So good! If we could work out a system where you interview every person that I inadvertently photograph in unusual locations I think we could win a Pulitzer. Humans of New York meets Where's Waldo. Would love to hear some of Jake's music. Disappointed you guys didn't jump on some folding tables. Also, is Lanny Powers the same Lanny Powers that made the Dawn of the Dead poster? Thank you for putting this all together!
I find it so touching that, because Rob happened to look up and see a Buffalo Bills poster, and you saw that and reached out to Jake, who lost a sparring match and had to give you an apartment tour, that we all get to see the art of Lanny Powers. From a quick Google, he seems like he was a New York institution unto himself. (Even if he didn't design the Dawn of the Dead poster...but how many artists named Lanny Powers could there be?)
Jimmy's Corner is one of the best dive bars in the city. Its hard to describe but the place has so much character. You could write weeks worth of features on the people who go there alone. A true Times Square gem!
It's amazing it hasn't gotten more festishized since the owner died, Justin. So many places get way too self-aware when the kids take over, if you know what I mean.
Wow, I loved this one. C L A A A A S I C Café Anne material that makes me feel like I'm in New York without the price of a ticket (which I spent going to Montréal anyway 😬)
like Jenna said - love the painting. Wasn't a newspaper guy, cant spelll, can't hoof-it like Jake does across town w sore hip but he's living a young man's life in the Apple. nice job Anne
Haha I thought you might keep going and write out the entire song, Uncle Ralph!
So funny you know them. But it is a small world. And from what he told me, it is indeed great family, with something like 80 cousins showing up at the family reunion. I wouldn't be surprised if Jake moves back someday.
I almost had a heart attack thinking that you partied with the Roots and didn't tell me... Then I had a heart attack because YOU DID NOT PARTY WITH THE ROOTS?!?!!??!
Love this story, love that he has the late artist’s paintings still hanging—so poignant and also makes me wonder about Lanny Powers and his life there.
Me too, Equilibrist. I did Google search and there's not much on him. Jake told me that Lanny was also a curator and cut hair in the apartment to make ends meet. When Jake moved in, he decided against keeping the barbers chair.
Jake actually lives on my street! (a couple blocks East). JImmy's is great. (I live a block from Times Sq, opposite three bars and a comedy club. It's a mess.)
Fascinating. Such a different lifestyle. And yes, that closing thought is so valid for life in general - if you focus on the bad then that’s the experience you’ll have, but if you focus on the magic, then life’s great. Another very cool read. Thanks so much.
You know Beth, it sounds trite but it's true; it's easier to realize at age 72 than it is when you are young. I repeat that as a mantra for my son's often.
Gottdamn there was a lot of wisdom and wit in this episode:
“And if you look for the magic, there’s plenty of it here—maybe more than any other neighborhood.”
“So I would go to the back, and Bono would be in the back, and I used to call him Sting as a joke.” That's REALLY funny!!
“....weed gummies—he has weed gummies that look like pieces of bitten-off ears,” said Jake.
“I don't think I would want to raise an infant in Times Square...I don’t feel like you’d be setting your kid up for success.” If the infant could. “make it there she'd make it anywhere…”
“Every billboard shows somebody’s thing that they took a risk and went and made,” he said.
“He’ll stop by Times Square’s 24-hour CVS for ibuprofen, “But if you want to buy, like, ice cream, the price is gonna be crazy.” “Chunky Monkey drops the 2nd “k” to “Chunky Money”
“What I do is I whistle badly, like there’s no rhyme or reason to it,” “....people are like, ‘Who is this person?’ and they get out of your way.’” lol x infinity! Gonna try that!
“No,” he said. “The number one is the song Empire State of Mind…” AGREE 100%
“There’s so many hustlers out there, so many people who have all figured out their grift.” That's gonna be my advice to new grads…"figure out your grift.”
“He signed a lease on the spot.” Oh man I would have! That apartment is the #1 location in the world. It may be the center of the Universe.
“I shall not reveal who won, but here’s a hint: the loser had to give a tour of his apartment.” Says the wittiest person on Substack.
I don't know how you do it??!!! I write so much in the comments because your writing sets off fireworks between my ears and my fingers start to type!
PS: Evan said ice cream from the CVS is crazy expensive and I made what I consider a very humorous and creative remark about a popular Ben&Jerry's flavor: “But if you want to buy, like, ice cream, the price is gonna be crazy.”
Anne, this one gave me a sense of wanderlust, maybe? It reminded me of the magic and possibility that may come from taking the leap and saying yes to the adventure.
The apartment itself is a classic, Mr. Dolan. The staircase/landing and bathroom are both in the middle, so the "hallway" to the back bedroom is less than two feet wide. A very wide person could not pass through!
That is great Anne! If the EMTs ever have to visit his place, it will go down in history during their storytelling. If it ever gets listed again, maybe ‘only thin need apply’.
So good! If we could work out a system where you interview every person that I inadvertently photograph in unusual locations I think we could win a Pulitzer. Humans of New York meets Where's Waldo. Would love to hear some of Jake's music. Disappointed you guys didn't jump on some folding tables. Also, is Lanny Powers the same Lanny Powers that made the Dawn of the Dead poster? Thank you for putting this all together!
I'm wondering that about Lanny Powers too, Rob.
And Jake was going to share some of his new tunes...I'll bug him about that. And a return visit with some folding table action!
I find it so touching that, because Rob happened to look up and see a Buffalo Bills poster, and you saw that and reached out to Jake, who lost a sparring match and had to give you an apartment tour, that we all get to see the art of Lanny Powers. From a quick Google, he seems like he was a New York institution unto himself. (Even if he didn't design the Dawn of the Dead poster...but how many artists named Lanny Powers could there be?)
This is such a great New York story, Anne.
Thank you Jolene! I agree. While I didn't intend it when I started out, It's very NYC story in several different ways.
Jimmy's Corner is one of the best dive bars in the city. Its hard to describe but the place has so much character. You could write weeks worth of features on the people who go there alone. A true Times Square gem!
It's amazing it hasn't gotten more festishized since the owner died, Justin. So many places get way too self-aware when the kids take over, if you know what I mean.
I'm glad Jimmy's son took over after he passed away. The jukebox in there has some great, old school jams.
Evan and Jake said just don't play Purple Rain the bartenders can't stand to hear it one more time!
Wow, I loved this one. C L A A A A S I C Café Anne material that makes me feel like I'm in New York without the price of a ticket (which I spent going to Montréal anyway 😬)
Oh yay that makes me very happy B.A.!
And, yeah, Montréal actually is pretty great.
It is indeed. But I will ALSO be back in NYC some day. No question.
This guy is great. Everything a New York transplant should be.
I agree AZ! He's totally NYC but hasn't shed any of his hometown superpowers.
like Jenna said - love the painting. Wasn't a newspaper guy, cant spelll, can't hoof-it like Jake does across town w sore hip but he's living a young man's life in the Apple. nice job Anne
I agree Shenval he's doing EXACTLY what people should do when they move to NYC.
It is, indeed, a small world!
Now that I have that classic Disney ear worm inescapably being repeated in the readers mind, I say again, it’s a small world.
I’ve known Jay Rich and his family for years and my son used to jam bass with him. A nicer guy and family you will not not find.
Thanks, Anne! Maybe you should numerologically part his name and play the numbers in the lottery.
Now back to important matters at hand:
It's a world of laughter, a world of tears
It's a world of hopes and a world of fears
There's so much that we share that it's time we're aware
It's a small world after all
It's a small world after all
It's a small world after all
It's a small world after all
It's a small, small world
Haha I thought you might keep going and write out the entire song, Uncle Ralph!
So funny you know them. But it is a small world. And from what he told me, it is indeed great family, with something like 80 cousins showing up at the family reunion. I wouldn't be surprised if Jake moves back someday.
Loved the comment.
But the ear-worm stinks.
So so so good. One of my recent favorites of yours, Anne.
That makes me so happy. Thank you Claire!
I almost had a heart attack thinking that you partied with the Roots and didn't tell me... Then I had a heart attack because YOU DID NOT PARTY WITH THE ROOTS?!?!!??!
Fabulous feature as always! <3
Emily, just between you and me I had to Google the Roots to find out what kind of band it was.
I won't tell anyone 🤐
Honesty is the best Substack policy.
Love this story, love that he has the late artist’s paintings still hanging—so poignant and also makes me wonder about Lanny Powers and his life there.
Me too, Equilibrist. I did Google search and there's not much on him. Jake told me that Lanny was also a curator and cut hair in the apartment to make ends meet. When Jake moved in, he decided against keeping the barbers chair.
I might try doing some more research on Lanny....
A newsletter about Lanny sounds really interesting. An untold NYC tale!
Loved this one!
Jake actually lives on my street! (a couple blocks East). JImmy's is great. (I live a block from Times Sq, opposite three bars and a comedy club. It's a mess.)
Jimmy's is indeed a real scene, Jason. So great!
Fascinating. Such a different lifestyle. And yes, that closing thought is so valid for life in general - if you focus on the bad then that’s the experience you’ll have, but if you focus on the magic, then life’s great. Another very cool read. Thanks so much.
Thank you Beth! And I agree. A lot of people absolutely RUIN their lives by focusing very intently on the things they don't like.
You know Beth, it sounds trite but it's true; it's easier to realize at age 72 than it is when you are young. I repeat that as a mantra for my son's often.
Gottdamn there was a lot of wisdom and wit in this episode:
“And if you look for the magic, there’s plenty of it here—maybe more than any other neighborhood.”
“So I would go to the back, and Bono would be in the back, and I used to call him Sting as a joke.” That's REALLY funny!!
“....weed gummies—he has weed gummies that look like pieces of bitten-off ears,” said Jake.
“I don't think I would want to raise an infant in Times Square...I don’t feel like you’d be setting your kid up for success.” If the infant could. “make it there she'd make it anywhere…”
“Every billboard shows somebody’s thing that they took a risk and went and made,” he said.
“He’ll stop by Times Square’s 24-hour CVS for ibuprofen, “But if you want to buy, like, ice cream, the price is gonna be crazy.” “Chunky Monkey drops the 2nd “k” to “Chunky Money”
“What I do is I whistle badly, like there’s no rhyme or reason to it,” “....people are like, ‘Who is this person?’ and they get out of your way.’” lol x infinity! Gonna try that!
“No,” he said. “The number one is the song Empire State of Mind…” AGREE 100%
“There’s so many hustlers out there, so many people who have all figured out their grift.” That's gonna be my advice to new grads…"figure out your grift.”
“He signed a lease on the spot.” Oh man I would have! That apartment is the #1 location in the world. It may be the center of the Universe.
“I shall not reveal who won, but here’s a hint: the loser had to give a tour of his apartment.” Says the wittiest person on Substack.
Haha JRB, when Evan told me the Sting thing it made me so happy. That is EXACTLY the right way to go.
And I love the idea that if a baby could make it in Times Square, it could make it anywhere!
Thanks for your kind words. :)
I don't know how you do it??!!! I write so much in the comments because your writing sets off fireworks between my ears and my fingers start to type!
PS: Evan said ice cream from the CVS is crazy expensive and I made what I consider a very humorous and creative remark about a popular Ben&Jerry's flavor: “But if you want to buy, like, ice cream, the price is gonna be crazy.”
Chunky Monkey drops the 2nd “k” to “Chunky Money”
Anne, this one gave me a sense of wanderlust, maybe? It reminded me of the magic and possibility that may come from taking the leap and saying yes to the adventure.
I agree Nicole! He said responding to my note was also a bit of leap-taking because he tends to be a private person. And I'm so glad he did!
Incredible to meet a times square local, loved this!
Glad you enjoyed Sonal! I feel like I hit the jackpot on this one. I had no idea what to expect when I dropped the note through the mail slot.
What a fantastic profile!!! 15 x 70 is pretty large and shaped like galley restaurant kitchen. You find the most amazing people to profile
The apartment itself is a classic, Mr. Dolan. The staircase/landing and bathroom are both in the middle, so the "hallway" to the back bedroom is less than two feet wide. A very wide person could not pass through!
That is great Anne! If the EMTs ever have to visit his place, it will go down in history during their storytelling. If it ever gets listed again, maybe ‘only thin need apply’.
HAHAHAHAHA!!