Welcome To The Chicken Hut
Filed under: Bed-Stuy
Nobody— and I mean NOBODY— knows how to kick off a bright sunshiny day like my mother. I mention this because the following email from her (entitled “Water”) is how I started my morning. She writes:
There was a piece on AOL this morning about drugs in drinking water. Luckily we do not have any at this time, but NYC has “Heart medication, infection fighters, estrogen, anti-convulsants, a mood stabilizer and a tranquilizer”.
My mother takes great delight extolling upon the superiority of her stomping grounds: New Mexico. If this location makes her happy, then I’m happy… because if she isn’t happy I will invariably hear about it. Often. That said, her attempt at scaring me backfired big time because she forgot the overriding and defining characteristic of my personality: my distaste for my fellow man.
Not only do I find placing mood stabilizers, tranquilizers and estrogen (if I have tits so should everyone else) in our fine city’s drinking water to be a sterling idea, but the only criticism I having is the dosage is way, way too low. The way I see it, fretting over drinking water is to overlook the manifold number of other downright disturbing things that inhabit terra firma. Things like this.
Meet the Spencer Street clown.
He has a skull for a second floor neighbor.
Lest any of you are unable to read what the robot in to the left is saying, I’ll transcribe it for you:
Robot no eat aborted fetuses but will eat human fecis (sic).
As you can clearly see, Guido’s Paradise is located on floor three and the Chicken Hut can be found on four. Curiously enough, there were no chickens whatsoever to be found on the premises. But this is not to suggest I left Bed-Stuy without seeing some fowl.
I have no friggin idea what this bird is or why it inhabits a public garden. It does, however, sport webbed feet leading me to presume it is some form of aquatic fowl. Maybe he is afraid of the chemicals in the water?
In any case, he’s a pretty mild-mannered fellow. His feline companion didn’t seem to mind him in the least.
I like to call this composition “Rooster With Coat Hanger And Office Chairs”.
Miss Heather
Happy Women’s History Month From Bedford Stuyvesant!
Filed under: Bed-Stuy
Once in a very, very blue moon I will encounter something that even makes me say “Wow, that’s pretty offensive.” Yesterday I had such a moment on Lexington Street.
The item in question is located on the above pick-up truck. As you can clearly see, the owner of said motor vehicle has taken great care and expense to customize it. I suppose it’s his way of expressing himself.
That’s why he wasn’t content with the ubiquitous (and downright pedestrian) mud flap lady and opted for her X-rated cousin. I bet this gentleman has to beat off the women with a stick. Or beats off. A LOT.
Miss Heather
Brooklyn Photos du Jour: Cucumbers
It would appear that my amigo down at Save Rite Wine and Liquor has found some new friends.
I wonder if he is any relation to this fella from the Myrtle Willoughby stop of the G?
Miss Heather
Bushwick Photo du Jour: The Bishop
Filed under: Bushwick
From Broadway.
Miss Heather
Brooklyn Photos du Jour: Boro of Found Toys II
Filed under: Area 51
Kent Street, Williamsburg
Humboldt Street, “East Williamsburg”
Dupont Street, Greenpoint
Franklin Street, Greenpoint
Miss Heather
Brooklyn Photos du Jour: Boro of Found Toys
Green Street, Greenpoint
India Street, Greenpoint
Herbert Street, Greenpoint
Bedford Avenue, Williamsburg
Leonard Street, “East Williamsburg”
Bushwick Avenue, Bushwick
Miss Heather
City of Lost Clothes (or Greenpoint’s Merry Piper)
Filed under: Greenpoint Magic
A couple weeks ago Mr. Heather and I were waiting — and waiting— for the G train at Bedford Nostrand. The reason for this inconvenience was the mighty Crosstown local elected to run in two sections. Luckily, we struck up a conversation with the Conductor during our wait. He was a very funny guy, and as you can imagine, he had a number of of very interesting stories to tell. This one is my personal favorite
So our Conductor is charged with driving the E train to the World Trade Center. As he heads to his booth, he notices a rather intoxicated gentleman nodding off. He advises this besotted gentleman against falling asleep because someone might try to pick his pocket. His caveat having been said, he commenced with his work. When the train finally reached its destination the Conductor checked in on this chap again. Someone had stolen all of his clothing save an undershirt and boxer shorts. They also took the liberty of removing his hat, placing it on the floor and spitting in it.
I mention this above story because it sort of reminds me of this tale from the September 21, 1898 edition of the Brooklyn Daily Eagle. Except instead of pants and shirts a set bag pipes and a kilt were among the numerous items purloined. Enjoy!
This story makes one wonder why someone would want to steal— much less wear— a full Highland get-up. But then again this is Greenpoint and if a man wants to wear full the garb of a Scotsman its no one’s business but his own. Unless, of course, he happens to steal it. In which case the local constabulary will get involved.
Miss Heather
P.S.: Speaking of lost clothing, be sure to check out this post on Bed-Stuy Banana. It’s hilarious.
Good Times At 95 Clay Street
Filed under: Greenpoint Magic
I do not know how many of you, dear readers, bother to read the Greenpoint Courier. I would hazard to guess very few of you do. This is understandable given much of its rabidly right wing content. You should not, however, throw the baby out the with bath water. There is one reporter under their employ who has been doing some fantastic work; his name is Matt Wolfe and follows is a story from this week’s edition about 95 Clay Street. This tale of slumlordery has a little something for everybody: no Superintendent, holes in ceilings, water in the basements, hallways filled with clutter… and a brand new apartment building being built behind it without any permits whatsoever. Enjoy!
I can hardly wait to see who is going to want to rent an apartment whose only means of egress is through another building’s basement. I am no expert, but wouldn’t this be a violation of fire code or something?
Miss Heather
NEXT WEEK: Sock Monkey Fun For A Cause
Filed under: Area 51
Next week the fresh art sewing circle will be meeting for another evening of sock monkey making for a good cause. Those of you who are not familiar with fresh art here’s an excerpt from their mission statement:
The mission of fresh art, a non-profit organization, is to provide expanded artistic, personal development, and entrepreneurial opportunities to New York City artists with special needs. We are also dedicated to enhancing public awareness of these artists’ talents and concerns, their agencies’ work, and on the use of art as a tool for healing, growth, and positive change.
Not only have I heard from a reader who attended one of these sewing circles that it was a lot of fun, but they have a number of exciting art shows slated for this spring. You can get a sneak peek by clicking here.
fresh art
548 Broadway, Floor 3
New York, New York 10012
www.freshartnyc.org
Or, if you cannot attend Monday’s get together but want a little sock monkey love they have some wonderful ones for sale online.
I for one really like this guy.
Miss Heather
Dung Of The Day: Madison Street
I see that Curry is no longer on Isiah’s menu. I wonder how he will supplement his diet (now that calling women “bitches” is no longer acceptable)? Let’s turn the page and find out!
Bon apetit!Â
Miss Heather