#Tree Removal in Manhattan

[austinbutlerslovers]

Under the Mistletoe

Label Mature 18+

Summary it’s near Christmas and you’re ecstatic to indulge in the festivities especially with your handsome fiancé Patrick by your side. However as the evening wears on you begin to realize your relationship isn’t as blissful as it seems.

⚠️ Hardcore Smut ⚠️ Patrick almost having a violent psychotic break • name calling • toxic relationship dynamics •kiss it better •restraint•dirty talk •mild choking•edging• fingering •love bites•pinning •size kink• cock warming• male dominant•P in V against a wall•multiple orgasms •cream pie• mild after care 🔗MasterList

📖 Proof Reader @purejasmine 3 parts upcoming (maybe more) : 🔗 Silken Secrets •🔗 Drenched in Shadows TBA

Under The Mistletoe

The Waldorf Astoria Christmas gala is dazzling, a picture perfect scene of Manhattan excess. Everything sparkles: lights, dresses, diamonds, and you thrive in it. You’re the darling of the Upper East Side tonight, flitting between friends and admirers, your laughter bright and carefree.

Patrick watches you from across the room, leaning against the bar in his Tom Ford tuxedo, a glass of champagne in hand.

He is the epitome of perfection. Chiseled features, every muscle precisely defined under his tailored suit, and sharp, cold blue eyes that command attention.

The lights from the Christmas tree reflect off his perfectly styled hair, making him look almost ethereal. But beneath the surface, his mind churns.

—She’s exhausting. Beautiful, yes, but insufferable tonight. How much longer can I keep this up?

You’re chatting animatedly with a group of friends, oblivious to the way his gaze pierces through you. When you glance his way, you catch his sharp smirk, and your heart skips. You love that smirk—it’s confident, seductive, and just for you.

“Patrick, come here!” you call, waving him over. The group makes room for him, and he steps in smoothly, placing a possessive hand on your lower back.

Now under the mistletoe, someone teases, “Oh, Patrick, you know the rule!”

Patrick’s grin widens. “I don’t follow rules,” he quips, pulling you close to him. His lips press to yours, firm and commanding, eliciting a chorus of playful cheers. But the kiss isn’t sweet. It’s a performance, sharp and calculated, and you feel it.

Later, as the party winds down, you’re in the car heading back to Patrick’s penthouse. The silence is heavy. You’re perched in the passenger seat of his immaculate Lexus, prattling on about holiday plans, your friends vacations, and what you want for Christmas.

“And Sophie is spending New Year’s in St. Barts—ugh, can you imagine? It’s so cliche to flaunt it like that,” you chatter, oblivious to his mounting frustration.

Patrick’s jaw tightens, his cold gaze fixed on the road ahead.

—I should pull over. Quiet her. Permanently. The way she talks, her voice, that incessant laugh—it grates. But not yet. Not tonight. Keep the mask on.

“Are you even listening to me, Patrick?” you pout, crossing your arms.

He pulls into the parking garage, kills the engine, and steps out of the car without answering. You’re left fuming as he strides toward the elevator, leaving you to follow.

His penthouse is immaculate—gleaming marble floors, sleek minimalist furniture, and floor to ceiling windows overlooking the city.

Patrick removes his jacket, draping it over a chair with deliberate precision. You, still sulking, remove your fur coat and kick off your heels tossing your hand bag on the couch.

“Are you going to ignore me all night?” you demand, your voice sharp with irritation.

Patrick turns, his cold gaze locking onto you. “You’re such a spoiled brat,” he says evenly, his tone devoid of warmth.

You blink, stunned. “Excuse me?”

“You heard me,” he says, stepping closer. His presence overwhelming, and for the first time, a flicker of unease crosses your mind.

“The whining, the entitlement, the need for constant attention—it’s exhausting, darling,” he says, his tone sharp and cutting.

You open your mouth to retort, but he’s already on you, his hands gripping your arms as he pushes you against the entry wall.

His movements are firm bordering on violent as he holds you in place his face inches from yours.

“Patrick, you’re scaring me,” you whisper, your voice trembling.

“Good,” he says, his smirk cold and dangerous. “Maybe you should be scared.”

His hand moves to your jaw, tilting your face up to meet his gaze. “You walk around like the world owes you something. Do you even realize how ridiculous you sound?”

Tears brim your eyes, but your body betrays you, heat rising in your core as his grip on your jaw tightens keeping you firmly in place.

His sharp gaze flickers with something darker, more sinister, but he reins it in.

—She’s useful —break her…not entirely. You need her for connections —for appearances..to fit in

“Don’t cry,” he says soothingly, his grip loosening as he leans in closer, “You’ll ruin your makeup,” he whispers against your ear.

He pulls back, his sharp eyes locking onto yours with a detached precision, and before you can say anything, his mouth is on yours, kissing you with an intensity you’ve never known before.

His hands roam your body—firm and commanding—groping your waist, sliding up to squeeze your breasts

You pull back sharply, when his touch grows too rough, the possessiveness behind it making your heart race.

“Patrick—” you gasp, but he silences you, his hand wrapping around your throat tightly enough to make you stop.

“Quiet,” he orders, his voice low and commanding as he holds you in place. “You wanted my attention now you have it” he confirms his blue eyes locking onto yours with a sharp intensity.

A soft, involuntary sound escapes your lips as his grip tightens just enough to make your breath hitch, and your body betrays you as the slick evidence of your arousal forms between your thighs.

Patrick catches the flicker of desire in your eyes, his sharp gaze narrowing with dark satisfaction, and without hesitation he firmly presses his knee between your legs, slowly spreading them apart.

“You enjoy this, don’t you?” he observes, releasing his hold and lowering his lips down your neck, leaving a trail of sharp bites and kisses that make you gasp.

“Of course you do,” he rasps, his voice low and rough, as he yanks your head back, offering your neck for more of his mouth to mark and claim.

“A spoiled brat like you loves being put in her place,” he whispers against your neck, his hands sliding down your body, roughly pulling at your dress, bunching it up to your hips.

His fingers skim along your inner thighs, pausing just long enough to make you squirm, his eyes darkening with satisfaction at your impatience.

“So spoiled” he taunts his voice filled with lust.

His fingers press against your soaked panties, rubbing slow, teasing circles that make your hips writhe instinctively.

You can’t help but moan softly, aching for more, the tension in your body melting into pure need as he takes his time tormenting you, letting your hips roll against his hand.

“Stop that,” he orders, his hand firmly gripping between your thighs, the sudden restraint sending a surge of heat through your body. “You’ll move when I let you.”

“Patrick, please,” you whimper, your voice desperate, barely above a whisper.

He pulls your panties aside, his fingers sliding over your slick folds with maddening precision. “Please what?” he asks, his voice laced with dark seduction. “You don’t even know what you’re begging for, do you?”

His fingers slide inside you, and you gasp feeling each slow thrust hitting the perfect place within.

You moan softly as his sharp gaze remains locked on yours watching you struggle to remain still. The overwhelming sensation makes you clench helplessly around his fingers, the pleasure so intense it leaves you trembling against his hand.

“Look at you,” he whispers, his lips brushing against yours, refusing to kiss you fully. “My spoiled little brat, always getting exactly what she wants.”

You moan loudly as his thumb finds your clit, circling it with just enough pressure to make your thighs tighten against his hand.

“Don’t you dare stop Patrick …I-Im going to come” you whine softly, your voice laced with unmistakable entitlement.

“Of course you’re going to come” he mocks, his eyes gleaming with wicked satisfaction. “A spoiled brat like you always gets what she wants”

You cry out, choking back a sob as your body arches against him, the rush of release flooding through you as his fingers thrust into you relentlessly, making you orgasm with perfect precision.

He doesn’t stop as you come, his thrusts growing more intense, his fingers pushing deeper, his thumb working a devastating assault on your clit.

“One is never enough,” he says, his voice dark and commanding. “You’re going to come for me again.”

He leans in, his lips finding your neck, his mouth rough, his teeth grazing and nipping at your skin, making you clench around his fingers with each stinging bite.

Your moans grow louder, your body trembling as the pressure builds feeling him thrust impossibly faster.

Then, just as you’re on the brink, his fingers pull away abruptly, leaving you reeling, your breaths coming in short, desperate gasps without his touch.

Before you can protest, he grabs your thigh, roughly lifting it and pressing you back against the wall. The contrast of his height and unyielding strength sending a thrill through you.

“You can’t even wait for it, can you?” he taunts, his fingers moving to unbuckle his belt, his smirk deepening as he watches you squirm.

“I cant—” you confess your voice trembling hearing the sound of his zipper lowering in the silence.

Your eyes drop instinctively, your body writhing as he reveals his cock, the size and hardness making you bite down on your lip, all your thoughts blurring into one desperate need to have him inside you.

He teasingly strokes his hand along his impressive length, his sharp gaze pinning you in place. “This is exactly what you need,” he says, his tone low and dangerous as his hips align with yours. “To have me tame the spoiled little attitude right out of you until you’re begging me to let you come.”

You gasp sharply feeling the thick, blunt tip of his cock press against your wetness, the slick sound of your arousal filling the silence as he pushes in just barely.

A broken moan escapes your lips, your hips instinctively shifting toward him, desperate for more, but he pulls back just as quickly, leaving you aching.

“Please Patrick” You whimper, your eyes wide and pleading meeting his sharp gaze. His smirk deepens, a flicker of satisfaction crossing his face as he takes in your desperation.

“Already begging?” he taunts in disbelief. “You can’t even handle a second of patience without falling apart can you,” he mocks with amusement.

He smoothly pushes in again even slower, parting you inch by excruciating inch as you clutch his shoulders feeling the size of his cock.

Then he thrusts into you hard, a cry ripping from your throat as he fills you completely in one brutal motion.

The sudden fullness of his penetration has you gasping, your body pinned helplessly between him and the wall, his grip on your thigh tightening to keep you in place.

“What’s the matter?” he pauses, letting you struggle against the overwhelming size of his cock, the sharp ache radiating through you as he holds you still, refusing to move.

“Too much for my spoiled little princess?” he grins, his voice dark and cutting as his sharp gaze locks onto your flushed face, watching every tremble and gasp with satisfaction.

He holds you in place he thrusts into you with unyielding force, each drive of his hips erasing every coherent thought from your mind.

Your lips part, gasping and trembling, releasing broken breathless moans as your chest heaves with every breath.

“You’re an absolute mess for me,” he taunts, his voice uneven as he thrusts harder, his pace unrelenting as your moans grow louder, spilling freely now, your body trembling under his control.

The pressure builds impossibly fast, his cock thrusting with a relentless speed, hitting that perfect spot over and over until your thighs quake and you’re left gasping his name.

His hand grips the back of your neck, his sharp gaze locking onto your eyes now dazed in bliss, a testament to how thoroughly he’s taming you.

“Completely ruined… just like I knew you’d be,” he rasps with satisfaction, seeing your face blushing radiantly in surrender. “My perfect little fiancée, undone entirely on my cock.” He breathes, desperation lacing his voice as he loses himself in the moment.

You moan for him, lost in pleasure your hands gripping the back of his neck, your nails digging into his skin as his pace grows faster, harder, each thrust forcing a gasp from your lips as your body struggles to keep up with his brutal pace.

The sound of skin slapping against skin fills the space, drowning out your whimpers and cries, your body jerking with each unrelenting thrust.

“Patrick… please…” you manage, your words broken between desperate breaths, your chest heaving as you struggle to form a coherent thought.

Your muscles clench involuntarily, each punishing thrust drawing a raw cry from your lips, your body reacting helplessly to his relentless force.

“You act so spoiled —so untouchable —but look how easily you break for me,” he pants, his grip tightening on your thigh, yanking you closer while his other hand presses your hip firmly against the wall, pinning you in place as he pounds into you with unyielding control.

Your mind goes blank, your moans turning into incoherent cries as he dominates you.

Your orgasm tears through you, your sobs catching in your throat as your body clenches and quivers against him.

His teeth graze along your jawline as he groans in pleasure, his pace never faltering as he uses your trembling body to push his own release.

Then he tenses every muscle, and with one final thrust, he comes in you, the ferocity of his movements leaving you helpless against the force of him.

He groans, deep and broken as he thrusts into you one last time, his release pulsing through you, his satisfaction undeniable as he claims you completely.

When he finally pulls back, he glides his cock out slowly, leaving you aching and weak against the wall

He’s breathless as he tucks himself away, fastening his pants with a precision that feels almost indifferent.

You’re left stunned and incoherent, your body a mess of pleasure and exhaustion as you catch your breath.

Stepping back, he loosens his silk tie and unbuttons his dress shirt with casual ease, a smirk playing on his lips as his sharp gaze rakes over your trembling body.

—She’s so entitled, insufferable at times, yes… but look at that face. Perfect. Flawless. Even as a spoiled brat she serves her purpose.

—The satisfaction of knowing she can give me exactly what I want keeps her useful to me—but nothing lasts forever, and when her purpose runs out, so will my patience.

Patrick’s eyes remain steady on yours for a moment before the familiar sharp smirk forms on his lips—it’s confident, seductive, and entirely just for you.

“Come, darling I’ll run you a bath,” he says casually as he walks away, his tone calm and composed, as if what just happened was the most natural thing in the world.

As he disappears into the master bedroom, you remain standing there your body still stunned, unable to deny the heat still coursing through you—and how much you hated —and loved seeing him lose control.

🔪 END

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[xtruss]

Kayaking The Waters That Shaped New York City

As NYC Turns 400, One of the Best Ways of Understanding What Propelled the City's Astronomical Growth is by Paddling the Rivers that Built it.

— Eliot Stein | Wednesday 11 September 2024

Credit: Markley Boyer & Eric W Sanderson, from Mannahatta: A Natural History of New York City

Somewhere near Inwood Hill Park, home to the last native forests on the Island of Manhattan, the jackhammering racket of the city softened and an orchestra of crickets trilled in unison. I paddled closer to the water's edge, where a tangle of gnarled tree roots gripped boulders deposited during the last Ice Age. Just then, a great blue heron swooped low, landing on a small sandy cove before disappearing into the reeds towards the last remnant of the original salt marshes that once surrounded Manhattan.

"Finally," I thought, after spending the day kayaking around one of the most man-made places on the planet. "Maybe this is something the island's original residents might recognise."

This year marks the 400th anniversary of the founding of New York City – or, more accurately, The Dutch Settlement of New Amsterdam that would grow to become one of the world's greatest cities. It's a complicated milestone, and for years officials have been grappling over what, if anything, they should do to observe the event.

According to historian Russell Shorto, the founding of New Amsterdam 400 years ago is when America began. Credit: Getty Images

As Russell Shorto, author of the best-selling book The Island at the Center of the World explained, this tiny Dutch settlement effectively birthed "The World's First Modern City" – a place powered by pluralism and capitalism under the promise that anyone, regardless of where they came from, could make something of themselves.

"If what made America great was its ingenious openness to different cultures, the small triangle of land at the southern tip of Manhattan island is the birthplace of that idea: this island city would become the first multiethnic, upwardly mobile society on America's shores, a prototype of the kind of society that would be duplicated throughout the country and around the world,'' he writes. More so than Boston, Plymouth Rock or Jamestown, "Manhattan Is Where America Began."

At the same time, the Dutch created this multiethnic society by removing Native people from their lands and importing enslaved Africans to build much of Lower Manhattan. "They brought tolerance and intolerance; capitalism and colonialism. We have to process both of these things in a nuanced way that acknowledges their achievements and failures," Shorto told the BBC.

"Manhattan Is Where America Began."

As a result, the few events honouring the city's quadricentennial have tried to carefully balance how this settlement forever shaped the nation with its dark legacies of land dispossession and slavery. "We're viewing this anniversary more as a commemoration as opposed to a celebration," said Sarah Cooney, the executive director of the Holland Society of New York, which is co-sponsoring a picnic on 14 September at Governors Island, where the Dutch Landed in 1624 before permanently settling in southern Manhattan soon after.

Those early immigrants never could have foreseen that the far-flung fur trading outpost they established would one day rise to become the most linguistically diverse city in history, nor that it would play host to a remarkable experiment that continues to this day: to see whether all the peoples of the world could live together in a single place.

New York City is believed to be the most linguistically diverse city to have ever existed. Credit: Getty Images

In many ways, Manhattan stands as the ultimate triumph of man over nature. But while it may be tempting to view it today less as an island and more as a cement reef covered by steel skyscrapers and manicured parks, the story of how this relatively small 23-square-mile enclave grew to become the economic capital of the world is directly attributable to a natural phenomenon many New Yorkers have long forgotten: its access to water.

"It's all about the water. The entire city is about the water," said Captain Jonathan Boulware, the president and CEO of the South Street Seaport Museum in Manhattan. "The growth of New York into the city we know today as a global capital, a cultural capital and a multicultural city, every single aspect of its identity is rooted in water and its connections to the rest of the world."

And so, as the city reflects on the many things that have made New York "New York" over the last 400 years, I lowered myself into a kayak and set out on a 30-mile circumnavigation of Manhattan in hopes of better understanding the one thing that made it all possible. It turns out that this nine-hour journey isn't just one of the most unique ways of seeing New York City, but a dramatic reminder of how Manhattan is rediscovering its relationship to the very rivers that shaped it.

A Front Door Into The New World

In 1609, Henry Hudson, an English explorer hired by the Dutch to find the fabled Northwest Passage to Asia, steered his ship from the churning waters of the Atlantic into an immense protected bay. He pushed 150 miles upstream on the mile-wide river that would one day bear his name, hoping it led to China. It didn't. But while Hudson had failed to find a faster route to the riches of the East, he stumbled on one of the world's largest natural harbours.

Sheltered from the sea's wrath by Staten Island and Long Island and stretching across a 770-mile network of navigable waterways extending into the continent's interior, this geographical gem wasn't just "a safe and convenient haven, wherein 1,000 ships may ride in safety", as the Dutch chronicler Adriaen van der Donck wrote in 1650, but a front door into the untapped resources of the New World.

The Dutch settled Manhattan because of its incredible access to (and protection from) the sea, and its network of navigable waterways into the interior. Credit: Getty Images

"The harbour of New York is like no other. It's a marvel. It's wide, it's so deep it rarely freezes and it serves as the nexus for two bodies of water [the Hudson and East rivers] that come together to transport goods," said Dr Louise Mirrer, president and CEO of the New-York Historical Society.

This immense commercial potential is what attracted the Dutch to Manhattan from the start. At a time when the most efficient way to move cargo over long distances was by water, the Dutch Republic catapulted from relative obscurity to become one of the wealthiest and most powerful nations in the world by controlling maritime trade. It's also what made Manhattan distinct from other early US settlements. Unlike the Puritans who founded Boston, the Quakers who came to Philadelphia and the Catholics who arrived in Maryland, the Dutch didn't settle Manhattan to worship in peace; they came to make money.

"The Dutch basically created a colony dedicated to capitalism. They didn't really care about religion; they were open to anybody involved in commerce," said Dr Gretchen Sorin, a historian and the director of the Cooperstown Graduate Program at the State University of New York at Oneonta. "And so from the very beginning, New York has always been an incredibly diverse place." According to one document, by 1646 the island was home to some "400-500 men of different sects and nations" speaking about "18 different languages".

But as Shorto explained, "Manhattan was a cultural crossroads long before Europeans arrived there. It wasn't just the Lenape who used it to fish and exchange goods, but also the Shinnecock and other [Native Algonquin] peoples from the whole region who came to take advantage of the harbour and rivers."

Before the Dutch arrived, Mannahatta was an incredibly biodiverse island. Credit: Markley Boyer & Eric W Sanderson, from Mannahatta: A Natural History of New York City

After the Dutch purchased Mannahatta or "Island of Many Hills", as it was known, from the Lenape in 1626, more and more seafaring entrepreneurs poured into the harbour to navigate up these rivers, shipping beaver pelts, tobacco and grain from the continent's interior back to Europe. The Dutch eventually declared the settlement a free-trade zone in 1640, and by the time the British took it at cannon point in 1664 and renamed it after the Duke of York, this ambitious, polyglot little seaport had planted the seeds of religious tolerance, individualism and enterprise that would eventually spread across the nation.

Mannahatta: An Ecological Oasis

When the Dutch arrived on Mannahatta, it was a stunningly biodiverse place. In his book Mannahatta: A Natural History of New York City, landscape ecologist Eric W Sanderson details that in 1609 the island was home to 66 miles of rivers and streams, 233 species of birds, 32 types of reptiles and amphibians, 70 kinds of trees, 24 species of mammals and 55 different ecosystems – which is more, per acre, than Yosemite and Yellowstone or a typical coral reef or rainforest of the same size. "If Mannahatta existed today as it did then," he writes, "it would be the crowning glory of American national parks."

The British soon surpassed the Dutch as the greatest maritime empire on Earth and Manhattan became a nexus point for the flow of goods and people around the globe. Coopers, blacksmiths, sailmakers and shipbuilders began flooding to the island city, and by the 1770s, New York had become "the breadbasket of the Atlantic", shipping wheat and timber to Britain and importing rum, molasses and sugar – as well as enslaved people – from the Caribbean and Africa. The city would burn at the end of the American Revolution, but over the next few decades, it would become the largest place in the western hemisphere – all thanks to water.

In 1795, New York replaced Philadelphia as the country's main port, and as more ships from around the world flooded in and out of the harbour, the city expanded north from the southern tip of Manhattan at astonishing speed. Old Dutch farms and English estates were quickly carved up into smaller and smaller plots until DeWitt Clinton (arguably the greatest or worst New Yorker in history) spearheaded two ideas that would forever change Manhattan.

The first was to level the entire natural geography of the island to accommodate its growing seaport. In 1811, the city filled in its marshes, paved over its spring-fed ponds and levelled the oak and hemlock forests where wolves and bear once roamed, replacing it all with a massive 11,000-acre street grid that turned this "island of hills" into an island of rectangles.

By 1900, New York harbour was the busiest port in the world and Manhattan was the centre of a new global supply chain. Credit: Alamy

The second was the construction of a 363-mile-long ditch connecting the Hudson River to the Great Lakes. When the Erie Canal opened in 1825, it not only paved the way for Manhattan to become an industrial juggernaut by giving it direct water access to the Midwest, but transformed the young nation by allowing the mass movement of goods, ideas and people across the country. The city was on its way to becoming the busiest port in the World and the centre of a new global supply chain connecting the continent with the rest of the globe. As Manhattan exploded with industry and became the place to do business, so many immigrants steamed into the harbour that according to Census records, by 1860 nearly 70% of adults in New York City were born outside the US.

Manhattan: America's Emporium

The book Gotham: A History of New York City to 1898 reveals that by 1836, 62% of all imports to the US came through Manhattan, and on a single day that year, 921 boats on the East River waited to dock on South Street, while an another 320 waited on the Hudson.

"If you look at aerial photos of Manhattan [in the late 1800s and early 1900s], it's so completely ringed with piers that it looks like a porcupine," Boulware said. "These ships were coming from all over the world to load and unload cargo, and there were a lot of entrepreneurs trying to creatively turn $5 into $6 on those docks. It was an early example of the New York hustle. This is the DNA of the city and the port and water is the core of it."

As planes started replacing passenger liners and container ships were diverted to New Jersey in the 1950s, Manhattan's maritime industry began to collapse. Over the coming decades, piers and warehouses were abandoned, docks fell into decay and New York Harbor, which had been one of the most diverse and dynamic environments on the planet when the Dutch showed up, became a de facto dump.

But in the last decade, billions of dollars have been pumped into cleaning up the city's waterways, a string of ambitious projects have transformed Manhattan's rusting piers into landscaped green spaces and the city's once-derelict waterfront has become a model of urban renewal. As a result, more than four centuries after Hudson's crew reported that waves of Lenape came out to greet their ship in "great canoes" as they approached the island, Manhattan is returning to its water-bound roots, and quickly emerging as one of the US's most unique paddling destinations.

Many boathouses now offer free kayaking all over New York City. Credit: Alamy

"There's no place like it in the country," said Suzy Basu, managing partner of Manhattan Kayak Co, which offers hourly rentals, classes and guided tours around the city – including a 30-mile lap of Manhattan. "So many people here don't even realise Manhattan is an island, but when you paddle around this magnificent, man-made mountain range of towers shooting into the sky, it changes your whole perspective of the city. You'll see."

Kayaking Manhattan

Pushing out of Pier 84 and into the Hudson's swift tidal flow, it quickly became clear that the key to navigating Manhattan's waterways on your own power is something the island's Indigenous residents understood long ago: it's all about the current.

The original Algonquin name for the Hudson River was Mahicantuck or "river that flows two ways". That's because, like the East River that rings Manhattan's opposite end (which isn't actually a river but a tidal strait), its current changes direction every few hours as it flows in and out of the ocean. Therefore, our floating parade of 14 kayakers and four stand up paddleboarders would travel counterclockwise around the island in a perfectly timed route designed to take advantage of the rivers' shifting currents.

Accompanying us were three guides armed with two-way radios whose job was to safely navigate us through the rush of ferries, barges and sightseeing cruises – one of whom was Eric Stiller, Manhattan Kayak Co's 64-year-old founder, who estimates he's circumnavigated the island 80 to 100 times. He explained that back in the 1980s, there was no access to the water for paddlers anywhere, so he used to jump fences and launch his foldable kayak in the Hudson from rotting piers. As word of his exploits spread, people started paying him to lead them out into the rivers where no one else dared go.

"My first paying customer was [American singer] David Lee Roth, followed soon after by John F Kennedy Jr," he said, as we paddled towards the glimmering pinnacles of the Chrysler and Empire State buildings in the distance. "We used to wheel kayaks out [in the Meatpacking District], jump the fence and paddle out to Ellis Island. That's how this all started."

Fast-forward to today and the New York City Water Trail connects paddlers with 160 square miles of navigable waterways, dozens of launch sites dot the city and many of Manhattan's newly opened boathouses now offer free kayaking.

As the current carried us south along the 550-acre Hudson River Park that runs along Manhattan's western shore, the island's recent waterfront revival unfolded in front of us. Since first opening in 1998, the park has been slowly transforming many of the collapsing piers that once propelled the city's growth into creative urban oases – all while paying homage to Manhattan's maritime past and incorporating native ecosystems that thrived here 400 years ago.

We soon paddled past Little Island, a $260m "floating park" rising like a bouquet of tulip-shaped concrete columns from the Hudson that opened in 2021. Built atop the former Cunard Line dock that shipped people and goods between Manhattan and the British Empire (and next to the pier where the survivors from the Titanic landed in 1912), it's home to 350 species of flowers, trees and shrubs that Mannahatta's early residents would recognise today.

Moments later, we drifted past Gansevoort Peninsula, where novelist Herman Melville spent years working as a customs inspector at the wharf after writing Moby Dick. Opened in 2023, the park features a restored marsh, native grasses and a 1,200-ton sand beach designed to mirror those that lined the island's western shore when the Dutch arrived.

The $260m Little Island park now rises from the nubs of Manhattan's commercial piers. Credit: Getty Images

Tribeca's 2.5-acre "ecologically themed" Pier 26 then came into view, where a newly planted woodland forest, coastal grassland and maritime scrub is designed to mimic the river's original coastal habitat. A brand-new "Estuarium" opened in January 2024 featuring a playground inspired by fish species that thrived in the Hudson before European colonisation, and as I looked to my left, I spotted children climbing into the gills of a colossal Atlantic sturgeon.

Work is underway on the other side of Manhattan, too, where the East Midtown Waterfront project is part of a grand vision to close the loop and provide New Yorkers with continuous waterfront open space around Manhattan once it's completed in 2026.

As we approached the southern tip of Manhattan where the Dutch settled, a sudden "Hold!" command from Stiller thrust me back into the present. Four centuries later, these waters remain Manhattan's busiest maritime throughfare. With boats and barges rumbling all around us, Stiller explained that once he gave the signal, we had exactly 10 minutes to round the island's southern point before the next Staten Island ferry stormed by.

I glanced over at the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island on my right, One World Trade Center on my left and snapped a quick picture with my phone. Then, one of our guides, Tommy Montgomery said, "You're going to want to secure that now before we get to Hell Gate."

"Before we get to what?" I asked.

But before he could reply, Stiller shouted, "Now, now, now!"

Top: Paddlers pass under 21 bridges when circumnavigating Manhattan, including the Brooklyn Bridge. Credit: Eliot Stein Bottom: One thousand ships every year used to crash at Hell Gate, and when officials blew up its bedrock in 1885, the explosion was heard 50 miles away. Credit: Alamy

Paddling as hard as we could, our crew quickly crossed the channel, caught the East River's flood tide and shot north on an 11-knot (12.5 mph) highway past the last 19th-Century cargo sailing ship still docked at the historic South Street Seaport and under the Brooklyn, Manhattan and Williamsburg bridges. At one point, I noticed we were zipping past a kid biking along the East River Greenway. As we neared the northern tip of Roosevelt Island, Montgomery looked back at me.

"Okay, this" he said, "this is Hell Gate. Stay to the left and paddle hard."

Coined by the Dutch (Helle Gadt) and known as the most notorious stretch of the city's complex waterways, Hell Gate is the swirling, churning, narrow tidal strait where the Harlem and East rivers meet. It's also the final resting place of hundreds of ships. But because successfully traversing it could save merchants sailing from New York Harbor to New England days of travel, so many sailors tried to run its gauntlet that in the 1850s, an estimated 1,000 ships ran aground here every year. In 1885, at the height of Manhattan's maritime might, officials determined that subduing this treacherous passageway was so crucial to the nation's economy that the US Army Corps of Engineers blew up its bedrock with 300,000 lbs of explosives in the largest planned detonation before the atomic bomb.

Today, the confluence remains chaotic and unpredictable – akin to "paddling through a whirlpool", as Stiller later told me – but with the currents working in our favour, we were soon beached at Randall's Island.

One of the consequences planners likely didn't consider when they paved over Manhattan's natural topography is that there are virtually no places people can feasibly stop when kayaking around it – even for a bathroom break. A rocky beach on Randall's Island is one of the few exceptions. So as the other paddlers downed their energy bars and I tucked into my Bodega Sandwich, I took a moment to meet them.

Of the group's 17 other paddlers, 11 were women and only one other person had never completed "the circ". There was Nick Avrutin, who said he spends so much time on the water with Manhattan Kayak Co that he now stores his kayak at the boathouse; Stacey Hull, who was attempting her first circ on a stand up paddleboard after many in a kayak; and Giandomenica Becchio, who travels from her home in Turin, Italy, to New York every summer to lap the island.

"When you get on the water, it really gives you a different perspective of what the city is," said Eva Rivlin, looking down at a crab that had washed up on the beach. "Our shorelines are these incredible, diverse ecosystems, and to see it from this perspective, you really understand not only the scale of the city but how it all fits together."

As we chatted, a family waded into the water nearby. Officials maintain that after decades of neglect and abuse (and a more-than $45bn restoration effort), the city's waterways are now cleaner and healthier than they've been since the Civil War. In fact, many experts agree that it's generally safe to swim in the Hudson, and I even spotted a swimmer tearing through the river later that day. Rivlin pointed across the river to one of the 700 outfalls that dump billions of gallons of sewage into the city's waterways each year, but she also pointed towards a rusting pier reclaimed by the Billion Oyster Project, whose ambitious goal is to restore the 220,000 acres of oyster reefs that sustained the Lenape and nourished the Dutch.

"People still have this perception that the water is dirty and not safe, and it's still dirty, but it's incredible the developments in the last 15-20 years that have changed it by leaps and bounds," Rivlin said.

A 1,000-Year-Old Rock in Inwood Hill Park marks the site where the Dutch allegedly purchased Manhattan. Credit: Alamy

Two hours and 13 bridges later, we had finally paddled our way out of the Harlem River's modern industrial sprawl and reached the island's northern tip at Inwood Hill Park, where Mannahatta's primordial past still defies Manhattan's paved presence. It's perhaps fitting that here, just a few steps from a series of caves used by the island's Native inhabitants for millennia, a 1,000-year-old rock marks the site where the Lenape purportedly sold the island to the Dutch four centuries ago.

Moments after I watched the heron vanish into the reeds, the trilling of crickets was swept aside by the whooshing traffic and whirring helicopters of the city. My fleeting glimpse of Mannahatta was gone – or so I thought.

As we waited for the Hudson's current to shift so it could carry us south towards the soaring skyscrapers of Midtown, it occurred to me that for as much as this island had changed in the last 400 years, one part of its natural landscape remained the same – and it had been guiding me around Manhattan all day.

[charles-ars281-fall2023]

Christmas and the Greater Lesser Things:

All over he world, hundreds of millions of people dream of coming to New York during the Christmas season. Of those people, only hundreds of thousands get to see the Rockefeller Center tree with their own eyes. Using my proximity and privilege, I took the trip to Manhattan with my friends to see the tree. I wanted to capture the lights on the streets while also experimenting with lighting and framing in my portraiture. All of these pictures culminate in what I consider a Christmas card coming to life.

Using a long exposure for the tree gave me an interesting sparkle effect with the starlight which i wanted to be the focus of the image. Because of the volume of people, the challenge here was finding a spot where nobody would interfere with the camera. I had to take more than a few because people would walk in the frame and I’d have an unusable image.

The Dior/Saks limited time instillation is something many people will never be able to see. Here for just 25 days in HISTORY, made it something historic (as a fashion nerd) it felt necessary to capture and include due to its use of bright colors and lighting.

The row of lit trees is something you often see while walking New York City streets during Christmas time. I wanted this piece to double as both documentation and appreciation of what makes NYC Christmas what it is. Having such a staple in the project felt necessary.

In terms of the portraits, they were taken in Central Park: I wanted to utilize some different lighting styles/temperatures in the photos meant to play on the different types of lighting that you often see during Christmas.

Candle/Fireplace- Using these warm tones I wanted to invoke a homey and warm feeling.

Outdoor and White Lighting- With this I wanted to remove the viewer from the subject and create a spectacle that is meant to be looked at from distance, like Christmas lights outside of houses.

Tree Lights- We actually hopped a fence and climbed a tree for this, but I wanted to get close and into the tree to capture an interesting angle. Often times we stare at trees straight on and I wanted to convey the inside and capture a different effect.

[quickienewyork]

A Couple of Very Late Realizations

(From my collection of short stories, F*ucking Hilarious)

In the middle of fucking my girlfriend’s husband’s new girlfriend, I realized I wasn’t wearing a condom. There was a whole box of them on the bedside table, but we hadn’t even bothered to look, let alone touch. So, there I was anyway, barebacking her hard as she scratched her nails down my back through my shirt.

I also realized that my girlfriend and her husband were upstairs waiting for us to come back because we both left to use the bathroom at the same time. I mean we had already had a manhattan so it wasn’t that odd, but as I kept fucking her I realized that we were also fucking on their bed. That probably wasn’t cool, although to be fair we had all had a bump of coke too.

As I thrust into my girlfriend’s husband’s new girlfriend on their bed without a condom on as they waited upstairs, I also realized that I didn’t know her name. I’m sure they had told me when they introduced us an hour before, but after two manhattans and maybe two bumps of coke, the information went right out the window. Which was when I noticed her purse was open on the bed and her ID was showing through one of those plastic holders you put your metro card in.

Just as I leaned forward so I could read it, my girlfriend’s husband’s new girlfriend wrapped her legs around me as I barebacked her on their bed and yelled, “Fuck me, Tony.” The first thought that went through my head was who the hell is Tony? The second thought was that she didn’t remember my name either, and then I read her ID and I thought about my mother.

You see, just a few weeks ago we had talked about our family tree and some uncle and his kids had come up and it was sticking in the back of my head as I raw-dogged my girlfriend’s husband’s new girlfriend on their bed while they waited upstairs. ‘Cause the thing is, when I finally read her ID, I realized she had the same last name as me and her first name rang a bell too, so instead of saying who the fuck is Tony, I said, I’m not Tony, I’m your first cousin once removed, Paul.

So, there I was, fucking my first cousin once removed who just happened to be my girlfriend’s husband’s new girlfriend after three manhattans and maybe half a gram of coke, and god’s honest truth, as soon as the words left my mouth, she started to come. And I mean come. She started to yell–loud enough for everyone to hear–and she made a mess of me and the bed, and of course that meant only one thing.

As my girlfriend’s husband’s new girlfriend started to come, I started to come too because let’s face it, when you’re barebacking a girl you just met who happens to be on a second date with someone else, and you’ve had four manhattans, too much coke to remember, and a viagra to boot, there’s not a lot of choices. And if she happens to be your long lost first cousin once removed and she’s calling you by the wrong name, then coming hard inside her is probably a good move anyway. Because let’s face it, it’s not like it can get more awkward.

When we finally got up and straightened our clothes, I wrapped my arm around my girlfriend’s husband’s new girlfriend aka my long lost first cousin once removed, and only one thought went through my head. I smiled as we made our way up the stairs and I couldn’t think of anything else.

This is what polyamory is all about.

-guy

(From my collection of short stories, F*ucking Hilarious)

Website/Books | Erotic Newsletter | Medium | Patreon | OF | Twitter

[carolrain]

Trivia Wednesday

Creators: give a “behind the scenes” look at one of your works. This could be things that got removed or changed, the origins of ideas/details, whatever you like!

I am delighted, delighted by this whole thing. I love “behind the scenes,” love talking about writing, love learning about other kinds of creating.

I love @mostlyinthemorning’s post about making graphs—it answered about a dozen questions I wanted to ask and more questions I didn’t realize I wanted answers to but I did. I love metadata, love that kind of analysis. I am so pleased to be tagged, thank you.

Here is a list I started keeping of things I've researched/googled as I’ve written my work in progress. I’m copying it straight from my notes without cleaning it up or explaining so I don’t get perfectionistic about it. (I actually would be happy to explain, elaborate, or tell you what I found out about anything, as long as you promise not to laugh at those many items that reveal a basic ignorance about Canada or life in general.)

Things I've Researched for “Piecing It Together” (still a WIP)

amnesia in general

amnesia in fiction

amnesia in fanfiction

types of memory in general—muscle memory

prematurity circa 1983

nicus in toronto in 1983

30 weekers

adults who were born preterm

weather in that part of Ontario for fall 2020

weather in that part of Ontario in general

vegetation in that part of Ontario—garden, trees, planting

butter and how it’s packaged and referred to in Canada

what measurements are used for babies in Canada

head injuries in general

healing times and staples vs. stitches vs. glue on head wounds

who was the prime minister in March 2016

Covid and hospital emergency rooms in Sept 2020

Blue Jays schedule for August 2020

OHIP cards and how health care works in Canada

lockdown and non-essential businesses in Ontario

pandemic-related business help from Ontario government

timeline of Covid/lockdown guidance and rules in Ontario

if you could actually donate money to Teen Vogue

SC timeline

nosejobs circa 1996 and if they could be outpatient

psychology—compartmentalization

fall Canadian holidays

fall Jewish holidays

the geography of that part of Ontario

wildfire smoke in Sept 2020

what Alias Grace is about

timeline of Canadian elections

kilts vs skirts

MRIs vs CT scans

what was popular to watch in Sept 2020

names of colors

lyrics to songs

John Prine’s concert history

planting times for gardens in Ontario

what flowers mean

what scents go well with apple

“good baseball news website canadian”

do they eat peanut butter in Canada

meghan markle’s bouquet

episode of friends looking out the window u2

what do people do on labor day

tundra animals

the color of the motel walls—what did Dan call it?

details of baby Patrick Kennedy—include a footnote?

Susanna Moodie

busy highway toronto

what shows were on tv in spring 1996

patrick’s actual outfits patrick bluer

herbal remedies for memory problems

tomato cages

how to help someone with retrograde amnesia

the canadian postal system

how to dry curly hair

teenagers late 90s

koolaid hair 1990s images

“where do rich people hang out in spain”

where to buy tennis balls—canadian tire—do they ship them

what’s a postal code I can use for research

gardening zones canada

videos man throwing ball

sunset sunrise times ontario 2020

moon phases sept 2020

amplifier vs receiver

neck anatomy massage

what is made out of beeswax

link to fuse bead examples?

do they sell pyrex in canada?

adrenaline is the hormone I mean, right?

harpsichords

canadian cheese crackers

do they have lucky charms?

movies september 2020

disney movies released to video dates 1990s

lion king scary for seven year old

scary parts of lion king

kindergarten in ontario

soho live-work spaces images

art in galleries 2014 new york

photographers 2014 art shows

expensive cool beauty inventions 2014

vodka made in canada

how long do bouquets of flowers last

do they have best buy and the geek squad in canada

is soho in manhattan

what the creek would look like

various locations, etc.

what trees would be there, when their leaves change

fall smells

gourmet chocolate flavors

Tagging @five678patty @apothecarose @beaiola @chelle68 to share a deleted scene or other behind-the-scenes content from their creations. 

[grumpy-potat]

Controversial Public Art

I am not someone who believes art is just meant for museums or for hanging in your homes. Although those are amazing places for them, I feel art is meant to be experienced in aspects of our every day lives. Out in the world as we walk through it. So I am a huge advocate for public art.

Very briefly that is defined as:

"Public Art is Artwork in the public realm, regardless of whether it is situated on public or private property, or whether it is acquired through public or private funding. Public art can be a sculpture, mural, manhole cover, paving pattern, lighting, seating, building facade, kiosk, gate, fountain, play equipment, engraving, carving, fresco, mobile, collage, mosaic, bas-relief, tapestry, photograph, drawing, or earthwork" -Jack Becker Monograph 2004

Public art is a way to beautify your spaces, express the unique aspects of your community and express the different culture and values of the people who live all around you. It can Commemorate events, people, or important groups that and their impacts to society. However, as with all art, you can't avoid controversy. Whether it be from who paid for the installation, to the subject matter. From proper representation, to where the piece is placed. What medium is used in its creation, or who the artist is. All of these things can lead to communities having a strong backlash to artistic pieces being displayed and some even turn to violent outbursts against the art or even their creators.

This is a list today I would like to discuss some controversial public art pieces. Maybe I will go more in depth about some of them later, but these are some big ones that stick in the public conscious today.

Richard Serra's Tilted Arc

This is a 12 foot tall, 120 foot long tiled steal plate that ran through Manhattan's federal plaza from 1981 to 1989. This wall forced people to take an inconvenient route through the plaza for most of the 80's. The goal of the piece was to inspire the viewer to become aware of themselves and their movement through the plaza, but it caused an imposition on government workers. The piece had a lot of support of modern artists,but by 1985 there was a hearing to remove the Arc and a court voted 4-1 to remove it. Due to the artists insistence that it never be displayed again it is now in government storage.

How Ya Like Me Now? by David Hammond

Painted in 1988 and commissioned by the Washington Project for the Arts for an exhibition on black culture and modernism this 14 foot by 16 foot billboard was poorly received to say the least. Local youths did not connect with the artists intended message of how popular culture was co-opting and commodifying black identity and whitewashing it. They interpreted it as racist so they tore the display down with sledgehammers. The piece was later reinstalled with the sledgehammers as part of the final piece incorporating the vandalism and backlash into the final work only this time it is inside the gallery and not on a street corner across from the National Portrait Gallery in D.C.

Just kidding , I couldn't find a good artist photo

Traffic Light Tree by Pierre Vivant

A sculpture originally located in Canary Wharf London in 1998 after a competition run by the Public Art Commissions Agency. It was moved to Billingsgate Market. It stands at 8 meters or 26.24 feet tall and has 75 sets of traffic lights. Vivant stated that it was to represent adjacent plane tree and the restless rhythm of the city. It was installed to replace a dying plane tree in the center of a roundabout, but the controversy arose when motorist confused the installation as an actual traffic light. Despite the initial controversy it has won over the city and is now viewed as one of the most pleasing roundabouts, although it still does cause confusion with tourists.

Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial by Lei Yixin

Built in 2011 this sculpture was controversial from start to finish. Recognized as a master sculptor in China and having sculpted monuments that included the communist leader Mao Zedong, his appointment to sculpt the Dr King statue was protested due to members of human rights organizations decrying the appointment of his visual support of the CCP. Others felt that the statue should have been done by an African American artist. They disliked the use of Chinese granite and not American granite. The quote engraved on the side was abridged in a way that changed the meaning and upset many, to the point where a year later it was removed to now only show abstract striations.

Tree by Paul McCarthy

Displayed in October 2014 at the International Fair of Contemporary Art in Palace Vendôme in Paris this abstraction of a Tree in a reminiscent way of a modern impressionist was a 24 meter or 78.74 foot tall green canvas butt plug shape because he thought they looked similar to trees so he created it as a tree abstraction. He was actually assaulted by someone while installing it, and it was destroyed two days later because some people thought it was offensive to children. Tree was displayed again in 2016 at Paramount Ranch 3 and it was well received by visitors.

Dirty Corner by Anish Kapoor

I feel a list of modern controversial art wouldn't be complete without Anish Kapoor, but my feelings are not why he is on the list. It is because he is a controversial artist. All his controversies deserve a post of their own, so only one is on this list. This art piece was created in 2011, but when it was brought to the Palace of Versailies in 2015 is when it hit its peak. The 60 meter (196.85ft) long and 8 meter(26.25ft) tall cone was described by Kapoor as "the vagina of a queen who was taking power". Critics hated the sexual nature and its nickname is "the Queen's Vagina." The idea was to enter the cone shaped piece and loose your perception of space the deeper you went into it. People vandalized the piece with antisemitic slurs as Kapoor's mother is Jewish. After some legal fights and wanting to leave the vandalism as a statement to the horror and intolerance of humanity, he was ordered to cover or remove the vandalism. He chose to cover it with gold leaf as "a royal response" the piece is no longer on display in France.

Mount Rushmore National Memorial by Gutzon Borglum

Sculpted from 1927 to 1941 This might be a controversial one to add for many Americans. But I wanted to focus on the 20th and 21st centuries and so I feel I would be remiss to not add this monument to America. Carved in the Black Hills of South Dakota by a close friend of Teddy Roosevelt and known Klan associate. This monument to the greatness of American expansionism in the early 20th century is also a monument to how American presidents directly participated, through policy or active participation in the taking and desecration of Native American lands. The Black Hills are considered a Holy Site to the Lakota people, and in the Fort Laramine Treaty of 1868 it was considered exempt from white settlement forever. But gold was discovered so the treaty was violated. Where Mount Rushmore is located is also home to Custer State Park, named after an American general who actively participated in the violation of the Treaty. Mount Rushmore was meant to be a Monument to America's Greatness as embodied by our Presidents, but it at the same time is a symbol of our expansion, treaty violations, and exploitation of the land and people of this nation. It remains a site of protest, the rock itself isn't great for carving and people think about adding more to it. The National Park service have dismissed the idea of altering it at all. People are divided about the site to this day. Some want it destroyed, some want to use it for education, but i have to say the National Park splash page doesn't help much with the education, and some just want the Lakota people to have their Holy Site back. The Lakota won a lawsuit for 17+million dollars, but they also just want the Land and not money as it is a holy site, and they continue to protest. The carving can not be undone, so the site remains a divisive reminder of American History that is often just a footnote in the education of most.

If you can think of any public artwork that you think is controversial please share it! Even if its just a public art work that someone has in their lawn that people in your community cant stand. Art should promote discussion, learning, and growth!

[swldx]

BBC 0516 6 Dec 2024

9410Khz 0458 6 DEC 2024 - BBC (UNITED KINGDOM) in ENGLISH from ASCENSION ISLAND. SINPO = 55333. English, s/on @0458z with Bowbells int. fb ID, pips and Newsday preview. @0501z World News anchored by Chris Berrow. § South Korea's main parties are holding meetings amid reports MPs could bring forward a vote to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol. In the first clear sign his own party may now vote with the opposition, the leader of Yoon's ruling People Power party called for his swift suspension, the party had earlier refused to back impeachment moves. Yoon plunged the nation into political turmoil with an attempt on Tuesday night to impose martial law that was swiftly rescinded by MPs. The opposition coalition, which holds a majority in parliament, needs just eight members of Yoon's People Power Party to impeach him. If the opposition succeeds, Yoon will be suspended from office while he undergoes an impeachment trial, which will determine whether he will be removed from office. § Syrian rebels say they have taken full control of a second major city, after the military withdrew its troops from Hama in another setback for President Bashar al-Assad. The leader of the Islamist militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), Abu Mohammed al-Jawlani, declared "victory" in Hama and vowed there would be "no revenge". § Worshippers have been forced to flee an Australian synagogue after it was set on fire in what the prime minister has condemned as an "act of hate". § French President Emmanuel Macron said he will name a new prime minister "in the coming days", after Michel Barnier resigned following a no-confidence vote in parliament. In a 10-minute address to the nation on Thursday, he rejected opposition pressure to stand down, vowing to stay in his post "fully, until the end of the mandate" in 2027. He thanked Barnier for his dedication during his brief term as prime minister, and accused the French far right and hard left of collaborating in an "anti-republican front" to bring down the government. French MPs voted overwhelmingly to remove Barnier on Wednesday, just three months after he was appointed by Macron. § Public frustration over Ghana's economic travails, including high prices and a dearth of jobs, has dominated the run-up to Saturday's general election, which will likely test the nation's longstanding democratic credentials. Support for outgoing President Nana Akufo-Addo and his ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) party has sunk in his second term amid the West African nation's worst economic crisis in a generation, along with cost-of-living protests and turmoil in its vital cocoa and gold industries. § Police in New York have released two photos of an unmasked individual wanted for questioning over the killing of a healthcare chief executive. UnitedHealthcare boss Brian Thompson, 50, was fatally shot in the back on Wednesday morning outside the Hilton hotel in Midtown Manhattan. The attacker fled the scene without taking any of Thompson's belongings. Police believe the victim was targeted in a pre-planned killing. § The Bahamas has rejected a proposal from the US President-elect Donald Trump’s transition team to receive deported migrants as the former president looks to fulfil promises to ‘control immigration’. § Iceland has authorised whale hunting for the next five years, despite welfare concerns. Under the new permits, 209 fin whales and 217 minke whales can be caught during each year's whaling season, which runs from June to September. Animal rights and environmental groups have denounced the move by Iceland's outgoing conservative government. @0506z “Newsday” begins. 100' (30m) of Kev-Flex wire feeding "Magic Wand" antenna hanging in backyard tree w/MFJ-1020C active antenna (used as a preamplifier/preselector), JRC NRD-535D, 125kW, beamAz 27°, bearing 103°. Received at Plymouth, MN, United States, 9763KM from transmitter at Ascension Island. Local time: 2258.

[conexaoamerica]

The beautiful Christmas tree at Lotte New York Palace 455 Madison Ave 🎄🌟🎁💫 and Fifth Ave getting ready for their 200th birthday celebration with holiday decorations lined 48th to 55th street 🥳🎀🤩

✔️ Credit 👉🏆🎥 @newyorkbegins

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✔️Alliance @america_states @guimellousa @enjoy_la_

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#conexaoamerica

#nyc #manhattan #christmas

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✔️DM for credit request or removal 🎥 📷 (no copyright interference) 🔗All rights and credits reserved to respective owner(s)

[manhattanroofs]

Don't Let the Big Apple Leak: A Guide to Roof Repair in Manhattan

Manhattan, a vibrant island at the heart of New York City, boasts towering skyscrapers and historic brownstones. But keeping these structures protected from the elements falls on the shoulders of a crucial, yet often overlooked, component: the roof. With constant exposure to weather extremes and potential wear-and-tear, Manhattan roofs require regular maintenance and timely repairs.

Signs You Need Roof Repair in Manhattan

Ignoring a roof problem can lead to bigger issues down the line. Here are some telltale signs that your roof repair manhattan needs attention:

Visible Damage: Missing shingles, cracked tiles, or warped flashing are all red flags.

Leaks: Leaks in your attic, ceiling, or walls indicate water intrusion through the roof.

Mold Growth: Moisture trapped due to leaks can lead to mold growth, posing health risks.

Increased Energy Bills: A damaged roof can compromise insulation, leading to inefficient heating and cooling.

Granule Loss: Asphalt shingles shed granules over time. Excessive loss indicates potential shingle deterioration.

Light Peeking Through: This can happen with damaged underlayment or improper flashing.

Choosing a Reputable Manhattan Roof Repair Contractor

Finding the right roofer in Manhattan is crucial. Here are some key factors to consider:

Licensing and Insurance: Ensure the contractor is licensed by the New York Department of State and carries liability and worker's compensation insurance.

Experience: Look for a company with a proven track record in Manhattan, specializing in your specific roof type.

Warranty: A reputable contractor will offer a comprehensive warranty on materials and workmanship.

References and Reviews: Read online reviews and ask for references to check the contractor's quality of work.

Clear Communication: Ensure the contractor clearly explains the repair process, timeline, and cost breakdown.

Common Manhattan Roof Repair Scenarios

Manhattan roofs face unique challenges due to the urban environment. Here are some common repair situations:

Flat Roof Repair: Flat roofs are particularly prone to leaks and require specialized materials and techniques.

Shingle Repair: Asphalt shingle roofs are prevalent in Manhattan and may require repairs due to missing shingles, wind damage, or age-related wear.

Metal Roof Repair: Metal roofs can be durable but may require repairs due to punctures, loose seams, or corrosion.

Skylight Repair: Leaky or damaged skylights can compromise your roof's integrity and need prompt attention.

Maintaining Your Manhattan Roof

Preventative maintenance is key to extending the lifespan of your Manhattan roof. Here are some essential tips:

Schedule Regular Inspections: Have your roof inspected by a professional at least twice a year, especially before and after winter.

Clear Debris: Remove leaves, branches, and other debris from your roof to prevent water pooling and potential damage.

Trim Overhanging Branches: Overhanging tree branches can scrape or damage your roof during windstorms.

Proper Ventilation: Adequate ventilation in your attic space helps prevent moisture build-up and promotes roof longevity.

By recognizing the signs of roof damage, choosing a qualified contractor, and practicing preventative maintenance, you can ensure your Manhattan roof keeps you and your property protected for years to come.

[austinbutlerslovers]

Upcoming Austin Butler as Patrick Bateman Excerpt :

Inspo: Austin Butler portraying Patrick Batemen as a psycho in upcoming film adaptation 🫠 this pic 📸 and a dozen DMs 💌

Under the Mistletoe

The Waldorf Astoria’s Christmas gala is dazzling, a picture perfect scene of Manhattan excess. Everything sparkles: lights, dresses, diamonds, and you thrive in it. You’re the darling of the Upper East Side tonight, flitting between friends and admirers, your laughter bright and carefree. Patrick watches you from across the room, leaning against the bar in his Tom Ford tuxedo, a glass of champagne in hand.

He is the epitome of perfection. Chiseled features, every muscle precisely defined under his tailored suit, and sharp, cold blue eyes that command attention. The lights from the Christmas tree reflect off his perfectly groomed hair, making him look almost ethereal. But beneath the surface, his mind churns.

She’s exhausting. Beautiful, yes, but insufferable tonight. How much longer can I keep this up?

You’re chatting animatedly with a group of friends, oblivious to the way his gaze pierces through you. When you glance his way, you catch his sharp smirk, and your heart skips. You love that smirk—it’s confident, seductive, and just for you.

“Patrick, come here!” you call, waving him over. The group makes room for him, and he steps in smoothly, placing a possessive hand on your lower back.

Now under the mistletoe, someone teases, “Oh, Patrick, you know the rule!”

Patrick’s grin widens. “I don’t follow rules,” he quips, pulling you close to him. His lips press to yours, firm and commanding, eliciting a chorus of playful cheers. But the kiss isn’t sweet. It’s a performance, sharp and calculated, and you feel it.

Later, as the party winds down, you’re in the car heading back to Patrick’s penthouse. The silence is heavy. You’re perched in the passenger seat of his immaculate Lexus, prattling on about holiday plans, your friends vacations, and what you want for Christmas.

“And Sophie is spending New Year’s in St. Barts—ugh, can you imagine? It’s so cliche to flaunt it like that,” you chatter, oblivious to his mounting frustration.

Patrick’s jaw tightens, his cold gaze fixed on the road ahead. 

I should pull over. Quiet her. Permanently. The way she talks, her voice, that incessant laugh—it grates. But not yet. Not tonight. Keep the mask on.

“Are you even listening to me, Patrick?” you pout, crossing your arms.

He pulls into the parking garage, kills the engine, and steps out of the car without answering. You’re left fuming as he strides toward the elevator, leaving you to follow.

His penthouse is immaculate—gleaming marble floors, sleek minimalist furniture, and floor to ceiling windows overlooking the city. Patrick removes his jacket, draping it over a chair with deliberate precision. You, still sulking, remove your fur coat and kick off your heels tossing your handbag onto the couch.

“Are you going to ignore me all night?” you demand, your voice sharp with irritation.

Patrick turns, his cold gaze locking onto you. “You’re such a spoiled brat,” he says evenly, his tone devoid of warmth.

You blink, stunned. “Excuse me?”

“You heard me,” he says, stepping closer. His presence overwhelming, and for the first time, a flicker of unease crosses your mind.

“The whining, the entitlement, the need for constant attention—it’s exhausting, darling,” he says, his tone sharp and cutting.

You open your mouth to retort, but Patrick is already on you, his hands gripping your arms as he pushes you against the entry wall. His movements are firm bordering on violent as he holds you in place his face inches from yours.

“Patrick, you’re scaring me,” you whisper, your voice trembling.

“Good,” he says, his smirk cold and dangerous. “Maybe you should be scared.”

🔗 Under the Mistletoe Available (ofc smut) Brat x Bateman

[cool-in-forest-hills-ny]

Professional Queens Pedestrian Accident Lawyer

When seeking a professional Queens pedestrian accident lawyer, consider these key factors: First, prioritize experience in personal injury law and inquire about their track record and client reviews. Second, seek a lawyer with a positive reputation in the Queens legal community. Third, ensure the lawyer has a communication style that suits your needs and can address your concerns. Additionally, confirm that the lawyer works on a contingency fee basis, pays attention to detail, has negotiation skills, and has trial experience. Considering these characteristics, you can find Davidoff Law Personal Injury Lawyers, the right choice for Queens personal injury lawyer for your case. Book your appointment now, call 929-209-4909. 

Queens, NY, Culinary and Sports Paradise 

Queens offers more than just a place to live; it's a culinary and sports paradise that will keep you entertained and intrigued. From the vibrant Little Italy in Astoria to the bustling Koreatown in Flushing to the culturally rich Jackson Heights, home to a large South Asian community, there's a world of amazing dining experiences to explore. For sports enthusiasts, the renowned Citi Field, the home stadium of the New York Mets baseball team, and the USTA National Tennis Center, the prestigious venue for the annual US Open, are just a stone's throw away, promising endless excitement and entertainment.

Citi Field

Citi Field in Queens is best known for hosting New York Mets baseball games. It's one of the places to visit while you're in Queens. Attending a game offers an exciting experience with classic ballpark snacks and an enthusiastic crowd. The stadium also offers behind-the-scenes tours, showcasing areas like the press box and batting cages. In addition to traditional food options, Citi Field provides diverse choices, including Shake Shack burgers and Mikkeller NYC craft beer. Visitors can explore the Mets Hall of Fame and Museum to learn about the team's history and legendary players. Apart from baseball, the stadium hosts concerts and special events such as charity runs and family fun days. Whether it's game day or not, Citi Field offers visitors a variety of entertainment options.

A powerful storm caused trees to topple in NYC

Heavy rain and strong winds caused numerous downed trees in New York City, leaving many residents without power. However, the prompt action of the crews, who began removing the trees early Thursday morning, reassured the residents that their power would be restored and streets would be open to traffic soon. This storm left streets littered with debris, and trees crashed down on cars, closing down streets and knocking out power for many. Due to the severe weather conditions, the New York City Parks Department received 95 reports of downed trees citywide. As of Thursday morning, about 3500 Bronx residents are without power, and in Westchester, nearly 10,000 customers are without power. Wind gusts also brought a tree down on another car on Manhattan's Upper West Side. Despite these challenges, the crews' prompt action instills confidence in the city's ability to recover swiftly.

Link to maps

Citi Field 41 Seaver Wy, Queens, NY 11368, United States Take I-678 S to Meadow Lake Rd W. Take the exit toward Flushing Meadows Corona Rd/69 Rd/Jewel Ave/Harry Ave Arsdale Junior Avenue from I-678 S 4 min (2.9 mi) Take Van Wyck Blvd and 69th Rd to New York 25 Service/Queens Blvd 7 min (1.6 mi) Davidoff Law Personal Injury Lawyers 108-18 Queens Blvd, Forest Hills, NY 11375, United States

[arnoldstrees02]

Arnoldo’s Tree Services - Natural beauty of your Trees

Arnoldo’s Tree Services - Natural beauty of your Trees

Welcome to Arnoldo’s Tree Service, your premier destination for top-quality landscaping services in Bronx, NY, Queens County, NY, and surrounding areas. We understand that your outdoor space is an extension of your home, and we're committed to helping you create a beautiful and vibrant landscape that you can enjoy year-round.

For more details on our products and services, please feel free to visit us at: Tree Trimming Manhattan, Tree Service Fresh Manhattan, Fresh Meadows Tree removal Services, Commercial Tree Removal Services Manhattan & Tree Service Brooklyn.

Please feel free to visit us at: http://arnoldstreeservice.com/

At Arnoldo’s Tree Service, we take pride in offering a comprehensive range of lawn care and tree services to meet all of your landscaping needs. Whether you're looking for routine lawn maintenance or specialized tree care solutions, our experienced team is here to provide exceptional service and results.

Our lawn maintenance services are designed to keep your lawn looking healthy and lush. From core aeration and overseeding to dethatching and power raking, we utilize proven techniques to promote strong root growth and improve overall lawn health. Our application of fungicides and insecticides helps protect your lawn from common pests and diseases, ensuring that it remains green and beautiful throughout the year.

With over 23 years of experience serving the NYC boroughs, we have the knowledge and expertise to deliver outstanding results for our clients. Our team is dedicated to providing personalized service and attention to detail, ensuring that every aspect of your landscaping project is completed to your satisfaction.

In addition to our lawn care services, we also offer professional tree services to help keep your trees healthy and vibrant. From tree pruning and trimming to tree removal and stump grinding, our certified arborists are equipped to handle all of your tree care needs with precision and care.

At Arnoldo’s Tree Service, we understand the importance of maintaining the natural beauty of our communities. That's why we're committed to providing environmentally-friendly landscaping solutions that enhance the beauty and value of your property while minimizing our impact on the environment.

Whether you're a homeowner, business owner, or property manager, Arnoldo’s Tree Service is your trusted partner for all of your landscaping needs. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and discover how we can help you create the outdoor space of your dreams. Let us show you why we're the preferred choice for landscaping services in Bronx and Queens County!

For more details on our products and services, please feel free to visit us at: Tree Trimming Manhattan, Tree Service Fresh Manhattan, Fresh Meadows Tree removal Services, Commercial Tree Removal Services Manhattan & Tree Service Brooklyn.

Please feel free to visit us at: http://arnoldstreeservice.com/

[manhattansewerdrain]

Sewer And Drain Cleaning Services By Expert Plumbers

Maintaining a functional plumbing system is essential for the smooth operation of any property. Among the critical components are sewers and drains, which can often be overlooked until a problem arises. In Manhattan, NY, having access to expert sewer and drain cleaning services is crucial. This article explores the importance of plumbing services, focusing on the specialized needs of residents in Manhattan.

Why Choose Professional Sewer and Drain Cleaning Services?

Preventative Maintenance

Regular cleaning of sewers and drains prevents clogs, backups, and other plumbing issues. Professional plumbers can identify potential problems before they escalate, saving you from costly repairs.

Efficient Solutions

Expert plumbers employ advanced tools and techniques to ensure thorough cleaning and removal of debris, grease, and other buildup. This results in improved water flow and prevents blockages.

Hygiene and Safety

Clogged drains and sewers can lead to unpleasant odors and even health hazards. Professional cleaning services help maintain a clean and sanitary environment, promoting the well-being of occupants.

Preserving Infrastructure

Regular maintenance extends the lifespan of your plumbing infrastructure. By addressing issues promptly, you can avoid major repairs and replacements, saving both time and money.

Also, read about How Often Should I Clean My Sewer Drain Lines?

Common Issues Addressed by expert Plumbers:

Clogs and Blockages: Accumulation of debris, grease, and foreign objects can lead to clogs in sewer and drain lines. Expert plumbers employ advanced equipment to identify and clear these blockages, ensuring a smooth flow of wastewater.

Tree Root Infiltration: In urban environments like Manhattan, tree roots can infiltrate sewer lines, causing extensive damage. Professional plumbers employ techniques such as hydro-jetting to remove roots and prevent future intrusions.

Pipe Corrosion: Over time, pipes can corrode, leading to leaks and reduced efficiency. Expert plumbers assess the extent of corrosion and recommend appropriate solutions, which may include pipe repair or replacement.

Services Offered by plumbers:

1. Drain Cleaning: From kitchen sinks to bathroom drains, they tackle clogs of all sizes, ensuring smooth water flow.

2. Sewer Cleaning: Comprehensive cleaning of sewer lines to prevent backups and maintain optimal functionality.

3. Rooter Services: Dealing with invasive tree roots is a common issue in urban areas. Manhattan Sewer and Drain offer rooter services to address this problem efficiently.

4. Emergency Repairs: Available 24/7 for emergency plumbing needs, ensuring prompt response and resolution.

Contact Us for Sewer and Drain Cleaning Today

For best sewer and drain cleaning services in Manhattan, NY, contact Manhattan Sewer Drain today. Contact us to schedule your service. To learn more about our plumbing services, please call us immediately at +1-2126410256.

Conclusion

Investing in expert sewer and drain cleaning services is a proactive approach to maintaining a healthy and functional plumbing system. With Manhattan Sewer Drain, residents and businesses in Manhattan, NY, can rely on a team of experts dedicated to delivering high-quality services. Don't let plumbing issues disrupt your routine; choose excellence, choose Manhattan Sewer Drain.

Source URL, https://bit.ly/3N4XpDw

[denimbex1986]

'Asking someone if they’re related to the destroyer of worlds is not a question a local journalist asks very often.

But Russell Oppenheimer doesn’t shy away from the fact he’s distantly related to the father of the atomic bomb.

Infact, the Hampshire County Council member for Petersfield Hangers is rather proud of the fact that J. Robert Oppenheimer is part of his family tree.

“It’s true, we are related as we are second cousins twice removed,” said Russell during a recent chat with the Post.

“I never met him, of course, but it’s a link I don’t shy away from. I’m actually a bit annoyed because the film about him is going to premiere when I’m away and I really wanted to be there on opening night.”

The Christopher Nolan film about the man “who became death” has been well received since opening.

Starring Cillian Murphy as the nuclear physicist and boasting a stellar cast with the likes of Matt Damon, Robert Downey Jnr and Emily Blunt, the epic tells the story of how Oppenheimer led the Manhattan Project and created the first atomic bomb.

While Russell has lived a much quieter life than the movie’s protagonist he realises his infamous surname will raise a few eyebrows. He’s also not ashamed of Robert’s creation and the role he’s played in history.

The councillor said: “I’ve read the biography the film is based on and it’s a wonderful book.

“I’m excited to see the movie because it’s got a wonderful cast and it’s an incredible story and it’s not just about the invention of the atomic bomb.

“He was a character that lots of people misunderstand and was ostracised when his security clearance was removed and that’s a fascinating story in itself.”'

[musichackathon]

Off-The-Grid Music Hackathon

Explore music and sound off-the-grid. Make music outdoors, without electrical outlets and internet access. Consider, how will working in a park on an island, removed from the streets and offices of the city, change your musical or sonic explorations? How will working without a table and chairs change your process? Will you create a battery powered experience? A physical hardware based musical or sound experience? Will you construct an instrument that does not rely on institutionally provided power or internet access? This hackathon encourages any medium, techniques, technologies, and procedures you can use to create music and sound experiences under these constraints. 

This non-competitive hackathon will include a mix of talks, performances, workshops and presentations by participants. Free and open to all (with RSVP—this event has limited capacity). Come learn, explore, create and share! We have an open call out for talks and workshops - please submit!

:: Date & Time

Saturday, August 5, 2023. Rain date, August 12, 2023. 11:30am - Doors Open 12:00pm - Talks

"Collaborating with the Woods," by Luciform

"Permacomputing and Making Music with Computers Outside," by Cameron Alexander

"Music & Sound Art Off-The-Grid," by Katarina Hoeger 1:00pm - Brainstorming& Hacking 3:30pm - "ReVoice," a workshop with Noah Aronson 5:00pm - Demos & Performances

:: Location

Harvestworks Back Lawn 10a Nolan Park Governor's Island New York, NY 11231

Click here for a map. :: Links

RSVP [REQUIRED, Tickets Limited]

Propose a Talk or Workshop

Volunteer

:: Logistics

This is an outdoor event. Bring any supplies you might need for your auditory masterpieces. Bring hats, sunscreen, bug spray, picnic blankets to work on and water bottles and whatever you need to work comfortably outdoors. Snacks and refreshments will not be provided, but can be purchased from food vendors on the island.

In case of postponement due to impending rain, notifications will be sent out via email to all who RSVPed.

Ferry fares and times: Travel to Governor's Island is free until 12PM on weekends. The last ferry to Brooklyn is at 5:30pm, the last ferry to Manhattan is 11:30pm. No participants will be stranded on Governor's Island.

:: Governor's Island Rules

Select rules of conduct for Governor's Island include: * All visitors, back packs, packages and vehicles are subject to search. * Visitors may bring their own food and non-alcoholic beverages. No grilling allowed at Harvestworks site. * Cyclists must follow all posted traffic signs, speed limits, and dismount areas. Bikes may only be locked at designated bike racks. * All visitors must depart the Island on or before the departure of the last public ferry departing Governors Island each day. * Pets and drones are not allowed. * Visitors are not allowed to secure items to trees or buildings. * Commercial activity and solicitation are not allowed.

For a full list, see https://www.govisland.com/plan-your-visit/rules.

:: About the organizers and hosts

This event is organized by Music Community Lab and hosted in back and side yards of Harvestworks and the Institute for Public Architecture at their residencies on Governor's Island.

Music Community Lab (musiccommunitylab.org / musichackathon.org) is a not-for-profit which presents events encouraging exploratory approaches to music and sound.

Harvestworks is a not-for-profit which supports the creation and presentation of art works achieved through the use of new and evolving technologies.

The Institute for Public Architecture is a not-for-profit which uses design to challenge social and physical inequities.

Event graphics by Shagari Guity.