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Culture on the Cheap
Audience Participation Time: Lipstick on a Pig
I concluded the yesterday’s postage with a rather lengthy screed about derelict construction sites in Williamsburg and our city’s inability and/or unwillingness to police them. As you can probably deduce from said post, I have been stewing over this phenomenon for some time. I will not lie to you: it felt good to finally “get it out”. What’s more, I really enjoyed one of the comments left on the aforementioned post.
Xris of Flatbush Gardener writes:
It’s not a sidewalk, it’s a promenade.
It’s not graffito, it’s a fresco.
It’s not a vacant lot, it’s an atrium.
It’s not an abandoned foundation, it’s a sunken garden.The real estate moguls just need to turn that thing around and put lipstick on that pig!
I have given Xris’s proposition considerable thought and have decided that we, the residents of north Brooklyn, should lend a hand in this sterling endeavor. Which brings me to this.
I found this “enhanced beverage” at North 12 Street between Bedford and Driggs Avenue yesterday afternoon. I find many such specimens in north Brooklyn— usually at failed construction sites. They are known in some circles as “trucker bombs”. Per the Urban Dictionary:
A plastic container (could be a milk jug or a water bottle) that a trucker pisses in while he is driving his truck. Then he throws it out of the window so that he does not have to stop to relieve the call of nature. Can also be a plastic bag and feces may be involved. “Don’t get hit with that trucker-bomb”
This terminology may suit middle-America but it simply too pedestrian for the upscale haven that is Williamsburg (which, it should be noted, has reduced truck traffic). A neighborhood where a one bedroom apartment can run you anywhere from $2,000 a month and up deserves better. So far the best re-branding I have come up with for this human by-product is “McCarren Kombucha”. Certainly a better name can be found. This is where you come in: can you think of a snappy new name for this urban artifact? If so, please leave it in the comments.
Thanks!
Miss Heather
From The New York Shitty Inbox: Oreo’s Law
I am certain many of you know the sad story of Oreo. Earlier this year she was thrown off a six story building. She survived despite having all of her legs shattered. However, she proved to be “too aggressive” and the ASPCA euthanized her.
Although Oreo’s may be gone, her death is still the matter of much debate. The people at Empty Cages Collective have brought it to my attention that a number of respected animal welfare groups did, in fact, step forward to take Oreo. Nonetheless she was still put to sleep. Which brings me to the purpose of this post: Oreo’s Law. Here’s the 411 per Empty Cage‘s web site:
In June 2009, a one year old dog named Oreo was thrown from the sixth floor of a Brooklyn rooftop. The perpetrator was arrested and Oreo – with broken bones and fractured ribs – was “rescued†and taken to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). The ASPCA started treating her broken body and she began to recover. She was quickly deemed the “miracle dog,†and a happy ending seemed possible. As Nathan Winograd, animal sheltering expert and advocate points out: the miracle was short-lived.
According to the ASPCA, Oreo – a dog traumatized and abused by humans – was showing some aggression towards the same species that had thrown her off of a roof and nearly killed her. While Oreo’s body had healed, she was still (unsurprisingly) distrustful and stressed by some people. Ed Sayres, President of the ASPCA made the decision to kill her due to this alleged behavior. Before she was killed, Pets Alive, a no-kill animal shelter located in the foothills of the Catskill Mountains, contacted the ASPCA to ask for custody of Oreo. Pets Alive is a reputable, approved animal rescue organization with experience in handling dogs deemed aggressive. Pets Alive contacted the ASPCA repeatedly requesting custody of Oreo. The ASPCA refused. The ASPCA then killed Oreo.
Oreo, abused and possibly beaten before entering the ASPCA, thrown from a roof and injured, was “rescued†only to be killed far before her time, without being given a chance at rehabilitation – even when a responsible organization was willing to work with her and foot the bill.
This has led Assembly Member Micah Z. Kellner and Senator Thomas K. Duane to introduce “Oreo’s Lawâ€. “Oreo’s Law†will grant legitimate animal protection and welfare organizations the right to request healthy and treatable animals be given to their care when a shelter is planning on killing them. A similar law already exists in California, and has saved countless animals from unnecessary and untimely death at the hands of animal control and sheltering establishments.
If you are interested in making Oreo’s Law happen, please take the time to write a letter to your State Representative and Senator. Those of you who need assistance finding out who the elected officials are for your district can get help by point and clicking here.
Thanks!
Miss Heather
From The New York Shitty Photo Pool: Home For The Holidays
This morning I was pleased as punch to learn via my photo pool that Edie the strap-hanging hamster isn’t just another pretty face on the 4 train. She is also a rather talented chef.
Great capture, Victoria!
Miss Heather
P.S.: Oh yeah, are Edie’s culinary services for hire? Just curious.
Coming to the Crosstown Local: Trains of Thought
Filed under: 11211, 11222, Crosstown Local, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Williamsburg, Williamsburg Brooklyn
Yesterday I went for a walk to Williamsburg. After a mere two hours I was tired and wanted to go home. So I swung over to the Metropolitan Avenue stop of the G and waited.
AND WAITED.
Just as I was musing to myself how the Crosstown Local has an uncanny way of being extremely poky when I really need to go to the bathroom, I was approached by a young lady and gentleman. They asked me if I had any thoughts about the subway system. I smiled and replied:
Right now I am having a great many thoughts about the subway system.
They explained to me that they were working on a project and handed me this card.
They pointed out that the grid of squiggly lines at bottom left was the New York City subway system. I commended them on their rendering and I told them I was able to identify it. I was also able to identify the Tokyo subway system (which is at top right). They seemed really pleased by this. That’s one of the things I like about being an American: people from other countries harbor low expectations of you. But I digress.
As luck would have it just when our conversation was getting interesting lo and behold, the G train showed up! I explained to them I had to go (because I needed to buy groceries and had no idea when the next train would show up— such is the mystery that is the Crosstown Local). I asked how I could contact them and they pointed out an email address on the back of the flier.
Last night I shot them an email (entitled “Trains of Thoughts”):
Hi, I met a man and woman who struck up a conversation with me about this. Surprisingly, the G train showed up (lest you are not aware, it is one of the worst subway lines in NYC) and I had to go. But they gave me your card/flier. What is this about? Are you interviewing people? I’d love to know what you’re up to… (so I can write about it on my website)
And they wrote me back!
hi heather,
how are you?
thank you for responding…
where you the one who said to go the groceries?this is our project
Trains of Thoughts – Teaser from inLoops on Vimeo.
if you are on the subway, we can interview you…
that would be great. …… we are here for about 4 weeks…
if you would post on your website, that we are on this g-train station…
metropolitan to talk to people…
we would so much appreciate the help….you can also post our email adress: info (at) metrophiles (dot) com
everybody who wants to contribute is welcome… 🙂thank you thank you thank you.
I for one am not going to let an opportunity like this slip by. I have a few things I’d like to say about the G train and by gum someone is going to hear it! What’s more, Timo (the gentleman who was so kind as to reply to my email) is darned nice. So I wrote back with a question:
WHEN will you be there (the G train in particular)? Time/date wise?
And he answered!
we are from monday to friday – 11.00 am to 6 pm on the station. saturday as well, but not so fix :)….
we look forward to have as much people as possible… 🙂 its not easy sometimes, so we are happy to get people with that excitement on the project. next 4 weeks… 🙂thank you so much,
best from brooklyn,…timo (& team)
I am very excited about this. In fact, I have told Timo he can expect me to pay him a visit later this week. If you happen to bump into Timo and his partner Katica take a moment of your time and tender your thoughts about the New York City subway system. Not only will you be helping some really nice folks with a very interesting project, but this is our golden opportunity to give the MTA’s lowly Crosstown Local the international the attention it so richly deserves. Let’s not waste it!
Besides, if you run late to work you can always tell your boss the G train was running slow.
Miss Heather
New York Shitty Day Ender: The Unbearable Blightness of Being
Filed under: 11211, Bloomblight, Culture War, Williamsburg, Williamsburg Brooklyn
As I mentioned previously, the online and offline zeitgeist in north Brooklyn— be it northside, southside or even Greenpoint was on decidedly on the surly side today. I have spent a great deal of my day patiently listening to people complain about one thing or another that pisses them off. Now it is my turn.
218 North 9 Street
I have no idea who inscribed this on the rapidly deteriorating construction fence which graces this site, but he or she hit the nail on the proverbial head. Follows are a few amenities you can find at this property located in the heart of fashionable Williamsburg.
Pockmarked sidewalks and garbage.
LOTS OF GARBAGE.
As the previous photograph indicates, this open air loft has an open door fence policy. Any and all are welcome to come on over, sit a spell and hang their hat.
Or in this case, a coat.
Who wouldn’t want a balcony looking at this?
Or this?
184 North 8 Street
I have written about this site on a number of occasions. They have since sealed off the garage door which had been pried open. With predictable results.
CANT STOP US WELCOME MATE
236 North 7 Street
But Bloomblight isn’t just about derelict lots. Just take this, for example.
The above summons is for a defective sidewalk shed. Somehow the heap of garbage (which includes a suitcase) was overlooked.
And last, but hardly least…
This failed attempt at public safety hails from North 6 Street just west of Wythe Avenue.
Lest I have not made it clear already I strongly believe people respond to the environment around them. This is why I am a big fan of public art— especially in our subway system. Gestures as grand as a mosaic or as simple as keeping public facilities neat and clean send a positive message. The vigilance (or this case, lack thereof) with which our municipal government enforces the laws put in place to preserve our, the citizenry’s, quality of life speaks volumes about their attitude as public servants.
This is unacceptable. No one should have to live with this.
Miss Heather
P.S.: All the above photographs were taken December 14, 2009.
Stolen Dog Alert: Has Anyone Seen Buddy?
I found a number of these fliers on and around Bedford Avenue today. Per a different flier I found Buddy was taken between 12:00 – 7:00 a.m., December 10, 2009 from 100 Metropolitan Avenue . He is three years old and has neither a collar nor tags. If you have seen Buddy or know of his whereabouts, please contact his person at the above-listed telephone number. NOTE: do not try to handle Buddy yourself. He is fearful of strangers.
Miss Heather
UPDATE, 9:49 p.m.: Buddy has been returned to his rightful owner!
Reader Contribution Du Jour: Ball of Cat
Filed under: 11222, Crazy Cat Lady, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic
(Or as I prefer: Furball!)
I have long been meaning to write about the Oak Street kittens. Today I got a much-appreciated reminder via this lovely photograph by algul siento.
For those of you who are wondering, the slightly larger lass with the tipped ear is NOT the mother of these kittens. But that isn’t to suggest take her responsibilities seriously. Algul writes:
The one bigger one has been TNR’d you can tell by the eartip, but she has been so great taking care of each litter that is born in that yard, as you can see from the photo. I don’t think she would have difficulty adjusting to indoor status, given that she is a giant lovebug.
The mother of this (and from what I have heard yet another) litter is feral and wants to no contact with human beings whatsoever. The same cannot be said about the kittens and their “stepmom”. While a bit cautious, these kittens are friendly and will gladly accept a head rub or two (I speak from personal experience when I write this). What they would like even more is a nice warm home. Maybe yours?
I have spoken to one of the folks whose front yard this little pride calls home. He told me these kittens are for adoption and that anyone interested in providing them a good home should speak to him. If any of you, dear readers, are interested in giving the gift that keeps on giving by taking one of these delightful critters home for the holidays shoot me an email at miss heather (at) thatgreenpointblog (dot) com. I will forward your inquiries to him.
Thanks!
Miss Heather
NOTE: I have been told the tabby kitten just got a home!
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