On December 18, 1997, “Seinfeld” aired the classic episode, “The Strike.” In a cherished sit-com scene, Frank Costanza resurrects the Festivus holiday with Kramer by his side at H&H Bagels on the Upper West Side. Costanza remarks, “At the Festivus dinner, you gather your family around, and you tell them all the ways they have disappointed you over the past year.” This is officially known in Festivus as ‘the Airing of Grievances.’
We’re welcoming all of you readers to air your grievances and complaints for 2021 in the comments section below. On December 23, the official day of Festivus, we’ll publish the best ones (if there are enough to choose from!).
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“I got a lot of problems with you people, and now you’re gonna hear about it!” – Frank Costanza
Upset with another dismal season by the New York Jets? Delays on the MTA? The fact the new Australian Bakery, Bourke Street, doesn’t have proper lamington? Air it out!
Drama with a co-worker? A sibling? A classmate? A stranger? Perhaps you were miffed by a pet or some kind of trainer? Maybe a gripe with a postal worker or even a dentist? Air it out!
READ MORE: Seinfeld Locations on the Upper West Side!
If you’re not completely versed with all the ins and outs of Festivus, this is a terrific training video. You can also find a lot of juicy tidbits about Festivus, including its true inspiration behind the scenes at FestivusWeb.com.
The actor who played Frank Costanza, the great Jerry Stiller (RIP), was an Upper West Sider for many years, which makes this especially sweet. It was in 1965 when Stiller, his wife Meara and their first child Amy moved from Washington Heights to 118 Riverside Drive, between 83rd and 84th Streets. Their second child (and second to become an actor), Ben Stiller, was born shortly after. At the time, the building was a rental, and they were paying $220 per month.
We hope Jerry’s smiling down on us as we now set out to look for an aluminum pole (Frank Costanza found tinsel distracting), and prepare for the ‘Feats of Strength.’
Seinfeld is currently available to stream on Netflix. The Strike is Season 9, Episode 10. The episode also airs on December 23 at 8pm on Comedy Central.
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We’d also like to thank the Tampa Bay Times for helping inspire the Festivus return on the Upper West Side. They’re not too far from Del Boca Vista and have been running their own Festivus ‘Airing of Grievances’ for six years now.
Yea I’m really sick of the Covid Karens. Mind your own damn business in the stores and subways and restaurants and streets. Nobody made you a court-appointed mask police, so shut your mouth and live & let live before you get bricked upside the fuckin head.
I’m sorry but how in god’s green Earth is this comment allowed? This is a brash comment threatening violence on people that are only out to protect one another. If you don’t want to properly wear a mask then stay the hell home or we’ll brick you for not complying with the way we are told to comply.
My grievance/s for the day (Dec. 18th 2021):
The southbound M104 bus fully blocking the crosswalk at Broadway [Amsterdam] and West 71st at 2:39 PM, and the autofocus on my camera blurred the bus number so I can’t complain directly to the MTA with documentation.
Various, “we must be tested today”, lines on the upper west side at Covid testing tents on the sidewalks and outside of various storefronts.
The day’s not over.
But at least I wasn’t held up for a food delivery on West 89th street.
My grievance — supposedly we have the best city transportation in the world, with buses and trains every 3 minutes. So how come whenever I need to take the bus, and I dutifully send the bus code to that 511123 text number, the mind-blowing message is returned: M104, 2.3miles away, 19 minutes.
Todd,
Where did you get the idea that NYC has the world’s best public transportation?
Have you been to Paris or London? Both are better. And I only cite them because I’ve been there. I more than suspect the Tokyo and Beijing systems are better too. And Berlin, and Toronto, etc. (And I’ve been to Toronto.)
Maybe this could be the one day of the year the people don’t air their grievances.
I had a different grievance, but now my grievance is this guy who posts this dumb comment so he can think he’s better than everybody else.
… and all you people who voted for DeBlasio.
The arrogance of Bloomberg’s illegal 3rd term prompted people to vote for someone not associated with Bloomberg and his favoritism for only the very rich.
And I’m not someone who voted for De Blasio in the general elections of 2013 and 2017.
My 2021 grievance is people who want the city to “get back to normal” but won’t get vaccinated, or who want to harass and berate employees enforcing a mask mandate in their stores or restaurants. Want the city to go back to “normal”, whatever normal is? Stop being selfish and acting like a petulant child, and do what is needed, don’t bit*h about it!
Robin:
“My 2021 grievance is people who want the city to “get back to normal” but won’t get vaccinated,…”
So you want to blame your neighbors who don’t wish to take drugs that don’t work especially well.
You do know that you absolutely can still be infected if you’re “vaccinated” and that you can then infect others despite your status?
Indeed your grievance is one that espouses division.
And I have a grievance with those who insist that “vaccines” are effective and more than imply that the vaxxed don’t also become infected and spread the Covid.
My grievance is on how public health and politics were involved in a head-on collision. The fact that people are questioning the efficacy of mRNA vaccines (already an incredible marvel of science) without understanding how vaccines and boosters work against mutations (let’s call it what they really are) breaks my heart.
To put it simply: they reduce severe cases and hospitalizations, aka we help keep our healthcare heroes’ sanities and not overflow hospital beds.
All I could ever want in 2022 is to end the vile and acerbic angers disguised as either overwhelming policy policing or protecting personal freedoms and choices and begin a deeper understanding: that public health was, is, and never will be political and only for the greater good.
And I have a big grievance with redefining the term “vaccine” so it now ostensibly includes the experimental gene therapy based mRNA drugs.
Another grievance, those who pretend the mRNA drugs, which do reduce the risk of hospitalization for the injected, prevent the injected from being infected and spreading the Covid to others. See your last paragraph.
mRNA vaccines are vaccines. Messenger RNA is responsible for protein synthesis, so these vaccines develop viral proteins that teach the immune system to produce antibodies to combat it.
https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/understanding/therapy/mrnavaccines/
And, for what it’s worth, while it’s rare for vaccines to eradicate an epidemic (like polio), it’s important, again, for the greater good, to help reduce those hospitalizations.
mRNA vaccines have been in development for decades, and now it’s being tested on malaria (https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/biontech-aims-develop-mrna-based-malaria-vaccine-2021-07-26/). I’m going to take the high and optimistic route here in this reply, because science.
The injected vaccine teaches the body to produce mainly anti bodies which are ineffective in fighting off air born lung attacking viruses. That’s why the vaccinated are passing on and getting Covid still. You need to make killer T cells for effective covid fighting. The previously infected people’s immune system learns that. The vaccine is teaching your system the wrong fighting technique. Every booster is reinforcing that bad response.
Oh, there’s no question that Killer T cells are more effective that Helper T cells (antibody production). I’m also not surprised that development of vaccines dedicated to Killer T production is already underway.
But mRNA vaccines are helpful in lowering the severity of COVID-19…for now. Imagine if these vaccines could successfully be evolved to help produce Killer Ts.
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-00367-7
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/08/210816143933.htm
Good articles thanks. Beyond Covid responses, I am grieving about letting criminals go free to prey on us over and over.
You’re very welcome!! Have a wonderful holiday with your friends and loved ones!
No, conventional vaccines don’t use genetic engineering of your immune system to prompt an immune response.
There is NO previous widespread use of mRNA immune stimulants. I don’t care if the idea was demonstrated in a lab back in 2002.
You don’t seem to know much about these drugs outside of received talking points.
True, this is the first time mRNA vaccines have been used. But conventional vaccines have been notoriously difficult to present consistent efficacy with consistently mutating viruses (see: flu shot). Which is why it’s a marvel to see the development finally see the light AND get enough attention to warrant resources and money to work for malaria.
That said, to make that casual assumption without knowing my background (which is within the pharma and biotech research world, by the way), is both saddening and unsurprising. Derek’s response, on the other hand, I can respect as it comes with an educated response.
I genuinely hope you have a happy and safe holiday with your family and loved ones and will, again, take the high road here.
It’s not an assumption that you’re just quoting received talking points about the mRNA drugs, and don’t seem to know much about them, example: when you implied the drugs have been in use for decades. They haven’t been. That you acknowledge that fact in your response doesn’t abrogate what you did.
As for your claimed background in biotech and pharma, that can mean a lot of things.
They have been in research and development for decades. And I’ll just close out with this background.
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-02483-w
I tried to leave here with a high road comment, and will continue to do so, even as you question any if my knowledge, experience, and character. If anything, your responses have allowed me to dig into providing strong research, which is a win for everyone!
Wishful:
It is simply untrue to imply as you have that “decades” of development (the first mRNA “vaccines” were only built about 17 years ago) is the same as widespread trials involving at least several hundred thousand participants in each and every trial.
You keep making my case for me regards the arrogance of the effectively forced drugging with experimental tech.
Dear Wishful,
I appreciate you taking the high road and also choosing the side of science against misinformed, combative and verbally abusive individuals of which I have reported to the newsletter. While it’s a free country with freedom of speech it doesn’t mean one is allowed to not get vaccinated and further spread the virus which would most certainly kill someone very close to me or spread misinformation that can be harmful. Happy Holidays to you and don’t let the ignorant get you down, Bobby Panza, I loved this article! I am sure you intended it to evoke humorous responses and not the literary brawl that ensued. Pax.
You just brightened my holiday, Tami. Thank you and happy holidays to you, your family, and your friends!
PS: I cannot agree more with your Starbucks grievances. 🙂
Hello, again, Wishful,
All part of the service – LOL! Now I am going to read the SCIENCE Times section of the New York Times before I start my work day. ?
You would love the Smithsonian’s daily newsletter! I highly recommend signing up.
Indeed! I shall. I get their magazine. : )
Nice!!
Again, thank you for brightening up my spirits. Cheers!
Tami Swartz:
“While it’s a free country with freedom of speech it doesn’t mean one is allowed to not get vaccinated and further spread the virus which would most certainly kill someone very close to me or spread misinformation that can be harmful.”
Well, that shows you as highly uninformed, since the “vaccinated” can still be easily infected and then spread the infection to others. So should I report you for posting Covid 19 infection misinformation in the comments section of this website?
Also given your likely exposure to the virus, if you saw that person close to you, who then passed away from Covid 19, you may have been the infector, even if you had just a mild case and/or were already “vaccinated”. But true, I don’t know that you mean someone you saw regularly died, or if that someone lived far from NYC and you saw him/her infrequently though you were very close.
The problem with Wishful’s position is that he/she has repeatedly conflated an insignificant amount of mRNA lab development starting approximately 17 years ago with widespread testing of mRNA “vaccines” on at least a few hundred thousand people per test. Meaning: Wishful is being incredibly dishonest in this “discussion”. You’re in “good” company.
Jay – what are your medical credentials? At this point those of us who have endured your relentless comments would really like to know. Here are my response to the ones directed at me,
I never said the vaccines would prevent the spread of COVID 19. It was mentioned from the beginning there was no guarantee of that, but that they would significantly reduce hospitalization and death. It is a fact, however that the unvaccinated are spreaders. Stop twisting my words for your benefit and stop arguing with me. Clearly there is someone else that I am conjuring in your head.
As for your suppositions about my loved one, which are none of your business, that person is very much alive and safe. I have kept that person safe by living in a COVID bubble in the first 15 months of the pandemic. And even after my loved one, myself and others living with us were boosted I still don’t do things like go to large group gatherings including weddings, parties, eat inside a restaurant, go to movie theaters, etc. – in other words seriously limit my activities. I do this because I care about that person and I care for others well being and don’t wish this virus on anyone. To me it is simple unconscionable, and selfish not to get vaccinated at this point – unless one has a medical condition that prevents them from doing so,
As for your misinformed comments about mRNA research here is a really good, well stated and simple article -, unless you have a problem with public television, Dr. Fauci and other medical professionals who actually know about there subject matter: https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-02483-w
In conclusion, if could hope for a civil, adversarial discourse with you I would continue writing to you on this thread. While you make some interesting, albeit inaccurate points that are worth addressing further, it is your rudeness that I find especially thwarting to any chance of finding common ground. And I wonder if you would be so bold as to speak to others in person as this forum has allowed you to in relative anonymity? For the record – I would if faced with such abject bullying in person. It is still a free country and I am sure you will have to have the last word – but I am done giving you the attention that you crave. Pax.
“I never said the vaccines would prevent the spread of COVID 19.”
You sure implied the drugs will with what I quoted.
“It is a fact, however that the unvaccinated are spreaders. ”
As are the “vaccinated”. Nor did I ever say that the “unvaxxed” don’t potentially spread the plague, if infected.
Neither did I say a thing about hospitalization rates, but you’ve pretended I did.
You have at least twice used a strawman construction here. This fact utterly destroys any point you think you have.
“As for your suppositions about my loved one, which are none of your business, that person is very much alive and safe. I have kept that person safe by living in a COVID bubble in the first 15 months of the pandemic. ”
You sure suggested that person died, but I agree one can read your comment both ways. So that’s sloppy on your part. Also you shared your tale, so therefore you made that story the business of anyone reading these comments.
Fauci sure has been caught out lying regularly over the last 22 months. Plenty of highly credentialed virologists have said the Covid was engineered? Do you believe them?
“I would if faced with such abject bullying in person. ”
Bullying is now confronting you with easily checkable facts, objecting to your gross misrepresentation of my position, and the fact that you have posted Covid 19 misinformation in these comments?
My grievance is that there are too many Starbucks on the Upper West Side. Starbucks and other pedestrian, mediocre chain businesses, that is. They all need to go and be replaced with something that actually helps the neighborhood. When I moved into the neighborhood in 1989 to attend The Juilliard School the Upper West Side still had an original, bohemian flavor it it. I coined it the Upper West Village. Rest in peace The Cherry Diner, Mr. Babbington’s, Drip, Big Nick’s and Niko’s, The Hero’s Journey, Mostly Handmade, Fowad, Charivari, Cafe Taci and their opera nights, Cafe Mozart, The Abby Pub, La Mirabelle, Picnic, Tom’s Pizza, Mikell’s, The Cellar, Strykers, Cleopatra’s Needle (before the crazy co-owner), etc. (I am sure I am missing some other amazing places). Here’s hoping some kind of vacant storefront ordinance is passed that will inspire landlords to lower their ridiculous rents and facilitate more locally owned business to come back here. I am, at the risk of tainting my grievance with positivity, encouraged with the appearance of more original stores in our neighborhood over the last couple of years. Nonetheless Starbucks be gone and…Festivus for the rest of us!
PS – I will also add the 79th Street Boat Basin which will never be what it was unless other’s can wrest its control from big business backed by the city…
Two more stores and then I will stop – Tibet Bazar and Silk Road Palace. Other’s please feel free to contribute!
The opera nights at Caffe Taci still exist, and have since the original location closed in very early 2005.
Right now, it’s Friday nights at Telio–west side of Broadway at 92nd Street.
But of course the original Taci was in Morningside Heights, by 50 feet, so not on the UWS.
You forgot a big one: Cafe La Fortuna on 71st Street, closed early 2008.
Soutine’s another. The Grandaisy branch on West 72nd Street.
Zabar’s run (and probably majority owned by) Murray Klein is another one.
H&H.
Fairway, owned by the Glickberg family and run by Steve Jenkins.
I’m with Amsterdamn and Jay and will add that if the vaccines were so great what do you care what others do? If you are safe, treat your fellow citizens like free adults. If it’s for own good, thanks for the advice, now leave us alone.
To be clear, I have no objection to wearing a mask in a store or on the subway.
My objection is to the enforced use of experimental drugs that clearly don’t stop the injected from infecting others.
How about the City Council, elected by us and then rezoning Soho AND Noho? Claiming it’s being done for affordable housing when the vast majority will be very expensive housing or offices and only a small percent “affordable”.
Call it what it is, rezoning for very unaffordable housing and office towers.
How about whole buildings of affordable housing? Let the billionaires come down from space and pay taxes like we do.
I just wanted to thank the people who tun this site for now moderating the comments on this article. This site has been very enjoyable for me 90 percent of the time and a good source of news for our beloved Upper West Side – but I found the discourse allowed on this article to be very unpleasant and quite inappropriate. I would love if there would be another way to contact the moderators here other than suggesting a tip. Please someone reach out to me about this. Again, I very much enjoyed this article, but was disappointed to see certain violent or bullying comments allowed here and because of that I am rather hesitant to visit this site or post comments here again, All the best to everyone for the holidays.
I am bullied more everyday walking around the city as an unmasked unvaccinated “free” citizen. I find the spirited discussion here worthwhile and appreciate the editor’s non-interference. Agreement is boring. Disagreement is not violence nor bullying.
Tami,
Unfortunately what you’re objecting to is that people have challenged you with facts, ones that are easy to check/confirm, that contradict your received talking points.
Worse: You don’t like it when other people (including myself in these comments) point out that you have repeatedly prevaricated regards the positions held by those other people so as invent positions not held or espoused by those others.
You have shared a personal tale of a close relative [possibly] saved from Covid infection and death by 15 months of attentive isolation, BUT then pretended that event is no one else’s business. If it’s no one else’s business, then don’t post the story.
More that once you have posted literal Covid 19 “misinformation”, but since it’s the “right” kind of misinformation (that allowed by Google, Twitter, Facebook, the Washington Post, the NY Times, etc), your claim/s sound “normal”.
Need an example of Covid 19 misinformation you have posted here? You have seconded the utter nonsense repeatedly scribed by screen name Wishful that the mRNA drugs have been widely tested and been a real thing, not a lab demonstration, for decades.
I more than suspect that I profoundly disagree with screen name Derek here regards issues well outside of any mask requirement, but you don’t see me claiming positions for Derek that he has not expressed. Nor will you find that I have engaged Derek here more than once. AND I don’t think, imply, claim, that Derek is posting misinformation and/or should be banned for posting his positions on masking requirements.
You certainly don’t care about preserving the principle, or the fact of, of freedom of speech. You care about preserving speech you like.
No one here has personally attacked you.
Were Derek or anyone else threatening to “get you” or “mess you up” or calling you a heinous criminal (think of a crime, a serious 20 years in Attica/Bedford Hills felony) or advocating that you end your life: I most certainly would contact this blog and ask that the party harassing you be banned.