Arkady- on Huff Post/World. There's even a picture. (One of mine too!)

Posted by: bxgrl at November 20, 2009 4:35 PM in response to Open Thread

stevie- actually on occasion I have.

Posted by: bxgrl at November 20, 2009 4:27 PM in response to Open Thread

stop the presses! Galileo's missing fingers and tooth have finally be found. They've been missing since the 18th century. Thank G-d- I can rest easy tonight.

It is kind of cool tho'

Posted by: bxgrl at November 20, 2009 4:25 PM in response to Open Thread

Yeah- whatever happened to making a woman feel brand-new?

Posted by: bxgrl at November 20, 2009 4:21 PM in response to Open Thread

whatever, StevieB- I disagree with your linguistic interpretation - however I have been told by Native Americans they find "American Indian" offensive.

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

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

Posted by: bxgrl at November 20, 2009 4:10 PM in response to Open Thread

It's hard to get good help anymore, antidope :)

Posted by: bxgrl at November 20, 2009 4:07 PM in response to New Cafe for The Heights

rob- sorry, my last sentence was a little confusing. Blowfish said the term Native American was created to be pc and I meant it was more than pc- that it was more accurate. Native American means they were indigent to the continent, American Indian technically means they are people from India in the AMericas.

Posted by: bxgrl at November 20, 2009 4:06 PM in response to Open Thread

you

Posted by: bxgrl at November 20, 2009 3:53 PM in response to New Cafe for The Heights

rob- men were in the Americas as early as 50,000 years ago but homo sapiens and earlier came out of Africa so far as we know. the theory is that they were able to cross onto the continent over the Bering land Bridge and originally came from Asia. So there was no mass immigration of a culture of "American Indians." Man has been here since the Stone Age.

blowfish- American Indian is not liked by Native Americans because they feel it makes them seem like a subspecies of another culture. Columbus called the native population "indians" because he thought he had discovered a new route to India. Native American is not "pc"= its more accurate.

Posted by: bxgrl at November 20, 2009 3:49 PM in response to Open Thread

actually, there is a huge amount of diversity on brownstoner. Not just backgrounds and culture- but opinion also. And most of us enjoy it. To say it isn't is simply untrue. But what benson does is preface everything with "oh I know I'll get attacked for this because I am saying different" and he proceeds to insult other viewpoints and insist the worst of everyone. (How about that artistically and intellectually bankrupt comment?). So when he gets as good as he gives, he gets upset and complains that it's everyone else who attacks him, because, hey! he posts an unpopular viewpoint.

Wrong. It's the way he says it. Not what he says. I've had real life conversations with him- we didn't agree on a lot but we had a great conversation. In real life he's a sweetheart. So why he has to be one way online and another offline is a mystery.

Posted by: bxgrl at November 20, 2009 3:39 PM in response to New Cafe for The Heights

damn, snaps. How did I miss that? :)

Posted by: bxgrl at November 20, 2009 3:27 PM in response to Open Thread

rob- stevie is being true to his trollish nature. He's not asking anything because he wants a real conversation. (Why do you refuse to use the term Native American instead of American Indian? I do the opposite so I'm curious).

snappy- the lovable cat is a mutation. Seem to be quite a few born with several sets of ears. (The better to hear you opening up the cat food can).

Posted by: bxgrl at November 20, 2009 3:19 PM in response to Open Thread

Kens- the one comment from the guy about how the non-Jews wouldn't have been able to afford it bugged me. The whole thread made me uncomfortable, including the way Mr.B phrased it- big diss on Bed-Stuy.

THL- my guys have the technique down pat. They stand there and look pathetic. Then I pick them up and give them something I know the love to eat. It's sad when your cats are smarter than you are :(

Posted by: bxgrl at November 20, 2009 1:49 PM in response to Open Thread

lalaland- if you use firefox that might be the problem. Sometimes does that.

Posted by: bxgrl at November 20, 2009 1:34 PM in response to Huh? Benetton for Bed Stuy Stretch of Bedford Avenue

THL- oh that poor cat! I can't believe she actually ate it! Her nose must have been confused by the mustard and the ham on the same plate.

Posted by: bxgrl at November 20, 2009 1:32 PM in response to Open Thread

MM- lose the muttonchops. they make you look old :) But I respectfully accept the fact that you think they are fashionable.

Posted by: bxgrl at November 20, 2009 1:29 PM in response to Open Thread

See, MM? I told you posting your photo would get you comments.

Posted by: bxgrl at November 20, 2009 1:26 PM in response to Open Thread

kens- did you see the Benetton thread? :)

snaps- I think you took some of 11217's 'ludes this morning ;)

Posted by: bxgrl at November 20, 2009 1:20 PM in response to Open Thread

well, IJ- benson has been low and coarse many many times for no good reason. His initial post this morning is a case in point. I'm simply concerned for his blood pressure, which he says reading b'stoner raises.

Posted by: bxgrl at November 20, 2009 1:18 PM in response to New Cafe for The Heights

Biff- I must say, DH is cuter (He promised to make me old-fashioneds!)

11217- beautifully said.

Posted by: bxgrl at November 20, 2009 1:13 PM in response to Open Thread

snappy- I happen to love both old and new and I daresay most people here do also. And usually when we're discussing the relative merits of a place, its about that specific place, and not a blanket condemnation of people. It's a blog- its all about opinions and I disagree that people here do any blanket sh*tting on anyone else. The one person who actually does- benson- is the one you're defending. Remember how he treated THL or MM? How about BRG on the Bay Ridge church thread or the graffiti thread? Or any number of times when he has bitched, dissed and moaned about liberals,dems and Obama.

Posted by: bxgrl at November 20, 2009 1:10 PM in response to Open Thread

I've seen too many homes that have been given the Garden Brickface and Stucco treatment. there was a time when people actually thought it looked good- but aesthetically it is a nightmare. Tastes change over time but some things are classic. Which is why people aren't rushing to buy avocado refrigerators anymore but they will still buy white. Good design is classic. And that's a legitimate issue.

Posted by: bxgrl at November 20, 2009 1:00 PM in response to Open Thread

Nomi- he certainly does. ANd he certainly is.

Posted by: bxgrl at November 20, 2009 12:57 PM in response to New Cafe for The Heights

benson's rant is not about how other people live in dignity,or content, its about his own paranoia and envy. Calling people who applaud a beautiful house restoration artistically or intellectually bankrupt- and on a blog that began with Jon's love of old houses- has nothing to do with his supposedly expansive perspective. He has always complained about the restoration or preservation of old houses or buildings.

And what? You think no one else has traveled the country or the world? Anyone who has read b'stoner knows that most of us have traveled, and all over the world. Some of us even come from small towns or the Midwest. Benson has nothing on the rest of us.

People love brownstones with a passion and although we do rag on what we consider bade taste, it is hardly the snarkfest benson makes it out to be. If he hates it so much here he should just stop reading- maybe his blood pressure will go down. Really, snappy- I'm surprised at you.

Posted by: bxgrl at November 20, 2009 12:53 PM in response to Open Thread

The non-jews in the neighborhood certainly couldn't afford it.

Posted by: bpjay at November 20, 2009 9:41 AM

Oh puhleeze.

Posted by: bxgrl at November 20, 2009 12:35 PM in response to Huh? Benetton for Bed Stuy Stretch of Bedford Avenue

oh goody. Another day, another benson rant. If you're so fed up with the brownstoner mindset why do you keep reading it? Take care of your health. Let the blood pressure go down- stop reading.

I'm with Nomi and IJ- I love little places like this. I wish some would open up in Crown Heights. And I'm all for small businesses and people who run them. Good for them and I hope the place is successful.

Posted by: bxgrl at November 20, 2009 12:20 PM in response to New Cafe for The Heights

Ratner did the Court St. Cinema? Wow. that is the fugliest building ever erected. I lived down the street when they were building it and we couldn't believe how bad it was. Has the architect gone into hiding? Or maybe onto another career- like selling artisanal breads somewhere?

Posted by: bxgrl at November 20, 2009 12:14 PM in response to Atlantic Terminal Station: So Close!

Legion- go to this url:
http://www.informationisbeautiful.net

then click on "visualizations at the top, and then 2012. It's a diagram visualization- very interesting and funny.

Posted by: bxgrl at November 19, 2009 2:09 PM in response to Open Thread

damn! Found out!

Posted by: bxgrl at November 19, 2009 1:54 PM in response to Open Thread

Ok- I know all of you are awaiting the end of the world in 2012 so here is the link with everything you need to know. I'm off to buy emergency goods :)

http://www.informationisbeautiful.net/visualizations/2012-the-end-of-the-world/

Posted by: bxgrl at November 19, 2009 1:46 PM in response to Open Thread

pete- rofl!

Posted by: bxgrl at November 19, 2009 12:19 PM in response to Open Thread

spara- I agree with you on that, but the density issue is also huge.

Posted by: bxgrl at November 19, 2009 12:09 PM in response to Brooklyn Speaks to File Its First AY Lawsuit

Thanks MM- such a shame that gorgeous mansion no longer exists.

Posted by: bxgrl at November 19, 2009 11:57 AM in response to Walkabout: Montrose Morris - Full Circle

sparafucile- whether or not the studies change anyone's minds, what should people have done? Say nothing? Do nothing. As it is, you can't say litigation has no effect. If it didn't, AY would have been a reality by now.

Posted by: bxgrl at November 19, 2009 11:45 AM in response to Brooklyn Speaks to File Its First AY Lawsuit

infinitejester: I will never drink and wormcrawl again.

Kens: I'm not Jewish. I'm really a Buddhist.

Posted by: bxgrl at November 19, 2009 11:42 AM in response to Open Thread

CarGar- won't be on much today. Those growths are called spurs- I have them in my back and they are excruciating. Poor pup- but I'm sure the Vet can prescribe something. We'll talk later :)

Horrible accident- I hope the other person will be ok

Posted by: bxgrl at November 19, 2009 10:09 AM in response to Open Thread

7 words bxgrl would never utter: Sarah Palin and Michelle Bachman in 2012!

Posted by: bxgrl at November 19, 2009 10:06 AM in response to Open Thread

sparafucile- but they are litigating because in our society when you make the laws you're supposed to follow them. And there are good reasons for these environmental studies to be done. I've spoken with firefighters back in 2003 who said the studies were not done to show the impact on getting essential emergency services in and out of AY and the surrounding area- something crucial to putting up an enormous project like this. And he then elucidated how bad that impact could be to an ambulance or a firetruck or police.

Posted by: bxgrl at November 19, 2009 10:02 AM in response to Brooklyn Speaks to File Its First AY Lawsuit

The American Family Association wants to boycott the Gap- seems they don't like the new ad with all the holidays celebrated equally with Christmas or the fact that the Gap (and other stores) say Happy Holidays instead of Merry Christmas. Jeez- you think there would be more important things to bitch about these days, no?

Posted by: bxgrl at November 19, 2009 9:52 AM in response to Open Thread

Her looks aren't the problem. It's her other well-known lacks :)

Posted by: bxgrl at November 17, 2009 4:22 PM in response to Open Thread

Oh gosh! I'm so sorry to have missed out on this truly intriguing and intellectually stimulating OT! Jeesh- someone couldn't call me??

Pete-landlords and small buildings- I agree. But they were talking about people buying condos. And their guests.

Posted by: bxgrl at November 17, 2009 3:31 PM in response to Open Thread

snappy- cosmetic fix ups can be done very fast. Problem is they don't fix the issue, nor last. It would have been relatively easy to hide this problem just for apartment showings.

Posted by: bxgrl at November 17, 2009 1:29 PM in response to Footage from 357 4th Street Condo Lawsuit

Dave- and I agree that's your right. But your house has 1 or 2 tenants and you live there. But when you're talking big apartment buildings? DOB has rules and regulations for buildings based on size.

Posted by: bxgrl at November 17, 2009 1:28 PM in response to Open Thread

snappy- mold can start within a day. Once the source is stopped- but also, all the mold has to be gotten out. That can be more extensive than anticipated.

Posted by: bxgrl at November 17, 2009 12:57 PM in response to Footage from 357 4th Street Condo Lawsuit

Snappy, won't it ultimately come down to a question of uninhabitable vs can't stand the smell?

Personally I think developers should install better systems- although, considering the , er...cleansing system of the Corcoran condo, one wonders how good they would be.

I know smokers- my mother was a heavy smoker until long after I went to college. I hated it. But my objection to telling people how to live inside their own apartment becomes a question of privacy and equal rights. DO you want the government telling you how to fluff your pillows or when to dust lest your neighbor be allergic? What about people who are allergic to perfume? Should women not be allowed to use any if the neighbor can small it? Work places, public places- fine. No smoking. Hotels- absolutely. But how far are we willing to go? Me? Not to the extent of giving up my privacy rights. (DH- did I tell you pink is my favorite color? :)

Posted by: bxgrl at November 17, 2009 12:54 PM in response to Open Thread

Do homeowners pay for curb cuts yearly? Or pay once and then get an eternal entitlement to a piece of the public street?

Posted by: bxgrl at November 17, 2009 12:30 PM in response to City Planning Targeting Curb Cuts

Yeah, I do snaps. I've grown up in NYC apartment projects and lived to tell about it. But I draw the line at criminalizing people in their own homes. For a legal substance. I get the smoke free thing- I hated being in restaurants and bars full of cigarette smoke. But we live in an urban environment- there is no way to completely mitigate everything from our neighbors. At some point we can embrace being a police state of nosy neighbors or we find ways to enable us to all deal with it fairly, for everyone.

DH- no. Sorry. Smokers should pay for it. On the other hand I won't let my cat pee outside your door :)

Posted by: bxgrl at November 17, 2009 12:29 PM in response to Open Thread

Wow! That is totally f*cked up!! I do have a tough time believing- considering the sheer volume of water pouring in, that Corcoran did not know about this. The one email about canceling because of a heavy thunderstorm looks to be really suspicious now. And no way the developer could have possibly not known. (All the animals two by two outside the door is a dead giveaway).

Posted by: bxgrl at November 17, 2009 12:23 PM in response to Footage from 357 4th Street Condo Lawsuit

I can't stand cigarette smoke and rather than intruding into people's private lives and telling them who and what even their guests can do, why can they require smokers put in extra air purifyiers and ventilation? Or better yet, make that a requirement for all new cosntruction. Better air quality is a plus for everyone. But if this is acceptable, what's next? I mean, its already tough enough to have a pet. What happens when your neighbor doesn't like the smell of what you cook? (cabbage comes to mind), or the people across the street don't like the color of your curtains? At some point we have to stop trying to control every second of every day. It doesn't work. And if people feel the need to go this far, just make smoking illegal (I don't think that's so great either but why should I have to tell my guest they aren't allowed to smoke in my home because people who don't live there are telling me what I can do- even if its legal.

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