bheightsejp's Profile
- Eric bheightsejp@yahoo.com
- 2006
- 2007
- Brooklyn
- Brooklyn Heights
- House
- professional
- Male
- 30
Author's Posts
October 7, 2007
Brownstone Pride
We have been insulted. Our posts have been ridiculed. But we are here, queer and proud to be a part of Brownstone Brooklyn. At the suggestion of other gay and lesbian posters and other gay men and women I have met in Brooklyn, I am starting a new thread to put out the idea of a gay and lesbian meet and greet in a park or other public place to bring together gay Brownstoners in an informal and fun atmosphere. Many of us have been defending each other from bigoted posts on this site. Let's celebrate our place in our neighborhoods. Any suggestions?
September 26, 2007
Pom Juice Stain on Granite
When my granite counter tops were installed a few months ago, I was told a solvent-based sealer called an "impregnator" was applied once or twice to protect the surface from stains. At first, it did seem to delay how long something could set in and I made sure any spills would be wiped up as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, some pomegranate juice was spilled on one of the counters and not wiped up immediately, causing a dark area. Is there anything I can do to diminish the impact of stain besides covering it over with a fruit bowl? Should I have the counters re-sealed?
September 24, 2007
Bathroom Fixture Chrome
I have one bathroom I would like to keep "period" as it is the only one in the house that has not been udated over the years to Salmon, Gold, and Avocado tubs, sinks, and toilets which I had to change. The marble is in good shape but the metal fixtures need some help. Has anyone had experience with having metal fixtures re-chromed? Any suggestions on places that do this and if so, did you think it was worth the cost?
September 12, 2007
Salvage Sale
Last weekend's architectural salvage sale was a tremendous event. When I was restoring my house, I traveled a great deal to find bits and pieces to bring back the original look. I certainly hope we have more local sales of this genre of antiques.
August 27, 2007
Easement Deductions
I saw the article in New York about the National Architecture Trust and easement deductions for federal tax deductions. There is a post on Brownstoner from 2005 about this organization. I have received information from them about donating 1% of my house value and my facade so that it is not changed. A 15% deduction is attractive but I think that where my house is already landmarked I would be outside of my rights for that deduction. There definitely seems to be more negative than positive feedback about this group. Is anyone else more familiar with wise courses of actions?
August 23, 2007
Street Smell in Heights
Has anyone noticed a sweet, unpleasant smell on Henry Street or Montague Street this week. I have thankfully ruled out my house which has enough problems and determined that something is in the air. I met the man of my dreams here on Brownstoner and he is coming over Friday so if I can at least have a valid excuse for the smell it would help.
August 21, 2007
Alarm systems
I am not comfortable with the alarm system that came with my house. I would prefer to have an entry door camera but do not think it would pass historic zoning regulations. Any suggestions for effective systems?
August 16, 2007
socializing
I have just begun living full time in Brooklyn Heights after managing a complete home restoration from a distance for 2 years. Are there any gay establishments in the neighborhood for the relationship-oriented man. I am 30 and feel very much like a stranger without a good sense of my surroundings. It would be nice to meet other men in the area who are interested in good conversation and I promise not to talk endlessly of exhausting battle to bring an hold house back.
August 15, 2007
decorative painter wanted
I am looking for a very talented and well-trained decorative painter to restore some faux marble baseboards in some of my guest bedrooms.
Author's Comments
Thank you all for your feedback. I am an optimist, so I will assume the bigoted comments and disgusting cruising advice was submitted in jest. I am looking for another gay man to date as opposed to a straight man, so to the people who feel I am marginalizing myself, I agree. If a member of a minority is looking for another member of that minority, I must be specific in my request. To the man from Park Slope who left a kind message and any other kind people who take my request as a new neighbor seriously, my email address for this purpose is bheightsejp@yahoo.com. I bought a house in Brooklyn because everyone told me how open-minded and diverse the population was in general. I am from New England, so perhaps my small town nature has given me too much hope. Even so, the people in Brooklyn Heights I have met so far have been quite wonderful and interesting but staight and married. So, email me if you are interested but to those who are using my post as some sort of aggression exercise, please refrain from writing me.
Posted by: bheightsejp at August 19, 2007 7:10 PM in response to socializing
Maria, or Harvey which is probably your real name, I know some wonderful therapists who could help you. Using me as your pinata for frustration and low self-esteem is an honor for me, truly, but I only have so much time. If money is an issue, there are many low-cost options for someone like you. Rest assured Maria (Harvey) and the unfortunate person looking for clown bars, from now on I will stick to blogging about house restoration. The tip about the lesbians in Park Slope was a great one. I no longer have need to ask for "leisure" advice on Brownstoner.
Posted by: bheightsejp at August 20, 2007 3:25 PM in response to socializing
Rats. They happen. Even if you have the cleanest, nicest, most expensive place in New York, the freak storms and flooding subway tunnels have been causing a diaspora.
Posted by: bheightsejp at August 21, 2007 5:10 PM in response to What's that smell?
You could also look at the site of restoration hardware. Even if you do not buy their over-priced fixtures, they have some nice pictures of complete bathrooms with the vibe you want. Once you see a picture of a completed bathroom, it is easier to take that picture to a salvage shop or hardware store to pick out what you want. Good luck.
Posted by: bheightsejp at August 25, 2007 2:00 PM in response to First time renovating bathroom- What inspires you in the design process??
I think it WAS that tree and some unfortunate fluid on the street. It seems to have gone away.
Posted by: bheightsejp at August 25, 2007 2:03 PM in response to Street Smell in Heights
For books, I would suggest "Bricks and Brownstones" by Charles Lockwood. That book will give you some ideas on the look that you would like. I also liked "Renovating Old Houses" by George Nash. But the most help I got when restoring my house was from the National Trust. They have a really good magazine and other resources. "This Old House Magazine" and website is a good albeit cliche resource as well. I think you are a bookseller so you should be able to find the other books easily. By the way, you wouldn't have any first edition Edith Whartons around would you?
Posted by: bheightsejp at August 26, 2007 3:19 PM in response to intro to rehabbing--book recommendations
An inepxpensive re-do will ADD value and you will not lose your money. A new owner would rather live with a neat and workable finished bathroom till they can afford to change it rather than inherit one that gives them no choice but to factor in how much it will cost THEM to do it therefore affecting the offer.
Posted by: bheightsejp at August 27, 2007 4:29 PM in response to Should we renovate our bathroom before selling?
The terms are that the facade is owned by a preservation organization only in that it cannot be torn down or altered, thereby destroying the historical integrity of the building. That detail is not my concern because the house is already landmarked so I couldn't and a future owner couldn't destroy or alter the facade anyway.
Posted by: bheightsejp at August 28, 2007 9:41 AM in response to Easement Deductions
From someone who has dealth with this issue and stupidly tried to solve the problem for myself, I would suggest you hire a lawyer who is familiar with these tax issues to search for the needed information for you. It will save you money in the long run.
Posted by: bheightsejp at September 13, 2007 10:11 AM in response to Worried About Tax Abatement
Responses to Author's Forum Comments
" You can't even support one another"
I'm SOOO confused. so all those people who make fun of of park slope moms are GAY?
wait a minute. not true at all. straight men and women bashing people who decided to stay in nyc to procreate.
and if george bush were gay, i should stand it line behind him because we need to "support one another"
what in god's name does being gay or straight or black or pink ever meant that we should support them because of that?
what ever happened to supporting someone because you agree with them? now we support someone because of who they sleep with?
uhhh. you've got some SERIOUS issues.
Posted by: guest at October 8, 2007 4:20 PM in response to Brownstone Pride
Maria...I'm happy to post the thread that you were on where it was pretty much obvious to every person that you are a sicko.
The poster said at the outset they they were looking for a relationship oriented man and as a newcomer, wanted to know where to meet them.
your subsequent comments portrayed you as an EXTREMELY unintelligent and ignorant "woman."
Posted by: guest at October 8, 2007 4:25 PM in response to Brownstone Pride
Let's play asshole Mad Libs!
Everyone gets insulted once in a while, if that's going to take some skin off your back, you should have stayed __________!
in the kitchen
in the ghetto
at the kiddie table
in Bumfuck, Nebraska
in the closet
on the short bus
in Africa
in the suburbs
in Puerto Rico
Fun!
Thanks, Maria!
Posted by: guest at October 8, 2007 4:43 PM in response to Brownstone Pride
mmm...bumfuck...
you HAD to say that on a gay post didn't you...!!!
Posted by: guest at October 8, 2007 4:47 PM in response to Brownstone Pride
So, did you get any posts that agreed with you and want to join your group?
Posted by: guest at October 8, 2007 5:11 PM in response to Brownstone Pride
he he 3:43 - that's funny.
Posted by: guest at October 8, 2007 5:55 PM in response to Brownstone Pride
Love to work for Gay people.
I treat them with respect and they just do the same.
Respect it's all it counts.
I tried to translate this poem to English and this is what I ended up with:
Be yourself
Try to be happy
But first of all
Be yourself
Se tu,
e intenta ser feliz.
pero ante todo,
Se tu.
Posted by: guest at October 8, 2007 8:09 PM in response to Brownstone Pride
Yes 5:11...me, I am the 11 am poster and said count me in.
I still think it's a good idea. So good, I am going to post my e-mail for an invite: eliz181144@aol.com.
Anyone, like minded to the OP, who wnats to get together, hang and enjoy our homes/renovations together - feel free to write. Any haters - you can write too...
Posted by: guest at October 8, 2007 8:14 PM in response to Brownstone Pride
This whole thing seems very gay to me.
Let's watch football.
Posted by: guest at October 8, 2007 9:26 PM in response to Brownstone Pride
football players have such great asses.
Posted by: guest at October 8, 2007 10:43 PM in response to Brownstone Pride
I have a friend on my street here in Brooklyn Heights who had "something" in his house. Some Jehovah's Witnesses gave him a bible and told him to leave it open to Psalms 83:18 and read it aloud when you hear anything. I guess the name of God scares spirits away. Personally, I am an atheist, but who knows these days?
Posted by: bheightsejp at August 15, 2007 12:13 PM in response to Ghosts