Congestion pricing - what’s the problem?
On Wednesday this week, my trip from Cobble Hill to Midtown took me 90 minutes. The subway was experiencing delays, so I went above ground at W4th and cabbed the rest of the trip. Sadly, the taxi portion consumed more than 30 minutes because 6th and 8th Avenues were totally clogged. This has been the case increasingly in NYC, as there are simply more automobiles on the island, than Manhattan can support on an average day. Even in Brooklyn, the roads are jammed. On Tuesday of this week, my drive to Coney Island (to defend a speeding ticket on the BQE, go figure) took 50 minutes.
Just two weeks ago, Sheldon Silver and the Democratic majority of the NY State Assembly vetoed Mayor Bloomberg’s congestion pricing plan in the New York City Council, preventing the measure from reaching a public vote. While I usually vote Democratic (or even more liberally), I can’t understand the ill will towards this measure from NYC representatives. (Governor Corzine was also opposed to it, but for more obvious reasons, as he’s representing his constituents in NJ.) Automobile traffic in Manhattan has reached epic proportions. Nobody will argue that. Traveling by car mid-day is unbearable. It’s one of the most unattractive qualities of our great city. Can you imagine other global cosmopolitan centers with this issue? Traffic in LA is bad, but it’s all on the freeway. Same with San Francisco. Inner city traffic in DC, Boston or Chicago doesn’t compare. London is crowded, but all the streets are one-way which keeps traffic flowing. Paris….no chance. This measure would have raised an estimated $350 million in federal funds that would be used to improve and add subway capacity. Then, drivers entering Manhattan would be charged $8 for the day. Money also would flow towards bike lanes (an increasingly popular mode of transport) and other greener forms of movement. While yes, some people of lesser means may have lost perceived access to Manhattan, those who truly rely on the city day-to-day would benefit greatly with increased mobility. A city of this size needs the latest and greatest public transportation technology, and this measure would help raise the funds to pay for it. Mayor Bloomberg called the votes against his bill cowardly and I agree on this one. Sheldon Silver was also a major factor in stopping the Manhattan Jets stadium construction plans, a move that would have added some periodic traffic on Sundays, but one that would have revitalized Hell’s Kitchen and brought a professional sports team to the NY Metro area for the first time since the Brooklyn Dodgers. Assemblyman Silver has been in office for more than two decades and usually is elected without challengers. Given his recent voting record, which shreaks of stagnation and fear of change/improvement, it may be time for the Assemblyman to consider his next career. I hope Governor Patterson and Mayor Bloomberg will be able to resusitate this plan that would have benefited so many New Yorkers.
Friendship, weddings, groomsmen and toasts
Over the weekend, my friend, Jeff Cohen, married Gabby Etrog at Camp Point O’ Pines in the Adirondacks. It was the third time I had been asked to perform best man duties (not including my dad’s second marriage). After giving many a toast at weddings over the past few years as both a best man and groomsman - toasts that ranged from the "power nap" (a series of emotional and rambling stories that dragged on for 20 minutes in my less experienced days) to the "Al Michaels" (an ad lib play-by-play commentary that I performed in more recent years) - my co-best man and I agreed to do something a bit different for this one. We began by delivering a standard toast with a few anecdotes about our relationship with Jeff, playing well off each other as it unfolded. At the moment the toast began to drag, I interrupted and suggested we change our tune. We stepped off-stage, put on white long hair wigs, beards and cowboy hats and reappeared on stage as Kenny Rogers I and II. Then, we called out into the audience for a guitar player. As one emerged (someone with whom we previously rehearsed), we stepped up and began to perform. The lyrics to our little ditty are below. As we sung the final chorus verse, the crowd erupted in applauds and a cheering standing ovation. Tal and I were unsure of how this unorthodox toast would be received by a diverse crowd, so we were particularly excited. Compliments poured in throughout the night, to the point that I was gushing…nearly embarrassed. In fact, I received two more mentions of it today, three days after the fact. At this stage of the game, it’s unlikely that I’ll experience first-hand what it’s like to get up on stage and receive a rock star’s reception, so this may be the closest I ever get. And I’m loving every minute of it.
Three friends, two days, ouch!!
I know NYC is a transient city but this is ridiculous. Three of my closest friends in the city are moving away this week - two today, one tomorrow. When one member of your inner circle leaves, it bums you out. When two friends leave, it’s very sad. When three leave, it knocks you on your ass. I guess I should be happy that I have such great friends in the first place, but for the moment, I’m focused on recreating my new New York. NYC2.0 here we come!!
Oh, by the way, I helped two of them create a blog for their long voyage on the way home.
Google gourmet
I had lunch with a friend at Google’s NYC offices on Friday. Many of us have heard about the food in their cafeteria by now, but it’s one of those things that’s hard to believe until you see it for yourself. For lunch, I enjoyed glazed cod, teriyaki salmon sashimi, crusted artichoke balls with aioli mayonnaise dressing, shaved zucchini chips, hearts of palm and kidney bean salad and freshly-made sun-dried tomato focaccia. I passed on the buffalo burger, raw food bar, sushi bar and salad bar, my plate already piling over. For dessert, we returned for a fresh plate of Oreo fudge, chocolate brioche arborio custard, pineapple cinnamon pudding and fresh strawberries and blackberries. And it’s all free!! (there are several security guards patrolling the cafeteria in case you had any ideas). Working at Google would be a culinary delight, but one that would likely add a few extra pounds to the ol’ frame.
Best Oscars in recent memory + Apple’s marketing genius + snowball fights are fun
Last night’s Oscars were one of the best I can remember. From a quick sample today, I think this may NOT be the prevailing opinion, but I suspect it’s only because nobody else paid enough attention during the show, which was captivating from start to finish. Ellen’s brave opening monologue was hilarious from her quip “where would Hollywood be without Jews, Blacks and Gays?” to her recognition of diversity at the awards, including Steve Carell as one example. One of her best lines of the night was comparing Jennifer Hudson to Al Gore. America didn’t vote for Hudson on American Idle and America did vote for Gore, but that didn’t stop them both from being nominated for Oscars (and later won). She called nominees out relentlessly, but also knew her audience well enough to hit home runs when it mattered. The end of her opening monologue bringing out the Soweto Gospel Choir was a bold move (don’t know if it was her idea or not), and one that also fit in well with the diversity theme. During the show, the shadow dancers were awesome, the special effects choir was mind-boggling and the musical clown skit with Will Farrell was hysterical. While many people I asked didn’t see the commercials thanks to Tivo and DVR, they missed out on an incredibly creative campaign from Apple for the iPhone. I’ve embedded the video below. Finally, to end the night, my friends and I went outside for a monster snowball fight that drew in neighbors as well as passing cars and trucks. All in all, that’s gotta be one of the most fun Academy Awards shows of all time.
First wipeout of the year, first comparison to Derek Jeter
Walking to the subway this morning, I executed a nice wipeout crossing the street. It was one of those slides where a save is not even worth considering. By the time the thought would have crossed my mind, I was already making snow angels in the middle of the street. The woman behind me extended a hand asking if I was okay. I thought that was the extent of my embarassment. Then, on the other side of the street, some guy rolled down his window and yelled out, “You look like Derek Jeter…Safe!!” Thanks dude. I’ll take a comparison to Jeter any day.
Mom biking through Manhattan with kid and dog
I found this photo while cleaning out my camera’s hard drive recently. I snapped it way back on October 10, from my bike, on the way to work. We were headed up Hudson just before Canal and this curious blond woman in her 30s/40s pedals past me with a full cart attached to her big wheels. In the cart was a boy (presumably her son) and a dog. That’s just not something you see every day in NYC!!
Don’t call it a comeback - KRS-1 rocks NYC
I had the pleasure of seeing KRS-One last Thursday in Park Slope. I was so impressed that I returned to see him again last night in Manhattan. This man is a true performer, if I’ve ever seen one. Bringing it back to the old-school tradition of 1980s hip-hop, KRS-1 tells it like it is half preaching, half rapping his message of empowerment while Grand Wizard Theodore mixes on two turntables behind him. During both shows, KRS covered a wide range of topics including politics, history, racism, religion, gender and pop culture to go along with the standard "don’t mess with me" hip-hop attitude. By the end of each night, there were no less than 20 people sharing the stage with him, as he showed utter selflessness continually recognizing the work of others in attendance. On one occasion, he asked his crew to lift a man’s wheelchair with its owner in tow onto the stage so the fan could get a closer view. Most impressive to me, KRS’s voice seemed to keep rhythm throughout the evening, creating a powerful presence on stage and equally powerful sound reverberating throughout the venue. Recordings don’t compare to seeing a performer like KRS-1 live, but here is a video of his song "My Philosophy" to give you an idea of what he’s all about.
Born-again biker in NYC
I’m sure many people enjoyed the unseasonably warm weather we’ve experienced over the past few weeks, but I’m convinced nobody valued it as much as me. The warm weather allowed me to continue biking to work into December, something I have come to appreciate in a big way. Those few weeks in early November when the weather turned cold and rainy, I found myself doing a stretch of time on the crowded subways during morning rush hour. As the time since my last bike-to-work grew longer, I noticed my mood growing more negative. As soon as I had the opportunity to get back on my bike, my mood and outlook improved. In general, I find that on days I ride to work, my outlook is far more positive and my time at work more enjoyable and productive. I think it has something to do with the experience of bicycling through the streets of NYC, which requires your complete attention and therefore, 100% presence of mind. In general, I believe presence of mind leads to good things so however we can achieve it is worthwhile. Of course, the fresh (uhh, maybe not so fresh) outdoor air is nice and the view over the Brooklyn Bridge and up Hudson/8th Ave is equally enjoyable each and every morning. Contrasted by the proverbial sardine-packed F Train and the negativity of so many a fellow-New Yorker that we encounter, it’s no wonder my mood is affected. Then again, there’s always the iPod to get me through the winter months…I ordered a new one yesterday.
Street Wars NYC - battle of the water-gun assassins
This is one of the coolest things I’ve heard about in a while. There is a city-wide war taking place in NYC as we speak. It’s not just any war though. What makes "Street Wars" different from others we know are the weapons of choice; in this case, water-guns. Otherwise, all elements of warfare are fair game including shake-downs, stake-outs, break-ins, full-body searches and of course, assassinations. Since the game is already in motion, I signed up as a rogue assassin for hire. Let’s hope I don’t receive you as my next assignment!!