Long Island City, NY

If You Knew The Names Of The People Who Have Passed Through Here You'd Have A Cosmic Cow Pie... I've said it once and I will say it again: don't squander your social media opportunities people. Being a Raindexed writer got me here...

It all started when I agreed to run a business errand for someone out of state. I help them out from time to time and they have sent me to some very interesting places. We have a lovely working relationship and they found me right here on ActiveRain. Seriously... They were not looking for me per se. They were simply looking for independent contractors to cover specific geographical areas. As a Paralegal and Notary I thought it would be cool and interesting so I took the gig and made a couple of new friends. :-)

Sometimes, depending upon the assignment or if parking appears to be a possible issue, I will try to get someone to come with me. When you run around as much as I do you always want to let someone know where you are, where you are going next and what you plan to be doing or where you plan to be next.

I remember casually asking my gal pal Susana if she wanted to go with me to a recording studio. She opted to run a personal errand instead so I called the hubby next. He was taking the little minions to the park and didn't think we should unleash them around professional musicians (LOL). Since there are not too many people I trust with my personal business, I remember thinking, "Oh well... I'm on my own... No biggie... I'll grab the laptop, pick an outside office, do a blog post, run my errand, pick up my buddy and do the Wordy C things that I do to amuse myself between making money, trying to make money and complaining about not making money." That was an actual thought people (LOL). I have conversations with the cartoons in my head all the time, which I find very amusing but I digress (LOL).

That was the original plan... At least until I actually walked through the doors of this fabulous recording studio. Oh... my... word... Stepping from a nondescript industrial park warehouse stairwell through that steel door was like a Twilight Zone moment for me (ROTFL). This place is beautiful. Absolutely beautiful....

Imagine Wordy C standing there staring at a handcrafted, beautifully framed triple platinum CD collection of Pink.

I'm talking PINK as in have you ever heard the songs Sober and Lady Marmalade? Yeah bay-bays, I'm talking that Pink. I am a huge fan. Mega iTunes addict concerning her work (LOL). Rihanna was up on the wall too! You know: Please Don't Stop The Music? Take A Bow? Unfaithful? Yes, I am a Rihanna fan as well so being there was quite a treat. They only take clients from major recording labels and all the studios were in use. Yay! I was very careful not to disturb a single soul there. When you are a guest at someone else's business you have to respect other peoples privacy and their time. I enjoyed my little visit and hope one day I will have another opportunity to visit again. I felt like a tourist looking at the gold and platinum records on the studio walls and very nicely framed magazine articles. Kind of like when you go to Disney for the first time or a Hall of Fame.

Speechless? You betcha' because I am a huge Pink fan! Ask the people who are serious about Elvis what it feels like to get a peek behind the scenes of where they do or did their stuff. Seriously... For thirty whole seconds my brain wouldn't power. Then the silent stuttering began because I like collectibles and recognize the value and achievements presented there. Kid in a candy store happy? You betcha! In spades (LMAO). What can I say? The place is awe inspiring if you are seriously into music. I happen to be seriously into music and art. Just sayin...

Was I tempted to do one of those wordless posts and show off lots of eye candy? Yeah... but we all know Wordy C is wordy so stop playing yourselves and settle in for the remainder of this conversation because we are almost done (LOL).

Don't ask me where I am or where I was because I am not going to tell you for privacy and security reasons. This is a very special place that I got to visit and my friends kept telling me I should share such a pleasurable moment in my blogging life. The fact that I actually had a scheduled appointment to be there and meet with one of the most gracious men I have ever had the pleasure to meet in the music recording industry is amazing to me. His name is Peter Benjamin. He put me right at ease and was kind enough to give me a brief yet fascinating overview of what they do there and how the major record labels operate. What a nice man and stellar business owner. What a beautiful atmosphere to make a living in...

Did I mention I am really having a lot of fun being an ActiveRain Ambassador? I am you know...I appreciate being part of the program.

To think all of it started from being a Rainmaker blogging on this network. The Cosmic Cow Pie gang is all about connecting the dots. If you are not Raindexed you really don't know what you are missing. You have no idea who is reading you out of those approximately 2.2 million people per month. My advice? Go e-mail an Ambassador of your choice and get some help setting up your Outside Blogs so the public can find you and your friends. Friends have a way of opening doors for you when you least expect it.

Do I think being a Rainmaker is worth it? Of course it is. All Ambassadors are Rainmakers (LOL).

My three Raindexed blogs got me in to see this. Imagine what your Outside blogs will do for you... Did I mention the moment was awe inspiring and absolutely priceless? I think I did (LOL). Enjoy the eye candy. I do have more. I'm just hoarding it (LOL). ;-)

Mirrors is a bizarre thriller about an evil force that manifests itself in the reflection of mirrors, causing all manner of horrors to those looking into them. Kiefer Sutherland plays an ex-police detective and recovering alcoholic dismissed from duty after accidentally shooting his partner. Sutherland takes a night-watchman job at the burned-out ruins of a New York City department store ‘The Mayflower'.

The department store had been set ablaze by a traumatized arsonist five years previously, killing dozens of people. One of the Mayflower's few features to survive undamaged is the large mirrors. The former night watchman committed suicide under mysterious circumstances, and before long, Sutherland figures out that the store's haunted mirrors had something to do with it. Like most horror flicks, Mirrors relies heavily on the use of sound effects of the creaking door variety and suspenseful music for its chills.

Violent and extremely grisly, this flick features a handful of sobering moments, the most unforgettable being a jaw-dropping scene involving a bathtub, a mirror, and the otherwise grievously wasted sister of Sutherland's character. The thought of something on the other side of a mirror desperate to be unleashed is scary stuff.

Mirrors ends in a way that would make "The Twilight Zone" proud. If you're a hardcore horror enthusiast like me then check it out!

 

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Summer on Long Island is one of the most eventful times of the year.  While many people look forward to the summer because it means that they will be spending time at one of Long Island's many beaches or taking advantage of the plentiful fishing and boating opportunities, many other Long Islanders make time to attend live music events.  There is music to satisfy fans of virtually every musical genre, and the best part is that many of these concerts are free of charge.

 

The highest profile acts appear at the Jones Beach Theater.  Ticket prices for each show vary by artist.  This year's lineup features a wide range of performers including:  Rush, Judas Priest, Motley Crue, Stone Temple Pilots, Poison, The Police, Jethro Tull, Allman Brothers, Rod Stewart, John Mellencamp, Joe Cocker, Sheryl Crow, John Mayer, Donna Summer, Jimmy Buffet and more.  For the complete concert calendar and ticket purchases, please click here.

 

Many towns offer a free concert series over the summer, where you can bring a blanket, chairs, food and drink and enjoy the music under the stars.  The Town of Oyster Bay always features some well-known artists, and this year is no exception, with performances by Lou Gramm (Foreigner), Tony Orlando, The Spin Doctors, Air Supply, Patty Smyth and Scandal, and more.  Some of the best tribute bands are on the schedule this summer as well, including:  Stayin' Alive (Bee Gees), The Cast of Beatlemania, and Abbamania.  For the complete summer schedule, please click here.

 

The Town of Hempstead is featuring a number of tribute bands, including:  Beginnings (Chicago), Forever Young (Rod Stewart), Bad Medicine (Bon Jovi), Bad Animals (Heart), Yellow Brick Road (Elton John) and more, while the Town of North Hempstead will feature Big Shot (Billy Joel), Herman's Hermits with Peter Noone and more.

 

In Suffolk County, the biggest events are held at the Brookhaven Amphitheater.  This year's schedule includes:  The Music of Led Zeppelin (performed by a 55-piece orchestra), Extreme, Squeeze, Blondie to name a few.  For the complete concert calendar and ticket purchases, please click here.

 

In addition to the popular music, the town parks feature other genres such as jazz, country, orchestral music and children's music.  With something for virtually any taste and price range, Long Islanders have plenty of opportunities to enjoy music under the stars this summer.

About The Author

Adam Waldman is a Long Island Residential Real Estate Professional that can assist you with the purchase and/or sale of real estate on Long Island, from bank owned homes to new construction to waterfront property, and everything in between. Adam is also a Relocation Specialist that has created a network of real estate professionals throughout the country in an effort to assist relocating Long Islanders in their transition to new areas. These professionals are experts in the field of relocation and can serve many purposes beyond a simple home search.

Please visit www.TheLIReloGuy.com for your relocation needs and www.AdamWaldman.com for your local needs.

Adam Waldman - RE/MAX Best - 631-357-2036 - adam@AdamWaldman.com

I can still recall my visit to the Long Island Game Farm when I went there as a kid with my family.  Through a child's eyes, the place seemed larger than life.  Having never been to a zoo before, there was no basis for comparison.  The years have passed, and I've since been to larger zoos like the Bronx Zoo and San Diego Zoo, so the recent trip with my children to the Long Island Game Farm was a bit of a shock. 

 

In my mind, it was a large zoo that we spent the whole day exploring.  In reality, it is a fairly small zoo, which can be experienced in about three hours including stopping for lunch and bathroom breaks.  The day started out as a surprise for my son.  We figured that it would add some adventure to the experience.  He was excited to find out where we were going, but didn't seem overly enthused upon learning about where we were when we arrived.

 

The parking lot is unpaved, consisting mostly of gravel and grass.  We went on a day that wasn't crowded, so the zoo was fairly easy to navigate around, even with the stroller for my little one.  Before arriving at the zoo, we stopped into a CVS Drugstore to pick up a copy of  Newsday's magazine - Long Island Parents & Children, because the magazine has coupons that are good for a half price ticket for each child with a full price adult ticket (approximately $19 each).

 

Upon arriving at the gate, we purchased our tickets and proceeded directly to the tiger show performance that happens twice daily.  It is very cool to be up close and personal with a group of tigers, but the show is fairly short and there wasn't much to see.  At the end of the show, they bring one tiger into a glass cage so that people can stand next to it and take pictures.  We were about to line up to take a picture next to the tiger, when we were told that it would cost us $10, so we passed.  Taking a picture with our camera is one thing, but paying to have them take a picture was a waste of money (in my opinion), so we started our journey around the zoo.

 

Since we were near the food concession stand, we decided to have lunch before proceeding, as we knew that the kids would start asking for food sooner rather than later.  The biggest mistake that we made was not stopping to pick something up for lunch.  There are picnic tables, and you are allowed to bring whatever food and drink you would like into the zoo.  I strongly suggest doing so if you are planning to visit.  We ended up spending nearly $25 for the family on food that was marginal (at best).

 

Once lunch was over, we walked around the zoo, stopping a few times to allow the kids to ride on the tea cup ride and then on the train ride, which we all went on together.  Everything is much smaller than I remembered, but I'm sure it was because I am no longer a small child.  We saw everything that the zoo had to offer (monkeys, zebras, parrots, a buffalo, an alligator, a giraffe, lemurs, kangaroos and more).  We visited the nursery where you could pet and feed the baby goats, which was fun for the kids.

 

Before long, we had made our way through every area of the game farm, so it was time to head home.  Had my little one not been so cranky, the day would have been a bit more enjoyable, but that is life with a toddler.  On the way home, we stopped to get ice cream, and it seemed to be the highlight of the day for both of the kids.

 

If you are looking to see some interesting animals without having to plan a trip to the Bronx Zoo, it is worthwhile to spend a few hours at the Long Island Game Farm.  If you went there as a kid with your family or with a school field trip, and you remember it as a large zoo, you will be a bit disappointed. However, if you set realistic expectations, bring your own lunch, and avoid going with a cranky toddler, the Long Island Game Farm can be a fun day out with the family. 

 

 

 

Remember to pick up your coupons before visiting, as it can save you a decent amount of money.  For a list of where the coupons are published, please click here. 

 

For directions to the Long Island Game Farm, please click here.

About The Author

Adam Waldman is a Long Island Residential Real Estate Professional that can assist you with the purchase and/or sale of real estate on Long Island, from bank owned homes to new construction to waterfront property, and everything in between. Adam is also a Relocation Specialist that has created a network of real estate professionals throughout the country in an effort to assist relocating Long Islanders in their transition to new areas. These professionals are experts in the field of relocation and can serve many purposes beyond a simple home search.

Please visit www.TheLIReloGuy.com for your relocation needs and www.AdamWaldman.com for your local needs.

Adam Waldman - RE/MAX Best - 631-357-2036 - adam@AdamWaldman.com

Welcome to my Recent Sales Update. I hope homeowners in L.I.C. will find the information useful. I will be updating sales monthly.

Listed below are all residential sales in L.I.C. NY, for the period 5/01/2008 to 5/31/2008 as recorded by our local MLS (L.I.B.O.R. aka Long Island Board of Realtors).

0 (zero) Homes were SOLD (closed ) in Long Island City for the period of May 1st thru May 31st of 2008.

If you have questions do not hesitate to email me at ProRealtor@Verizon.net

I will be happy to hear from you. If you are a home owner in Queens, Brooklyn, or Long Island and are considering putting your home on the market, I provide a NO COST NO OBLIGATION Highest Price Analysis.

Remember sales prices are not the entire story.

To find the value of your home with a FREE, over-the-net home HIGHEST Price Analysis, please visit: http://www.newyorkmarketvalue.com/