bowl of dicks's Profile
- 2000
- the beginning
- Bay Ridge
- Rental
- Architect
- Female
- 33
Author's Posts
Overnight Foghorn Noise
Anyone else kept awake in the wee hours by the foghorn down in Bay Ridge area? It was sounding roughly every 20 seconds for what felt like over an hour. And it wasn't even especially foggy out (I could still see bridge/SI from my window). Any guesses?
Hot/Cold Water Issues
I live in a pre-war, 4 story walk up rental building. It has 20 apts, 50% market rate and 50% rent stabilized (aging/elderly tenants). The owner is not stingy (plenty of heat etc) and the super takes a lot of pride in maintaining the building. However, I have a hot/cold issue with my shower that is getting worse over time. During the morning rush, and now all evening long, the hot and cold water from the shower fluctuates tremendously. Sometimes it goes to scalding hot or ice cold in less than a second. Other times it is gradual temp change. I never notice this in the faucets, only the shower. The time it takes me to shower is almost doubled because I am spending extra time adjusting the knobs or waiting for the temp to even out again. One time I almost slipped and fell trying to avoid getting scalded! I am concerned about the elderly people who can not react as quickly as myself. Anyway, I casually mentioned it to my super twice now, and his response was "the building is just old and there is nothing we can do."
Anyone have any thoughts or advice?
FWIW, they capped off and removed the tub spout during a recently "renovation" and I have two knobs (H+C)
Upholstery Cleaning
I have a small upholstered seat cushion that needs to be cleaned of overall dirt and small stains. The fabric cover unzips from the foam cushion. Where do I take this item....the corner dry cleaner? An upholsterer?
My search for "brooklyn upholstery cleaning" comes up with large scale commercial cleaners with no drop off service. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks, BoD
Need recs for Park Slope tour
Just got off the phone with my parents who have decided to come visit for Thanksgiving. Mother said she wants to go walk around "that neighborhood I keep reading about in the times, Park Slope?" (oh gawd). Anyway, I am really only familiar with the retail avenues of the slope, but she wants to see some classic brownstone side streets. Can folks in the know please clue me into exactly which blocks are not to be missed? Thank you! BoD
Custom Framing Shop
Can anyone recommend a custom framing shop in Brooklyn that is reasonably priced? Thank You!
Just Moved to Bay Ridge
Okay so I just moved down to Bay Ridge 2 weeks ago. Mid 70's + 3rd Ave vicinity. Looking to hear from any of my new neighbors about which is the best deli, dry cleaner, tailor, take out, hardware store, etc etc in the area. Also, which restaurants are a must? There is so much stuff down here, I would love to weed out the crap. Thanks!
BoD
Rec: Call Paul to Haul
I hired Call Paul to Haul last week to move some large furniture pieces, and I have nothing but good things to say about him. He showed up on time (actually early), took care loading up my stuff in his van, and was very friendly. He had absolutely no problem schlepping my stuff up a 4th floor walk up apt and had VERY reasonable rates. www.callpaultohaul.com
Wall-Thru Unit & Allergies
Okay, I have those wall-thru heating/cooling fan units in my apartment. One in each room with seperate controls. Total electricity hogs, but that's another matter. Every time I run the unit in my bedroom, overnight, I wake up sniffly, puffy, sore throat etc. typical allergy symptoms. This doesn't matter if it's outputting heat in the winter, or AC in the summertime. Same symptoms.
The nights I don't have to run it, I NEVER wake up with these symptoms. But my bedroom is a corner room facing Southeast so 2 sides are not insulated by other interior spaces. It does get considerably colder / warmer than the rest of the apartment. Unfortunately, this forces me to use the thing more than I really want to.
The filter is removable and cleanable (not disposable), but even regular cleanings has not helped my situation. My only assumption is that the fan is just recirculating airborne dust all night and that's what's messing with me. yuck.
So, aside from leaving this apartment, (which I am actually considering and this is one of the cons on the list), does anyone have any ideas on what I could do here to help fix the situation?
Thanks!
BoD
Author's Comments
give it one year and the vinyl will start looking better than that blue painted corrugated metal..hell it's already starting to fade unevenly..obviously the decision of an amateur! (Sorry, but someone's gotta be the obligatory hater so I nominated myself)
Posted by: bowl of dicks at September 2, 2010 7:10 PM in response to Windsor Place Gets Modern
Gak what are you people thinking!? This looks like a 1st year design studio project..........at City College.
Posted by: bowl of dicks at September 2, 2010 4:21 PM in response to Windsor Place Gets Modern
i just looked at it more closely. there is a home depot gas fireplace behind the mantlepeice.
Posted by: bowl of dicks at September 2, 2010 1:11 PM in response to Rental of the Day: 183 State Street
that fireplace thingy has got-to-go.
Posted by: bowl of dicks at September 2, 2010 12:41 PM in response to Rental of the Day: 183 State Street
that beardy grungy guy at zap really knows his shit.
Posted by: bowl of dicks at August 31, 2010 12:21 PM in response to Oro Lands a Wine Store
bowl of dicks wrote a review about Double Windsor on August 31, 2010 12:11 PM
Love this place, especially when the windows are wide open. I'm a huge french fry snob, and these are definitely a pass. Only drawback so far: cash only.
sorry but zap definitely does not suck.
Posted by: bowl of dicks at August 31, 2010 10:50 AM in response to Oro Lands a Wine Store
To quote *rob*:
"WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH"
Posted by: bowl of dicks at August 30, 2010 4:07 PM in response to Closing Bell: No Cabbies to Brooklyn
oomph, really? I always thought this building was a dog. But I'll throw it one bone....it's definitely a period peice!
Posted by: bowl of dicks at August 30, 2010 3:45 PM in response to Building of the Day: 130 Livingston Street
I'm willing to bet that it looks marginally better in person. And it could be marginally cool looking at night if those glass blocks are translucent rather than opaque. However, it would've been more successful if they chose a different brick color..... but even that's marginal.
Posted by: bowl of dicks at August 30, 2010 3:41 PM in response to 668 6th Avenue Unveiled
bowl of dicks wrote a review about Petit Oven on August 30, 2010 12:38 PM
seated us promptly on a busy saturday night, but half the menu was already gone by the time we were seated (8:45pm) and the wait between courses was just god aweful. i mean 30-45 minutes between courses easy. And unfortunately we came in with huge appetites, had to ask for bread refill twice. My dish (chicken) was so salty - inedible, had i been less hungry. I should have sent it back, but was just too damn impatient to wait any more. After all the rave reviews, I left disappointed. Will probs give it one more chance, definitely on a quieter night........
I agree with the above posters: it is within your right not to renew their lease...so long as you follow the procedure carefully. Usually 90 days notice. As a landlord, you are a business person first and foremost so try not to let the guilt consume you. If they request an explanation (which they probably will) I would just tell them the honest truth: financial hardship. If they paid a broker for your apt last January, *maybe* I'd offer to reimburse that expense..for karma's sake..but no other kickbacks. Good Luck!
Posted by: bowl of dicks at August 30, 2010 7:02 AM in response to Reclaiming Apt from Great Tenants
Yes putting in a glass wall is a huge undertaking. A lot of structural implications ($$$$).
Posted by: bowl of dicks at August 28, 2010 11:42 AM in response to Glass Wall, Front Door and Windows
LOVE Toby's although that iggy popish looking bartender can be kinda a know-it-all douche.
Posted by: bowl of dicks at August 27, 2010 6:45 PM in response to Brooklyn Pub Apparently Opening Soon
yes eman is correct. my kitchen sink gurgles too, every time neighboring tenant runs their kitchen faucet. We share the stack vent which was accidentally covered over with roof tar many years ago. Check yours for blockage.
Posted by: bowl of dicks at August 26, 2010 9:18 PM in response to Sink Gurgles When it Rains
Clock tower says 10:55am however not a single human captured in the photograph. And this being one of the busiest plazas in the entire downtown area. Amazing!
Posted by: bowl of dicks at August 26, 2010 8:43 PM in response to Building of the Day: 209 Joralemon Street
More like a scam to use the BBT. Well worth the toll now!
Posted by: bowl of dicks at August 26, 2010 4:57 PM in response to Closing Bell: The New Brooklyn Bridge Drive
If the exterior is fugly...are you going to grimace every time you come home from work? Are you the type to get embarrassed when friends come over? Also, I can tell you right now that there is usually a reason a building gets demo'd...to make way for new construction. if new construction is taking it's place, prepare for A LOT of chaos and noise around that apartment for a long time. construction can go on 7 days a week (w proper permits) starting at 7am.
Posted by: bowl of dicks at August 26, 2010 10:26 AM in response to Weighing the Options - Rental
If you are already second guessing the idea, DO NOT go for it. Your gut is obviously telling you NO. Listen to your gut. Continue to be patient...something more suitable will come along. good luck!
Posted by: bowl of dicks at August 26, 2010 10:21 AM in response to Weighing the Options - Rental
love love love this photo
Posted by: bowl of dicks at August 25, 2010 9:00 PM in response to Wednesday Blogwrap
Mopar, no I have not...strictly out of principle. Too busy spending all my $ at big box retail, car payments, and many other things most people on this blog avoid....out of principle.
Posted by: bowl of dicks at August 25, 2010 4:52 PM in response to Wednesday Links
what's amazing about People's Pops is the price per popsicle....$3.50 each! Hello, it's a flavored ice cube. A gallon of milk or gasoline, costs less. Glad some of you get it....'cause I don't.
Posted by: bowl of dicks at August 25, 2010 3:18 PM in response to Wednesday Links
Maybe some people never bought into the overpriced artisan gimicky crap made popular by the bubble and the yuppification of Booklyn, of which Blue Marble is definitely an example of...Mast Bros Choc, McClures Pickles, Bklyn Soda works, Peoples Pops on and on and on..you know, most of the foodstuffs featured at the flea? Anyway, to some, myself included, it's just really played out. Maybe the closure of this blue marble location is an inkling of people finally coming back to their senses a little. That's all I meant by it.
Posted by: bowl of dicks at August 25, 2010 11:44 AM in response to Wednesday Links
keep dreamin!!
Posted by: bowl of dicks at August 25, 2010 10:58 AM in response to A Tunnel Under Downtown Brooklyn?
Also, how can you do a meatopia / williamsburg article and not once mention Fette Sau? Is that place considered passe now?
Posted by: bowl of dicks at August 25, 2010 10:01 AM in response to Wednesday Links
"i look at it as a win."
I do too.
Posted by: bowl of dicks at August 25, 2010 9:52 AM in response to Wednesday Links
I'd definitely hit this!
Posted by: bowl of dicks at August 24, 2010 3:04 PM in response to House of the Day: 112 Butler Street
for $5k/mo I would expect the kitchen to be A LOT nicer than that.
Posted by: bowl of dicks at August 24, 2010 1:44 PM in response to Legal Brownstone Rental?
the bridges late night are mostly cabs headed back into the city to pick up their next fare into bklyn.
Posted by: bowl of dicks at August 24, 2010 9:54 AM in response to Four More Years: B'klyn Bridge Work Starts
Who would rent an "apartment" that doesnt HAVE any doors to lock
Posted by: bowl of dicks at August 23, 2010 10:16 PM in response to Legal Brownstone Rental?
looks like plaster watering cans, not teapots. regardless, omfg that bathroom is dreadful! the dehumidifier / space heater thingy in one of the bedroom pics is also a red flag. NEXT!
Posted by: bowl of dicks at August 23, 2010 9:54 PM in response to Rental of the Day: 553 18th Street
One thing I remember about this building is that each apartment still had it's original "house phone". ie if you chose to, you could receive outside calls thru the front desk - like a hotel.
Posted by: bowl of dicks at August 23, 2010 9:43 PM in response to Building of the Day: 80 Cranberry Street
Whoa! I lived in this building for the first 3 years of my NYC life: in a RS studio apartment ($736/mo) from 2000-2003. Having been in about a dozen apartments aside from my own, all of them have retained their original deco kitchen cabinetry (green/yellow metal), bathrooms (white sub tile) and cork parquet w/ inlay flooring (varying degrees of condition...mine were pristine). The view from the roof is incredible. There are A LOT of RS lifers in this building. When I lived there, the building was not maintained as well as it seems to be now. I guess more and more units are going market rate! Those storefronts have always had turnover problems.....
Posted by: bowl of dicks at August 23, 2010 4:08 PM in response to Building of the Day: 80 Cranberry Street
PS 38 is an elementary school. I can't imagine that much crime being committed by 3rd graders - the high schools are a different matter entirely. School yards do attract loiterers of all types, but that is way down the block from you....Hopefully someone who lives within the immediate area will chime in.
Posted by: bowl of dicks at August 22, 2010 3:52 PM in response to New to Boerum Hill
Well if you are on Dean between Nevins/3rd, then yes noise could be an issue because of proximity to playground and school yard. But if you are on Dean between Nevins/Bond it would not be an issue.
Posted by: bowl of dicks at August 22, 2010 3:04 PM in response to New to Boerum Hill
Dean/Nevins is a great area. So many nice places nearby, Building on Bond being my personal fave. Definitely walk West next time. There is also a farmers market down on Carroll/Smith St.
I would be concerned more with noise than actual safety on this corner. If your apartment faces the schoolyard or entrance in any way, prepare for noise...even after hours.
Posted by: bowl of dicks at August 22, 2010 2:15 PM in response to New to Boerum Hill
presumably you met with your atty by now: so what did they say? curious to know how you're gonna proceed....
Posted by: bowl of dicks at August 21, 2010 6:35 PM in response to Landlord Won't Use Last Month's Rent
"I don't understand why people liken Brooklyn to suburbia."
Come visit Bay Ridge sometime, areas around Colonial/Ridge/Narrows in the 70's/80's. At night we can hear the crickets and see the stars. For some of us, it's nice.
Posted by: bowl of dicks at August 19, 2010 1:48 PM in response to Moving from Dallas
Yes try to be as specific as possible with the cl searches ....put the key words in quotes.... and sooner than later youll come across something worthwhile.
Posted by: bowl of dicks at August 19, 2010 11:58 AM in response to Apartment Search Tips
Do not get discouraged with craislist. It really is the best resource for finding an apartment unless of course you want to pay a broker fee. Spend enough time trolling the listings and you will learn to weed out scams vs legit. Good luck! Bod
Posted by: bowl of dicks at August 19, 2010 11:19 AM in response to Apartment Search Tips
What makes you think op is in his 20s?
Posted by: bowl of dicks at August 19, 2010 10:39 AM in response to Moving from Dallas
"im sure your neighbors probably said the same thing when you pulled up on moving day"
BWHAHAHA!
Posted by: bowl of dicks at August 19, 2010 9:37 AM in response to Street Work Surprises Degraw Residents
Dibs true true, but there is the High St entrance of A/C which is on the *other* side of the bridge.
Posted by: bowl of dicks at August 19, 2010 9:01 AM in response to Moving from Dallas
"One thing no one mentions about Dumbo is, that you have access to both the Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridges, both are walkable and both are about a 20min walk into Manhattan."
meaningful only if you work in fidi or chinatown....during the warmer months. NEXT!
Posted by: bowl of dicks at August 19, 2010 8:03 AM in response to Moving from Dallas
blech i think little pizzaria is disgusting.
Posted by: bowl of dicks at August 18, 2010 9:04 PM in response to Pizza for Old India House Restaurant
Downtown (boro hall) has all the subway lines and is easy walks from beautiful bstone nabes like bklyn hts and north cobble hill. On the contrary, Dumbo is isolated to the F or A,C train only. Also consider areas near Atlantic terminal since all the lines go thru there too, and easily accessible to different bstone nabes like ft greene.
Posted by: bowl of dicks at August 18, 2010 9:02 PM in response to Moving from Dallas
day laboror central is down on ft hamilton across from the south corner of cemetery. If the guys on 4th are scooped up by lunchtime definitely take a spin down ft hamilton.
Posted by: bowl of dicks at August 18, 2010 8:23 PM in response to Day Laborers for Yard?
trying to remember what was in this space previously....not tea lounge, not buddys burritos....wtf was it? help!
Posted by: bowl of dicks at August 18, 2010 8:19 PM in response to Tight Lipped at 256 Court
bowl of dicks wrote a review about Karczma on August 18, 2010 8:16 PM
Oh Boy do I L-O-V-E this place. And I mean love. Huge portions, cheap price, delicious food, friendly attentive staff - they don't speak good english so if you know any polish speakers, bring them along for full effect. It seems like everyone in here is from the motherland. Highlights: Pickle Soup, mushroom peirogies, potato pancakes and of course the beer. Bring your appetite!
Street parking in Bay Ridge is a serious headache (you probably know this). There are plenty of late model bmw, benz, caddy, audi, range rovers parked all over the streets in the nabe so I wouldn't worry too much about yours drawing attention (bc it won't). You also might be aware that drivers in the ridge are generally kinda reckless and couldn't care less if they accidentally damage your vehicle (spoken from experience) so invest in those bumper saver pad thingys.
Posted by: bowl of dicks at August 17, 2010 4:04 PM in response to Parking on Bay Ridge Streets