Orange balloon & pink shoes

The Barclays Arena will never have my heart, but I’m getting used to it. How strange it is, though, to live in the shadow of this gigantic commercial building. And what happened to the mixed-income apartment buildings?

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Pickles ‘n cole slaw

Here’s your appetizer. To get one for yourself at the New Floridian, go to Kings Plaza, then drive down Flatbush until you see a restaurant that doesn’t look like a diner, thanks to its modernized facade. Park the car (only a lunatic would take public transportation this far out); you have arrived! Enjoy.

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Hands provide finesse

A skateboarder’s entire body is put to work as he cruises down the sidewalk at a rapid pace. The face shows concentration; the hands are the the place where some personal style comes through.

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Brooklyn look

Men wear ombre pants in this borough; I had no idea. The sidewalks are getting more interesting as it warms up.

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The gentle approach to getting a taxi

It works, too. This woman raised her hand a few inches and within five seconds a black car pulled over. Remember that the next time you step into the stream of traffic and scream at an empty yellow cab.

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Maybe not the yummy-est ever

It’s nice to know that even though the neighborhood is getting spiffed up on account of the Barclay’s Center, there’s still cheap and questionable food to be found nearby.

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By Barclays Center in the afternoon

Most of the time there’s a large, empty plaza in front of the Barclays Center. It’s dominated by this iron arm flashing advertising and upcoming events. Above, that’s the gray sky above the Atlantic Mall. There’s a new Dunkin Donuts over there.

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Before the Barbra concert

I was in the area, so I couldn’t resist taking a look at the giddy Barbra Streisand fans before the sold-out concert at the Barclays Center. Lots of cops, cars, and people who weren’t going to the concert. The ticket holders were quite well-behaved.

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Nine more days @ Barclays Center

In a week and a day, that big, steaming mess known as the Barclays Center will open its doors. We have learned that the rusted metal is not going to be painted. The streets will be made beautiful, though, and cops will be out directing traffic on opening night, of this we can be sure. Then we, as a borough, are on our own.

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Barclays Center, behind the fence

I’m looking for Neville, Will Smith’s character in I am Legend. He’s here behind the chainlink fence with some roving dog creatures. It’s ironic that the Barclays Center, under construction, also appears like an apocalyptic set.

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