Please, come into my home

February 21, 2012 2:45 PM

This Is My Home.
posted by Brandon Blatcher (19 comments total)

Never have I wished more earnestly to be old.
posted by Deathalicious at 2:50 PM on February 21, 2012 [3 favorites]

A personal museum. I love it. What a kindly curator. What a beautiful story about the arguing couple. And given how neat the place is, he must have a very well behaved cat too.
posted by bearwife at 2:54 PM on February 21, 2012

On a very special Hoarders....
posted by Fizz at 2:58 PM on February 21, 2012 [1 favorite]

How on earth does he pay the rent?
posted by Sys Rq at 3:38 PM on February 21, 2012 [2 favorites]

Oh Lord is that wonderful. Thank you.
posted by dbiedny at 4:03 PM on February 21, 2012

Fantastic, Brandon, thanks!

As I get older, I'm constantly looking for role models. When we're young it's easy, we want to be like the famous, rich, successful, admired, creative, moving, inspiring people we've learned of. As you get to the point that most of that is no longer of interest, not the being that you aspire to, you start to look for something else, and often it is the peaceful beings that cross our path that inspire us.

I sat and watched that, trying to picture myself in that role... years ago I wouldn't have been able to imagine that lifestyle, but, now, yes, I could see that.
posted by HuronBob at 4:25 PM on February 21, 2012 [1 favorite]

Some extras here.
posted by Kattullus at 4:36 PM on February 21, 2012

I want to hang out with this guy. I kind of feel like I already have.
posted by cjorgensen at 4:44 PM on February 21, 2012 [1 favorite]

Do I smell a Metafilter meetup?
posted by MaryDellamorte at 4:45 PM on February 21, 2012

Do I smell a Metafilter meetup?

Take photos!
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 4:47 PM on February 21, 2012

Oh wow.
Oh wow.
I used to live down the street from him. Talked to him several times. Probably walked around his place. I've forgotten his name, but I remembered his voice.
In 1989-90 I lived with my boyfriend in a tiny sixth-floor walkup on 7th between 1st and A. One cold evening, there was a meowing at the door. A sweet little striped cat had somehow found her way into the building and climbed to the top floor. So we let her in, fed her, and she stayed with us for a few days while I asked around the neighborhood about a lost cat. It turned out that she was his cat, of course, and cat and owner were reunited with much joy.
I couldn't say for sure whether that's the kitty in the picture, but I wouldn't be surprised if it was.
posted by pernoctalian at 5:03 PM on February 21, 2012 [7 favorites]

I'm with Sys Rq. That would be a dream retirement, but how on earth could one afford it? Not the stuff, the stuff I could find, the stuff I HAVE, but rent. Food. Heat. Health.
posted by maryr at 5:16 PM on February 21, 2012

Inspiring. I could see doing a curio shop where I sold nothing, but not in manhatten. Who can afford that?
posted by dejah420 at 6:05 PM on February 21, 2012

Part of me wonders if he wants a pair of battered gauntlets to go with that SCA helmet (upper left corner of title shot).

Part of me is concerned that there might be some sort of metaphysical issue in my interacting with him since I think the way he affords rent is that in about five years he/I convert my basement into a time machine, go back in time with all the crap I have down there and some "insight" on the stock market.
posted by Kid Charlemagne at 6:30 PM on February 21, 2012 [1 favorite]

Thank you! This was lovely. He has such a nice growly voice and kind eyes.
posted by peagood at 6:38 PM on February 21, 2012

What a story the place tells about his life.
posted by notashroom at 6:54 PM on February 21, 2012

The New York Times explains the rent situation in this article on people who live in converted store fronts:

Now Mr. Pisano pays $482 a month for the narrow shop, made even narrower by the shelves of instruments, horological supplies and chandeliers that he collects. His rent is kept low with assistance from the Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption, a program of the New York City Department of Finance that compensates building owners by providing credits against their real estate taxes.

posted by Jahaza at 10:00 PM on February 21, 2012 [3 favorites]

Thank you for posting this. In fact he reminds me of a lot of the flea market stall owners here in France. In their case - yes you can buy their stuff - but no hard headed business person would ever see the attraction in running a stall selling old tools, kitchen implements, toy cars, table cloths and 1970s albums. Instead the mostly elderly owners seem to be there for the conversation the fresh air and a love for arcane old stuff. If they earn enough for a Pastis and something for the grand children then that is a bonus. It is an insightful city that lets this happen.

It is a beautifully made film also.
posted by rongorongo at 11:11 PM on February 21, 2012 [2 favorites]

Oh thank you for this!
posted by bardophile at 1:00 AM on March 10, 2012