Chilltown Bears

Up early this morning figuring out what we’re going to do today.  Supposed to be a beautiful day, so we’re definitely taking advantage of it and going out and about.  We waited too long to go back to Coney Island Astroland, they just announced that it was closed for good.  An Atlantic City type resort area is planned for Coney Island now.  I think some of the major rides survive the buildout though, they were named historic landmarks, but everything else goes.  I have mixed feelings about the whole thing, but my thoughts aren’t clear enough for a blog entry on it, so another time.

Yesterday after hurrying through some Saturday morning chores, we hit our favorite place here in downtown Jersey City for Brunch, Isabella’s Cafe on the corner of Erie and 7th Streets.  God service is S-L-O-W there, at least at prime time Saturday noon-ish, but wow the food is so good! I don’t mind gulping down 2 cafe con leches and reading three newspapers while we wait.

Then we hopped in the car, through the Holland Tunnel and parked in the Village.  Walked over to Broadway and Houston to MoCCA, the Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art, on Broadway near Houston St.  My friend Ryan Roman is in a show there, and although I promised to go to the opening Thursday night, couldn’t make it, so Joe and I went Saturday.  Lots of fun.  It’s a small museum, but a blast if you’re into comix.  Rested our legs at that huge Starbucks on Spring and Crosby Streets then scooted over a few more blocks to Mulberry Street where the annual Feast of Saint Gennaro’s was going on.

All I can say is — non posso respirare — a total mob scene, an ocean of Vinnie’s, Joey’s, and Anna Marie’s.  Oh, and the baby carriages!  Don’t these people care about their children?  I saw kids in carriages with footprints on them, and parents shoving Zeppoles the size of Tribbles down their toddler’s throats. And SO MANY MOZZAREPAS! Those things are inedible but indestructible too.  I think NASA should consider them as emergency replacements for those heat tiles that keep popping off the Space Shuttle. CARLOS