Phil Henshaw

Behavior

Magical thinking

The mysterious magic by which the news media and pundits make up a new past and future for our entire life support system repeatedly... is sort of miraculous. It's as good a sign as events never going way anyone predicts as a sign no one knows what they're talking about.

There's also the universal "back to the land", "make do less" and "move apart from the big" motivations, running from the big issues instead “leaving no stone unturned” in understanding how big things actually grow, stabilize, and then are sometimes pushed to collapse.

Also, though it's more obscure, the complete media blackout on discussing "the physical world problem", when that is precisely where the most glaring “hidden in sight” real problems are.

Uptown and Down

Lorraine Savoy

Bright

Birthday Parties come home

Four years ago every birthday my daughter attended was an elaborate affair held at a party-place (except her own!). Now, my younger daughter has gone to home parties with hot dogs on the grill and home-made cakes. It's nice to see a return to the more simple ways!

Pauline in Queens

Behavior

psychics are getting more aggresive

Since the beginning of the economic downturn in 2008, I've noticed that psychics have taken to the streets to find clients and have pursued them in a much more aggressive manner.

Around 10:30 p.m. on a weekend night in July, I was walking through Union Square when a woman sitting on a folding chair surrounded by candles asked me if I would like a palm reading or a tarot card reading; she was quite insistent, and I gave in.

A few days later, on 37th Ave. in Jackson Heights (Queens), I was simply walking down the street past a supermarket when a much younger woman all but accosted me, insisting that I do a psychic reading with her; I just kept on walking.

So this strikes me as anecdotal evidence that the recession has hit psychics as well as everyone else; but then again, why wouldn't it? You don't need to be psychic to figure that one out.

4 Union Square South, New York, NY 10003, 7507 37th Ave., Jackson Heights, NY 11372

Peter Leeds

Behavior

WNYC's UEI

WNYC's promo for a story today about how to prevent your bike from being stolen. It suggests that people are not only driving less, but also using less mass transportation and, instead relying on good 'ol pedal power. What's more, they're taking extra precautions to protect their bikes because they can't afford new ones.

Stefanie Kelly

Behavior

The Grass Is Higher On The Other Side...

Living in the Princeton, NJ area I'm noticing one uncomon economic indicator -- the grass in the numerous corporate parks around our home. They aren't being mowed as often and the quality of the lawn doesn't look as good as last year. Must be a sign of the economic times.

Princeton, NJ 08540

jon coleman

Behavior

Stripper Index

I live across the street from Scores and have ample opportunity to monitor the comings and goings of this venerable NYC gentleman's establishment. Not only do fewer clients now patronize Scores (reflecting the loss of financial sector jobs... the foundation of any "gentlemen's club" 's revenue stream) but I have also noticed that the "dancers" have been getting...hmmm... let's say less attractive. Perhaps politically incorrect, but clearly economically sound.

536 west 28th st. between 10th & 11th ave

Matthew Kloss

Behavior

Music Lessons

I am a music teacher, teaching private lessons on double bass, cello, piano and guitar. I am certainly seeing a drop in numbers with younger students due to the economy, but I have had a boom of adult students, particularly on guitar.

People are going out less and can only watch so much TV. Adults are coming to me saying "I've had this old guitar for years" or "I always wanted to learn to play."

Even if they need to save to buy one, most people are able to afford a cheap instrument.

49 Mt. Pleasant Ave., West Orange, NJ 07052-4901

Yulia

Commerce

The Bread of Life... and Death.

I walked by our local Monument/Tombstone store in Williamsburg and noticed that they are now selling Bread! I guess you really need to be flexible in these economic times... From the Fortunato Bakery though.. that's some great bread...

Graham Avenue, Brooklyn NY

Ellen Herman

Behavior

Taking hardcovers to the beach??

My daughter and I went to the Jersey Shore one recent sunny Saturday. Once settled in I looked at the goups around us at Seven Presidents State Park. I wasn't surprised to see people opening coolers and eating lunches which appeared to have been packed, rather than bought at the concession stand. What surprised me? Everyone around me was reading library books-- rather than disposable--and more costly--paperbacks. This is definitely a switch from previous summers.

Leila Shifteh

Commerce

Gray's Papaya recession special

I saw this sign at Gray's Papaya in midtown on the west side advertising a "recession special" right after hearing about your call for photos on uncommon economic indicators.

Midtown Manhattan on the westside

Barbara Mehlman

Employment

Sad Highways

I drive the Merritt Pkwy in Connecticut often when I go to visit my daughters in Massachusetts. This highway is considered one of the most scenic in the northeast and for good reason-- beautifully landscaped and exquisitely groomed, especially the center median. Last week, as I drove to Massachusetts, I couldn't help noticing that the median and shoulders were all full of weeds. This is also true on the Northern State Pkwy on LI. It means that groundskeepers have been eliminated; equipment is being idled to save gas, wear and tear.

6 Terrace Circle, Apt. 2D

Edwin Roberts

Behavior

The Economy effects Emergency Medical Services Crews

As a NYC 9-1-1 paramedic for 20 years i've noticed staffing changes that could be linked to the economy.

In the past I had one paramedic partner who worked 8 hours a day 5 days a week on my shift; we were a team and the treatment routine and roles were well established and rehearsed.

Money is tight. To make ends meet paramedics are compressing their work schedules so that they can work at many institutions within the same week.

For example, a paramedic may complete his/her shift obligation in 3 days at one employer only to work the same compressed schedule later in the week elsewhere - equivalent to almost 2 full-time jobs.

Why is this a problem? Double shifts on a busy day are exhausting and mistakes can happen. Also, positive patient care outcomes work better when the team members are rested and have a regular working relationship.

Chaos is the unwanted "third partner" when you really dont know your partner and can't predict his/her intentions on serious jobs.

Paula Coyle

Commerce

Lunch Menus come Faxing In

When I started my current position in January, 08, my office would receive 2-3 menus via fax from local eateries announcing their daily lunch specials. We now receive between 6-8 menus daily, which seems to indicate that businesses are anxious for more lunch trade.

900 South Avenue, Staten Island, NY 10314

Diana Johnson

Behavior

Taxiiiii!!!

I keep hearing the woman comment on the commercial that "it's easier to catch a cab, so less people must be taking cabs." I think you should ask a cab driver what's going on, because I think that's only part of the story. I've talked to drivers before, and they've told me that many drivers go to their home country in the summers. This summer, they can't afford to do that. Also, it's more than the immigrants who are driving now as more people have lost their jobs. So there are more drivers flooding the market, meaning drivers are getting less money to cover their costs, and a lot are having a really hard time. But really, you should ask some cab drivers, rather than the passenger who takes a cab maybe once a month.

Lydia

Behavior

People are more annoying!

I work with volunteers at an organization, and I've noticed that, as more and more people come to me with stories of being laid off, they're also much more concerned with intricate details. Suddenly people seem to have more completely unnecessary questions and complaints, and irrational and unrealistic ideas, and they expect me to return emails and phone calls within an hour.
It seems to me that people who've been laid off have lost their sense of perspective, when it comes to demanding things of other people.

Chelsea, Manhattan

Joseph Neumayer

Commerce

“Wall Street Journal: The Diet Edition” or “Lean Times in Financial Words”

My uncommon, daily economic indicator comes from noticing that, since the beginning of the year, the home-delivery, print edition, of the Wall Street Journal has been getting thinner, and thinner, and thinner.

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26 Stephen Ave., New Hyde Park, NY

stafford

Housing

1/2 finished building

There are a number of lots in my corner of woodside that are cleared, but there is yet no building occurring. However there is a huge apartment building that is 3/4 finished, and work seems to have stopped some time ago. (59th street between 47th ave and 48th ave) (ALSO QUEENS BLVD @ 61st ST) Photos to follow

Mark Dignam

Commerce

Retreads

I drive to Nashville, TN a couple of times a year. This last trip I noticed many more retreads on the shoulders of the interstates than ever before.

sandra

Housing

empty/unfinished lux-condo

St. George, Staten Island: Bay Landing, blue building unfinished; Bay Street @ Victory Blvd, only one apt. apparently filled; Richmond Terrace @ NIcholas Str., brand new, completely empty.

Rick Grossman

Behavior

Gift Card Usage

Our Toy Stores in Hillsborough and Branchburg NJ sell and redeem Gift Cards. It allows someone to give a gift when they are uncertain as to the child's wishes. Children love spending their gift cards.

The trend recently has been that parents collect their children's gift cards and use tthem to purchase gifts for a party that their child is going to...a sort of modern re-gifting. Similarly this happens with items that are returned for store credit. It's the modern way of re-gifting, except parents are regifting their children's presents.

314 Route 206, Hillsborough, NJ 08844