Where the Battle of Algiers rages on ...Rick's Cafe Americain

I really feel for the people who would have to move if the arena is built.  I’ve never been to Freddy’s - a bar in the destruction zone - though it looks like the kind of place I would really like.  It really looks like a horrible abuse of eminent domain, so I hope that the residents and business owners can fight hard enough to get real compensation.  Because I know that I’ll get the benefit without much cost because the arena is slated to be built in the northwest corner of Prospect Heights and I live in the very southeast corner, I shouldn’t be such a selfish prick.  I should stand screaming at the government for abusing the public and presenting us the distractions of bread and circus.

But I can’t help it.  There is going to be an NBA team in my neighborhood and I am fuckin’ giddy.  Bring on those damn circuses! The NBA will be here, and it will be fantastic.

Mom was from Coney Island and Dad was from the Bronx.  Although I grew up in Queens, all of my friends in high school lived in Manhattan, which seemed so much cooler at the time. I longed to rid myself of my borough roots and achingly looked across the river to the day that I could say that I live “in the City.”

Then I had to pay for it myself.  University subsidized housing made it possible during law school but after graduation I refused to bankrupt myself to live in a walkup shoebox.  So back to the boroughs I went.  I have accepted that I am a boroughs guy and really, really like Brooklyn.  I can’t bring myself to look at this realistically and think that the Nets coming to my ‘hood is nothing but great.

I am being immature. I know that I will regret it as the bills come due but for now I am pleased.