Greenpoint
Lorven Pharmacy
Culture on the Cheap
From The New York Shitty Photo Pool, Part II: Jef
charles le brigand (who took the above photograph) writes:
Jef is a Rastafarian, member of the Twelve Tribes of Israel. This rasta branch is considered the most liberal and unlike the other rasta groups (Bobo Shanti and Nyahbinghi) they accept Jesus Christ as Lord, and Haile Selassie I as his reincarnation on earth. Altought a bit grave on the picture, Jef was actually very pleasant and especially talkative about Dennis Brown, “The Crown Prince of Reggae”.
New York Shitty Day Starter: A Nolita PSA
Filed under: Manhattan, New York City, Street Art, The Natives Are Getting Restless
Taken by Scoboco.
From The New York Shitty Photo Pool: Sonia
Sonia, forty-six years old and the mother of five, is a crack addict who “sells her body for drugs.” Smart, polite, and well-spoken she told me and my friend Nina of her life-long battle with her addiction. She started when she was twenty-two, an overwhelmed single mother of three children working two jobs. She got into prostitution, becoming “a five dollar whore,” trading sex for drugs with neighborhood dealers.
When we asked her how much money she needs a day for the drugs she said “as much as I can. I can’t stop. I get some money, go and buy it, smoke crack, relax for thirty minutes. I have to get some more. It’s non-stop. Until I keep walking back and forth and nothing nothing nothing gives, that’s when I will say, ‘God says go home.'” She has a “significant other,” a wonderful man who’s been with her for seventeen years. He does not drink, smoke, or do any drugs.
She has been clean before, something she says can only come from her. She started crying telling us of the eight-year period when she was clean. “I went to a program, mothers and children, everything was great, I came out, got a job, felt good, had money.” She fell back four years ago.
When I asked her how she wanted to be described she responded, “I am good person with a very bad disease.”
Many of you have undoubtedly seen the work of Chris Arnade. He has been a major contributor to my photo pool for some time. He is also a really nice guy. His latest series is called Faces of Addiction and Sonia is part of it. If/when you have the time, gentle readers, do take a moment to read the stories he has assembled thus far. It is really compelling stuff.
Spotted at the DEP Nature Walk…
Filed under: 11222, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, New York City
a fender.
Yes sir: the Newtown Creek Nature Walk never ceases to surprise and entertain…
From The New York Shitty Photo Pool, Part III: Jinpa Sherpa
Chris Arnade (who took the above photograph) writes:
I have always been fascinated with Nepal, a country I was lucky enough to visit as a child, so when I saw Jinpa working the counter of the Hunts Point 7-11 I asked him if he was a Sherpa. He was surprised to find someone who knew much about Nepal, so we chatted for awhile.
Jinpa, like many Sherpas, is a serious mountain climber, having summited Everest six times, Lhotse and Cho Oyu twice and Shisaphangma one time.. He works at the 7-11 when not taking clients on climbing trips in North America.
Its not often you find the guy selling you Powerball and drinks has literally been on the top of the world.
Here is a picture of him on the summit of Mount Everest: Top of world
It is stuff such as this that makes operating site— and living in New York City, for that matter— such a joy. What makes this city the amazing place it is is its people— and their stories. This is one example. I am certain there are many others waiting to be heard!
NYS Flickr Pool
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