It’s a surprisingly long and uninteresting story of clashing personalities, family dynamics and poor parenting skills (from me). However, the short version is: I create a quiz (different type every year) to bring everyone together, but regularly forget that I’m the only one who likes quizzes. Am I giving up this year? No!
Never give up! I suspect there are some family members who like it more than they let on. I wish someone in my family would put together something like that!
Always thought exclusively blaming Roberty Moses on NYC's traffic woes was a bit simplistic. He definitely wielded power, but he was no Grand Dictator who could get his way with the wave of a hand. Many borough, city, and state officials were just as complicit in ramming through highways and dislocating thousands of families in all 5 boroughs.
And yes, I did two things while reading this article: I glanced at my bookshelf to eye "The Power Broker," and clicked the link to the excrement apron (not sure which of the two is more full of sh!t). Thanks, Rob, as always!
Knowing in advance to build highways for the coming auto blitz back in the ‘20’s and ‘30’s was brilliant. No one was thinking like him back than! Parks, bridges, parkways, dams, tunnels, beaches, playgrounds, Olympic size swimming pools etc etc
Wow! "This competitive city-builder simulates socio-economic urban development and its human costs through 96 event cards, 127 wooden pieces, and a shared event deck progressing by decades."
Yeah, I saw the prototype being played by someone I follow online, and it looked really cool. That was before I even knew much about the history of the project. It's neat to have all these threads come together.
If you knew how many games I own because I wanted them but probably didn't have anyone to play with. Hoo buddy. There's nothing wrong with buying a game you probably won't get to play.
RM was a mixed bag. He did a lot of wonderful things also. Jones Beach is just shy of 100 years old. Still captivating! The ocean parkway astride it, Captree, endless parks etc. He changed life forever for millions
Not Goya cans, but still!
I’m looking for maximum can diversity.
For those interested in The Bronx (and who isn't) I highly recommend Ian Frazier's book "Paradise Bronx."
Great writer and book!
I love Ian Frazier but gave up after a few chapters. Does it get less snoozy?
I think you recommended it to me? I kind of jump around between sections so not so snoozy for me. Maybe you should just go to a random chapter?
Just arrived in my mailbox today
Awww, many thanks for trying to save a fallen End sign🥹
I might go back with a wrench…
Hope the sign is still there😅
I imagine it will be. It’s too big for anyone to bother with!
An excrement apron and 13yr old Oswald, the weekly Neighborhoods post never disappoints Rob!
I now know way more about different ways to contain animal poop than I ever wanted to.
Happy to become a subscriber I love what you do Happy New Year Davien Littlefield
Thanks so much Davien! Same to you!
I’m off to explore the City of Sound page. It’s a great idea and might feature in this year’s reliably catastrophic Family Christmas Quiz.
I really want to know what the catastrophic Family Christmas Quiz is!
It’s a surprisingly long and uninteresting story of clashing personalities, family dynamics and poor parenting skills (from me). However, the short version is: I create a quiz (different type every year) to bring everyone together, but regularly forget that I’m the only one who likes quizzes. Am I giving up this year? No!
Never give up! I suspect there are some family members who like it more than they let on. I wish someone in my family would put together something like that!
Always thought exclusively blaming Roberty Moses on NYC's traffic woes was a bit simplistic. He definitely wielded power, but he was no Grand Dictator who could get his way with the wave of a hand. Many borough, city, and state officials were just as complicit in ramming through highways and dislocating thousands of families in all 5 boroughs.
And yes, I did two things while reading this article: I glanced at my bookshelf to eye "The Power Broker," and clicked the link to the excrement apron (not sure which of the two is more full of sh!t). Thanks, Rob, as always!
Knowing in advance to build highways for the coming auto blitz back in the ‘20’s and ‘30’s was brilliant. No one was thinking like him back than! Parks, bridges, parkways, dams, tunnels, beaches, playgrounds, Olympic size swimming pools etc etc
Again: neato. Next, how about West 73rd Street? I had the coolest apartment at the top floor of 36 W73
That is a primo block! That might be a nice neighborhood to wander this time of year. I spent about six months at 72nd and West End.
It was in 1968-69.
Wow. Robert Moses was really evil. If I could meet anyone alive or dead and punch them in the face, he'd be pretty high on the list.
He was definitely an end justifies the means kind of person and sometimes the ends were no better than the means.
Side note: There's a board game that just came out about the Cross Bronx Expressway.
https://www.nobleknight.com/P/2148324756/Cross-Bronx-Expressway
Wow! "This competitive city-builder simulates socio-economic urban development and its human costs through 96 event cards, 127 wooden pieces, and a shared event deck progressing by decades."
What a find!
Yeah, I saw the prototype being played by someone I follow online, and it looked really cool. That was before I even knew much about the history of the project. It's neat to have all these threads come together.
I suspect nobody would play with me, but I want it…
If you knew how many games I own because I wanted them but probably didn't have anyone to play with. Hoo buddy. There's nothing wrong with buying a game you probably won't get to play.
RM was a mixed bag. He did a lot of wonderful things also. Jones Beach is just shy of 100 years old. Still captivating! The ocean parkway astride it, Captree, endless parks etc. He changed life forever for millions
I just finished the One Mile (Afterward) chapter in The Power Broker. Now I'm here.
Raise your hand if you'd buy a calendar of cans holding up a/c units as photographed by Rob Stephenson 🙋