It is indeed true that Necessity is the Mother of Invention. No, I didn't invent anything that can change the world drastically. It's just that all these times as a Mac owner I rarely play with iMovie, which is part of the iLife suite of multimedia applications bundled with every Macintosh computer. When my son was young, I may have dabbled a bit, baby videos and all. Maybe my Mac back then was too old and slow, or maybe I didn't have the time like I do now during the pandemic quarantine, but I didn't make anything out of iMovie.
I run a very active alumni group for my high school and one day came across a YouTube video that turned out to be popular with the group. Then some time later I discovered that the video was blocked by YouTube, because of some copyright issue with the music used. It's still there, maybe viewable in some Communist country that doesn't care about copyright laws, just not available where I live. I was able to contact the person who posted the video and after much waiting finally got a hold of the video file, some 700 MB in size and in the WMV format.
The entire video is 35 minutes in length and would need to have certain sections having no sound because of copyright. From my past dealing with uploading videos to Facebook, it's best not to have a big file. Facebook needs to do some processing and after the long wait to upload the big file, say anything 300 MB or bigger, there would be another delay before the video is viewable. I was sure iMovie could do that for me - chop up the video into more digestible sections and zero out the sound level anywhere that there's music that may offend some copyright owner's feelings.
If it's something I have no idea how to proceed I would read up, perhaps spending an hour or so going through the online help. But iMovie looks simple enough so I dove right in. Making the first few clips was a pain! Sure I got them made, but I was doing it the hard way. Eventually I found the correct way, as far as I know, and I was quickly Splitting clips, Joining them, etc. In the end, I was able to even re-combine all the various clips into one file to re-upload to YouTube, without the offending music. If you are from Newtown High School of Elmhurst, Queens, New York, Class of 1994, check out the video:
NEWTON HIGH SCHOOL OF ELMHURST, QUEENS NY CLASS OF 1994 SENIOR VIDEO
Showing posts with label Queens. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Queens. Show all posts
14 April 2020
29 December 2013
SCENE FROM A RUN: FUHGEDDABOUTIT!
I love that sign on the border of Queens and Brooklyn on the Belt Parkway. It says "Leaving Brooklyn, Fuhgeddaboutit". There is another sign just like it on the Belt Parkway on the ramp to the Verrazano Bridge, but it is not accessible to pedestrian, or anyone for that matter. You just drive by that one as you head for Staten Island, unless you want to drive onto the grass and attract unwanted attention from any nearby police cruiser. The one near Queens, on the other hand, is easily reached if you don't mind the trip on bike or on foot. I visited it some time ago on bike and took some selfies with a camera, not with a smartphone as I didn't have one back then. The result was not too satisfactory. This past summer I tried to run there but it got too hot I had to stop at Canarsie Pier to get drinks and then headed back. I didn't even run all the way back, but rather get to Avenue U to get another cold drink then climbed onto a bus to get home. I don't like to spend money or gasoline while on runs, but that day I made the exception.
Recently I also made exception for really early morning runs with my running partner. J needs to put in some long miles for his marathon in February and like me he has family duties to attend to so we agree to run really early, like 6 AM. We normally meet in Marine Park or Sheepshead Bay and neither place is easily accessible by public transit. And I don't want to run there since I want to save the energy for the long run. So I drove.
For today's run, our goal was to log 15 miles total. I did mention running to the Fuhgeddaboutit sign at the Queens border, but it would overdo the goal. So we agreed to go 7.5 miles out along the Belt Parkway, which for sure would put us short of the sign, then 7.5 miles back to our cars. Still, when we got 7.5 miles done, the sign was not that far away. J was a good sport and agreed to go there anyway, we would just walk part of the way back. We lost a few minutes posing with the sign, J with a scowling face supposedly as a Brooklyn 'tude, while I had him take a few shots of me throwing my arms forward, for Google Awesome to auto-convert into an animated GIF. It was supposed to be as if I was saying "Fuhgeddaboutit" but it looks more like I was imitating swimming. I love it nonetheless and hope you do too!
Recently I also made exception for really early morning runs with my running partner. J needs to put in some long miles for his marathon in February and like me he has family duties to attend to so we agree to run really early, like 6 AM. We normally meet in Marine Park or Sheepshead Bay and neither place is easily accessible by public transit. And I don't want to run there since I want to save the energy for the long run. So I drove.
For today's run, our goal was to log 15 miles total. I did mention running to the Fuhgeddaboutit sign at the Queens border, but it would overdo the goal. So we agreed to go 7.5 miles out along the Belt Parkway, which for sure would put us short of the sign, then 7.5 miles back to our cars. Still, when we got 7.5 miles done, the sign was not that far away. J was a good sport and agreed to go there anyway, we would just walk part of the way back. We lost a few minutes posing with the sign, J with a scowling face supposedly as a Brooklyn 'tude, while I had him take a few shots of me throwing my arms forward, for Google Awesome to auto-convert into an animated GIF. It was supposed to be as if I was saying "Fuhgeddaboutit" but it looks more like I was imitating swimming. I love it nonetheless and hope you do too!
18 December 2012
PERSONAL TRI-BORO BIKE TOUR, PART TWO
Before moving to Brooklyn in late 1990s, I spent almost ten years living in Long Island City, Queens. Many times I would drive along 11th Street to get to the Pulaski Bridge, to eventually get on the BQE near McGuinness Boulevard. On my way to the Queensboro Bridge a few days ago, I thought I still knew my way around the area on the Queens side of the Pulaski. How hard can it be to travel the area on bicycle? How different can it be compared to driving? A lot, especially if you want to obey traffic rules.
After crossing the Pulaski, I saw a bike lane going toward the river and took it. I thought it could not go wrong to follow the waterfront, which was on the left. At some point though, I saw that the Queensboro Bridge was on my left instead of being in front or to the right. Something had to be wrong, I must have made a wrong turn somewhere! Luckily, not long ago I visited Gantry State Park and knew that Vernon Boulevard runs all the way north, under the Queensboro. Once I found Vernon, I was on track again. When I got under the Queensboro, I should have turn right immediately but instead I went straight. Maybe I did that because I knew from a visit to Sunnyside some years ago that the ped/bike lane of the Queensboro was on the north side of the lower level of the bridge. Unfortunately, there were no other right turn to take because of the buildings of Queensbridge housing project. I ended up having to go the extra distance to 41st Avenue. Eventually I found the bike ramp for the bridge. Cyclists are supposed to use the left lane while the right lane is for pedestrians. There were not that many people and the walkers, and the occasional runners, were all over in either lane. As I slowly made my way up the ramp, it occurred to me how is it possible that I saw land below the bridge, but I was not done with the ascend? In other words, if the Queensboro Bridge connects Queens and Manhattan, as soon as I see land under the bridge, as opposed to water, should I not be descending the bridge already? Then it dawned on me. I was mistaken, for the land I saw was not Manhattan, but Roosevelt Island, the very place I will be running the NYC Runs Hot Chocolate 10K on.
When I finally made the descend, I saw the sign to indicate a steep descend and slowed my progress by braking slowly. It was a good thing I did because the path took a nasty U-turn at the end of the ramp. If I was coasting downward I am pretty sure I would not navigate the U-turn in time to avoid a crash. Maybe I missed some sign that warned "Sharp U-turn ahead!"
Off the Queensboro Bridge, I was already at First Avenue and 60th Street. I should probably just walk the bike over to Third Avenue and whatever 60ish Street but I rode anyway. Right away, I didn't like it. Just a block north there was a truck blocking the bike lane. As I stopped to look to behind me before passing the truck, some cyclist zoomed by. Not close enough to hit me or anything, but it got me shaking my head. Maybe the cyclist already looked behind and saw that the coast was clear. The short trip across the avenues and the few streets were slow and at times I did walk the bike. I was glad to find one of those CityRack but then I couldn't find The Running Company. It turned out my memory failed me and I was off by just one block. Got the bib and souvenir mug (instead of T-shirt), for myself and another PPTC 10K runner, and off I went. I would love to ride back to Brooklyn but the trip to the store already took about two hours. I was needed elsewhere so I had to take the subway back. Bike trips are great as long as you are not in a hurry. Or the distance too great. Or the weather is not too nasty.
I definitely need to re-visit Kent Avenue and the Pulaski Bridge to take some photos. I also totally passed by East River State Park. I think I often saw it from across the river in East River Promenade under the Williamsburg Bridge. It looked like a nice place to take a stroll or just to relax.
After crossing the Pulaski, I saw a bike lane going toward the river and took it. I thought it could not go wrong to follow the waterfront, which was on the left. At some point though, I saw that the Queensboro Bridge was on my left instead of being in front or to the right. Something had to be wrong, I must have made a wrong turn somewhere! Luckily, not long ago I visited Gantry State Park and knew that Vernon Boulevard runs all the way north, under the Queensboro. Once I found Vernon, I was on track again. When I got under the Queensboro, I should have turn right immediately but instead I went straight. Maybe I did that because I knew from a visit to Sunnyside some years ago that the ped/bike lane of the Queensboro was on the north side of the lower level of the bridge. Unfortunately, there were no other right turn to take because of the buildings of Queensbridge housing project. I ended up having to go the extra distance to 41st Avenue. Eventually I found the bike ramp for the bridge. Cyclists are supposed to use the left lane while the right lane is for pedestrians. There were not that many people and the walkers, and the occasional runners, were all over in either lane. As I slowly made my way up the ramp, it occurred to me how is it possible that I saw land below the bridge, but I was not done with the ascend? In other words, if the Queensboro Bridge connects Queens and Manhattan, as soon as I see land under the bridge, as opposed to water, should I not be descending the bridge already? Then it dawned on me. I was mistaken, for the land I saw was not Manhattan, but Roosevelt Island, the very place I will be running the NYC Runs Hot Chocolate 10K on.
When I finally made the descend, I saw the sign to indicate a steep descend and slowed my progress by braking slowly. It was a good thing I did because the path took a nasty U-turn at the end of the ramp. If I was coasting downward I am pretty sure I would not navigate the U-turn in time to avoid a crash. Maybe I missed some sign that warned "Sharp U-turn ahead!"
Off the Queensboro Bridge, I was already at First Avenue and 60th Street. I should probably just walk the bike over to Third Avenue and whatever 60ish Street but I rode anyway. Right away, I didn't like it. Just a block north there was a truck blocking the bike lane. As I stopped to look to behind me before passing the truck, some cyclist zoomed by. Not close enough to hit me or anything, but it got me shaking my head. Maybe the cyclist already looked behind and saw that the coast was clear. The short trip across the avenues and the few streets were slow and at times I did walk the bike. I was glad to find one of those CityRack but then I couldn't find The Running Company. It turned out my memory failed me and I was off by just one block. Got the bib and souvenir mug (instead of T-shirt), for myself and another PPTC 10K runner, and off I went. I would love to ride back to Brooklyn but the trip to the store already took about two hours. I was needed elsewhere so I had to take the subway back. Bike trips are great as long as you are not in a hurry. Or the distance too great. Or the weather is not too nasty.
I definitely need to re-visit Kent Avenue and the Pulaski Bridge to take some photos. I also totally passed by East River State Park. I think I often saw it from across the river in East River Promenade under the Williamsburg Bridge. It looked like a nice place to take a stroll or just to relax.
15 December 2012
PERSONAL TRI-BORO BIKE TOUR
This morning I traveled by bike to The Running Company on Third Avenue between 62 and 63 Streets in Manhattan to pick up my bib and swag for the NYCRUNS Hot Chocolate race on Sunday. While the location is not as convenient for me as, say Jack Rabbit Sports in Park Slope, it was a good chance to explore northern Brooklyn and southern Queens on two wheels. Originally, I thought about entering Manhattan via the Manhattan Bridge then go north along the West Side bike lane. On second thought, since the store is on the east side of Manhattan and just a few blocks north of the Queensboro Bridge, the Queensboro would be the better choice. So my goal was to go over the Pulaski Bridge to get into Queens, then the Queensboro to get into Manhattan.
As usual, I started out by heading to Ocean Parkway and traveled most of its length northward, into Prospect Park and went with traffic flow, counterclockwise, to get to Grand Army Plaza. I hoped I would bump into some PPTC members running in the park but none was found, at least no one I know, that is. After PP, I went along Vanderbilt to get to past the elevated BQE. Vanderbilt south of Atlantic Avenue is bike-friendly, but north of Atlantic Avenue it is a shared road. Good thing there were two other cyclists in front of me, so I just quietly followed them. I also thought of Transportation Alternatives' bike train, whereby veteran cyclists lead novice ones on rides through the city. What a great idea!
I don't know the Williamsburg area well enough but enough to know that I had to avoid being south of the BQE. From the few times I drive through the area, I know that it's somewhat commercialized and can be busy and crowded at many places. The BQE being dipped below street level does not help either. As soon as I hit the BQE, I went under it and got to Flushing Avenue and the Brooklyn Navy Yard. I probably passed through the area before while riding in the Bike New York Tour, but have no recollection of the scenery. Again, some cyclist happened to go to my right, which I was sure that I should turn right too, so I followed him. Just past some gate into the Navy Yard, on the opposite site of the street was a protected bike lane, with the protection in the form of cement barricades. Sweet! Even better, after a turn into Kent Avenue, there was a sign that tell cyclists to use the sidewalk! I love Kent Avenue! Though the sidewalk bike lane ended at some point, the bike lane became protected, with the parking lane being the protection this time. At many corners cyclists are supposed to watch out for cars turning left, but with the East River on the left, most of the times the left turn would lead to a dead-end, so few cars actually made the left turn. Or maybe it was too early in the day. I aimed to get to the store by 10 AM and left home around 8.
I left Kent Avenue for North 14th Street, thinking that I would hit McGuinness Blvd. eventually. Unfortunately, there was no bike lane on McGuinness and with the calming median and the parked cars, there was just enough room for two cars to go side by side, not an ideal situation for a bike to squeeze into. I went toward the Pulaski Bridge via Newel Street, but at Greenpoint Blvd. it ended. Back on McGuinness, the Pulaski was just three blocks away but again I don't want to fight with the motorists. So I walked the bike the three blocks. Not just a cyclist, I'm also a runner and walker, when the time comes, I can easily walk. At the foot of the Pulaski, I discovered that Eagle Street would be the better choice over N. 14th St. Live and learn! That's what I love about actually going out there to discover what works and what does not.
I was worried that the Pulaski bike lane would be like the Marine Parkway, i.e. that the bike should be walked, at least according to some signs I saw some time ago. Luckily, it's a ped/bike shared path and that bikes should go slow. They sure should, as the lane is pretty narrow, just enough for two people or bike to squeeze past each other. I traveled over the Pulaski Bridge many time by car and once by bike, on the vehicular road, during Bike New York's tour. For today's first-time trip over the bike lane, I discovered that in addition to the ramp, there are stairs, with many steps I am sure, to get to the bridge, on both the Brooklyn and the Queens sides.
I made it into Queens! Just a few more kilometers and I should be at the Queensboro Bridge. Once I cross into Manhattan, my target would be just a few blocks away. Before moving to Brooklyn in 1997, I lived in Long Island City for about ten years, so I know the area near the Pulaski Bridge pretty well. Or so I thought.
As usual, I started out by heading to Ocean Parkway and traveled most of its length northward, into Prospect Park and went with traffic flow, counterclockwise, to get to Grand Army Plaza. I hoped I would bump into some PPTC members running in the park but none was found, at least no one I know, that is. After PP, I went along Vanderbilt to get to past the elevated BQE. Vanderbilt south of Atlantic Avenue is bike-friendly, but north of Atlantic Avenue it is a shared road. Good thing there were two other cyclists in front of me, so I just quietly followed them. I also thought of Transportation Alternatives' bike train, whereby veteran cyclists lead novice ones on rides through the city. What a great idea!
I don't know the Williamsburg area well enough but enough to know that I had to avoid being south of the BQE. From the few times I drive through the area, I know that it's somewhat commercialized and can be busy and crowded at many places. The BQE being dipped below street level does not help either. As soon as I hit the BQE, I went under it and got to Flushing Avenue and the Brooklyn Navy Yard. I probably passed through the area before while riding in the Bike New York Tour, but have no recollection of the scenery. Again, some cyclist happened to go to my right, which I was sure that I should turn right too, so I followed him. Just past some gate into the Navy Yard, on the opposite site of the street was a protected bike lane, with the protection in the form of cement barricades. Sweet! Even better, after a turn into Kent Avenue, there was a sign that tell cyclists to use the sidewalk! I love Kent Avenue! Though the sidewalk bike lane ended at some point, the bike lane became protected, with the parking lane being the protection this time. At many corners cyclists are supposed to watch out for cars turning left, but with the East River on the left, most of the times the left turn would lead to a dead-end, so few cars actually made the left turn. Or maybe it was too early in the day. I aimed to get to the store by 10 AM and left home around 8.
I left Kent Avenue for North 14th Street, thinking that I would hit McGuinness Blvd. eventually. Unfortunately, there was no bike lane on McGuinness and with the calming median and the parked cars, there was just enough room for two cars to go side by side, not an ideal situation for a bike to squeeze into. I went toward the Pulaski Bridge via Newel Street, but at Greenpoint Blvd. it ended. Back on McGuinness, the Pulaski was just three blocks away but again I don't want to fight with the motorists. So I walked the bike the three blocks. Not just a cyclist, I'm also a runner and walker, when the time comes, I can easily walk. At the foot of the Pulaski, I discovered that Eagle Street would be the better choice over N. 14th St. Live and learn! That's what I love about actually going out there to discover what works and what does not.
I was worried that the Pulaski bike lane would be like the Marine Parkway, i.e. that the bike should be walked, at least according to some signs I saw some time ago. Luckily, it's a ped/bike shared path and that bikes should go slow. They sure should, as the lane is pretty narrow, just enough for two people or bike to squeeze past each other. I traveled over the Pulaski Bridge many time by car and once by bike, on the vehicular road, during Bike New York's tour. For today's first-time trip over the bike lane, I discovered that in addition to the ramp, there are stairs, with many steps I am sure, to get to the bridge, on both the Brooklyn and the Queens sides.
I made it into Queens! Just a few more kilometers and I should be at the Queensboro Bridge. Once I cross into Manhattan, my target would be just a few blocks away. Before moving to Brooklyn in 1997, I lived in Long Island City for about ten years, so I know the area near the Pulaski Bridge pretty well. Or so I thought.
04 August 2010
Queens Half-Marathon Photos
My photo order from BrightRoom arrived yesterday. At $15 or so a pop, I better milk the photos for all they got! I wish someone I knew was there at the finish line or along the way to photograph me, but then again the race started at 7 A.M. and I finished around 10 A.M., on a Sunday. Most people would just get up then. Even if someone was there, chances are BrightRoom had exclusive rights for the event, at least at the finish line, but that's just my guess.
I already signed up for the Bronx Half-Marathon, August 15. That's less than two weeks away and I haven't run since about two weeks ago because of all the clean-up around the house. Ack! Better turn in early for the night and try to do 8K tomorrow morning!!!
I already signed up for the Bronx Half-Marathon, August 15. That's less than two weeks away and I haven't run since about two weeks ago because of all the clean-up around the house. Ack! Better turn in early for the night and try to do 8K tomorrow morning!!!
04 May 2010
Brooklyn-Queens Bike Express
The Brooklyn-Queens Bike Express... NOT! Without actually being part of the New York Bike Tour, I thought the route would get on the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway in Queens and enter Brooklyn that way. Just because I was stuck on the BQE before because of the Bike Tour does not necessarily mean the Tour went from Queens to Brooklyn via the BQE.
We left Manhattan for the last time via the Queensboro Bridge. It has been ages since I last used the QB. When I lived in Long Island City the QB would be the quickest way to get into Manhattan. It took me a few minutes to realize that we were on the upper level of the QB. The view was great! I had to pull over a few times to take picture of the surrounding. It is not everyday that one gets to be on the bridge, free of cars, to briefly mill about. Someone made the snide remark "Tourists!" while another said that he sees this, referring to the Manhattan skyline, from his office every day. How unappreciative of the City, these wise guys!
We got off the QB around 21st Street and traveled mostly along Vernon Boulevard and eventually reached the Pulaski Bridge, an entry point for Brooklyn. I again took some photos of the Manhattan skyline. I can almost swear that I once saw some sign informing drivers that they are leaving Brooklyn but I just couldn't find it. I only got the sign welcoming people to Brooklyn. I realize now the tour route is basically along the waterfront of Brooklyn and Queens. The northern waterfront part of Brooklyn is one area that I am not familiar with. Some kids and their mother had a lemonade stand out but if was on the far side of the road so I had to turn down the offer but the rest of the trip I had this urge for a nice cool cup of, what else, lemonade.
Eventually we reached DUMBO, the area Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass. It was around 1 PM so some people pulled over for lunch, sitting outside under the beautiful sky. One woman had a sign advertising coffee and such for the restaurant nearby, which was within sight where she stood. I think she would have more business if she had the items ready-made, that people could just buy from her right near the bike route.
Finally, we entered the BQE after passing Atlantic Avenue, over the Gowanus Canal, and along the elevated portion of the BQE that is in constant need of repairs. Some plans call for that part of the BQE to be put underground. Maybe not being exposed to the elements will allow the expressway to last longer, who knows?
I thought we would go to the Verrazano Bridge via the BQE but instead we took the Belt Parkway. It was early in the evening and we were right off the waterfront along the Belt. Occasionally we would be greeted by a cold blast of wind, which was refreshing. Just what we needed to keep going for the last few miles.
Note that there are no photos taken on the BQE or the Belt Parkway. Living in Brooklyn for more than 10 years now, I travel those paths often and don't have any special connections to them. Not like parts of Queens, which I don't visit that regularly these days. Something about absence makes the heart grow fonder, I suppose.
Some interesting-looking apartment buildings north of the Queensboro Bridge.
Citi Corp building, the lone high-rise in the area.
The 7 train making its ear-splitting turn.
The Manhattan skyline viewed from the sharp turn toward the 21st Street exit.
Manhattan skyline viewed from the Pulaski Bridge.
Brooklyn, like no other places in the world.
23 September 2008
Queens For A Day, Part 1
In an ideal world, I would re-visit my old neighborhood in Woodhaven, Queens, where I moved to after a few years living in the cramped apartment in Elmhurst. It was our first time living in a family house, I liked it so much I went to some local T-shirt store and bought a shirt that read "I Love Woodhaven". Well, the world is not perfect and I instead found myself re-visiting Long Island City, Queens and its neighbor Astoria. After Woodhaven, we spent a year in crime-ridden Bushwick, Brooklyn, then stayed in L.I.C. for about ten years. Here are some photos from my excursion to the northern part of Queens this past Sunday. I used BannerZest to create the slideshow, using the Water Apparition Narrow theme. While it looks kinda cool, it allows no text to accompany the photos, so notes are right below the slideshow.
Long Island City Home
The house with the green awning is where we lived for almost ten years. By then it was just my parents, my older brother, and me. Wow, for a second there, I couldn't remember where my brother's room was. It was in this house that I got laid off from my first job out of college. Life was simpler then, I just took it easy and did nothing for half a year. Got up most morning at 9 and jogged to Astoria Park to run 6 miles around the track. It was supposed to be my training for the NYC Marathon. Of course it was far below the recommended amount. In 1997 I got married and moved out, then in 1999 my parents and brother moved in with me in Brooklyn, when Wife and I bought our house. I had to throw out lots of stuff for the final move and still regret that I included a box of Oriental Heroes (龍虎門) graphic novel.
Almost Bought
At one time we tried to buy a house in the area. It has an odd shape, very short but wide. The house looked pretty much the same as I remember it almost fifteen years ago. After we went to the bank to try borrow money, we were not that sure we wanted to buy it. Luckily the bank turned us down. Where were those subprime loans when you needed one, eh?
Genovese Supported ARROW
Now a Rite Aid, this store near the junction of Broadway and 31st Street used to be a Genovese Drug Store. It was while living in LIC that I got involved with the recycling group called ARROW. Back then the City did not have curbside recycling. ARROW setup a collection site on the sidewalk right outside Genovese for people to drop off metal cans, plastic bottles, may be even newspapers. Someone thought of flattening the metal cans for better storage and welded a square metal plate to an iron pipe. The device was effective at flattening the cans, but the people wielding it would just smash the thing into a pile of cans. Luckily no one was hurt by the cans as that inevitably flew out of the pile. I came up with the idea having some people line up the cans for me to smash. Assembly line, that's all. It was a lot safer that way. Genovese was supportive of the operation and allowed us to store our tools and such in their store.
Dutch Kills Playground
At one time, a cousin lived a few blocks away from us. She had a son and a daughter, little kids, 8 or 9 years old. Back then my job was not so hectic, I had time to take the kids to the park and Hall of Science. No, it was not only during the time that I was unemployed that I hang out with my niece and nephew. I was a good uncle before I became the good father.
Long Island City Home
The house with the green awning is where we lived for almost ten years. By then it was just my parents, my older brother, and me. Wow, for a second there, I couldn't remember where my brother's room was. It was in this house that I got laid off from my first job out of college. Life was simpler then, I just took it easy and did nothing for half a year. Got up most morning at 9 and jogged to Astoria Park to run 6 miles around the track. It was supposed to be my training for the NYC Marathon. Of course it was far below the recommended amount. In 1997 I got married and moved out, then in 1999 my parents and brother moved in with me in Brooklyn, when Wife and I bought our house. I had to throw out lots of stuff for the final move and still regret that I included a box of Oriental Heroes (龍虎門) graphic novel.
Almost Bought
At one time we tried to buy a house in the area. It has an odd shape, very short but wide. The house looked pretty much the same as I remember it almost fifteen years ago. After we went to the bank to try borrow money, we were not that sure we wanted to buy it. Luckily the bank turned us down. Where were those subprime loans when you needed one, eh?
Genovese Supported ARROW
Now a Rite Aid, this store near the junction of Broadway and 31st Street used to be a Genovese Drug Store. It was while living in LIC that I got involved with the recycling group called ARROW. Back then the City did not have curbside recycling. ARROW setup a collection site on the sidewalk right outside Genovese for people to drop off metal cans, plastic bottles, may be even newspapers. Someone thought of flattening the metal cans for better storage and welded a square metal plate to an iron pipe. The device was effective at flattening the cans, but the people wielding it would just smash the thing into a pile of cans. Luckily no one was hurt by the cans as that inevitably flew out of the pile. I came up with the idea having some people line up the cans for me to smash. Assembly line, that's all. It was a lot safer that way. Genovese was supportive of the operation and allowed us to store our tools and such in their store.
Dutch Kills Playground
At one time, a cousin lived a few blocks away from us. She had a son and a daughter, little kids, 8 or 9 years old. Back then my job was not so hectic, I had time to take the kids to the park and Hall of Science. No, it was not only during the time that I was unemployed that I hang out with my niece and nephew. I was a good uncle before I became the good father.
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