Greenpoint Photos Du Jour: Phone Home

Halloweennys

ETnys

Taken October 31, 2014.

From The New York Shitty Photo Pool: Washington Square Park

October 31, 2014 ·
Filed under: 10012, Greenwich Village, Greenwich Village Manhattan, New York City 

Taken by Reuben Radding.

From The New York Shitty Photo Pool: The Word On The Street

October 30, 2014 ·
Filed under: New York City, Street Art, The Word On The Street 

Taken by Scoboco.

Urban Artifact: Jail Bear International Superstar?

(OR: 726 Days & Counting!)

Yes, gentle readers, this would appear to be the case— and right here and now I am going to share the good news!

This morning started off as any other: I get up, put on a pot of coffee and head to the computer. First I check my email, then I check my site. The latter experienced a spike in traffic. I found this rather strange given I have not been blogging much of late. Thus I perused incoming links. It was quickly discerned that one site was responsible for this. Naturally my curiosity got the better of me: I pointed and clicked. I braced myself in anticipation of material of a highly adult nature. It turned out not to be porn. It is infinitely more awesome than that. See for yourselves!

feminaHU

 

It would appear that our very own Jail Bear has merited the attention of a web site in Hungary. Granted, big in Hungary does not an international superstar make— but it is still pretty darned cool. Given I did not have a Hungarian phrasebook handy, I made my way over to Google Translate to see what they had to say about this ad hoc testement to civic pride. The translation is a mite bit obtuse but the essence comes across:

This is a sad teddy bear sitting behind bars in Greenpoint Avenue, Brooklyn, has appeared in the middle of June. The last two months has kultmacivá, followers, Instagramon hundred over the number of images. Nobody knows how he got here. The Bacardi- glass sometimes replacing vizesflaskára Many people are fed maternal feelings for him, while others say straight creepy. “- read the Facebook page to report overseas.

The NewYorkShitty also collected quite a few photos of the sad maciról, who has been held accountable as part of street art and the Bear Jail – that bear jail – dubbed plüssr?l made ??continuously published photos also make it: here you can watch!

Not only did my humble web site merit a link, but a Facebook page pertaining to Hungarian tourism is featured as well. Fascinating.

In any case, I suspect I speak for a number of Jail Bear’s fans when I write that he is not creepy— at least not in comparison to other things to be found hereabouts. On a number of occasions I have seen parents headed to nearby WNYC Transmitter Park stop so their children can say “Hi” to him and/or tell him about his/her day. He dutifully listens too.

For the above-stated reason I have a very hard time believing Jail Bear is sad. He’s quite beloved. Nonetheless, I decided to take up this matter directly with Jail Bear. The scene which awaited me this morning was quite surprising.

partytime

Jail Bear not only seems to be taking his fifteen minutes of fame in stride, but he is actually quite happy!

jailbear

What’s more, he has something to say to his new friends— and hopefully fans— in Hungary!

greetings

Okay, I’ll admit it: I dressed up Jail Bear and made the sign. But as I told a passerby (after explaining Jail Bear’s newfound celebrity status), I did so— and I quote:

in the interest of fostering positive international relations.

He found this to be a kind gesture. Taylor Swift may the the official face of tourism in New York City, but in Greenpoint (or at least the corner of Franklin Street and Greenpoint Avenue) this sinecure belongs to Jail Bear. In closing, I feel compelled to note that I have never met a Hungarian, much less a Hungarian tourist. Not only does this need to change but I am quite looking forward to the experience…

You didn’t think I was going to pass up an opportunity like this, gentle readers. Really? In all seriousness:

Happy Halloween, Hungary from New York Shitty (and of course, Jail Bear)!

UPDATE, 2:37 p.m.: it has been brought to my attention that the fellow responsible for this bear’s incarceration prefers the moniker “Prison Bear”. So there have you!

P.S.: An interesting fact learned today: if one ever finds him or herself in the highly unlikely predicament of needing an empty liquor bottle on the fly, check out the planters outside of WNYC Transmitter Park. You can rest assured they will deliver!

thumbsup

The Word On The Street: Right Wing NY

Right Wing NY nys

This discovery, as made today on 31st Street in Queens, is dedicated to Robert Scarano. You see, gentle readers, he (in part thanks to Curbed*) saw fit to comment on my site recently.

Comments nys

It would appear my post about 214 Franklin Street being converted into a hotel perturbed his granite-topped, sub-zero eminence. I suppose since Mr. Scarano cannot file his own plans anymore he has to occupy his time somehow. And he has elected to while away the time by commenting on my site!

I have been called a great many things in my life, but “right wing” is a new one. This one’s for you, “Scarano”! You are to architecture and north Brooklyn what blankets were to the Siege of Fort Pitt.

*To whose editor I wrote a “thank you” email stating my gratitude. Clearly my message got to the “right” people.

New York Shitty Photos & Video Du Jour: Queens Rocks!

ericandmartin2LAnys

Ericandmartin1LAnys

metalfaceLAnys

ericLAnys

So we have seen a subway busker get arrested in Williamsburg, the protest which followed; and Taylor Swift become our fair city’s “ambassador”. Yes, fellow New Yorkers, these are strange days in which we live. However, today I happened upon a beacon of hope. All is not lost here. Which brings me to the above-depicted fellows: Eric and Martin.

Today my buddy Larry, one of the many Williamsburg has seen to “displace” of late, took me on a tour of his new-ish neighborhood. As we rounded the corner at 36th Avenue and 31st Avenue we heard a sound. It was the sound of freedom.

More specifically, it was the sound of metal— and the above-depicted gentlemen were the origin. My travelling companion, Larry, and I waved to them in appreciation. In return we were greeted with “devil horns”. So naturally we did what exactly after-school specials told us not to do: we walked over to make their acquaintance.

I cannot attest to the conversation Larry had initially with these fellows. This is because I went to a bodega. My reason for doing so will become apparent later. What I can say is Eric and Martin rock. BIG TIME.

After Eric played this tune I asked him if he has a web site or anything on Youtube. He said he did, in fact, have footage on Youtube— but he thought it sucked so he and I quote:

Blew it away!

Eric asked me if I liked metal. I assured him I did. He informed me he loved metal and was drunk as hell. The first, gentle readers, is beyond question and I can personally attest to the latter. I asked if I could make a request. Not only was Eric game, but he refused to accept any money in return.* Touched by this demonstration of generosity (who expects to get anything for free in 2014 New York City anymore?) I asked Eric what he likes.

Slayer, The Misfits, Danzig, Metallica and Iron Maiden

was his reply.

So I requested the first thing that came to mind. Here it is.

Those of you who seek real, genuine, 100% New York City hospitality go to the 36th Avenue stop of the N/Q in Queens.

Rockin out on 31 Street Queens NYS

There your hospitality ambassadors await you. Not only do Eric and Martin take requests (and won’t make fun if you can’t sing Metallica)— for free— but they’ll even give you a send off number. We got Black Sabbath.

Welcome to Nevernevermotherfuckingland, Taylor Swift!

Photo Credits: The first four images gracing this post come courtesy of Larry Auerbach. Not only is he a very nice fellow and an immensely talented photographer, but his musings on life rarely fail to make me smile!

*Which is why I went to the bodega. I had $5.00 on my person. I bought a bottle of water so as to get four one dollar bills in return. I needed $1.00 in order to refill my Metrocard for a ride home. This left $3.00 which went, after careful consideration, to Eric’s aide de camp Martin.

From The New York Shitty Photo Pool: Black Dog

October 28, 2014 ·
Filed under: New York City 

Taken by Adrian Cabrero.

The Word On The Street: Union Square

US1

US2

US3

Like

Taken October 25, 2014.

New York Shitty Pay Phone Du Jour: Broadway

October 27, 2014 ·
Filed under: 10003, East Village, East Village Manhattan, The Word On The Street 

eatthebootynys

Taken October 25, 2014.

New York Shitty Photo Du Jour: East 10th Street

October 26, 2014 ·
Filed under: 10003, Affluenza, East Village, East Village Manhattan, Gentrification 

Self Portrait nys

You are what you drive.

(Taken October 25, 2014.)

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