Greenpoint
Lorven Pharmacy
Culture on the Cheap
Greenpoint Photo Du Jour: Back To Java, No More Wood
Those of you who have been wondering what is set to grace this store front will be happy to know today I got the scoop! It is going to be a coffee shop. The wisdom of open such an establishment a mere two doors away from Cafecito Bogota remains to be seen— but I wish them luck!
Miss Heather
From The New York Shitty Inbox: A Question About The Murano
Actually it is more like an Op Ed. In any case it is WELL worth sharing! Em Two writes (in an email entitled A Quick Question):
Have you heard anything about the über-bright and hyper-tacky light on the Murano building in Long Island City (519 Borden Ave)?
This type of L.E.D. display appears to be an unfortunate trend that’s taking hold of developers in the area (there’s one in Greenpoint now as well) in order to grab people’s attention.  I find it is akin to the FOX news approach: any attention is good attention so the louder and dumber you are the more you will sell. Inevitably a race to the bottom follows.
In any event, the building’s website states that “ A computerized system lights the lobby walls and exterior of Murano in a different hue every hour on the hour, transforming the all-glass building into a glowing, sculptural wonder. Surrounded by a serene water feature, the Murano is a beacon of light, heralding new life, limitless possibility, and inspired living to those who like to color outside the lines.”
And to quote someone else, “that’s the sound of incredulous laughter being stifled.”
I’m afraid it is objectively not a sculptural wonder. Moreover, a clock it is certainly not. Instead, it changes every couple of minutes, sometimes rapidly, sometimes a little slower. Or perhaps they are using the new Martian minute. Most recently, it went into a scintillating series of optical seizures, displaying what can only be described as a stoned 14 year old playing with his “My First Strobe Light” kit and an Atari replica game bought from SkyMall. That stopped, for whatever reason, after about 24 hours.
And yes, I understand that progress and development are inevitable. This is not the former.
Indeed, when trying to find out what the name of this building was, I simply typed “big stupid light on building in LIC” into Google. Give it a try.
P.S. The Murano site also states:
The Murano [is] named after the famous Italian island known for its spectacular colored glass[.]
You can see some of that glass here:
http://blog.glassofvenice.com/2010/04/murano-glass-vases-by-venini-for-versace/
It is not this:
http://www.liqcity.com/real-estate/the-lightclock-cometh-lics-murano-condo-fires-up-the-technicolor
Love your blog!
To answer Em Two’s question: yes, I have heard of the Murano. In fact I have walked by this edifice on numerous occasions. Other than that I honestly do not know what to say. Em Two has pretty much said it all!
Miss Heather
Quicklink: Inside The Greenpoint Hospital
Filed under: 11211, East Williamsburg, East Williamsburg Brooklyn, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Williamsburg, Williamsburg Brooklyn
I was supposed to swing by this very place today. Regrettably I had to decide against doing so: I simply did (and do) not feel up to it. Luckily my colleague over at Nathan Kensinger Photography has enabled me to go there without even having to leave my jammies. Do give this blog post (from which the image to the left hails) a read. It’s seriously good stuff!
Miss Heather
East Williamsburg Street Art Du Jour: Montrose Avenue
Filed under: 11206, East Williamsburg, East Williamsburg Brooklyn, Street Art, Williamsburg, Williamsburg Brooklyn
Taken October 26, 2010.
Miss Heather
New York Shitty Day Starter: Cobwebs
Filed under: 11222, Greenpoint, Greenpoint Brooklyn, Greenpoint Magic, Street Furniture
From Franklin Street.
Miss Heather
LAST GASP: A Birthday Wish
It does not take a rocket scientist to know times are tight for a lot of people in north Brooklyn. Even the Mister and I are feeling the pinch. But we have the presence of mind to know we are lucky. Very, VERY lucky. We have a roof over our heads; we have food (even if it means eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches went rent time comes around). We have it good. Much better than a lot of our neighbors and friends. Which brings me to the purpose of this post.
Jennifer Aull— one of the co-pastors of the Greenpoint Reformed Church and overall great gal— turns 21 tomorrow! Just kidding: she’s turning 22. Anyhoo: her birthday is tomorrow and her wish (via Facebook) is as follows:
I believe that the Greenpoint Church food pantry changes lives. I know it has changed mine. Please make a donation in honor of my birthday.
I can personally attest that the Greenpoint Food Pantry has changed lives. What’s more I want the compassionate ladies of the Greenpoint Reformed Church to continue serving our neediest! Give what you can Greenpointers. Every little bit counts!*
Miss Heather
*Those of you who are reading and possibly wondering (mom and dad— I shit you not my parents read this— I do not come from a broken home— I come from a more or less functional and intact family) what I want for my third fifth** wedding anniversary (which will come to pass on Halloween) it is this: donate to the Greenpoint Food Pantry. You can do so by clicking here.
**Yeah, I’m in trouble.
New York Shitty Day Ender: The G Spot
Props go out to Chris “Smitty” Smith for putting together such a fabulous selection of stuff! Garden Spot enthusiasts in particular will be pleased to know he has a whole line of Greenpoint merch in the works including coffee mugs!
Miss Heather
P.S.: For those of you who are wondering, the jewelry depicted in this post was made by a lady named Nina. You can check out her web site by clicking here. Not only are her wares lovely to look at, but they’re also easy on the wallet!
East Williamsburg Photos Du Jour: Zeitgeist
Filed under: 11206, Criminal Activity, Dog Shit Signage, East Williamsburg, East Williamsburg Brooklyn, Williamsburg, Williamsburg Brooklyn
I could tell something was afoot when I passed a youth wearing a t-shirt which read as follows:
FUCK YOU
FUCK YOU
FUCK YOU
FUCK YOU
FUCK YOU
FUCK YOU
FUCK YOU
Have a nice day.
If there’s one thing I have observed about East Williamsburg over the years it is its citizens do not mince words. This is a large reason why I find this neighborhood so endearing: they say whatever is on their mind. CASES IN POINT:
I encounter this pup on Lorimer Street. When I inquired of his “person” as to what his friend’s name was he replied:
Give me your phone number.
To wit I replied:
If he has a cell phone— and I trust he does— I’ll be more than happy to program it into his phone since I have opposable thumbs.
It took a moment, but he got the joke and ‘fessed up that this— his— dog has no name. He asked me to give him one— and I did: Amos. As I have mentioned fairly recently, I grew up with a bulldog with just this name as a kid. That was a good enough reason as any so it stands: Amos it is!
Montrose Avenue
While no explanation is given methinks what happened here is pretty clear: this person had his (her?) bike stolen. I can only wonder what Janice Sadik Khan would think of this. But I digress. As I continued down the street— pondering the fact this act of theft came to pass a mere five minute walk from the 90th Precinct all the while— I stumbled upon this.
Wow, they really do have a problem here.
I thought to myself. And this.
Yup.
And last— but hardly least— this find from Graham Avenue
I will readily admit my command of Spanish (or pretty much anything for that matter) was not up to par today— it was one of those days. We all have them. But the message gets across nonetheless.
I love a happy ending! *sigh*
Miss Heather
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