New York Dispatch

From our Man in New York, Ferryrider John Bollinger

Editor’s Note: the following arrived via email from the author, with this preface:

Bay Crossings is the Rage in NYC

The October issue of Bay Crossings made it’s first appearance on the docks and waterways of New York City this month. Local aquammuters David Feeney, partner, Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft and Richard Marrin, Partner, Ford, Marrin, Esposito, Witmeyer and Glesser (water commuters into NYC for over fifteen years) engage in witty repartee about the publications’ debut on Pier 11 at the foot of Wall Street and the East River. Please note the portion of the Brooklyn Bridge in the virtual center of the shot. Virtual center because the photographer (also the author of this caption) winged it the best he could. After all, with the stuff that has been going on in NYC since 9/11, you can’t expect a guy who is working for a living on this miserable piece of rock in the present whirling miasma of financial conditions to be able to think about taking a more pictorally telling depiction while the ferry passes the Statue of Liberty, or close to the Verazzano Bridge for proof of NYC authenticity. Because he, like about ten million other inhabitants of the region is worried sick that he might not have a job at that most pathetically Dickensian time of the year, yes—"God bless us everyone" Christmas, and Hanukkah, Kwansa, etc. No, even though everyone with any sense knows that anyone who lived thorough the last few months will be revered at family gatherings because they can tell the tale to their grandchildren about being one of the ones who saw the actual dawning of the.... But back to Bay Crossings in NYC. No. Let’s get back to trying to fill up the 1200 words that the caption writer swore he would get to the editor of Bay Crossings, Bobby Winston, (great guy by the way for putting up with this really sophomoric attempt at making it appear that the caption writer has the ability to write on a monthly basis despite the fact that he has a real job, a wife that he loves, a mortgage and a six year old that he loves almost as much as his wife). I just did a count and I have about 840 words to go.... Do ellipses count as words? No really this is being slammed into an Macintosh G4 about ten hours before the caption writer has to get into line with about 12 million other drivers in between exits 11 and 9 of the New Jersey Turnpike to get to exit 8 on the day before Thanksgiving. So, hopes are to everyone who may read this that the above mentioned Bobby Winston (did I mention what a great guy he is to be putting together the organization that he has for San Franciscan area aquammuters) can set this caption copy on the now-many-inches-above picture in very large type and that I can end by saying this. Thank you again San Francisco for your good thoughts about us here in New York. We’re making it through and may we all enjoy the holidays as they should be with as much joy and love as we can find to give.

Editor’s note: Amen.