unionized. They are being denied critical basic benefits like full health insurance for their families. The Dermott Company, which is the management group, says that the condo board will be able to make its own decision about hiring unionized workers when it takes over next year, but for now the doormen and porters are forced to pay $300 per person per month to add family members to their insurance. In one extra bit of irony, prominent investor Magic Johnson can be seen in posters at subway entrances all over town (including some a few blocks away, promoting Aetna Health Insurance).
GL Analysis
That a building in which Magic Johnson–whose life has been saved by expensive drugs presumably paid for by health insurance–is an investor would hire non-union workers to provide services for wealthy people that have bought condos going for multi-million sums (the penthouses are nearly $6 million) and to deny these the families of these hard working people a basic right like health care coverage is beyond despicable. It is immoral. If we were a country with a conscience about the way we deprive hard working people basic rights it would verge on being criminal. Yes, Dermott says the condo board will decide, but their own position is indefensible. And we wonder if residents that don’t support the basic rights of these workers realize that they are one misfortune away from being in a position where a tragedy like an serious illness like cancer strikes a loved one and they will have to watch that wife or child die because they can’t pay for health care. Two words for the management company, for Mr. Johnson and every resident of One Hanson who doesn’t fight hard for the basic human rights of these workers: Fuck You. Yes, it is a very rude and not an intellectual response, but being a hypocrite (in Mr. Johnson’s case), a greedy and lousy company (in Dermott’s case) and a virtual accomplice to the murder of someone who works to serve you (in the case of residents who wouldn’t let these people unionize and get decent benefits) whose spouse dies from a heart attack because he or she doesn’t get proper medical care is an ugly and awful and wretched thing. And, just in case our message the person in the $4M penthouse don’t immediately call the management company and demand union labor or insist on it with the condo board next year isn’t clear, we’ll say it again: Screw Every Single One of You.
This isn’t our typical Sunday Missed Connection, but it moved us in a way that it would anyone that’s been in a similar situation, whatever the cause. Dude needs advice, just like a lot of other people do that have been in dumping/dumped kind of situations:
