11/23/04 Chillin at Elana's Park Slope (South?) Flat:

Some time today I took this photo of the parts of the Manhattan skyline visible from the Broadway platform in Astoria:

Then I met Elana at her apartment in Brooklyn to see it and hang out for the evening:

Elana lives with a family that has the downstairs part of the brownstone, and she shares the upper part with two roommates, including the girl pictured above. This is their satellite kitchen that they can use without going into the family space downstairs, which they often do anyway. They all help take care of the family's kids in return for a slightly lower-than-normal rent.

It's a late 1800's building with original tin ceilings.

They also share a cute common area.

Bathroom with real old-fashioned tub with feet. Most people I know find this to be an amenity. I tend to be reminded of all the people over the past century who have spent some time spreading their organic matter that is still rotting or has rotted in there. I'm neurotic, I know.

On our way out, I got to see some of the family at home downstairs. It was so... communal. I smiled shyly and ran out the door.