Did someone just fart?

Posted by: benson at November 20, 2009 3:44 PM in response to New Cafe for The Heights

Minard;

If this blog were solely about preservation, you would be spot on. However, please note that Mr. B. fashions this blog to be about Brooklyn (see the tagline above "Brooklyn Inside and Out"). He talks about new developments, Brooklyn politics, crime and even the restaurant scene.

I like Brooklyn, in all its aspects. Hence I read this blog, and comment where I will.

In sum, your post is not relevant, except to show that there are a good number of people on this site who want to turn it into an amen corner. Rob's point above about diversity is dead on.

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

Jackal;

Point well taken.

Actually, if you click on my profile, you will see that my frequency of posting is waaaaayyyyy down. Might be down even further in the future.

Posted by: benson at November 20, 2009 2:45 PM in response to Open Thread

Cobblehiller;

I admitted in the thread that the "fart" comment was grumpy. Other then that, I did not go personal on anyone. BTW: thanks for the characterization of me.

THL;

That church comment was not meant for BRG. There were many subsequent threads on that church and there MANY posts by MANY people to the same effect.

Once again I say: I did not go personal on this issue.

Posted by: benson at November 20, 2009 2:36 PM in response to Open Thread

Hi folks;

I admitted above that my "fart" comment was grumpy. Beyond that, I fail to see why folks chose to go personal on this. I won't respond to it, however.

Posted by: benson at November 20, 2009 2:30 PM in response to New Cafe for The Heights

Hi folks;

Back from a meeting.

Here is a question for THL, Bxgrl, Snappy (since you said you agree with THL's post) and MM. Let me use THL's characterization of me:

"Oh yeah, Benson has a point alright.

Unfortunately it's mired with his usual tired condescension, personal digs and a loathing for those who would aspire to preserve the historical architecture of a great city.

Bully for him and his lofty open mindedness.

LOL!!!"

May I ask someone to point out where I made a personal dig today? Other than being snarky in my "fart" comment in the cafe thread, I think I kept this above-board.

I appreciate 11217 and Denton's post, though I disagree with them.

Posted by: benson at November 20, 2009 2:24 PM in response to Open Thread

THL;

Oh so clever. I am no match for such wit.

Posted by: benson at November 20, 2009 12:54 PM in response to Open Thread

Montrose;

Mr. B. has expanded this website way beyond the coverage of old brownstones and their restoration. He covers new development work, social issues, heck even crime stories. As a person who has a deep interest in Brooklyn, I therefore read his site, and comment. I might add that I comment at Mr. B.'s pleasure. If he doesn't want my commentary in this site, he can ban me, as he has done with others.

I don't begrudge him his love for brownstones and their restoration. What I dislike is his making it a virtue, and disparaging those who think differently.

IJ has my perspective summarized nicely.

Posted by: benson at November 20, 2009 12:46 PM in response to Open Thread

One more point:

-Instead of sneering at these renovations and venacular material, why don't the people on this site who have some artistic talent create some new, PRACTICAL materials that have a higher aesthetic standard? Why not be creative, instead of being elitist?

Posted by: benson at November 20, 2009 12:30 PM in response to Open Thread

That Waverly thread yesterday encapsulated exactly why I dislike Mr. B and his mindset. Allow me to explain:

-If I had to give an award between the two owners (the fiberama guy and the "restorer"), I'd give it to the former. Why so? Because his renovation is more authentic and practical. Obviously, he or she was a person of more modest means and as such, worked with venacular materials at hand (read: Home Depot). Like it or not, the venacular materials of our day are those one sees in the suburbs: fake stone fronts, acrylic awanings, etc. In case you don't realize it, the vast majority of wealth in this country is in the suburbs, and THAT is where the manufacturers of commerical building materials will aim their product offerings. What is a guy like this supposed to do? As I see it, he did exactly what a guy in his situation was supposed to do, and bravo for him. Would you rather he just live with decrepit doors and windows, so that he not offend your aesthetic sensibilities?

-On the other hand, the person who is upgrading this building obviously has means. What does he do? Recreates a 19th-century facade, even though it had been completely obliterated. Talk about intellectual and artistic bankruptcy. I get it: 19th century brownstone Brooklyn was nirvana, and all that we in the 21st century can do is to fabricate adult Disneylands where we recreate this lost aesthetic paradise. I guess that we no longer need architects to create new idioms. Please.

-I also resent the sneering that goes on towards the "fiberama" renovations (to put a name on it). Again I ask: if you were in these people's shoes, and had modest means, and other more pressing concerns in life, what would you do?? What venacular material would you advise that they use?? I guess this guy should consider himself lucky though, in that he was only branded a philistine. If we were talking about a developer or a pastor of a 30-person church, then we roll out words like "greedy" or "corrupt".

-Finally, I tire of the mis-use of the word "historic". Old private homes are largely not "historic". They may be fine old homes, but there is nothing "historic" about them, except perhaps in the architectural sense. History is the study of past public affairs, not private quarters.

Posted by: benson at November 20, 2009 12:23 PM in response to Open Thread

Nomi;

Varied??? Really??? Could have fooled me on the Waverly thread.

Posted by: benson at November 20, 2009 11:57 AM in response to New Cafe for The Heights

"Dave, Beoch went there after DH's recommendations and loved it. You should ask her for the review."

Are we allowed to mention this person on the OT????

;-)

Posted by: benson at November 20, 2009 11:31 AM in response to Open Thread

Minard;

Well, I am a bit grumpy today. Kinda fed up with the Brownstoner mindset. If I have time today, I'll write a rant about it in the OT. That post yesterday about the "restoration" on Waverly Ave. made my blood pressure go up.

Posted by: benson at November 20, 2009 10:51 AM in response to New Cafe for The Heights

Guess who I saw last night? Al Gore! He is the keynote speaker at the conference I am attending (SuperComputing 09 in Portland, Oregon).

Allow me to summarize Al's speech: "Repent your evil carbon ways, for the end is near!!!"

DIBS: thanks for the recommendation about Jake's. Excellent!!

I have a huge rant to write, but no time now. Maybe later. Stay tuned.

Posted by: benson at November 20, 2009 10:32 AM in response to Open Thread

Cute = looks like the walls have accumulated 100 years of farts on them, even though the place is brand new.

Posted by: benson at November 20, 2009 10:18 AM in response to New Cafe for The Heights

"It's possible their analysis of the marketplace and the potential for success surpasses even Mr. Brownstoner's. "

What?!?!?! Impossible!!!! Mr. B. and his amen corner have a lock on good taste.

Posted by: benson at November 20, 2009 10:13 AM in response to Huh? Benetton for Bed Stuy Stretch of Bedford Avenue

"After all, it is the corps that contribute all the money to pols and lobbyists. "

Pete, that is so not true. The top contributors to Albany politicians are the teacher's union and local 1199, BY FAR. Every year the papers document the top lobbyists.

DIBS,

Thanks for the recommendation.

Posted by: benson at November 18, 2009 9:24 AM in response to Wednesday Links

First??

Greetings from Portland, Oregon!

Posted by: benson at November 18, 2009 9:19 AM in response to Open Thread

DIBS;

Greetings from Portland, Oregon.

I see that you're holding down the fort while I'm on the road!

Posted by: benson at November 18, 2009 9:17 AM in response to Wednesday Links

Snappy's e-mail is the only one that makes sense here. If you read the article carefully, you will see that the couple is going after the sponsor to fix the leaks, which is as it should be. Corcoran was hit just for not turning over e-mails.

As to the armchair generals who claim that this couple should have spotted the problems before they bought (via an engineer's report) or that these leaks are proof of shoddy construction, all I can say is that they have obviously never dealt with new construction.

Virtually all new construction, irrespective of quality, will have start-up problems. A new house is not like an automobile that is built in a factory. It must interact with the ground conditions, the sewer system system, etc.

Just as an example: after my condo was built, it was discovered that the basement spaces were experiencing back-up due to the undersized sewer system in the area. The Sponsor had to come back and install back-up prevention systems.

Finally, it is customary for a new condo and coop to hire an engineer to look at the common areas after they move in, for the reasons just discussed. Home inspectors are not engineers, and are not qualified to inspect these items. They only inspect the interior.

Posted by: benson at November 17, 2009 10:50 AM in response to Corcoran Found Negligent in Park Slope Condo Sale

Ya think you might want to wait until the facade is built, before you render a final judgement?

Posted by: benson at November 16, 2009 6:55 PM in response to Development Watch: S#!tbox on Underhill

Hey folks;

I'm on a gruelling road trip right now. Yesterday, Wisconsin, today Denver, tomorrow San Jose and so on. Won't be around for a couple of weeks. Happy posting!

Posted by: benson at November 12, 2009 9:46 AM in response to Open Thread

"Rob is gonna lump you with all the other
wimp husbands in ParkSLope"

LOL!!! Remember when Rob told FSRG that, and he responded that he'd meet him in any bar in Park Slope and kick his a#s?

Posted by: benson at November 9, 2009 3:05 PM in response to Open Thread

I do the dusting, swiffering and window cleaning in my house. I clean the kitchen cabinets with Murphy's oil twice a year, and I do a complete cleaning of the refrigerator twice a year. I also load and unload the dishwasher every day, in addition to taking out the trash. Finally, I do all of my own painting. My wife is pleased with me - it's worth putting up with my blowhard tendencies.

Posted by: benson at November 9, 2009 2:59 PM in response to Open Thread

"antiques become less appealing the more you become one."

Pete,

Succinct, and to the point.

By the way, is it just me, or do any of you have the same reaction when you read those "Habitats" profiles in the Sunday NYT real estate section. Invariably they show you the ubiquitous "creative professional" couple (straight or gay)who have the following characteristics:

-rich;

-they have enormous collections of MANY different items, which they just happened to pick up on their world-wide travel (as they were being "creative professionals");

-they did all the extensive renovations by themselves.

Who are these people???????

Posted by: benson at November 9, 2009 2:35 PM in response to Open Thread

I think we are seeing divine intervention in action here.

Here is what Rob wrote this morning:

"so i had an intervention last night :-( my roommate and his boyfriend invited me out for a drink and pizza and said they are concerned that i spend too much time in my room alone and that i need to go out more. i guess that's like telling someone they need to get a life hahah. soooo how does one go about getting one of those btw?"

Well Rob, here is your new friend/fan/life on that Ratner thread. Remember what the Romans used to say: "Carpe Diem" (Seize the day!).

Posted by: benson at November 9, 2009 2:25 PM in response to Open Thread

CGAR;

Actually, what you said above is another part of it for us too. After a while, you realize that having alot of "stuff" weighs you down. You need a place to put it, you've got to keep it clean, etc.

My wife used to be a HUGE collector - I never was. Finally, she has come to the same realization, and now she just has a small collection of old tins.

Moving into the condo was such a break. Not only does it require less maintenance in areas like outside snow removal, but it requires minimal interior maintenance too.

Posted by: benson at November 9, 2009 2:15 PM in response to Open Thread

When we were younger, my wife and I loved to go antiquing. We used to vacation in Vermont alot, and spent half the time poking around in antique stores. At that time we had an older house and I suppose that was part of it.

When we moved to our condo 4.5 years again, we sold almost all of our furniture and stuff, and went to a more contemporary look. Now neither my wife or I have the slighest interest in antiques. I think it is a combination of our condo's look, and just getting tired of all the shopping that is necessary to score a good find. As we walked though the Flea yesterday, we both said to each other something like "Remember when we used to be interested in this stuff?".

Posted by: benson at November 9, 2009 1:59 PM in response to Open Thread

Snappy;

Actually, to tell you the truth, it smelled like a combination of moth balls and urine!! Not only did I sense that, but my wife, sister and brother-in-law said the same thing.

Posted by: benson at November 9, 2009 1:45 PM in response to Open Thread

CGAR;

J/K, though I wouldn't be surprised if something like that actually happened.

I went to the Brooklyn Flea for the first time yesterday and saw Mr. B. there. He was too engrossed in texting something, so I didn't stop to say hello.

The Flea is not my scene. I swear that it seemed that half the folks there were selling stuff from their grandparent's attic. I even detected the smell of mothballs.

Posted by: benson at November 9, 2009 1:41 PM in response to Open Thread

I think that Jscheff had something nice to say about Fedders housing. That was a comment too far for Mr. B. and his loyal minions.

Posted by: benson at November 9, 2009 1:36 PM in response to Open Thread

"Demi Moore is no longer the hottie she once was."

And when was that?? I must have missed that hottie week.

I always found that Demi had an exaggerated sense of how hot and/or beautiful she was.

Posted by: benson at November 9, 2009 1:32 PM in response to Open Thread

Hmmmm;

Those shoes won't go with the Bentley.

Posted by: benson at November 9, 2009 12:39 PM in response to Ratner Tight-Lipped on AY Details

"Kens, everyone knows by now that you design the strollers seen all over Park Slope "

CGAR;

Are you trying to make Kens persona non grata here in Brownstoner country?????

Posted by: benson at November 9, 2009 12:12 PM in response to Open Thread

THL;

Best wishes.

Posted by: benson at November 9, 2009 12:04 PM in response to Open Thread

"the wall should have been landmarked. what a travesty.

*rob*

Posted by: Butterfly at November 9, 2009 11:45 AM"

Rob;

Excellent point. I would have liked to follow the "Berlin Wall Reno" blog too.

Posted by: benson at November 9, 2009 11:50 AM in response to Open Thread

Let's see:

-shilling for the Olympics? Yes!!!! I'll bring Michelle along too!!!!

-joining other world leaders to commemorate a remarkable milestone in the advancement of freedom? Nah, too busy.

Let's also not forget:

-receiving the Dalai Lama at the White House, as every US President has done for the past 20 years? Nah, don't want to get the Chinese government upset.

-one week later, slap a heavy tariff on imported low-priced Chinese tires, to please the boys at the AFL-CIO.

Posted by: benson at November 9, 2009 11:41 AM in response to Open Thread

My daughter's apartment looks directly at this development. An utterly useless fact, but thought you might want to know.

Posted by: benson at November 9, 2009 11:35 AM in response to 21123 Revealed - And Exposed

Bruce has "FU" money. He can wear any damn shoe he pleases.

Posted by: benson at November 9, 2009 11:27 AM in response to Ratner Tight-Lipped on AY Details

Anyone remember the CB radio craze of the early 80's? There goeth Twitter, imho.

Posted by: benson at November 9, 2009 10:54 AM in response to The Flea In Tweets

Hi folks;

I'm back from a day driving my mother-in-law all around Queens, to take care of some business.

Sorry, I'm not buying the arguments above that the cost of this bridge is driven higher by the density of the city. This bridge is being built in an area of the city that is relatively low-density, especially on the Queens side.

RF: I wasn't born yesterday, and know darn well that the cost includes the interchanges (I'm a mechancial engineer).

I agree with Minard. This bridge will probably cost double the projected amount. The cost situation in NYC is outrageous.

Posted by: benson at November 6, 2009 7:04 PM in response to New Kosciuszko Bridge Won't Come Cheap

Maly;

Please refer to IMBY's comparison.

Your comparison is flawed. That bridge was built under a crash program to replace a collapsed bridge.

I would refer you to do the math in IMBY's example. 4 km = approximately almost 13,000 feet.

Posted by: benson at November 6, 2009 9:54 AM in response to New Kosciuszko Bridge Won't Come Cheap

IMBY;

Thank you!!!!

Posted by: benson at November 6, 2009 9:50 AM in response to New Kosciuszko Bridge Won't Come Cheap

Oh and Pete, one more thing.

The asking price for the Gingerbrad house was 12.5 million. Unless there is a new math out there, the cost of this bridge would therefore be 80 times that amount. Hence my order-of-magnitude statement that you were off by a factor of 100.

Posted by: benson at November 6, 2009 9:48 AM in response to New Kosciuszko Bridge Won't Come Cheap

Pete;

Nice try. It will require physical labor to build a bridge ANYWHER, and corporations will be in charge of the contracting ANYWHERE. The big difference between NYC and other places are these: unions and their onerous work rules, and the heavy regulations here.

How much would it cost to build this bridge outside of NYC?? I would wager anyone on this site that it would cost 50% less. The reason?? Once again, the toxic combination of unions, heavy taxation and onerous regulations.

Posted by: benson at November 6, 2009 9:44 AM in response to New Kosciuszko Bridge Won't Come Cheap

DIBS;

Fill in the creek?!?!?!?! Aren't you concerned about the ancient multi-ethnic burial grounds on the bottom of this creek????

You're banished from this site for 24 hours, for speaking such heresy.

Posted by: benson at November 6, 2009 9:33 AM in response to New Kosciuszko Bridge Won't Come Cheap

Uh, Pete, I think your math is off by a factor of about 100 or so. We're talking ONE BILLION DOLLARS to basically build an overpass over a small creek.

Posted by: benson at November 6, 2009 9:29 AM in response to New Kosciuszko Bridge Won't Come Cheap

Repeat this fact to yourself over and over again: ONE BILLION DOLLARS to build an insignificant bridge.

Ain't the present mix of unions and heavy regulations in NYC grand???? No wonder this town has lost most of its business sectors except those that are flush with money (Wall St.).

Remember this number when you hear all the lofty pronouncements on this site about the need for subsidized housing, unions, heavy environmental regulations, more regulation of the building trades, etc. : ONE BILLION DOLLARS to build a bridge.

Posted by: benson at November 6, 2009 9:23 AM in response to New Kosciuszko Bridge Won't Come Cheap

"I don't understand why would anyone argue against this"

Well,allow me to do so.

It is all very nice for us here on the east coast to argue for things like cap-and-trade, since we don't manufacture anything here anymore.

Who will take the hit from cap-and-trade? Manufacturers, that's who - the sector of the economy that has been hit the hardest.

You want to see the US lose the rest of its industry? Hit them up with cap-and-trade. Yeah, that's the ticket for making sure that the rest of it is packed off to China. Of course, neither China nor Indai will hear a thing about caps, because they, unlike us, still care about their manufacturing sector.

So, to anwer your question: I don't want to see our economy have another shackle put on it for the sake of some phenomenon that is not yet proven.

Posted by: benson at November 5, 2009 4:32 PM in response to Open Thread

OK, clarification. When I talk of "global warming", I mean man-made global warming.

Posted by: benson at November 5, 2009 4:27 PM in response to Open Thread