Juliet's Journal
Hoboken 101
April 17, 2008
Somehow, the fairly extensive (and of course, compelling and highly articulate) blog I wrote yesterday was sent out into oblivion and I can’t retrieve it. I purged my inbox, sent and deleted files and God only knows where the damn thing is.
So, a new day, a new blog. (Seriously, I’m upset because yesterday’s blog — well let’s just say it probably could’ve been the one that garnered me the Nobel Peace Prize)
Today’s show was cool because I had my peeps (my girls as they say) in the audience: Audrey and Alicia. They’re the ones sitting in the front row to the right (if you’re looking from the stage at the audience). Audrey’s easy to spot; she has flaming red hair and a turquoise blouse. Alicia has the long, brown hair and very stylish outfit. They’re two of my closest friends and one of the reasons I’ve come to love living here in NYC. Well, actually we all live across the Hudson in Hoboken (heretofore “the ‘boken”), New Jersey. What is that? You say you would like to know more about the ‘boken?
Hoboken was named by Col. John Stevens, but the first person to basically say “hey, this is a cool spot” was Henry Hudson who was sailing a ship for the Dutch East India Company back in 1603. It was sold back and forth until finally in the early 1800’s, Col. Stevens basically took it over and started the redevelopment project. Which is kind of a joke because there wasn’t much to redevelop at the time. He did see big things though for tourism — Hoboken has low lands and cliffs, both along the Hudson River and right across from what is essentially the Meatpacking District in Manhattan up to Midtown Manhattan. But if you’re standing on the promenade (developed much later in modern times) you can look across the Hudson and see all of Manhattan, from top to bottom. You can actually see the George Washington Bridge, which is pretty far north. Anyway, Col. Stevens figured the rich folks across the Hudson in highly developed (well, that was relative) Manhattan needed a playground. Hoboken was perfect because they could cross the beautiful, fairly calm river in their rowboats and picnic on the cliff. That cliff is now the location of Stevens Institute of Technology.
During World War I, the town became the embarkment point for soldiers going off to fight. General Pershing’s “Heaven, Hell or Hoboken…by Christmas” was the motto for men hoping to return early.
It was the birthplace of baseball, although to this day there are people who dispute that. The first organized game between two clubs was played there in 1846 at Elysian Fields. There’s a spot at 11th Street and Washington Street that commemorates that day. Now there’s a really cool restaurant just across and down called “Elysian Café.”
Music lovers in the NYC area know the place directly across from the baseball spot — it’s a live music venue called “Maxwell’s.” Bruce Springsteen shot the “Glory Days” video there.
The ‘boken was also reportedly the site of the invention of the zipper, and the accidental invention of soft ice cream. The world’s first Blimpie restaurant opened there in the early 60’s, and it’s still there today. The first Oreo was sold there. Ironically, some little twit who made my life a living hell in 7th grade (“Muffy”) (I am not kidding you) called me “Oreo” because I had a dark mole right on my lower lip line. Sometimes people would say “hey, you still have Oreo on your face”. No, it’s a mole people. RIP, Oreo mole.
Anyway, it’s a lovely town, very friendly, very historic. Oh I forgot to mention it’s the birthplace of Frank Sinatra. Other notables who live nearby are Artie Lange from Howard Stern’s radio show. Joe Pantoleano (he played Guido the Killer Pimp in “Risky Business”) and Eli Manning. I’ve never seen Eli Manning though, which is weird because the town is pretty small and the commercial part of town is basically one main road, “Washington Street.” I’ve run into Joey Pants (Pantoleano’s name on the “Sopranos”) a few times. He’s really nice, very friendly. Actor/singer Danny Aiello is ALWAYS at a local Italian restaurant, the same table, same chair. He’s also another great guy.
And of course, the Superstar of Superstars, Stud of Studs, Michael Eugene Jerrick is a Hoboken resident.
So, now that you’ve graduated from Hoboken 101… Stop by if you’re ever around. Have lunch at The Madison — amazing turkey burger. Or hang outside on the patio for cocktails at Trinity which is right there down along the water, near 3rd Street.
Audrey and Alicia were excited to see Willem Dafoe, who is, surprisingly, a shy but really friendly guy. I don’t know, I guess I thought he’d be kind of a badass since he always seems to play lunatics in his movies. He was very sweet! He spends time living in Rome with his wife Giada, who is gorgeous. Can you imagine — living in Rome? I told him I’m going there this summer and maybe he’d let Doug and me stay in his guest house. He kind of laughed nervously. I’m like “Kidding, Willem”.
Sort of ha-ha.
Tonight I’m heading to two events that should be pretty cool. Robin Quivers, Howard Stern’s sidekick is hosting a charity event and Mike and I are popping in for that. Then we’re heading over to an OK! Magazine event. Busy night. If I seem tired tomorrow, well, you know why.
