Archive for the ‘NY 11103’ Category
inexplicably weaker
Today’s posting comes direct to you from Astoria, Queens.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
Just a short posting today, a couple of scenes recently recorded here amongst the blessed slopes of raven tressed Astoria. The couple shown in the shot above were observed on Steinway Street, taking an afternoon nap on one of the many new benches recently installed. Scenes reminiscent of the one above are the reason that the Koch administration removed this form of street furniture around the City in the first place, back in the 1980’s, as I recall.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
Strongly contrasting with the first shot is this amazing hot rod Corvette parked just a few blocks away nearby Northern Blvd. Upon observation of this well appointed automobile, a humble narrator began to gibber and jump with acrimony over the fact that it is not his. It is high time that I have a midlife crisis, and this car would fit the bill for my last grasping attempts at youthful abandon. I would call it the Mitchmobile, and would be heard loudly and atonally singing “na na na Na Na, Wax-man” whilst touring the Newtown Creek at a thousand miles per hour.
Want to see something cool? Summer 2013 Walking Tours-
The Insalubrious Valley– Saturday, June 29, 2013
Newtown Creek walking tour with Mitch Waxman and Newtown Creek Alliance, tickets now on sale.
Modern Corridor- Saturday, July 13, 2013
Newtown Creek walking tour with Mitch Waxman and Atlas Obscura, tickets on sale soon.
slowly onward
“follow” me on Twitter at @newtownpentacle
– photo by Mitch Waxman
Spotted recently in the wilds of Greenpoint, a Checker Cab. For those of you who came to NYC late in the game, these taxis were as iconic as the Empire State Building or Tugboats “back in the day.” There’s always a few Checkers in Greenpoint, repurposed as hotel limousines by the Box Hotel in DUPBO (Down Under the Pulaski Bridge Onramp). This model appears clad in stickers and vehicle wrap that seems authentic, and the color is spot on. Only thing missing is the smell of vomit.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
It has been mentioned in the past that this “future” of ours, life lived in the 21st century, is kind of a let down for me. As a child, I was sold on lots of conceptual technologies (I will admit that we’ve gotten the pocket sized personal computer network consoles) which have never materialized. Moving sidewalks, domed cities, jet packs- that sort of stuff.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
Instead, we just seem to have a lot more cars zipping around, carrying people back and forth to a lot of unimaginatively shiny buildings, and a single orange can cost you as much as a dollar in Manhattan. Necessary evil, I suppose, these automobiles of ours. People to see, places to go and all that. One wonders, however…
Upcoming tours:
The Insalubrious Valley– Saturday, May 25, 2013
Newtown Creek walking tour with Mitch Waxman and Atlas Obscura, tickets now on sale.
The Poison Cauldron- Saturday, June 15, 2013
Newtown Creek walking tour with Mitch Waxman and Atlas Obscura, tickets on sale soon.
Kill Van Kull- Saturday, June 22, 2013
Staten Island walking tour with Mitch Waxman and Working Harbor Committee, tickets now on sale.
habitual association
“follow” me on Twitter at @newtownpentacle
– photo by Mitch Waxman
It is childish for me to believe in anyone or anything beyond myself, it seems. In truth, the number of good men I have known in my life can be counted on one hand, and I do not consider myself one of them. Do not think that this handful are or were saints, they just held to a code of ethical behavior and behaved in a consistent fashion with their moral compass. History teaches that such men are few and far between, of course, and that the vast majority of those within the human hive are merely degenerate refugees from the monkey tribe- cowardly, bestial, restive, and capable of nothing but criminal and personal defilement.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
I have always believed in certain principles, attempted to adhere to some sort of personal code. Rules are rules, and one of mine is “Say what you do, and do what you say.” Watching those incapable of such turpitude wriggle and splash in the ooze would afford me amusement, were I an evil man. If religion or the rule of law were my trip, condemnation and punishment would be all consuming passions- but all I ever aspire to be is a good man, and seeing those who should know better transgress this threshold between right and wrong just makes me sad.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
There are things you do not wish to invoke upon yourself. You never want to say any phrase containing the word “fuck” to an on duty New York City Police Officer, for instance, nor get into a drinking contest with Russians or Koreans. Never date a woman who is named after a luxury car, and if you find a dusty book of incantations in some cabin in the woods- do not read from that book aloud. You have no idea what it is you might call into existence.
Upcoming tours:
The Insalubrious Valley– Saturday, May 25, 2013
Newtown Creek walking tour with Mitch Waxman and Atlas Obscura, tickets now on sale.
The Poison Cauldron- Saturday, June 15, 2013
Newtown Creek walking tour with Mitch Waxman and Atlas Obscura, tickets on sale soon.
Kill Van Kull- Saturday, June 22, 2013
Staten Island walking tour with Mitch Waxman and Working Harbor Committee, tickets now on sale.
urban gaieties
“follow” me on Twitter at @newtownpentacle
– photo by Mitch Waxman
Astoria, or at least the section which I live in (at the border, where it bumps up against Woodside and Sunnyside) really is one of the most charming spots I’ve ever had the pleasure of dwelling in. Sure, we’ve got the late night drunks and a growing problem with rat infestation, heavy trucks using the neighborhood as a shortcut between Astoria and Northern Blvd.’s, noisy annoyances and endemic environmental pollution- but it is situated at a fortuitous angle to the sun and can be quite photogenic at the right time of day.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
Area wags and deluded malcontents will deride the community as undeserving of such splendor, but what do they know? Most of them don’t even live here, and commute from Manhattan apartments. When you exist in this neighborhood, talk to the neighbors, sit out on your stoop- that’s when you “get it.”
Quite often, you’ll get too much and rush into your apartment to construct barricades and sharpen knives, but you do- in fact- get it. Warmer weather has brought the Astorians out in force, and amongst them lurks a weird but quite humble narrator.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
As soon as the weather broke one headed over to the local taverna with the dog, and having acquired an out of doors table, a celebratory pint of spring libation was ordered. Hasty conversations with casual acquaintances were engaged in, and the dog seemed happy. Reports of pure neighborhood oriented comfort and joy, along with my usual tales of paranoid wanderings, are a part of life here in the Newtown Pentacle. It has been wonderful to reacquaint, rediscover, and reconnect with those whom I dwell amongst.
I’m sure I’ll be sick of human interaction before the end of May, however.
Also: Upcoming Tours!
13 Steps around Dutch Kills– Saturday, May 4, 2013
Newtown Creek walking tour with Mitch Waxman and Atlas Obscura, tickets now on sale.
Parks and Petroleum- Sunday, May 12, 2013
Newtown Creek walking tour with Mitch Waxman and Newtown Creek Alliance, tickets now on sale.
The Insalubrious Valley- Saturday, May 25, 2013
Newtown Creek walking tour with Mitch Waxman and Atlas Obscura, tickets on sale soon.
Hidden Harbor: Newtown Creek tour with Mitch Waxman – Sunday, May 26,2013
Boat tour presented by the Working Harbor Committee,
Limited seating available, order advance tickets now. Group rates available.
Project Firebox 68
“follow” me on Twitter at @newtownpentacle
– photo by Mitch Waxman
This king in crimson was observed on duty amongst the blessed slopes of almond eyed Astoria, where neither a hooka pipe nor a cup of strong black coffee are safe. At 38th street and 28th avenue is its perch, standing ever ready to summon teams of rescuers for the desperately endangered.
Also: Upcoming Tours!
13 Steps around Dutch Kills– Saturday, May 4, 2013
Newtown Creek walking tour with Mitch Waxman and Atlas Obscura, tickets now on sale.
Parks and Petroleum- Sunday, May 12, 2013
Newtown Creek walking tour with Mitch Waxman and Newtown Creek Alliance, tickets now on sale.
The Insalubrious Valley- Saturday, May 25, 2013
Newtown Creek walking tour with Mitch Waxman and Atlas Obscura, tickets on sale soon.
Hidden Harbor: Newtown Creek tour with Mitch Waxman – Sunday, May 26,2013
Boat tour presented by the Working Harbor Committee,
Limited seating available, order advance tickets now. Group rates available.
The Newtown Pentacle 