Sunday, December 7, 2008
East Village updates on characters and eviction struggles
I am working on a couple of short videos for youtube about Whole Earth Bakery.
"M" emailed me to give me an update on "Jay" one of our local characters who is for now not homeless but has a roof somewhere in Brooklyn. For now Jay is not drinking which of course is a good thing.
Sadly, Edgar is worse for the wear today. He was genuinely happy to speak with me and he was forlorn because of his inability to help himself as he sat on the sidewalk in the harsh wind and cold weather. He was a psychotherapist and he told me helped people, I nodded confirming my belief in ability to do so but he was sad at his inability to help himself. I assured him he was not alone but he said the fact did not console him. Often in the streets and park benches you can see people prisoners of vicious cycles in plain sight while many struggle internally in the privacy of their homes or behind cubicles in their office.
Laura Garza, Mike Daly's piece in NYDaily News A+ compassion
I feel dizzy with flu and emotion. Mike Daly gets an A+ for his coverage because of the dignity and compassion as well as the police officer he interviewed, the gentleman gets an A+ for compassion, his showed his excellence as a human being!
Often women are victimized 100 fold, murdered, subject of trash talk, blamed and other women join in, and the behavior is role modeled for kids to learn. Note: their bodies often end of dumped like trash as was the case in Imette St. Guillen and Jennifer Moore.
Mike Daly and the police officer he quoted treated Laura, what little we know of her except she had a stunningly beautiful smile, Laura is treated with dignity. I don't know what happened but as much as was revealed so far, Daly and the officer showed compassion and the proper care with their words which clearly came from a real humanity not phony public relations or the worst extreme opposite terrible sexism and hatred of women.
Again the system failed society letting this guy out in the streets but as many of us know there are often many red lights, many of them and perversely people try to cover them out, make light of the destructive behavior and blame the victims.
Do I think alcohol and drugs maybe prescription or illegal drugs were involved at least on his part...yes, that would be my guess and I also think there is more violence than the stats show related to night life. This violent man's behavior is part of a statistical report and the "stats" meant nothing because he was out on the street.
I am so sick of the double standards and worse the hatred that seethes out in violence and starts with words. The onslaught starts with words and escalates to physical intimidation and with it "blame".
I stopped in my favorite store "Babeland" and I began to feel so ill, I confess I was Ms. Cranky but I was transformed when someone handed me a tangerine and some kind words. I wanted to make sure I stopped in Babeland today because for me the store stands for empowerment and equality.
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Laura Garza, the news is not good
See my earlier posting that has links to The New York Daily News and NY1.
I turned off the news as quickly as I turned it on to get an update on Laura Garza and it seems there is evidence she is dead. No arrest yet but it seems pretty clear who the no. 1 suspect is and her parents are flying in from Texas.As pointed out I think on Channel 11, you can scan id's and use security cameras but it is clearly not enough. The women that were brutally raped, murdered and thrown away like garbage where brutalized after they exited and although the news reports violence is down, in my opinion that is not necessarily true because victims just may not come forward if they have been given "the date rape drug", and other violence male and female that just doesn't make it on to the statistical reports.
What ever the reasons or motives, it seems you cannot be too careful...
Another tragic beautiful casualty and more families and friends grieving hard...
For me I stay away from bars and clubs but if people are going they really need a buddy system, be honest with themselves about not mixing any drugs legal or illegal with booze, be very careful and have the drink poured in front of you so no date rape drug (including not leaving the drink unattended) can be dropped in it and a predator can be dressed in an expensive business suit or the opposite there of, there aren't any classifications so you have to be so careful, call right rides if you need a safe ride home or a reputable car service.
I do believe there are more "legalized drugs" being used, dealt than ever before in history because it has become such a big business with advertising and internet sales as well, plus illegal substances and I think people mixing them with booze can either fall victim more easily or the other extreme, may be more prone to violence because of the drugs they are playing with like fire including adding booze to the mix.
Alcohol does play a role in many homicides...
skimming through Jan (Doctor G) Garavaglia, M.D. book to page 212
"How not to die if you're a guy"
and no surprise the connection to homicides and alcohol... Dr. G writes this...
"Avoid the use and abuse of destructive substances. Tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drugs have a range of deleterious effects on the body. Alcohol is known to be associated with about one- third of suicides. It is a key factor in accidents of all kinds and plays a role in many homicides."
I would add the abuse of legalized drugs especially combined with alcohol....
Suzannah B. Troy "Jack" attack, Jacked up, Jack Maple on my mind and this economic tsunami of a meltdown
I really have this funny urges to by a box of Jack Maple's book and hand them out to police officers! I just saw what I call a "chain" bar "-- just expanded and it was jam pack, just cringed...
The city hasn't even felt the full weight of this economic tsunami of a melt down and the sky piercing condo's, many half empty, city wide are like soulless glass ghosts marking arrogance and greed. Of course NYU and Columbia University are still licking their chops with greed longing to sweep up more real estate as if their expansion has not crushed enough communities....
The New York Times took a swipe at historic preservation but was careful to keep their lips puckered to city planning's uncool misdeeds -- disservice to the city and the people. I believe it is because The New York Times got to supersize and used eminent domain to do it and just like NYU, Columbia U. and Cooper Union they could not get the job done with out the mayor and good friend Amanda socialite mega millionaire Burden.
I felt the editors had no right to advise anyone to work with city planning when the city planning dept under socialite mega millionaire Amanda Burden destroyed this city (what was left of it despite her phony public relations) and if you don't think this tsunami of community crushing development is connected to this tsunami of an economic meltdown than you haven't looked at the neighborhoods city wide that with these ghost building monuments to greed and hideous architecture.
It was sickening, just like so many front page puff pieces including the one about Amanda Burden, the arrogance displayed by the editors of The New York Times makes me think of the heads of the auto industry and their private jets. The New York Times needs to reflect the pulse of the people far more than they have and stop pushing the likes of Amanda Burden down our throat.
If The New York Times doesn't get with it they will probably go belly up as well at this rate. As much as I believe the paper is making very wrong decisions putting their rich friends a head of real New York kind of like how they built their new building, I don't want the paper to have to lay off more people. I don't want lay offs and sadly the wealthy that are not hit by this economic meltdown need to employ as many people as they are able which brings me back to Jack.
Back to Jack because I associate him with amazing drive and creativity and the NYPD is going to be challenged more than ever with these harsh cuts that are hitting NYC across the board with a few exceptions.
NYC to secede from the State of New York (just joking)), Gov. Patterson is disliked, and Bloomberg's approval rate continues to fall
Yo, I don't have fancy polls but when I hear people asking for New York City to secede (this has come up over the years) and strong dislike for Gov. Patterson with people telling me they want Patterson and Bloomberg to get their walking papers or at least NYC to stop being sucked dry by the State of New York getting nothing back except even higher costs of living across the boards!!!!
Talk on the Street, Jim Power upbeat and thoughts on unique East Villagers
I still feel extra wiped out from the flu so the actual name alludes me, I think it the National Museum of murals and mosaics in public places, may be an online museum and a gentleman interview Jim Mosaic Man Power about his art today. Jim is pleased. I think he will be included in their Museum. Jim is is also working vigorously on his many websites.
I have not seen Karl "Santa" in the longest of times. From what I recall he worked for the MTA and has a pension. When he cashed his check his friends would take all of his money after he was drunk but they also were very kind to him; there is another East Village or many East Villages with in with many networks I guess there is one goal and that is surviving.
Karl was always very polite to the police when they would roll up and he would wish them a safe tour even if sometimes they busted him...Karl seemed to be more filled with grace than average inebriated guy on the bench. I imagine he is uptown at one of these homeless outreach programs and doing well. That was what I last heard but you never know. I am sure we will see "Santa" at some point. I hope he is warm and cared for.
I saw Edgar who insisted on kissing my hand, ditto for another gentleman who insists on calling me "Happy" although I am anything but and if compliments where ruby and gold than they each gave me a treasure chest. Edgar is in really bad shape but he graced me with a smile and honesty. We have very frank direct talks. He is bright, his eyes are the most alive part of his body and his thoughts are sharp like Karl. I always think of this one Van Gogh self portrait at the Met Museum where Van Gogh has used many colors to represent his eyes and Edgar's eyes have so much color, bluish green and even a little gold...who knows, really really nice person...gentle soul.
There is also this magical older woman who seems to see and know a lot about the street and she was warmly tucked away in one of my favorite places today and she said she was "happy to see me smile". I find that deeply moving. I am assuming she doesn't have much but again her heart is hugely generous and she is a thoughtful person sometimes expressing concerns to me about a mutual friend. I would like to take her picture but did not. I also didn't take one of this absolutely funny guy that put on his knit hat, a take off of easy rider and it pulls down over your nose but has cut out for his eyes....he said "he likes to make out with his wife wearing the hat!" so funny and I gather it tickles him she is not quite comfy with that!
How Not To die, suprising lessons on living Longer, safe, healthier by Dr. G
Dr. Jan Garavglia, M.D. is a forensic pathologist, Chief Medical Examiner for District Nine, Florida and tv show star as well showing us the "inner working" of what she does and of course she solves the mysteries of "her patients" for lack of a better word.
I just started this book and part of her beauty is her positivity including thanking each and every person she has autopsied because they allowed her the privilege to learn. I love her "acknowledgements" including to her husband.
I really like her and I am riveted. Can't wait to finish reading this book and in just a few minutes I learned a lot. She turned down the option of being a doctor treating the living, finding patients unwilling to make changes to improve their health frustrating yet her tv has inspired many to make the changes they need to when she shows them what a liver damaged by alcohol abuse looks like.
She is not a coroner but she explains the origin of the word and system dating back to the 12th Century A.D., England where sheriffs where their main job was collecting taxes for just about everything like here in NYC but the sheriffs where stealing all the money and the king figured it out and created the coroner position to keep track of the money and I will give you a big hint
dieing even than was expensive!!!! You know I am fascinated with corruption and I do think living and even dieing in New York is expensive so you can imagine what is running thru my mind if you have been following my thoughts on local politics....
I don't want to be autopsied but if I have to be I would want her to do it. She has such an amazing positive respectful attitude!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Laura Garza,The New York Daily News print copy also remembers Imette St. Guillen and Jennifer Moore
Crime Stoppers 800-577-tips
http://www.ny1.com/content/top_stories/90145/man-seen-with-missing-brooklyn-woman-questioned/Default.aspx?ap=1
Clearly issues regarding night ilfe, safety, SLA, etc. are on going and this is just a horrific red light underscoring this will always be so...apparently....
I also think it isn't always a gender issue and males and females alike have to be alert and even create buddy systems to look out for each other if going out to "party".
I also would like the stats on crime related to nightlife and even delis where people bought alcohol and committed a crime or hit and run, I also wish we could have stats on drug related crime including legal drugs and illegal and mixing them with alcohol.
I made a youtube "female genocide" and it is a global death toll but one here in NYC and it may or may not have to do with night life but another beautiful female is missing...it was exhausting and difficult to write the poem, make the youtube and I didn't include Imette St. Guillen and Jennifer Moore but the more recent murders of young girls on the street and in their very own bed...
I did include Tina Negron and Adrienne Shelly. Someone was so put off put my video the lowest rating which tells you something and I was and here I am again talking about another woman feared dead....
FOIL is very "narrow" and limited....
I made a youtube "female genocide" and it is a global death toll but one here in NYC and it may or may not have to do with night life but another beautiful female is missing...it was exhausting and difficult to write the poem, make the youtube and I didn't include Imette St. Guillen and Jennifer Moore but the more recent murders of young girls on the street and in their very own bed...
I did include Tina Negron and Adrienne Shelly. Someone was so put off put my video the lowest rating which tells you something and I was and here I am again talking about another woman feared dead....
Friday, December 5, 2008
budgetary tip for the mayor, get rid of the "conflict of interest board"
Apparently in NYC there is no such thing as "conflict of interest" so dear king mayor bloomberg, just get rid of the "conflict of interest board for the city of New York!!!!
hmmm, it is not a conflict of interest for city council to vote themselves a raise,
not a conflict of interest to vote to extend term limits for one's own job,
the list here in NYC of "conflicts of interest" that are in my opinion conflicts of interest are so long and apparently unending...
the first budget cut should be this committee if in fact they really exist....
what a joke
The Modern at The MOMA
I am going to see if I can piece together some rough video of me filming inside the MOMA including walking in the white cave like entrance to the Modern their chic eatery for those who enjoy paying high prices for tiny weeny portions that are very delicious.
As I entered an older dude was talking in to his cel about the East Village and it's chic stores...
ho hum
Checking out the NYPD and I drop my lipstick, someone watching out for me though
I was photographing the police on the other corner (but no zoom on my iphone) trying to figure out if there is any activity when a beautiful young woman walks up to me -- very beautiful sweet soul and hands me my lipstick. I felt very looked after as if someone was looking out for me and than I photographed more police further down the street and dropped my lipstick again and a much older woman with a wilder hat than mine returned my lipstick. Chanel the best lipstick on the planet. I prefer the brightest shade of red but today mellow.I realize I continually drop things and people continue to watch me do so and return my "thangs" diverse people of all kinds, very kind.
Watching the NY1, heart breaking, this young boy murdered on the streets in Brooklyn because supposed adults argue and have to use fire arms instead of words or just walking a way, yet another young person dies way too young, death by violence.
Reading emails on lay offs and other problems regarding the budgetary meltdown. Talk to my Dad who feels it has not bottomed out yet but he was optimistic there is no doubt the economy will rebound. I have to add.... "eventually" rebound...but clearly there is more fall out which is becoming more apparent and in your face here in NYC
...very disturbing as is more globally as well....
Have to think positive thoughts, still drained from this flu and other issues.
NY1 mentions x amount of years ago the film on Serpico came out...How mind blowing gutsy was Serpico? VERY!!!!!!
Channel 4 Just showed I think a 2 star NYPD (very large in stature -- literally) chief head of press office?, retiring, didn't catch his name...
quoted the very big retiring 2 star chief.... "Best seat in the house for the greatest show on Earth." I still have flu residue but that NYPD dude has the best attitude.... great quote, funny and great attitude.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
more taxes tickets tolls, layoffs, closings and higher prices, a thought on the price of health insurance
higher everything from grocery bills to everything...
just got a note my health insurance monthly will be a whopper over 750 a month...if you have a job that includes health insurance consider that earning x amount of thousands more a year.
ps Lower East Side random thoughts on truth and the opposite of plus Albert Einstein's visit to the LES
I stopped having people call me by one syllable nickname + Troy. Ask anyone who knows Yiddish what it means and it is true, so why would I just not what to hear it...
no brainer...
just heard a NYC politician comment on the car industry,
funny, that is how I feel about the Lower East Side to City Hall and back again, city wide...
Bought the Einstein bio in the audio version to a listen to because the book weighed 5 pounds and was to heavy to lug around...still would fail a test on the book but the part about his first visit to NYC, an NYPD boat brought him to shore and he hung out for many hours in the Lower East Side...for obvious reasons....
Now the Lower East Side has been supersized....looks like a bad xerox of mid0-town.
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