(May 19) I finally set foot on Staten Island. For a funeral. Is there a message in that?
But first, in Port Jefferson a project that should have taken a month or two if you’re feeling generous is now well into its second year of snarling traffic for miles day and night. The entire Empire State Building, including demolition only took as long as this roadwork has so far.
On Staten Island, down the block from the funeral, there is a park.
I didn’t have time to actually find the lakes in Clove Lakes Park, but the map says they’re there.
I guess Star Of Bethlehem grows wild
A jogger complimented my tie. I think I was flirted with.
In case you forget you’re in New York City, here’s a fire hydrant, to shatter the illusion.
How do you know it’s not a good day? I’m riding a city bus and paying $6 to do it
Unfortunately, the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge is not a walkable bridge
(Jun 19) Roosevelt Island is about to get a large dose of change. It’s going to be change they won’t like one bit. It’s inevitable though. Underscoring this, it’s a Bruce Ratner project now, who will co-own the buildings, which come with free land, courtesy of the city. I can’t help but think the city is poor at selling itself to have to give so much away to those who will directly profit from this initiative. The idea that anyone has gotten a piece of Roosevelt Island free just seems scandalous.
It is a beautiful place, with a view of the east side.
Aside from the subway, and a bridge to Astoria, the tram is the only other way on and off the island.
And then on the other side of the tram bridge… you’re there already.
Now you see it… soon you won’t.
(Oct 6) preed came to town, his first visit since 2007. I didn’t get to spend enough time with him the last time because Billy had just begun his death spiral. This time Paul probably saw more than enough of me. This is that story. <insert Law & Order sound here />
He stayed in the Columbus Circle area
The crazy people were there to greet us
He gave a talk at the Wall St. Atrium
We had lunch at Katz’s. The live entertainment was a family that repeatedly left their baby unattended at the table where it sucked on a mustard bottle.
We walked to Brooklyn across the Brooklyn Bridge
Then walked back to Manhattan across the Manhattan Bridge
We made landfall in Chinatown.
Someone in the Bronx who works at the Irish bar he ate at cloned his card to buy a $1000 phone.
(Feb 21) Last time I was in Pennsylvania, it was to see Pete’s grandmother. This time, it was to pick up inventory for Pete’s store. Although it superficially appears to be farmland, in fact Pennsylvania was created by British King Charles II, who named it for Admiral Penn and and the ancient Japanese word for consumer electronics, leading Penn’s son William to open the world’s largest, and only factory direct Sylvania electronics superstore in the colonies.
Being February, it still gets dark early
America’s Favorite Nuclear Accident Site
We visited a few more farms before heading out
Turkey Hill is serious business
If you feel enlightened by my story of William Penn, I have a bridge for sale. Slightly used.
I’m not feeling this like I used to, but I go because Pete wants to, and I need to escape every now and then.
I walk down here a lot, even when I don’t have a train to catch.
Among other things, I like to reassure myself I can escape suburbia.
The next day it was off to the park.
Failure of what was recently the most profitable restaurant in the United States.
They weren’t bad, if I recall correctly.
Unlike most days, it wasn’t crowded.