Ask a New Yorker: I’m with Luis “Squeegee” Castillo, author of “Club House Confidential”. Squeegee, please explain how you received your nickname. Squeegee: 1998 – first day on the job. Ask a New Yorker: What job? Squeegee: Yankee batboy. Ask a New Yorker: Hence the title, “Club House Confidential”. Squeegee: In 1998, I’m in the… Read more »
Ask a New Yorker: Where are you going? Rachel: I’m going to Trader Joe’s. Ask a New Yorker: Good to hear. How many Facebook friends do you have? Rachel: About 1000. Well between 900 and 1000. Ask a New Yorker: You are Uberchic. Rachel: I’m O.K. with that. Ask a New Yorker: Where are you… Read more »
The rare time I had enough money in my pocket as a kid to cause a dilemma over what to buy, the same three items recurred in my mind. Yesterday, I strolled through Central Park. Resting on a bench in front of the Delacorte Theater, I turned my eyes to the center of the… Read more »
Last week, as I re-watched “Models and Mortals” in preparation for this column, I realized something startling: I am finally as old as Carrie was in Season One. I am finally 32. Ten years ago, on September 11th, 2001, I was living in New York for the first time, subletting a place on 137th Street… Read more »
In the 1960s, Mom stuck to store bought bread. There were three brands that rotated through our Manhattan apartment. “Wonder Bread, again.” Dad threw his hands up. “Will you shut up!” Mom never turned from the stove. “You never bring food home I enjoy.” “You’re a liar. We eat friggin spaghetti six nights a week…. Read more »
Last Saturday night I went to a get together at my friend’s apartment in Astoria. The event was a clothing swap, a popular phenomenon of late. You prepare for a clothing swap by going through your closet and removing all of the items you know you’ll never wear again. You put your pile of discards… Read more »
In the era of man vs. machine: There is an imperative need to get back to the basics of using our minds and hands to create In today’s world we are accustomed to the technological advances of common household items such as our televisions, radios, ovens and the likes. There have been enormous improvements in… Read more »
On September 11th, 2001, I was seventeen years and four days old. Being six feet tall, a popular class presidential candidate, twirling the keys to my birthday gift in the juniors’ parking lot on my left index finger, I strode, as usual, through the hallways, though with an especially remarkable jaunt, on to my second… Read more »
Taking the Sex and the City bus tour is not unlike going to a Broadway show. You buy your ticket in advance. You arrive at the venue and someone shows you to your seat. You squeeze in tight rows, knee to knee with strangers, and wait for the curtain to rise. As a tour guide, I… Read more »
It’s my pleasure to join the Ask A New Yorker team. I’m a lifelong city boy and write about what I’ve seen, heard and done in my story blog, “Yorkville: Stoops to Nuts.” I have favorite blocks, buildings, trees, water fountains. I also have a favorite recurring live music event. Loser’s Lounge is a bi-monthly… Read more »
