What’s the Story?

Posted on January 13, 2009 by Nettie

    Since moving to Bed-Stuy, I’ve seen many things that made me go “hmmm”. They usually involve questionable wardrobe and/or hairstyle choices. This piano, chained out in front of a house on Gates Ave bet. Bedford and Nostrand, just may be one of the most unusual things I’ve seen.

    I took out my camera and snapped a quick picture before I continued my walk home. My head was full of thoughts about the story behind this piano. I’ve walked along this street many times and I ride past this house on the bus several times a week. How have I missed this? How long has it been there? Who would leave a piano outside? Why wouldn’t they protect it from the elements? But the most dominant question was: Why the hell didn’t they take it in the house?

    If they moved it all the way there, what prevented them from getting it inside? My sofa is bigger than this piano and two small Mexican men easily moved it up three flights of steps. Owning a piano is a luxury that most will never have. It makes me sad to see it weathered and unloved.

    What’s the story? Does anyone know?

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    6 Responses to What’s the Story?

    1. anon says:
      January 13, 2009 at 1:01 pm

      One line of this little missive has pretty racist overtones. Two small Mexican men could carry this up the stairs, but lets not talk about Mexican men as if this was their lot in life. As a frequent reader of this blog I was offended. Please watch your racial characterizations, especially when they are meant to be humorous.

    2. Nettie says:
      January 13, 2009 at 8:26 pm

      That remark was not meant to offend. I have a lot of respect for Mexican people. I was stating a fact about the movers who delivered my couch, I didn’t intend to be humorous. I apologize for making you feel that way.

    3. Ben says:
      January 14, 2009 at 6:10 pm

      This is my apartment building, where the piano is. It’s been chained there for several weeks, looked to be in great shape when it first appeared, is now vandalized and rotting from the winter weather. (Even when it first appeared they keys did not work, but it looked to be fixable with some professional work.) I have no idea why it’s out there, why it’s chained up, or whose it is. I don’t think it is the super’s.

    4. Nettie says:
      January 15, 2009 at 1:45 am

      Thanks for the info Ben.

    5. Pingback: What’s the story? | Bed-Stuy Blog

    6. Drew says:
      February 18, 2009 at 5:47 pm

      I saw the super putting it by the curb this morning. (in pieces)