Friday, May 31, 2013

FREE LOVE!!! FREE LOVE!!!! Friday's Child is Loving and Giving and LOVING AND GIVING IT FREE!!!


FREE ADOPTIONS THIS WEEKEND!!!!


Come to Petco at Union Square!!!


Saturday 12 - 5 and Sunday 12 - 5


Interested??? 

Write Samantha 

samantha.socialtees@gmail.com 

To fill out a preadoption application so you can be qualified to adopt a new pet (for free!) this coming weekend!

Thursday, May 30, 2013

In My Dreams


Before yet another early doctor visit, I asked Florence what she wanted to eat.

"A roll.  With butter."

She got hers from the corner carts or at Zafi's.  When she was young, her friends and admirers could find her in the morning at the neighborhood's luncheonette having her one meal of the day - a coffee and a roll,

I once indulged with one from the French bakery that used to be on 6th Avenue.  It looked like any other basic bakery, but big enough for tables and everybody went there in the morning for a cup of coffee and whatever pastry or bread they wanted.  The baker used to bake on Grand Street.  I got an onion roll with butter and almost died and went to heaven.

One of Florence's ways to say good-bye to, well, just about everyone - doctors, nurses, me, strangers on the bus - was, as she trotted away, to call back over her shoulder, "See you in my dreams!"

That bakery is gone.

So's my mom.

So are rolls in my diet.

See you in my dreams.

**

Sunday Memories: Fine Dining At Chez PS 134

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Danger Is As Danger Does


A couple of friends lived in Stuy Town.  It was, like everything else in the city, I guess - dangerous even with all the trees and the fountain that didn't always spurt. In those days you just walked where you were going, and being on the lookout was like having a token in your pocket.  Prepared.

A whole lot of teachers lived there.  So did everyone else who ran the city - like the post office workers and sanitation and the firemen (and then the firefighters when they let in women) and people who worked in the neighborhood and the business owners who sold us frames for glasses or pictures or a bottle of booze or sponges to clean the counter.

I went to Stuy Town once maybe during college or high school for a party.  A pain in the ass to find the front door of her building.

Later on, the city still technically dangerous, someone took me there to kiss.  It was really late at night so nobody was around because it was dangerous to be out late at night but when you wanna kiss a girl and you're a girl and you're still in the kissing stage, you get to know the corners in the city too dark to be dangerous but dark enough to kiss.

And after that, I went there day or night, by myself when I needed to hear what my soul was really saying or with friends, with lovers, with hopeful possibilities.  I went there with delicious babies and little kids so they could play in a really cool playground.  I went there with people I loved and cared for. Dangerous or not, it was quieter than Second Avenue.  Sometimes you just need a little quiet.

The city got less dangerous, the trees got greener and suddenly all these bushes and flowers were all over Stuy Town.  And then one day that fountain was up and running.   That place was like having the perfect country place with a 10 minute commute back to the city.

And everybody who ran the city still lived there.  Like the retired detective who told us about a great Italian restaurant and bar that wasn't filled with post-college kids doing East Village gourmet.  And the freelance arts administrator who put together projects that made upsetting ideas, like um other religions, palatable and understandable through documentary collections, and the 89 year old writer who had grown up on Ludlow Street and talked to me about journalism for women in the 1940s after complaining about how bad Ludlow Street was (a tee shirt for $60? you crazy?).

The biggest difference was that at night it wasn't deserted.  It was filled with us, walking dogs, smoking a cigarette, kissing on a bench.  Sitting by that fountain which was now up and running and very nicely lit.

But danger's a broad concept.  The danger I grew up with - the one that taught me how to walk from dark corner to dark corner - that kind of danger now is on tv shows or reported with indignation in the Daily News because it's just isn't expected.

No, now there are new kinds of dangers in the city and now in Stuy Town.  Owners attempting to illegally evict people or change rent laws or just ignore them and rents only manageable for much wealthier people than the ones keeping this city running and then new owners getting new rulings and changing things and stores that sold what you needed being kicked out for stores that sell things you really don't need or can't afford or a lot of times, organic frozen yogurt.  And people, like the ones who keep this city going, suddenly not living in the neighborhood but living in a real estate market.

There are bedbugs and rent increases-or-else-move notices.  There are elevators not working (and when you got older folks that's dangerous).  There's management entering apartments without permission (which is also just weird) and there's been robberies without force entry.

Yeah.

But, with those dangers comes the danger of pissed-off New Yorkers.  You know, the ones who keep this city running? When you piss them off, they get organized.  Now, they're not just called neighbors.  They're called a Tenants Association.

Sunday, May 26, 2013

Sunday Memories Encore For Memorial Weekend: Part Three: Home Where My Love Lies Sleeping

Recovering from 12 hour days, a remembrance of long ago moments:

Originally posted May 30, 2010
and the last in a series posted while on the road.



Happy Memorial Day, a day where we honor fallen soldiers of many wars, some that happened between apartment walls, others inside a hidden broken heart.



Friday, May 24, 2013

Friday's Child is Loving and Giving and Utterly Adorable!

O.M.GAWWWWWDD!!!!
a.k.a. GUESS WHO GOT ADOPTED!!!???



Remember little Mills (now Nigel), the Maltese mix that was found wandering lost and lonely under the Williamsburg Bridge on a rainy day in February? 

Well, a few days later he won a pup-loving couple over with his exuberant energy and sunny disposition, and they adopted him! He was immediately at home, finding hiding spots all over the house for his toys and insisting that his rightful spot was on their lap anytime the couple sat down. 

Nigel quickly became a key part of the family, and his humans are so happy to have found him! Nigel is clearly VERY happy to have found them, too.

OH TAKE ME IN YOUR ARMS 
FOSTER ME 
I WANT YOUR TENDER CHARMS!
Photo: CAN ANYONE FOSTER THIS AWESOME LITTLE PUFF BALL?
First of all, does this dog look like Drew Barrymore circa her E.T. days, or is it just us? (Seriously -- Google image search "Drew Barrymore E.T." and tell us we're wrong...) Anyway, this little guy needs a foster home starting tonight! He's a  super friendly, affectionate, and fully housebroken Shih Tzu mix named Benji. He's about 9 years old and 15 pounds. Sadly, he ended up homeless when his owner recently passed away. He's generally friendly with other dogs though he barks at some of them, and he likes to chase cats but isn't aggressive with them. Benji (who we call Drew and then giggle) is spunky, loving, super soft, and hypoallergenic! Oh -- he needs a forever home too if anyone is interested in adopting...

If you can foster this little pup (15 pounds) starting tonight, please email samantha.socialtees@gmail.com or call 917-612-4163! WE NEED YOUR HELP!!! PLEASE SHARE!!!


WHO IS THIS AWESOME LITTLE PUFF BALL?

It's Drew Barrymore's doppelganger, circa her E.T. day


Well, you can't foster Drew Barrymore, and besides she's all grown up and a movie mogul.

BUT YOU CAN FOSTER BENJI, HER LOOK ALIKE!!!

Benji is a super friendly, affectionate, and fully housebroken Shih Tzu mix.

He's about 9 years old and 15 pounds. Sadly, he ended up homeless when his owner recently passed away.  He's generally friendly with other dogs though he barks at some of them, and he likes to chase cats but isn't aggressive with them. Benji (who we call Drew and then giggle) is spunky, loving, super soft, and hypoallergenic! Oh -- he needs a forever home too if anyone is interested in adopting...

If you can foster this little pup (15 pounds) starting tonight, please email !!!!


samantha.socialtees@gmail.com or call 917-612-4163

WHAT'S FOSTERING, YOU WONDER?!

Fostering lasts a few weeks, and Social Tees can provide supplies if you need them.  Fostering is SUPER important because it's much healthier for our animals to be in homes than in cages, and it expands our shelter virtually.

AND for every cat and dog that is placed in a foster home, Social Tees can pull another out of the kill shelter. So if you are an animal-lover with commitment issues, FOSTER!!!
For more info on fostering, email samantha.socialtees@gmail.com or check out our FAQs here:

INCOMING PUPPY!!!


Paisley

PAISELY WAS JUST RESCUED FROM TENNESSEE!!!!!!

And she's arriving in New York Saturday May 25th!!!!!

Paisely, an 8-week-old Lab/Chow mix, is as sweet as pudding and friendly as can be. She's excellent with other dogs, cats, and kids, and she's sssoooooo playful!  Everything you could want from a puppy.

 If you are interested, please email Dimitra at the address below to fill out a preadoption application.

DIMITRA.SOCIALTEES@GMAIL.COM

Due to the very high number of emails we receive daily, it sometimes takes a while to respond to all of them. Please have patience.Full medical included. (All dogs come with spay/neuter, vaccines, and microchip and are dewormed, demited, and deflead.) Adoption fees apply.

***

Do you want to meet these guys and all the other great pups and kitties at Social Tees, but you're stuck at your desk during the week? Then come to the weekend events at Petco / Union Square!!

OR

If you have questions, answers, money? Money is very helpful... Time?  TIME IS MORE HELPFUL THAN MONEY, although money is nice....

CONTACT SAMANTHA:
samantha.socialtees@gmail.com

Social Tees
325 East 5th Street, NY, NY 10003;
5-7pm Monday to Friday
12-4pm  Saturday and Sunday at Petco at Union Square
212-614-9653;
socialteesnyc.org

Thursday, May 23, 2013

Encore: Old School High Tech

 In the midst of 12 hour days, a revisit to long ago moments. 

Originally posted July14, 2009




Before ipods, before walkmans, before tvs, before cable, even before satellites left the world of sci-fi and went into the sky, it was a transistor radio stuck to your ear, the crackle of the announcer "foul... rbi... and he's... OH AND IT'S.... bullpen... " and the fiddling of the tiny dial, not a button preset, but a precise touch and turn that required the finesse of an ancient watchmaker.

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Encore: Sunnyside Up

In the midst of 12 hour days, a revisit to long ago moments. 

Originally posted July 21, 2009




The maintenance guys had to get in immediately because something was leaking somewhere.  Luckily I still had an emergency $20 tucked away so I grabbed a taxi to Florence's.

The dashing driver and I talked about the decrease of taxi use and the possibility of driving a bus. He asked what I did.

"I'm an out-of-work writer."

"Oh! You can write about me."

So I took a picture and, handing him my card, told him to check the blog in a couple of days.

"I don't just drive a taxi." And he handed me his card. There, dashing smile and all, was his picture next to bright bold letters announcing SUNNYSIDE REAL ESTATE: All Your Residential and Business Needs Met!

"You're like in the two worst professions to be in during a recession,” I said in disbelief.

He laughed, said, "What can you do? You work."

Knock down 7, get up 8.

Sunday, May 19, 2013

Sunday Memories: The Future Look Of Love




That's Delancy Street behind them.  I have a billion memories there.

This couple,  they talk non-stop and in between words sometimes he puts his head on her shoulder and sometimes she gives him kisses on his cheek and he reads over her shoulder and they make sure they understand where he's getting off, where's she getting off, where they meet later or what stop is coming up...

I pretended I am captivated by something on my phone, just like everybody else on the train.  But really I am taking pictures of memories to come.

**

Related Posts:

The Look of Love: Part One

The Look of Love: Part Two

Sunday Memories: The Look of Love

Friday, May 17, 2013

Friday's Child Is Loving And Giving: Raise! Nourish! Encourage! FOSTER!!!!


FOSTER
to promote the growth or development of; 
further; 
encourage: 
to foster new ideas; 
 to bring up, raise, or rear; 
to care for or cherish; 
to feed or nourish.


Besides a bunch of great words, there are thousands of reasons to foster.  

Here's one - a gentle giant (82lbs),  SUPER MELLOW, sleeps a lot, loves all dogs and cats and needs a place to crash for a few days so he doesn't have to go to the shelter....



Here's a couple of more reasons to foster:  They're all under 15 pounds so studio apartments would be perfect!


But sometimes fostering means you GET loved more than you GIVE love.

Meet Rihanna.


She's a 18-month-old pittie mix with a freckled coat and a ton of love to give. She's not great with other animals so she needs to be the only pet in the house, but she's a huge snuggle bug and amazingly sweet with every human (including kids!) that she meets. 

She loves to give kisses and snuggle in your lap. Plus, she's house broken! Rihanna is about 45 pounds and currently at Social Tees in the East Village. If you can foster Rihanna starting tonight or want more info, please call 917-612-4163 asap! THANK YOU!!!!


WHAT'S FOSTERING, YOU WONDER?!

Fostering lasts a few weeks, and Social Tees can provide supplies if you need them.  Fostering is SUPER important because it's much healthier for our animals to be in homes than in cages, and it expands our shelter virtually.
AND for every cat and dog that is placed in a foster home, Social Tees can pull another out of the kill shelter. So if you are an animal-lover with commitment issues, FOSTER!!!
For more info on fostering, email samantha.socialtees@gmail.com or check out our FAQs here:

Do you want to meet these guys and all the other great pups and kitties at Social Tees, but you're stuck at your desk during the week? Then come to the weekend events at Petco / Union Square!!

**
CONTACT SAMANTHA:
samantha.socialtees@gmail.com

Social Tees
325 East 5th Street, NY, NY 10003;
5-7pm Monday to Friday
12-4pm  Saturday and Sunday at Petco at Union Square
212-614-9653;
socialteesnyc.org

Thursday, May 16, 2013

Company


Growing up, I had only seen geese in children books and maybe on one of the Central Park ponds.  Later, when venturing out of New York, sometimes at one of those New Jersey turnpike rest stops or along a fast interstate,  I'd catch a glimpse here and there.

So, just blocks from home, in that massive empty lot destined to become exclusive living spaces for very rich people, to see those two swim together was like something out of a movie that had special effects.

Somehow, in the midst of an inhospitable world they had found, however brief it might be, a home.  Watching them, I too felt that, for however brief, I had too.

**
Related Posts:

Pets Of Our Lives: Part 1-Pigeons

Pets Of Our Lives: Part 2-Squirrels

Pets Of Our Lives: Part 3-Horses

Pets Of Our Lives: Part 4-Cats


Tuesday, May 14, 2013

A Neighbor

photo: T. Krever

It all started when we asked if the synagogue was a church or a synagogue or both.  He told us the whole history, plus everything else.  Growing up on St. Marks, he had stories.

"I'm 71 now, was 10 then, so you know how long ago that was."

Jewish math, I told the Mariner later.

We stood on the corner of 7th and First, complaining about everything, arguing about the important stuff and gossiping about the two old men brothers who had run the 9th Street Bakery. He knew them.  They had curly hair.

And finally with good-byes, worried that we had turned our backs on where we all came from, an urgent invitation even if the synagogue was Orthodox, we should come in, everybody was there, it was as beautiful as it had been 90 years ago.

**
Related Posts:

Sunday Memories: The Intimacy Of Men

Sunday Memories: Broadway Of The East

Sunday, May 12, 2013

Another Sunday Memory, Another Mother's Day


daughter Florence and mother Sophie

She said they fought a lot but they also laughed hard.  Still, it seemed like her eyes constantly searched for home in her mother's face.

Her mother also seemed to be constantly searching for home.  But somewhere else, far, far away and long, long ago, maybe in another country maybe at a different time maybe only in her hopes and dreams.

daughter Claire mother Florence
I gave up and picked up a camera.

**
Related Posts:



Sunday Memories: Mother's Day

Sunday Memories: Mother's Day Then

Friday, May 10, 2013

FRIDAY'S CHILD IS LOVING AND GIVING: AND CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE BEYOND YOUR WILDEST DREAMS!!!


 There's a reason Friday's Child is now a part of Her New York, if only to say thank you.

AND THEY LIVED 
HAPPILY EVER AFTER!!!!



Two blissful years ago, Ami adopted Timmy (then Lorax), and the love bugs have been two peas in a pod since! Ami takes Timmy everywhere, and she simply can't imagine life without him. They just celebrated their two-year anniversary! Happy anniversary, Ami and Timmy! May you continue to grow and learn together for years and years and years...

WANT SOME PENNIES FROM HEAVEN?? 
BECOME A FOSTER PARENT!

Social Tees need temporary homes for its cats and dogs!!!! 


PENNY THE PITTIE NEEDS A FOSTER HOME! 
PLEASE HELP!!!

What a star! Penny is about two years old, 45 pounds, and nothing but cuddles. 


She's extremely sweet and affectionate, a great jogging partner, and house broken! She needs to be the only pet in the house -- she does not get along with other dogs or cats. If you're a one-pet kind of person, this girl is the PERFECT match for you! She'll steal your heart with her kisses and happy wiggles.

This pretty little pup desperately needs a new foster home STARTING NOW! 


If you can foster Penny or want more info on her, please call 917-612-4163 or email SOCIAL TEES at samantha.socialtees@gmail.com asap. And PLEASE SHARE!

WHAT'S FOSTERING, YOU WONDER?!

Fostering lasts a few weeks, and Social Tees can provide supplies if you need them.  Fostering is SUPER important because it's much healthier for our animals to be in homes than in cages, and it expands our shelter virtually.

AND for every cat and dog that is placed in a foster home, Social Tees can pull another out of the kill shelter. So if you are an animal-lover with commitment issues, FOSTER!!!

For more info on fostering, email samantha.socialtees@gmail.com or check out our FAQs here:

OH. MY. GAWD! 


BAMBI THE KITTEN IS AS SPUNKY 
AS A BABY MONKEY!

She's just as cute and curious, too. This ridiculously adorable little girl is brand new to Social Tees and has already stolen the show. She scampers up and down the bars of her cage and loves to wrestle with any kitty (or hand) she can get her paws on. She's got a gorgeous speckled Tortie coat and awesomely huge eyes. 

Bambi gets along great with other animals -- in fact, she needs to go to a home with another playful cat that she can romp and roll around with.

**
Do you want to meet these guys and all the other great pups and kitties at Social Tees, but you're stuck at your desk during the week? Then come to the weekend events at Petco / Union Square!!

**
CONTACT SAMANTHA:
samantha.socialtees@gmail.com

Social Tees
325 East 5th Street, NY, NY 10003;
5-7pm Monday to Friday
12-4pm  Saturday and Sunday at Petco at Union Square
212-614-9653;
socialteesnyc.org


Thursday, May 9, 2013

Before Summer Began


The fountain was still on.
 
We  visited ...

something felt like it worked today but I felt that feeling 
last year the third rewrite, the fifth,
and that draft was shit spent two 
years on this I'm getting it out 
there the eight CDs, the 
new gig he just thinks it's 
distracting me from I read it out
loud and he said it worked that dog is wearing boots

...keeping company on the long road.

**
Related Posts

Elisabeth's World

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Conjugating Love


They were maybe sixteen years old and definitely not breaking up.

She had practically collapsed, looking at her iphone.

Watching him comfort her, pushing her hair away to stroke her face, pointing down the street that  spoke of a plan to make things better, hugging her, holding her when she burrowed deeper into his embrace... I thought who says you're too young to know what love is?

You know when you put your arms around someone because you want to make it better.  You know when you bury your heartbreak into those arms and feel better.


Sunday, May 5, 2013

Sunday Memories: Beauty Is As Beauty Does


This is what I remember:

The girls who wore a certain bright blue shadow with it were fast or tough or both, and they also wore high heels with their tight jeans way before it became a ubiquitous look.

The religious girls wore it post-shabbos with full-face on their way to Bernstein-on-Essex, the "soda" shop of the Orthodox Lower East Side crowd, which probably sold soda but it was known for its so-called Chinese food, which wasn't even close to the real thing for those who actually ate tref in Chinatown.

The political girls didn't wear it until maybe the last year of high school or first year of college.  Until then, they wore big, dangling earrings that could have been from Central America or Woodstock, New York.

A small bunch of girls never wore it, still don't.

I was told I wasn't allowed to, but I either borrowed a friend's brown, or stole enough money from some piggy bank, or maybe I even sprung for it myself from babysitting money.  So nervous I'd be caught, I wore my glasses over my new lashes, while checking every mirror we had to see if I had blossomed into a swan.

Friday, May 3, 2013

FRIDAY'S CHILD IS LOVING AND GIVING: ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE LOVE LOVE IS ALL YOU NEED!


 There's a reason Friday's Child is now a part of Her New York, if only to say thank you.

HAPPY LOVE STORY ENDINGS!!!!


"My wife and I adopted Ruby (then Myrtle) three months ago, back in January. 

 I just wanted to let you know how in love we are with our girl. Words can't really describe how wonderful she and and what having her in our home has meant for us. She's sweet, gentle, and funny -- she makes us laugh all the time. 

She's so good with other dogs -- she knows how to play rough but also to be kind when interacting with dogs who have had a troubled past. We can't imagine our life without her. Keep up the good work!"
 
ADOPT A RESCUE PET, and you could be a future Social Tees Success Story!!!! 

325 East 5th Street, NY, NY 10003; 
5-7pm Mon to Fri
 212-614-9653
socialteesnyc.org


GOT A LOT OF LOVE  
BUT AFRAID OF COMMITMENT? 
BECOME A FOSTER PARENT!

Social Tees need temporary homes for its cats and dogs!!!!  SO, if you want to just "date" a pet, this is the perfect way!

 RUFUS NEEDS A FOSTER HOME!!!
Rufus, a cocker spaniel, is about 2 years old, extremely sweet and friendly, great with other animals, and fully house broken. He's about 35 pounds (but he's overweight), and he's a big cuddle bug. 

WHAT'S FOSTERING, YOU WONDER?!

Fostering lasts a few weeks, and Social Tees can provide supplies if you need them.  Fostering is SUPER important because it's much healthier for our animals to be in homes than in cages, and it expands our shelter virtually.

AND for every cat and dog that is placed in a foster home, Social Tees can pull another out of the kill shelter. So if you are an animal-lover with commitment issues, FOSTER!!!

For more info on fostering, email samantha.socialtees@gmail.com or check out our FAQs here:


ALWAYS WANTED TO HOOK UP WITH A MOVIE STAR?


MEET SASHA, THE SOPHIA LOREN OF THE CAT WORLD!

With her gorgeous long tuxedo coat, glowing green eyes, and stylishly lengthy whiskers, Sasha, a big beauty, just arrived a few days ago.  Very shy at first, she's now warming up quickly. She's really into the whole cheek scratching thing, and she pads softly up to the front of her cage for attention when anyone get close.

**
Do you want to meet these guys and all the other great pups and kitties at Social Tees, but you're stuck at your desk during the week? Then come to the weekend events at Petco / Union Square!!

**
CONTACT SAMANTHA:
samantha.socialtees@gmail.com

Social Tees
325 East 5th Street, NY, NY 10003;
5-7pm Monday to Friday
12-4pm  Saturday and Sunday at Petco at Union Square
212-614-9653;
socialteesnyc.org

SPECIAL EVENT:

MAY 4, 2013
THE NEW YORK PET EXPO

WHO: Social Tees Animal Rescue

WHAT:
Come meet some of our adoptable pups at The New York Pet Expo! Bring your pet! Over 100 exhibitors, free admission, discount vaccinations & microchipping, pet costume contest, free nail trimming, and more. Plus, meet Animal Planet’s “The Pit Boss!” *All pets must be on a fixed leash with proof of age-appropriate vaccinations.

WHEN: May 4th (Saturday!), 10am to 6pm
 

WHERE: The Nassau Coliseum, booth #917

FOR MORE INFO: Visit NewYorkPetExpo.com

Thursday, May 2, 2013

Home Built By Each Note





The Promise - Marcelo Dominguez Trio

It was years ago when he came here.

This city feels like his city, up all night, tons of people walking billions of sidewalks going in all sorts of directions.

But it is not his city and even if he found people just as friendly as those he left behind and even if he planted himself in the music he needed to live in, and even if he found a supermarket that had food his mom used to make him, over the years I often wondered if he missed the wind and light that only happens on the street you grow up on. I often wondered if it hurt more than needing to be here.

I once loved his city. I once knew it as my home. Even when I missed the wind and the light that only happens on the street I grew up on, I moved down his sidewalks in joy, feeling like I had finally returned back to where I always belonged.

Leaving that home, losing what I had sought all my life, I thought I'd have to live in exile, even if I was living in the city I grew up in.

But that didn't happen. The words I had to write built a new home, one where I felt joy again.

And listening to Marcelo, I wonder, if indeed, the notes he had to play built his.

-->
**
Related Posts: