The BQE Financial Soundness Indicator (BQEFSI)

After driving to Staten Island and taking pictures of every empty billboard along the way this weekend, I posited a theory that the number of empty billboards could somehow be a leading indicator of the US economy's financial soundness--or something. I calculate the BQEFSI by dividing the number of miles from the Queens border to the end of the Gowanus Expressway (approximately 8 miles) by the total number of empty billboards (14) in both directions. That puts the BQEFSI at .5714. I don't want to alarm anyone, but that's the lowest we've seen it since I started keeping records.




Below: Below the little mermaid sign, there are 3 (one is not visible) illegal billboards for lease on that building.

The Downtown 4/5/6 Platform at Grand Central

I couldn't help but notice these six large posters a gentleman was assembling here today. Each sign tugs at your heartstrings--assuming you have a heart. Some of it seems a bit embellished though: his landlord has only given him until December 24th before he's immediately evicted; he was just hit by a taxi and one of the injuries was "spinal disorder and laceration to the right arm." Regardless of the truthiness of the details, it's a strong presentation replete with caricatures of himself in the future out on the streets being homeless.


That's him setting up the change receptacle under the poster explaining his Metrocard expired and he can't get work if he can't get to the interview.

Conspiracy?

Early one morning walking the dogs I came across this commercial-looking van that had North Carolina license plates. Two people were canvassing the streets for aluminum cans with shopping carts (stolen shopping carts?). Not quite sure if they're actually from NC or just recently moved, but if they are from out-of-state we could have a full blown conspiracy on our hands

Signs of a Downturn In The Economy

This is the facade of the old Zen Palate in Union Square. It looks as if scavengers are peeling off that green copper flashing for scrap. There goes the neighborhood.