Brooklyn Nets Lose Against Chicago Bulls

My mom and I wanted to watch one game of a sport, but didn't really know what was available or what we should see when in New York. It soon became apparent that the new team the Brooklyn Nets (New Jersey Nets before 2012) was the big team in Brooklyn. The team plays in the NBA and they have a completely new stadium; the Barclays Center. To be completely honest we weren't sure whether it was just a huge shopping center or a stadium. We decided last minute after having bought caps and jackets with their logo on, that we wanted to see their game against Chicago Bulls. There was only one slight problem. We were a bit late, and the cheapest tickets were over $100. The alternative was to be seated in the back of a Yankees game for $20. Ultimately we ended up with going to the Nets game, but not together. When we came to the box office the second time, we were told that there were only single tickets spread around. Also, the second cheapest ticket they had cost $155. I got the expensive one and mom got the less expensive one.
The stadium was small but very impressive. I was told later on that it was the darkest stadium in basketball, and that it was to keep the players focused, which I would consider a good thing. Brooklyn Nets were good in the first quarter of the match, and especially their star player Brook Lopez did very good. The funny thing about Basketball is how many points they score, compared to Football. Also it gets more and more exciting and less and less predictive as the match comes to an end. What I did not like about the mat h however, was all the pauses. In addition to the three pauses between the quarters, each team have several tourists which they enjoy using at the end of the match. In these pauses anything can happen: From dancing Brooklynettes, to BrooklyKnight shooting out T-shirts. BrooklyKnight is the team mascot which the Brooklyn Nets corrected with Marvel, resulting in an actual comic book from Marvel. The most exciting part about the entire match was the end. Chicago Bulls were ahead of Nets by 2 points, and there were 5 seconds left. Nets were.zone close to at least get a tie, but ultimately lost.

Second Day in New York City

Today we walked a lot. We wanted to become more familiar with how New York functioned, and see what it had to offer. We took the number 2 train to the north side and walked down central park from there. Walking down from central park we went all the way down to union square. Underway we went to a lot of shops including a four story Barnes and Noble, with an incredible diversity in books. The Chinese restaurant we ate at had really good noodles, and in my opinion the meat was okay. The doors opened at 7 and the queue was longer than expected as it went around the block. It was really crowd inside, and a lot of people were already there one hour before the opening band for the opening band would even start. The Rooks -a local rock band- started the show with an explosive performance. The vocalist had an amazing voice, and it really shone through that they had something to prove. Next up was Dumbfoundead, a band that apparently had gotten some recognition,  judging by the volume of the audience as they started. The South-Korean rapper was awesome and brought up some deep problems in society as well as he rapped about drugs and other less serious things. It was impressive to experience, how these bands were able to keep us interested in 2 hours before George Watsky arrived. I read a recent review of one of his concerts, which said that Watsky really knew how to party. That was very much true. He played the best of his songs from his new album "Cardboard Castles" and told us that we were the biggest crowd he had ever performed in front of. After the concert I decided to buy a t-shirt from The Rooks to support them.

No taxi will take you to Brooklyn

Seeing the skyline from the window of the Greyhound bus from DC made me all tingly. As seen on TV. Wow! The man from New York kept talking to the passengers behind us, repeating his 15 minutes speech on The wonders of the city. When we finally left the bus, the last thing he said to us was "oh you're staying in BROOKLYN? You should definitely take a cab, don't experience the metro system yet" before he rushed off. As a mother I became a bit anxious, and decided to take a cab.

The taxi line was a mess, but finally we were next. "No, I'm not taking you to Brooklyn" the taxi driver hissed before picking up the passenger behind us. The next taxis just repeated the scene like they were pushing a replay button. I started picturing Brooklyn as a desolate area of crime. The last stance of civilization: The Holiday Inn Express Downtown Brooklyn. The last taxi, covered with bullet holes, standing in front of the hotel, both tourists and taxi driver inside because the NYPD was to afraid to approach the area.

Shaking off the pictures I had to make a last go at it, which was easy since one in three cars is a cab in this city. "But why won't you take us" I shrieked. "I"m off duty at five and it's Friday. No taxi driver is going to take you to Brooklyn."the driver replied. "But what do you advice me to do?" I pushed the sentences out - after all I have a 14 year old to take care of, I can't just give up! "It's easiest to take the metro. If you're comfortable about it. It'll save you a lot of money too. Have a nice day." He picked up the next passenger.

Slowly dragging our suitcases towards certain death we looked at the signs, and after talking to several service people we bought our tickets. Loud sirens from inside the metro system was making a constant noise, making it impossible to think. We entered the subway, stressed  around for a while until realizing that we were not going to understand this by ourselves. "Ask a policeman - they are everywhere", another satisfied customer advised us. So we did. We found a big, heavily armed, NYPD cop. "So you want to go to Brooklyn? And the taxis won't take you. They do that all the time to earn more money. Its illegal to refuse passengers. They won't say no to you when I'm there" he said in a voice maching his uniform. Julius smiled. We are in fuckin' New York City.

Gottaloveit!

What's up with Lincoln?

Visiting the Lincoln Memorial invoked conflicting feelings. On the one hand it's just another pompous Greek temple in the city of DC. On the other Lincoln himself bears powerful nationalistic symbolism which is kind of scary bearing in mind the nations violent history. Then again we share the site with hundreds of people smiling and photographing each other everywhere, thus making it a potential symbol of the global trends of tourism. Reading it's history it is supposed to be a symbol that assembles people.

The Smithsonian museum of American History exhibits the historic process from slavery to liberation of African Americans. They tell heartbreaking stories from centuries ago, and, devastatingly, from our recent past. I found myself tearing up about the tragic stories. As late as in 1963 Dr King and more than 200.000 other protesters filled the memorial and the park all the way to the Washington Monument. What it must have felt to walk on those steps, talk to the hordes of peacefully protesting people, talking about changing the world for their children. "I have a dream"he said, because the american dream did not apply to all. The leaders of the civil rights movement conquered the stance of the American dream in the shape of Abraham Lincoln. Powerful symbolism - isn't it?

So - what to feel about it all? Well, it has been cool being where it all happened. And I am glad that the civil rights movement accomplished what they set out to do. And the monument itself? I'm not able to shake off the ambivalence....

Washington DC

DC is not very hot in Spring. It's windy, cold and to get from one museum to another you have to walk for a while. Also, if you plan to go to The Mall, eating a solid breakfast is a good idea. There are very few cafes in the area, and the few ones that are in the museums are overly expensive. I bought a pizza slice for $6.50. It tasted like bread.
Walking around in DC is an astonishing experience, even when it is windy, and far between each attraction. We managed to go all the way up to the back of Capitol, and to the Supreme Court.
Outside people demonstrated against DOMA, but it seemed we had arrived a little late for the party. It was still a cool thing to see. It also seemed like there were not only supporters of Gay marriage there, as some older men came with sarcastic and evil comments not suitable on print.

Peacefully outside The Supreme Court