Open Thread Wednesday 3/30/11

One very vital enviormental project which has never been done
in the Heights is an Electromagnetic mapping of the Heights.

Such a survey would consist of placing a legal/lab grade
spectrum analyizer at say, every 20 ft location on every
Heights street and as many private areas as is possible
and simply producing a full spectrum DC to high gigahertz
picture of the EM enviornment.

The surveys would have to be repeated at several day and night hours over a considerable period of time. Say two weeks. This
to eliminate short periods of special activity. And BOTH the Radio
Frequency, Pulsed magnetic and steady state magnetic fields
would have to be Properly measured.

But such a survey would produce for the first time a clear picture
of the EM hazards…and quiet spots in the Heights.

With all the well based mounting serious concerns about NON
ionizing radiation (radio frequency, magnetic fields and electro-
static fields) such a survey should be done at this point.

Over the years, I have pointed this out to generations of Heights leaders. The only person of stature who took NIR seriously
was Dozier Hasty who very properly questioned the shift of
Tv broadcasting from the Empire State Building to the WTC and the effect that may have on the Heights.

One very, well you judge, incident occured. When one civic group began about ten years ago to attempt to do a limited EM testing in
the Heights. Using not quite lab grade equipment, which had not been recently calibrated, But they DID discover a huge EM field in Pierrepont Playground. I went to the site with my testing instru-
ments and indeed there WAS a very powerful RF field of energy AND it was on a frequency AND it was excited with a class type of modulation even at the time was being cited as a significant health concern. AND it seemed to eminate from BELOW the playground according to several of my best directional sensors.

I called Jud Marsbach at the NYC FCC office and my contact in the governor’s office, Everyone dismissed our reports. Then the
classic white FCC van was seen at the playground. But the field
just continued blasing the playground and everyone using the
facility.

But THEN,I called someone I knew in the local DOD office who I knew was involved in EM weapons development…I let him know
that we really upset about the condition and the possibility of a news conference being held existed.

36 Hours later the field, which had been on for weeks, TOTALLY
CEASED never to return…Paging John Newland…..

Installment two of JS’s secret history of the Heights….

A properly done really comprehensive EM study of the Heights done by disinterested parties would be a very vital health safeguard for all our residents.

I think there are way too many people visiting in the neighborhood on the weekends.

There. I’ve said it. And I don’t regret it.

This area used to be a secret, a hidden gem that local residents predominantly got to enjoy. Now the area has blown up. Which I’m sure is great for local businesses. But as a local resident, I want my sleepy neighborhood back.

Sadly, it seems lost forever….

Agree with Arch Stanton. If only they’d give us more garbage cans to accomodate all those people!

Ari, if the nabe were any sleepier it and we would be narcoleptic. I mean, TRULY so.

We definitely need more garbage cans! Also, does anyone have any advice on how to avoid tourists asking me to take their picture? I used to just acquiesce, but it triggers my social anxiety and I really don’t want to do it anymore. I’ve tried not making eye contact. I have a large dog so taking a picture requires me to loop his leash around my wrist and prevents me from being able to control him if necessary. For some reason, just saying “no, I’m sorry” politely is not an acceptable answer. This happens to me at least once a week.

I obviously have to yield to the long-timers on the state of ‘hood for the past 30 years or so.

But in relatively recent memory – I’m talking the past 2 years or so (no coincidence with the opening of the BPP and the huge popularity of local blogs – that are linked to by big time websites – giving the neighborhood a voice to a global audience).

I can recall things being far less quieter, less congested and overall a lot more pleasant even a mere few years ago. But that’s all changed.

The disappearance of local businesses, the unbelievable congestion of pedestrian traffic on typically very quiet streets. And yes! the lack of garbage cans! Where’d they go?

Are there any little league baseball teams in the area?

RamonaQuimby: I have turned down many “be my human tripod” requests over the years, mostly on the Promenade and the Brooklyn Bridge.

When you see that person standing with a device in their hand and trying to catch your eye, just ignore! Walk purposefully by and do not make eye contact. Pretend you don’t understand English. If you must say anything, make it, “No, sorry, I take terrible pictures,” or “No, sorry, I have my dog,” or “No, sorry, I’m a professional photographer and I do that all day, and I have carpal tunnel syndrome of the shutter-release finger.”

Unless you need five bucks.

Alana, the 78th precinct sports program is great and hosts a huge Little League program. Their registration closes in January. You could also try the program at St. Francis Xavier. There is someone named Steve Pisano who also hosts a baseball league, I believe.

David on Middagh, thanks. It is good to know that I’m not the only one who says no to these requests. I was tempted to throw some guy’s camera off the promenade a couple of weeks ago when he would not take no for an answer. I am more than happy to give directions or restaurant recommendations, but I do not want to take your damn picture.

Ways to avoid getting asked to take someone’s photo:

Have headphones in, even if nothing’s playing.

Pretend to be talking on your phone.

Look mean and unapproachable.

+1 to Big Dave!

I wonder what all those “No to taking your pictures”-sayers are doing when they travel to foreign places and would like a picture of themselves with the background of David in Florence: “Can you please take my picture?” Yeah, I know you used to do that back in the days where we had film and barely anybody was caring a tripod or had timers in the cameras.

I am going to work on my mean look. I must look too nice, but normally when I’m on the promenade, I’m happy to be with my dog in this beautiful neighborhood in this great city.

And no, I have never asked someone else to take my picture. I could care less about pictures.

My word, are there some obnoxious people on this blog or what? Personally, I love it when tourists ask me to take their pictures, even when I’m walking my dog. Is it true that there is a geometric increase in curmudgeon-ness relative to the amount of posts on the BHB? Lighten up and enjoy the excitement of those people visiting our city. Talk to ’em, smile at the kids, practice your French, Italian, Spanish, Mandarin or English.

PS: But what’s up with the disappearing garbage cans? The one by the dead-end block of Middaugh’s been gone for several days and it’s my favorite dog poop depository.