Hello NY Times readers. In this blog you will find many theories, maps, quickly done clips, and other random posts.
This is a debate that New Jersey has had with itself since I can remember.
Enjoy!
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Bon Jovi set to play Central Park
If you haven't heard from me for a while, it is because I am out visiting my relatives in Chicago. But I had to write because Bon Jovi is playing in Central Park today!
Out here, I saw a Cubs' game and a Brewers' game and my girlfriend and I bumped into a filming of, What Not to Wear downtown on Michigan Ave. All I have to say is that every guy in the place was clueless who these people were . . . including me; but the ladies were in awe. Much fun. . . . but another reason I LOVE Jersey. The food here in the Midwest, be it Illinois or Wisconsin, SUCKS.
Despite Chicago Style Pizza and Bratwurst, I cannot wait to get back to Jersey. I am going right to Benny Tudinos and getting a slice. This is one of the reasons that I feel like I will never leave New Jersey. There is NO better food from every ethnicity in the country. This state . . . people . . . has so much to offer, cuisine-wise and it is the best place to eat in the USA. . . . and with the possible exception of Queens, that is the truth.
Anyway, send me your videos from the Bon Jovi concert . . . I would love to be there filming us New Jerseyans - descending on NYC in great numbers. . . . oh well.
Check it out people!
Out here, I saw a Cubs' game and a Brewers' game and my girlfriend and I bumped into a filming of, What Not to Wear downtown on Michigan Ave. All I have to say is that every guy in the place was clueless who these people were . . . including me; but the ladies were in awe. Much fun. . . . but another reason I LOVE Jersey. The food here in the Midwest, be it Illinois or Wisconsin, SUCKS.Despite Chicago Style Pizza and Bratwurst, I cannot wait to get back to Jersey. I am going right to Benny Tudinos and getting a slice. This is one of the reasons that I feel like I will never leave New Jersey. There is NO better food from every ethnicity in the country. This state . . . people . . . has so much to offer, cuisine-wise and it is the best place to eat in the USA. . . . and with the possible exception of Queens, that is the truth.
Anyway, send me your videos from the Bon Jovi concert . . . I would love to be there filming us New Jerseyans - descending on NYC in great numbers. . . . oh well.
Check it out people!
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
What is Central Jersey culture?
If you were to google "North Jersey" or "South Jersey" you can find many quizzes or other lists that start like . . . . "You know you're from North/South Jersey when . ."
There are others that say, "You know you're from New Jersey when . . . ." also.
But I have yet to find one that says "You know you're from Central Jersey when . . ."
Now if some of you think it is hard to convince me there is a Central Jersey, let me tell you that with one of our consultants; it is even harder. This person asked me today, "What is Central Jersey culture? If it is just a mish-mash of the two (North and South). . then I don't call that culture."
OK, and this has no bearing on our line and could be attributed to my native Mercer county pride, but I countered this person and told them that there is no bigger cultural difference in New Jersey than going from Mercer to Burlington. The cable changes, the sports loyalties go from mixed to solid Philly and the newspapers change (somewhat . . still Trenton papers, but the Star Ledger and Philadelphia Inquirer seem to flip flop) and even some voting patterns change.
But my consultant brought up a good point. What IS Central Jersey culture? I have written here before that Monmouth and Mercer county have little in common. I mentioned Kevin Smith (a Monmouth native) in my last posting. And when Clerks came out in 1994 - that movie might have well been set in a foreign country. I didn't know people who tawlked like that and really couldn't call it my Jersey (though I did love the street hockey on the roof). Chasing Amy (a movie I LOVED) also was different. Smith made it seem like every New Jerseyan just hops into "The City" easily; but during my college summers, I was much more likely to go to Philly than New York.
Hence my confusion and feeling like the South Jersey people were never fairly represented when people spoke of New Jersey.
Then, I moved to Margate City after graduating and had people tell me I was from North Jersey. When I argued, they cited the the fact I was an NJ Devils' fan and noted "those long-winded politicians in Trenton." Alas, I had to agree there was a faster pace of life in Mercer compared to Atlantic and even Burlington (that I mentioned earlier) . . .
So, after all of this rambling - the question still remains. What is Central Jersey culture? I challenge readers to come up with a quiz or posting . . . to answer this.
PS - It is acceptable to also say that there is no Central Jersey.
There are others that say, "You know you're from New Jersey when . . . ." also.
But I have yet to find one that says "You know you're from Central Jersey when . . ."
Now if some of you think it is hard to convince me there is a Central Jersey, let me tell you that with one of our consultants; it is even harder. This person asked me today, "What is Central Jersey culture? If it is just a mish-mash of the two (North and South). . then I don't call that culture."
OK, and this has no bearing on our line and could be attributed to my native Mercer county pride, but I countered this person and told them that there is no bigger cultural difference in New Jersey than going from Mercer to Burlington. The cable changes, the sports loyalties go from mixed to solid Philly and the newspapers change (somewhat . . still Trenton papers, but the Star Ledger and Philadelphia Inquirer seem to flip flop) and even some voting patterns change.But my consultant brought up a good point. What IS Central Jersey culture? I have written here before that Monmouth and Mercer county have little in common. I mentioned Kevin Smith (a Monmouth native) in my last posting. And when Clerks came out in 1994 - that movie might have well been set in a foreign country. I didn't know people who tawlked like that and really couldn't call it my Jersey (though I did love the street hockey on the roof). Chasing Amy (a movie I LOVED) also was different. Smith made it seem like every New Jerseyan just hops into "The City" easily; but during my college summers, I was much more likely to go to Philly than New York.
Hence my confusion and feeling like the South Jersey people were never fairly represented when people spoke of New Jersey.Then, I moved to Margate City after graduating and had people tell me I was from North Jersey. When I argued, they cited the the fact I was an NJ Devils' fan and noted "those long-winded politicians in Trenton." Alas, I had to agree there was a faster pace of life in Mercer compared to Atlantic and even Burlington (that I mentioned earlier) . . .
So, after all of this rambling - the question still remains. What is Central Jersey culture? I challenge readers to come up with a quiz or posting . . . to answer this.
PS - It is acceptable to also say that there is no Central Jersey.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Kevin Smith's NY vs. NJ
Director Kevin Smith did a skit for the Concert for New York shortly after September 11th. The quality isn't great, but it provides some laughs.
Friday, June 27, 2008
Photos!
If you'd like to see some still images from our film, you can visit our Facebook group.
I posed for pictures (in the rain) in Hoboken for our hopeful New York Times article, with Alex diSuvero snapping the photos. . . while the rest of the NJ: the movie crew was in Philly.
Seen below, in Philly, is our editor, Andrei Litvinov and producer, Alena Kruchkova, getting ready for the big meeting this weekend! We're calling it a wrap very soon! Stay tuned.
I posed for pictures (in the rain) in Hoboken for our hopeful New York Times article, with Alex diSuvero snapping the photos. . . while the rest of the NJ: the movie crew was in Philly.
Seen below, in Philly, is our editor, Andrei Litvinov and producer, Alena Kruchkova, getting ready for the big meeting this weekend! We're calling it a wrap very soon! Stay tuned.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
This is what stir crazy looks like . . .
Writing, editing and not sleeping. This has been and will be the rest of my week.Why?
-I am finishing up a couple chapters on our planned book with John T. Cunningham and Bob Barnett. . . and want them to be good. Mr. Cunningham's 93rd birthday is this week and I wanted a "gift" for him to be a two newly finished chapters.
-The entire film crew is meting Friday to go over final cuts, paperwork, marketing strategy, film festival submissions, lawyer paperwork, etc.
-I am working with photographer extraordinaire, Christian Lipinski, and organizing a cover/ poster shoot for the film.
-I am also sinking my teeth into a screenplay about the Jersey Shore that I hope to have finished by September. . . . if you liked my last entry, you'll love it.
-I am here blogging - but you are reading, so I appreciate your interest and support! We still need donations . . . I would like to thank Jeff Kosiorek, and Dennis and John Heenan for their recent online contributions to our project, which without these donations, we could not even afford to enter the film into film festivals, let alone travel there . . . your support will be noted and is welcome. If you want to donate: CLICK HERE . . . Thank you again!
Here is a back clip from October at the Chatsworth Cranberry Festival:
Friday, June 20, 2008
Why Jersey Pride is unfashionable . . . for some
Below I attempt to dissect why New Jersey has a wounded self-confidence that is unrelated to its oil refineries, traffic jammed roads or power plants. . . . let me know what you think.
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In October, Jon Bon Jovi was the host of Saturday Night Live. One of his first sketches was portraying Carlo, who works two no-show construction jobs around New Jersey. The game show studio was "located" in Secaucus, NJ and the premise was that anytime anyone found something offensive, they had to buzz in and say, "Ohhhhhhhh" and then explain why it was wrong.
Fred Armisen's character noted that substituting velveeta for ricotta when making baked ziti was like spitting on his grandmother's grave.
All of the characters as well as the host were Italian-Americans from New Jersey and even the girlfriend who came on, was a whiny Italian woman who did the unthinkable: insult Frank Sinatra to her on-and-off boyfriend, the game show host.
Even, before the Sopranos - this has been the image of the iconic New Jerseyan: Italian, working class and thus, uncultured. When Ashley Dupre was revealed to be New York Gov. Spitzer's call-girl, this was only strengthened. (Since her mother's last name was Capalbo - it is safe to say that Dupre has some Italian heritage).
If I asked you to imagine what the prototypical Jersey girl is - she'd probably be the North Jersey Italian (or many times Jewish) girl- as describe here, "the dumb brunettes." Even MadTV had a sketch known as "Jersey ladies" which helped popularize the image of the Jersey Girl. . . though they are somewhat more diverse here:
It is true that not every joke about New Jersey goes back to Italians . . some could argue that the cultures have mish-mashed so much that we're all uniquely "Jersey" now. But, I still argue that the image others have about New Jersey - starts with that usual Italian, North Jersey caricature.
New Jersey has the second largest ratio of Italian-Americans in the US and because of the media's romance with the mafia - this is the image that has endured. It has usually been the North Jersey working class guy - "who tawlks with w's when ordering cawfee and chaw-klate" even though some of the largest Italian-American populations in New Jersey are in Hamilton, Hammonton and Vineland.
It is of important note that most are already third and fourth generation Americans, many have married non-Italians and thus cannot even utter a word of the mother-tongue. (Your writer here is half Italian . . . ma parlo italiano abbastanza bene).
Not all the stereotypes are about Italians, true, but many have started there. However, despite these labels - New Jersey is one of the most diverse states in the nation. We are many cultures, religions and ethnicities and have benefited from them all. We have a vast array of awesome ethnic restaurants because of this. And if you ever check out the New Jersey tourism guide - you can celebrate many ethnic and religious holidays at very big festivals - and gorge yourself on the food that - let me tell you - you cannot get in many other parts of the US. And if you can, the quality is questionable. (My parents now live in Arizona and my dad begs me to bring a piece of pizza or a bagel back from New Jersey . . . we won't even get into Taylor Ham Pork Roll).
When you are right next to the most cultured city in the US, and on your southern half, you have the birthplace of the nation, you will automatically have a complex like you're not good enough. This is why many educated people from North Jersey will tell out-of-staters that they are from "the New York area" or their southern brethren will say they are from "the Philadelphia area" and cringe if they had to utter . . . New Jersey.
While this is going on - many of the blue collar people that I spoke about earlier will embrace the tag of saying, "I'm from New Jersey" along with the Shore people who usually don't try to escape the tag either.
So Jersey Pride has mostly been equated with blue-collar, working class culture (and thus unfashionable for many of the more educated New Jerseyans). And though many musicians like Springsteen, Bon Jovi the band and director Kevin Smith have embraced the state in the media - the bad taste for many remains.
So people fear saying that they are from New Jersey would have them labeled as a "Guido" or perhaps even, "The toxic avenger." And up North, there are those who shun it too and I would think it is why they would rather be Ranger fans than New Jersey Devils fans . . . but let's stay on topic.
I have seen many people at the shore changing this image, whether they meant to or not. They do not hide their Jersey Pride, and although they clash with the group known as "Bennys" - they do share something in common with those Bennys from New Jersey - Jersey Pride, though it may be of a different variety.
So I believe that part of our complex (not the part related to North Jersey being thought of as ugly) is that New Jerseyans, right or wrongly have been stereotyped so much in the media, the North Jersey mafia-tied, Guido guy and big-haired girls- that we seem like such a culturally distinct group - such as the Cajuns in Louisiana - but an undesirable one at that.
And those of us that don't fit under these labels - shun the state as to avoid being labeled unfavorably. In my experience is it certainly why South Jerseyans would say "South Jersey" or "Philadelphia-area" before saying "I'm from New Jersey." . . . They don't want to be called Tony Soprano.
But New Jersey does have culture. We have a tremendous amount of museums, theaters, concert venues and trendy downtowns to make most states jealous. The iconic New Jerseyan as portrayed in the media does exist. . . most stereotypes aren't invented out of thin air and yes, the state has a lot of corruption, but they do blur some lines.
Part of my project in this film has been trying to explore the many New Jersey cultures and find things besides Springsteen and Bon Jovi that unite us and give us all pride. Going here is a big part of that pride for sure. . . but what is Jersey Pride for you?
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Fred Armisen's character noted that substituting velveeta for ricotta when making baked ziti was like spitting on his grandmother's grave.
All of the characters as well as the host were Italian-Americans from New Jersey and even the girlfriend who came on, was a whiny Italian woman who did the unthinkable: insult Frank Sinatra to her on-and-off boyfriend, the game show host.
Even, before the Sopranos - this has been the image of the iconic New Jerseyan: Italian, working class and thus, uncultured. When Ashley Dupre was revealed to be New York Gov. Spitzer's call-girl, this was only strengthened. (Since her mother's last name was Capalbo - it is safe to say that Dupre has some Italian heritage).If I asked you to imagine what the prototypical Jersey girl is - she'd probably be the North Jersey Italian (or many times Jewish) girl- as describe here, "the dumb brunettes." Even MadTV had a sketch known as "Jersey ladies" which helped popularize the image of the Jersey Girl. . . though they are somewhat more diverse here:
It is true that not every joke about New Jersey goes back to Italians . . some could argue that the cultures have mish-mashed so much that we're all uniquely "Jersey" now. But, I still argue that the image others have about New Jersey - starts with that usual Italian, North Jersey caricature.
New Jersey has the second largest ratio of Italian-Americans in the US and because of the media's romance with the mafia - this is the image that has endured. It has usually been the North Jersey working class guy - "who tawlks with w's when ordering cawfee and chaw-klate" even though some of the largest Italian-American populations in New Jersey are in Hamilton, Hammonton and Vineland.
It is of important note that most are already third and fourth generation Americans, many have married non-Italians and thus cannot even utter a word of the mother-tongue. (Your writer here is half Italian . . . ma parlo italiano abbastanza bene).
Not all the stereotypes are about Italians, true, but many have started there. However, despite these labels - New Jersey is one of the most diverse states in the nation. We are many cultures, religions and ethnicities and have benefited from them all. We have a vast array of awesome ethnic restaurants because of this. And if you ever check out the New Jersey tourism guide - you can celebrate many ethnic and religious holidays at very big festivals - and gorge yourself on the food that - let me tell you - you cannot get in many other parts of the US. And if you can, the quality is questionable. (My parents now live in Arizona and my dad begs me to bring a piece of pizza or a bagel back from New Jersey . . . we won't even get into Taylor Ham Pork Roll).
When you are right next to the most cultured city in the US, and on your southern half, you have the birthplace of the nation, you will automatically have a complex like you're not good enough. This is why many educated people from North Jersey will tell out-of-staters that they are from "the New York area" or their southern brethren will say they are from "the Philadelphia area" and cringe if they had to utter . . . New Jersey.
While this is going on - many of the blue collar people that I spoke about earlier will embrace the tag of saying, "I'm from New Jersey" along with the Shore people who usually don't try to escape the tag either.
So Jersey Pride has mostly been equated with blue-collar, working class culture (and thus unfashionable for many of the more educated New Jerseyans). And though many musicians like Springsteen, Bon Jovi the band and director Kevin Smith have embraced the state in the media - the bad taste for many remains.
So people fear saying that they are from New Jersey would have them labeled as a "Guido" or perhaps even, "The toxic avenger." And up North, there are those who shun it too and I would think it is why they would rather be Ranger fans than New Jersey Devils fans . . . but let's stay on topic.
I have seen many people at the shore changing this image, whether they meant to or not. They do not hide their Jersey Pride, and although they clash with the group known as "Bennys" - they do share something in common with those Bennys from New Jersey - Jersey Pride, though it may be of a different variety.
So I believe that part of our complex (not the part related to North Jersey being thought of as ugly) is that New Jerseyans, right or wrongly have been stereotyped so much in the media, the North Jersey mafia-tied, Guido guy and big-haired girls- that we seem like such a culturally distinct group - such as the Cajuns in Louisiana - but an undesirable one at that.
And those of us that don't fit under these labels - shun the state as to avoid being labeled unfavorably. In my experience is it certainly why South Jerseyans would say "South Jersey" or "Philadelphia-area" before saying "I'm from New Jersey." . . . They don't want to be called Tony Soprano.
But New Jersey does have culture. We have a tremendous amount of museums, theaters, concert venues and trendy downtowns to make most states jealous. The iconic New Jerseyan as portrayed in the media does exist. . . most stereotypes aren't invented out of thin air and yes, the state has a lot of corruption, but they do blur some lines.
Part of my project in this film has been trying to explore the many New Jersey cultures and find things besides Springsteen and Bon Jovi that unite us and give us all pride. Going here is a big part of that pride for sure. . . but what is Jersey Pride for you?
Thursday, June 19, 2008
NJ 101.5 traffic report
NJ 101.5 FM radio does traffic every 15 minutes, and during rush hour - they break each traffic report into "New Jersey Traffic North" or "New Jersey Traffic South."
It exactly follows our Dunkin' Donuts line, and by now - you probably don't have to be a genius to figure out that NJ 101.5 and Dunkin' Donuts follow the greater media market each NJ county falls into: New York or Philadelphia. But people keep labeling Mercer County either the "Princeton-Trenton metro area" or New York (which wikipedia claims is new as of 2000). I can't seem to prove it . . . but I will say that our line goes through counties . . . and towns!
It exactly follows our Dunkin' Donuts line, and by now - you probably don't have to be a genius to figure out that NJ 101.5 and Dunkin' Donuts follow the greater media market each NJ county falls into: New York or Philadelphia. But people keep labeling Mercer County either the "Princeton-Trenton metro area" or New York (which wikipedia claims is new as of 2000). I can't seem to prove it . . . but I will say that our line goes through counties . . . and towns!
Monday, June 16, 2008
My favorite New Jersey towns
I am very busy this week - but will try to blog as much as I can . . .
So I thought I would quickly list my favorite NJ towns. I would recommend these to any of you for day trips this summer:
1. Atlantic City - Some bars don't close at all and either do the casinos.
2. Lambertville - Right across from New Hope, PA - If my girlfriend and I ever get married and start a family - this is the number one spot in Jersey where I would want to live (if I ever wanted to leave the fast-paced Hoboken).
3. Red Bank - Locals tell me the town has changed, but with a great mix of culture and salt air (and many Devils' fans) this town ranks very high with me.
4. Haddonfield - a wealthy Philadelphia suburb gets major points for its downtown and its accessibility to the PATCO.
5. Princeton - Because of the University, this feels more like a New England town in many ways, especially with historic Baker Rink, which is still my favorite place to watch an ice hockey game.
6. Cape May - If you're a couple - there is no better place . . . ANY season. Ranks third in the US in wedding destinations behind Disney World and Vegas.
7. New Brunswick - So much energy because of Rutgers and is much more of a city than Princeton.
8. Hoboken - It's my town and if you're young - there is no better place to party . . . well . . besides . . . AC.
9. & 10. . . . you PICK with your emails and comments; I'm interested!
So I thought I would quickly list my favorite NJ towns. I would recommend these to any of you for day trips this summer:
1. Atlantic City - Some bars don't close at all and either do the casinos.2. Lambertville - Right across from New Hope, PA - If my girlfriend and I ever get married and start a family - this is the number one spot in Jersey where I would want to live (if I ever wanted to leave the fast-paced Hoboken).
3. Red Bank - Locals tell me the town has changed, but with a great mix of culture and salt air (and many Devils' fans) this town ranks very high with me.
4. Haddonfield - a wealthy Philadelphia suburb gets major points for its downtown and its accessibility to the PATCO.
5. Princeton - Because of the University, this feels more like a New England town in many ways, especially with historic Baker Rink, which is still my favorite place to watch an ice hockey game.
6. Cape May - If you're a couple - there is no better place . . . ANY season. Ranks third in the US in wedding destinations behind Disney World and Vegas.
7. New Brunswick - So much energy because of Rutgers and is much more of a city than Princeton.
8. Hoboken - It's my town and if you're young - there is no better place to party . . . well . . besides . . . AC.
9. & 10. . . . you PICK with your emails and comments; I'm interested!
Sunday, June 15, 2008
On WPHT 1210am tonight
I will be on Philadelphia Radio Station WPHT 1210 AM tonight . . . talking about the film, NJ facts and taking calls. The show is 1210 Tonight with Dr. Anthony Mazzarelli and I will be on at 10pm . . . check it out!
Also become a fan of our film on our Facebook or Myspace sites!
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