Spidey's story is an amazingly fitting companion piece to Agnès Varda's "Les glaneurs et la glaneuse" ("The Gleaners and I"), which I happened to have watched yesterday. Your writing actually reminds me of her documentaries in many ways, Anne. You both are so attentive to the mundane and approach strangers with such empathy and curiosity - which in turn makes me as a reader/movie watcher more appreciative of the little things :)
This was great, Anne! I'm so glad I found that TikTok and sent it to you. To be honest, I'm SHOCKED that you were able to scoop the WSJ, NY Times, Village Voice, NY 1, and a dozen other New York outlets. Seriously, what are they even doing with their time?
OK, on to the bagels. I don't think you should sell your tastebuds short. Sure, your tastes in coffee and chocolate are suspect, but you're a New Yorker. It is your right, duty actually, to have a strong opinion about bagels and pizza. And you don't need to explain that opinion. In fact, it's better if you don't explain it, or apologize for it. A big part of being a New Yorker is that you get to shit on other people's pizza and bagels WITH authority and WITHOUT explanation. Personally, I would've used an everything bagel for the taste test, but that's just me, a former New Yorker who moved back to Los Angeles, where I eat subpar bagels and pizza.
One follow up question. Actually, two follow up questions. Can we get a profile of a bagel roller? I never knew that was a job. Also, did either bagel place sell black & white cookies?
Okay, so what is your philosophy when you approach strangers on the street to ask them questions, like Spidey Bike Man? Are you like "Everyone is my friend and I can't wait to meet this new friend." Or are you like "Let me cautiously introduce myself and prepare for rejection."
Of course, I loved your discussion of bagels (and omg--$14-15 for a dozen!! that's the price of a sad bagel sandwich in BK). But, I especially loved your description of Spidey. I've taught many homeless students and I think one of the things that gets left out of the conversation is people's individuality. Spidey seems like an awesome person. And I love how he's staying positive despite difficult circumstances. I'm so glad you featured him.
Thank you for another entertaining visit to NYC. You're such a great mix of journalist and Sherlock Holmes -- so careful about details, but writing with a fun sense of humor. And you really care about your subjects. Lovely.
The bagel story brings to mind the situation in Washington DC in the 1970s, when the first two Vietnamese restaurants in the area opened right next door to each other on M Street. No one knew their names. It was just the one on the right and the one on the left. “Let’s get Vietnamese.” “OK, but only if we go to the one on the left.”
I L-O-V-E that your taste in food is just plain wrong! That is so liberating! What I love most about you Anne, is that on the one hand, you are easily delighted, and on the otheer hand, you are fresh out of fucks to give. My kinda woman! MWAH!
Never before heard anyone suggest that any day going to Staten Island would be a GOOD day ( unless headed to Joe & Pat's for pizza), but your taste in chocolate and coffe indicates, at the very least, a position in the quite "reliable" pantheon!
“Technical issue!”
I love this newsletter so, so much. Thanks, Anne.
NO BANANA RACK
“Please note that this means nothing. I am often told that my taste in food is just plain wrong. “😆
Spidey's story is an amazingly fitting companion piece to Agnès Varda's "Les glaneurs et la glaneuse" ("The Gleaners and I"), which I happened to have watched yesterday. Your writing actually reminds me of her documentaries in many ways, Anne. You both are so attentive to the mundane and approach strangers with such empathy and curiosity - which in turn makes me as a reader/movie watcher more appreciative of the little things :)
This was great, Anne! I'm so glad I found that TikTok and sent it to you. To be honest, I'm SHOCKED that you were able to scoop the WSJ, NY Times, Village Voice, NY 1, and a dozen other New York outlets. Seriously, what are they even doing with their time?
OK, on to the bagels. I don't think you should sell your tastebuds short. Sure, your tastes in coffee and chocolate are suspect, but you're a New Yorker. It is your right, duty actually, to have a strong opinion about bagels and pizza. And you don't need to explain that opinion. In fact, it's better if you don't explain it, or apologize for it. A big part of being a New Yorker is that you get to shit on other people's pizza and bagels WITH authority and WITHOUT explanation. Personally, I would've used an everything bagel for the taste test, but that's just me, a former New Yorker who moved back to Los Angeles, where I eat subpar bagels and pizza.
One follow up question. Actually, two follow up questions. Can we get a profile of a bagel roller? I never knew that was a job. Also, did either bagel place sell black & white cookies?
Okay, so what is your philosophy when you approach strangers on the street to ask them questions, like Spidey Bike Man? Are you like "Everyone is my friend and I can't wait to meet this new friend." Or are you like "Let me cautiously introduce myself and prepare for rejection."
Wonderful, human stories. Everything is subjective, so giving people a voice allows us to experience New York as if we were residents. Thank you!
“We don’t care.” 😂😂😂
That caused a late-breaking guffaw
Of course, I loved your discussion of bagels (and omg--$14-15 for a dozen!! that's the price of a sad bagel sandwich in BK). But, I especially loved your description of Spidey. I've taught many homeless students and I think one of the things that gets left out of the conversation is people's individuality. Spidey seems like an awesome person. And I love how he's staying positive despite difficult circumstances. I'm so glad you featured him.
Thank you for another entertaining visit to NYC. You're such a great mix of journalist and Sherlock Holmes -- so careful about details, but writing with a fun sense of humor. And you really care about your subjects. Lovely.
Such a delightful and fun newsletter!!
The bagel story brings to mind the situation in Washington DC in the 1970s, when the first two Vietnamese restaurants in the area opened right next door to each other on M Street. No one knew their names. It was just the one on the right and the one on the left. “Let’s get Vietnamese.” “OK, but only if we go to the one on the left.”
I L-O-V-E that your taste in food is just plain wrong! That is so liberating! What I love most about you Anne, is that on the one hand, you are easily delighted, and on the otheer hand, you are fresh out of fucks to give. My kinda woman! MWAH!
Never before heard anyone suggest that any day going to Staten Island would be a GOOD day ( unless headed to Joe & Pat's for pizza), but your taste in chocolate and coffe indicates, at the very least, a position in the quite "reliable" pantheon!
fascinating!! as a non new yorker i do lament little access to good bagels where i live, truly one of the major food groups to me!
Great stories. I really do hope that Spidey finds a place to stay though. I know that it gets cold up there.