Signs you live in the hood.

There are a number of things that exist in the hood that are not found other places. If you can recognize these items you will greatly enhance you chances of survival.

The bodega is the life blood of any under privileged or otherwise financially anemic neighborhood and often is the only place where a member of the community can obtain sustenance and 'nutrition'.

The bodega often offers food group much different than that found in the USDA food pyramid and often are separated by color such asa the yellow or blue food groups or by price. $.25 cent is perhaps the most often consumed food group of the bodega and includes items such as the quarter chips, water, muffin, exec.

Above a photo of the 'quarter water', generally the only form of fluid of the non alcoholic nature that is affordable by the general popular of the hood. The quarter water is generally available by color and often lack more description than that. The above featured item is comprised of water, High Frutos Corn Syrup, Citric Acid, Sodium Phosphate, FD&C Blue #1 & Sodium Benzoate (to protect flavor).

Regardless of color, the quarter water tastes exactly the same, like cough medicine.

Christmas comes twice a year.

Fourth of July is like a second christmas in the hood. People save up their money for half the year, drive on down to Pensilvania and load up on fireworks. Only problem is, they shoot them off in the street. In many places in PA this is not an issues as people have lots of space, but in brooklyn, we have a population density of ,920/mi² (according to the 2010 censes). With a population density that great, almost all building are connected by necessity to house that many people. Once one house goes up you can almost bet two or more are to follow suite in this summer heat.

So happy second Christmas to you Bushwick, you deserve it. Lets just hope you don't torch my house when blowing your wad because we all know there is no pressure in the fire cans as you are using them as a ghetto swimming pool (likely another post regarding the ghetto shower in the future, summer is still young).

Today in type

Currently I am fortunate enough to taking a class with typography legend Ed Benguiat at New York City's School of Visual Arts. I expect to learn a lot from Ed and will post assignments here accordingly.


Today's assignment. Make logo with a 130 degree drop shadow. Sounds easy with just a click of a mouse right? Illustrator failure. Notice the drop doesn't remain even among all letters. Almost as if the light source is shifted between letters.
Option II, hand kern and stretch the letters. The shadows for the X may be distorted but looks much better optically.

Fucken 'eh Brooklyn

The Bushwick Ghetto Blaster. Down the street from my house this is a throwback to the 80's when life was not so nice in Bushwick. According to historians, during the crack epidemic of the 80's and 90's, people would torch building just to get the copper piping to recycle for their crack addiction. I am told that ever 3rd lot was empty and one in four houses was a crack den where not only could one buy their warez but also consume them.

Best find of the week, the new east river ferry service form brooklyn - queens and manhattan. Free for the next week to boot. 15 minuets form manhattan to williamsberg.



Last but not least, the Lee Burgess roof top party at 47 Tames in the East Williamsberg Industrial Complex. Found by a sheer fluke, that party was epic and apparently will be happening once a month for the rest of the summer.

SUmmer is here once again

And bushwick is cracking.

It is motherfucking hot out and the fire cans have the tops broken off and gushing freely into the street.

The Bushwick Public Works is having their summer series of modern dance, at least they offer free beer for the neighbors who share a roof connection.

Crime is up 12%

And best of all, the Bushwick Farmers Market is back in full swing. Thanks to Sean-Michael Fleming!

Sorry Ive been neglecting you, shall try to keep it updated sooner.

90 different bitches and a problem aint one of them

90 different bitches and a problem aint one of them

Seems this little nugget of gold came from a DC charter school, seems the republicans were right, coupons can perhaps provide a better education than the government.

http://andiamnotlying.com/2010/types-of-bitches/

Torcik piernikowy

While shopping in Greenpoint Broklyn today I came across this 8th wonder of the world. Torcik piernikowy!
It is a well known fact that the Nazis and Hitler in particular were obsessed with the occult, in search for that magic item that would perhaps provide an edge; an edge that would give them a strategic advantage over the allied forces. Perhaps it was rumored that an item so powerful existed and right next door.
The invasion and full occupation of Poland took nearly 3 year. Many men, women and children lost their lives to keep the secret of the Torcik piernikowy. The mere mention of the word makes mothers and dentists shiver in fear, an ungodly invention that should have never been know to man.
The Torcik piernikowy, a dense confection made of two layers of ginger bread bound together by a tart black cherry marmalade covered in a rich dark chocolate shell boasts 500 calories and 20 grams of fat. The flavor is rich, spicy, tart and tangy in a dense cloud like layer of zen that should be a cardinal sin to fantasize about much less consume.
If you ever find youself with a cult of personality and a standing army in Eastern Europe or in Greenpoint, go all in and never look back.