Thanks for all of your comments on the new layout. I have closed the site and plan on doing some further revises and try a few other things before I bring it back ... there were somegood comments and suggestions.
Hope all y'all had marvelous weekends...I went and watched some golf on Friday at the St. Judes Open and then Saturday and Sunday darlin' Nancy and I were at Peter's baseball games. Hot weekend here with temps in the mid 90's and blazing sun. Beginning to feel healthy again as my tan is really taking hold. The Mississippi Vipers won their groups Championship with solid hitting, excellent pitching and total determination, coming back to win three games where they found themselves behind.
Got this from Dad Vince on Friday and absolutely loved it...so decided to share it with all y'all... I am sure Mary The Teach and LeeLee will chime in to agree 1,000,000%
I am a New Yorker!
I am a New Yorker
I do not live in the five boroughs or on the Island or Upstate
I may live hundreds or thousands of miles away
Or I may live just over the GW Bridge
Because I am a New Yorker
I am a New Yorker
Whatever took me out of New York:
Business, family or hating the cold
did not take New York out of me.
My accent may have faded and my pace may have slowed
But I am still a New Yorker
I am a New Yorker
I was raised on Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and Rockefeller Plaza,
The Yankees or the Met's (Giants or Dodgers)
Jones Beach, Rye Beach, Orchard Beach
or one of the beaches on the sound
I know that 'THE END' means Montauk.
Because I am a New Yorker
I am a New Yorker
When I go on vacation, I never look up
Skyscrapers are something I take for granted
The Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty are part of me
Taxis and noise and subways and 'get outa heah' don't rattle me
Because I am a New Yorker
I am a New Yorker
I was raised on cultural diversity before it was politically correct
I eat Greek food and Italian food,
Jewish and Middle Eastern food and Chinese food
Because they are all American food to me.
I don't get mad when people speak other languages in my presence
Because my relatives got to this country via Ellis Island and chose to stay
They were New Yorkers
People who have never been to New York have misunderstood me
My friends and family work in the industries, professions and businesses that benefit all Americans
My firefighters died trying to save New Yorkers and non-New Yorkers
They died trying to save Americans and non-Americans
Because they were New Yorkers.
I am a New Yorker
I feel the pain of my fellow New Yorkers
I mourn the loss of my beautiful city
I feel and dread that New York will never be the same
But then I remember:
I am a New Yorker
And New Yorkers have:
Tenacity, strength and courage way above the norm
Compassion and caring for our fellow citizens
Love and pride in our city, in our state, in our country
Intelligence, experience and education par excellence
Ability, dedication and energy above and beyond
Faith--no matter what religion we practice
Terrorists hit America in its heart
But America's heart still beats strong
Demolish the steel in our buildings,
but it doesn't touch the steel in our souls
Hit us in the pocketbook;
but we'll parlay what we have left into a fortune
End innocent lives leaving widows and orphans, but we'll take care of them
Because they are New Yorkers
Wherever we live, whatever we do, whoever we are
There are New Yorkers in every state and every city of this nation
We will not abandon our city
We will not abandon our brothers and sisters
We will not abandon the beauty,
creativity and diversity that New York represents
Because we are New Yorkers
And we are proud to be New Yorkers
Only those that grew up or lived in NYC can understand the meaning of this:
THERE IS NO NORTH AND SOUTH. IT'S 'UPTOWN' OR 'DOWNTOWN.'
IF YOU'RE REALLY FROM NEW YORK,
YOU HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO CONCEPT OF WHERE NORTH AND SOUTH ARE...
AND EAST OR WEST IS 'CROSS-TOWN.'
YOU KNOW HOW TO MAKE AN EGG CREAM.
YOU RIDE IN A SUBWAY CAR WITH NO AIR CONDITIONING
JUST BECAUSE THERE ARE SEATS AVAILABLE.
YOU TAKE THE TRAIN HOME AND YOU KNOW
EXACTLY WHERE ON THE PLATFORM THE DOORS WILL OPEN
THAT WILL LEAVE YOU RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE EXIT STAIRWAY.
YOU KNOW WHAT A 'REGULAR' COFFEE IS.
YOU CROSS THE STREET ANY WHERE BUT ON THE CORNERS
AND YOU YELL AT CARS FOR NOT RESPECTING YOUR RIGHT TO DO IT.
YOU MOVE 3,000 MILES AWAY, SPEND 10 YEARS LEARNING THE LOCAL LANGUAGE AND PEOPLE STILL KNOW YOU'RE FROM BROOKLYN, LONG ISLAND OR THE BRONX THE MINUTE YOU OPEN YOUR MOUTH.
YOU RETURN AFTER 10 YEARS AND THE FIRST FOODS
YOU WANT ARE A 'REAL' PIZZA AND A 'REAL' BAGEL.
A 500 SQUARE FOOT APARTMENT IS LARGE.
YOU KNOW THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN ALL THE DIFFERENT RAY'S PIZZAS.
YOU ARE NOT UNDER THE MISTAKEN IMPRESSION THAT ANY HUMAN BEING WOULD BE ABLE TO ACTUALLY UNDERSTAND A P.A. ANNOUNCEMENT ON THE SUBWAY.
YOU WOULDN'T BOTHER ORDERING PIZZA IN ANY OTHER CITY.
YOU GET READY TO ORDER DINNER EVERY NIGHT AND MUST CHOOSE FROM THE MAJOR FOOD GROUPS WHICH ARE: CHINESE, ITALIAN, MEXICAN OR INDIAN.
YOU'RE NOT THE LEAST BIT INTERESTED IN GOING TO
TIMES SQUARE ON NEW YEAR'S EVE.
YOUR INTERNAL CLOCK IS PERMANENTLY SET TO KNOW WHEN
ALTERNATE SIDE OF THE STREET PARKING REGULATIONS IS IN EFFECT.
YOU KNOW WHAT A BODEGA IS.
SOMEONE BUMPS INTO YOU AND YOU CHECK FOR YOUR WALLET.
YOU DON'T EVEN NOTICE THE LADY WALKING DOWN THE STREET HAVING A PERFECTLY NORMAL CONVERSATION WITH HERSELF.
YOU PAY 'ONLY' $230 A MONTH TO PARK YOUR CAR.
YOU CRINGE AT HEARING PEOPLE PRONOUNCE
HOUSTON ST. LIKE THE CITY IN TEXAS.
THE PRESIDENTIAL VISIT IS A MAJOR TRAFFIC JAM, NOT AN HONOR.
YOU CAN NAP ON THE SUBWAY AND NEVER MISS YOUR STOP.
THE DELI GUY GIVES YOU A STRAW WITH ANY
BEVERAGE YOU BUY, EVEN IF IT'S A BEER.
IT'S NOT MANHATTAN...IT'S THE 'CITY.'
THAT'S NEW YORK, BABY! YA GOTTA LOVE IT.
I am a New Yorker
I do not live in the five boroughs or on the Island or Upstate
I may live hundreds or thousands of miles away
Or I may live just over the GW Bridge
Because I am a New Yorker
I am a New Yorker
Whatever took me out of New York:
Business, family or hating the cold
did not take New York out of me.
My accent may have faded and my pace may have slowed
But I am still a New Yorker
I am a New Yorker
I was raised on Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and Rockefeller Plaza,
The Yankees or the Met's (Giants or Dodgers)
Jones Beach, Rye Beach, Orchard Beach
or one of the beaches on the sound
I know that 'THE END' means Montauk.
Because I am a New Yorker
I am a New Yorker
When I go on vacation, I never look up
Skyscrapers are something I take for granted
The Empire State Building and the Statue of Liberty are part of me
Taxis and noise and subways and 'get outa heah' don't rattle me
Because I am a New Yorker
I am a New Yorker
I was raised on cultural diversity before it was politically correct
I eat Greek food and Italian food,
Jewish and Middle Eastern food and Chinese food
Because they are all American food to me.
I don't get mad when people speak other languages in my presence
Because my relatives got to this country via Ellis Island and chose to stay
They were New Yorkers
People who have never been to New York have misunderstood me
My friends and family work in the industries, professions and businesses that benefit all Americans
My firefighters died trying to save New Yorkers and non-New Yorkers
They died trying to save Americans and non-Americans
Because they were New Yorkers.
I am a New Yorker
I feel the pain of my fellow New Yorkers
I mourn the loss of my beautiful city
I feel and dread that New York will never be the same
But then I remember:
I am a New Yorker
And New Yorkers have:
Tenacity, strength and courage way above the norm
Compassion and caring for our fellow citizens
Love and pride in our city, in our state, in our country
Intelligence, experience and education par excellence
Ability, dedication and energy above and beyond
Faith--no matter what religion we practice
Terrorists hit America in its heart
But America's heart still beats strong
Demolish the steel in our buildings,
but it doesn't touch the steel in our souls
Hit us in the pocketbook;
but we'll parlay what we have left into a fortune
End innocent lives leaving widows and orphans, but we'll take care of them
Because they are New Yorkers
Wherever we live, whatever we do, whoever we are
There are New Yorkers in every state and every city of this nation
We will not abandon our city
We will not abandon our brothers and sisters
We will not abandon the beauty,
creativity and diversity that New York represents
Because we are New Yorkers
And we are proud to be New Yorkers
Only those that grew up or lived in NYC can understand the meaning of this:
THERE IS NO NORTH AND SOUTH. IT'S 'UPTOWN' OR 'DOWNTOWN.'
IF YOU'RE REALLY FROM NEW YORK,
YOU HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO CONCEPT OF WHERE NORTH AND SOUTH ARE...
AND EAST OR WEST IS 'CROSS-TOWN.'
YOU KNOW HOW TO MAKE AN EGG CREAM.
YOU RIDE IN A SUBWAY CAR WITH NO AIR CONDITIONING
JUST BECAUSE THERE ARE SEATS AVAILABLE.
YOU TAKE THE TRAIN HOME AND YOU KNOW
EXACTLY WHERE ON THE PLATFORM THE DOORS WILL OPEN
THAT WILL LEAVE YOU RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE EXIT STAIRWAY.
YOU KNOW WHAT A 'REGULAR' COFFEE IS.
YOU CROSS THE STREET ANY WHERE BUT ON THE CORNERS
AND YOU YELL AT CARS FOR NOT RESPECTING YOUR RIGHT TO DO IT.
YOU MOVE 3,000 MILES AWAY, SPEND 10 YEARS LEARNING THE LOCAL LANGUAGE AND PEOPLE STILL KNOW YOU'RE FROM BROOKLYN, LONG ISLAND OR THE BRONX THE MINUTE YOU OPEN YOUR MOUTH.
YOU RETURN AFTER 10 YEARS AND THE FIRST FOODS
YOU WANT ARE A 'REAL' PIZZA AND A 'REAL' BAGEL.
A 500 SQUARE FOOT APARTMENT IS LARGE.
YOU KNOW THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN ALL THE DIFFERENT RAY'S PIZZAS.
YOU ARE NOT UNDER THE MISTAKEN IMPRESSION THAT ANY HUMAN BEING WOULD BE ABLE TO ACTUALLY UNDERSTAND A P.A. ANNOUNCEMENT ON THE SUBWAY.
YOU WOULDN'T BOTHER ORDERING PIZZA IN ANY OTHER CITY.
YOU GET READY TO ORDER DINNER EVERY NIGHT AND MUST CHOOSE FROM THE MAJOR FOOD GROUPS WHICH ARE: CHINESE, ITALIAN, MEXICAN OR INDIAN.
YOU'RE NOT THE LEAST BIT INTERESTED IN GOING TO
TIMES SQUARE ON NEW YEAR'S EVE.
YOUR INTERNAL CLOCK IS PERMANENTLY SET TO KNOW WHEN
ALTERNATE SIDE OF THE STREET PARKING REGULATIONS IS IN EFFECT.
YOU KNOW WHAT A BODEGA IS.
SOMEONE BUMPS INTO YOU AND YOU CHECK FOR YOUR WALLET.
YOU DON'T EVEN NOTICE THE LADY WALKING DOWN THE STREET HAVING A PERFECTLY NORMAL CONVERSATION WITH HERSELF.
YOU PAY 'ONLY' $230 A MONTH TO PARK YOUR CAR.
YOU CRINGE AT HEARING PEOPLE PRONOUNCE
HOUSTON ST. LIKE THE CITY IN TEXAS.
THE PRESIDENTIAL VISIT IS A MAJOR TRAFFIC JAM, NOT AN HONOR.
YOU CAN NAP ON THE SUBWAY AND NEVER MISS YOUR STOP.
THE DELI GUY GIVES YOU A STRAW WITH ANY
BEVERAGE YOU BUY, EVEN IF IT'S A BEER.
IT'S NOT MANHATTAN...IT'S THE 'CITY.'
THAT'S NEW YORK, BABY! YA GOTTA LOVE IT.
Author - Vincent Pasquale, Maspeth, NY
Thank you Vincent for allowing us to share this with
our fellow New Yorkers all around the world.
Thank you Vincent for allowing us to share this with
our fellow New Yorkers all around the world.
Yes, I know there are great cities all over the world and that some of you, my loyal readers, live in some of them...but never will there be a city like New York...
No, I'm not a New Yorker, but after years of watching NYPD Blue and Law & Order, I think I have a clue...
I'm not a New Yorker
But, "I Get It"
That was a great read!
SONGBIRD: Both shows have done a great job of showing the true city...though they both showed more of the crime part.
MICKEY-T: Glad you enjoyed
Fu**in a-right!
Fabulous post!
For me it was always tar beach or the cyclone
That was cool.
I think of San Francisco as The City, but New York comes out as THE CITY.
When you watch a city get hit like NY did, somehow all the preconceptions you had about the people from movies or tv don't seem right. You just see people, a lot like you, and you feel for them and you realize that they are your neighbors and fellow citizens even though they are 3000 miles away.
11 Sept 2001 changed me in a lot of ways. One of them was I exchanged the arrogance of regional pride for the something else.
NYD: After posting, I saw your comment on Friday's post and realized...you WOULD get it too...and "Tar beach"...yeah he left that out...
TRAVIS: I truly believe many American's changed that day to feel as you do and we, as New Yorker's, felt your love and affection streaming toward us and it helped...
Briliant post. I've been to New York on business on several ocassions and you're right, you gotta live there to understand and appreciate most of it. I did love B&H Photo in Manhattan. But you're right, for a boy from Oklahoma, there are too many people trying to occupy too little space. But I do love the bagels, and most of the basic food groups.
Have a great one.
Well, you know I'm not even a U.S. citizen, but I've been to NY a few times... and I ♥ NY from the bottom of my ♥ - to me NY is THE city :)
DRILLERAA: The beauty of NYC is that there are so many people o different sizes, different shapes, different religions, different ethnic origins all in one spot ..the beauty of New York is it diversity of land...The City...The Island with it's beaches, upstate and it's lakes and mountains and forests and the biggest canyon east of the Grand Canyon...
SANNI: To so many it is THE city
It's always lovely to have one place that feels like home =)
Oh Vin, this is perfect today!! I am leaving for the city on Wednesday for 2 nights..and I CANNOT WAIT! I am even more excited now..YAY!!!!!!!
Perfect timing and Thanks to Dad Vince!!
Big NY/NJ hugs!!
STARRLIGHT: This is true and in many ways I now have 2...
LEELEE: I knew you would enjoy it...I am jealous...have a great slice of pizza and a dirty-water dog for me, will ya?
OMG, Vinny, what a wonderful, fantastic post! Thank your Dad very much! I know you can't take the New York out of a New Yorker - I've lived here ALL MY LIFE! My husband, Vinny, too. He comes from Glendale which is next door to Maspeth! I'm sending your link to all my husband's family - and those who have moved away! Thank you Vinny! You are a dear! (((hugs!)))
THE TEACH: Mary...knew you would love it...And I love your husband because he spells his name correctly! LOL...not that Vinnie stuff....
Welcome to any of Vinny's family or any of Mary's friends who read the comments after visiting!
Vinny, I'm sending people over to your New York post from my blog: Work of the Poet
I'm giggling about the 'as soon as you open your mouth' part;-)
YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY
I plan on having both!!!
(((((((((HUGS!!!)))))))))
I loved New York. I went trumpet shopping the (actually the shop's in New Jersey) a couple of years ago and it was a trip I'll never forget.
THE TEACH: TY my friend...
TURNBABY: Wait...no wait...OH my I am surprised at that.... NOT LOL...i did think about you when I read that line...and said "OH yeah Baby...Turn will comment on THAT"
LEELEE: YAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY remember me as you nibble both
TOPCHAMP: A great city...glad you got to experience it
You gotta love New York. Great job. Go Yanks!
Hey Vinny! Came from Teach. NYC is on my bucket list...and you just pushed it to the top. This is fantastic and I can tell how much you love it!!
One day....
New York's finest did your city proud.
I don't know if it's THE city... but I'll let you say it's THE city in the U.S.
For Bagels? Montreal baby! Real bagels, not fluffy bun things.
BUD: Yup you do and yes GO YANKEES
DEBBIE: Welcome to The Couch...seats always available
ANNDI: Our Finest, Our Bravest , The Port Authority...and the EMS all did it proud...yup
It is THE City...sorry.... hehehe
Ummm bagels are not supposed to be sweet...
I've only been to your corner of the world once, and that was many years ago. Would love to go again with my wife.
Great post!
Bond, I still love ya, even with the whole New Yorker thing
Love to go there some day but its way over there! Great post Vin!!
JEFFB: Thanks ... now get a hotel reservation!
SPARKY: LOL...And I love you...ya Philly dude
ROGER: Not that far... LOL
you are indeed a new yorker...
There is something unique and amazing about that city.
I would LOVE to visit NYC some day...it's on my 'list'. But I've got to tell you, the best pizza I've ever had? Small town Montana...the place is closed now, it's a Chinese restaurant. ;-( (You would probably hate it, it's not NY pizza)
(Catching up - YAY Matt on the the 3rd save!!)
~*~I LOVE NEW YORK~*~
Need I say more? ;-)
Great post Vinny! Thanks for mentioning the Great Lakes regions. We are all one in this state even though THE CITY is the heart of New York! Bless Your Heart for posting this and bless yorur Dad also!
Hugs,
Kimmie
KATHERINE: Guilty as charged
TUG: LOL...what makes it NOT NY Pizza? and thanks on the Yay Matt
KIMMIE: I went to school in Rochester...Love the Great lakes and Letchworth State Park and Niagara Falls.
Crispy DRY crust (not thick, not thin, just mamabear right)...LIGHT sauce, pre-cooked sausage (Italian, from the butcher next door that was Polish, but THEEEEE BEST italian sausage I've EVER had)and pepperoni UNDER THE CHEESE with canadian bacon (ham) on top so it got crunchy...well done crust, browned cheese, NO.GREASE.
um.....I've never had NY pizza...was my previous comment correct? ;-)
There is always room for sweet in the world. And Montreal bagels are not that sweet, just perfect. Jo said so and she should know.
TUG: Ummm hard to tell...I like my crust crispy..but also like Sicilian style with a thick crust
ANNDI: OK..that makes two people...