I was so caught up in the stabbing/murder news yesterday that I totally forgot to even mention the story Pat mentioned on NY1, reported in the Daily News, about how New York state, in an effort to increase summer camp regulation, had passed a law that would shut down any recreation program that tried to "implement two or more games without state certification," for fear the games are too risky, according to Pat's Papers. The games in question? Such dangerous activities as Freeze Tag and Red Rover.
Well, Pat noted this morning that the story has ostensibly been retracted-I can't remember exactly what was said, but apparently the outcry caused the officials to promise they would review the list of so-called dangerous games that the state had compiled.
This is good news, because kids today are already a little too coddled. As my husband observed--after seeing the 100th or so child in our neighborhood on one of those pedal-free Skuut bikes, and noting that the child was wearing a helmet despite the LACK OF PEDALS--"we are not exactly raising the next generation of Marines, are we?"
Now, some safety improvements of the last few years have been great. I'm all for car seats, pregnancy-related health warnings about smoking, etc. But the pendulum can, and sometimes does, swing too far. For example, when's the last time you saw a see-saw on a playground?
That said, lots of Brooklyn parents seem to be very fond of dragging their children to bars, so maybe it all evens out...
Anyway, I don't have kids yet, so I clearly don't know what I'm talking about. Parents, I said it so you don't have to!
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Stabby Brooklyn
Happy Tuesday, everybody.
Now, a burning question: Why is Brooklyn so stabby all of a sudden? And what is up with Russian psychos brutally murdering their girlfriends?
This morning, NY1 reported on the second murder of a woman (and her mother) by a Russian boyfriend this year. This time the stabbing took place in Gravesend—I admit I have no idea where that is, but the people in the neighborhood seemed pretty shocked by the whole thing. This of course followed the insane crime spree about a couple of months ago, when that dude killed his girlfriend, her mom, and a couple of others who had nothing to do with the situation (I can’t remember the final body count, but it was crazy). In any case, I realize two reports do not a trend make, but I do sort of get the feeling just by watching NY1 that violence against women is on the rise. I hope this is statistically not the case, but these stories are incredibly disturbing.
And there’s also the Lucali insanity. I live in the vicinity of Carroll Gardens and have yet to try this place, despite its fabled reputation for amazing pizza. My husband, who is a former crime reporter, has always talked about how this place has reported mob ties (as has been reported in the Post and elsewhere). Now the Post is saying it was about a woman. Who the hell knows? The more important question is, when will it reopen? I gotta try this pizza! Hopefully I won’t get knifed in the process. Please, people of Brooklyn, stop stabbing each other already!
Now, a burning question: Why is Brooklyn so stabby all of a sudden? And what is up with Russian psychos brutally murdering their girlfriends?
This morning, NY1 reported on the second murder of a woman (and her mother) by a Russian boyfriend this year. This time the stabbing took place in Gravesend—I admit I have no idea where that is, but the people in the neighborhood seemed pretty shocked by the whole thing. This of course followed the insane crime spree about a couple of months ago, when that dude killed his girlfriend, her mom, and a couple of others who had nothing to do with the situation (I can’t remember the final body count, but it was crazy). In any case, I realize two reports do not a trend make, but I do sort of get the feeling just by watching NY1 that violence against women is on the rise. I hope this is statistically not the case, but these stories are incredibly disturbing.
And there’s also the Lucali insanity. I live in the vicinity of Carroll Gardens and have yet to try this place, despite its fabled reputation for amazing pizza. My husband, who is a former crime reporter, has always talked about how this place has reported mob ties (as has been reported in the Post and elsewhere). Now the Post is saying it was about a woman. Who the hell knows? The more important question is, when will it reopen? I gotta try this pizza! Hopefully I won’t get knifed in the process. Please, people of Brooklyn, stop stabbing each other already!
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Back in the saddle
Pat has been back in the anchor chair for a couple of days now, but I've been unable to watch because of a mysterious, two-day cable outage that seems to have rectified itself. Yay!
I was really happy to finally get to watch "In the Papers" with Pat doing the delivery. No offense to K-Shaughn, who did a fine job of anchoring in Pat's absence, but it's hard to mimic Pat's special blend of seriousness and sarcasm when he does ITP. To wit: his announcement of an item in today's Post, which noted that Kim Kardashian is moving to NYC. Pat wryly noted that, with her seal of approval, we can all feel a little better about our own decisions to live here.
Another interesting ITP item--Mexicans work longer hours than Americans. This is probably a surprise to no one, except of course for those idiots at Top Gear (a show I used to like before this flap).
On another note, I have to say that Jamie Shupak looked adorable this morning. I want that frock! Also, they should probably make her the station's wardrobe stylist and throw some extra money her way.
I was really happy to finally get to watch "In the Papers" with Pat doing the delivery. No offense to K-Shaughn, who did a fine job of anchoring in Pat's absence, but it's hard to mimic Pat's special blend of seriousness and sarcasm when he does ITP. To wit: his announcement of an item in today's Post, which noted that Kim Kardashian is moving to NYC. Pat wryly noted that, with her seal of approval, we can all feel a little better about our own decisions to live here.
Another interesting ITP item--Mexicans work longer hours than Americans. This is probably a surprise to no one, except of course for those idiots at Top Gear (a show I used to like before this flap).
On another note, I have to say that Jamie Shupak looked adorable this morning. I want that frock! Also, they should probably make her the station's wardrobe stylist and throw some extra money her way.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Whoa!
How funny--I wrote my previous post before I saw this...my half-assed prediction came true, if NY1's sources are correct!
http://www.ny1.com/content/top_stories/136989/sources--schools-chancellor-cathie-black-to-be-replaced
FOLLOW UP: I just realized I'd cut the sentence from my previous post where I was like, "You have to wonder how much longer Cathie Black is going to stick around." So if you're wondering what the hell I was talking about re: making a prediction...I predicted it. Just in my head. Does that count? Probably not, since all of NYC probably saw this coming anyway.
http://www.ny1.com/content/top_stories/136989/sources--schools-chancellor-cathie-black-to-be-replaced
FOLLOW UP: I just realized I'd cut the sentence from my previous post where I was like, "You have to wonder how much longer Cathie Black is going to stick around." So if you're wondering what the hell I was talking about re: making a prediction...I predicted it. Just in my head. Does that count? Probably not, since all of NYC probably saw this coming anyway.
Randi Weingarten apols to Lindsey Crist
So K-Shaughn has been filling in for Pat for what seems like a couple of weeks now; she’s working hard and doing a good job. She’s also toned down the eye makeup significantly; it’s a big improvement over the a.m. smoky eye, I have to say.
She reported an interesting story this morning—apparently Randi Weingarten (I’m sure I mangled that spelling), the president of the American Federation of Teachers, lifted a paragraph straight out of one of Lindsey Crist’s reports during her speech! She didn’t credit NY1 or Crist, either. For shame, Randi! Weingarten did apologize and said something about academic dishonesty, blah blah blah. Children, let this be a lesson: plagiarizing is effed up. And really embarrassing when you get caught.
Speaking of education, another interesting story this week was the NY1/Marist poll about Cathie Black’s approval rating. Seems it’s about 17%. That is pretty harsh, though I’m surprised it’s not even lower given the vitriol of her haters.
In other news—it has been a really busy couple of weeks at NY2 HQ, including a couple of morning broadcast TV appearances last week by yours truly (regarding a story published in the biz-to-biz mag where I work). I did a stint on CNBC’s “Squawk Box,” and let me tell you, I’ve got a HUGE appreciation now for the NY1 morning crew. My car came to pick me up at five, by which time the TV people have probably already been awake for a couple of hours. I don’t know how you folks do it…
And that was followed by another really long work week. But tomorrow is FRIDAY! Thanks/curses to Rebecca Walker, I no longer think of Jamie Shupak when I think of how excited I am about Friday. Believe me, I wish that were not the case.
Ciao for now.
She reported an interesting story this morning—apparently Randi Weingarten (I’m sure I mangled that spelling), the president of the American Federation of Teachers, lifted a paragraph straight out of one of Lindsey Crist’s reports during her speech! She didn’t credit NY1 or Crist, either. For shame, Randi! Weingarten did apologize and said something about academic dishonesty, blah blah blah. Children, let this be a lesson: plagiarizing is effed up. And really embarrassing when you get caught.
Speaking of education, another interesting story this week was the NY1/Marist poll about Cathie Black’s approval rating. Seems it’s about 17%. That is pretty harsh, though I’m surprised it’s not even lower given the vitriol of her haters.
In other news—it has been a really busy couple of weeks at NY2 HQ, including a couple of morning broadcast TV appearances last week by yours truly (regarding a story published in the biz-to-biz mag where I work). I did a stint on CNBC’s “Squawk Box,” and let me tell you, I’ve got a HUGE appreciation now for the NY1 morning crew. My car came to pick me up at five, by which time the TV people have probably already been awake for a couple of hours. I don’t know how you folks do it…
And that was followed by another really long work week. But tomorrow is FRIDAY! Thanks/curses to Rebecca Walker, I no longer think of Jamie Shupak when I think of how excited I am about Friday. Believe me, I wish that were not the case.
Ciao for now.
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