« Tuesday Links Demolition of 231 Duffield Street Begins »
March 3, 2009
Open Thread
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okay seriously, for the last few weeks, what is going on with the R train? it's like a ghost town. did people figure out a better way to get to work or is it just seriously people not working?
*r*
Posted by: PitbullNYC at March 3, 2009 9:21 AM
oh yeah and the worst part is that it stays in the canal street station forEVER! and no one even gets on!
*r*
Posted by: PitbullNYC at March 3, 2009 9:22 AM
When I get on the R at Prospect Ave it's packed. Where are you getting on at? I don't know about the canal street thing though. I bail at Pacific and grab an N or D depending on where I'm going.
Posted by: InsertSnappyNameHere at March 3, 2009 9:25 AM
i get on the R at Union Street at 815 and get off on prince street at 835. back home commute i get on the R at 530. it's usually deader going back into brooklyn. (i always take the first train no matter what tho maybe that makes a difference? it really is always the least crowded train. if there's ever an accident or train derailment i think the first car is usually the one with the most casualties.)
*r*
Posted by: PitbullNYC at March 3, 2009 9:28 AM
I'm usually in the second car. Maybe it's packed when I get on and then a lot of folks hop off at 9th st to transfer to the F and it's empty when you get on at Union. I'll have to remember that about the first car casualty thing - my luck is bad enough without tempting fate any further!
Posted by: InsertSnappyNameHere at March 3, 2009 9:31 AM
i always look at it like there is less of a chance youll die in the first car but more of a chance youll get hurt (getting hurt on the train = mad $$$)
*r*
Posted by: PitbullNYC at March 3, 2009 9:35 AM
got hot chocolate from roots ($3) and southside ($4) yesterday. no comparison. southside serves powdered hot chocolate, it was insultingly bad. they still have good coffee though.
Posted by: z911empire at March 3, 2009 9:41 AM
If you want really, really great hot chocolate, get the chocolate from Williams Sonoma and make your own!!!!
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at March 3, 2009 9:56 AM
Love this site. Wish there was something like this for Los Angeles.
COCOCOZY
Posted by: Cococozy at March 3, 2009 9:58 AM
rob, I'm offended by that, it's disgusting. You have a habit of saying inappropriate gross stuff. Can please try to keep a lid on it for those of us that really aren't interested?
Posted by: cobblehiller at March 3, 2009 10:28 AM
Not to mention that American kitkats are crap. Or was that the point?
Posted by: mshook at March 3, 2009 10:39 AM
ROb,
Yesterday you commented that you have no boots. You should check out the Footlocker next to Macy's on Fulton. They always have clearance tables and last week they had some nice Rockport boots. Last winter I got a pair of Tims for $35.
Posted by: Troy McClure at March 3, 2009 10:40 AM
is cobblehiller for real or is she just being funny?
*r*
Posted by: PitbullNYC at March 3, 2009 10:41 AM
rob, You can talk to me directly. I'm for real.
Posted by: cobblehiller at March 3, 2009 10:43 AM
misterbubble never talks to anyone directly.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at March 3, 2009 10:47 AM
mshook- so right! The chocolate has a waxy feel. The English/Irish ones are delish.
Posted by: TownhouseLady at March 3, 2009 10:50 AM
misterbubble says get off of my cloud.
Posted by: misterbubble at March 3, 2009 10:53 AM
OY, see what you've done now DIBS!
Posted by: cobblehiller at March 3, 2009 10:55 AM
They were just talking about Brownstoner and the NYT blog on WNYC.
Posted by: cobblehiller at March 3, 2009 10:59 AM
"rob, I'm offended by that, it's disgusting. You have a habit of saying inappropriate gross stuff. Can please try to keep a lid on it for those of us that really aren't interested?"
I very upset Cobblehiller! No one is supposed to be more disgusting than me ; ^ P--.
The What (Crown Holder of Disgusting)
Someday this war is gonna end..
Posted by: Return of The What at March 3, 2009 10:59 AM
have you seen misterbubble, cobblehiller, standing in the shadow?
Posted by: misterbubble at March 3, 2009 11:01 AM
Good morning What!
True What, you are currently the ranking title holding of gross-iosity at the moment. But I've told already told you how I feel about that ad nauseum!
Rob has only heard it once or twice - so far!
Posted by: cobblehiller at March 3, 2009 11:04 AM
Here I come with my BIG pin bubble....
Posted by: cobblehiller at March 3, 2009 11:05 AM
mmen that stand in shadows are usually up to no good. An idle hand is the devil's workshop.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at March 3, 2009 11:06 AM
"But I've told already told you how I feel about that ad nauseum!"
Yeah but it reenforces my character. Makes me feel good! How is the employment thang coming along?
The What
Someday this war is gonna end...
Posted by: Return of The What at March 3, 2009 11:13 AM
i shall refrain from any possibly grody comments for the sake of cobblehiller, since i like her and stuff.
*r*
Posted by: PitbullNYC at March 3, 2009 11:14 AM
Yes, I'm sure maintaining your image is of the utmost importance! ; )
Well, I had a nibble last week, but haven't heard a peep since - I haven't give up on it yet. But I'm working on stirring up some freelance work on my own.
Hows by you?
Posted by: cobblehiller at March 3, 2009 11:18 AM
misterbubble can't get no satisfaction.
Posted by: misterbubble at March 3, 2009 11:21 AM
: ( poor little bubble...
Posted by: cobblehiller at March 3, 2009 11:23 AM
Cobblehiller, what industry are you in? I keep going on interviews that go absolutely great and then nothing. I swear I can hear crickets. I have another interview later this week, but I'm just not holding out hope anymore. BStoner is entertaining and informative, but I'd kill to be busy at work right now.
Posted by: InsertSnappyNameHere at March 3, 2009 11:24 AM
i have a sneaky slightly psychic suspicion people and some companies are just conducting interviews all willy nilly just for personal entertainment and office gossip with no intention to hire anyone.
*r*
Posted by: PitbullNYC at March 3, 2009 11:26 AM
Rob, you are right in some respects. I went on one job interview and was offered the position, only to be told that they can't actually pay me (they are having trouble meeting payroll) and would start compensating me when I close out super old cases.
Posted by: InsertSnappyNameHere at March 3, 2009 11:28 AM
"Hows by you?"
I'm upgrading the bunker. I need some shielding from the collapse of the Mutant Asset Bubble! That thing is leaking radiation everywhere!!!
The What
Someday this war is gonna end...
Posted by: Return of The What at March 3, 2009 11:29 AM
Snappy: Mainly financial services or companies that do work for them - BAH! I'm trying to stir some work up on my own, the agencies/headhunters can only seem to do so much for me.
Thanks Rob, much appreciated.
What: Upgrading the bunker! When you're done over there will you come over here and give me some hints!
Posted by: cobblehiller at March 3, 2009 11:36 AM
Hi cobblehiller! I was hoping you would have good news for us by now. Well, it can still happen. MM is out for most of the week on a freelance project so that's good. And my brother-in-law is trying to get me a copy of dreamweaver cs3 (are you using 3 or 4?)
Posted by: bxgrl at March 3, 2009 11:45 AM
hi bxgrl, nothing yet, but i'm not giving up hope! So happy for MM. I see people around me getting jobs and interviews, so I know they're out there! I've got CS3 - as you know I love it. I'll lend you my Dreamweaver for Dummies book if you get the software and want/need the book. I'm done with it for awhile.
Posted by: cobblehiller at March 3, 2009 11:48 AM
I definitely need a For Dummies book! I love those. I did a trial of CS4- intensely dislike it. I understand it was substantially changed from CS3- does that still have site mapping?
Posted by: bxgrl at March 3, 2009 12:02 PM
"American kitkats are crap"
Completely unaware there was a taste distinction that traverses international borders.
Posted by: East New York at March 3, 2009 12:02 PM
bxgrl, Do you mean a site mapping feature? I think I saw something like that in the old DW and GoLive, but I don't see it here.
Posted by: cobblehiller at March 3, 2009 12:18 PM
quoth leonard cohen: "do I listen to the Rolling Stones? Ceaselessly."
Posted by: infinitejester at March 3, 2009 12:36 PM
Oh, East New York, try any British chocolate bar. No comparison. American chocolate was historically made using sour milk (they didn't use the Dutch method), and I'm sure it has only become worse with time. It's only the peanut butter stuff that is worth eating... cos of course the Brits can't can't get their heads around peanut butter.
Posted by: mshook at March 3, 2009 12:37 PM
"American chocolate was historically made using sour milk"
Yeech! Disgusting.
Posted by: East New York at March 3, 2009 12:41 PM
The first (and last time) I tasted Hersheys "chocolate" I thought it must contain candle wax.
Posted by: dittoburg at March 3, 2009 12:52 PM
misterbubble is bumpin' louder than a big bass drum, alright.
Posted by: misterbubble at March 3, 2009 12:53 PM
misterbubble is awfully self-referential.
Posted by: cobblehiller at March 3, 2009 12:56 PM
you'll all think me a barbarian but my favorite chocolate is still hershey's kisses. Must be a childhood thing.
Posted by: bxgrl at March 3, 2009 12:59 PM
mshook and THL...THANK YOU!
Comparing the most mainstream chocolate, Hershey's vs. Cadbury's, I cannot believe anyone would think Hershey's is better. American made chocolate is, for the most part, simply awful. Wax is the best description. Cadbury products are so far superior, it's hard to believe they are both the same kind of food.
Posted by: Biff Champion at March 3, 2009 1:05 PM
You people are too much, American chocolate made with sour milk. LOL!
I hear British chocolate makes your teeth fall out, ever seen a Brit's teeth? talk about disgusting!
Posted by: mcKenzie at March 3, 2009 1:06 PM
I dunno about that, I think palates change. My favorite food when I was a kid, stolen from the kitchen when my mum was otherwise occupied, was granulated-sugar sandwiches made with wonderbread-type bread. Ugh.
Posted by: dittoburg at March 3, 2009 1:08 PM
I'd say the best chocolate is Swiss or Belgian chocolate
but Reeses Peanut Butter Cups are my FAVORITE hands down!
Posted by: gemini10 at March 3, 2009 1:11 PM
I grew up on Cadbury. In fact when my uncle was a teenager back in England he worked in a Cadbury factory and used to bring home boxes of broken bits or chocolate bars that didn't hit the molds just so.
Listen, if you give me a Hershey's bar I'm not going to turn it down but, if you leave it up to me I'll go Cabury's everytime.
Posted by: TownhouseLady at March 3, 2009 1:11 PM
Speaking of stuff you spread on bread. I'm so happy that we can get Nutella here now in most grocery stores. My mom used to bring it back from overseas.
http://www.nutellausa.com/
Posted by: TownhouseLady at March 3, 2009 1:14 PM
goodbye, cobblehiller
who could hang a name on you?
when you change with every new day
misterbubble's gonna miss you...
Posted by: misterbubble at March 3, 2009 1:14 PM
Where's BRG, she'll back me up here...the best chocolate is La Maison du Chocolat. There is no question! Unfortunately...it's really expensive. I don't know if this is still true, but they used to fly it to the US daily from France. And it was GOOD!
Posted by: cobblehiller at March 3, 2009 1:15 PM
oh bubble...don't tug at my heart strings....come to the party and we'll kiss and make up!
Posted by: cobblehiller at March 3, 2009 1:16 PM
Its true McKenzie. American chocolate, on account of being made of wax, talcum powder, teacher's chalk and formaldehyde, actually preserves teeth. Hence the dentition difference.
Posted by: dittoburg at March 3, 2009 1:20 PM
Ah yes, La Maison. Its right here in the bottom of my building. They have a bouncer on the door on Christmas eve and valentine's day.
Posted by: dittoburg at March 3, 2009 1:22 PM
Oooh nutella...OMG. THL, I cannot keep it in the house...it's too good. I'll eat it right out of the jar -spoon by spoon by spoon.
Posted by: cobblehiller at March 3, 2009 1:24 PM
Hershey's actually owns the import license for Cadbury in the US. The US version of a DairyMilk tastes different (not as rich) than a real UK DairyMilk. Why is that?
Posted by: buttermilk channel at March 3, 2009 1:26 PM
I'm not surprised ditto, at 100, 200 and $300 bucks a box!
Posted by: cobblehiller at March 3, 2009 1:29 PM
THL, a jar of Marmite or Vegemite is also a definite must for every pantry. Although it is an acquired taste for sure!
Posted by: Biff Champion at March 3, 2009 1:31 PM
buttermilk - because they melt it down and take 50% of the chocolate out of one bar of DairyMilk and then use it to make a thousand hersheys bars. Apprently they use an eye-dropper to drip one drop of real chocolate into each faux-chocolate bar.
Posted by: dittoburg at March 3, 2009 1:32 PM
"oh bubble...don't tug at my heart strings....come to the party and we'll kiss and make up!"
Party details:
Thursday, March 16 at Floyd NYC. 'Stoners start arriving at 6pm.
Posted by: Biff Champion at March 3, 2009 1:33 PM
I see The What is in a fine mood today.
Our cafeteria has bean soup and cabbage today, per the NYT article on eating in a Depression, and I am lapping it up. THL, my dear, I need your advice on casseroles!
Here, I reprint my last night's post from the Open Forum:
THL, I know you are sprucing up the house now, but -- casseroles! Do you have GOOD casserole recipes? We are being very frugal (hahahaha) and cooking three nights a week (see, very frugal) and I've gone through just about every permutation of fricassee and stew I can think of. I'm running out of ideas here.
I went so far as to buy an ancient "One Pot Cooking" book by Reader's Digest at a library book sale last weekend.
I made a sort of casserole last week, ground lamb with zuchinni, adapted from Junior League, but it wasn't very good. (Merguez sausage with eggplant, however, is good.)
I want grandma recipes, things falling off the bone that are actually good, but everything is "take an expensive cut of meat..." There must be some kind of Mexican pork stew I can make from ingredients around the neighborhood.
Posted by: mopar at March 3, 2009 1:34 PM
ditto, your 1:20 and 1:32 posts were priceless!
Posted by: Biff Champion at March 3, 2009 1:34 PM
"Thursday, March 16 at Floyd NYC. 'Stoners start arriving at 6pm."
OOPS, Thursday March 19!!!
Posted by: Biff Champion at March 3, 2009 1:35 PM
Biff - I have tried to force Marmite on my family to no avail. Even my cat doesn't like it - whereas in England my cats would get into a fight over it. I've come to accept that, like the buried & fermented seal-head dish of the old eskimos, its an acquired taste.
Posted by: dittoburg at March 3, 2009 1:35 PM
Dittoburg, thanks. Aha, that's why they taste like dust and sugar.
Posted by: buttermilk channel at March 3, 2009 1:36 PM
The problem with British teeth is that they really fought flouridating the water. And the national health system - which works great, don't get me wrong - well, in the 70s dentists were getting paid to pull teeth out, it was more economical than trying to save them. I worked in a pub for years and years and one of our regular customers had this mouth of black moss. It was shocking. Teeth half rotting away. He eventually got a girl to go out with him and then went to a dentist... and though they could remove the moss the half-teeth remained. Yikes. How about Galaxy, THL? Mmmmmm.
Posted by: mshook at March 3, 2009 1:37 PM
Ever do potato chip sandwiches?
I like a lot of other chocolate, but Kisses always seemed- I don't know- happy food.
Posted by: bxgrl at March 3, 2009 1:42 PM
The party should be amusing...I'll have to come by early to get a good seat so I can see WHO shows up!
Posted by: cobblehiller at March 3, 2009 1:43 PM
bxgrl - crisp butty?
Posted by: mshook at March 3, 2009 1:46 PM
mshook- I have no idea what that is. But if ou remember, i did say i was a virtual barbarian in this horde :-)
Posted by: bxgrl at March 3, 2009 1:48 PM
Don't get me started on a good chip butty with salty butter, a dash of malt vinegar and made from a crusty bloomer. mshook are you a brit too? brownstoner seems to be infested with brits.
Posted by: dittoburg at March 3, 2009 1:49 PM
Funny, mshook. I too have been the impetus to save someone else's rotting teeth. But the teeth was just visible evidence of deeper problems with responsibility and it didn't work out...
Posted by: mopar at March 3, 2009 1:49 PM
Having grown up with Cadbury's it does have a special place in my heart but even I have to acknowledge that it is garbage compared to good chocolate.
I echo gemini's comment about Swiss or Belgian chocolate being the best, although this is pretty good http://www.greenandblacks.com/
Whatever the source, it needs to be at least 70%.
Posted by: the chicken at March 3, 2009 1:50 PM
WHO or WHAT!
Posted by: mopar at March 3, 2009 1:50 PM
Blimey!
there are a LOT of Brits on this blog....
(I am not one!)
Posted by: gemini10 at March 3, 2009 1:53 PM
I'm deadly serious here...
DO NOT IGNORE YOUR TEETH.
One bad infection can turn systemic in a heartbeat and destroy your heart valves [yes, really] or cause strokes [yes, really]. This is no joke. Some dentists will work out a payment plan with you. Spread out the work over time. Whatever it takes.
I know it's unpleasant, I really hate going. I'm a big baby about it. But if you had seen the damage I saw caused by lack of good regular dental treatment, you would not ignore my words.
Forget the superficial treatments - get the fundamental stuff done.
GO TO THE DENTIST.
Posted by: cobblehiller at March 3, 2009 1:59 PM
mopar, there's a long list of 'characters' I'd like to see show up...What would be icing on the cake!
Posted by: cobblehiller at March 3, 2009 2:01 PM
I would like to state categorically that I DID NOT go out with Suicide Dave. I'm not English but I lived in Manchester for many many years. And the Manc I married is a missing a couple but the teeth he does have are pretty nice, thank you very much....
Posted by: mshook at March 3, 2009 2:01 PM
"but the teeth he does have are pretty nice"
You sound like a perfect optimist mshook, ready to see the cap half full anywhere!
Posted by: dittoburg at March 3, 2009 2:04 PM
I love smiles with that little gap in the center front- not too big, just a bit.
Will somoene please tell me what a crusty bloomer is? or crisp butty. Please. Note my user id- BRONX. We had fresh bagels and lox. tuna casserole. Gefilte fish. I have a few ideas as to what crisp butty might be but I am afraid to share those.
Posted by: bxgrl at March 3, 2009 2:07 PM
quote:
And the national health system - which works great,
um no, it really doesnt.
*r*
Posted by: PitbullNYC at March 3, 2009 2:08 PM
"The party should be amusing...I'll have to come by early to get a good seat so I can see WHO shows up!"
cobblehiller, get there early! There are some cool sofas at the front that would be a prime place to hang out. I hope to meet up with wasder right at 6pm (and stay until the last 'Stoner departs).
Posted by: Biff Champion at March 3, 2009 2:09 PM
I'm not British, but I do prefer the British version of the Office to the American one.
Posted by: Biff Champion at March 3, 2009 2:10 PM
Cobblehiller, I've seen the news reports about an "association" between gum disease and other health problems such as heart trouble. But I've never seen one that explained the link. I had surmised rotting gums were an EFFECT of systemic problems with tissues that also affect the heart, blood vessels, and so on. (And perhaps they're all caused by high blood sugar and/or high insulin levels.) Does anyone know if diabetics have gum problems?
Anyway, so what do you think it is?
Wish I had some 70 percent Lindt around but they can't store that in the candy machine. Still eating my cabbage.
Posted by: mopar at March 3, 2009 2:13 PM
Yes, I'm planning on being there right at 6, Biff - seeing as it will take me all of 5 minutes to get there!
Posted by: cobblehiller at March 3, 2009 2:14 PM
small world mshook - whereabouts were you in Manchester? I'm a Burnage boy.
Posted by: the chicken at March 3, 2009 2:14 PM
If everyone starts eating like the Times recommended in the article on "Depression Eating" today, the nation's health will probably improve dramatically!
Posted by: mopar at March 3, 2009 2:15 PM
crusty bloomer = like a baguette only shorter, wider and crustier on the outside!
crisp butty = potato chips inside a floury hamburger bap (crisps = chips)
Posted by: the chicken at March 3, 2009 2:16 PM
ditto....white bread, butter and sugar. My grandmother would make them for us.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at March 3, 2009 2:20 PM
a bloomer is a big soft white bread loaf baked to an almost foxy-orange/brown chewy crust. A bit like a stick of French bread but shorter and fatter. Like the Brits.
Posted by: dittoburg at March 3, 2009 2:21 PM
butter, not margarine DIBS? Your grandmother spoilt you!
Posted by: the chicken at March 3, 2009 2:23 PM
I'm curious: how many folks have heard of a "Charlotte Russe" ? (spelling? Bxgrl help me here). Does anyone know what it is?
Posted by: benson at March 3, 2009 2:26 PM
mopar, infections in your mouth can go to your heart very easily/quickly. this is one reason that some people with heart issues are instructed to take antibiotics before treatment. likewise, infections in the mouth can go to your brain very easily. i've had long discussions about this with a neuro-surgeon and specialists in infectious disease after a person i knew had some very serious issues that ended in major heart surgery. i'm not an expert, but i have heard enough to know that i will beg, borrow or steal to get myself to the dentist!
Posted by: cobblehiller at March 3, 2009 2:27 PM
rob - your political ignorance was really shocking when you cried boredom at Obama's inaugural. However, to comment negatively on a health system in a country to which I bet you have never been is really offensive. Are you lucky enough to have healthcare? Good for you, you're pretty lucky. Just cross your fingers and hope you don't get diagnosed with something which will bankrupt you, because your insurance company won't pay all the bills. Do you know the infant mortality rate in this country? Do you know how low this country is in any list measuring health care standards? Come on, you really need to get real and look around.
My husband lived on Fog Lane! He's from Ashton though. We actually had a good Burnage cat for some years here, bless her. I was in Whalley Range, then Chorlton, for years, as it ballooned into trendyville....
Posted by: mshook at March 3, 2009 2:27 PM
thanks! I love the names you Brits have for food. You can figure out what I thought bangers and mash were the first time I heard that term :-)
Posted by: bxgrl at March 3, 2009 2:28 PM
A charlotte russe is a dessert, like a trifle served in a tall glass bowl. the bowl is lined with lady fingers soaked in sherry or cognac and the bowl is filled with custard and fruit layers. the top has fresh fruit with a glaze. Something like that.
Posted by: sam at March 3, 2009 2:33 PM
"Thou shalt not speak ill of socilaized medicine"
The new first commandment?
Posted by: benson at March 3, 2009 2:34 PM
benson: Charlotte Russe - sponge cake with fillings - there are lots of different kinds.
Posted by: cobblehiller at March 3, 2009 2:34 PM
Make that "socialized" medicine!
Posted by: benson at March 3, 2009 2:35 PM
Oh, Benson, at least I know you would do it with some knowledge and feeling!
Posted by: mshook at March 3, 2009 2:37 PM
All the answers to the question about the Charlotte Russe have been incorrect so far. Didn't anybody see the movie "Once upon a time in America?"
Posted by: benson at March 3, 2009 2:39 PM
It's funny that Chorlton is not a bad analogy for Brooklyn, albeit on a much smaller scale. Bet your cat thanked you for rescuing him/her from Burnage!
Posted by: the chicken at March 3, 2009 2:40 PM
Benson, from wikipedia?
Charlotte russe also refers to a treat once popular in Brooklyn:
"The classic French dessert called charlotte russe is an elegant mold of ladyfingers, filled with flavored Bavarian cream. But to old-time Brooklynites, a charlotte russe was a round of sponge cake topped with sweetened whipped cream, chocolate sprinkles, and sometimes a marashcino cherry, surrounded by a frilled cardboard holder with a round of cardboard on the bottom. As the cream went down, you pushed the cardboard up from the bottom, so you could eat the cake...these were Brooklyn ambrosia." ---The Brooklyn Cookbook, Lyn Stallworth and Rod Kennedy, Jr. [Alfred A. Knopf:New York] 1994 (p. 386) [NOTE: this book contains memories and a recipe.]
Posted by: the chicken at March 3, 2009 2:43 PM
Are you City or United, then, chicken?
Posted by: mshook at March 3, 2009 2:44 PM
My answer came straight out of the Settlement Cookbook! How can it be wrong!
And this is from epicurious: http://www.epicurious.com
/tools/fooddictionary/entry?id=1801
What are you thinking of benson?
Posted by: cobblehiller at March 3, 2009 2:45 PM
neither - although I used to live round the corner from Maine Road (the City ground). On match days we had to move our cars so since then I have hated United slightly less!
Posted by: the chicken at March 3, 2009 2:48 PM
"But to old-time Brooklynites, a charlotte russe was a round of sponge cake topped with sweetened whipped cream, chocolate sprinkles, and sometimes a marashcino cherry, surrounded by a frilled cardboard holder with a round of cardboard on the bottom. As the cream went down, you pushed the cardboard up from the bottom, so you could eat the cake...these were Brooklyn ambrosia." ---The Brooklyn Cookbook, Lyn Stallworth and Rod Kennedy, Jr"
Ding, ding, ding!!! Correct!
Cobblehiller,you said that it was a sponge cake with a filling. Nope. Note that the filling was on top of the sponge cake, per the definition above.
There is a famous scene in the movie "Once Upon a Time in America" where one of the boys on the Lower East Side climbs up the stairs of a tenement to bring a Charlotte Russe to a girl he fancies. After he knocks on her door and waits for her to come out, he proceeds to eat the Charlotte Russe.
Posted by: benson at March 3, 2009 2:50 PM
misterbubble is all bubble and no squeak.
Posted by: misterbubble at March 3, 2009 2:51 PM
benson: now I'm curious, what perverted item did you have in mind as being a charlotte russe?
Posted by: sam at March 3, 2009 2:51 PM
You must have been nice and close to Rusholme, then. I really miss good curries.
Posted by: mshook at March 3, 2009 2:51 PM
hooray! I can't take credit though - Wikipedia has taught me everything I know and most of what I have forgotten.
Posted by: the chicken at March 3, 2009 2:52 PM
chicken...my mother would never allow us to eat margarine because she remebered having to mix some yellow pigment in with it to make it look like butter during the War.
I will eat fake cheese Kraft singles on a grilled cheese sandwich though!!!!
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at March 3, 2009 2:54 PM
oh exxxccuuuuse me! I was correct, you're faulting me on a technicality!
Posted by: cobblehiller at March 3, 2009 2:55 PM
aye - and my office in London is right next to Brick Lane. I'm convinced that there could be great synergies for both neighbourhoods if they all agreed to centralise kitchens and pump the curry into each restaurant via pipes. Every place has a sign outside claiming "curry chef of the year 199X/200X" but they all taste the same!
Posted by: the chicken at March 3, 2009 2:56 PM
I was thinking of apple Charlotte. Close but no cigar.
Posted by: dittoburg at March 3, 2009 3:01 PM
spelling's correct, benson. Are you bringing any to the party?
Posted by: bxgrl at March 3, 2009 3:05 PM
"I like a good cigar but I take it out of my mouth once in awhile."
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at March 3, 2009 3:09 PM
I was thinking of Monica Lewinsky. Close but no cigar.
Posted by: Biff Champion at March 3, 2009 3:09 PM
Bxgrl and all;
I can't bring Charlotte Russe's, but how about Italian cookies and pastries? My uncle works for a chain of Italian bakeries in Brooklyn. I'll bring them if Sam comes.
Posted by: benson at March 3, 2009 3:10 PM
So funny to hear all the Manchester talk - I am another Mancunian (although not yet a Brooklynite or regular poster here - contemplating moving). All my family are still there. Fwiw, think West Didsbury is the best analogy for Brooklyn now.
Posted by: etson at March 3, 2009 3:11 PM
How many people on here are posting from England right now??? God, I don't try to find a site called PoofdasandPillowBiters.com over there in London and post all day!!!!!
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at March 3, 2009 3:13 PM
Cobllehiller, good to know. I can always use more to worry about.
My mother was a "consumer advisor" at the Coop (just a regular chain of grocery stores that started in Berkeley, Calif.) in the mid-70s and she told us that margarine was bad for you and butter is better. She turned out to be correct. They had all the studies back then. I don't know why the existing information was ignored and the fake product was pushed as a "health'" food when it's anything but -- and also sleazy and disgusting.
(Well, actually I do -- I just finished Gary Taubes' book about the science and politics of fat vs. carbs and it sheds some light.)
Also, in case anyone is wondering, gorp stands for "good old raisins and peanuts." Another Coop-ism.
Posted by: mopar at March 3, 2009 3:13 PM
Posting from Manhattan, where I live currently. But planning on being part of the British Invasion of Brooklyn at some point in the next year or so.
Posted by: etson at March 3, 2009 3:17 PM
Ahhhh!!!!! Hope you find a place you really like.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at March 3, 2009 3:20 PM
come on over etson, the water's lovely!
DIBS, you should be happy that the Brits are coming over - helps to keep the prices high ;)
Posted by: the chicken at March 3, 2009 3:20 PM
okay - so there is going to be a strong Manc contingent at the get together then.
Posted by: the chicken at March 3, 2009 3:22 PM
There's that difficult issue of the strong dollar/weak Pound though!!!!! :(
Does Floyd's serve cider or Shandies???
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at March 3, 2009 3:26 PM
Any Brummies going? Leave your accents at home.
Posted by: dittoburg at March 3, 2009 3:27 PM
LOL...one of my best friends is Welsh from Birmingham!!!
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at March 3, 2009 3:29 PM
http://listverse.com/humor/top-15-quotes-of-prince-philip/
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at March 3, 2009 3:33 PM
Have been here long enough that the weak pound isn't an issue. Just waiting for someone to sell me a brownstone for half off (jk - actually looking at larger apartments and smaller houses)...Seriously, thanks for the good wishes.
Posted by: etson at March 3, 2009 3:35 PM
If you guys don't stop with the Britishisms I am going to study my copy of poplollies and bellibones and talk to everyone in Olde English all night. I feel like we've been taken over by Arthurian aliens :-)
Posted by: bxgrl at March 3, 2009 3:35 PM
What the HELL!!!???? Mr. B removed the posting about prices in Q4? Because it was published Jan. 15 or what? Does anyone know? I want to read the response to my post. Pout pout pout.
Posted by: mopar at March 3, 2009 3:39 PM
Ah, the lawyers are at it again? Is Mr. B playing it fast and loose with the posts!?
Posted by: cobblehiller at March 3, 2009 3:41 PM
Yeah....where the hell did it go????
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at March 3, 2009 3:41 PM
The incredible shrinking Brownstoner site!
Posted by: benson at March 3, 2009 3:43 PM
etson, this place is going for a song in South Slope:
http://www.english-experience.com/images/herstmonceux_castle.jpg
Its a fixer upper.
Posted by: dittoburg at March 3, 2009 3:46 PM
I did a lot of work dissecting out that data too. There wasn't one fact for Team Bear to latch onto in all of that information.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at March 3, 2009 3:48 PM
Be careful what you wish for people......
http://www.brownstoner.com/brownstoner/archives/2008/07/onion_gentrific.php
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at March 3, 2009 3:50 PM
Well, maybe this post from HOTD has something to do with the removal of the report?
"As an aside, brownstoner summarized that report dead wrong.
Median sales prices for Brooklyn townhouses are NOT up. Median sales prices for brooklyn brownstones are down, with 2 families showing a 9% median price decline.
I'm not a raging bear, but fallacious reporting really irks me."
Posted by: metaphase at March 3, 2009 2:52 PM
Posted by: nyc87 at March 3, 2009 3:51 PM
Argggggg! DIBS, what did it say? I said your post was the only one that made any sense, all the others were just noise. Did anyone respond?
Posted by: mopar at March 3, 2009 3:52 PM
nyc87, brownstoner said sales of "brownstones in the Northwest of Brooklyn" were up 12 percent. Does that contradict the report? Is the report outdated like another poster claimed? Dying to know!
Posted by: mopar at March 3, 2009 3:55 PM
Yes, mopar, I saw that. Thanks. BHO tried to inject some jibberish but really added nothing. There were a lot of misquotes of the data but I have it printed out in front of me. Even I was impressed with how well prices held up.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at March 3, 2009 3:56 PM
Here you go--seems like the only "non-noise" was metaphase:
"Brownstoner made a hash of summarizing the report.
No where does the report that brownstone prices in northwest brooklyn increased 12%.
The report does say that overall brownstone median prices increased 12%. BUT this is the quarterly increase from Q3 to Q4. The year over year prices are down.
Brownstone median price is down 2% year over year, with 2 families showing a 9% median price decline. The overall price decline for all brownstones was buffered by median price gains in the 3+ family brownstone category (investment properties largely). Regardless, these number are from a total n = 60, which is subject to serious noise."
Posted by: metaphase at March 3, 2009 2:50 PM in response to Brownstones, Co-ops Outperformed Condos in Q4
Posted by: nyc87 at March 3, 2009 3:57 PM
Thanks dittoburg, could just see myself asking for advice on crenellation maintenance on the Forum...
Posted by: etson at March 3, 2009 3:57 PM
Hey everybody! Go to the NY Mag thread. I pathed a throwback. You newcomers are gonna love it.
***Bid half off peak comps***
Posted by: Brownstones Half Off at March 3, 2009 3:57 PM
mopar, that info is correct. Their category " brownstone" only includes brownstones in Northwest Brooklyn. There were only 60 sales there and the median price was $1.287 MM. It is not representative of all of brownstone Brooklyn which is probably better represented by their category "1-3 Family" But that would included the dreaded Fedders sales as well.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at March 3, 2009 3:58 PM
repointing it would be a royal pain in the arse
Posted by: dittoburg at March 3, 2009 3:59 PM
DIBS can it. You also misrepresented the report.
Posted by: nyc87 at March 3, 2009 4:00 PM
Oh wasder is going to love that BHO! Feeding the fire that you are The What!? ; )
Posted by: cobblehiller at March 3, 2009 4:01 PM
DIBS, if you click on your name and can open up all your old posts (if that's possible considering how big a file that must be), you can cut and paste your comment here.
Posted by: mopar at March 3, 2009 4:01 PM
Wow! Brownstoner is a magician. Did you see how fast those market report threads disappeared? Poof!
Market Bull Blog 101. Put your advertisers first.
***Bid half off peak comps***
Posted by: Brownstones Half Off at March 3, 2009 4:02 PM
nyc87....you and metaphase are WRONG. I have the report in front of me.
Among other things you got wrong, brownstones (in northwest Brooklyn) increased in median price 12% Year over Year...that means from 4Q07 to 4Q08.
NEITHER ONE OF YOU CAN ACTUALLY SEEM TO READ WHAT IS PRINTED IN FRONT OF YOUR FACE.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at March 3, 2009 4:03 PM
"Oh wasder is going to love that BHO! Feeding the fire that you are The What!? ; )"
Yeah, I forgot my ROTW password so I can't tag team at the moment.
***Bid half off peak comps***
Posted by: Brownstones Half Off at March 3, 2009 4:06 PM
nyc87...I have the report in front of me. Which datapoint would you like to see.
CHRIST, no wonder so many people got taken on their mortgages if they can't understand a simple table with about 6 columns of numbers.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at March 3, 2009 4:06 PM
"I'll bring them if Sam comes"
benson, that's very nice of you.
unfortunately I think 11217 will throw the pie in my face.
I seem to rub him the wrong way.
I would like to meet the wit-meister Biff.
And Dave, and of course you.
Posted by: sam at March 3, 2009 4:06 PM
OK, so now we know.
Brownstone median price is down 2% year over year, with 2 families showing a 9% median price decline and 3+ family brownstones increasing -- but there were only 60 brownstone sales. Wow.
And the rest was...I forget. Overall prices were down 4 percent I think. And 2-families included Fedders were...I forget.
Still holding up pretty well, but I'm not going to say Brooklyn is special now. It's looking more like we're at the "beginning" of a price decline, as Miss Muffet et al love to keep claiming.
Going to check NYMag...
Posted by: mopar at March 3, 2009 4:07 PM
Shouldn't Brownstoner just publish a correction rather than deleting the whole post? Rather odd. Unless it was deleted for some other reason.
Posted by: mopar at March 3, 2009 4:08 PM
Northwest Brooklyn, according to PDE, does actually include most of what we refer to as Brownstone Brooklyn.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at March 3, 2009 4:08 PM
"okay - so there is going to be a strong Manc contingent at the get together then."
That would be perfect. For you Brits who haven't been to Floyd NYC, they show European football Saturday and Sunday mornings - perhaps it will be a potential hangout for you in the future. It was voted best place in NY to watch European football.
Posted by: Biff Champion at March 3, 2009 4:09 PM
Oops, we don't know that. Where is that report? Geez, I have work to do today.
Posted by: mopar at March 3, 2009 4:09 PM
One curmudgeon à la mode, coming up.
Posted by: SnarkSlope at March 3, 2009 4:11 PM
cobble--whether or not the What and BHO are the same person they are serving a similar purpose here and that is the point. I am back to not caring if they are one and the same. that's my new position and I'm sticking to it! Haha--ask me next week.
Posted by: wasder at March 3, 2009 4:11 PM
still wrong mopar...
Brownstone median price up 12% year over year with 2 families showing a 9% decline (coincidentally the same as quarter on quarter)
Brownstone median price was down 2% quarter on quarter, not year on year.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at March 3, 2009 4:11 PM
Go Chelsea.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at March 3, 2009 4:12 PM
Benson, all I see in NY Mag is an article about Manhattan prices and no comments.
Posted by: mopar at March 3, 2009 4:14 PM
Not really a big soccer fan.
But I do like beer so I'm sure Floyd NYC will do just fine.
Posted by: etson at March 3, 2009 4:14 PM
take it outside lads
Posted by: dittoburg at March 3, 2009 4:15 PM
Handbags at 20 paces.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at March 3, 2009 4:17 PM
LOL wasder! My opinions change from week to week as well on any given 'character' here - other than the logins I have actually met!
Posted by: cobblehiller at March 3, 2009 4:18 PM
"Brownstone median price up 12% year over year with 2 families showing a 9% decline (coincidentally the same as quarter on quarter). Brownstone median price was down 2% quarter on quarter, not year on year."
Oh man, this is a horse of a different color!
It's no wonder two families overall showed a decline, considering subprime Brooklyn is full of them and they're off 40 percent. But overall these are very, very strong numbers. It is what we have been saying (or what I have been saying?): Some areas and types of housing in Brooklyn are doing very very well. Others not so much.
Brooklyn, she is vast.
Miss Muffet and BHO are not moving any time soon!
Posted by: mopar at March 3, 2009 4:21 PM
Also, note all the people on the Forum saying this is a great time to buy. (I agree.) Interest rates are still low, even if that was the whole problem to start with. In the early 90s, rates were at 20 percent.
Posted by: mopar at March 3, 2009 4:25 PM
Much Ado About Nothing.
Brooklyn RE Prices Post back up^^^^^^^^^^^^
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at March 3, 2009 4:33 PM
Where's BRG????? She posted three times under that Yemeni restaurant.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at March 3, 2009 4:44 PM
DIBS, I thought you said she was traveling until tomorrow?
Posted by: cobblehiller at March 3, 2009 4:49 PM
She also posted on the hotel thread. Did she post yesterday?
Posted by: bxgrl at March 3, 2009 4:53 PM
Yes, thats what she told me but she's been lurking. She posted yesterday as well and actually made some snarky remarks about the whole "Swa*#^*ing Imbroglio"
I had a question for her about the waiters at the Yemeni place.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at March 3, 2009 4:57 PM
Lindt Chocolate, mates!
I'll be back in town tomorrow.
My wireless service has been hit and miss. I'm posting from my phone which is a bitch....just like it's owner.
DIBS...waiters at Yemen Cafe are not gay!
Posted by: bayridgegirl at March 3, 2009 5:13 PM
And can everybody please tell Mr. B that Yemen is not in Africa.
It's really upseting me that he screwed that up. My peeps need some love and recognition.
Posted by: bayridgegirl at March 3, 2009 5:20 PM
"....please tell Mr. B that Yemen is not in Africa."
ACK! I can't believe he did that...I'll go make a comment now.
Posted by: cobblehiller at March 3, 2009 5:29 PM
Oops! I see you already did!
Posted by: cobblehiller at March 3, 2009 5:35 PM
Maybe he was using Sarah Palin's Atlas.
Posted by: Biff Champion at March 3, 2009 5:36 PM
And he called it Yemen instead of Aden. I'll have to talk to my fellow imperialist brits about this.
Posted by: dittoburg at March 3, 2009 5:51 PM
well, Yemen is right next to Africa, across the gulf of Aden from Somalia (where all the pirates are). but it is definitely part of the Arabian penninsula, which of course is in Asia, and which was always physically attached to Africa at its northern edge (the Sinai Peninsula) until the French built the Suez canal and separated the two continents. Yemen is very interesting, the urban houses are architecturally ambitious. Very few Americans go there. I was there ten years ago, really loved it.
Posted by: sam at March 3, 2009 7:15 PM
Are you imperialist guys gonna want us to be a colony again, dittoburg?
Posted by: bxgrl at March 3, 2009 7:16 PM
seems like we are doing a good job of re-colonizing already
Posted by: etson at March 3, 2009 8:17 PM
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