New York is one of the few cities in the world that tempts visitors to return again and again. But, shopping aside, there are only so many times you can go up the Empire State Building or take a horse-drawn carriage through Central Park. Since the average New Yorker fled the hyper-expensive and overly commercialised island of Manhattan long ago, why not follow? Join the locals in Brooklyn, and sample some of the alternative spots that make life in New York City worth living…

I have a travel piece about Brooklyn on guardian.co.uk today.

Related:
Brooklyn or Bust (guardian.co.uk)

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In today’s NYT, David Brooks says the Republicans can learn a thing or two from the British Conservative Party, who “are on the way up, while American conservatives are on the way down.”

But perhaps the Conservatives’ change in fortune has more to do with Labor fatigue, and disillusionment over Tony Blair and his dismal replacement Gordon Brown, than with anything David Cameron’s Conservatives have to offer.

After all, here is the new PM laboring under the glare of a daytime TV host and being made to look more like a trainee salesman than a prime minister. If Brown can’t sound convincing in front of Fern Britton, what chance does he stand on the campaign trail in a general election? (Via Anorak.)

Related:
Anorak in New York (watch to the end of this video to see how many New Yorkers can name the British Prime Minister.)

Thanks to A Brooklyn Lad for forwarding this creepy Craigslist ad “$100 Great offer for open minded woman (East Village)“:

I live alone in the East Village, and have an empty bedroom and a lot of space. I am offering the empty room w/private bathroom for only $100 a month. Here is the catch…of course there is a catch. I’m a white late 20′s guy that works in finance. I work A LOT and therefore my social life has become nonexistent. So, I want to add a little bit of excitement to my life. I would like to rent the room to a woman between the age of 18-27. You should be a free spirited, liberal minded person who is very open minded. I would like you to be a slim attractive girl who is OK with occasionally walking around or hanging out in her underwear < ---yes...that would be the slightly crazy part.

I especially like the end of the ad, which includes a photo and the line:

PLEASE do NOT respond by saying “WHY WOULD A GUY AS GOOD LOOKING AS YOU WANT TO DO SOMETHING LIKE THIS”. We all have our reasons…..Thanks

This has got to be a joke, right?

Related:
$100 Great offer for open minded woman (East Village) (Craigslist)

I am completely out of it at the moment: headache, runny nose, itchy eyes. I don’t remember my allergies ever being as severe as they have been the past 24 hours. This clip, of Italian sports commentators celebrating Milan’s win over Inter Milan, was perhaps the one bright spot in a thoroughly unproductive day. (Via Alex Massie.)

My friends Kate and Cameron at Architecture for Humanity have launched an appeal to support reconstruction efforts in Myanmar:

Often media attention focuses on relief efforts. Months later, after the cameras have left, communities face the difficult task of rebuilding with little support. Architecture for Humanity offers support and technical expertise when it is needed most during the reconstruction phase.

Our work will focus on rebuilding sustainable clinics, schools, community centers and other critical infrastructure as well as housing. Past experience has shown that these buildings serve as critical anchors in helping communities rebuild and families restart their lives.

You can donate money here.

Related:
Burma’s Cyclone Death Toll Soars (BBC)
Architecture for Humanity (AFH)

According to Gowanus Lounge, Myrtle the turtle could be the latest victim of Williamsburg gentrification—or at least trigger happy painters at a local construction site.

Related:
Williamsburg Animal Cruelty: Did Construction Workers Paint This Backyard Turtle? (Gowanus Lounge)

An entertaining, if rather one-sided, take on the Clinton-Obama battle so far. (Via Steve Garfield Twitter.)