G Is Not For Genius

I've lived in Manhattan for 14 years and I've taken the G train all of one time. Whenever I see one, usually passing through some random station in Brooklyn, I consider it good luck, like seeing a unicorn. It's the most unloved train in the city.

The New York Observer ran a piece today about how the G train can ruin your relationship because it runs through a few non-gentrified parts of Brooklyn, and is incredibly unreliable, as far as public transportation goes. Unless the MTA does something to improve service, the G train, and its loveless riders, are doomed to be alone.


And then there is this video, about how the G train really can muck up an otherwise lovely date.

New HuffPo Piece: Three Ways We Need To Stop Abusing The Men In Our Lives

Source: imgfave.com via Andie on Pinterest

While in Brooklyn this weekend I wandered into a co-ed baby shower in a candy store. I felt sorry for the men there, because they were clearly bored and there way no liquor in sight.

Over the next few days I started thinking about other ways women drag men out to places and make them do things they don't want to do, and how in the long run, this can keep otherwise great women single or can put a relationship in jeopardy.

The result is the Huffington Post piece below. Enjoy.

3 Ways We Need to Stop Abusing the Men in Our Lives

New Huffington Post Piece! Pop Culture Themes I Could Do Without

Source: wanelo.com via Bailey on Pinterest

I wrote a new piece for The Huffington Post and sent it in for the Culture page. It ended up on the Comedy page. I guess they thought it was funny.

Four Pop Culture Themes I Could Do Without

Friends With Kids

I saw this last night and it's one of the funniest movies I've seen in a while. It's actually better than Bridesmaids, although Bridesmaids wasn't as funny as it was hyped up to be. (The two films can't really be compared.)

New Yorkers will find this movie quite topical, especially the bits about people having kids and defecting to Brooklyn. (It's all funny because it's true.)

Great piece in The New York Times about Jennifer Westfeldt. She's so underrated.

Last Night's Revelry -- Too Many Santa Hats!

The Holidaze Season has come, and like every other first week of December, Erin C. and I hit the party circuit. Last night's festivites took us to Brooklyn and The Brooklyneer in Tribeca.

Ladies and gentlemen, Erin C.!


Alicia made an appearance as well. We partied like it was 2006.


My camera was hijacked for a little bit.


These are the results.


I'm not sure what the whole mustache meme was all about.


Arty parting shot


In the cab

I spent the afternoon in Williamsburg yesterday, which was Andre's first trip to Brooklyn and the first time I braved the subway with a stroller. There are very few elevators in the subways system, so traveling with a Bugaboo is a two person job. I was happy to see, however, how many randoms guys offered to help carry it up staircases, before they realized that I had an accomplice.


This was my favorite photo of the day. It's outside the Automotive High SChool in Williamsburg. It was built in 1937, hence the art deco lettering. Oh, and the ideal that Manhood is a virtue above all others. And that girls wouldn't be in an automotive school. The school guard on duty yesterday, a woman at that, told me that everyone takes a shot of this.


I'm fascinated by the old warehouses in Williamsburg. Many of them have been or are still being converted to condos, but I love signs like this.


And this one

New Listing -- Huge Carroll Gardens One Bedroom --$2250

I just got a new listing yesterday: a huge one bedroom with a home office in Carroll Gardens, just two blocks from the Carroll Street station.

It's gut renovated, with an eat-in kitchen and a huge marble bath. Floor-through with laundry in the building. Quiet, sunny and big enough to entertain all your friends. A great find!

Available November 2. Call me if you would like to see it.

Best 4th of July BBQ Ever!

Yesterday afternoon I was feeling glum and didn't feel like going to a BBQ, but then I realized sitting around and doing nothing would really not cure my mood.

I hosed myself down and hopped the A train with Jen and Tanner and off we went to Bed Stuy, where I met a couple who actually bought an intact brownstone with a backyard. It was originally built in 1886 and still had all its original details. Bed Stuy is not as scary as everyone says. In fact, it's actually really pretty and the brownstones are amazing.

There was lots of food and nice folks, and then the previous owner of the brownstone and his family showed up. He started playing his saxophone, which was cool on its own, and then out of nowhere someone else showed up with an upbright bass. All of a sudden the backyard was full of jazz standards, and in the middle of Bed Stuy.

I didn't see a single firework, but I did hear an impromptu version of "Night and Day." Can't beat that!

Here is Jen and I, digging the tunes.

Brighton Beach Memoir

It's Monday, which begs the question, "What did Pauline do this weekend?" The short answers is that I hopped the Q train to Brighton Beach, which is one of my favorite places in all of New York City. I know I'm usually all about Manhattan, but if I had to live in Brooklyn, I would head straight for Brighton Beach. Ideally I would have a beach-facing apartment in The Oceana and I would eat the meat-filled breads that they sell on the street every day.

The key to going to Brighton Beach is not to treat it like it's some sort of novelty. Yes, I realize that everyone's speaking Russian, the signs are in Russians and that the stores are full of Russian products. It is assumed you speak Russian and you will be addressed in Russian. Even though my friend and I were mellow and well behaved, I am pretty sure that there are a lot of non-Russians who come to Brighton Beach and treat it like they're in some kind of Cold War fantasy land, as if they've stepped back behind the Iron Curtain -- and what a hoot it is! And I bet this really annoys the people who live and work in Brighton everyday. Just an observation...

Back to the photos...



Two Russian men playing chess on the boardwalk.


Two kids playing baseball


The boardwalk, headed towards Coney Island. I took a few shots at Coney Island but since it's such an over-photographed (and slightly depressing place) you can just check them out here.


Lookin' sharp on the boardwalk.


Eat, Pray Love, In Russian


Paris Hilton is the same in all languages.