Do you think that BBR is splitting commissions with those ladies pictured in Carroll Park? What a pathetic listing. "Hey, spend 3mil because we have Frankie's and the gals. Oh, and check out my faux-artsy photo of the subway stop. I took it on an angle - bet ya thought it was taken by a pro, huh?"

Posted by: lapmax75 at November 8, 2008 12:21 AM in response to Open House Picks

Johnny come lately here. I'm an undecided voter, so this comment doesn't come from intense support for one candidate or the other: I think it's simplistic and naive to think that the election of one ticket or another "could complete the utter destruction of this country," or that the Republican Party's economic approach has single-handedly led to the current crisis. There are too many variables involved. It's easy to blame it all on them, and say that McCain has voted 90% of the time with "Bush," so naturally our country will keep going downhill if he's elected. Easy, but lacking in reality I think. Every time we have an election each party casts their differences from the other in apocalyptic terms (ie: "vote for us or you will be doomed"). Please. This whole 90% thing is also silly to me - McCain voted 90% of the time with his party. The Obama campaign wants to simplify that to mean 90% with Bush. Come on - Obama has probably voted 100% of the time with his party. Does that mean he always votes with Howard Dean? That's unfair to say, too. I seem to remember a lot of people blaming Clinton for the bursting of the tech bubble, and even attributing the real estate bubble to him as well. I defended him then and now on these points, mainly because you can't consider these types of issues in black and white. It's all gray - but the campaigns don't want you to think that way. Don't drink the Kool Aid.

I recognize that this post has said and offered practically nothing, other than perhaps some extraneous philosophical observations about our political system. The economic issues are so complex that I'm not convinced either party has it right, or that either one won't do what it takes to fix it if elected (like Bush is doing right now). This election may just come down to foreign affairs to me. And yes, I know the debate there too.

Posted by: lapmax75 at October 9, 2008 11:51 PM in response to Dow Closes Down 679 Points

Fighting these tickets, which I agree should never be issued, comes down more to a practical question than a legal one. I'd bet that with the proper research and court challenges, we could prevail here (I haven't researched how the courts have interpreted the definition of "public place" yet, though). The problem is cost and procedure. Your first "hearing" will be in the summons part of the NYC Criminal Court, which is not exactly the highest court in the land. At this hearing there will be a retired judge who is now sitting as a hearing officer ("JHO"), and who acts as the prosecutor as well as the judge (these offenses are so minor that the system did away with having ADA's appear initially). This JHO won't care about consitutional challenges. He may agree with the argument that these areas were not public places, in which case you will win and that's that (no precedent will be formed, and your satisfaction will be singular). If he disagrees, then your options are: 1) pay some paltry fine, or 2) come back to court (perhaps 2 or 3 more times) for a "trial." You may still win an individual victory eventually at trial. If you don't, then you have to get into the appellate process, which is limited for such minor offenses but still requires legally briefing issues. All the while you are paying attorney's fees.

So, once again we see that "the system" is not geared towards determining right or wrong, but rather to accomodating those with financial resources to litigate. This is why very few lawsuits proceed on "principle." If anyone out there wants to bankroll the ole' Brooklyn Boozing Ticket defense, I can certainly recommend someone to help.

Posted by: lapmax75 at September 16, 2008 11:50 AM in response to More Tickets for Stoop Drinkers

It wasn't extremely cost prohibitive because we did all of the planning, drawing, and designing ourselves of the garden layout, the patio, and the grill area (and the house, BTW). In addition, we tried to use recycled materials, whenever possible, like the slate roof tiles which were about to be thrown in the dumpster by our contractor and some others as well. We picked and bought all of our new materials ourselves, so there were no "middle people" that we had to go through. Also, there were no real hidden costs. So, all told, it was pretty affordable. Just the cost of the new materials,labor, and the plants. Plus, If you can do most or all of the planting yourself, that will also save you some cash. Good Luck!

Posted by: lapmax75 at July 30, 2008 11:38 AM in response to Garden of the Day: On the Edge of Carroll Gardens

Thanks again Biff!

Posted by: lapmax75 at July 29, 2008 8:34 PM in response to Garden of the Day: On the Edge of Carroll Gardens

Thanks so much everyone! Biff, the bench is there because we haven't gotten around to finding the right bar stools yet... A beer tap is coming for the countertop (Brooklyn Lager tap handle, of course). Spunky123, the landscaping was initially done by Shannon Florist on Fort Hamilton Pkwy; the contractor got the yard cleared and ready, and laid down the cement for the patio. He did a great job, but really shined when it came to the house reno itself: Alex & Tom Construction. Mysideofstuy, the built-in grill is a Bull (see bullbbq.com. We have the Angus) and the doors and sink/wet-bar came from All Valley BBQ in California (allvalleybbq.com). The countertop and "island" were custom made by the carpenter. The materials are pretty simple: treated wood, wonderboard, brickface and granite tile. Dittoburg, we are wondering that ourselves. I'm embarassed to say I've been lax about testing for the actual pH level. FSRQ, of course you're right! Park Sloper, my husband will love to hear that - testosterone abounds on that thing. Bed Stuy Bully, I think I answered your question.

Thanks again so much for your wonderful comments.

Posted by: lapmax75 at July 29, 2008 12:49 AM in response to Garden of the Day: On the Edge of Carroll Gardens

I've heard that using an outdoor fan works. The word I received was that mosquitos can't land on you when there's more than a 3 mph wind. I have no idea if this is true, but it sounds cool. Of course, I realize that I might be a total moron for even thinking this is true.

Posted by: lapmax75 at July 19, 2008 10:36 PM in response to Best way to deal with mosquitos?