A Work in Progress... but hey isn't everything?

You might be asking yourself, "where have I seen this before?"  The odd thing is, you haven't. While my faithful readers might think they recall this being a picture repeat, in fact it is our new bathroom extension.  "Bathroom extension?" You might ask.  "But I thought there was progress being made."  Well, that was last week and as you all know, this is this week.  After attempting to replace the tub, our crew determined this was simply impossible.  So we are now extending the bathroom 6 inches into the living room.  That pushes us back a construction workers "week" meaning 2-3 weeks in real person time.  

So you can imagine my slight surprise, and then rational acceptance, of the scene of walking in to see framing and amazingly enough, "re-plumbing."  Oh well.  

The construction HAS been a pain.  I can't lie.  I am sleeping in the living room, get woken up every morning by either one of my roomies getting ready or the cat pretending it is an African safari and I am helpless prey.  My privacy is gone which also means my study nook is gone too. Not that being interrupted with mind numbingly boring "dilemmas" isn't fun, but really people, I have stuff to do.  Speaking of which, I just finished my midterms for law school.

Which brings me to my "CUNY weekend update."  I often get asked how I like it, what's different, and so on and so forth.  Let me try and answer these inquiries in a concise and lawyerly manner.  First let me say it is fantastic.  The environment is perfect FOR ME.  Not for everyone.  And certainly there are downsides which I will get in to at some point, some day.  But for now, let's focus simply on the differences.  Well, midterms, that's different.  I got very used to simply attempting to soak things up for 12 weeks and then panicking when I had 1 comprehensive final for 5 subjects with 3 days to study and just "get it."  So it was kind of odd to have a midterm where I could actually relax, focus, and feel like I really mastered the topics up to that point.

My other classes are similar.  CUNY doesn't believe in a one time assessment of your learning. I tend to agree with the philosophy for a number of reasons.  But for now, I will let you know I have weekly "problem sets" in my Tax class where we actually are expected to apply that week's reading to actual problems and then get graded for our work.  It is eerily similar to the real world and frankly has no place in a law school.  I kid because that is actually true at Seattle University.  In my International Law class, my teacher is one of the founders of CUNY, and we get to choose whether we want an in-class final, a take home final, or a paper.  I chose the take home because I have never had one.  Take that rational basis scientists.  We also have weekly reading reviews.  I love this part because we actually have to reflect on the reading and contribute something NEW to the discussion.  It's nice to be treated like an adult.  My Business Associations has fairly consistent quizzes on the major topics and my UCC class had the midterm and problem sets much like Tax.  All in all, I am learning a heck of lot more.  

There is room for improvement but I'll save that for when I write the paper next semester. Which brings me to the overall environment.  Just today I told a friend of mine, I felt like NY was just the right thing to do when I was in Seattle.  Now I know.  I just couldn't have done this there.  I was dissatisfied with the way law school was taught and here we are, a new way of teaching.  I didn't want to work for a big firm or really do traditional legal work, and here we are, a place that encourages you to start a non-profit.  Not only that but I am surrounded by people with a public interest mindset and am collaborating with two other students, each of whom plan to start their own orgs.  It's just a very positive, community focused environment.  

That's CUNY.  As for NY, I like it.  It inspires me for one and makes me work harder.  A little personal update.  I am working on a screenplay with a friend which is hopefully going to be done sometime in January or February.  We are 1/3 of the way done writing and the outline is basically done.  Also, starting tomorrow, I will be working on an interesting project with a old friend, and long-time author which involves writing a novel together but without any more communication than reading what the last wrote and moving the story forward.  We agreed on a genre and a premise.  From here on out, no communication.  After we have made some progress I will get you the link, should you be curious or if you want to do me a favor and read ;-)  Finally, I am working with several people towards developing the non-profit.  The goal is to have the plan finished this year and to be filing the paperwork in the spring.  

So NY has done me well.  Next up on the agenda: 1) possible employment with Eddie the Indian guru and craftsman;  2) A trip to a cafe on the other side of Brooklyn per the request of a friend and faithful reader; 3) A review of the new grocery store on the corner; 4) TBD

Thanks for reading up to this point and I hope I can provide some more entertainment soon.   

A little bit of Panama

My friend, Jonathon Silvera, came to NYC on "business" for Microsoft.  I met him and his mate Matt, an Aussie who also works for Microsoft at a little pub in the east village.  After a couple of beers, many of them free, I informed my guests that this was a NY trick.  Basically due to the high supply of bars in the area, bartenders seduce you into staying the entire night in their joint by offering you free beers up front anticipating you will buy more than you planned later.  But I am on to them and quickly escorted my friends out.  

We next went to a Russian bar on Houston Street (It is pronounced How-s-ton here in NY) and met up with Matt's Aussie Mates who are currently living in Harlem but soon to be living near me in Brooklyn.  In the picture above we are having a mock arm wrestling contest.  We do this because this is what is done in their country.  Very niiiiice.  

Outside the Russian bar (let me digress by informing my readers that this bar has some 80 plus kinds of Vodka.  Now I actually despise vodka so I thought it would be a short stay but then my mate Matt bought me a vodka on the rocks and gosh darn it, it tasted like chocolate.  4 later, I was feeling rather nice) we met this fine gentleman from the Dominican Republic.  Jonathon, feeling his latin roots come to the surface, tried his luck with his supposed connection to baseball.  After failing the who is the famous baseball player quiz, I interjected with "Roberto Clemente" and "are you from Santo Domingo as well?"  which got me mega points.  When Silvera asked who our new friend Rafael would take on his baseball team, he looked at Jonathon, then looked at me and said, "I'd go with my brethren but something tells me the white boy has a cannon."  Indeed I told him, good choice.  Thanks for the baseball lessons padre, it finally paid off- a free vodka and a bouncer who had our backs.  

If you can't laugh...

Today I got to go to the Daily Show with Jon Stewart near Radio City Hall near Midtown, Manhattan.  It was a great experience.  The tickets were free, and due to a lucky break, I was able to get a ticket online (reservation) because they had originally planned not to do any shows this week.  

So I got there at 2:45 and was number 23 in line.  at 5:15, we were escorted, through a metal detector, into the waiting area and then finally into the set.  As 23, I should have been seated in likely the second or third row, but since I was solo, there was an open seat in the first row. This seat just happened to be eye level with Jon, again front row, and directly in front of him.  When they say "as the crow flies," that was me, about 25 feet away.  

The show was great, former Press Secretary Ari Fleischer was the guest and in between the boos (for him) and the laughs (for Jon) there was the usual journalistic satire.  It was definitely worth the wait and pretty much anything is worth missing class.  

When I got home, I checked out the construction zone at home and found, to my dismay, the project had expanded.  They took out the radiator in the living room, are sanding, still have not finished my room, and have only replaced the plumbing (in the midst of) in the bathroom.  I think we are looking at a serious delay...  

Seasoning at Prospect Park

I decided to take a study break at Prospect Park today.  I hadn't been to the south end of the park and wanted to sketch something around the lake.  I took the nature trail down to the Boat Center.  These stairs take you from the main area (long field) down into the water.  

When I got down to the lower field, I got this picture of horseback riders just in case you didn't believe me from earlier posts.  Where do they keep these horses I wonder? 

Then I finally found the perfect spot to sit down and sketch with my oil pastel crayons.  At one point I was approached by a photographer and she asked if she could take pictures of me "working."  I said yes and tried to continue without seeming like I could feel her presence.  10 minutes later she disappeared.   I sketched the changing tree leaves, lake, and bridge. 

Then I made my way back to the meadow and watched the local activities while reading and getting a little writing done.  I heard a "dai, dai," behind me and remembering this is "go, go" in Italian, I saw a family playing soccer (futbol, calcio) with their kids.  The keeper, moving across the picture, was actually pretty outstanding, saving 8 goals in just the time I was watching.  

Finally, I got to watch a group of kids participating in the old parachute game, this one of the stars and stripes.  Sarah Palin, eat your heart out.  Even in the liberal elite corners of NYC, patriotism rings. 

I had forgotten how amazing this park is and being 10 minutes from my house, I must get here more often.  There is just so much happening.  Soccer, football, catch, music, fishing, etc. all around you.  Definitely the best study break in a long time.  

For the video, please go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7je_EiEQ-xE

Transplant Plant

This plant was beginning to overtake us.  Eddie referred to it as "that tree" and the cat has become ever suspicious, taking swipes at it every chance she could.  So we agreed it was time that one plant be transformed into three. 

Luckily, in my teen years, I became well practiced in this procedure.  I took the runaway forest to the roof and began the operation.  The picture above is the work "station" and you can see the two remaining plants from the separation.  

Here are two of the successful patients now in separate manageable pots and naturally tied to "guide" their future growth.  The other is upstairs awaiting for me to think of something creative (likely found) to put it in.  For now it is in a bucket on the roof.  If you look closely you can see a pile of dirt on the rug.  After being warned not to touch anything, Yael in fact touched the plant because she "didn't think it looked pretty tied up."  Any guesses as to what happened next?  Right you are!  It came tumbling down.  

So everyone learned a valuable lesson.  Yael learned not to touch.  Which really isn't true because moments later she was back in washing the plant leaves, touching again.  And I learned that there is no point warning Yael.  It really is great when you learn something.  

On the agenda: tomorrow I plan to spend my study break strolling down and seeing the lake at Prospect Park before the weather starts turning.  Next Wednesday I am lucky enough to have gotten a ticket to The Daily Show with John Stewart.  After that, my friend Jonathon from Seattle will be here for the weekend.  Adios amigos!  

A Few of My Favorite Things

One of the best things about being at the apartment across the hall is a pretty amazing view from the fire escape off the living room.  I don't know why I like these water towers so much but I always catch myself staring whenever I see these in the city, atop unsuspecting buildings.

This is a row of brownstones about two blocks from my apartment.  As the leaves begin to change colors and the air becomes a little more brisk, the brownstones start to have more of an autumn feel.  Generally when I have errands to run, I walk about 3 streets down and two streets over so this street is always en route.  

This is on Flatbush Avenue, the major street near my apartment.  You can take this road from Prospect Park (Grand Army Plaza) all the way to Manhattan.  There are lots of little neighborhoods and parks in between.  Point to point would probably take about 10 minutes if traffic cooperates.  This is near the office supply store, my subway stop, my favorite coffee shop, and the all essential Duane Reed drug store.  Oh and the wine shop.    

Progress

The update on the construction project is nothing but great news.  As you can see considerable progress is being made.  After talking with Eddie several times, he has even offered to get me some work on the weekends to help pay the bills.  All in all, the time over in the adjacent apartment has been great, for me, and the new floor and bathroom will be nice to come home to.   

The market on the corner is also finishing the final touches on construction and should be open soon.  This is great news as it is just about 500 feet from my house.  

Constructing the Obvious

Construction begins...

This is the picture, taken today, of the living room floor.  As you can see to the right, the floor is coming away from the wall.  This was the beginning of the problem.  

Below you can see the joists which are causing the problem.  Basically they are rotting away causing the floor to sink.  So this is what they are working on presently.  This amounts to tearing it all up, hoping the whole thing doesn't cave in.  

But these problems are "real" problems.  The floor is in fact sinking.  The beams are indeed rotting.  This is an emergency project that needs to be done.  The next logical step would be clearly no one can occupy this apartment in its condition.  I side track a bit because let's get real.  Two of the three people could in fact live in the apartment.  They simply would not have use of the living room or the bathroom.  

There is a bathroom across the hall so that problem is settled.  There is one person who cannot use their room, me.  And this is not due to aesthetics.  Frankly, I don't care if it looked the same way as it does now (see below) but I am not wanted because they need to gut the room and tear down the wall and I would simply get in the way.  Which brings me to my startling issue at the moment.  

One roommate has been somewhat Queenish, needing to move because she wouldn't just put up plastic to keep the dust out of her room.  And arguably, she has a lot of studying to do so the other apartment is a more viable option.  The other, more adapt to conflict, had finally had enough, breaking down.  

Here is where I am faced with the first "real" dilemma in this whole ordeal.  What on earth am I supposed to do at this point?  I am the roommate.  I have known this person for a little over 2 months.  We aren't friends and we aren't enemies. She doesn't really know much about me.  If I go in for the comforting hug am I violating any rules?  Does this take me from roommate to friend?  Do I want to cross that bridge?  What is the roommate etiquette for these situations?  I ended up tapping her shoulder in a WWI grandfatherly way like you see on TV, not committing to any clear position.

My sympathetic side was saying comfort this poor distraught thing.  My logical side was saying this is New York!  We live in an 1890 apartment in Brooklyn.   Then my pragmatic side kicked in.  I didn't offer any words of encouragement nor allowed any time for chit chat.  I acted.  I told her we were moving her stuff in.  She briefly attempted interrupting me, likely to insist that I not have to sleep in the living room, (not a strategy Presidential hopefuls) so I cut off the attempt and started bringing her things over and moving mine out.  

The result is that your author is sitting on his mattress on the floor in the living room.  Is it an inconvenience?  You bet your Sarah Palin gosh darn ants it is.  But what are my options?  I could deal with the inequities and who knows what comes after that.  I could have a debate about who should be where.  Or we can just get through this nonsense.  I thought it would be simple. After day 5, I have a feeling this is just the beginning.  

So I will just have to get used to the cat attacking me in the middle of the night, being awakened by two people stomping across the hardwood floors, forgetting what privacy feels like, unlocking the other apartment every morning at 8 am, locking the apartment when I get home, dealing with the construction crew, dealing with the manager, and pretending like I am not 27 years old and that magically my back has turned into that of a youthful boy of 8.  Why? Because that is the pragmatic thing to do.  And someone has to be a pragmatic adult here seeing as how our landlord and super won't.  Until that changes let's keep things civil.  I guess New York isn't as tough as I thought it was.     

Debating NY

Carly had me meet a friend, whom she and Ashley grew up with in Browns Point, named Anastasia.  She is a local artist who went to Pratt Art Institute and lives near me in Bed Stuy, Brooklyn.  She just got a new job at a little bar, Against the Grain, near East Village.  I went to the bar, Anastasia above and bar below, and had a chance to chat and drink a beer.  One of the weirdest things was that when we were all kids, we likely played within a block of each other as one of my best family friends grew up a street down from them.  It's a small world afterall.

I then went to a popular NYU hangout called Apple Bar to meet up with my roomie, Marnie, and some of her classmates at the NYU Film School.  We watched the Vice Presidential Debate in the HEART of the liberal elite world that Gov. Palin so often refers to.  Needless to say, her use of doggone, dropping g's from the English language, and her complete lack of a grasp of any subject other than Russia's proximity, Mavericks (remember Top Gun?), and Americans did not get much approval.

Coming Home to Construction

Within a week of coming home our bathroom had sunk more than 2 inches.  The tiles were coming apart from the wall and the walls were coming apart from the floor.  Why?  The building was built in 1890 and the beams were damaged by water (condensation) and the "cement" of the time had nearly deteriorated into large rocks and were falling down on the workers who were remodeling the apartment below us.  Eddie, who is a freelance carpenter traveling the wold said, "a couple more days and you would have had dead Indians below you." 

 

This is a picture of the apartment being worked on below us.  The biggest challenge was that bathroom which in turn revealed the defects in ours.  

This is our bathroom after everything had been pulled out and the old concrete was removed.  

The project will entail replacing the 18 foot beams that run under a portion of my room, the bathroom, and about 4 feet into the living room.  It may include replacing the wall between my room and the bathroom and the flooring in all 3 will need to be replaced.  The estimate was 4 days and has grown to 3-4 weeks.  As with any construction project, that estimate will likely continue to grow. 

In the meantime, luckily, we have access to the apartment (which is now vacant) across the hall. It is a 2 bedroom apartment with functioning kitchen and bathroom.  Yael and I spent most of the day Saturday cleaning and moving the essentials in.  For the time being, we will be using this apartment and heading over to our apartment to get what we need.  I had to move my mattress and computer over due to the existing dust from tearing out the floor and future dust caused by construction.  Yael complained of the dust entering her room, "my boogers are black."  In fact, I have felt rather sick, inhaling all of that dust and the cat has even been affected with a bit of an asthma problem, sneezing, and just plain nasty eyes that are full of snot and largely unable to be fully opened.  

Thus, as the picture shows, she was grateful, as we all are to have a haven to move to until the project is completed.