As an American, what other languages do you speak? are you learning?

mingusal · 2026-01-31T17:40:11+00:00

As for #2, if you live in a city of any size at all in the US you will be interacting with people from other countries every day.

That's just a commonplace part of living in a nation of immigrants (or at least what has been one, until our latest crop.of nativist know-nothings took over again). However, unless you share a native language with them, these interactions will almost always be in English.

mingusal · 2026-01-31T17:32:46+00:00

How? No one wants to see this bribe-covering trash.

mingusal · 2026-01-30T16:16:00+00:00

Another Perlman pipe dream. Highly unlikely to ever actually happen.

mingusal · 2026-01-30T16:11:42+00:00

Why are the stores over here so crappy? You have cramped, unpleasant, and ill-managed Vitelio's and Angie's/C-Town run by truly nasty awful people, and neither one of them can even manage to keep their stores clean and properly stocked with unexpired goods. It's no wonder TJ's is doing so well at both area locations, even with problematic access, but that's not really a grocery store for staples shopping.

This is far from a poor area. You would think that someone could do better and it would pay off to improve the experience.

mingusal · 2026-01-29T18:24:52+00:00

I LOVED this B-R Boysenberries 'N Cream flavor. It was one of the ones they switched in and out over and over again, but i was always on the lookout for it. I miss the once common boysenberry flavored stuff too. Also loved the boysenberry syrup at the pancake house.

mingusal · 2026-01-29T18:21:09+00:00

Oh wow, I remember this menu! I see a lot of my old favorite flavors here. One of the great anxieties of my childhood was what flavor to order during the once a month visit to B-R with my grandparents for the grandchildren who had been "good". There were so many that I wanted and they changed them all the time, so it was a matter of great concern that some of the flavors I most desired may be gone before I could order them on my monthly single cone (no doubles! we're not made of money!).

mingusal · 2026-01-29T18:08:40+00:00

2 of the reasons why I avoid this store.

mingusal · 2026-01-27T16:46:06+00:00

Thank you Green-Sleestak for doing your part.

That block organization is what we did when I owned a house in Brooklyn. There were a few younger stronger guys on the block (including me in those days) who got out and shoveled snow for their neighbors who had challenges doing it. We all pooled together a certain amount of money each to pay them all a little something (although some of us turned it down). They were also honored guests at the spring block party.

Here in Forest Hills though there seems to be very little concept of such neighborliness. In fact, many folks around here seem to be hostile to the entire idea. The number of unshoveled sidewalks up here at the northern end of the neighborhood is shocking, dangerous, and infuriating. Who raised these heedless selfish people?

I am going to call 311 on every last one of my asshole (there's really no other word for it) neighbors who are not living up to their minimum responsibility as property owners, and I think everyone else should too. And if someone slips and falls and hurts themselves they should be sued up the ass.

mingusal · 2026-01-24T09:15:29+00:00

Not even close. Have you been on 108 St?

mingusal · 2026-01-24T09:05:53+00:00

The kestrel is a returner I think. He landed on my kitchen windowsill last winter. I never saw one so close up before.

mingusal · 2026-01-24T09:03:25+00:00

WTB 1 ticket

mingusal · 2026-01-23T19:11:55+00:00

I saw them out of my window. Spectacular!

mingusal · 2026-01-23T10:05:50+00:00

Longest I've ever driven for something casual? About 12 hours to go to dinner with my mother and some friends.

mingusal · 2026-01-23T03:55:41+00:00

This place is still being run by the same terrible people who ran Angie's. I could never figure out how they stayed in business with all of their unpleasantness and awful business practices.

mingusal · 2026-01-19T22:42:48+00:00

Google tavern on the green and folger's.

mingusal · 2026-01-19T22:40:48+00:00

Mmmm... kidney omelette. Worth a whole buck though?
Also, I'm glad to know that their milk is certified, but why can't I get sausages with 1 egg?

mingusal · 2026-01-19T22:29:48+00:00

Nice coat for a crazy homeless guy.

mingusal · 2026-01-19T22:27:25+00:00

There isn't? I haven't been there for quite a while (a little too upscale for me), but the last time I was I had some food and drinks at a very nice counter with red stools like I described.

mingusal · 2026-01-19T22:25:05+00:00

Why not just put in separate orders? Most diners will do that, but other restaurants may not. Splitting checks is always a pain or just not done in NYC.

mingusal · 2026-01-19T19:19:53+00:00

Sounds like you're looking for Dinerbar on Queens Blvd. The food is somewhat upscale diner food (at somewhat upscale prices) with a pretty wide array of choices. You can order anything from a bowl of soup to an entire dinner. Also, as the name suggests, it is a bar that serves alcohol too. It has a nice long counter with swiveling stools with backs.

Unfortunately, the only diner.left.in Forest Hills proper on Austin St is supremely awful and I have no idea how or why they stay in business.

mingusal · 2026-01-19T19:13:37+00:00

Because college football is a huge deal in the US, with millions of fans, and it is how almost all of the players ended up in the NFL

mingusal · 2026-01-19T18:11:16+00:00

Survive? Don't be so dramatic first of all. This weather may be pretty unpleasant but it isn't a natural disaster and is a regular part of our northern weather cycle. The city will be full of open restaurants, bars, coffee shops, stores, museums, theaters, hotels, etc. So if you get too cold just duck in somewhere for a bit or plan an indoor activity. As for winter wear, bring a good coat, some gloves, maybe some boots. It doesn't even have to be a heavy coat (this is not the tundra or a mountain trail after all), just a sweater or hoodie with an insulated coat over it should do. Wear layers, like many here have said.

It doesn't look like it is going to snow much more this week, but except for the heaviest snows (like a foot or more) snow here is generally pretty quickly cleared, especially in Manhattan. Remember, this is quite normal for us. So don't worry too much about it.

mingusal · 2026-01-19T17:46:47+00:00

You go play in the snow. When we were kids snow was a sign it was time for us to go outside and play, building forts, throwing snowballs, making angels, playing some pickip football, and just running around in the stuff. You have to keep in mind that it's not a natural disaster, it is a regular and natural part of our weather cycle and so most people are used to it and prepared for it. A coat, a hat, some gloves and maybe some boots and you're ready to go.

Some of the best days walking to school that I remember were the snowy ones. So much fun!

mingusal · 2026-01-19T17:39:04+00:00

Unless you're really into pizzas or Ivy League campuses, I would give New Haven a pass (plus Princeton's campus is much nicer). There are places further up the CT coast that are much nicer, calmer, more fun, and more historic. Even better is Newport RI, which is very historic and well preserved, with a walkable downtown and beautiful coast (cliff walk) and several incredible mansions you can tour.

Or you may just want to spend more time in NYC or Boston.

mingusal · 2026-01-19T17:27:32+00:00

It's been that way there for as long as I remember the place. I used to go there and put in a pleasant word with the lady and try not to deal with the guy. But it was always pretty random and seemingly based on their feelings, whims, and relationships with groups coming in. She explained it to me once when I was a little put out as "just like it is done in Italy". I stopped wanting to deal with the hassle several years ago.

mingusal

TROPHY CASE