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“Hey at least I won’t be wearing a T-shirt with the name of some blog I post on emblazoned across the front. You won’t catch ME like that!”
Point well taken. But: a) I won’t be wearing my T-shirt tomorrow night and b) I would rather wear a brownstoner tee than a shirt with a Nike swoosh or Polo logo like so many million other robots do.
I had the opportunity not long ago while I waited early one morning for a car to take me to the airport.
“W”, who’s been with the building 35 years, engaged me in a pleasant but impersonal conversation, his eye cocked down the street for the first sight of the car.
At the same time he turned regularly to the door in case he had to open it for anybody else, all the time making me feel the center of attention (a real social skill).
Meanwhile, he greeted every passerby — school kids, dog walkers, adults, etc. — who offered pleasantries, calling him by name! (People I’d never seen before but went up and down the avenue every morning, apparently.)
A passing truck, full of contracters, tooted its horn, the guys waving out the windows, “W” waving back. A taxi slowed, just so the cabby could offer a good morning.
In other words, “W” was integral to the street and neighborhood, part of its “ballet.”
And here’s the kicker. At one point a group of teenagers gathered at the corner (there’s a high school not too far away). “W” actually positioned himself between them and me, back to them, arms on hips, ready to block them in case they tried any mischief! (Which they didn’t, of course.)
My brother had this to say: “W” is the kind of person who treats what he does seriously. He anticipates rather than reacts to the needs of his employers — the sign of a great doorman.
Does anyone know a diner in Brooklyn that makes great pancakes? I’m having trouble finding one. Most of the pancakes made in diners are pretty bad:
-they make them on the same skiddle as the bacon and hash browns, and you can taste it;
-they are not light and fluffy.
Reminds me of the line in the movie Odd Couple. Felix looking in frig at Oscars apartment looking for something to make for the poker game. “Whats this green stuff?” Oscar: “Either its very new cheese or very old meat.”
That actually sounds even more loserish than hanging out with a bunch of drunken PLUSAs.
Hey at least I won’t be wearing a T-shirt with the name of some blog I post on emblazoned across the front. You won’t catch ME like that!
Yeah, I’m a simple guy, Benson. I was in Greece once and the hotel manager and I were talking. She asked how much I traveled. At that time it was 2-3X a month. She said her husband traveled for work too and because of that never wanted to go on vacation, or even go out much. She told me – “He says, What’s better than my own little piazza?'”
I feel the exact same way. I have a landscaped back yard, a a beautiful wife who digs that I’m sort of a loner and a dog. Works for me.
Hey, I truly enjoy posting here. It’s fun! You guys all sound terrific. Maybe one day we’ll meet. But it won’t be tomorrow.
“Hey at least I won’t be wearing a T-shirt with the name of some blog I post on emblazoned across the front. You won’t catch ME like that!”
Point well taken. But: a) I won’t be wearing my T-shirt tomorrow night and b) I would rather wear a brownstoner tee than a shirt with a Nike swoosh or Polo logo like so many million other robots do.
Ever watch a good doorman?
I had the opportunity not long ago while I waited early one morning for a car to take me to the airport.
“W”, who’s been with the building 35 years, engaged me in a pleasant but impersonal conversation, his eye cocked down the street for the first sight of the car.
At the same time he turned regularly to the door in case he had to open it for anybody else, all the time making me feel the center of attention (a real social skill).
Meanwhile, he greeted every passerby — school kids, dog walkers, adults, etc. — who offered pleasantries, calling him by name! (People I’d never seen before but went up and down the avenue every morning, apparently.)
A passing truck, full of contracters, tooted its horn, the guys waving out the windows, “W” waving back. A taxi slowed, just so the cabby could offer a good morning.
In other words, “W” was integral to the street and neighborhood, part of its “ballet.”
And here’s the kicker. At one point a group of teenagers gathered at the corner (there’s a high school not too far away). “W” actually positioned himself between them and me, back to them, arms on hips, ready to block them in case they tried any mischief! (Which they didn’t, of course.)
My brother had this to say: “W” is the kind of person who treats what he does seriously. He anticipates rather than reacts to the needs of his employers — the sign of a great doorman.
And doormen are an integral part of New York.
By benson on April 21, 2010 2:14 PM
Does anyone know a diner in Brooklyn that makes great pancakes? I’m having trouble finding one. Most of the pancakes made in diners are pretty bad:
-they make them on the same skiddle as the bacon and hash browns, and you can taste it;
-they are not light and fluffy.
Reminds me of the line in the movie Odd Couple. Felix looking in frig at Oscars apartment looking for something to make for the poker game. “Whats this green stuff?” Oscar: “Either its very new cheese or very old meat.”
biff, I thought my silver fillings were getting a signal from mars and my equillibrium was off.
By DeLepp on April 21, 2010 3:29 PM
was at mineeta again last week, seemingly lots of cute young girls there on daddy’s tab.
SCORE!!!!! Making reservations there as we speak. I know I know, I am a total golddigger and not even denying it. Hey, goat gotz to eat.
“NFL Draft wins.”
That actually sounds even more loserish than hanging out with a bunch of drunken PLUSAs.
Hey at least I won’t be wearing a T-shirt with the name of some blog I post on emblazoned across the front. You won’t catch ME like that!
Yeah, I’m a simple guy, Benson. I was in Greece once and the hotel manager and I were talking. She asked how much I traveled. At that time it was 2-3X a month. She said her husband traveled for work too and because of that never wanted to go on vacation, or even go out much. She told me – “He says, What’s better than my own little piazza?'”
I feel the exact same way. I have a landscaped back yard, a a beautiful wife who digs that I’m sort of a loner and a dog. Works for me.
Hey, I truly enjoy posting here. It’s fun! You guys all sound terrific. Maybe one day we’ll meet. But it won’t be tomorrow.
oooh – Minetta again DeLepp?! Very jealous – what did you have?
That’s really the only place in Manhattan I have a desire to try at the moment, along with the McNally pizza joint. Love McNally places
By DeLepp on April 21, 2010 3:25 PM
donatella, I just heard “next guest” at duane reade puzzling indeed
HAHAHAHAH…… That would be even BETTER. It was Banana Republic. heheee. Just got back from the bike thread. Pretty nasty.
dh, the trick to the b,d, n or q snafua is not to get on it before 7:30, this opens up your cocktail hour.
was at mineeta again last week, seemingly lots of cute young girls there on daddy’s tab.