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From The New York Shitty Inbox: Townies Versus Newbies
An off-again, on again problem yours truly experiences is insomnia. Last night was no exception: I could not for the life of me fall asleep. Finally I gave up, grabbed a glass of milk and quietly shuffled to the computer. When I checked my email something very special awaiting me. It didn’t help me sleep at all (quite to the contrary— that’s impossible to do after laughing one’s ass off) but it is certainly worth passing along nonetheless. J writes:
I was witness to a really hilarious stoopid event last night.
I was on Bedford and N9 waiting for the B61 around 11pm, being joined by a rather large young local construction (and slightly inebriated) worker guy. He sat on the stoop by the bus stop. Above us, four hipster idiots drunk and or drugged were on the roof snickering and cackling to their own amusement/irony. One of the idiots started flicking crap off the roof at the big Polish guy. He started cursing and finally yelled at them. After a few more times, and a lit cigarette bouncing off his back, he shouted:
Motherfuck!! Fuck you asshole!
to which the girlie on the roof replied:
Fuck you you fucking Polack!
This threw the guy into a rage,
You motherfuck, I show you!
and he proceeds to start kicking the door at the top of the stoop. I went into “keep an eye on things but out of direct contact” mode I learned in BedStuy in the 80’s. He finally kicked the door in, cursing and shouting. He returns with a bicycle from inside the house and curses at the idiots on the roof:
You motherfucks I show you now I have your bike you motherfuck!
and proceeds to ride the bike down Bedford. The problem is – he kicked in the door and stole the bicycle FROM THE WRONG HOUSE. Naturally, the people of the house whose door he kicked in were pretty upset and a minute or so later half dozen of New York’s Finest showed up. The idiots on the roof of the house next door quickly disappeared. Since someone decided to rat me out as an eye witness, I gave them a basic description of the transactions between the idiots and of the guy, and let the folks in the house of the broken door know who should get talked to. Then the 61 finally showed up and I split.
This is turning out to be an interesting summer.
Indeed.
Miss Heather
Williamsburg Photos Du Jour: Special Iron Curtain Edition
Roebling Street
Bedford Avenue
Miss Heather
Reader Contribution Du Jour: Scenes From Williamsburg Walks
I’ll be perfectly honest: although I like the principle underlying Williamsburg Walks the reality is another matter altogether. I learned this the first and only time I went (last year). Too many people (and overflowing garbagecans ) for my taste. However, New York Shitty reader and frequent contributor Tony braved Bedford Avenue and sent me a number of wonderful photographs from yesterday’s festivities. The following are but only a fraction of them. Enjoy!
Great captures, Tony!
Miss Heather
New York Shitty Day Ender: Kicking It At North 7th & Bedford Avenue
Filed under: Williamsburg
Today the sun was shining and although I wasn’t at 100% (due to whatever cold/sinus problem that has been and still is afflicting me) I went out for a six hour walk. My final destination: Tony Avella’s “meet and greet” on Bedford Avenue. Truth be told I came away from the experience depressed.
This had nothing to do with Mr. Avella’s fitness for being our next Mayor. I like his platform and found him to be very amiable in person. What’s more, he’s a lefty. Handed, that is. Both the Mister and I are “southpaws”.*
Rather it was the apathy…
and narcissism of the local citizenry that got to me.
Then came along Lisa Marie. Avella’s helpers attempted to hand her a flier and she said:
I don’t need this. I’m a registered Democrat. Give me the petition!
As she was signing Avella’s petition (to get on the ballot) Lisa Marie explained that she grew up on the Northside and was none too happy about the recent spate of luxurification in her neighborhood. These are my words. Hers were much more colorful and piquant.
Lisa Marie is a sad reminder of what Williamsburg has become— and what Greenpoint might be.
I told Tony to come to Greenpoint. If he wants to see a real community (not a bunch of transplants, effete artist-wannabe types and stroller moms) that has been on the business-end of Mr. Bloomberg’s malfeaseance he should come here.
I have been told he will.
To close on an “up” note as the Mister and I were waiting for the B61 bus we saw a glimmer of hope.
I love this guy.
Miss Heather
*The Mister is a registered Democrat and signed Avella’s petition. I didn’t: I’m an independent.
New York Shitty Day Starter: Good Morning Brooklyn!
Filed under: Williamsburg
From Bedford Avenue.
Miss Heather
TOMORROW: Meet Tony Avella
Filed under: Williamsburg
Tomorrow, July 9, from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. the North Brooklyn Community Council will be having a “meet and greet” in Williamsburg with Mayoral candidate Tony Avella. Here’s the 411 per their press release:
Come meet and greet Democratic Mayoral candidate Tony Avella Thursday July 9th. 6pm til 7:30 pm at the intersection of North 7th Street and Bedford Ave… The New York Community Council has endorsed Tony Avella for Mayor of New York City. Now come see for yourself why we feel he is the best person to replace Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Please join us in the heart of Williamsburg this Thursday and meet the next Mayor of NYC, Tony Avella!
Meet Tony Avella
July 9, 2009; 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
Bedford Avenue and North 7 Street
Brooklyn, New York 11211
To learn more about Mr. Avella click here and you will be directed to his web site.
Miss Heather
P.S.: It has been brought to my attention that the Williamsburg Greenpoint Arts+News newspaper has written an excellent article about Mr. Avella. See comments for the link. Thanks, bleibtreu, for the reminder!
North Brooklyn Street Art Du Jour: Northside Delight
Bedford Avenue
North 3rd Street
North 4 Street
North 5 Street
Kent Avenue
Miss Heather
4th Of July Wrap Up
As you can see the lack of fireworks on the East River did nothing whatsoever to dampen the festivities here in North Brooklyn. If anything, things were much more lively than usual. During my brief sojourn to points Green and beyond I spied a number of block parties, a fist fight on Bedford Avenue and a rather large fire on Kent Avenue (Anyone out there know what that was about? There were fire trucks FOR BLOCKS*). But the highlight or nadir (this is contingent on one’s musical tastes) of the evening was to be found on my journey home: a spontaneous Michael Jackson dance-a-thon was in effect on Franklin Street.
Speaking as someone who was not and is not a fan of the King of Pop even I have to confess: it was pretty impressive.
Miss Heather
*Mystery solved! See the comments for the 411. Otherwise I fixed the dead link regarding the fist fight on Bedford Avenue. Was in a hurry to get out of the house this morning!
Priceless
Some of you may or may know that this morning John Liu, who is running against David Yassky for City Comptroller, was on Bedford Avenue meeting and greeting morning commuters. Well, Mr. Yassky decided he too should canvass this thoroughfare (being as it IS in his City Council district) and invited a handful of his buddies to join him. The reception he received was chilly to say the least:
David: Hi, my name is David Yassky and I’m running for City Comptroller.Woman: Did you vote for a 3rd term?David: No, I’m not running for a 3rd term.Woman: But you voted to extend term limits.David: Yes, I did…Woman: It’s a terrible idea…David: Well, I disagree with you…Woman: …and I hope it comes back to haunt you.David: Shrugs meekly. Well…
I encourage each and every one of you to point and click your way over to A Short Story (from which the previous priceless exchange hails) for the full scoop. Good stuff!
Miss Heather
North Brooklyn Street Art Du Jour: Mixed Bag
Lest the relative silence today on New York Shitty has not been an indication I am kicking off this 4th of July weekend early. Over the next several days I will be posting— albeit not as prolifically as usual. (Hey, even I need to take a vacation once in a while!) The previous having been written, here’s a cavalcade of street art to get the party rolling. Enjoy!
West Street
Franklin Street
Bedford Avenue
North 4th Street
North 6 Street
North 7 Street
Driggs Avenue
Miss Heather
NYS Flickr Pool
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