Open Thread Wednesday

In today’s Times, on the popularity of New York City’s Park. http://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/04/nyregion/want-to-relax-in-one-of-new-york-citys-parks-join-the-crowd.html

If only there was an app for that

I have always found that Capote quote (“I live in Brooklyn. By Choice.”) to be backhandedly self-deprecating, as if one needs to declare that they actually chose to live in Brooklyn and weren’t forced to live there because of circumstances out of one’s control. Assuming that I am completely whiffing on this? Not sure why this quote has always rubbed me the wrong way, but it just has.

Does anyone have information on the downed tree branch that has been blocking the sidewalk on Pierrepont in front of the Unitarian church? It’s been there for more than 2 weeks and forces you to walk in the street.

Rubs me the same wrong way because, as you say, it implies that one would have to justify the choice as choice–else, who but those who couldn’t do better would be the Borough’s only inhabitants.

It stems from the old-time rivalry between the cities when manhattanites had utter disdain for anyone from Brooklyn. Capote was probably saying it in more of a “stick it to you” than a defensive way.

Love this! Has anyone also noticed Joaquin Phoenix walking around the neighborhood with his sweet pitbull? Great additions to the neighborhood!

Yes. And you are correct. But I’m pretty sure that the cool thing to do is not to announce our cool new neighbors on the internet. Keep it cool…

I definitely agree about not bothering them or directing people to them. But as I’ve said on here before, when there’s a person whose life and work you really respect, their decision to live in your neighborhood stands as a pretty strong affirmation of the greatness of that neighborhood and, by association, its residents.

I just discovered that the receipt that prints out at Fresh Start Marketplace (which will be known as Garden of Eden until it eventually becomes a condominium showroom) contains a typo in the store’s web address. “www.freshsatartmarketplace.com” apparently doesn’t exist.

Last evening, the 4th of August 2016, while strolling with my family on the Promenade, I spotted a man launching a drone while seated on a bench. The aircraft ascended a few hundred feet and then zoomed off over the port towards lower Manhattan at warp speed at helicopter altitude. I called the police and two officers on scooters arrived and told the gentleman to land his drone. The problem is that he may have sent two drones up. The officers told me that such launches are illegal and they have the right to confiscate, but didn’t this time because the pilot was merely “taking photos.” Drones, especially these iffy days, are an unnecessary, added stress to our landscape.

And thats your moment of power, being a tattle tale. Of course, your doing in a situation where it’s safe

Hey, why aren’t you over on Joralemon reporting on the gang kids actions?

Then you’d really be doing some good for the area and then you’d be showing some real nerve….

The article mentioned Brooklyn Bridge Park, and the numbers of people who go there every weekend, about which I commented:

“Many have commented on numerous blogs about the thousands of people who pass through Brooklyn Heights on their way to and from Brooklyn Bridge Park. Much of that flow is concentrated on a single route, along Joralemon Street, formerly a quiet, sedate street in an especially out-of-the-way corner of this neighborhood of less than 25,000 residents.

“Now, they are subject to thoughtless passers-by and vandalism. They no longer have the quiet appreciation of their own homes, many of which cost millions. Would you like it if teeming humanity was passing by every day?”

Where exactly was this? Joralemon and Furman?

Wow, I think that was the whitest thing anyone has ever written!