Gowanus Canal - A Story of Sludge

I live on the Gowanus Canal in Brooklyn, NY. I am now out of the closet about it. Originally, I once lived in a magical, clean and less smelly place called: Carroll Gardens. However, when my husband and I were tired of using our kitchen sink as the bathroom sink and sharing 2 closets that could easily pass for shelf-less bookcases, we started the arduous process of looking for a new apartment. When Craigslist, the almighty New York apartment finder, pointed its almighty ad for a place near the Canal with a deck, washing machine, walk-in closet, and only one stop from every express train in Brooklyn.... we couldn't resist the call.

So I use to respond to "Where do you live?" with "I-live-in-between-Carroll-Gardens-and-Park -Slope." and then quickly change the topic of conversation, lest be subjected to "Aren't you afraid of the pollution?!?!" But now I can relish in saying that I live on the Gowanus, right by the old-fashioned, oddly side-ways drawing drawbridge. It's also quickly becoming a small, delicate, refuge for artists looking to squat or rent for considerably less than the surrounding hipster neighborhoods. We all wait in fear to become 'Williamsburg' stretching across all of Brooklyn with no borders, rhyme, or reason. It also once housed a whale named 'Sludgie' who died a day after getting lost in said canal, and also a seal aptly named Gowanda. May she rest in peace.

So for awhile there was a boat called The Empty Vessel Project, a rescued WWII boat that was drug into the polluted canal. After being fixed up, it offered gallery showings, spoken word performances, and other such art fare. Somewhere along the way, I read a local blog that said the veseel was sold to a lesbian couple for $1, who now plan to eventually host alternative weddings on its roof, art events, and offer lodging to travelers.

I've grown quite accustomed to the magical aroma of the Gowanus. I've also grown to adore the jumping fish (probably mutated), winter ducks (they refuse to leave even when it's 10 below), and the dude who watches movies projected up on his sailboat mast. There is a certain calm and charm to it all and it's quite stunning at sunset. However, I'm not entirely sure if travelers would want to venture down to the Gowanus, an area largely known for looming, empty warehouses, and being squashed between two hipster neighborhoods to which neither the two shall wander. It also appears to be a rather small boat. Will there be showers? A kitchen? A toilet? Or will people just unbutton and aim over the boat?

I'm not so sure about this idea, though it could take some time to come into fruition, if at all. This is the same Canal that developers wanted to transform into a modern, Sopranos style Venice where people would row their urban gondolas down its waters to grab a bite, have a drink, and visit their neighbors. I'm not sure if any of those developers have ever eaten at Monte's Restaurant, where a poster of Prizzi's Honor proudly hangs and every mafia related actor, singer, performer has frequented.

Not sure what kind of Venice it's going to be.

Watch the latest videos on YouTube.com