Cat in Window

Pretty Girl

Living Life on Wheels

I just happened to be walking by Astor place today while a press conference with Mayor Bloomberg was underway. I was excited that he was announcing weekend street closings to allow more room for bikers! David Byrne and Lance Armstrong were also there to support the announcement. You can read more about this at:
http://www.ny1.com/ny1/content/index.jsp?stid=8&aid=82728

Vampire Weekend

It was pouring outside at Summerstage yesterday while Vampire Weekend was playing. Sadly, I looked outside and the raincoats were NOT coming - say OH!

I ended up wearing a black trashbag as a dress just in an attempt to keep my camera dry. Six people ducking under a table umbrella had to cling onto the pole just to keep it from tipping over. With monsoon-like rains drenching us and the winds picking up, we felt as though we were on a boat about to be thrown overboard!
I took some pictures when the rain ease up a little bit but it was so overwhelming that I didn't even notice Ezra from Vampire Weekend walk by through my frame in this shot. The rain didn't stop the crowd from getting crazy once they finally squeegeed enough water off the stage for them to perform.

My day ended with me walking home in my garbage bag. I didn't care and I was even smiling at people who were desperately trying to stay dry with their little, $3 umbrellas. I had vendors on St. Mark's waving me over, saying, "Miss, miss! Umbrella! Umbrella!" I laughed and said, "Thank you, (as my hair is so wet it can't absorb anymore rainwater) but I think its too late for an umbrella".

A bleach-blonde punk girl was standing next to me at a crosswalk and looked over at me. I sheepishly smiled and her and she asked me if she had met me last night. Seeing as we probably don't hang in the same circles I told her probably not. Then she told me how she makes $5 per hour handing out tattoo flyers but it was too rainy to hand them out anymore cause they all stick together. Then she asked me if I was homeless.

I said, "No, I'm just wearing a trash bag today", as the rain continued to dump down on my head. I was kind of enjoying talking to her so I kept walking by her side. All of a sudden she sped up, said "take care" and basically ran away from me. I don't know if it was the lull in conversation or the fact that I wasn't homeless that bothered her but it appeared that I was the one to scare her away.

Summerstage

Sunshine breaking through the clouds after the thunderstorm in Central Park. June 14, 2008 © Francine Daveta

Kickin' It... Soft Rock?

Gentrification in this city is a complicated thing. Despite the decrease in violent crime over the past decade, most noticeably to me in Alphabet City, it comes at a cost. The obvious cost is in rent but what bothers me more than anything is the loss of character and grit that so many people moved to this city for in the first place.

I live snugly in between a large row of project buildings and old tenement buildings with a handful of luxury condos springing up on various blocks. A couple squatted buildings still linger but I've been told there are "legal" squatters living in them. Among these buildings tonight I saw two, large, black men carrying a proportionately large, old-school boombox. Blasting music on the streets, especially in the early part of summer in this neighborhood is not unusual but I found the choice in music interesting:

"I Can't Make You Love Me" by Bonnie Raitt. (Let that sit for a moment. Hear it in your head. Picture the graffiti on the walls and the trash on the streets. Do you understand what I was feeling?)

The only way I feel I can remedy this is by watching 90's pulp films on IFC tonight. God, I miss the old East Village. Come back whores and junkies!!!

Pizza Prices on the Rise

I was horrified to find out that a slice of cheese pizza at Ben's Pizza on Spring Street costs $2.75!!! Is the price of wheat really skyrocketing that much? Well I'll tell you this: that $2.75 was totally worth it because the pizza was DELISH. It was worth it despite having to deal with the drunk, post-college fratboys (who I can only assume were visiting from Hoboken or the Upper East Side) who insulted my friend and who actually tried to wrestle the Mario-esque pizza-man statue outside the pizzeria. I guess this is why they lock their doors and only serve through a window after a certain hour.

The $2.35 at Ray's Pizza on Houston (which one, you ask? The one closest to Ludlow.) seemed more reasonable but really couldn't compare in flavor. At least we were allowed to sit down and avoid more drunken harassment from entry-level finance guys!

NYC

May 29, 2008 © Francine Daveta