Spring in Bushwick
The gloriously warm weather has arrived in our neighborhood, and with it all the hallmarks of the season.

The corner by my apartment has transformed from the literal dumping ground it was through fall and winter. I recall a whole bag of dog shit, A WHOLE BAG, totally full and tied in a neat little knot at the top, left sitting there for weeks until heavy rains washed it all over the walk and eventually away. No more! With the arrival of spring this corner has become Makeout Central. Not offering shade or seating nor remotely private, in fact bearing most of the traffic to and from my building, this small spot is filled with teenagers performing a slow, awkwardly grinding waltz as they rock back and forth, oblivious to everyone stepping around them.

Bottle-smashing appears to be the number one passtime around here, and with greater impetus to enjoy the outdoors it has once again been taken up with zest. The sidewalks glitter again! I'd also like to think the shards slow the poodle-sized rats scurrying back and forth on nights the garbage is put out, giving me more time to sprint by the writhing bags.



The second-favorite passtime, driving a ridiculous vehicle, enjoys year-round popularity, but the warmer weather affords a greater audience to witness these beauties in motion. The cars, usually tricked-out Hondas or Caddys, drive at two speeds: slow-rolling, the better for all to witness their vehicle's splendor and to holler at the finer ladies, and warp-speed, drag racing another vehicle or just testing out their muffler's amplifier (or whatever those noisemakers are called). I constantly fear the last sight I'll see will be a windshield half-obscured in old English font by the motto "4 Tha' Hater's". Yes I've actually seen that on a car near me and yes, the thought haunts me I could die extremely annoyed at multiple misuses of the apostrophe.

Slow-rolling also involves honking your horn numerous times. The most popular tunes in my area are 1) The Godfather Theme, 2)La Cucaracha, and 3)Dixie. As in 'I wish I was in Dixie', that classic song of cholos and thugs alike. When I first saw a carful of Hispanic guys roll by tooting that in a vehicle labeled 'PapiChulo' my head nearly exploded.

And of course, the food trucks are out in full force! Aside from the usual ice cream trucks, of which we have many (including one playing not 'Turkey in the Straw' but a series of electronic handclaps followed by a guy bellowing 'HELLOOOOOOOOO!!!!'; how avante garde), there's also the empanada truck (delicious, delicious fried cheese; ah, I love you in all your forms), the fried chicken truck, and the mysterious truck that looks like an ice cream truck but never stops for children and only rides out at 1:00am.