Tag Archives: Queens

The Authenticity of Queens

Posted on October 1, 2011 by Neil

I have an acquaintance who is not very fond of Americans, seeing them as insular and parochial.  He is American himself, born in Ohio, and currently lives on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. This acquaintance travels a great deal … Continue reading →

Posted in New York City | Tagged , | 20 Comments

A Story Worthy of King Solomon

Posted on June 27, 2011 by Neil

It’s a story worthy of King Solomon. My apartment complex consists of two buildings, the “A” building and the “B” building. Each one has eight floors, twenty apartments on each floor.   Each building is identical. A few months ago, … Continue reading →

Posted in New York City | Tagged , , | 11 Comments

The Old Parsons Tree in Flushing: A True Halloween Story

Posted on October 31, 2010 by Neil

If you visit my apartment building in Flushing, you would notice an oddly shaped garden apartment right across the street, sitting on a tiny, rectangular plot of land.  The architecture of the building makes no logical sense at first; you … Continue reading →

Posted in Literary, New York City | Tagged , , , , | 15 Comments

When in Greece…

Posted on October 14, 2010 by Neil

Church Tour Guide:  “I hope you’re having a wonderful time at our 39th annual Greek Festival here at the Greek Orthodox Shrine Church of St. Nicholas in Flushing, Queens.  I’m so glad that you have taken the time from the … Continue reading →

Posted in New York City | Tagged , , | 20 Comments

Fight or Flight?

Posted on June 3, 2010 by Neil

My junior high school was an anonymous brown brick school, built in the 1960′s just when Queens was growing as a borough. The schoolyard was enclosed by a metal fence, like a prison, and considering that that 1/4 of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Life in General, New York City | Tagged , , | 29 Comments

The Free Turkey

Posted on November 24, 2009 by Neil

My mother doesn’t like to waste money, and similar to many other Jewish mothers of her generation, she can sense a sale at Loehmann’s from miles away. Which brings me to Thanksgiving. Recently, a new supermarket took over in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Life with My Parents, New York City | Tagged , , | 31 Comments

Advice for My Neighbor, the Terror Suspect

Posted on October 17, 2009 by Neil

news story about this guy across the street There’s a terrorist on my block Wants a bomb that goes tick tock! Saw him eating at “Chili Thai” Now he’s wanted by the FBI! Says he hates the U.S.A. Gonna destroy … Continue reading →

Posted in New York City, News and Politics | Tagged | 12 Comments

On Health Care and Supermarkets

Posted on September 7, 2009 by Neil

I received a compliment from a nice reader, saying that I encouraged debate on “political” issues.  She felt that her opinions were too hardcore and only attracted readers who agreed with her.  I told her that she nees to be … Continue reading →

Posted in New York City, News and Politics | Tagged , , , , , | 13 Comments

Morning Dew

Posted on April 6, 2009 by Neil

You need to grab nature wherever you can get it. Morning. I walk on the cracked, gray, concrete of  the New York streets  to the McDonald’s across the street, the artificially colored arches calling to me, “Coffee!” Before I can … Continue reading →

Posted in New York City | Tagged , | 29 Comments

Goat Stew

Posted on March 25, 2009 by Neil

I went for breakfast at the Dominican diner down the block.  I’ve written about this place before.  They have two menus combined in one folder — traditional Dominican cuisine and the gringo menu for those who want burgers and BLTs.   … Continue reading →

Posted in Food, New York City | Tagged , , | 26 Comments