Post Blizzard Wrap-up Part II: A Walk Around The Garden Spot

March 4, 2009 ·
Filed under: Greenpoint Magic 

As promised here is a slide show featuring highlights from my jaunt around Brooklyn’s one and only 11222 yesterday. Enjoy!

Inasmuch as I gripe about the snow I have to admit it has does have its charm— as does Greenpoint!

Miss Heather

Greenpoint Video Du Jour: Presenting The Animals Of Animal Planet

March 4, 2009 ·
Filed under: Crazy Cat Lady, Greenpoint Magic 

kobeandccnys

Meet Kobe and Cee Cee. Kobe is the orange and white tabby to the left, C.C. the black and white tabby to the right. They are the fabulous feline duo who keep careful watch over Greenpoint’s very own Animal Planet.* Be it by “quality testing” the occasional catnip mouse, tearing up paper towels, sleeping behind the counter or (as seen above) demonstrating the the use of Animal Planet’s products; they make sure everything is up to snuff.

They are a very affable pair. I make it a point to pick up Kobe and hug him despite the fact he has “grown out” of the “cuddling” stage. This once little guy has become a man now. Kobe has opted out of hugs and prefers to spend his winter afternoons napping. He makes this clear to his apprentice, C.C., in the following video. Albeit eventually. Enjoy!

So it goes with being a working class cat at Animal Planet. I have to confess: I rather envy Kobe.

Animal Planet
1084 Manhattan Avenue
Brooklyn, New York 11222

(718) 349-0602

Miss Heather

*Which is run by very lovely people. They really care about animals. I recommend them highly.

From The New York Shitty Photo Pool: L.A. Deli

March 3, 2009 ·
Filed under: Greenpoint Magic 

ladelicarynrose

I have to admit that I am still get wistful when I walk by the “L.A. Deli”. As far as bodegas go I suppose it is okay— but sometimes I’s still prefer to have my old L.A. Ristorante back. Especially their potato croquettes (which were absolutely wonderful). But I am aware that the only thing one can count on in life to be constant is change— and had L.A. Deli not come into being we would not have this wonderful photograph taken by Caryn Rose to enjoy today. Great shot!

Miss Heather

Greenpoint Photo Du Jour: Reincarnation On Manhattan Avenue

March 1, 2009 ·
Filed under: Greenpoint Magic 

reincarnation

The reasons I find this advertisement of interest are too numerous to go into here. However, I would like to offer a couple of observations:

  1. The Yasser Arafat/Ringo Starr pairing is logically flawed by virtue of the fact their life times have overlapped.
  2. The prospect of learning I was Michael Jackson or Joey Stalin in a previous incarnation is a pretty big incentive for me NOT to want to go through past life regression. Michael Jackson isn’t dead, you say? Look at his career (or the above photograph) and give me a compelling reason to believe he is alive.
  3. What is it with time travel in this neighborhood of late?

Miss Heather

Reader Contribution Du Jour: Greenpoint In Black & White

March 1, 2009 ·
Filed under: Greenpoint Magic 

Yesterday I received an email from a gentleman named Kris. It was entitled “some photos of greenpoint” and its body contained a Flickr link with the following commentary:

nothing particularly interesting… no story, no nothing.

Intrigued, I ventured over to Flickr to see these “not particularly interesting” photographs. The work I discovered was anything but dull; it was quite beautiful. Enough so that I had trouble deciding which photographs to run so I decided to simply embed the whole set below. Enjoy!

If the previous strikes Kris as being nothing special I can only hope he will share some “extraordinary” shots of the Garden Spot with us in the future. Thanks for bring these shots to my attention Kris, they made my day!

Miss Heather

Lost & Found In Greenpoint

February 28, 2009 ·
Filed under: Greenpoint Magic 

Yesterday I was asked by one of the very fabulous folks behind Fucked In Park Slope to contribute to their “Nine Questions” feature. I replied that I would be more than happy to do so. With certain “adjustments” of course.

For example, their first question is:

Describe Park Slope in 5 words.

My answer: It is not for me.

This is not to suggest that this ‘nabe doesn’t have its redeeming qualities. Clearly it does or so many people wouldn’t see fit to use the F train (AKA: G train lite— crappy commute sans the “in-flight entertainment”) to schlep to work every day. Park Slope is visibly pleasing. Park Slope is located adjacent to Prospect Park, which is also visibly pleasing. Is Park Slope a “nicer” place to live than Greenpoint, my home? From a certain view point the answer is “yes”.

But I do not espouse this point of view. What’s more, the effete “mommy culture” (be it smart or otherwise) is to my person what bleach is to ammonia: we shouldn’t mix. This is probably why I live in Greenpoint two blocks away from the largest waste treatment plant on the eastern seaboard.

And then of course there is this.

adulthighchair

A dismantled “adult high chair” found on Green Street in front of the Green Oaks Club.

When I took the above photograph I didn’t realize what this was. I merely found it amusing. Later, when Mister Heather came home I got the 411:

The Mister saw Larry Da Junkman on the way to work. Larry was upset because the junk shop received a shipment of infantilism fetish gear* (which he knew yours truly would want to document) but one item was stolen: a super-sized high chair designed for very, VERY naughty men. After putting 2 + 2 together we concluded this had to be the item in question.

I for one really like this shade of pink. My kitchen is colored in this very same hue. The previous tenants painted it that way, I liked it and so I have left it. But alas this one hundred square foot room already sports too much clutter to make the integration of this item plausible. Damn.

Besides, it looks like it has been put to good use already.

Maybe this part of the reason why I live in Greenpoint? Gaggles of mothers with children in tow hosting touchy-feely gatherings at the local coffee shop/bar is not my proverbial cup of tea. Never was, never will be. Whatever “hard-wiring” women are purported to have which makes them want to beget children I did not receive.

This doesn’t make me and better or worse than them: only different. I respect their difference. Up to a point. My stroller friends to the south seem to operate under the presumption they do not live in a city of 8,000,000 plus people. And among previous seven figures are people who would be classified as criminals: those who have the desire to create mischief, those who steal in order to fence and get money; or those who steal out of genuine need (READ: they need a stroller).

The sad reality is if leave your property unattended someone may very well steal it (for any one of the previous reasons). High-end strollers are easy fodder for fencers. Carnation pink high-chairs built for adult consumption not so much. This item was clearly stolen by necessity.

Some gent in the Garden Spot of the Universe was a very, VERY bad boy and in dire need of some “correcting”. This chair was commandeered (for the previous purpose) and put to good use. This is the kind of theft I am am reluctant to malign: if you keep the adults in line the children most certainly will follow.

That’s page #1 of  the Greenpoint parenting book for you.

*snap*

Miss Heather

*Like this:

baby

The Kent Street Cat

February 28, 2009 ·
Filed under: 11222, Crazy Cat Lady, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic 

kentstcatThis cat (which graces the north-facing wall of The Garden) has been around as long as I can remember. I have noticed all other graffiti that has found its way to this edifice has been removed— but not this kitty. I have long intended to get the story behind this fetching feline. Last night I finally did.

Faced with the prospect of having to eat a jarring combination of (questionably edible) foodstuffs for dinner the Mister and I patronized The Garden. As luck would have it, I recognized one of the owners of this establishment. He was engaged in a conversation with another gentleman but having at long last the opportunity to shed light on this mystery I politely interrupted.

Miss Heather: Pardon me for butting in but aren’t you the owner of this establishment?

Owner: Yes, I am one of them.

Miss Heather: I have a very strange question for you. I took it up with Magda (an employee of The Garden, wonderful woman) as I know she has been working here for some time but she didn’t know…

Owner: (getting curious)

Miss Heather: What’s the deal with the cat on your building? The black cat.

After some thought (and some more Q & A) I got an answer. Here it is, albeit in highly simplified form:

  1. Approximately 8-9 years ago someone spray-painted this piece of graffiti onto The Garden.
  2. The owner liked it so much he didn’t see fit to remove it.
  3. However, the owner of the building didn’t agree, so…
  4. five years ago he asked someone to cover it up with primer.
  5. When the person with the primer showed up this gentleman (who the owner of The Garden described as being a “cat person”) had changed his mind. He had grown attached to it.

And so it has remained on Kent Street ever since. I have no idea what the person responsible for this was thinking when he (or she) created this cat. Was his intent vandalism or art? I don’t know and quite frankly I am comfortable with not knowing. It has since become a beloved member of the community and I suspect I speak for many when I say I hope he (or she) stays with us for a very, very long time!

Miss Heather

Greenpoint Fashion Watch

February 28, 2009 ·
Filed under: Greenpoint Magic 

Since the weather decided to take (yet another) manic upswing I tossed on my shoes, said goodbye to my heavy winter coat and went out to enjoy the sunshine. I was not alone: a number of my fellow Greenpointers elected to do the same. Here are a few of my faves.

womanonnoble

I spied this woman on Noble Street. I’m not terribly certain what the bottle in her hand contains (motor oil? Gold Bond Powder?) but she’s looking damned fine with this red hat/red sweater combo!

It was also a great day to listen to a little music and catch up with friends.

jammin

Which is exactly what this chap on Manhattan elected to do!

And last, but hardly least, when Greenpoint has 54 degree weather on a February day I think of one thing: Norwegian Death Metal. Preferably with chihuahuas.

mordred

So you can imagine my delight when I encountered Mordred— Greenpoint’s most stylish citizen— wearing a dress made out of a Taakeferd tee shirt! Wishing to get to the bottom of this delightfully daring fashion statement I asked her “person”/seamstress for the scoop.

When the weather (and Miss Mordred’s schedule) allows you can look forward to a very special fashion post featuring the couture of this very special chihuahua. Trust me: you will not be disappointed.

Miss Heather

Call For Entries

February 25, 2009 ·
Filed under: Greenpoint Magic, Long Island City, Williamsburg 

call-for-entry

This item comes courtesy of a lady named Diana. She writes:

Inspiration and Interpretation’ is a juried show looking for ceramic work along with the initial inspiration (sketch, photograph or an object).  A one-of-a-kind opportunity to showcase the process by highlighting the inspiration and exhibiting its interpretation.  The show will feature both the inspiration as well as the work that was produced.

To get the application form and guidelines point and click your way over to Clay Space 1205’s web site (the application can be found at the bottom left hand corner). Top three artists will be invited back to the gallery for a three person show at a later date. NOTE: all entries must be received by March 13th, 2009.

Good luck!

Miss Heather

North Brooklyn Photos Du Jour: NO PARKING

February 24, 2009 ·
Filed under: Area 51 

moultrienoparking

Moultrie Street.

guernseystnoparking

Guernsey Street.

noparkingteneyck

Ten Eyck Street.

nparkingponmanhattanave

Manhattan Avenue.

Miss Heather

  • NYS Flickr Pool

    christmas tree oddly placedDissociationMalevolent and asking for donations20241031_095113Hudson Yards  EDGELooking east-Northern view.
  • Ads