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Late Night Open Thread: Larry Craig Gets His Ya Yas Out

By Jeralyn, Section Blog Related
Posted on Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 09:13:40 PM EST
Tags: Larry Craig (all tags)
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with apologies to the Rolling Stones.

Via Crooks and Liars: Video of Sen. Larry Craig in the Senate saying:

"We won't let [those foreigners] jerk us around by the gas nozzle."

Too funny. This is an open thread.

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    Late Night Open Thread: Larry Craig Gets His Ya Yas Out | 196 comments (196 topical)

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    Obama will have 3 major network news anchors (5.00 / 1) (#7)
    by Saul on Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 09:24:25 PM EST
    with him when he takes off to Europe and Middle East next week.  You think that would only be allowed if he was president already.  McCain gets no one when he goes over there.
    Media is to much in the tank IMO

    Yeah, but if Obama blows it, (5.00 / 0) (#20)
    by Grace on Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 09:44:16 PM EST
    it'll be all over the news.  I believe, sending that many anchors, they expect him to say something "Dopey" (and not "Sleepy" or "Sneezy.")

    ;-)

    [ Parent ]

    A lot of foriegn media will not be (5.00 / 1) (#35)
    by Cream City on Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 09:58:15 PM EST
    so easy on Obama, either -- and this over-coverage by American media will increase foreign coverage, in that global media synergy thing that gets going so easily now (See Di, Death of Princess.)

    And if something gets snafu'd there, it will get covered there -- even if it's the sort of thing that so often doesn't get covered by the pro-Obama media here.  Journalist spouse and I have watched this happen, now that we can monitor foreign media online, watch BBC here, etc.  

    Btw, we mostly monitor foreign media just for the joy of getting less biased, pro-American boosterish coverage of this country, especially since the current wars.  It was such a relief to see some media do straight reporting of the Bush idiocies, long before our media finally began to attempt a modicum of objectivity.

    There will be rock-star-style coverage by some media there, of course, because it looks to be the typical rock-star-style Obama tour of rallies and such.  But many foreign media are much less star-struck about celebs in general than our are media, too.  In sum, it will be more interesting to watch foreign coverage of this Obama tour than to watch our own chatterers oohing and aaahing about, gosh, how old Europe is and all.  Ugh.

    [ Parent ]

    But, isn't the most important thing which (none / 0) (#46)
    by oculus on Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 10:04:09 PM EST
    bands are opening?

    [ Parent ]
    Of course. My bad. (none / 0) (#81)
    by Cream City on Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 10:57:37 PM EST
    Rock on, America.

    [ Parent ]
    The Independent and the Guardian in the UK (none / 0) (#190)
    by DeborahNC on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 10:36:54 AM EST
    provide more accurate coverage of American current events than American newspapers do. Only McClatchey news(then Knight-Ridder) provided comprehensive and truthful information when the war in Iraq began. The NYT was really into propaganda.

    There's an interesting article in the Guardian today about the news anchors' broad coverage of Obama's overseas trip and the lack therof for McCain in March.

    I'm with you Cream. Learn the truth. Read reputable foreign newspapers.

    [ Parent ]

    It just struck me... (none / 0) (#67)
    by Grace on Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 10:27:26 PM EST
    But if Obama wants to bring something that blows it, he might think about bringing Larry Craig along....  

    Just kidding.  

    [ Parent ]

    Thank you for accomplishing (5.00 / 2) (#70)
    by Cream City on Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 10:33:39 PM EST
    synthesis with the diary topic.  Somehow.

    [ Parent ]
    Zing.... (none / 0) (#169)
    by kdog on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 09:23:27 AM EST
    That was below the belt...pun intended:)

    [ Parent ]
    Mostly good news for him (5.00 / 1) (#21)
    by andgarden on Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 09:45:37 PM EST
    I like what Digby said about it.

    [ Parent ]
    Good for him (5.00 / 2) (#90)
    by Steve M on Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 11:04:57 PM EST
    Not so good for the cause of ending the war.  We need more Lara Logan reports telling us what it's really like in a war zone, and fewer starstruck anchors following a presidential candidate around on a safe and sanitized tour.

    [ Parent ]
    And where did that get Lara Logan, (none / 0) (#92)
    by oculus on Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 11:09:01 PM EST
    may I ask.  She is the new Jessica Simpson's younger sister or something.

    [ Parent ]
    Hm? (none / 0) (#102)
    by Steve M on Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 11:23:36 PM EST
    That's not very nice.

    [ Parent ]
    Ms. Logan is all over Huff Post (5.00 / 1) (#106)
    by oculus on Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 11:30:14 PM EST
    as being pregnant by a married Blackwater employee.  Did we need to know that?  Would we if she wasn't also in the news for reporting more explicitly on what is actually happening in Iraq than other reporters?  

    [ Parent ]
    Well (5.00 / 1) (#107)
    by Steve M on Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 11:31:03 PM EST
    She is taking far greater risks than having the media dish on her personal life.  What a gutsy journalist she is.

    [ Parent ]
    I agree. Just don't understand why (none / 0) (#109)
    by oculus on Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 11:33:04 PM EST
    her personal life is splashed everywhere now.  I never heard of her until her bureau called her back to the states.

    [ Parent ]
    Digby's right. (none / 0) (#39)
    by pie on Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 09:59:16 PM EST
    Those particular newspeople will most likely make a circus out of this.  Katie Couric.  Ugh.

    It makes me angrier and angrier that this election has turned into a celebrity event, when the dolts should be focusing on so many important, even life-and death, issues.

    A joke.  A sad joke.

    [ Parent ]

    This will be like (5.00 / 0) (#55)
    by Grace on Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 10:10:35 PM EST
    Angelina has twins.  Too cool.  He'll not get a second to relax and we'll get to see everything -- warts and all.  

    I don't think the European media will go easy on him.  They don't go easy on anyone.    

    [ Parent ]

    Sometimes the Euro-Media is (5.00 / 1) (#96)
    by MsExPat on Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 11:12:57 PM EST
    just as star-struck as ours. Case in point: the State visit of Carla Bruni and Sarkozy to London a couple of months ago. Bruni got the full Monty breathless Jackie O treatment from the London media.

    Really, since the days of Princess Di, the Brit media has been tilting towards our U.S. style of celebrity-itis.

    And, after all, Britain is the home of a gazillion tabloids and Fleet Street.

    [ Parent ]

    Obama may not be ready for tabloids (5.00 / 0) (#104)
    by Cream City on Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 11:24:26 PM EST
    British-style.  Amazing, the stuff they do.

    He may wish to be at the mercy of the New Yorker.

    [ Parent ]

    Sad joke. (none / 0) (#47)
    by pie on Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 10:04:38 PM EST
    Actualy, that's what Larry Craig is, too.  Mr. Zero Credibility.

    [ Parent ]
    Larry Craig plays the Republican (5.00 / 1) (#101)
    by hairspray on Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 11:22:06 PM EST
    game.  Just tough it out. Don't apologize.  Bluff your way through. See he is still standing. What Chutzpah!!

    [ Parent ]
    Sen. McCain's surrogate: (5.00 / 1) (#25)
    by oculus on Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 09:51:24 PM EST

    Spokeswoman Jill Hazelbaker went on Fox News and said of Obama's trip abroad, "Let's drop the pretense that this is a fact-finding trip and call it what it is: the first-of-its-kind campaign rally overseas."



    [ Parent ]
    It's a damn spectacle... (5.00 / 1) (#80)
    by kredwyn on Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 10:57:11 PM EST
    Debord would be proud...maybe.

    [ Parent ]
    That has to be (none / 0) (#161)
    by mg7505 on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 06:23:38 AM EST
    the first (intentional) reference to Debord I have read on this site -- brilliant! Of course American politics became a spectacle long before Obama came on the scene.

    [ Parent ]
    I think I like Jill Hazelbaker. (3.50 / 2) (#83)
    by Cream City on Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 11:01:44 PM EST


    [ Parent ]
    Sen. McCain may have preferred (5.00 / 1) (#32)
    by oculus on Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 09:57:34 PM EST
    the news media stayed home when he kept mixing up Sunni and Shia.

    [ Parent ]
    The media is in the tank for mcCain, not (5.00 / 1) (#176)
    by JoeA on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 09:41:12 AM EST
    Obama.

    The reality is that people both in the US and abroad are more interested in Obama.  Here in the UK McCain would be viewed as an improvement,  but there is only really any excitement about an Obama presidency as really turning the page from the GW Bush era.

    [ Parent ]

    That media are in the tank for McCain (5.00 / 1) (#180)
    by Cream City on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 09:50:05 AM EST
    is what only somebody in the tank for Obama would see.

    [ Parent ]
    Matter of opinion I guess (none / 0) (#183)
    by JoeA on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 09:53:59 AM EST
    McCain gets a free ride on everything from most of the media, with the AP offering him sprinkles for his donuts.

    The fact that there is a much greater focus on Obama's foreign trip ist just a function of there being more interest in it, and the networks thinking the ratings are there.  It's hugely expensive for them to cover and if they had thought anyone would want to tune in for coverage of McCain's fundraisers in London with a British Lord then they would have covered it.

    [ Parent ]

    Heard someone on the radio call it (none / 0) (#118)
    by PssttCmere08 on Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 11:41:00 PM EST
    The Network Groupie Tour....

    [ Parent ]
    Did they travel for Clinton or Bush's (none / 0) (#156)
    by OrangeFur on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 03:32:25 AM EST
    first trips overseas as actual presidents?

    The star treatment has been unbelievable. Aliens could have landed on the day of Obama's Greatest Speech Ever and appeared only on page A4.

    [ Parent ]

    They always do, don't they? (none / 0) (#158)
    by weltec2 on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 04:00:40 AM EST
    You always hear that the mainstream press is in toe. But the main thing to me is, as you say, Obama's seeming STAR power. We seem to be a country of celebs and there is nothing that our press loves more than creating celebs and then venerating them.

    [ Parent ]
    McCain Supposedly Nixed Coverage (none / 0) (#189)
    by daring grace on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 10:21:20 AM EST
    on his last trip according to some talking head on one of the cable shows last night. I don't know if it's true (although after some of the scenes with Lieberman correcting him on camera, it's credible).

    Also don't know if he would have gotten three anchors, but I wonder if this is as much an element of the slow summer news cycle and no one network wanting to be left out, esp. if something 'good' happens.

    [ Parent ]

    Larry in his future job as a lobbiest for Dole: (5.00 / 1) (#14)
    by Grace on Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 09:41:24 PM EST
    "South America is sending us undersized bananas and we want something done about it fast!"

    Something needs to be done about athletic (5.00 / 1) (#16)
    by MarkL on Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 09:42:39 PM EST
    shoes which don't make enough noise in a crowded airport bathroom when they tap.

    Larry has it all worked out (5.00 / 2) (#34)
    by Grace on Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 09:58:04 PM EST
    When he retires, he'll write the book "Morse Code for Bathroom Stalls" just to prove that he didn't mean anything by tapping on the floor, etc.  He was just checking out his unused Boy Scout skills.  

    [ Parent ]
    Is that his official stance? (5.00 / 5) (#44)
    by myiq2xu on Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 10:02:30 PM EST
    I hope he wasn't just stalling

    He' making a wider point (5.00 / 3) (#61)
    by Salo on Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 10:24:30 PM EST
    about topping off and the arabs strapping us for cash.

    You have to wonder how much his comments in the past have such double entendres contained within.

    Remeber him calling Slick Willy... (5.00 / 1) (#170)
    by kdog on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 09:27:17 AM EST
    a "dirty dirty boy" or something to that effect when Bill was in trouble for his own proclivities.

    Looking back he was just jealous of Monica.

    [ Parent ]

    he was just jealous of Monica (none / 0) (#173)
    by Capt Howdy on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 09:37:41 AM EST
    um, no.
    they blue dress, maybe.

    [ Parent ]
    oooooh (none / 0) (#174)
    by Capt Howdy on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 09:38:15 AM EST
    you meant "he was just jealous of Monica"
    now I get it.
    maybe.

    [ Parent ]
    joss whedon (5.00 / 2) (#76)
    by boredmpa on Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 10:47:14 PM EST
    has an online musical out:

    dr horrible

    Three episodes, only available through the 20th.  Starring neil patrick harris.

    yep, that's my random interweb geek suggestion for the day.

    A friend sent me that link (none / 0) (#77)
    by kredwyn on Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 10:54:12 PM EST
    earlier. Thanks for reminding me.

    I just watched Batman Begins. Am going to miss the opening of the new Batman. But I'm hoping to see it next weekend.

    [ Parent ]

    Joss: (none / 0) (#93)
    by Valhalla on Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 11:09:58 PM EST
    Possibly the only person alive I would actually drink the Kool Aid for.  Seriously.

    Just started part I, and already brilliant.  Sigh.  Why can't all tv/webvids be so good?  Ok, I'll settle for some.

    Thanks for the reminder boredmpa!

    [ Parent ]

    Kool-aid (none / 0) (#151)
    by cloudy on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 01:23:31 AM EST
    I drank the Joss kool-aid long ago.  He has a new show out this fall called Dollhouse.  

    [ Parent ]
    I think this is interesting (5.00 / 2) (#82)
    by NJDem on Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 10:58:02 PM EST
    McCain calls Obama's plan "HillaryCare."  How will Obama react?  Defend it?  I'm holding myself back from snarking about Harry & Louise...

    link

    I vote for (5.00 / 3) (#85)
    by Steve M on Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 11:03:16 PM EST
    "I appreciate the compliment."

    [ Parent ]
    like Hunter said, over at DK, its Obama's to lose (5.00 / 1) (#89)
    by thereyougo on Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 11:04:54 PM EST
    McCain steps all over dog doo everytime he thinks he's headed in the right direction. I'm withholding from stating my true sentiments of course.

    [ Parent ]
    Well, Obama can play the video of (none / 0) (#128)
    by nycstray on Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 11:55:07 PM EST
    Hillary sayin' "Shame on you!" . . . .

    Yup, Obama did himself well with that one . . .  NOT.

    [ Parent ]

    If I were McCain... (none / 0) (#157)
    by OrangeFur on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 03:37:19 AM EST
    ... I'd be doing everything I could to appeal to Clinton supporters while their anger is still fresh.
    I'd personally run ads featuring not Jeremiah Wright, but rather Michael Pfleger. In a campaign filled with angry moments, watching the video of him mocking Hillary Clinton while the congregation roared its approval made me perhaps the angriest.

    Calling Obama's plan HillaryCare is just dumb. And the sad part is it's not even as good as HillaryCare would be.

    [ Parent ]

    Good ol Larry (5.00 / 2) (#137)
    by CoralGables on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 12:21:26 AM EST
    obviously has a strong stance on this topic and has shown to have a firm hold of the problems with the pump. He's not going to just toe tap around the issue and be caught with his pants down. No sir, he's been there done that. Let's hear it for Larry, who won't be taken to his knees by foreign nozzle yankers.

    So, I'm off to NYC tomorrow (4.33 / 3) (#18)
    by andgarden on Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 09:43:35 PM EST
    for the foreseeable future.

    Best of everything. I love Manhattan, (5.00 / 1) (#22)
    by oculus on Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 09:46:19 PM EST
    not that you'll have time to enjoy it.

    [ Parent ]
    I wish I was going! (5.00 / 1) (#23)
    by Grace on Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 09:47:07 PM EST
    Where are you going there from?  NYC seems like the best place in the world to me... sometimes.  

    [ Parent ]
    From DC by way of a few days in PHL (none / 0) (#24)
    by andgarden on Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 09:48:16 PM EST
    I love New York; always have.

    [ Parent ]
    I've only been to NYC a few times (none / 0) (#27)
    by Grace on Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 09:54:15 PM EST
    Earlier, when I was younger, I found it kind of scary (small town girl).  Now though, I think I'd suck it up.  I love LA's downtown which isn't really very cosmopolitan at all even though it's trying to be.  (Give us 20 or 40 years and we'll get there!)

    [ Parent ]
    I did the left coast once (5.00 / 1) (#43)
    by andgarden on Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 10:01:53 PM EST
    in grade school. My dad had a college friend who wrote for "Mad About You," and he showed us some of LA. We rented a Sebring Convertible.

    [ Parent ]
    Grace, you're in LA? (none / 0) (#155)
    by otherlisa on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 03:27:47 AM EST
    So am I!

    [ Parent ]
    Gee, andgarden, (5.00 / 1) (#103)
    by Radiowalla on Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 11:24:07 PM EST
    I hope you won't be too busy to check in here from time to time.
    Somehow I missed the memo about your going to law school, but I want to wish you all the best as you embark on a new adventure.

    [ Parent ]
    Thanks! (5.00 / 2) (#111)
    by andgarden on Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 11:34:17 PM EST
    My expectation is that I won't be going anywhere But I might have some work to do. . . ;-)

    [ Parent ]
    What Radio said (5.00 / 2) (#138)
    by Jane in CA on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 12:24:40 AM EST
    Best of luck in law school!

    [ Parent ]
    I will tell you a secret (5.00 / 2) (#105)
    by Steve M on Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 11:27:38 PM EST
    First year is not nearly as bad as they say, unless you let it be.

    Mentally, the trick is convincing yourself that no one else has a clue about anything either.  It's easy to find yourself feeling like you're the only one in the room who doesn't know what's going on.  You're not.

    [ Parent ]

    So I've been told. Thanks. (none / 0) (#113)
    by andgarden on Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 11:35:45 PM EST
    In fact, the best advice I've gotten is to tone down my know-it-allness. That's always good advice, but seems most apt here.

    I'm never one to keep my mouth shut, but. . .

    [ Parent ]

    A story (5.00 / 1) (#123)
    by Steve M on Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 11:50:10 PM EST
    I had a Contracts professor who now teaches at Columbia, which might be your school, for all I know.  This was first semester, when everyone was absolutely terrified of getting called on and not knowing the answer.

    One day, the professor's fickle finger pointed at me.  "Mr. M, what do you think Professor Priest would say about this case we're discussing?"

    Well, I didn't have the slightest idea who Professor Priest might be.  To my horror, I realized there was this book of secondary reading for the class - one of those little books you pick up at the bookstore, and then never pick up again - and we must have been assigned some extra reading for today's class that I didn't know about.

    Foolishly, I tried to muddle my way through.  "Well, I don't think it's entirely clear how Professor Priest would view the court's reasoning..."

    Naturally, he smelled blood at this point.  With a satanic grin on his face that probably looked like a pleasant smile to everyone else in the room, he quietly said, "Why don't you give it your best shot."

    Silence.  The lecture hall looked to me.  And I replied, firmly, "Let me make myself more clear.  I don't have a clue what Professor Priest would say."

    Everyone cracked up.  The professor smiled and moved on to the next customer.  And at that moment, many of us were struck by the same realization - you can have absolutely no idea what the answer is, and a bolt of lightning will not strike you dead!  It seemed to me that the classroom experience got a lot less stressful after that point.

    [ Parent ]

    Remember Massiah, the (none / 0) (#130)
    by oculus on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 12:05:15 AM EST
    case where the two suspects were in the back of the patrol car talking about the crime they just committed?  I was called on in Crim. Pro.  I had read half the case but didn't know how it all turned out.  Usually the professor called on more than one person re each case.  Not this time.  So, I was his first choice to call on for the next several months.  Later he hired me!

    [ Parent ]
    That's a good story (none / 0) (#131)
    by andgarden on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 12:07:53 AM EST
    My undergraduate experience is that the remedy of actually doing the reading is often the most effective. That's not to say that I always avail myself of the option, however.

    [ Parent ]
    Actually, my classmates were amazed (none / 0) (#132)
    by oculus on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 12:10:21 AM EST
    anyone actually read the casebook, as opposed to the Cliff Notes.  

    [ Parent ]
    You just don't want to be known as the (none / 0) (#115)
    by oculus on Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 11:36:54 PM EST
    student in the front row who always says, but, what if, . . .

    [ Parent ]
    heh (none / 0) (#121)
    by andgarden on Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 11:48:17 PM EST


    [ Parent ]
    We had such a fellow in my class. Not (none / 0) (#122)
    by oculus on Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 11:50:09 PM EST
    popular.  But the thing is, he taped every lecture, so if you missed a class, you could ask to borrow his tape.  He'd say, come to my place.  he lived at a nudist colony!

    P.S.  I'm expecting you to become Pres. of the law review, so study hard.

    [ Parent ]

    Oy (none / 0) (#133)
    by andgarden on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 12:12:42 AM EST
    That seems a rather high price to pay for a recording.

    [ Parent ]
    Hope you love law school (none / 0) (#26)
    by Jeralyn on Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 09:53:28 PM EST
    but still have time to check in with us. Good luck!

    [ Parent ]
    The way I figure it, andgarden is so (5.00 / 1) (#29)
    by oculus on Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 09:55:51 PM EST
    bright he can skip right to the bar exam.

    [ Parent ]
    heh (5.00 / 1) (#36)
    by andgarden on Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 09:58:25 PM EST
    I would sure save some money.

    [ Parent ]
    Did that legislation pass whereby a (none / 0) (#41)
    by oculus on Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 10:00:29 PM EST
    law student who becomes a DDA for a certain no. of years gets rid of, maybe $30,000 in student loans?  Its a really good job if you want to be in court, learn to think on your feet, and try lots of cases.

    [ Parent ]
    Good question (none / 0) (#49)
    by andgarden on Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 10:05:43 PM EST
    I don't know, but to be honest I'm undecided about whether I want to be a litigator.

    [ Parent ]
    Me too (none / 0) (#30)
    by andgarden on Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 09:56:20 PM EST
    The real work doesn't start just yet. . .

    [ Parent ]
    We'll save some humidity for ya! ;) (none / 0) (#28)
    by nycstray on Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 09:55:44 PM EST
    where are you going to be staying?

    [ Parent ]
    I can't give too much away! (none / 0) (#33)
    by andgarden on Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 09:57:44 PM EST
    But yes, I know the NE humidity quite well. I am a Philly native, after all.

    [ Parent ]
    Just tell us if you'll be living in a (none / 0) (#38)
    by oculus on Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 09:58:55 PM EST
    "pre-war bldg."  I've never figured out which war that refers to in the rental ads.

    [ Parent ]
    WWII (none / 0) (#40)
    by squeaky on Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 09:59:38 PM EST


    [ Parent ]
    I think it's WWII (none / 0) (#42)
    by Jeralyn on Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 10:01:49 PM EST
    All the old buildings on Park Ave on the east side and West End and Riverside on the west side.  Great high ceilings but of those I've seen, old NYC apts (except for the super rich)have  such tiny, antiquated kitchens. I wonder if it's changed.

    [ Parent ]
    Usually tiny kitchens and no closet space (none / 0) (#56)
    by nycstray on Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 10:12:26 PM EST
    Open the oven and hit the sink across the kitchen, lol!~ You stand sideways when you use your oven  ;)

    I have a huge kitchen now by NYC standards. Not too wide, but long. Plenty of room for 2 freezers and a fridge along with a regular sized table. Late 1800's/early 1900. Two big sunny windows that are great in the winter for catching some sunlight.

    [ Parent ]

    Jack Paar (5.00 / 2) (#119)
    by gyrfalcon on Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 11:41:25 PM EST
    used to say that NYC apartments were so small, when you put the key in the front door lock, you'd break the window.

    [ Parent ]
    How did you rate (none / 0) (#62)
    by Grace on Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 10:24:34 PM EST
    to get such a large kitchen?  

    I always find it fun to try and explain to people that houses are smaller and more expensive in cities like LA (and NYC) than most of the country.  

    I used to post on a board for people looking to relocate and it was always fun to respond to the people leaving a 4,000+ sq. ft. home in Texas looking for something similar in Los Angeles.  Since much of LA's housing stock was built pre-1940, the best locations are expensive AND small.  

    [ Parent ]

    Sheer luck! (none / 0) (#68)
    by nycstray on Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 10:32:30 PM EST
    I also have a major deal on rent. $536 per month! I got the lead on the apt when I was teaching a class at the senior center down the street.

    SF is the same way, so I wasn't shocked at the apts here. I had a great place in SF that also had a decent kitchen and a sep eating area as part of the kitchen. I think the cooking angles like me :) I spend more time than many people looking for places. Partly because I have pets and it's usually a bit harder. And I also need creative office/work space. The few places I remember from LA weren't as bad as NYC and SF, but still not what most folks are used to :)

    [ Parent ]

    I always figured if I followed my dream (5.00 / 1) (#94)
    by oculus on Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 11:11:18 PM EST
    and moved to Manhattan I would have to say goodbye to sun-filled rooms.  

    [ Parent ]
    Not true! (none / 0) (#112)
    by MsExPat on Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 11:34:57 PM EST
    I've lived in New York apartments for more than 25 years. They have all been on the cheap side, and every single one has been sunny!

    [ Parent ]
    Ah. But are you w/i walking distance (none / 0) (#116)
    by oculus on Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 11:39:52 PM EST
    of Lincoln Center?  I have some hard and fast criteria.  

    [ Parent ]
    I moved to LA from Florida (none / 0) (#72)
    by Grace on Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 10:39:20 PM EST
    In Florida, everything was NEW!  Big apartments!  New kitchens!  Big closets!  800 sq. feet is a one bedroom apartment!

    Then I moved to LA where 800 sq. feet is a 2 bedroom HOUSE!  Little everything!  A living room that's made for a family of chihuahuas!  The bathroom is 1/2 the size of the bedroom!  

    It was hard to adjust to this at first...  but now I understand NYC housing!  LOL!  I could handle a kitchen with no oven.  I have one now!    

    [ Parent ]

    My bathroom is so small . . . (none / 0) (#78)
    by nycstray on Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 10:55:19 PM EST
    they don't make bathmats small enough, lol!~ OK, I could have more space if I got rid of the tub, but that's not an option! The 30's and 40's apts are considered "generous" in some areas like closets compared to earlier. Along the way, someone built a double closet in my apt, but my friend downstairs doesn't have ANY! We have original pantries type cupboards in the kitchen. She has the original cupboards and I have free standing ones I brought in. The originals are nice, but you need a step ladder to use the top couple of shelves. The only other built-ins are in the front "parlors" that are built off the old fireplaces. I do not know how they raised families in these apt, but my LL was born in this building with 3 siblings! OY!

    [ Parent ]
    I think people had (none / 0) (#120)
    by gyrfalcon on Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 11:45:36 PM EST
    fewer possessions in the "old days."  My 1850s house has zero downstairs closets and only low cubbyholes on 2nd floor.  Closets were freestanding pieces of furniture, and ordinary people only had a couple changes of clothing.

    [ Parent ]
    Our 1930's/1940's house (none / 0) (#134)
    by Grace on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 12:12:54 AM EST
    had cabinets in the kitchen you could only reach via stairs.  (No one is that tall.)  

    The house was so tiny though...  Tiny bedrooms, tiny closets, everything was built for munchkins.  

    [ Parent ]

    My apartment in Brooklyn (none / 0) (#91)
    by MsExPat on Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 11:06:59 PM EST
    is 550 square feet and has one bedroom. My apartment in Hong Kong is also 550 square feet--but it has two bedrooms! The style in Hong Kong is to cut up living spaces into tiny compartments, because usually more family members are sharing the space. My #2 bedroom in Hong Kong barely fits my desk and bookcase. I don't know how you'd get a bed in there.

    Kitchen-wise, I'm pretty lucky on both ends. In Brooklyn, I own the apartment and so was able to renovate the kitchen to my specs--granite counters, cool terracotta and Mexican tile that I carried all the way from Miami. In Hong Kong, my long narrow kitchen is larger than most, and has windows, a rare thing. But, like most flats in Hong Kong, there's no oven--kitchens are designed for Chinese cooking, with gas burners for woks.

    Oh, and no dishwasher in Hong Kong either. That's because domestic labor is cheap, and everybody has a maid--a word that is never uttered. Here, they are called "helpers."

    [ Parent ]

    Thief! Or, Fibber! No one pays (none / 0) (#164)
    by scribe on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 08:49:49 AM EST
    only $536 a month in rent in NYC!

    Some (a lot of) buildings, the maintenance is 5 or 6 times that and then there's the rental.

    And, "pre-war" is Pre WWII.  It's a synonym for "sturdily built" (it's still here, after all), smallish rooms, tiny (and I mean tiny!) bathrooms, kitchens where you stand sideways to open the oven and, sometimes (esp in the un-renovated buildings)pipe stubs running through the ceiling for a couple inches, and patches on the floor (covering the coordinate hole).  The pipe is/was the old drain pipe for the icebox runoff water.

    Of course, my sister once rented a place on the UES where the tub & shower and toilet were also in the kitchen.  A little stall wall around the toilet.  You never know just what you'll get in NYC.

    [ Parent ]

    Gotta be rent control.... (none / 0) (#171)
    by kdog on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 09:33:09 AM EST
    or the landlord has Alzheimer's or something.

    $536 is stupid cheap.

    [ Parent ]

    Rent Stabilization (none / 0) (#192)
    by squeaky on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 11:10:35 AM EST
    Or a swell landlord, which she evidentially has. Ex cop if I remember correctly.

    [ Parent ]
    I'll be in a building built in the 90s. (none / 0) (#45)
    by andgarden on Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 10:03:43 PM EST
    It replaced a movie theater, I'm told. Only place in range with a dishwasher (I really didn't want to do without one again).

    [ Parent ]
    One thing I won't miss when (none / 0) (#57)
    by nycstray on Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 10:16:14 PM EST
    I move back to CA next year. That and iced over streets in April! They just said on the news the heat is locked in place :( Last night they gave us the dewpoint comfortability ratings, lol!

    [ Parent ]
    You'll love it here (none / 0) (#69)
    by Grace on Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 10:33:20 PM EST
    weatherwise, where you are moving...  But what about wildfires and landslides?  Will you get those?  

    Earthquakes are another problem but they don't happen that often.  

    Wildfires are more of a problem in rural areas.  

    [ Parent ]

    I was raised there :) (none / 0) (#75)
    by nycstray on Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 10:46:19 PM EST
    born and bred CA gal. I'm moving to Calaveras County up by Arnold/Big Trees. My parents are handing their cabin over to me for awhile :) I'll prob end up along the Russian River in the long run, but more than happy to get settled at the cabin for the immediate future.

    I've done pretty much all the natural disasters there except mudslides. I already have my evac plans worked out with the 5 cats and 1 Dal :) Right now I'm monitoring the wildfires from a website in the area I'll be living. The cabin area was already cleared when the fires broke out. My dad's pretty good about that stuff, so I can just follow what he's done in the past. One of the reasons I'm moving there is the upkeep is getting too much for them and my dad's health issues.

    My dog is going to be in HEAVEN!

    [ Parent ]

    Heaven (none / 0) (#79)
    by squeaky on Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 10:56:05 PM EST
    My closest friend, a rottweiler/beagle 4 yrs old, recently moved to the Alpuharra mountains in southern Spain. As traumatized as I am it is mitigated because she is in dog heaven.  Twelve acres on a mountain top with almond and fig trees, lots of dirt to roll in. No leash, other dogs friends, and neighbors (mile away) who offer a (cough Cough) snack, whenever she decides to visit.  The nearest PO office only open two days a week. The sticks, but doggie heaven. Your dog is going to love getting out of the city.

    [ Parent ]
    My dog is going to be in river (none / 0) (#141)
    by nycstray on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 12:42:00 AM EST
    and lake heaven :)  Along with mountain trails. I think I'm going to cart train her or at least get her to pull me sledding. There's also horses in the area (yes, I remember getting my dad on a horse!) and since she's a Dalmatian, we will be learning to road trial with horses.

    I'm sorry your closest friend is in Spain for you, but understand the acceptance you have of her new life. I almost didn't keep my girl because she is noise sensitive, she's come a LONG way from when I met her, but giving her the peace and quite along with a dogs life, is going to thrill me to the rafters. And yes, if she hadn't had her earlier issues, I would still be thrilled to give her this life.

    It's funny, I haven't been to the cabin in several years, but I can see Dot as clear as day livin' the life there. My cats are going to love it also. I'll be making them a safe yard so they will have a contained area with free access. And me, I'll be on the deck enjoying life :)

    [ Parent ]

    SOunds Great (none / 0) (#145)
    by squeaky on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 12:54:27 AM EST
    My second best friend, Sissy's owner, can't believe that she stayed in NYC so long. She is in heaven too, but not nearly as much as her dog, though.. The only problems are an occasional bee sting and thistles in her feet otherwise total heaven.

    I like the city, though, not so keen on bugs.

    [ Parent ]

    My bee sting kitty went to the bridge (none / 0) (#149)
    by nycstray on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 01:09:58 AM EST
    in Fall of 05. This cat couldn't resist a flower or whatever with a bee in it. He was also famous for sleeping on a tree branch and falling off! lol!~

    I don't know if a bee would sting my dog. She thinks little critters are the bestest of friends. You should see her with a lady bug!

    I'm worried about ticks (even though we have them here), snakes, scorpions, foxtails (I know many who have that prob! and someone who lost a kitty to one). It's just going to be an adjustment for me and the pet care. Before when I lived in CA, no prob with fleas etc. In NYC, cats indoors, so very few nature issues. Bringing the dog in, I was worried about fleas and ticks and heartworm. No issues and I don't use any preventive. I feed a raw diet to all pets and the dog hasn't brought home fleas or ticks. Thank Dawg!!!! But I will be reading up and adjusting before I move.

    [ Parent ]

    Lots (none / 0) (#150)
    by squeaky on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 01:21:59 AM EST
    Of ticks where Sissy is. Also dog AIDS, she wears a special collar for that. But has ticks, a plenty, yuck.  I think she stepped on a bee hole when she got it in the ear, crying for a half hour. But loves to  catch flies so maybe she went after a bee... ouch...

    First day there she ate all her heartworm pills. That was scary but nothing came of it..

    [ Parent ]

    I think there's a lot where I'm going (none / 0) (#154)
    by nycstray on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 02:02:14 AM EST
    one too many phone calls with mom where she talked about ticks and her dog. They creep me out and I will not have the back up there that I have here. The shelter I got my dog from (and have spent many hours working at) is close enough that I can bring her there for help with de-ticking (while I silently scream!). I've never needed the help, thank dog!

    heartworm meds are tasty from what I get. Most dogs will snarf them up! They also last longer than they tell you. When I used them the first year with my dog, I did 3 times over the season here. I haven't used them in 5 yrs, but that's something else I need to look at after the move.

    Damn, Sissy's a bit of a challenge! :) My girl is also, but not in the ingestion arena!  Speaking of challenging dogs, mines asking for a romp outside, so off I go!  :)

    [ Parent ]

    If ticks are a problem (none / 0) (#166)
    by scribe on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 09:01:19 AM EST
    buy yourself one of these to remove them from the dog.

    It's a hundred times easier, and better, than just about anything else, fits nicely on your keychain, and works.  Plus, it's relatively cheap.

    I've sworn off any other means for removing ticks.  And, I've tried it on myself, too.  It's a slightly strange "pulling" sensation, but then the tick comes out clean.

    [ Parent ]

    Nice One (none / 0) (#193)
    by squeaky on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 11:12:59 AM EST
    I like the magnifier..  Thanks for the tip... although I am dogless these days.

    [ Parent ]
    I'm here with my dad (none / 0) (#87)
    by Grace on Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 11:03:59 PM EST
    so I can relate.  

    I haven't been to Northern California since I was a kid but I'm dying to make a trip back up there!  

    [ Parent ]

    Will you be changing your screen name? (none / 0) (#117)
    by oculus on Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 11:40:24 PM EST


    [ Parent ]
    Hard to say. (none / 0) (#142)
    by nycstray on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 12:44:49 AM EST
    Currently, all my strays are from NYC!. lol!~ If I do, it will be to my studio name of Strababe (Straybaby) just to keep things simple.

    [ Parent ]
    Here's another cultural tip b/4 (none / 0) (#143)
    by oculus on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 12:49:43 AM EST
    you leave.  Have you been to BargeMusic?  An old coffee barge moored at the east end of the Brooklyn Bridge.  Classical music.  Quite delightful.  

    [ Parent ]
    NO! Thank you!! (none / 0) (#146)
    by nycstray on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 12:57:13 AM EST
    That's the next bridge down from me and a hop skip n' jump! They also have the "Waterfalls" art project this summer and I think one is on the Brooklyn Bridge. I was planning on that in Sept after the tourist season wound down. The falls are until Oct. iirc.

    [ Parent ]
    I really want to see those waterfalls, but (none / 0) (#147)
    by oculus on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 12:58:19 AM EST
    won't be in Manhattan until Nov.  Too bad.

    [ Parent ]
    Stupid (none / 0) (#148)
    by squeaky on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 01:01:48 AM EST
    If you ask me. First thing I thought was: what a waste of energy.

    [ Parent ]
    My understanding was they were (none / 0) (#152)
    by nycstray on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 01:31:05 AM EST
    green friendly?

    [ Parent ]
    Amen... (none / 0) (#175)
    by kdog on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 09:38:38 AM EST
    the waterfalls are retarded.

    Running those pumps can't be green friendly...and so much of the infrastructure is falling apart I can't see spending that dough on eye candy.

    [ Parent ]

    Not Even Eye Candy (none / 0) (#194)
    by squeaky on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 11:20:09 AM EST
    As far as I am concerned. This was a great piece at the Tate Modern  (London) by the same artist, Olafur Eliasson . It was in the large turbine hall, a free space.. It got people to change their museum behavior. Most lied down on the floor and enjoyed looking up and around. It was a bit like a rock concert without the music and more variety or spectators. Really nice vibe.

    [ Parent ]
    Did you two object to Christos's Gates (none / 0) (#196)
    by oculus on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 12:31:03 PM EST
    in Central Park?   How about the satirical version,being towed around Manhattan island?  I did really enjoy the Tate Modern piece.

    [ Parent ]
    How about the cats? (none / 0) (#124)
    by gyrfalcon on Thu Jul 17, 2008 at 11:50:47 PM EST
    When I moved to Vermont, I decided to let my cats go out.  I lost one, which just about broke my heart, but there's no question they're much, much, much happier being able to do what they're designed to do and prowl around outside and catch mice.  I do keep them in the house for the night after they come in for food, though, much to their disappointment.

    [ Parent ]
    I'll build a safe yard (none / 0) (#144)
    by nycstray on Fri Jul 18, 2008 at 12:52:24 AM EST