"ENY- What!? A woman actually told that well guarded female secret! She is so out of the club!"

I have always considered that one of the greatest gifts anyone has ever given me.

Hey Snappy - don't sweat it. I'm sure you have some pretty good tricks of your own. You're a lady, after all.

Posted by: East New York at November 20, 2009 4:16 PM in response to Open Thread

The best tip I ever got from a girl who was a friend (and not my "girlfriend") was that a girl is flirting with you if she starts playing with her hair when she knows you're looking at her.

Posted by: East New York at November 20, 2009 4:07 PM in response to Open Thread

"she HAAAAAAAAAATED Dolly Parton because my grandfather was fixated with her!!! called her a sl*t and a c*nt. like out of no where. the tv would be on with the news and my grandmother would be like dolly parton is a SL*t!!!! and me and my grandfather would look at each other like okaaaaaaaaaay she is just crazy."

That's funny, Rob. I'd have been cracking up!

Posted by: East New York at November 20, 2009 4:00 PM in response to Open Thread

"Rap needs to go back to what it was when we had Public Enemy, BDP/KRS One, X Clan...that type of stuff."

Totally agreed. Except add Das EFX, Jeru, Erik B and Rakim and Kool G Rap and subtract X-Clan.

Posted by: East New York at November 20, 2009 3:59 PM in response to Open Thread

Whitney can sing. No question. But I can't STAND her songs! So many of them are similar - she's singing softly in the beginning and by the end, she's screaming her damned head off. I could easily write a Whitney song - "OK Whitney, start off real soft and moany, then about 2/3 of the way through this MF, start yelling like you're a human fire alarm!" Same crap with Celine Dion.

Posted by: East New York at November 20, 2009 3:40 PM in response to Open Thread

"24 dollars was a lot back then tho!"

It was a lot back then. And in a sense the Dutch were behaving in a far more enlightened manner than other colonials by PAYING Native Americans for their land. If the English, Spanish, etc. decided to colonize the place first, they'd have just killed and enslaved the Native Americans and taken the land.

Posted by: East New York at November 20, 2009 3:35 PM in response to Open Thread

"benson, your feelings towards historic preservation remind me of my feelings about ice hockey. I just don't get it."

You have to keep your eye on the puck.

Posted by: East New York at November 20, 2009 3:32 PM in response to New Cafe for The Heights

"ENY, lol, but that song's appeal is from the video...watching those thighs! LOL"

Beyonce is overrated. I see better-looking chicks in the subway. She does have good thighs, I agree. But she can't sing worth a sh*t and IMHO is about as intriguing as a traffic cone. Not that anyone cares about what I think about Beyonce.

Posted by: East New York at November 20, 2009 3:23 PM in response to Open Thread

"http://www.collegehumor.com/video:1924592"

Someone needs to give those guys a piss test.

"Beyonce's "Single Ladies"

I HATE that song! You're single. I get it!

Posted by: East New York at November 20, 2009 3:10 PM in response to Open Thread

"true diversity is being around and interacting with people who have differing opinions and worldviews"

He's got something there.

Posted by: East New York at November 20, 2009 2:59 PM in response to New Cafe for The Heights

"It is one thing to say "I appreciate restoring old buildings to their 19th or 20th century glory and love to live in such housing." It is another thing entirely to say "There is no room for appreciation of old buildings that go modern or newly built modern buildings because they are automatically shit boxes sense they don't try to copy 19th or 20th century homes."

Yeah, I'd agree. There's really room for both.

Posted by: East New York at November 20, 2009 1:01 PM in response to Open Thread

"No comments about the "Huge bust at hipster drug den?"

Those guys are going to jail for a long, long time.

Posted by: East New York at November 20, 2009 12:12 PM in response to Friday Links

"if the giants don't beat the falcons without michael turner, the season is over."

Agreed.

"m4l, you really only need to beat then by 1 to win."

It'll take it!

Posted by: East New York at November 20, 2009 11:39 AM in response to Open Thread

"ENY, we crushing the falcons this Sun? looking like no turner on field. we need to beat them something like 27 to 16 or something"

I am in complete agreement. If they don't break out in this game, the season is on life support. Time to get going!

Posted by: East New York at November 20, 2009 11:37 AM in response to Open Thread

Sorry about that ditto, I didn't know! Yeah, maybe it's better you don't suggest that to Mrs. Ditto. Just a hunch.

Posted by: East New York at November 20, 2009 11:35 AM in response to 868 Metropolitan Sells Out in Less Than Two Months

"Dave, maybe he is an American Indian lol."

That was a good one.

Posted by: East New York at November 20, 2009 10:38 AM in response to Open Thread

Hey DH, ditto - there's nothing like eyewitness testimony. You don't have to get married to anyone or anything, just go see what's up. Man, things have changed since I was single.

Posted by: East New York at November 20, 2009 10:37 AM in response to 868 Metropolitan Sells Out in Less Than Two Months

How come you never checked out the strip club, DH? You're a single guy and it's in your neighborhood. What are you some kind of bigot or something? I don't understand.

Posted by: East New York at November 20, 2009 10:09 AM in response to 868 Metropolitan Sells Out in Less Than Two Months

It's an international company with highly paid marketing types, a big part of whose job is to study where to locate stores. It's possible their analysis of the marketplace and the potential for success surpasses even Mr. Brownstoner's. It'll be interesting to see what happens.

Posted by: East New York at November 20, 2009 10:04 AM in response to Huh? Benetton for Bed Stuy Stretch of Bedford Avenue

From the first post:

"But the story of 65th Street illustrates a problem often cited by housing advocates: Dangerous, illegal apartments often exist in plain sight, under the noses of overworked building inspectors whose job is to discover and fine violators, and of neighbors and workers who are not responsible for combating illegal apartments but may see or learn of unsafe situations."

And residents quoted in the Times story also say Con Ed (which Mayor Bloomberg often defends) visited the place and did repairs, not once reporting that the residence was illegal. Want to talk about crime? There's some REAL criminal activity going on here.

Posted by: East New York at November 20, 2009 9:55 AM in response to Friday Links

Today' PR lesson:

Never name your airline advocacy group "Mayday."

http://www.maydayairjamaica.com/

Posted by: East New York at November 20, 2009 9:41 AM in response to Open Thread

"no. if it was art it would be spray painted Gold."

Good point.

Posted by: East New York at November 19, 2009 4:35 PM in response to Closing Bell: Crash Time in Williamsburg

Perhaps this is "art."

Posted by: East New York at November 19, 2009 4:22 PM in response to Closing Bell: Crash Time in Williamsburg

"Someone parked their car so it was in the middle of the meter, therefore taking up two metered spots. WHY?!?!?!?!"

To piss you off. It worked.

Posted by: East New York at November 19, 2009 4:20 PM in response to Open Thread

"Ungentrified?" Why, those mattresses are the very essence of the 20-something/Williamsburg hipster/illegal loft dweller aesthetic!

They're even sitting RIGHT ON THE SIDEWALK, which is where 78.4% of 20-something/Williamsburg hipster/illegal loft dwellers acquire their home furnishings.

Posted by: East New York at November 19, 2009 4:05 PM in response to Closing Bell: Crash Time in Williamsburg

Nothing says "class" like an aluminum awning (sarcasm). Like Dave, I have a photo of my house when it had the cloth awnings, and I don't like them too much better, although it's hard to tell their exact appearance from a picture taken 70 years ago. The Montrose Morris home in today's post has several of them.

Posted by: East New York at November 19, 2009 4:02 PM in response to Development Watch: Turnaround at 424 Waverly Avenue

"We could all learn something from Miss Muffett."

You certainly could. Your out-of-control ranting about admittedly legitimate issues only gives credence to the "wild man" image most people already have of many writers (I'm a writer myself). Bottom line, you come off as a nut case.

Posted by: East New York at November 19, 2009 2:53 PM in response to 150 Bond Finally Sells—For a Loss

"Well, if she was right, ENY, that call is up there with the Babe Ruth home run shot after pointing to the bleachers."

No kidding. I totally didn't believe her until it was confirmed. But she was always pulling surprises on me. Anyway, in the end having a son was just like a Babe Ruth shot into the bleachers. A home run in every sense of the word. He's even left-handed!

Posted by: East New York at November 19, 2009 1:15 PM in response to Open Thread

"ENY, not to be a doubter, but how the hell do you know that was the time she got pregnant (assuming that wasn't the only time within a few week period that you two had sex)?"

She went to the doctor a few days afterward and was tested. She was big on going to the doctor. The test came up positive. As near as we could figure she was on the money.

Posted by: East New York at November 19, 2009 1:05 PM in response to Open Thread

"I had heartburn that felt like I swallowed a flaming ball of shrapnel. The pain was so bad it was making me vomit (T.M.I. sorry)."

Wait until the kid is in his/her teens and you start meeting some of their friends. Sigh.

Posted by: East New York at November 19, 2009 12:52 PM in response to Open Thread

My ex-wife was able to "call the shot" when my son was conceived. We were having sex and the moment of truth came. She said, "I just got pregnant." I was like, "Huh?!?" (the typical male response). She said, "I can tell." She was right.

Posted by: East New York at November 19, 2009 12:34 PM in response to Open Thread

Microphone checka. One, two check.

Posted by: East New York at November 19, 2009 11:25 AM in response to Open Thread

"The money the city wants to spend on this contract would be far better used as a means to reduce class sizes and build more schools," Thompson said."

Yeah, how about that?

Posted by: East New York at November 19, 2009 11:23 AM in response to Thompson Dissing Bloomie on HOD Again

"what about the hardships of the families who bought into the real estate bubble hype and find themselves on the streets because they lost their jobs and they are upside down in their mortgage?"

You're projecting the sufferings of an entire group of people on this one house seller? Time for a piss-test.

Posted by: East New York at November 19, 2009 11:21 AM in response to 150 Bond Finally Sells—For a Loss

"ENY: "Repeat after me: Let's go Red Sox"
[clap clap / clap clap clap]"

I'd kill myself first.

Posted by: East New York at November 19, 2009 11:07 AM in response to Open Thread

Another great column. Fascinating history. Thanks, Montrose.

Posted by: East New York at November 19, 2009 11:01 AM in response to Walkabout: Montrose Morris - Full Circle

tyburg6:

"I think "affordable housing" works for everyone!"

Posted by: East New York at November 19, 2009 11:00 AM in response to Open Thread

"best wishes to doggiecgar!"

Same here.

Posted by: East New York at November 18, 2009 4:02 PM in response to Open Thread

Will it not look like a smart choice if the arena is not built?

Posted by: East New York at November 18, 2009 3:59 PM in response to Streetlevel: Vinnie's Styles Opening New Store on Flatbush

As badly as he Giants have played, they're only a game out of first place.

Posted by: East New York at November 18, 2009 12:30 PM in response to Open Thread

"If I don't take her calls, she calls my mother non-stop so my mom is ready to kill me."

Just move. Whoops! Nevermind.

Posted by: East New York at November 18, 2009 12:20 PM in response to Open Thread

"Just packing up and moving because the LL/super has pissed you off is breaking the contract and considered "self-help."

Just for the record, I wasn't advocating packing up and moving suddenly for this reason. But if you are in say, a dangerous situation regarding a building's maintenance (like that illegal building in Bed Stuy profiled here recently), I'd say it's time to plan your escape if at all possible. Obviously these are case-to-case situations. But anyone who goes on the Internet to ask advice about moving should be prepared for a few "just move" responses. It's rather silly to seek advice in a public forum and then complain about the quality of the advice you receive.

Posted by: East New York at November 18, 2009 12:17 PM in response to Open Thread

"I guess, East New York, you are just dripping with extra cash and can just move any time you want. That's great. I'm happy for you. Just don't suggest this as an option for most renters."

Nah, I'm not lush with extra cash, and wasn't when I rented my last place. But I was OK enough to get it together and plan a move.I have had also had periods in my past when I had to move rather quickly. It's never "easy" but few things worth having are easy to obtain. Welcome to the grown-up world. Sometimes "just move" IS the only option, and you have to prepare for that. That's all I'm saying.

Posted by: East New York at November 18, 2009 11:55 AM in response to Open Thread

What fsrg said. If some of you people had been around 25 years ago to see what this space and the surrounding area was, you might change your tune.

Posted by: East New York at November 18, 2009 11:51 AM in response to Atlantic Terminal Station: So Close!

I think people here know my feelings about Pintchik (it stinks) but I agree the strip is turning out nicely. It certainly has come a long way from the days when my ex-wife's girlfriend operated a beauty parlor in one of these spaces. That said, I'm afraid "mid-century furniture" in that space is code for "overpriced." But that doesn't mean they won't find a market in the neighborhood.

Posted by: East New York at November 18, 2009 11:50 AM in response to Coming to Bergen: Mid-Century Furniture Dealer

"ENY - when you try to lease your rental do you go thru a broker and require a security deposit/last months' rent up front?"

No, I found my last rental (in 2000, one year before I bought my house) through checking ads and talking to folks. No broker. I found an apartment at 521 Dean St. in PH, rented my own U-Haul, got some friends/family together, and moved mny sh*t out of my previous place at 415 Bergen St. The new LL did require last month's rent and security upfront, but I didn't find that unusual. I had timed things so I was just about up on my lease at 415 Bergen, so no "overlapping." All it took was some hard work, planning and foresight. Whining is for suckers.

Posted by: East New York at November 18, 2009 11:43 AM in response to Open Thread

Nicholas Cage is broke

http://tinyurl.com/yfgdcro

Posted by: East New York at November 18, 2009 11:01 AM in response to Open Thread

"can we STOP saying things like, "You should just move." "There's plenty of apartments out there."

No. There ARE plenty of apartments out there. Just move your ass or don't. But stop whining about it. You're actually making me agree with Rob.

Posted by: East New York at November 18, 2009 10:57 AM in response to Open Thread

I think this is a pretty good looking building, of its kind. Certainly better than anything on 4th Avenue. Hopefully there are no leaks.

Posted by: East New York at November 17, 2009 12:31 PM in response to NV Now 85% Sold

"ill wear a disguise."

Let me guess: a "long, blonde wig" right?

Posted by: East New York at November 17, 2009 12:29 PM in response to New Bar Opening in Prospect Heights