Thursday
Jul262007
Smith Street in The New York Times
Posted on 
Jul 26, 2007 at 2:25 PM
Jul 26, 2007 at 2:25 PM I don't mean to take away from the excitement of the previous post, but there's an article in today's New York Times not just about my neighborhood, but my block!
Smith Street Confronts the Corporate Takeover
I took pictures of Homage, the skateboarding shop they're talking about, during the Smith Street festival I wrote about a few weeks ago. I kept meaning to write a post about it because I think it's a great addition to the hood, but I never got around to it.
The photos of Homage are posted on my Flickr account:
PS - I'm all for a Starbucks coming to the neighborhood (because they make damn good coffee), but I'd hate to see it become completely commercial.
Reader Comments (13)
I was at Red Robin with Jerques one day and he exposed himself to the waitress for no reason!! No lie! You can't make this stuff up!
Chris Jerques worships Satan!
wow.....so much has happened since i posted.....
FUCK HIM!!!!!!!
Chris Jerques Sucks!
First off I just want to say that I've heard of you Karyn, but I don't know a lot about you, so I'm not here to judge. In fact, I think you blog looks neat so I'm going to check it out.
I just want you and all your readers to know that I'm good friends with Chris and a lot of the guys who are now griefing your blog. And I do find it funny, because your readers are taking it so seriously. These guys are some of the best practical jokers I know, and they're all really great guys in person (seriously!). They're just having a bit of fun at your expense. So I say, have some fun at theirs! See how long you can drag this out. It'll make an amazing story for you to tell one of these days. Just remember: don't take it too seriously. It's only the Internet. :-)
Ya know I was just thinking...You're a writer, so shouldn't you be a tad bit more used to people saying mean things to you and about you? I write for a newspaper, and at least once a week someone calls me up to take issue with something I wrote. And yes, sometimes it is hard to keep my cool, especially when people imply that I don't know how to do my job. And I know these people have their own jobs and reputations to look after. But I've never been tempted to single them out for potential persecution (even though I could've on multiple occasions) just because they didn't like what I had to say. Feel free to email me about this situation.
lawl the internets is serious business
starbucks coffee tastes like refried ashes
Julia, there's a big difference between someone criticizing something I wrote or something I've done and criticizing my appearance and wishing bodily harm upon me.
You can't tell me this is the first time somebody's sent you hate mail. Granted, it's probably the first time you've encountered such a level of organization. But trust me, they may be saying really outrageous things, but these guys wouldn't hurt a fly. And let's face it, you sort of brought this on yourself by calling Chris out. They're being outrageous for the sake of being outrageous. You're giving them exactly what they want. You gave them the power in this situation by continuing to react to them.
It's actually not the first time I've experienced such a level of organization, and to be honest, I've experienced far worse. If you familiarize yourself with my entire story and quit speculating, you'd know that.
Julia, I didn't mean for the above comment to come across as short, but the reason the first website was so popular was because it (and I) was highly criticized in a very public way.
Through the years I've probably received over 50,000 emails. The means ones have curtailed over the past few years, which is probably why I'm so shocked that I still get some.
Also, it was clear to me that the guy didn't do any research whatsoever before sending it. Not only have I donated the money I originally received to charity, but I encourage my readers to do so as well, which has resulted in thousands of dollars more going to worthy places.
I never hurt anyone doing what I did, so for someone to lash out at me in such a violent manner just isn't acceptable. If someone finds the need to do it, then should be willing to face the consequences of their actions, that's all.
Don't be so happy about that Starbucks. They are, IMNSHO, the thin end of the wedge: soon enough, all the charismatic Mom & Pop shops will be pushed-out by big corporate bucks... and their bland corporate products.
.
There's lot of other good coffee in the neighborhood: Marquette, Provence en Boite (sp?)....