George and Hilly
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The New York World
HILLY: Where’s the Effexor? Get the Effexor. Immediately. Give it to him.
DR. SELMAN: Why?
HILLY: Well, George has been a mess and—bless his sweet heart—he’s been really sick. He’s had shingles. We went to Florida for a long weekend—we stayed in the most gorgeous house you could ever imagine in your life, right on the beach. It was the most idyllic weekend in the whole entire world. The day after we came back—I had to go on a business trip for two weeks—George developed shingles. He was on all of this medication, and it worsened his stomach problems; he was on painkillers and antibiotics and he couldn’t eat, because of the pain in his ear and mouth. It’s just been lingering. I think the stress from the illness worsens his day-to-day stress. It just doesn’t stop. He can’t even speak—he sits there, almost in a fetal position. In addition, he spent the last five nights in a hotel, because he can’t take the air in the apartment, can’t sleep. And so at 5 o’clock in the morning, he storms out in a fit of rage—
GEORGE: Uhhh. Let’s just start over. O.K.! I haven’t been able to sleep well in the apartment for 18 months. Can’t breathe in there. Severe allergies. Frustration—not rage. Manhattan’s fault. Two months ago, I flew out to L.A. Friend of mine from college and I went to the Chateau Marmont—he had some mushroom cookies, and we were having lots of drinks, laughing, maybe 20 people there, a few celebrities, an Olsen twin. We got pretty loud, obnoxious. I had the next day to lounge by the pool, drank Bloody Marys. I flew back, drank Bloody Marys, left my toilet kit on the plane, went out that night to Siberia, stayed very late. Next night, Hilly and I had some drinks, took a cab out to Hangar 11 or something at J.F.K., got my toilet kit and went back to Siberia again—stayed even later. So I guess my immune system might have been a little compromised.
[Silence.]
GEORGE: And I had projects, work obligations, people on my case—all kinds of pressure. A lot of it was in my head. At one point, I felt like I was dealing with the Mafia or loan sharks—remember the guy gets his head in a vise in Casino? Like that, but via e-mail. These e-mails felt so cold-blooded, but I was reading too much into them. I ended up having two and a half panic attacks. Saying “I don’t know what I’m gonna do!” over and over, waking up Hilly. Felt really paranoid. I’m sure this has been horrible for Hilly.
DR. SELMAN: Where did you develop the shingles?
GEORGE: First I got some kind of cyst on my chin and my ear started to hurt—I thought I had swimmer’s ear. Then, back in New York, this redness streaked across my face. A few days later, I looked like the Elephant Man. About 10 days of excruciating pain. Sill comes and goes. A slight throbbing—I feel it right now, little bit, here on the chin. On the walk over here, it attacked me.
DR. SELMAN: What are you taking for it?
GEORGE: Nothing now. Doctor said the shingles would clear up in a month. But he said if these sensations are still there in two weeks, I should see a neurologist.
DR. SELMAN: I can give you something. Sounds like you have post-herpetic neuralgia.
GEORGE: Right, I don’t know if we’re at that stage yet.
DR. SELMAN: Sounds like post-herpetic neuralgia.
GEORGE: O.K., but I’m hoping that we’re not at the post-herpetic neuralgia stage yet.
DR. SELMAN: It may go away. I’ll give you some Lyrica—it’ll help. Next Page >
i've been reading this train wreck since it started. geo. needs rehab bad. the dr. verges on medical malpractice and roosevelt island, is like the island of the damned. not for nothin, these two people are screwed.
Hi George and Hilly,
I too live on the UWS and have neighbors who recently installed a trampoline. Yet my experience has been vastly different than yours: I love hearing the jumpers’ yelps of joy and laughter. This once very silent and dreary neighborhood is now alive and filled with the true spirit of New York. They too have a dog, an adorable sweet old mutt that can only make one smile watching it trying to join in the fun. I have lived many years and am now quite sick, but my new neighbors have given me a fresh lease on life and a reason to open my windows this Spring. In the 32 years in this apartment, they are the only neighbors that have asked me over for a visit and they regularly inquire as to how they can help me. I’m sorry you don’t live next to my trampoline people.
Best wishes, Annala
Hi George and Hilly,
I too live on the UWS and have neighbors who recently installed a trampoline. Yet my experience has been vastly different than yours: I love hearing the jumpers’ yelps of joy and laughter. This once very silent and dreary neighborhood is now alive and filled with the true spirit of New York. They too have a dog, an adorable sweet old mutt that can only make one smile watching it trying to join in the fun. I have lived many years and am now quite sick, but my new neighbors have given me a fresh lease on life and a reason to open my windows this Spring. In the 32 years in this apartment, they are the only neighbors that have asked me over for a visit and they regularly inquire as to how they can help me. I’m sorry you don’t live next to my trampoline people.
Best wishes, Annala
Go Team Trampoline!!! These people sound like the coolest people in the city! Nobody does anything like this any more, and on the Upper West Side?!?! I have to meet these people asap. And George nd Hilly, maybe you should go for a jump, it will loosen you up!
Keep on jumpin',
Maxwell H. Kay
I know these "trampoline people" and honestly, stop whining. You wouldn't survive a day where I grew up in the Bronx, just be glad you have the money to live in the UWS.
I also don't know the full details of this story.
But the people complaining about the trampoline are probably the same type of people who called the cops on us last Tuesday night for playing roller hockey at Playground Seventy. Go take your kids to a MOMA display, or something!
Dear George and Hilly,
I know the trampoline people you wrote about in your recent column. Without a doubt, they are the best people you’d ever want to know. The second time I met them I told them about my problem getting together enough money to rent an apartment in NY. On the spot, they wrote me a check for $10,000. When I insisted upon paying it back, they said if I really wanted to, I should give it to my favorite charity. I can’t say enough great things about these people.
Yours truly,
Anna Strausburg
I am EXTREMELY privileged to KNOW the "jumpers" referred to and I can tell everyone without any hesitation whatsoever that they are the COOLEST, NICEST, MOST ENJOYABLE "family" you'd EVER be lucky enough to meet. Why is that someone clearly NOT "in-the-know" invariably feels the need to be sage-assessor of what constitutes the "perfect" use of (someone else's!) private space and property. Just the abnoxiously shallow, stunted and presumptively snobbish THOUGHT of "...every single backyard in the entire block is so manicured and just perfect and quiet and lovely. In their yard, it looks like a junkyard. And to make matters worse, they built this trampoline, and they jump and jump..." makes me want to head over to said offending trampoline and REALLY JUMP as high as one can possibly imagine in such an UN-likely place, if ONLY as a HAPPY and "IN-YOUR-FACE" expression on support for such wonderful people as I KNOW the "junkyard" jumpin' "hippies" to REALLY 'BE'. Apparently, according to SOME sadly-snobbish "stick-in-the-muds", backyards in the UWS are ONLY for ("perfect"?) posing and ("quiet"?) reflection on why the ("manicured"?) dweller is SO ("perfectly"?) superior to others that neighbor them. I myself am always wary of ANYTHING "so manicured" and quite frankly, ANYTHING in NYC described as "just perfect and quiet" as some sort of ideal to strive for in the face of the energy, enthusiasm and excitement that TRULY "living" in the "BIG APPLE" represents REEKS of an intellect, spirit and soul simply and sorrowfully jealous and bereft of the "joie d'vie" of the joyfully jumping, 'alive' and HAPPY "family" that (REALLY!) "lives" in the trampoline-infested "junkyard" next door. Y'know, that someone could even THINK of installing a TRAMPOLINE in the typical UWS backyard is an INCREDIBLY optimistic and joyful thought -- and ANY MIS-informed person thinking otherwise sounds like a VERY boringly dull, lifeless and stale person indeed! Oh, and one more thing -- be careful what you call a "junkyard" in NYC, as after all, this IS the city of the Whitney, MOMA and those countlessly 'exclusive' (and EASILY fooled) "junk-collectors" known as "experts" and/or "patrons" of the arts! KEEP ON JUMPIN'FOR JOY, KIDS!
I am privileged to KNOW the "jumpers" referred to and I can tell everyone without any hesitation whatsoever that they are the COOLEST, NICEST, MOST ENJOYABLE "family" you'd EVER be lucky enough to meet! Why is that someone clearly NOT "in-the-know" invariably feels the need to be sage-assessor of what constitutes the "perfect" use of (someone else's!) private space and property? Just the abnoxiously shallow, stunted and presumptively snobbish THOUGHT of "...every single backyard in the entire block is so manicured and just perfect and quiet and lovely. In their yard, it looks like a junkyard. And to make matters worse, they built this trampoline, and they jump and jump..." makes me want to head over to said offending trampoline and REALLY JUMP as high as one can possibly imagine in such an UN-likely place, if ONLY as a HAPPY and "IN-YOUR-FACE" expression of support for such wonderful people as I KNOW the "junkyard" jumpin' "hippies" to REALLY 'BE'. Apparently, according to SOME sadly-snobbish "stick-in-the-muds", backyards in the UWS are ONLY for ("perfect"?) posing and ("quiet"?) reflection on why the ("manicured"?) dweller is SO ("perfectly"?) superior to others that neighbor them. I myself am always wary of ANYTHING "so manicured" and quite frankly, ANYTHING in NYC described as "just perfect and quiet" as some sort of ideal to strive for in the face of the energy, enthusiasm and excitement that TRULY "living" in the "BIG APPLE" represents REEKS of an intellect, spirit and soul simply and sorrowfully jealous and bereft of the "joie d'vie" of the joyfully jumping, 'alive' and HAPPY "family" that (REALLY!) "lives" in the trampoline-infested "junkyard" next door. Y'know, that someone could even THINK of installing a TRAMPOLINE in the typical UWS backyard is an INCREDIBLY optimistic and joyful thought -- and ANY MIS-informed person thinking otherwise sounds like a VERY boringly dull, lifeless and stale person indeed! Oh, and one more thing -- be careful what you call a "junkyard" in NYC, as after all, this IS the city of the Whitney, MOMA and those countlessly 'exclusive' (and EASILY fooled) "junk-collectors" known as "experts" and/or "patrons" of the arts! KEEP ON JUMPIN' FOR JOY, KIDS!
I am EXTREMELY privileged to KNOW the "jumpers" referred to and I can tell everyone without any hesitation whatsoever that they are the COOLEST, NICEST, MOST ENJOYABLE "family" you'd EVER be lucky enough to meet! Why is that someone clearly NOT "in-the-know" invariably feels the need to be sage-assessor of what constitutes the "perfect" use of (someone else's!) private space and property? Just the abnoxiously shallow, stunted and presumptively snobbish THOUGHT of "...every single backyard in the entire block is so manicured and just perfect and quiet and lovely. In their yard, it looks like a junkyard. And to make matters worse, they built this trampoline, and they jump and jump..." makes me want to head over to said offending trampoline and REALLY JUMP as high as one can possibly imagine in such an UN-likely place, if ONLY as a HAPPY and "IN-YOUR-FACE" expression of support for such wonderful people as I KNOW the "junkyard" jumpin' "hippies" to REALLY 'BE'. Apparently, according to SOME sadly-snobbish "stick-in-the-muds", backyards in the UWS are ONLY for ("perfect"?) posing and ("quiet"?) reflection on why the ("manicured"?) dweller is SO ("perfectly"?) superior to others that neighbor them. I myself am always wary of ANYTHING "so manicured" and quite frankly, ANYTHING in NYC described as "just perfect and quiet" as some sort of ideal to strive for in the face of the energy, enthusiasm and excitement that TRULY "living" in the "BIG APPLE" represents REEKS of an intellect, spirit and soul simply and sorrowfully jealous and bereft of the "joie d'vie" of the joyfully jumping, 'alive' and HAPPY "family" that (REALLY!) "lives" in the trampoline-infested "junkyard" next door. Y'know, that someone could even THINK of installing a TRAMPOLINE in the typical UWS backyard is an INCREDIBLY optimistic and joyful thought -- and ANY MIS-informed person thinking otherwise sounds like a VERY boringly dull, lifeless and stale person indeed! Oh, and one more thing -- be careful what you call a "junkyard" in NYC, as after all, this IS the city of the Whitney, MOMA and those countlessly 'exclusive' (and EASILY fooled) "junk-collectors" known as "experts" and/or "patrons" of the arts! KEEP ON JUMPIN' FOR JOY, KIDS!
I am EXTREMELY privileged to KNOW the "jumpers" referred to and I can tell everyone without any hesitation whatsoever that they are the COOLEST, NICEST, MOST ENJOYABLE "family" you'd EVER be lucky enough to meet! Why is that someone clearly NOT "in-the-know" invariably feels the need to be sage-assessor of what constitutes the "perfect" use of (someone else's!) private space and property? Just the obnoxiously shallow, stunted and presumptively snobbish THOUGHT of "...every single backyard in the entire block is so manicured and just perfect and quiet and lovely. In their yard, it looks like a junkyard. And to make matters worse, they built this trampoline, and they jump and jump..." makes me want to head over to said offending trampoline and REALLY JUMP as high as one can possibly imagine in such an UN-likely place, if ONLY as a HAPPY and "IN-YOUR-FACE" expression of support for such wonderful people as I KNOW the "junkyard" jumpin' "hippies" to REALLY 'BE'. Apparently, according to SOME sadly-snobbish "stick-in-the-muds", backyards in the UWS are ONLY for ("perfect"?) posing and ("quiet"?) reflection on why the ("manicured"?) dweller is SO ("perfectly"?) superior to others that neighbor them. I myself am always wary of ANYTHING "so manicured" and quite frankly, ANYTHING in NYC described as "just perfect and quiet" as some sort of ideal to strive for in the face of the energy, enthusiasm and excitement that TRULY "living" in the "BIG APPLE" represents REEKS of an intellect, spirit and soul simply and sorrowfully jealous and bereft of the "joie d'vie" of the joyfully jumping, 'alive' and HAPPY "family" that (REALLY!) "lives" in the trampoline-infested "junkyard" next door. Y'know, that someone could even THINK of installing a TRAMPOLINE in the typical UWS backyard is an INCREDIBLY optimistic and joyful thought -- and ANY MIS-informed person thinking otherwise sounds like a VERY boringly dull, lifeless and stale person indeed! Oh, and one more thing -- be careful what you call a "junkyard" in NYC, as after all, this IS the city of the Whitney, MOMA and those countlessly 'exclusive' (and EASILY fooled) "junk-collectors" known as "experts" and/or "patrons" of the arts! KEEP ON JUMPIN' FOR JOY, KIDS!
As a long time neighbor of the "Trampoline Jumpers" at their country home I find the comments ridiculous. They are a family of culture, intelligence, warmth and full of love and concern for their fellow humankind. When I first came to your wonderful country requesting political asylum they took me under their wing and taught me everything I needed to know about becoming an American. I owe them my life. As far as the "little kids" jumping on the trampoline, they are late 20's early 30's professionals that come to visit with the oldest daughter of the household. Several of them are lucky enough to have the apt. to visit to blow off humidity after their very stressful Wall St. jobs. The youngest of the bunch would be my 17 year old son who is best friends with the young man of the household. So there are no little kid hippies running around. The junkyard you refer to is the work of many artists in progress that stop by to contribute to the intellectual salon the mistress of the home hosts. Those would be the joyful beer guzzling raucus music events you referred to. Get that piece of large wood out of your butt and stop by for cocktail. It will be the most interesting fun evening of your life. Most mean spirited Miss H wishing injury on innocent peoples. You would not survive long in my old country. Please excuse my English, for I am still working on it. God bless and God bless the beautiful family in apt. BR. And doggie is lovely person too. He is 12 years old. Hope I can still do the bark when I am 84 dog years.
In the few encounters I have had with the "trampoline family," I have known them to be some of the most kind, warm, and welcoming people I encountered during all of my time in New York. Anyone would be lucky to count them among friends. I cannot imagine anyone suggesting anything different.
George and Hilly should move to the country or perhaps another country would suit them better. I find myself extremely fortunate to have befriended the trampoline family. They have a heart of gold and would never hurt a fly, even the dog, which I have never even heard bark in the 10 years I have known them. They are the most wonderful, caring, giving group of people I have ever met. There UWS apartment is just one of the residences they spend time in. I have personally visited there palatial estate in NJ and dined with many of their friends and yes, neighbors, who all adore them.
It sounds to me like George should switch medications and Hilly should loosen up a bit. If George is truly sick, I do in fact feel for him, but please don't take out your problems on this loving family.
Perhaps George and Hilly, a few minutes on the trampoline might be just what the doctor ordered.
For starters, the "children" referred to in your rant are 17 year old high schoolers who consistently recieve above average marks and are constantly involved in after school activities. The youngest person in the apartment happens to be one of the greatest friends you could ever imagine having, though by reading your sessions, I would not be surprised to hear that you two lack in the friends department, seeing that no one I have met in my travels could possibly deal with your constant whining. Secondly, my best friends sister is one of the most loving people/sisters I have ever come across. When we have a hockey game to attend, she is always willing to drive us, no matter the hour, and is everlastingly peppering us with compliments about our skill, even when we have off-days. The mother of the apartment is one of the most business-saavy people I have ever met. She could probably take a homeless man and turn him into the CEO of a Fortune 500 company. That is how skilled she is in her craft. The people that are lucky enough to pass through the doors of that apartment always leave with a story to tell, because there is never a dull moment. They are the most loving, caring, warm and giving people I will probably ever come across, and I am grateful that I know, and am close with them. Maybe you should take a jump on the trampoline, it would probably due you better than listening to the b.s. that psychiatrists feed you. Lastly, who the hell are you Hilly, to wish ill will upon someone? That's like me wishing that George commits suicide due to his depression. C'mon. Grow up.
For starters, the "children" referred to in your rant are 17 year old high schoolers who consistently recieve above average marks and are constantly involved in after school activities. The youngest person in the apartment happens to be one of the greatest friends you could ever imagine having, though by reading your sessions, I would not be surprised to hear that you two lack in the friends department, seeing that no one I have met in my travels could possibly deal with your constant whining. Secondly, my best friends sister is one of the most loving people/sisters I have ever come across. When we have a hockey game to attend, she is always willing to drive us, no matter the hour, and is everlastingly peppering us with compliments about our skill, even when we have off-days. The mother of the apartment is one of the most business-saavy people I have ever met. She could probably take a homeless man and turn him into the CEO of a Fortune 500 company. That is how skilled she is in her craft. The people that are lucky enough to pass through the doors of that apartment always leave with a story to tell, because there is never a dull moment. They are the most loving, caring, warm and giving people I will probably ever come across, and I am grateful that I know, and am close with them. Maybe you should take a jump on the trampoline, it would probably due you better than listening to the b.s. that psychiatrists feed you. Lastly, who the hell are you Hilly, to wish ill will upon someone? That's like me wishing that George commits suicide due to his depression. C'mon. Grow up.
For starters, the "children" referred to in your rant are 17 year old high schoolers who consistently recieve above average marks and are constantly involved in after school activities. The youngest person in the apartment happens to be one of the greatest friends you could ever imagine having, though by reading your sessions, I would not be surprised to hear that you two lack in the friends department, seeing that no one I have met in my travels could possibly deal with your constant whining. Secondly, my best friends sister is one of the most loving people/sisters I have ever come across. When we have a hockey game to attend, she is always willing to drive us, no matter the hour, and is everlastingly peppering us with compliments about our skill, even when we have off-days. The mother of the apartment is one of the most business-saavy people I have ever met. She could probably take a homeless man and turn him into the CEO of a Fortune 500 company. That is how skilled she is in her craft. The people that are lucky enough to pass through the doors of that apartment always leave with a story to tell, because there is never a dull moment. They are the most loving, caring, warm and giving people I will probably ever come across, and I am grateful that I know, and am close with them. Maybe you should take a jump on the trampoline, it would probably due you better than listening to the b.s. that psychiatrists feed you. Lastly, who the hell are you Hilly, to wish ill will upon someone? That's like me wishing that George commits suicide due to his depression. C'mon. Grow up.
For starters, the "children" referred to in your rant are 17 year old high schoolers who consistently recieve above average marks and are constantly involved in after school activities. The youngest person in the apartment happens to be one of the greatest friends you could ever imagine having, though by reading your sessions, I would not be surprised to hear that you two lack in the friends department, seeing that no one I have met in my travels could possibly deal with your constant whining. Secondly, my best friends sister is one of the most loving people/sisters I have ever come across. When we have a hockey game to attend, she is always willing to drive us, no matter the hour, and is everlastingly peppering us with compliments about our skill, even when we have off-days. The mother of the apartment is one of the most business-saavy people I have ever met. She could probably take a homeless man and turn him into the CEO of a Fortune 500 company. That is how skilled she is in her craft. The people that are lucky enough to pass through the doors of that apartment always leave with a story to tell, because there is never a dull moment. They are the most loving, caring, warm and giving people I will probably ever come across, and I am grateful that I know, and am close with them. Maybe you should take a jump on the trampoline, it would probably due you better than listening to the b.s. that psychiatrists feed you. Lastly, who the hell are you Hilly, to wish ill will upon someone? That's like me wishing that George commits suicide due to his depression. C'mon. Grow up.
O, super project.e
that\'s neat!
this one is simple & nice.n
Dear Mr. Gurley,
I was fasinated with your article. You and Hilly sound like such a nice couple. I read the comment by Marty Marty and rob and some of the others who have criticized you regarding your attitude toward the trampoline family. I really cant comment as I am unfamiliar with them. However, I have known a couple trampolines in my life and feel that you should ease up. Trampolines are nice people too and dont deserve to hear the kind of profanity you subjected that one to. What did that trampoline ever do to you. As a member of NUTS (Nurturing and Understanding Trampoline Sysdication) I protest the way in which you insulted that kind and caring provider of love.
As for the neighbors, they must be horrible people if they let their kids jump on the trampoline all day. I mean marty marty says that the kids make great grades but still have time to jump all the trampoline all day. I am no expert but it sounds like meth addiction to me. Damm tweakers. And the lady who lives there is writing out checks for 10,000 to random people. Yeah, I am sure the IRS loves that. No wonder she could turn a homeless guy into a fortune 500 owner. Its called corruption.
Hilly, you sound like a true lady and a great girl friend. I liked your comment about the guy falling off the trampoline and think that it would be even funnier if they just dropped an elderly lady with a walker from the first floor onto the trampoline to see how she would make out. I bet the next round of drinks she only hits the trampoline one.
Well, you guys take care and I look forward to reading more about your sessions in the future. In the meantime, try to be more sensitive to trampolines.
Really perfect!\
Hi our little brothers.
excellent texture.
this one is simple & nice.h
Wow!!!^
Thank you sooooo much!n
Yes! so hold.o