Another fantastic Monday morning Cafe Anne! The one major thing i learned back in journalism school was that everyone has a story....and NYC is filled with so many of them. The human interest pieces are so fascinating. Kudos to Marianna and Bryan for zipping around Brooklyn. That is not an easy gig.
Yes it's interesting David! My nephew delivered by car for Doordash out in the suburbs, and earned good money, and it's NOTHING like what these folks are doing delivering by bike in the city.
That quarter tip at the door is dire. Kudos to Mr. Joseph for resisting single combat.
Unfortunately, I can relate to getting bounced by a car while biking. The standard line is switching from running to cycling for your health, but I went the other way. I can, however, advocate Lumos helmets soaking up impact.
Danger everywhere, Mr. Dayle! I am currently on crutches thanks to Pickleball! It's funny and kind of sad to see those three-year-olds these days whose parents make them wear a helmet for EVERYTHING, but maybe they are on to something!
Very eye-opening. I was a working mother with a 9-5 job and thought it was difficult. Marianna is super human and makes me embarrassed to have complained about being overworked. I look forward to your Monday morning Cafe Anne and you always deliver. Thanks.
Thanks Susan! Yep, a lot of people I know work very hard but it's really nothing compared to what some New Yorkers are doing to get by—and who take it as simply a matter of course. I remember the lady at the laundry around the corner who literally worked from maybe 6 am to 8 pm every day, seven days a week, and did not seem to think it was a big deal.
“One highlight: a surprise visit from reader Stephen Black in Toledo, Ohio who came by last year to install a flock of AR bagels in my living room.”
That photo of the floating bagels amongst the “we few, we happy few, we band of brothers (and sisters)” of Café Anne is a view of paradise! Howwwwww coooooool!!!
Anne, did you serve “canapes ala Aharon” to the community? Aharon missed his moment to be served and eaten, by unsuspecting, discriminating NYC denizens, that night at Mehran’s Steakhouse; he could have been an appetizer, “Aharon Tartar.”
Those who find unhumorous meanings in amusing banter are corrupt, without being charming. This is a fault. Those who find droll, entertaining, and comical meanings in amusing banter are the cultivated. For these there is hope. They are the elect to whom amusing things are meant only for joyous sh-ts & grins. My tongue shares the humor in my heart; not everyone finds it funny. Truth be told, it makes me happy that they don't.
"I also want to say this," he said finally. "This is a bottom-of-the-barrel type of job. Nobody really wants to do this. You get hit by a car, you cripple yourself, there will always be someone to replace me."
Wow...I have no jokes for that wisdom...if there is justice in the Universe, I hope it would rain down justice on all of the struggling good people, like Mr. Joseph, who deserve justice and peace of mind. They abide and they endure... https://youtu.be/5rlFiEe6S24?si=rqoCqm-HmXf0kV17
wow in this one A.K. (the BEST intitials by the way!) you channel your inner Studs Terkel interviewing these "working" people in a way which brings out the best in them, all of us. As for the 30 people in a one bedroom apartment and what cudda gone wrong: there cudda been a 31st and i would have cornered Jillian and begged her to research and publish Daniel Ellsburg's psychiatrist's notes or at very least Chuck Colson's or "burglar #2". heh. If i were allowed only one Substack to bring to a desert island it would be this one....condiment? hmmmmmmmmm devil dogs
Loved this, Anne! Years ago, when I was doing a lot more journalism, I interviewed Harry Campbell a few times about ride/share drivers. He’s such a great resource for understanding the people who work in delivery and ride/share. Anyway, it was cool to see his name pop up in Cafe Anne!
But back to this report! Thank you so much for tracking down some delivery people. I never get to speak with them because they’re always in a hurry. It was fascinating to hear how they think about their work and how much they enjoy it, even though the pay is low, it’s a grind, and it’s dangerous. I hope you can follow up with Bryan and Marianna at a later date. I wanna know how things are going for them!
Also, I’m really loving the classified ads. They’re such a perfect addition to Cafe Anne.
I am actually already planning a part 2 with Bryan. We are going to get me on the Uber Eats platform and then he's going to go around with me for a day doing deliveries in some of the rougher parts of Brooklyn.
Isn't Harry Campbell great? He really cut out a unique niche for himself, serving a population that most folks overlook.
Glad you like the classified ads—I'm planning to ask your advice about a couple aspects of this soon...
It really is true Amran. Everything that one can do, doing it in NYC is both twice the upside and twice the downside. Just really challenging and intense!
Gosh, I loved this issue so much. (And not because my animated hands are featured in one of the pictures with bagels floating over my head 😂)
I have so much respect for delivery workers. It's such a tough job--they deserve the post office's tagline. "Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds."
And people tip them a penny?! You've got to be kidding! (I know you're not, sadly.)
Alas! I first assumed Mr. Joseph was kidding but no. The penny tip is a real thing.
I have so much respect for delivery workers I seldom get anything delivered. Know what I mean? I'm just not super comfortable having someone bring me my dinner when I can fetch it myself. Which is silly because if everyone did that then 80,000 people would be out of a job.
Good question Mr. Greenberg. I could be wrong but I believe a fixed gear bike stops very suddenly when you pedal backwards. How you manage to avoid flipping over the handlebars at that point is beyond me!
Wow, Anne! Those were two fantastic profiles of the Uber Eats delivery people, I mean Mr. Joseph and Ms. Suleman. I feel priviledged to have met them; sincerest thanks! I can't help but wonder what delivery people in Paris, or someplace closer to home have to say. My neighbor is on vaca in France and I need to go snap her "chat" to reassure her she's still alive. Delivering on a bike in a city is seriously hard!
Thanks Anita! I felt very privileged to have met them myself!
My nephew drove for DoorDash in and around Buffalo for a few years. He said it was pretty easy and the money was good. Nothing like what Mr. Joseph and Ms. Suleman are dealing with!
Congratulations on the Classifieds -- very cool and definitely on-message for the Cafe Anne vibe. The interviews were great but I couldn't help but feel the heavy weight of people being exploited. Ugh. I never thought about the absurdity of likely uninsured people getting struck by cars while delivering food on bikes. Idea for a future story is dream analysis for Aharon based upon his "being eaten by riders".
Oh I am so glad to hear you're thumbs up on the classifieds, Mr. Dolan. I am hoping that it reinforces the vibe rather than being a distraction or interference. A lot will depend on what kinds of ads people want to post but so far so good!
I felt the same way you do about the deliveristas. Admiring of their fortitude but also wishing for them it was not so difficult.
I SHOULD do something about Aharon's dreams. Being eaten by subway train passengers is just the start!
Mr. Dolan, since you are into vintage videos/music and minutia look at what I discovered tonight:
Listening to a playlist through my headphones and "Bang A Gong," by T. Rex came on. That was/is one of my favorite songs! Released in Britain in July '71 and then in the States in March of '72. I liked the line, "You're dirty-sweet and you're my girl."
I told my 1st GF that she kissed "dirty-sweet!" And that was the perfect description! That's how she taught me to kiss and I remember telling a girl, who after kissing me, said, "I usually offer a guy a piece of gum if he kisses me like that." To which I replied, "That's the only way I've ever kissed, dirty-sweet." HAHAHAHAHA!!!
BUT, look at this video from a British show from the Summer of 1971, "Top of the Pops," and look who's sitting in with the band as a studio musician, on the piano:
Enjoy your sabbatical! This post from Anne seemed to be one of your favorites!!! That song was part of growing up so it was a blast to listen again. A blast to see Sir Elton...
Another fantastic Monday morning Cafe Anne! The one major thing i learned back in journalism school was that everyone has a story....and NYC is filled with so many of them. The human interest pieces are so fascinating. Kudos to Marianna and Bryan for zipping around Brooklyn. That is not an easy gig.
Thanks Justin! It IS true what you say. So many stories! And I'm with you that Marianna and Bryan deserve kudos.
Thanks Anne for bringing to life these two remarkable individuals who do the super human difficult job of delivering food and other things in NYC.
Yes it's interesting David! My nephew delivered by car for Doordash out in the suburbs, and earned good money, and it's NOTHING like what these folks are doing delivering by bike in the city.
That quarter tip at the door is dire. Kudos to Mr. Joseph for resisting single combat.
Unfortunately, I can relate to getting bounced by a car while biking. The standard line is switching from running to cycling for your health, but I went the other way. I can, however, advocate Lumos helmets soaking up impact.
Danger everywhere, Mr. Dayle! I am currently on crutches thanks to Pickleball! It's funny and kind of sad to see those three-year-olds these days whose parents make them wear a helmet for EVERYTHING, but maybe they are on to something!
I want you to save your knees, but not at the risk of your life. Biking in NYC must be insane.
The golden path is probably getting better at transition skating. Irksome that it requires effort and a drop of talent.
Very eye-opening. I was a working mother with a 9-5 job and thought it was difficult. Marianna is super human and makes me embarrassed to have complained about being overworked. I look forward to your Monday morning Cafe Anne and you always deliver. Thanks.
Thanks Susan! Yep, a lot of people I know work very hard but it's really nothing compared to what some New Yorkers are doing to get by—and who take it as simply a matter of course. I remember the lady at the laundry around the corner who literally worked from maybe 6 am to 8 pm every day, seven days a week, and did not seem to think it was a big deal.
“One highlight: a surprise visit from reader Stephen Black in Toledo, Ohio who came by last year to install a flock of AR bagels in my living room.”
That photo of the floating bagels amongst the “we few, we happy few, we band of brothers (and sisters)” of Café Anne is a view of paradise! Howwwwww coooooool!!!
Anne, did you serve “canapes ala Aharon” to the community? Aharon missed his moment to be served and eaten, by unsuspecting, discriminating NYC denizens, that night at Mehran’s Steakhouse; he could have been an appetizer, “Aharon Tartar.”
Is it better to be served up at a Substack meetup or at a fake steakhouse JRB? That could be the next poll!
PMP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
lol tartar!!!~
King, you get it.
Those who find unhumorous meanings in amusing banter are corrupt, without being charming. This is a fault. Those who find droll, entertaining, and comical meanings in amusing banter are the cultivated. For these there is hope. They are the elect to whom amusing things are meant only for joyous sh-ts & grins. My tongue shares the humor in my heart; not everyone finds it funny. Truth be told, it makes me happy that they don't.
"I also want to say this," he said finally. "This is a bottom-of-the-barrel type of job. Nobody really wants to do this. You get hit by a car, you cripple yourself, there will always be someone to replace me."
Wow...I have no jokes for that wisdom...if there is justice in the Universe, I hope it would rain down justice on all of the struggling good people, like Mr. Joseph, who deserve justice and peace of mind. They abide and they endure... https://youtu.be/5rlFiEe6S24?si=rqoCqm-HmXf0kV17
Ah I love the idea of justice raining down! Meanwhile, big tips are in order!
wow in this one A.K. (the BEST intitials by the way!) you channel your inner Studs Terkel interviewing these "working" people in a way which brings out the best in them, all of us. As for the 30 people in a one bedroom apartment and what cudda gone wrong: there cudda been a 31st and i would have cornered Jillian and begged her to research and publish Daniel Ellsburg's psychiatrist's notes or at very least Chuck Colson's or "burglar #2". heh. If i were allowed only one Substack to bring to a desert island it would be this one....condiment? hmmmmmmmmm devil dogs
you can restack this with post but i get a cut
LOL
Yes, the BEST initials for sure, Mr. King.
Miss Hess, are you reading? Miss Hess? Miss Hess?
I'd like to see something on Fran Leibowitz's notes. Do you think she keeps a notebook?
can't believe i said that about Fran i'm a very very bad man
no doubt yes
just to keep a list of all the "24 hour photos" franchises when she travels 🤣😇😊
LOL
Loved this, Anne! Years ago, when I was doing a lot more journalism, I interviewed Harry Campbell a few times about ride/share drivers. He’s such a great resource for understanding the people who work in delivery and ride/share. Anyway, it was cool to see his name pop up in Cafe Anne!
But back to this report! Thank you so much for tracking down some delivery people. I never get to speak with them because they’re always in a hurry. It was fascinating to hear how they think about their work and how much they enjoy it, even though the pay is low, it’s a grind, and it’s dangerous. I hope you can follow up with Bryan and Marianna at a later date. I wanna know how things are going for them!
Also, I’m really loving the classified ads. They’re such a perfect addition to Cafe Anne.
Thanks Michael!
I am actually already planning a part 2 with Bryan. We are going to get me on the Uber Eats platform and then he's going to go around with me for a day doing deliveries in some of the rougher parts of Brooklyn.
Isn't Harry Campbell great? He really cut out a unique niche for himself, serving a population that most folks overlook.
Glad you like the classified ads—I'm planning to ask your advice about a couple aspects of this soon...
Truly amazing individuals. Like the saying goes, If you can make it in NY, you can make it anywhere.
It really is true Amran. Everything that one can do, doing it in NYC is both twice the upside and twice the downside. Just really challenging and intense!
So much great stuff. So many great people! These are the Americans I need to hear more about! Thanks 🙏🏼
Wow I'm so happy to hear that's your reaction Abigail. Thank you!
Gosh, I loved this issue so much. (And not because my animated hands are featured in one of the pictures with bagels floating over my head 😂)
I have so much respect for delivery workers. It's such a tough job--they deserve the post office's tagline. "Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds."
And people tip them a penny?! You've got to be kidding! (I know you're not, sadly.)
Alas! I first assumed Mr. Joseph was kidding but no. The penny tip is a real thing.
I have so much respect for delivery workers I seldom get anything delivered. Know what I mean? I'm just not super comfortable having someone bring me my dinner when I can fetch it myself. Which is silly because if everyone did that then 80,000 people would be out of a job.
Very happy you enjoyed the issue. Thanks Jillian!
"Mr. Joseph, who rides an electric or fixed-gear bike with no brakes...."
How does he stop?
Good question Mr. Greenberg. I could be wrong but I believe a fixed gear bike stops very suddenly when you pedal backwards. How you manage to avoid flipping over the handlebars at that point is beyond me!
Fascinating delivery stories. Enjoying a new Instagram account thanks.
Oh very cool! Thanks John!
Wonderful post, Anne, what incredible people.
Thank you Jolene! I agree!!
Wow, Anne! Those were two fantastic profiles of the Uber Eats delivery people, I mean Mr. Joseph and Ms. Suleman. I feel priviledged to have met them; sincerest thanks! I can't help but wonder what delivery people in Paris, or someplace closer to home have to say. My neighbor is on vaca in France and I need to go snap her "chat" to reassure her she's still alive. Delivering on a bike in a city is seriously hard!
Thanks Anita! I felt very privileged to have met them myself!
My nephew drove for DoorDash in and around Buffalo for a few years. He said it was pretty easy and the money was good. Nothing like what Mr. Joseph and Ms. Suleman are dealing with!
Congratulations on the Classifieds -- very cool and definitely on-message for the Cafe Anne vibe. The interviews were great but I couldn't help but feel the heavy weight of people being exploited. Ugh. I never thought about the absurdity of likely uninsured people getting struck by cars while delivering food on bikes. Idea for a future story is dream analysis for Aharon based upon his "being eaten by riders".
Oh I am so glad to hear you're thumbs up on the classifieds, Mr. Dolan. I am hoping that it reinforces the vibe rather than being a distraction or interference. A lot will depend on what kinds of ads people want to post but so far so good!
I felt the same way you do about the deliveristas. Admiring of their fortitude but also wishing for them it was not so difficult.
I SHOULD do something about Aharon's dreams. Being eaten by subway train passengers is just the start!
Mr. Dolan, since you are into vintage videos/music and minutia look at what I discovered tonight:
Listening to a playlist through my headphones and "Bang A Gong," by T. Rex came on. That was/is one of my favorite songs! Released in Britain in July '71 and then in the States in March of '72. I liked the line, "You're dirty-sweet and you're my girl."
I told my 1st GF that she kissed "dirty-sweet!" And that was the perfect description! That's how she taught me to kiss and I remember telling a girl, who after kissing me, said, "I usually offer a guy a piece of gum if he kisses me like that." To which I replied, "That's the only way I've ever kissed, dirty-sweet." HAHAHAHAHA!!!
BUT, look at this video from a British show from the Summer of 1971, "Top of the Pops," and look who's sitting in with the band as a studio musician, on the piano:
https://youtu.be/Bkt-TPMU_lg?si=FSvcKTiNVELgNDtp
I'm going on sabbatical and this is my last comment. It's fitting that I'm honoring you with it, buddy!! Carry on!
Enjoy your sabbatical! This post from Anne seemed to be one of your favorites!!! That song was part of growing up so it was a blast to listen again. A blast to see Sir Elton...