by Cathy Hannan
OTBKB Guest Blogger
Everyone hates parades: they screw up traffic, they leave a huge mess, and really, they’re just not that fun. I think the same thing goes for block parties. What is it about Brooklynites loving their block parties? Is it really that exciting to be able to stand in the middle of your street and drink a beer and grill a hotdog?
My Park Slope (vicinity) block had one last weekend. They put up signs, which said that the police would be towing cars…wha-huh? Can they do that? I don’t have a car, but let’s say I did and I didn
Nokidding Cathy, How much is your apartment going for? I’m planning a move to Brooklyn- born and raised in suburby jersey all my life… this sounds like EXACTLY what i’m looking for… maybe I can organize the clean up after the annual block party… lookin’ to move by Dec 05. As ‘they’ say, “Holla at me!”
Nokidding Cathy, How much is your apartment going for? I’m planning a move to Brooklyn- born and raised in suburby jersey all my life… this sounds like EXACTLY what i’m looking for… maybe I can organize the clean up after the annual block party… lookin’ to move by Dec 05. As ‘they’ say, “Holla at me!”
Have to say, this guest blogger comes off pretty soft. Ever think of talking to the people who oragnized the block party. Or were they beneath you? One of the best parts of living in Brooklyn is the ability to yell at your neighbors. We have kids on our block that I tell to “shut up” and “go home” all the time. Not sure why the need to leave shit in the streets overcame your neighbors, but that is definitely something I’d bring up at the next block party. Glad to hear you’re leaving though, one more mark on the “supply” side…
Skunky, I think you missed the joke part of the $800 stroller.I don’t have kids, and I sure as hell don’t have an 800 anything. Actuallly we do plan to move, and I consider this block party one of the last straws. I’ve lived on the block for 5 years and its been in a steady decline the whole time. Its pretty sad that the people on the block would need my “outsider” help to figure out that they should clean up after themselves.
truth is that theres a total war going on under our noses in the neighborhood…the old school 5th ave area park slopers and the new schoolers that moved in once the crime went away and replaced with steak frites. block parties are for the old school 5th ave bunch…opening the hydrants, cooking rotten meat…listening to crap salsa and reggae music. all of the new school park slopers have their ‘block parties’ at the gate drinking portland microbrews and getting take out from chip shop.
but i agree with cathy…and ive lived in brooklyn all my life.
I’m sorry, the Dinkins Administration condoned shitting in the street? I guess I missed that memo… And I don’t think she mentioned any property destruction, either. This doesn’t say anything about Brooklyn, or the city. It says something about her neighbors. One chooses where they live, especially if they go for $800 strollers and can afford a suite at the Parker-Meridien for the weekend just to get away from the hoi polloi. Maybe if she took a organizing role in the block party it would be more congenial. This is a typical “outsider” reaction to a bad situation in the neighborhood… pack up the pusses and go to a midtown hotel and/or move away. Get active in your block, stop posting whiny posts about how you are so horrified about the people on your block. Or move. One or the other.
There’s a reason you pay up for a nice neighborhood, and you make up the difference in money saved off of suites at the Parker-Meridien.
That Bobby is full of sass.
Bobby Taco, if you knew Cathy like I do, you would kick yourself for the comment you left. Her stroller costs way more than $800.
It is unfortunate that so many people think this type of behavior is acceptable for Brooklyn (or anywhere else for that matter) – City living should not mean shit in the streets, open and notorious drug use and destruction of personal property. I thought the notion that people should have to move to the suburbs for decent quality of life went out w/ the Dinkins Administration
I agree with Bobby Taco. Blunts for everyone. Half-smoked? Where the hell do you live? I’ll come by and finish em!
Seriously, though, Wyckoff St block parties have totally rocked, in a totally mellow way. No crack-smoking, etc. What horrid armit of a block do you live on? This is why Park Slop (vicinity) sucks, and Cobble/Boerum Hill kicks ass.
Really, Cathy, people are gross. Hell, in large numbers, cats are gross – alone or with a few friends, clean as a whistle. Drink wide of the hoi polloi, and city water, and most likely you’ll contract some sort of dysentary.
I don’t get Bobby Taco’s response–this is Brooklyn so we should put up with this shit? I’m from Brooklyn (4th generation) with a second-hand $60 stroller, so it’s bullshit to act like she’s uptight. Organizing a block party means cleaning up after a block party, too.
Welcome to Brooklyn honey! Smoke a blunt and relax or take yourself, your bratty kids and your $800 strollers to the burbs.