Posts Tagged → new york
Breezy Point, NY, Hit Hard by Sandy
Some places are just off the radar, and sometimes the closer they are to large metropolitan areas, the easier they hide in plain view.
Breezy Point is such a place. A slice of Heaven in an otherwise old, somewhat decrepit New York metro area, Breezy Point is a small seaside village nestled in the dunes between Jamaica Bay and the Atlantic Ocean.
About 99% Irish Catholic, it’s utterly safe, pleasant, and home to several welcoming real Irish pubs. For years, Breezy has been my main fishing destination. Its proximity to public land, private beaches, normal people, excellent fishing, and many friends makes it a natural venue to introduce my kids to surf fishing, beach bonfires, and rare friendly exchanges with urban strangers.
Sadly, Breezy took a big hit from Hurricane Sandy. Between unprecedented flooding and a huge fire that has eaten at least fifty homes now [UPDATE: 100 HOMES, developing], the place is really hurting. If nothing else, Breezy’s residents are hearty, able, and unwilling to move into “The City.” So it’ll be rebuilt. This coming Easter I may finally be able to organize the first seaside service with bagpipes that also kicks off the start of the striped bass run. I’ve raised the subject and been met with warm welcome by some locals. Given the state of things there now, it might be a good start.
To my many Breezy friends:
May the road rise to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face.
And rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the hollow of His hand.
Is Islam Compatible with American Freedoms?
Watch this interview with Imam Rauf, the best known advocate for Islam in America, and you’ll come to the same conclusion all other freedom-loving Americans have reached. http://www.jihadwatch.org/2012/07/michael-coren-exposes-ground-zero-mosque-imam-rauf-robert-spencer-gives-postgame-analysis.html
Racing fast to the next red light: where not to buy used cars
New York City would be the last place on earth I’d want to buy a used car, because drivers there universally rip from one red light to the next. Stragglers like me drift up behind them or up next to them in the adjoining lane about fifteen seconds later. Same red light, but they got there first. What they got out of arriving at a red light first, before anyone else, it’s closely held knowledge. I don’t understand it.
Call me Grandma, whatever; the need to accelerate my vehicle in that environment seems unnecessary. It’s not like I am going to get somewhere faster by going faster and arriving at one red light after another before most other drivers. The lights are timed to turn red in a row. Unless a driver can do 0-60 in half a second, by the time he arrives at the next light, he’s pretty much guaranteed it’ll be red.
Ultimately, aggressively accelerating just burns more gas and stresses the engine more than driving slowly and deliberately.
Perhaps it’s a mindset thing. Beating everyone to the next light gives the impression of being ahead, even if you’re all even. Well, that’s weird.
New Yorkers apparently have it in for their vehicles, because they beat the heck out of them with this intense driving business. A New York car may look shiny on the outside, but under the hood, look out. It’s gonna be an ugly mess.
I’d rather buy a vehicle from Amish country.
Josh