Greenpoint
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Culture on the Cheap
Long Island City Photos Du Jour: Off Roadin’
Over the years I have developed a pet theory about motorists. It goes as follows: the bigger the vehicle, the more inept and/or assholic the driver. Today on the streets of Long Island City (sort of— as you will see) this theory received some pretty compelling supporting evidence.
I know what you’re thinking:
What is this SUV doing on the sidewalk?
I asked myself this very same question once I collected myself after hustling to get out its way. I can kick myself for not filming this incident— but then again, I was caught off guard. You see, I stubbornly espouse the peculiar notion that sidewalks are for pedestrians. Obviously this is not the case; they’re also for SUVs to indulge in a little urban off roadin’. Silly me.
I have since given this whole affair some thought and cannot stop from asking myself:
How the hell did this guy manage to get on the sidewalk?
As you can see the berth of passage at 46 Road is too narrow to provide passage.
This leaves me to draw no other conclusion than he (or she) must have driven on that sidewalk as well. Delightful. The coup de grace to the previous bit mindfuckery came a mere five minutes later on Purves Street.
I have no idea what this is about.
Miss Heather
P.S.: If my new four by four friend is reading this I would like you to know I have photo of your license plate. ASSHOLE.
Now On The Blog Roll Of Gowanus Lounge Dot Com: IDT Energy
Filed under: 11101, 11206, 11211, 11215, 11222, 11231, 11237, Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn, Bushwick, Bushwick Brooklyn, Clinton Hill, Gowanus, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Kensington, Long Island City, Long Island City Queens, Manhattan, Maspeth, Navy Yard, New York City, Park Slope, Queens, Sunnyside, Williamsburg, Williamsburg Brooklyn
In regards to Bob Guskind (to whom they have dedicated a page) they write:
Bob Guskind was a unique man, and his writing will forever stand as a testament to the person that he was.
While we’ve bought the site Gowanus Lounge, we are not trying to replicate or replace his work or his spirit. We intend to continue to explore issues that are important to the people of New York, while also addressing topics of concern to other markets and communities.
Bob Guskind’s work has been moved to another location where fans can continue to read his prose and benefit from the wisdom that he provided.
Speaking as someone who has had the benefit of Bob’s wisdom I found Gowanus Lounge 2.0’s linkage to “Energy Savings” and “IDT Energy” of particular interest. The Mister and I pointed and clicked. Here’s what we found:
Energy Savings
The IDT Energy Store (You can see the registration info by clicking here). When you click on “Company” here’s what you’ll find:
Yup, the same people who saw fit to plague my community with people hitting our buzzers— REPEATEDLY— stating they were from Con Ed and that they wanted to review our energy bills. Time and time again. This is not purely Greenpoint phenomenon either. You can read other accounts/musings/ranting regarding IDT’s chicanery by clicking on any of the following links:
- A Letter address to yours truly from Joe Lentol’s Office along with an ESCOS primer
- Consumer Tips About Buying Energy
- What is an ESCO?
- IDT in effect in Flatbush
- IDT shills on Christmas Eve
- IDT does Park Slope, Part III
- IDT does Bushwick
- IDT does Park Slope, Part II
- Concerned Citizens Of Greenwood Heights Raises Hell
- IDT Hires, $400 – $600 a week!
- IDT does Gerritsen Beach
- IDT Does Park Slope, Part I
- IDT Does BoCoCa
But I do not want to suggest IDT has plied its dubious trade solely in the county of Kings. No sir, their nefarious reach goes much further. Which brings me to this delightful video submitted from a reader in Harlem.
Needless to say after the aforementioned barrage of negative publicity IDT has seen fit to retool its image. In the 20th century the last refuge for a scoundrel was religion. In the 21st Century miscreants and ne’er do wells go “green”…
and operate blogs: idtenergy.wordpress.com
In closing, I leave you with this choice morsel from Gowanus Lounge 1.0 dating from January 28, 2009. Note the comments (and all caps abuse). Here’s my favorite segment from someone who calls himself IDT EMPLOYEE:
PS: THE PEOPLE WHO CLAIM THEY GOT SCAMMED ARE IGNORANT & NEEDS TO PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT’S GOING ON AROUND THEM. TO THOSE WHO DID NOT CHOSE THEIR ESCO HAVE FUN PAYING THOSE 3 EXTRA TAXES THAT IDT MEMBERS DO NOT PAY…
Can a leopard change its spots? I’ll leave it up to you, dear readers, to make the call All I ask is please be an informed consumer and do not take this businesses promises at face value. Exercise due diligence!
Miss Heather
From The New York Shitty Inbox: Foster Home Needed STAT
Filed under: 11101, 11206, 11211, 11222, 11237, Brooklyn, Bushwick, Bushwick Brooklyn, Crazy Cat Lady, East Williamsburg, East Williamsburg Brooklyn, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Long Island City, New York City, Williamsburg, Williamsburg Brooklyn
Siobhan writes:
I am having to relocate to the UK and due to their quarantine laws Dee Dee can’t travel for approx 6 months (until 21st July) so i am looking for someone to look after him until I can come back to pick him up then. He is approx 7 months old and completely healthy. He does need one trip to the vet (the one he goes to is in Brooklyn) to get neutered and have his second FCVRP vaccination sometime around the 11th-18th February. He’s a really affectionate and easy-going cat although still in his kitten stage (so a little excitable). I would obviously pay for all vet’s bills, food etc. The problem is that I’m leaving on Friday so I am looking for someone to take him in either on Thursday or Friday morning. Let me know if you know anyone or would be interested. It breaks my heart to leave him and I would like to leave him in good hands. 
Perhaps yours? Ever wondered if you have the stuff to be a crazy cat person? Here’s your chance to find out! The details about Siobhan’s situation are scant but there’s one inalienable truth: this little guy is damned cute and deserves a good home before he goes “across the pond”.
Anyone interested in giving Dee Dee (named after, I would presume, yours trulys least favorite Ramone) a temporary home should contact Siobhan ASAP at:
sioshields (at) aol (dot) com
Thanks!
Miss Heather
New York Shitty Day Starter: The Glorious G
Filed under: 11101, 11211, 11222, Brooklyn, Crosstown Local, Culture War, Long Island City, Queens, Street Art
A cleric contemplates the G in despair. I shot this in Long Island City, Queens. Jackson Avenue to be precise. I walked there. Care to guess how I got home?
Miss Heather
Long Island City Photo Du Jour: Pulaski Bridge
I have always believed successful public art should engage the public. Taking the previous into account— albeit in the most broadest sense— I’d say the mural on the Pulaski Bridge is a smashing success!*
Miss Heather
*In all seriousness: how could the peeps at the DOT and the artist responsible for this opus not know this would invariably invite a priapism? Placing a man behind a woman is second only in my unwritten “Do not do leave to the caprice/rancor of the public” rulebook to why subway posters should never, EVER, feature anything— human, humanoid, mammalian, reptilian or otherwise with his/her/its mouth open.
New York Shitty Day Ender: B61 R.I.P.
Filed under: 11101, 11211, 11222, Bed-Stuy, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Long Island City, Queens, Williamsburg, Williamsburg Brooklyn
You may be gone, B61, but you will not be forgotten.
This post goes out to Bed-Stuy Banana and Best View in Brooklyn. Not only are you among the most wonderful, intelligent and downright nice people I have met via the Interwebs but you ran kick-ass blogs about kick-ass neighborhoods. I miss you and I suspect the greater “Brooklyn Blogosphere” will as well.
Take care and please keep in touch, BSB and BVIB. I love you both! I’ll darken your respective doorsteps come spring. Perhaps earlier.
Consider your respective persons warned! 🙂
Miss Heather
New York Shitty Day Starter: Over There
Filed under: 11101, 11222, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Long Island City, Newtown Creek, Queens
Taken December 28, 2009.
Miss Heather
From The New York Shitty Inbox: Is Belvedere XXVIII For Me?
Filed under: 11222, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Long Island, Long Island City
Anonymous writes:
Miss Heather,
I came across your site while do some research on Greenpoint. Thank you for offering a not-so-tongue-in-cheek perspective of the neighborhood with great photos and frequent updates.
I am considering purchasing a condo in the Belvedere property at 206 Kent Street and would greatly appreciate any advice you may have. I’m twenty-three, work in midtown, live on the south shore of Nassau County and ready to move out.
My knee-jerk reaction: if you’re 23 years old and financially enabled to buy a condo I envy you. Secondly, I harbor a hatred for these buildings. The non-sequential (and increasingly cheaply constructed) dynasty that is Belvedere epitomizes the crapification of my neighborhood. Throw ’em up quick and cheap. The previous having been written, at least the air conditioning units are not on the balconies. YET. That’s becoming a more common feature nowadays.
Here’s the deal:
- Belvedere/Bridge Realty has been tossing these buildings up left and right in north Brooklyn. And the supply is NOT in keeping with demand. If you go to Calyer Street you will notice Belvedere VI— or is it Belvedere VIII— I cannot keep track— is advertising “luxury” apartments for rent. These apartments have been on the market for well over a year.
- Belvederes VI, VIII and XXVIII have one thing in common: a close proximity to McGuinness Boulevard. Inasmuch as I find this, the Champs-Élysées of Greenpoint, charming I would not to live close to it. ESPECIALLY given there is a fire station one block away from your condo in question and the largest waste treatment plant on the East Coast will probably perfume your balcony.
- If you work in Midtown and have the kind of budget I suspect you have, Anonymous, why trifle with this? Go to Long Island City. It’s a buyer’s market, you will have a direct commute to midtown (via the 7 train)Â and get a beautiful park to boot!* My advice: haggle. HARD.
My two cents (and then some) having been tendered, I’ll leave this matter to my readers. Thoughts/advice, anyone?
Miss Heather
*What I find endearing about Greenpoint is not for everyone. Methinks Anonymous is one of them. What’s more, I hate to see someone get ripped off.
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