July 4th

[TiNi]

i really like fireworks 

i'm thinking about coming into the city for the fireworks on the east river friday night...

do any of you locals have any insight on this?

[Got Duc]

Mel:

We are having fireworks in my town tonight.

Usually a really good show.

I know some people and can get you as close as you want!   

Jim

[Pakhan]

Usually the fireworks are displayed multiple locations on the east river.  Manhattan viewing locations are usually packed and it's best to get a spot early.  Last year I wandered around Willliamsburg, Brooklyn till I found a tall building people were entering and followed them to the roof.

Another good spot is the Brooklyn promenade in Brooklyn heights, this will also be packed and you should get there early.  I think 30 minutes before is good.

Some more info here: http://www.newyorkled.com/moreNYseasonal_4th_July.htm

Are you coming in just for the day?  By bike?

[TiNi]

thanks for the info and the link 
we'll probably drive in or take the train from westport,
don't think i want to ride the bike in friday night firework traffic,
and i plan on drinking, so... any advice on where to go for dinner and drinks?

[He Man]

If your down for some sneaking in, there are several good places on the brooklyn docks to watch. But usually patrolled by rent-a-cops.

Good Legit places though...id go for high points. Such as Sunset Park, though the neighborhood isnt something youd be use to if your coming from westport. The Promenade in the heights is a really good place to watch, and there is also that little park in Dumbo under the brooklyn bridge, bunch of small resturants, but i've never tried them so I cant comment on that. Nice neighborhood there though.

[Howie]

I would suggest getting to the City very early and staking out a spot.  If you figure out where you are going to be I can suggest a restaurant.  Bring snacks and refreshments.  Last 4^th we attempted driving from Brooklyn to Manhattan.  People thought it was appropriate to just park in traffic lanes on the BQE, Brooklyn Bridge and FDR to watch the festivities.  The Police wouldn't even let us drop off the Mother In Law at her apartment.  Me?  I'm hiding in Da Bronks.

[TiNi]

i think it has been decided we'lll be ridin' the party train, and not driving 

i love winging it in nyc 

[He Man]

i think it has been decided we'lll be ridin' the party train, and not driving 

i love winging it in nyc 

the MTA is evil.

[TiNi]

the MTA is evil.

we take the train from westport because they stop running trains upstate too early...
why is the MTA evil?

[TiNi]

NYC here we come!
on the train now, it's packed...
we got seats, but not together.

[Pakhan]

hope you guys brought an umbrella

[TiNi]

we did
buy don't need it in the bar 

[Pakhan]

we did
buy don't need it in the bar 

must be a tame bar then 

[He Man]

Why is the mta evil? Here's why. I'm sitting on steps to 34th st manhatten stop dripping in sweat. Its about 95 degrees in here because of the acs that try to cool down the train but fail because they need to be serviced.

I've been waiting for 10 mins on a sat night 8pm for a D train.

A 1 foot long rat just ran across the platform, 5 girls fell because they were running. the rat actully scratched someone on their left big toe as the rat was looking for cover

Four of the 5 trains that run on this stop have passed twice each ( R F V and B)

I don't see any signs of any service changed nor any annoncements.

Its easily been another 10 minutes since I started righting this because I went to check out theady who got scratch by the rat

Also my 18 dollar metrocard was turned off because I haven't used in over 2 months (even though it expires in 2009)
I hate the day I have to put the bike away because its too cold to ride.

[goldenchild]

the MTA is evil.

Not really. You're a recent transplant here as are most folks that live here. Being born and raised here, the MTA has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember and if you think it's so bad now, you should've seen what it used to be like back in the day before all the "nice" upgraded stations and trains.

A clean train? Heat and A/C? Seat without splinters? Something to hang onto if you didn't have a seat? Frequent trains running 24/7? Working lights? A station or train that doesn't reek of garbage, urine and or fecal matter? An air of safety and or security no matter no small? Ceiling and floors that don't leak a mystery fluid? Garbage cans? Back then? Not bloody likely.

Being the wild kid that I was back then, my parents like most parents back then preferred that I be out of the house in my free time. Left to run wild in the streets, my friends and I would go play on the subway platforms and tracks just to see what kind of trouble we can get into - and we managed to get into A LOT of trouble. The kids from my block never got along with the kids from other blocks and for whatever reason, the fights would always take place on the train either going to or leaving school. And that's if we even bothered going to school. A lot of time was spent trying to get famous by being "All city" like the older kids did and I have fond memories of breaking into the train yards.

[/tangent]

NYC's MTA may not be the cleanest/fastest/most reliable in the world but you know what? It moves a shit ton of people everyday, most of the time w/o a problem. Yeah it sucks to have to rely on it everyday but it's part of the price one has to pay in order to live in this dump. It's a part of the way of life here.
Where else can you get on a train and meet the latest lady of your dreams while running into old friends that you haven't seen in 10 years then decide to change up the day by suggesting that everyone jump on another train and head out to Coney for a few of Nathan's Famous, then on the way home you notice that you're hearing at least 6 different languages that you've never heard before and it makes you proud to be a NY'er, then you give up your seat for the little old lady that just got on the train which makes you feel like a decent person. When you reach your stop and make your way to the stairs, you stop to listen/watch the kids banging out some ferocious beats on their 5 gallon paint pails and the next thing you know, you're dancing on the platform with the next cutie that just happened to be there watching too. After the "show" you ask cutie where she lives and all she answers is "uptown". Word? Next thing you know you're on the 1 train heading to Dyckman to take homegirl for a bite and a leisurely walk around the cloisters... all in all, not a bad day in NYC. If that can happen to me, it can't be all bad can it?