Author Archive for C.G.

Parks

Published
by
C.G.
on July 31, 2006
in General
. 1 Comment

Have you ever noticed that there aren’t a lot of parks in Hoboken? I have. I think I can count the number of parks in the city on one hand and those that exist aren’t very large. I’ve been seeing flyers, mailings, and advertisements for different pro-park non-profit groups and got interested in what they have to say. After meeting them, its become very obvious we do not have a good park development plan - and quite the contrary, have an over development problem.

I’m not going to get into the problems of over development yet - I’ll save that for another day. But what I will do is try and put those who come to visit this blog in touch with the various organizations that support more park space for our us, our children, and our pets. If you like what they are working towards, please contact them and lend any support you can in any way possible. Even by hosting a fundraiser or donating talent or time can make the difference.

One group that seems to represent everyone is Hoboken Parks. On their site (now added on the ‘Links’ section of the sidepanel) they have a map of Hoboken with all the parks (or lack thereof) and they highlight some sections in need of attention. They have an e-mail list you can join and a way to contact the mayor and town council to express your support and desire for more parks.

The other group that I came across was the SouthWest Parks Coalition. Their site (also on the ‘Links’ list) is newer but, so far, informative. They focus on one area of Hoboken but their ideals are the same as the other groups. If you happen to live in that area, I would ask you to use their website to join their mailing list and offer any support you can lend. They, like Hoboken Parks, are probably very low-budget and even the web hosting is an expense that most people take for granted.

I want to be neutral when it comes to Hoboken politics because everyone has a right to an opinion and there are many opinions out there that are always up for debate. In this forum, I just want to bring attention to the things about this great town that need changing - no matter who represents what and why.

And to that end, I think that Hoboken needs more parks. It doesn’t take visit to these websites or a college degree to see that parks increase property value and, therefore, taxation revenue. Unchecked construction can lead to over development and with a housing glut lower one’s value by flooding the market with vacant units. The more land for parks, the more gentile the neighborhood becomes and the few units YOUR property has to compete with. Safe construction also addresses the flooding problems that many areas of Hoboken have; we would be remiss to not work on a solution that offered more ground to soak up the water while reducing the number of people adding sewage to the problem.

I am confident that the Hoboken Parks and the Southwest Parks organizations will prevail. I am going to watch the mayor’s reaction very closely and make sure his puppets in the council hear what these groups have to say and act in their favor. I know I cannot, in good faith, vote for someone who doesn’t take what these groups have to say seriously and who doesn’t work towards promoting park space in this town.

Please get involved if you can. I know I will.

Sewers

Published
by
C.G.
on July 21, 2006
in General
. 0 Comments

The rain has flooded Hoboken again for the third or fourth time this month.

When are they going to fix the fucking sewer system??!!!??

Walking

Published
by
C.G.
on May 4, 2006
in General
. 0 Comments

Walking around Hoboken has to be one of the best things to do on a day like today where the weather is nice. It supposedly got to 80 degrees on this sunny day and although I spent it at work, I could imagine taking a stroll down Hudson Street from the uptown waterfront to the downtown front and parks in between.

I can see it now.

First, you feel the cool breeze tussle up your hair and jolt you with refreshing energy as you breathe in the crisp but moist river wind. You move away from the shade made possible from the tall buildings that surround you into openness that shelters you with warmth and comfort; you feel safe and blessed knowing that you are home and lucky enough to be out on this rare day of spring’s perfection. You close your eyes and bask in this feeling only to become excited even more so at what you know is in store for you next.

You gingerly walk to Starbucks for an iced coffee - no, an iced mocha frappaccino - and hold back the urge to gulp it all at once; you know its better to slowly enjoy the chocolate drink as you take in the sights and sounds. Now all your senses are as alive as you are!

Walking down Hudson, you see the old brownstones that you long to own one day. With their classic but inspiring design, you wish you could see the insides of these historic buildings. You marvel at how beautiful the cherry blossoms are with their bloom slowly falling to the concrete from the gentle breeze that gives them life.

You soon happen upon the park at 5th street and cut across it passing the dogs as they frolic in their own play pen. You smile at the proud parents as they realize that you and their children get to enjoy each others company. You crouch down to say an infantile hello before you get slobbered on or whacked in the face with their wagging tail that shows they are happy to see you and happy to be out too.

Moving to the corner of 4th and River Street, you look to the left and catch a glimpse of the baseball game that draws a large crowd. Suddenly you hear an echoing crack and the roaring cheer of the spectators who, rooting for the home team, get to see their local hero belt a home run into the visitor’s stands. A smile is now visible on your face because you, too, are glad to see your home town win.

Skipping across the street, you peer off into the distance and get your first good look at the south waterfront and the, now tiny looking, New York skyline. In it, you see the golden rays of the sun beam off the glass super-structures and play games with the shadows now forming from those setting bands of light and warmth. The afternoon sky - still warm but noticeably cooler - let’s you feel a new breeze; one that makes you wish you had a motor boat skimming across the river’s waters. You know how that feels having used the ferry on a day like today. Your face mashed with that brisk ocean air that makes you feel as if you were flying like a seagull without a care in the world.

Now on the walk path, you see roller-bladers whiz by you in their lane. Joggers, too, share that path and you hear their huffing as they enjoy a good run. Some are just ending their loop as they rejoin a loved one who was walking with their newborn and strolling around the pier’s park. You see them banter with their baby and smile at one another happy that they are where they are in life, love, and location.

Suddenly a toddler races across the grass as they cling to the kite they brought with them on their day out. Cries of “Mommy, Mommy! Look!” comes from every corner causing confusion to all the mommies who are out watching their kids too. As you reach the end of the park - having circled it once or twice - you notice the people coming out of their apartments ready for the nightlife. You see all the singles - and a few couples holding hands - quickly trot to their favorite bar or club downtown.

Now the day has ended and you begin your trip back home. You pass by so many restaurants with outdoor seating. Friends and family gather together for fun, good times, and great food. The different aromas make you hungry but you can hardly decide on that to get. Mexican? Steak? Vegetarian? There is so much to choose from. Passing an Ice cream parlor really tempts you. But you resist Tasty D-lite and Cherry Garcia still satisfied with just finishing your Starbucks drink that has kept you comfortably cool this entire time.

As you approach your doorstep, you take one last look at the clear sky, breath deep, and take in the wonderful day for the last time. This amazing day has ended. Still, as sad as you are at this one being over, you know another walk in Hoboken awaits you tomorrow.

Hotties

Published
by
C.G.
on April 12, 2006
in General
. 0 Comments

The next time you can, in a not-so-creepy way, take a look at the people who live, work, and do business in Hoboken. I think you’ll find that a good majority of them can be considered attractive in some way. Hoboken is full of hotties!

Now before someone gets upset or insulted, I don’t mean to be rude, sexist, or demeaning. I just simply observed the other day while walking home that Hoboken is full of young, attractive, (possibly) successful, and active people. And, I feel, that if someone wanted to meet a person with those qualities, it wouldn’t be hard to do so here.

Now, I am a happily married man to a wonderful wife - a hottie too, I might add. But many of my friends are single. Those of them who aren’t with someone know to go to Hoboken to find a friend, one night stand, occasional date, boyfriend/girlfriend, spouse/life partner, something more or in between. And they know it isn’t hard to find a place to meet others, either.

If you haven’t figured it out yet, Hoboken has a lot of bars. Some say that Hoboken holds the record for the most bars per, um, square mile. And of course, many people still use bars to meet up, hook up, or otherwise find that special someone that will remove them from ‘the scene’. Some of these bars are practically - well, are - nightclubs that have dancing and those things that places in New York City offer (DJs, and all). Others, are restaurant-bars that serve food in the early evenings and later act as a bar. Some bars cater to the indie crowd by having a stage for bands to play on. Some are upscale pubs. And I’m sure there are some dive bars too (although I haven’t’ found any yet). There is even a gay bar/club, I’m proud to say (no pun intended), that gives everyone the chance to be themselves while finding that someone else. But bars and dance floors aren’t the only clubs in Hoboken that can bring two hotties together.

There are plenty of recreational clubs that a person can become active in which might offer the chance to find the man or woman of their dreams. Doing a quick Google search on Hoboken Clubs revealed many organizations that interest me just in principal - forget about just doing something you love; do something you love and find someone to love in Hoboken! That search led me to find information on Ski, Cricket, Tennis (court and table), Pool, Cigar, Wine, Rugby,
Volleyball, Christian Youth, Toasting, and Running clubs. [Note to readers: I do not endorse, identify, belong to, recommend, warn against, or otherwise associate with any of these organizations. I only point them out to you.] You’ve got to be able to find someone at one of these places if you share the same interests.

Now like I said earlier, I don’t mean to be sexist or discriminatory. Men and women can find any hottie of any sex they desire. Of course, I happen to think that the women here are beautiful. My local gym is full of fantastic, foxy, frisky, females who - single or not - keep themselves looking great through exercise. The guys there aren’t slouchers either. Not only are they physically fit but, as my wife has said, there are plenty of good looking, handsome men to choose from. The two of us keep begging our friends to join us out for a few nights in the hope that they will see what we see and want to move here. So far none of her girlfriends or my buddies have joined us and we can’t help but think they are all missing out.

Now being a diverse city, Hoboken offers more than just good looks, bars, and social clubs. There is a wonderful middle aged population with families and an older generation who might have grand children (or great-grandchildren). That’s not to say that they aren’t good looking or hotties in their own way. I mearly means that if you are single and looking for someone in that age group or committed to someone but want to find other committed people to socialize with, you don’t have to go far. Hoboken has it.

Gay, straight, black, white, curly, purple, spotted, or striped, Hoboken has what you are looking for and what others are looking for in you. Its really what helps make this city one of the best in the east coast and the reason I want to stay and raise my family here. And hopefully, you or someone you know can do the same if that is what their heart desires.

Cabs Revisited

Published
by
C.G.
on March 30, 2006
in General
. 0 Comments

You’ve probably read that I like our cabbies and how easy it is to get an inexpensive ride in and around Hoboken. But leave it to the government to mess things up. See, recently, some genius decided installing a traffic light on the corner of River and Hudson Place. This light not only disrupts the flow of pedestrian traffic in and out of the PATH station but that’s not the subject of this writing - its for some other time.

Anyway.

With the traffic light, Hoboken also changed the traffic pattern for the taxis. Before, the cabs would line up right in front of the PATH station (on the left hand side if you were facing west). The introduction of the light forced them to the right side of the street (you can’t have cabs driving in the left lane of traffic - this isn’t London, here). But the decision to change sides was a short sighted one and people reacted very negatively.

People coming out of the PATH would cross the street in a hurry to make sure they actually got one as there wasn’t always a long line of yellow waiting for passengers. They would cross no matter what the traffic signal was or what the crosswalk sign said and, in the end, blocked cars (and other taxis) from entering Hudson Place. No one could park or turn around to get in the taxi line for new riders. And when the light was red, the cabs couldn’t go anywhere. People would wait in a cab for 5 minutes or more if the light wasn’t in their favor. So the attractiveness of the taxi cabs became considerably less than what it used to be. So in their infinite wisdom, the planners moved the taxi stand again. But this time… No one knows where it is!!

I stood outside for a few minutes and watched people line up where they thought the stand would be but only saw confusion on everyone’s face and cabs driving away to who knows where. I gave up and walked home. Thankfully, I only wanted to get home faster and didn’t have to deal with bad weather.

Does any one know where the new taxi stand is?