2006_10_01_archive

Here, Really?

As addicted as I am to the police blotter and hearing any report of

violent crime in Brooklyn, I'm always 'comforted' by the fact that

it's out in East New York, Brownsville and the like. In turn, I always

reassure my naive family and friends (who do not reside in the city)

that whatever occurred is in fact far from my hamlet in Carroll

Gardens.

Unfortunately, and ironically the day I'm to travel to my father's,

one of the top stories of the local newscast (and the cover of the

Daily News) concerns a knife wielding psychopath who took two women

hostage, slashing one's neck, before being shot to death by a cop a

few blocks from my apartment.

Luckily both women are OK.

What's funny though is the fact that according to the news, this

incident happened not only in Cobble Hill (the true neighborhood) but

also: Boerum Hill, Carroll Gardens, BoCoCa and Downtown Brooklyn.

Literally, there goes the neighborhood...

posted by Z. Madison @ 9:12 AM 0 comments links to this post

Bon Voyage

A Westside institution, the USS Intrepid is "on leave" for the next

two years. She's off to Jersey for repairs and a vaca in Staten Island

while her parking spot is overhauled. Housed in the piers off the West

Side Highway, the Intrepid hosted fighter planes from various decades

and the Concord. She survived a torpedo hit after avenging the

Japanese attack on Pear Harbor and helped liberate the Philippines.

The ship was an integral part of NASA's mission to see man in space

and saw duty in Vietnam. She was the last job the Brooklyn Navy Yards

undertook and a tourist mainstay since retirement. The awe inspiring

boat will be tugged to Jersey today. No word on where the Concord will

be housed during the renovations.

Z's been fortunate to sip champagne on her deck care of the MS

Society's annual fundraiser and marveled at the history of the ship

itself and the planes that called her home. We'll miss you USS

Intrepid and will be at attention to salute your return home in two

years.

posted by Z. Madison @ 8:56 AM 0 comments links to this post

Say It Ain't So!

One of Z's favorite baseball players is Andy Pettitte. Clemens I can

take or leave, although I thank my lucky stars he was with the Yanks

in a few post-seasons. I'm of the mindset if you say you're going to

retire - RETIRE already! But, I digress...

The LA Times reports today that reliever Jason Grimsley is accusing

the two of doping. Z doesn't want to believe it. I've crushed on Andy

for years. I stood by and defended him even after the disastrous 3

innings he blew in the '01 World Series out in the desert. Sosa,

Bonds, McGuire - fine. I could give a fuck. But, not Andy.

According to the article, "In June, federal agents searched reliever

Jason Grimsley's home in Arizona after the pitcher admitted using

human growth hormone, steroids and amphetamines. Grimsley was later

released by the Arizona Diamondbacks and suspended 50 games by Major

League Baseball, and has not played since then."

Apparently Grimsley's not about to go down alone. Let's hope Andy and

Roger come out clean. If not, Z's lost a hero and baseball's lost yet

another level of trust and respect.

posted by Z. Madison @ 8:42 AM 0 comments links to this post

Suicide League Week Four: It's All About Hotlanta