America "the robbed"

a new generation of stories are coming. No more walking up the hill both ways, with a bucket of water in the dead of summer and 3ft of snow.

now its about how we pinched to get by while the baby boomers funneled out our social security through the government and fraud.

There is no social security for us. We're on our own. We need a new plan. 

The batchelor

When did the batchelor become a social experiment of stereotypical girls?

Waiting out my meter

I seem to have lost the original post.
In short,  I caught a cop waiting out my meter. Slowly pacing, as he waiting for the last 2 minutes to clear. I saw him, as I was walking up the block to add more quarters.

As he saw me coming, he approached my car and scanned it to give me a ticket. The rain impeded the scan and he had to do it manually.

He gave me a ticket even thou I still had time.

I argued with him, saying, "I watched you pacing, while I was walking up the block" his response, "I started, I can't cancel it" when he noticed me taking pictures with my cell phone, of the area I walked, and the distance from where I started to where the meter was, including his face, and badge number. Getting nervous, he told me he was adding a note to the ticket that I added money while the ticket was in process. Then he told me to fight it.

Yea okay, I did that. I lost the online hearing.

I then called 311 told them what happened and asked if there is anything I can do further. Explaining, I'm more disappointed in the conduct of a man who in a moment of poor judgement forgot that he represents the credibility of the entire New York police force by misusing his authority.

They filled out some form and told me to wait for updates. About a week later I received a notice that said "a claim was filed" and 3 weeks later (last night) brings me to my update.

The update is that last night I received via email; a not guilty dismissal stating.

The respondent has been charged with violating Traffic Rule 4-08(h)(2) by permitting a vehicle to be parked in a parking meter zone which indicates by signal that the lawful parking time in such space has expired. Summons dismissed based upon credible testimony and persuasive evidence (photograph) that the vehicle was not in violation of the cited regulation.

It took 2 months.... But its been dismissed.
If you know your right and fighting for justice, don't give up. Use whatever you can to document the situation and make sure to follow up.

Thank you for restoring my faith in the system.

Longing

I long for the day whem I truly appreciate all that I have  .

Another new years

I realize I complain and ponder what could be better, often, I find myself wishing for more or validation, what could and should be .. Then I get to moments like the one being experienced right now,yes I wish for more and want validation in many areas.

For one, I got an associates degree this past year and im on track for a batchelors. Yeay for me. tonight I was validated in class, my art work is good and getting recognized for its individuality and style and may lead to a career.

Over the past few weeks I have been writing letters asking for scholarships and forced to reflect.  recognizing the challenges I have faced my whole life. And find that even I am impressed with my own ability to accomplish what I want. Disregarding labels.

We all have needs, wants and goals. Tonight I realized how lucky I am that I am able to do what I am doing right now. I am in school learning to apply my artistic talents and fully supported by a man that I have a hard time appreciating because he simply refuses to grow with me.

He could have a secret life for all I know or is simply way too comfortable at stagnant. Either way its not what I planned. Next week he turns 30 and im hoping that will ruffle his feathers a bit.

The bottom line is, I let this happen. Im so busy trying to get as much out of these opportunities as I can, while the market is so bad. that frankly were growing distant, a ring has become the equivalent of a mythical creature at this point.

The question going in to the new year is this, does sacrificing family values out weigh opportunities I never imagined possible ?

Or does one stick to a plan. ...

At what point do we decide to trade in old dreams for new opportunities.

Or do we just ride the wave and hope we hang ten... Am I using that correctly?

regardless, im truely grateful for what I have, and all things supportive in my life. Ive lost  many amazing, talented and creative people over the last few years. I will never forget them or any of the lessons they have taught me. I love and miss you all. Know that I would not be where I am today if not for encountering you.
For all those who have impacted my life, old new, with beautiful families and the ones who are no longer here. Thank you.

Have a good night and a happy new year.

Shaindy, I love you and miss you. I wish you could be here now.

And to my mother who must not be forgotten. Happy birthday and thank you for shaping me in to such an amazing individual. I owe everything to you. Not just for altering my israel plans and conning me into school but everything you have taught me and done for me, my whole life.

I love you so much.

censor the news

I love watching the news when they have the live feed of twitter updates that they comment on. Its cute, really it is... except when it borderlines bullying.

Why don't you start a campaign to post more wholesome tweets... I see way too many that are ignorant commentary rather than intelligent thoughts..

would that be biased?

What Events Impacted Your Day?

Stress is waking up screaming, only to realize your already awake. 

We all have those moments when we wish we could just wake up and start our day over.
I woke up so hopeful, I honestly believed I was going to get things accomplished.

Well, then reality hit. Below are the events that impacted my day.

Two major events impacted my day. One, I spent my morning searching for camera surveillance to recover stolen goods. The second, finding out that my balance with the bursar at my college has doubled and the student adviser I was working with is now out on leave. Leaving me little to no further academic support. 

Knowing now, that I have to persuade complete strangers to give over surveillance footage and also having to write a plea for a deans grant doesn't seem as hard. However both will be a testament of my personality and integrity to gain the confidence of strangers that my intentions are good. With the hope that they know I am trying to exploit the kindness of others for the greater good.

Both are going to challenge my faith in people who all the cards.  

Based on the response to these events. If I am able to gain these "acts of faith" I will have gained the belief that peoples intentions are good. If not, I will expect that self interest is greater, further jading my will in people. 
 

On a more positive note:

I was required to critique a peers work anonymously, I did not know who did the work and they did not know who critiqued it. My review was positive and made her day. 

I know its something she will take with her for a while and remember, always wondering who it was that saw her truth. 

 

Climbing to new heights

I did it, I reached the peek and nothing held me back. 

A sad day

A day in the life.

Last night I found out a friend I cared much about, hurt himself causing his own death. What I didn't know is how bad his depression was was. The idea that the world would have been better off without him tears me apart. Just the idea that anyone thinks they are worthless boggles the mind.

If your hurting, reach out to someone and tell them.
Your worth it. 

Black Friday and Beyond.

"Black Friday" is well known, and people are starting to keep track and may even be holding out for "Cyber Monday" (on the 28th) but did you know that there is now"Free Shipping Day" as well?

Its to be held on Dec. 16th since that's one of the last says a standard package should be on time for your holiday gift giving.

Generally, I research everything I buy, weeks in advance and get the best deals year round with coupons, specials and other close outs. I was thinking the other day and realized there is nothing too big i wanted to get. There for I wont be standing in any lines.

However, I may go to Target after dinner just to burn off some calories.

NYC say goodbye to free public restrooms.

Starbucks is slowly closing its bathroom doors. As NYC law states that an eatery with more than 9 seats has to have a public toilet, you will notice a few extra chairs by the curb.

Reasons:

#1) With a Starbucks on every corner, its notorious for public toilets.

#2) They say workers don't have time to wait on long lines.

#3) Another claim was that, they can no longer control perverts from installing camera.

#4) I briefly worked at one. My #1 complaint, was needles in the garbage.

True story, any junkie in the city knows where a Starbucks bathroom is.

The sad truth is that the uproar over this issue, only proves that they have been the most reliable toilets in NYC.

Did the NBA Lockout Cause OWS?

I'm thinking... if they (the protesters) were out at ball games or playing on the street. Maybe they wouldn't be protesting in the street. Maybe recreate the ideal of idols.

Become a Basket-Ball star on your own court. Build a community team. The sport wasn't canceled. Watching over paid players complaining about contracts did.

But then again, why complain about missing the game, aren't the players part of the 1% who are over paid and hording these missing trillions?

Here's a new twist, they are using the lock out, to extend to a new audience. (Truth be told, the lock out is about greed and pay rates. But then again, who's the idiot paying for season tickets when you don't have a job?! Maybe live within your means..

I do comprehend that there are many stadium employees out of work. I'm not completely dense.

But aren't sports franchises part of the problem?

Stadium work is seasonal, I've done it. When you work for Armark or whoever, you can work seasonal work elsewhere. Whatever, that was not my intended point. I just like to see things from another perspective.

Complaints and further reading here

Itchin' for a Bitchin'

Got a topic or thought that irritates you?

Let me take a stab at it... I'm looking for quick thoughts, and random rants to post about.

Let me explore your ideas and what irks you.

Is OWS fueling Antisemitism?

OWS protesters are taking cops out of my neighborhood. So criminals are running rampant because some $h*t-head probably told him Jews are the 1%...

The break in rate on cars is skyrocketing....

A Jewish woman was stabbed to death about a week back a couple blocks away from my apartment. I don't know why that's not news.

But I'm sure the torched cars and graffiti on Ave J are connected to stupid opinions.

That's how today's Stabbing went down...

NYC Restaurant Grades, A Small Business Fail

A sad one for small business.

When NYC implemented the grading system, a place on my corner who was there for 30 yrs had been shut down.

Last week some news organization released that there were "paper work -errors"..... Gotta wonder how may were wrongly shut down...

I blame the Entertainment industry.

Okay, not really.

Though I don't know why no ones bitching about the entertainment industry ... it pisses me off. People don't play ball or go outside anymore. They sit on their ass as we pay celebrities like Ashton kutcher millions to help us escape..

scrapping and saving for the latest gadget..

If I was in to protesting, I would hire one of those "star's" tours and protest by those homes.

Jus' sayin'

Occupy Hollywood!! :)

This is funny though

NYC mismanagement and the MTA

When is someone going to go over those books...

Every time the MTA (NYC public transportation system) jacks up its prices, its followed by some big scandal and millions are missing.. or miss managed.

While they have a hiring freeze so they pay over time, for 8 hr work days when the workers are not "allowed" to work during rush hour. So they sit around "on the clock" half the day... Talk about mismanagement.

Even with high gas prices driving is cheaper than a train.

Were gonna be screwed at the next storm because of that city hiring freeze. They owe workers overtime for Irene and the October blizzard... see how fast they run to clear the snow when it starts coming down.

Side note on stupidity:

Did you know that sanitation workers in several counties between NY & NJ cleared the fallen trees from the streets, moving everything to the sidewalk. Then they had the nerve to tell property owners they had to clear it. They fined hundreds of people..

When the people who were outraged spoke up, the counties then apologized for the fines and sent workers out again to clear it... guess what.. more time on the clock. Oh and refunds were not issued for paid fines.

American history excerpts for back-ground :)

Industrial Revolution: brought with it many modern inventions which eased the lives of some but caused havoc for others. Major changes in economy, society, and cultural perspective all contributed to the strife that inevitably led to the Civil War. As major changes in everyday life began, there were many changes which created monumental controversies among the people living them. The use of the new machines made many employees unnecessary and workers were being disregarded only to be replaced with Irish and German immigrants who would take less pay and wouldn’t complain about working conditions. The factory workers were at a loss to the new radical changes. This caused a new division in class as social classes with opposing views. Many different cultures began merging and social reform began to stir major controversy. More factories were opening and women were starting to work to help support their families. This caused shifts in communities as well as peoples roles shifted and they had to find new sources of income.

Property Taxes, Lewis & Clark, Expanding American Borders.

In 1784 Jefferson called for division of regions in to territories. Once a substantial amount of people purchased land the territories would gain admission to be a state which would be granted as long as the population was larger than the smallest state. Jefferson made an effort to earmark the land sale funds for schools to be built. After he was elected into office he successfully negotiated the Louisiana purchase which doubled the size of the U.S. He had the government finance the Lewis and Clark expedition thru the area of the Louisiana Purchase as well as beyond. The purpose was to document a proof of claim that the US discovered the Pacific Northwest. Expedition went all the way to the Pacific Ocean. He also sent off smaller expedition to Middle America. Jefferson was very passionate about ending slavery and tried to have it abolishing in 1800. While Jackson had many of the Native people shipped out west, where many had died, this was called The Indian Removal. He had added Arkansas and MI to the union. While Jefferson was all about expansion, Jackson was all about ethnic cleansing of the Indians, a plan set out by Jefferson but carried out by Jackson.

Women's Role

Women of the new colonies were generally uneducated, they had little more than “Good House Wifery” as they weren’t allowed prominent roles in politics. Prior to the boycott on British goods and trade they didn’t have a role or a voice. When it came to supporting the revolution they mostly maintained the land and kept up the home. Groups of women started organizing and the Daughters of Liberty were created to unite against the Townshead Acts, supporting non-importation of cloth, wool, and flax. They came together and organized gatherings where they would make homespun textiles. Some met in secrecy fearing opposition, while others were outspoken and took to the streets. Wealthier women were able to donate to religious causes so that even those who couldn’t afford it, wouldn’t have to buy imports. Women were able to make American made goods effectively supported the non-importation of British goods. . Some other contributions included, fundraising for the war efforts, and on few occasions even going to battle themselves.

The Tobacco Brothers are holding a Job Fair

Next week in the park. This oughta make for some entertaining headlines.

If your not sure who they are, google "occupy a desk" read headlines for a crash course.

Artist

Artist are hard working laborers who have a need to create. We are different.

We bleed creation.

If you have to work to live, you better love what you do.