One

Vulnerability

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Maybe Writing is Being a Goldilocks

Imagine a writer, thinking herself into insanity. Trying one thing after another-too hot, too cold. Waiting until she can find the thing that is Just Right:

"Okay, so at one point after college, I realized I was a Writer-I had always identified myself as one, always did research and readings, kept a journal, etc-but I realized I hadn't WRITTEN.

So I literally began at my beginning.

I started doing Blogs. And Plays. And Short Stories. TV Pilots, Novels. And lately, I've also started doing Satire.  Short pieces which focus on humor, on a good idea that gets developed-and also gets workshopped among you and your closest writing partners.

New York has hosted several of my pieces, and I've been proud to help others bring theirs forward (helping to produce is helping to pay it forward in your own "work")

Everything feels natural to each of the medium (media), but it's about persistence.  And if something is not working, not breaking through, I'm willing to try the NEXT GENRE-the next pattern of storytelling.  Because it IS all the same urge, just coming out in different frames and formats."

NYC fights back against Amazon!

I think it was everyone's secret hope-I know it was mine-that Amazon would change its mind about moving its headquarters to NYC-specifically LIC.

Not just one area, not just LIC-but Greenpoint, and the 7 train and the G, and the LIRR-and all the other parts of the city that would be overburdened by YET ANOTHER wave of young hopefuls heading to the city, wanting to work for a tech giant.

Prayers were answered.

Now we get to go back to the normal pace of complaints about general decline. ;)

Documenting the Decline

At one point in the future, Greenpoint will have become the neighborhood it is growing into.

As of today, it is still in a weird transition.

On the same day, they listed 2 pieces of news in the hyper-local online sites.

First, our favorite restaurant is closing after 20 years (because that is the life expectancy of a joint in this hood?).
http://www.brooklynvegan.com/enids-in-greenpoint-to-close-at-the-end-of-march/
This is a year after Matchless closed, another great bar that defined the nightlife of this neighborhood.

And second, there was a piece of hate mail sent to a couple who are running a business out of their home.  It was anti-semitic and anonymous (of course), and the funny part is-the couple isn't even JEWISH!!!

So what does that mean-were they targeted by stupid bigots (yes-that's certainly contributing), were they assuming that because one of them was Mexican/Cuban and the other was Italian. was it sheer terror or foreigners? In a Polish neighborhood?-With Williamsburg next door, can they not even IDENTIFY who they hate-or are they trying to target hipsters?

is the neighborhood shifting in ways that are freaking people out? Yes. But go to one of the local places and celebrate, while you still can. And be nice to your neighbors. Please.

Where You Are is Who You Are

"Where You Are Is Who You Are"-the new billboard on the new apartment building.

I went to the newly "reopened" Key Foods nearby.  It was just as I remembered, except everything was shinier. Even though the chain itself is not very upscale, it is competing with CTown nearby, and preparing itself for the onslaught of new residents to the neighborhood.  A new glass tower is nearing completion just across the street from it and will be one of the many places to overcharge the new neighbors.

I have to admit, I was sick and wanted some juice and soups. Nothing fancy, just Vitamin C and chicken something, and maybe a few croissants.

Dave in Baked Goods recognized me, I think. He should, I've been going there for 4 years.  I can never tell if he's flirting with me, but it's nice to be recognized.

Lost and Found

Lost and Found (to be continued)