the chat...

Dustin:

I think there is a bigger problem here than babies in bars. That being: the author lives in Park Slope. The Park Slopers have been doing this for quite some time - hell its even common place in up and coming Crown Heights. The author is just waaayyy out of the loop. Besides, when she has kids, she'll be begging for a drink at the end of day 1!

Tonya Mason:

Ummmm, yeah. Bars are meant for people that are 21 and can drink alcohol. People that take their kids to bars should go by the ABC store, pick up a bottle of booze and head home. Noone, and I repeat NOONE, at a bar, wants to hear your screaming child. Besides the basic fact that it is completely inappropriate. Get a babysitter or simmer down on your alcohol consumption. Babies at bars?!?! Get the f#*k outta here dude! No way. That's why the drinking age is 21. And that's years, not months silly..

Dustin:

Walking into a bar in Park Slope and complaining there are babies there is like walking into a bar in San Francisco and complaining there are gays there. You're on someone else's home turf and as such your only option is STFU and drink your drink or leave. So, if ever in Park Slope and you want a drink, know this: that If the 300 strollers you avoided and kept your toes from being run over on the sidewalk getting frm the F train to the bar or 75 strollers parked outside didn't tip you off, look around to see or listen for "screaming babies" before you order then you won't have anything to complain about. I can assure you you don't wanna be overheard complaining about it by one of the Slopes Mom Nazis. Because if you do, you'll find yourself in a timeout faster than you can say Jeager Bomb!.

Tonya Mason:

1st off- I lived in Park Slope for three years, and think you're way exaggerating the baby population. 2nd- don't make everyone suffer b/c of your shitty decision to continue to overpopulate this world. And 3rd- and most important, it is illegal in most states for anyone, even in a stroller, to saddle up to the bar for a drink. CHILDREN have no place in a bar, and it actually is illegal. And why would any good loving parents who wanted to create a positive healthy environment for their children, take them into a bar? Bars are for adults. Have a few less drinks next go round, so you can afford a babysitter. Again, noone wants to listen to your or anyone's screaming infants. Get a clue. Jesus. Good luck raising that kid. Soon to be an alcoholic perhaps. Gettin them started young it seems Dustin... Jeez.

Bucky Cox:

Actually the NYC law states any minor under the age of 16, accompanied by a guardian, is allowed in bars. That said, my 4 yr old is an old pro at ordering Ginger Ale at the bar, and we never allow him to bother other patrons. He's generally well-behaved, but any sign of whining and he's outta there.

Tonya Mason:

Oh. My. God. I feel really really sorry for all you parents that are trying to be cool in taking your infant to a bar.Jesus. Noone cares about your kids. Noone wants to listen to your kids. Take them home where they belong. Bars are for adults... Jesus.

Dustin:

1- I don't know how long ago you lived in Park Slope but when I lived there 10 years ago it was pretty well overrun, now it is even worse since it was vote "America's Best Neighborhood" several years back. Its not an exaggeration.- 2- Mine and my wife's decision to have a baby may be "shitty" in your opinion. But, despite how rude it is to express that, it is yours and it was unsolicited. We have the means and the capacity to make that decision and are responsible parents. However, I'm sure someone probably felt that your parents were making the world suffer too when you were born. -3- It is illegal in EVERY state to SERVE a minor. Children and infants included. No one is serving children. As Bucky pointed out also, the law even allows for them. The distinction you (and perhaps the author too) are missing is there is a difference in a Pub and a Public House from a BAR. Bars are one thing - Pubs and Public Houses are another. -4- AGAIN if you walk into a Pub full of $1000 strollers, and you don't wanna be around kids, but choose to stay, you're probably in for a disappointing drinking experience because you're judgement is lapsed before you've had your first drink. If your judgement is that outta whack, then the bartender shouldn't serve you in the first place and you've got bigger problems than a parent enjoying a beer in the presence of their child.-5- I hate your attitude is such that "No one cares about your kid" - that sounds to me like a sort of personal projection that you may want to talk to your therapist about. There are probably some important unresolved issues there.-6- I may indeed have a battle on my hands with alcoholism with Atlas. It is a hereditary disease. One that left my Grandfather dead in a ditch for over a week before he was discovered. But to be acutely aware of its trappings is the first line of defense I have for him. But I do appreciate your input on the matter. For the record: I have never had to attend AA or NA for that matter, unlike some.-7- It isn't about being "cool" Tanya. If drinking alcohol was about being "cool" they would lower the drinking age to allow for people who care about "cool" to be more so. If your motivation for drinking is about being "cool" then you have zero room to criticize anyone drinking with a child present. You should probably mention this to your therapist too. It sounds like a self-confidence issue may be at play. -8 - Pubs, Public Houses, Movie Theaters, Restaurants all are public places. Which means you put up with EVERYONE. Children too. If you don't like children (which it sounds like that is your real issue here) then stay at home. Don't make the rest of the world abide by your individualistic, self-righteous misanthropies.Finally Tonya, I've got an extra pair of shoes, if you've got a mile.

Tonya Mason:

it is also to have sex with a horse in NY, but are you doing that? and noone "suffered" when i came into this world. my parents were responsible and would have never, and never took me or my sister into a bar. which is why we would make responsible parents. people should have to take IQ tests to have kids, and that would alleviate any of this back and forth banter. cuz most people would fail the test miserably. question #1 should be: would you make horrific decisions in exposing your infant to a bar at such an early age?... you would fail miserably. and when i lived in Park Slope, we went to places that would by no means encourage an infant coming in. for christ's sake, have a mommy and me playdate, go to the park, go to a restaurant, go somewhere kids should be. not saddled up to a bar, with alcohol all around. i know you think you are being a cool parent, but you kinda look ignorant with you justifying this. its sad, but exactly how i remember you to be honest. some things never change. sad, but true. maybe your parents just raised you wrong. way way wrong. hehehe... it is funny though to see how right you think you are, when you are so so wrong. babies aren't accessories. they are babies. get a cute purse or something instead and show that off at the bar. nobody cares about your way outta place kid in a bar. you should have a few less drinks and buy a book on responsible parenting. after your last comment, i feel sorry for you and your kid. je-sus. how sad that that is the type of person you are raising and sending out into the world for all of us to have to deal with...

Dustin:

Let's be clear here. I do not take my kid to bars. If, however I wanted to have a beer or two with him present then I will. Personally, I'm ok with you thinking I'm ignorant. I could care less about your opinions. But, let's face it, if your opinion mattered to me, that would mean 2 things: you and I would have been closer and my life wouldn't be as fulfilled as it has been. I do find it humorous that you think an IQ test is the way to sanction parenthood. How totalitarian of you.Keep your pity. I don't need it. Pity is a failure of the imagination.

THE SEND-OFF PRIVATE MESSAGE

Tonya Mason:

we werent friends in high school because you were white trash and my parents raised me better than to associate with the likes of you. i see the white trashiness carried over into your own parenting skills. and my dog is far better than anything your wife could squeeze out of her on any given day. id rather be surrounded by dogs than babies. world is heavily overpopulated as it is, so thank you for being so elitist and self righteous and adding to the gross overpopulation that is America. your kid will just be another loser statistic down the road, just like his dad... good lookin out dustin. and i defriended you because you already have seen how amazing i look and how amazing my life is, and that was all i wanted. i was above you in high school and way outta your league, so don't hate now. go back to your side of the tracks..

MY REPLY

Dustin:

lol. so, Cedarwood was the good side of the tracks. hahaha. ok then. all that time i thought it was Sedgefield. if that small town mentality is still working for you Tonya - then that's great.

but if you want a pissing contest...my dick is bigger than yours...

i may be ignorant white trash to you, but I have a 7500 sf lounge and restaurant in williamsburgh Brooklyn opening in May and I live in an amazing 1/2 million dollar condo in New York City, on top of affording the luxury of being a full time stay at home dad, I'm independently wealthy, a published artist and my fine art collection -hell, my Basquait alone, is worth more than you, your parents and your sister will make in your lifetimes.

But most importantly, I'm happy. Unlike you apparently.

my wife is a compassionate sepecial-ed teacher in a high needs school and a beautiful model who's image hangs in the MoMA, the Guggenheim and the Whitney.

My son a loser? lol. ok. grow up.

and NEVER again insult my wife.

if this is the wrong side of the tracks then I'm happy to be here.

ha ha - Cedarwood.

wow. that cracks me up!

go fuck yourself.

Tonya Mason:

ou grew up on dillon road, in the poor white almost black part of jamestown, high point. so yeah, you are white trash. i also own my own business and pull in more money in one week than you prolly do in a year. sell all over the country. own stores in LA, Philly, as well as a home in the Hollywood Hills and loft space in Philly. a pissing match with me you would never win sad sad person that you are. i googled you and nothing. so now you lie on top of being uneducated and trashy. wow. pass those great traits onto your son. and i kinda think your wife is just as trashy as you dustin, she did marry you. and are you dying or something. looks like something has sucked the life out of you. you look awful. maybe you are dying and the world will have one less tragically irresponsible parent to deal with.... and my parents house in cedarwood was worth more than that shack of a house you grew up in the decrepid neighborhood of yours. poor guy. still poor i see. i know williamsburgh well, have quite a few associates in that area, and you are a nobody in that part of town. reality hurts doesnt it. and my sister, makes millions. silly uneducated liar. been to the whitney, guggenheim and MoMA just last week. didnt see any tragic photos hanging anywhere. learn how to spell you stupid fuck.

Dustin:

i grew up in Colony Park in a condo. But, I love the racial overtone you have here. Probably explains a lot about why you feel it necessary to insult my wife...is it because she's black you feel this need. Or are you just that desperate to insult me?

I did almost die. 1992 in fact. I crashed off a 90 ft. cliff in Arizona while in the Navy and spent 6 months in the hospital. Left that with a paralyzed leg and arm not to mention hundreds of stitches massive scarring and spinal injuries and knee injuries too. I consider myself quite lucky that i can walk and have nearly full use of my arm, much less am alive.

So, next time you're at any of those museums, or online...just look at their perm. collection My wife is there...go ahead...google Marilyn Minter and any of those museums...you'll find it is my wife in ALL of those paintings in the perm. collections. http:

//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marilyn_Minter

or http:

//www.google.com/search?aq=f&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&q=marilyn+minter

will also get you in the direction.

as far as googling me goes, well, i know you haven't bothered, there are dozens of links about me.

- you didn't get a home in all those places selling that cheap leather crap you call art. http:

//dafal.com/

seen better quality stuff at goodwill. and there is no way you have entire stores selling that shit. you have a daddy that loves you and provides for you, even if he won't cut the cord. too bad you'll never know what it feels like to love a child of your own. but i'd guess based on your attitude here, you're rather incapable of love.