The Cyclone and the Backseat Driver

My second day in New York, the city was hit with two tornadoes. A rare occurence in New York and one I've never experienced. The Kid Brother and I went for a walk to Coney Island right after the tornadoes touched down just a few miles away. We had no idea.

GULLS (AND KITES) HOVERING IN PLACE IN THE WIND.
A HALF HOUR EARLIER AND WE WOULD HAVE SEEN A TORNADO IN THIS VIEW.

After I got my hot dog fix at Nathan's, The Kid Brother challenged me to a skeeball showdown. It was always our favorite arcade game when we were kids and The Kid Brother is addicted (as he is to most sports and competitions).

AFTER THE TORNADOES PASSED. VERY HAPPY KITE FLYERS.

We were a little early for an off-season Saturday and couldn't find an open arcade. So we walked on the Boardwalk and watched the kites soaring in the strong winds. I complained to The Kid Brother, who had to hold his ever-present Yankees baseball cap tightly to his head, that I also hated the wind because it made a mess of my hair. He said, "Uh huh." (He wasn't really listening, intent on finding an arcade with skeeball.) So, I continued, "Do you see how my hair flaps in my eyes?" He turned to me, glanced at my buzz-cut balding head and said, "You jerk." Charming.

THE ENTRANCE TO THE SCREAM ZONE.
NO SKEEBALL THERE.

We finally found an open arcade and set up shop. Each game has nine balls. Between us, we rolled 360! I rolled 5 games myself and left the rest to the winner and still champion. We earned 1098 points, which were traded in for a stuffed pig with blue wings, and a couple of plastic trinkets.

THE WONDER WHEEL, REVOLVING IN CONEY ISLAND SINCE 1920.
MY SISTER AND I USED TO LOVE THE SWINGING CARS. IT WAS LIKE A ROLLER COASTER FERRIS WHEEL.

A HISTORIC LANDMARK, THE CYCLONE. A WOODEN ROLLER COASTER OPENED IN 1927,
THE DAY AFTER THE DOWAGER DUCHESS WAS BORN.

THE SKEEBALL CHAMPION IN ACTION.
I THINK THIS WAS BALL 247.

HE'S SO GOOD, HE ACTUALLY ATTRACTED AN AUDIENCE.

Sunday, The Kid Brother arrived again bright and early at The Dowager Duchess'. We decided to do some shopping. So, we piled in the car and sat in traffic on the Belt Parkway. Sitting in traffic can be unpleasant. Sitting in traffic with The Kid Brother (also known as the Backseat Driver) can put me over the edge. The Dowager Duchess sits in front and the Kid Brother sits in back and provides a running commentary on whether or not the traffic is moving ahead, what might be causing the delay, which lane would be better for me to move into, which car I should watch out for, when I should stop (or go), if I'm following too closely. When he rides in front, he grabs the hanging strap, stomps his foot on his own invisible brake, and slams his palms against the dashboard.

SITTING IN TRAFFIC ON THE BELT PARKWAY.

The Kid Brother does not drive. But one of these days, the kid brother is going to get out and walk! I snapped his picture while we were at a dead stop and I told him I was going to post it on my blog with the caption "THE BACKSEAT DRIVER." He said, "If you do, one of these days, you'll pay for it!" But he laughed. So I figure I'm safe.

THE BACKSEAT DRIVER.