Old boats and radio
I remember seeing this old boat as a kid and wondering if the ferry had somehow got lost. My parents used to tell me “no, they’re going to open a restaurant on it any time now”. Guess not. It’s a shame what happens to those old boats especially given that the three new ones (called “gondolas” by some local pundits as a salute to the perceived Italian-American “connections” between local politicos and the firms that built the ferries) are so unreliable and prone to breakdowns. Meanwhile, the last boat from the class produced in the mid ‘60s that was supposed to be retired a few years ago still keeps puttering along on fill-in runs The ride is smoother more comfortable to boot. Another classic example of “they don’t build ‘em like they used to” even though they tried.
The 1980s model ferries (also called the “tin cans” because they’re prone to loud rattling while underway, particularly on the lowest deck) looked nothing like the 1960’s Kennedy class. They had no space for vehicles, no outdoor seating and a top deck that seemed closer to the water (it may well have been but I have no specs to back that up). Based on the complaints about that design, the new ferries were supposed to be a bit more “retro” with outdoor seating on not one, but two decks and a taller profile in the water. They were supposed to kindle fond memories of ferries past. Of course, they neglected to pay attention to the fact that the Kennedy class boats had wooden benches. The outside benches on the new ferries are metal. Ever try to sit outside in windswept New York harbor on a metal seat on even a spring day in the mid-60s? On the inside the benches are made of plastic and metal, which combined with the odd, warren-like layout of the decks on the new ferries makes noise echo and ring at you from every side. This, I imagine, is what we call progress.
Speaking of an attempt to imitate a classic design using “better and updated methods”.
“Legendary Rock Station WNEW-FM returns”. Somehow I doubt it. Even though by the time I hit listening age around the turn of the 1980’s the station was no longer freeform and was tightly programmed music-wise the DJ’s were still knowledgeable and passionate about the music they were playing. “Archive interviews” are interesting historical curiosities but they’re no substitute for a DJ who can creatively construct a set of music and intelligently comment on it. Or do at least one or the other anyway. I suppose since today’s music consumption is largely predicated on what “American Idol” or mall-punk singles someone wants to hear while driving to a gym and jogging on a treadmill an informed discussion of the common thread behind individual songs on an album of popular music is no longer required. Fortunately intelligent radio can still be found if you look hard enough. Some old time good stuff too.
Of course, sometimes it’s a good thing when they don’t do things like they used to. And yet again, other things are constants through the decades. It gives one a warm feeling about humanity, doesn’t it?
The 1980s model ferries (also called the “tin cans” because they’re prone to loud rattling while underway, particularly on the lowest deck) looked nothing like the 1960’s Kennedy class. They had no space for vehicles, no outdoor seating and a top deck that seemed closer to the water (it may well have been but I have no specs to back that up). Based on the complaints about that design, the new ferries were supposed to be a bit more “retro” with outdoor seating on not one, but two decks and a taller profile in the water. They were supposed to kindle fond memories of ferries past. Of course, they neglected to pay attention to the fact that the Kennedy class boats had wooden benches. The outside benches on the new ferries are metal. Ever try to sit outside in windswept New York harbor on a metal seat on even a spring day in the mid-60s? On the inside the benches are made of plastic and metal, which combined with the odd, warren-like layout of the decks on the new ferries makes noise echo and ring at you from every side. This, I imagine, is what we call progress.
Speaking of an attempt to imitate a classic design using “better and updated methods”.
“Legendary Rock Station WNEW-FM returns”. Somehow I doubt it. Even though by the time I hit listening age around the turn of the 1980’s the station was no longer freeform and was tightly programmed music-wise the DJ’s were still knowledgeable and passionate about the music they were playing. “Archive interviews” are interesting historical curiosities but they’re no substitute for a DJ who can creatively construct a set of music and intelligently comment on it. Or do at least one or the other anyway. I suppose since today’s music consumption is largely predicated on what “American Idol” or mall-punk singles someone wants to hear while driving to a gym and jogging on a treadmill an informed discussion of the common thread behind individual songs on an album of popular music is no longer required. Fortunately intelligent radio can still be found if you look hard enough. Some old time good stuff too.
Of course, sometimes it’s a good thing when they don’t do things like they used to. And yet again, other things are constants through the decades. It gives one a warm feeling about humanity, doesn’t it?
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