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Culture on the Cheap
Greenpoint Photo Du Jour: Halloween Redux
Filed under: 11222, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, New York City
Halloween is without argument my favorite day of the year. It is the one day I interface with children in any significant, prolonged manner. I am Auntie Mame for a day! I explained it to one parent of a trick or treater this way (after she admonished her brood to exercise their manners and thank me*):
The pleasure is all mine. I look at it this way: I get to enjoy all the cute costumes and talk to the kids. In return for this I give them candy. When I am done I go back to enjoying the fact I am NOT a parent. You are the one who has to handle them once they get all hopped up on sweets. I get all of the fun with none of the consequences!
She laughed and wholeheartedly concurred with my analysis.
While the kids I met yesterday were great, the costumes by and large were lacking: most were store bought. There is nothing wrong with this, mind you. I understand many parents do not have the time and/or inclination to DIY it. However, one fellow did— and quite frankly it is one of the most amazing Halloween get-ups I have ever seen.
Behold, a stroller retrofitted into a Sanitation truck replete with logo! The young un’, naturally, is dressed up as one of New York’s Strongest. Not only is this one of the most imaginative “costumes” I have ever beheld, but I have a confession to make: I harbor a great deal of admiration and respect for our fair city’s Sanitation workers. You know how the adage goes:
It’s a dirty job but someone’s gotta do it.
Not only is it dirty work, but it also among one of the most dangerous civil service occupations to be had. It is more dangerous than being a police officer or firefighter. Don’t believe me? Click here and read for yourself. In Halloweens past I have beheld a bevy of our Bravest and plenty of petite policemen. Yesterday our Strongest finally got the nod they deserve.
This one’s for you, guys (and ladies)!
*I feel compelled to state for the record that all the kids to whom I gave candy deported themselves nicely. Many “Thank Yous” or— from the more bashful, smiles and nods— were tendered. The only problematic incident came at the behest of a parent. She somehow felt entitled to “select” her toddler’s candy. My educated guess is her selection was for her own delectation. Guess what? Heather don’t play that.
No, gentle readers, it simply does not work that way. I made this abundantly clear too. More specifically, I replied:
You either take the Baby Ruth bar or you get nothing.
She took it.
UPDATE, 4:24 p.m.: As I have been whiling away this bleak, cold afternoon via housework I mulled over this year’s Halloween experience. In so doing, I had a capital idea. This I pitched to the Mister: he agreed. Next year, there will be a special cache of candy for the parents of:
- especially well-behaved/charming children
- toddlers who are beginning to get their fatigue-induced. terrible two/threes crankies on.
Any questions?
Reader Contribution Du Jour: Model Citizen
Filed under: 11222, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Stuff That Makes Miss Heather Happy
As captured today on Manhattan Avenue by a fellow named Todd. The broom is an inspired touch if I may say so myself. I wonder if it worked?
From The New York Shitty Inbox: Takin’ Out The Trash!
A fellow named Andrew writes in an email entitled “Trash Party”:
There’s a little petition going on online about getting some more public trash cans around the neighborhood, mostly sponsored by those of us who live/work on West St, would appreciate some word spreading! I know you’re no stranger to the trash problem around here.
GLADLY & DONE!
Oh yeah, if you are wondering what the hell the thing is which graces the beginning of this post, I’ll tell you. It is a discarded take-out container which has been repurposed as a toilet. I happened upon this lovely item on Huron Street just east of West Street recently. We really need to get some action on the illegal dumping (pun completely intended) problem here. Seriously.
The Word On The Street: Banker Street
Filed under: 11222, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, The Word On The Street
P.S.: While I am on the subject, there’s a pretty magnificent array of filth gracing 239 Banker Street…
Reader Contribution Du Jour: Tired
This find hails from 8th Avenue and comes courtesy of a fellow named Ryan. He writes:
Love NYS Ms. Heather. Have a beautiful day.
Thanks— and right back at ya!
New York Shitty Street Seating Du Jour, Part I: 239 Banker Street
Filed under: 11222, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Street Furniture
Taken February 23, 2013.
From The New York Shitty Inbox, Part III: Delivery Bikes Only?
Filed under: 11211, Culture War, Planet Entitlement, Williamsburg, Williamsburg Brooklyn
A fellow we’ll call “T” (who took the above photograph) writes:
Just saw this shiny new sign on the westernmost edge of McCarren. Is this even legally enforceable? I don’t think that if you install a structure like this on public property (ie: the sidewalk) you get to enforce who uses it. Anyhow, it’s a pretty gross gesture to others in the neighborhood: “Our wealthy tenants have so many meals delivered that we need an entire rack to accommodate the bikes. I’m sure the rest of you serfs don’t understand what that’s like, but we appreciate your compliance. Please go chain up against the nearest street sign.”
Is this legally enforceable? That’s an excellent question. One I have taken up with a few folks in the know.
To be continued…
UPDATE, 6:43 p.m.: Follows are a few responses I have received!
Needs a DOT revocable consent for street furniture.
There was another one of these “private bike racks” in the east village last year.
Gothamist got to the bottom of it. http://gothamist.com/2011/10/14/can_you_have_a_private_bike_rack_on.php
Quoth the DOT representative: “even if a permit is issued for installation, that does not mean the bike rack is for the exclusive use of the owner if it is installed on a public sidewalk.”
Public sidewalk = public bike rack.
So the next question becomes:
Will this ordinance be enforced?
Given the predilection for selective enforcement hereabouts, I for one am not terribly optimistic.
New York Shitty Day Ender: 45 Days & Counting!
Filed under: 11211, Feral Furniture, Street Furniture, Williamsburg, Williamsburg Brooklyn
Some additional accouterments have been added.
And its companion has been over-turned for greater privacy/detritus collection.
NYS Flickr Pool
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