July 4, 2008 At Belle Harbor

As it turns out I was in Belle Habor for the 4th of July, which is a very upscale part of Far Rockaway. I really had no idea where I was going. I just thought Rockaway is Rockaway, I didn't know Belle Harbor was part of that area. This is the neighborhood where this happened two months and one day after the 9/11 tragedy. And that was only a few blocks from the house I was visiting that day.

I was invited to spend the day with my friend Jae and her family and go to the beach. But the weather was so crummy I decided to stay home most of the day and to go visit her and her family in the late afternoon. That way I wasn't on top of these people that really don't know me and I don't wear out my welcome.

Because this community does not allow street parking on holidays and weekends I had to take the bus. This turned out to be quite pleasant and easy. I have a bus stop right outside my building and the transfer to the second bus is only about 10 minutes down the road from my initial starting point. I just stayed on that second bus until the last stop. The entire trip took about an hour. I met a very funny old lady on the bus who chatted me up.

This old white haired lady with lots of chin hair that would not tell me her age started asking me a lot of questions. "Where was I going?" I told her to my friend's house on the beach in the Rockaways. "OH. What town?" I answered her that I didn't know, just he Rockaways. Honest to g-d I didn't know there were more than one there. She gave me one of those funny looks. Hmmm.

I offered her some of my Utz pretzels and she politely declined and told me how she gets a huge bag of them at Waldbaums for half price and goes through them in two days. Later with my friend her family I learned as they brought up the topic of Utz pretzels, not me mind you, that apparently you can only get them in the northeast and it's a Pennsylvania Dutch Country thing really. Since I never really lived outside of the Northeast I didn't know this. So I didn't know why getting them was such a special thing to this woman or the fact that she knew of this place to get them at such a great deal. But boy was she excited. I think she was a bit deflated that I didn't share in her excitement at the moment. Sorry nice old lady, I didn't know it was something special at the time.

So she goes on to ask me if my friend is going to supply dinner and how late will I be there.

I say, "UMM...I dunno, never thought about it. I suppose so as it is the 4th of July."

Old Lady, "Well it's good you have your pretzels because it just might be your dinner. Did you bring a jacket?"

Me, "No."

Puzzled look from old lady with slight brow raise as if to say this girl is young and dumb.

Old Lady, "You know it gets cold on the beach at night."

Me,"It's 90 degrees now how much could the temperature drop. I'll be fine. I have been taking care of myself a long time."

Old Lady, " I have lived in NYC longer than you are probably alive!"

I smile and say, "Wow you've been in NY for more than 40 years huh?"

Quizzical look, onced over. Silence. Silence. Then, "Yes I have," With a big smile remembering that she had to actually answer me.

She kept mentioning that when she was really young like me, blah blah blah. So I finally said to her, "How old do you think I am?" She didn't want to answer. So I said to her, "How old are you?"

Old Lady, "I AM NOT GOING TO TELL YOU!"

I reply, " Well I am middle-aged." And she tells me there is no way that I am.

When first getting on the bus at the transfer point, the bus was packed tightly with people. By this point it was pretty empty and I had just noticed as we had been yapping it up for so long I wasn't paying attention to the rest of the people.

I said to her, "Wow look at this. There were so many people and now nothing!"

Old Lady says sarcastically,"I don't think the people on the bus would appreciate being referred to as nobody."

I just burst out laughing and so she had to as well. I said, "Lady you are so damn literal!"

There were other funny moment with her but well let's move on to the photos below.

I was waiting for my bus tranfer and saw this fire in the direction I knew my bus had to take.

Here's a little bit from the bus ride crossing the first bridge.

Here's the view from the backyard of Jae's house.

The lifeguards on the beach all in orange.
I love this picture of Jae. She is adorable in her pink shoes.

On the way to the fireworks on the other side of Belle Harbor from the beach, we passed this cop car that had pulled over some young kids driving.
This is the view of Howard Beach from where we were standing. It was to the right of us. you could also see lower Manhattan and Brooklyn from this location but of course it was dark.
I found this on my neighbor's door when I came home.

You Suck And YOU Know Who YOU Are!

This is just one of the reasons I hate corporate America. And one of the reasons why I am so glad I found what I love to do and I am doing everything I can think of to do so that I can launch/build my own private practice and hope that I can sooner rather than later get it to a fully financially thriving and stable practice that covers every expense I have plus some.

And before you start telling me how great it is in Canada let me just tell you that it isn't so rosy up there either. I have met with and emailed with more than a handful of Canadian women with stories that would make you cry.

In the U.S. the people in control are the insurance companies. In Canada it is a governmental system. Power is power and the mindset is the same. The only difference are the group of idiots denying life-saving treatments or benefits. Shit is shit!

I have a sick mother. Thank goodness she has insurance and has been able to get her treatments for the last 10 years. So don't think I don't realize that it works well too.

The problem is that in THIS case there isn't room for a fuck up! Sorry but there really is no other word for it. When it comes to healthcare it is often life or death. So it isn't ok when there are stories like this even if they are the few rather than the majority. It's just not!

SICKENING! JUST SICKENING!

My Day At Governors Island

Immediately coming out of the train I was met with this site.
They wanted me to pay to take a photo with them. I think NOT! Do I really look like a tourist?

Here is one of those horrid fake waterfalls that cost the tax payers way too much to make.

Here's the group I came to support and help. I am not in the photo of course but this is the energy work I do as well.

Just some guy taking a photo and not paying me any attention. :-)

I'd Rather They Didn't Sell Them In 12 Packs

This idea comes from the above logo. You can click on the logo and be sent to the land of Kidzarama for some fabulous fun creative posts. She lives in the land down under with her Wonder Hubby and two kids, Wren and Bump.

So I am pondering the title of the post which comes from her idea. Truly the only thing that comes to mind are condoms.

Too intimidating. Usually when something is sold in that amount of quantity they label them family packs.

In this case they ought to call them No More Family Pack.

Think about it! I am single, not dating and well 12 is such a big number to achieve and puts way too much pressure on this woman. Right now I'd settle for a nice bloke who treats me well, with respect and loving kindness, and we buy them in 3packs for a while until I feel confident that we can make it to 12!

Happy Independence Day!

It's the 4th of July, The United States of America's Independence Day!

I'll be at Rockaway Beach with some friends today. Woohoo! I'll be enjoying the fun and the sun.

Lately my posts have been very fluffy. It's not because I don't have anything to say so much as I am working on my own FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE. I am working hard to launch and build my business and working with some other women to create a stronger company and temping at the same time.

I'm tired. A LOT!

So while Malcolm comes lurking here a lot waiting for my post on race it's not been here for him to read. I'd like to think that he is enjoying the lighter posts and at some point would partake in their spirit and comment on those too. It's good to get out of our heads and learn the feelings and fun of sillier, lighter moments and blog posts. They have just as much value as the long thought out deep ones.

But don't fret they'll be back. When I am not sure but they will. There's too much stirring up there for it to not land on this blog.

In the meantime I hope you all enjoy your July 4th, the fireworks and the true spirit of the day.

Wordless Wednesday

Cool Day At Governor's Island

I have lived in NYC for 17 years. Take that to all you people who said I had no stayin' power!

But until yesterday I never ventured out to Governor's Island. About five years ago it became a National Park and open to the public. Yesterday while the Gay Pride Parade was going on in Greenwich Village, an organization called Figment ran an all day event for artists and healthcare workers. I participated with a holistic healthcare group and had a blast with my friends Jae and Sarah. When we were done we ventured around to see the performers.

Here are some video snippets of the kinds of "alternative" events that were available yesterday:



This is a dance troop that does planetary drumming dances. I wanted to partake but didn't have the nerve. Some day I'll stop caring what others might say and just be free and jump in too.

The next one is of a little girl who I found while we made our way back to the ferry to leave the island. She was a bit tired and couldn't get her gear on properly but she gave it the old college try.




I have one more interesting video to show you but I'll save it for tomorrow. ;-)