Greenpoint
Lorven Pharmacy
Culture on the Cheap
Reader Contribution Du Jour: What Is This?
Filed under: 10002, BAD ASS, Lower East Side, Lower East Side Manhattan, Wow, WTF
This curiosity was found by a fellow Greenpoint resident we’ll call “S”. It presently resides under the Manhattan side of the Williamsburg(h) Bridge. About it she writes:
Double take: Giant flat black camper with window gates and fences chained on. The one of the door and window is worth a closer look…
Indeed it is.
Urban assault vehicle or Airbnb rental?
I am putting my money on both. Perhaps EVGrieve or Jeremiah can shed some light regarding this tenement on wheels? Anyone?
UPDATE: Someone was thoughtful enough to point out this looks like something from Escape From New York:
Great catch, John! The funny thing is this vehicle has New York state plates. However, I have spied and shot graffiti featuring Snake Plissken along the north Brooklyn waterfront. This one hails from Greenpoint.
And this one hails from the Brooklyn side of the Williamsburg Bridge:
Maybe they’re trying to escape from Brooklyn? Hmm…
Urban Artifact: Jail Bear International Superstar?
Filed under: 11222, BAD ASS, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Stuff That Makes Miss Heather Happy, Urban Artifact
(OR: 726 Days & Counting!)
Yes, gentle readers, this would appear to be the case— and right here and now I am going to share the good news!
This morning started off as any other: I get up, put on a pot of coffee and head to the computer. First I check my email, then I check my site. The latter experienced a spike in traffic. I found this rather strange given I have not been blogging much of late. Thus I perused incoming links. It was quickly discerned that one site was responsible for this. Naturally my curiosity got the better of me: I pointed and clicked. I braced myself in anticipation of material of a highly adult nature. It turned out not to be porn. It is infinitely more awesome than that. See for yourselves!
It would appear that our very own Jail Bear has merited the attention of a web site in Hungary. Granted, big in Hungary does not an international superstar make— but it is still pretty darned cool. Given I did not have a Hungarian phrasebook handy, I made my way over to Google Translate to see what they had to say about this ad hoc testement to civic pride. The translation is a mite bit obtuse but the essence comes across:
This is a sad teddy bear sitting behind bars in Greenpoint Avenue, Brooklyn, has appeared in the middle of June. The last two months has kultmacivá, followers, Instagramon hundred over the number of images. Nobody knows how he got here. The Bacardi- glass sometimes replacing vizesflaskára Many people are fed maternal feelings for him, while others say straight creepy. “- read the Facebook page to report overseas.
The NewYorkShitty also collected quite a few photos of the sad maciról, who has been held accountable as part of street art and the Bear Jail – that bear jail – dubbed plüssr?l made ??continuously published photos also make it: here you can watch!
Not only did my humble web site merit a link, but a Facebook page pertaining to Hungarian tourism is featured as well. Fascinating.
In any case, I suspect I speak for a number of Jail Bear’s fans when I write that he is not creepy— at least not in comparison to other things to be found hereabouts. On a number of occasions I have seen parents headed to nearby WNYC Transmitter Park stop so their children can say “Hi” to him and/or tell him about his/her day. He dutifully listens too.
For the above-stated reason I have a very hard time believing Jail Bear is sad. He’s quite beloved. Nonetheless, I decided to take up this matter directly with Jail Bear. The scene which awaited me this morning was quite surprising.
Jail Bear not only seems to be taking his fifteen minutes of fame in stride, but he is actually quite happy!
What’s more, he has something to say to his new friends— and hopefully fans— in Hungary!
Okay, I’ll admit it: I dressed up Jail Bear and made the sign. But as I told a passerby (after explaining Jail Bear’s newfound celebrity status), I did so— and I quote:
in the interest of fostering positive international relations.
He found this to be a kind gesture. Taylor Swift may the the official face of tourism in New York City, but in Greenpoint (or at least the corner of Franklin Street and Greenpoint Avenue) this sinecure belongs to Jail Bear. In closing, I feel compelled to note that I have never met a Hungarian, much less a Hungarian tourist. Not only does this need to change but I am quite looking forward to the experience…
You didn’t think I was going to pass up an opportunity like this, gentle readers. Really? In all seriousness:
Happy Halloween, Hungary from New York Shitty (and of course, Jail Bear)!
UPDATE, 2:37 p.m.: it has been brought to my attention that the fellow responsible for this bear’s incarceration prefers the moniker “Prison Bear”. So there have you!
P.S.: An interesting fact learned today: if one ever finds him or herself in the highly unlikely predicament of needing an empty liquor bottle on the fly, check out the planters outside of WNYC Transmitter Park. You can rest assured they will deliver!
New York Shitty Photos & Video Du Jour: Queens Rocks!
Filed under: 11106, Astoria, Astoria Queens, BAD ASS, Long Island City, Long Island City Queens, Stuff That Makes Miss Heather Happy
So we have seen a subway busker get arrested in Williamsburg, the protest which followed; and Taylor Swift become our fair city’s “ambassador”. Yes, fellow New Yorkers, these are strange days in which we live. However, today I happened upon a beacon of hope. All is not lost here. Which brings me to the above-depicted fellows: Eric and Martin.
Today my buddy Larry, one of the many Williamsburg has seen to “displace” of late, took me on a tour of his new-ish neighborhood. As we rounded the corner at 36th Avenue and 31st Avenue we heard a sound. It was the sound of freedom.
More specifically, it was the sound of metal— and the above-depicted gentlemen were the origin. My travelling companion, Larry, and I waved to them in appreciation. In return we were greeted with “devil horns”. So naturally we did what exactly after-school specials told us not to do: we walked over to make their acquaintance.
I cannot attest to the conversation Larry had initially with these fellows. This is because I went to a bodega. My reason for doing so will become apparent later. What I can say is Eric and Martin rock. BIG TIME.
After Eric played this tune I asked him if he has a web site or anything on Youtube. He said he did, in fact, have footage on Youtube— but he thought it sucked so he and I quote:
Blew it away!
Eric asked me if I liked metal. I assured him I did. He informed me he loved metal and was drunk as hell. The first, gentle readers, is beyond question and I can personally attest to the latter. I asked if I could make a request. Not only was Eric game, but he refused to accept any money in return.* Touched by this demonstration of generosity (who expects to get anything for free in 2014 New York City anymore?) I asked Eric what he likes.
Slayer, The Misfits, Danzig, Metallica and Iron Maiden
was his reply.
So I requested the first thing that came to mind. Here it is.
Those of you who seek real, genuine, 100% New York City hospitality go to the 36th Avenue stop of the N/Q in Queens.
There your hospitality ambassadors await you. Not only do Eric and Martin take requests (and won’t make fun if you can’t sing Metallica)— for free— but they’ll even give you a send off number. We got Black Sabbath.
Welcome to Nevernevermotherfuckingland, Taylor Swift!
Photo Credits: The first four images gracing this post come courtesy of Larry Auerbach. Not only is he a very nice fellow and an immensely talented photographer, but his musings on life rarely fail to make me smile!
*Which is why I went to the bodega. I had $5.00 on my person. I bought a bottle of water so as to get four one dollar bills in return. I needed $1.00 in order to refill my Metrocard for a ride home. This left $3.00 which went, after careful consideration, to Eric’s aide de camp Martin.
Greenpoint Photo Du Jour: Manhattan Avenue Fashion Watch
Filed under: 11222, BAD ASS, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Stuff That Makes Miss Heather Happy
When I saw this woman braving the heat in such magnificent style I simply had to document it for posterity. Of course in the interest of full disclosure it should be noted that I may be a mite bit biased…
From The New York Shitty Inbox: Something Neat!
Filed under: 11222, BAD ASS, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Stuff That Makes Miss Heather Happy
Some might recall that not terribly long ago I was contacted by a very nice fellow named Geoff. He is not only a Greenpoint resident and school teacher (!)*, but he calls north Brooklyn history his hobby and to this end he has a web site and is publishing a book.
Upon his applying for and receiving a tour guide license, Geoff was kind enough to invite me on a tour! I had a wonderful time and learned a lot. It was at this time he told me had had been contacted by and in fact did a radio interview for a station in Norway! The subject: (who else?) Dirck the Norman, the namesake of our very own Norman Avenue! This has found its way online and for your listening pleasure here and here. Give ’em a listen!
*At none other than the lovely and historic Erasmus Hall which apparently is endangered. Geoff writes:
I teach American history at the High School for Service and Learning I teach at the once prestigious Erasmus Campus. Streisand, Ralph from the Happy Days program, Beverly Sills the opera singer and a lot of other famous people went here. We have the original 1787 building in our court yard. It is falling apart and I have a petition to try and save it. Please sign it and if you could mention it on your blog it would be great. I spoke to the Director for preservation in the city government. He said that even though the building is on the National Register for historic places it can still be condemned. We cannot let that happen, hence my petition (which you can view and sign here— Ed. Note).
Gladly, Geoff!
New York Shitty Photos Du Jour: SOLD!
Although the bloggage has been sparse of late I can assure you, gentle readers, much has come to pass. One such example is delivering a snow globe to my first client! I will not go into the terms of the sale to Mr. Kuby— that is our business— other than to note one of my stipulations was I get to take and publish photos of him enjoying his purchase (which will grace his desk). Hence this post.
I think he likes it!
Greenpoint Photo Du Jour: On The (C) Town
Filed under: 11222, BAD ASS, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Wow, WTF
(Or: Friday Night On Manhattan Avenue, Bitches!)
Taken March 7, 2014
This Is Just Plain Awesome…
Filed under: 11222, BAD ASS, GENIUS, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Stuff That Makes Miss Heather Happy
My buddy and all-around environmental BADASS Laura has taken up painting recently. Although her creations are all quite lovely and whimsical, this one (for obvious reasons) is a stand-out. It simply had to be shared. About its creation she writes:
A walk to the Digester Eggs followed with some 60’s psychedelic music, incense and candles, topped with some community issues translates into this for me…
I give this piece two enthusiastic New York Shitty thumbs up!
Now For Rent In Ridgewood…
This. I have tried— and tried— to find the words to describe what you have just seen. Thankfully the owner of this apartment has been lavish with the photo-documentation. What these pictures have to say is way more than the proverbial 1,000 words. Note “the value-added” in the manner of a disco ball (and what appears to be laundry) hanging in the living room. Simply magnificent! Best to simply check out this listing check out the screengrabs and behold the, um, glory for yourself. You will not be disappointed!
Special props go out to Diana Gee for stumbling upon this gem. Simply amazing.
UPDATE, 10:19 pm: For shits and giggles I emailed our landlord informing him that we were breaking our lease because we found our dream home in Ridgewood. Follows is his reply:
Very astute observation. As you can plainly see, gentle readers, some landlords do have a sense of humor. Conclusion: if this apartment has a soundtrack (and a gnarly HiFI system is undoubtedly among its manifold amenities) it would be something by the Eagles. Or better yet this:
Honorable mention: the Miami Vice theme song.
UPDATE, November 20th, 2013: It has been brought to my attention that if one “Googles” the phone numbers listed on this advert, some mighty interesting results come up. Follows is yours truly’s personal favorite.
>
This listing truly is the gift that keeps on giving. Cheers!
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