Category: Manhattan

October as the Odd Month

It’s been an unseasonably warm October. The headlines haven’t been great, and I keep wondering what’s the one bright spot out there.

Well, okay, the World Series is on – Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Houston Astros. It’s strange to even think of that, since I keep thinking of the Astros as a National League team, but oh, hey, maybe Astros can pull something off for their town (they beat the Yankees to get here, and who had the Yankees in the playoffs this year anyway?). Then again, the Dodgers have been great, so… we’ll see.

The other strange bright spot – Alma Mater football team beat Dartmouth at homecoming this past weekend. Alma Mater football team hasn’t lost so far at all – a record of 6-0, with the 3-0 in the Ivy League. Sole possession of first place in the league? We haven’t seen this kind of winning season since 1996? Wow. I usually don’t follow college football, except to see how Alma Mater pulls it off, and this is impressive.

Who would have imagined that the Alma Mater football team would be the winning in town, other than the Yankees? This past Sunday, in the dead tree newspaper, I came across how the NY Daily News even did a two-page article about the Columbia football team – and it’s not about how they’re perennial losers for once.

The passing of actor Robert Guillaume. I remembered watching the show “Benson” (watching when I was probably too young to watch – but wasn’t it arguably family viewing anyway?), and laughing over his great, witty acting.

Plus, Guillaume was a pioneer as a black actor who won Emmy awards, as well as Emmy and Tony nominations. His character Benson was more than wisecracks – he was the man who was smarter than everyone and had great arc – rising from a former butler to lieutenant governor – and that unforgettable series finale – the cliffhanger of who won that election for governor was left hanging, but for ABC’s ending the series (I like to think that Benson won, but we’ll never know!). I didn’t fully appreciate “Sports Night” (although that was a great Aaron Sorkin show, pre-West Wing), but Guillaume had quite a career. He’ll be missed.

Taking a Moment to Pause and Reflect 2017

Try to remember the kind of September

When life was slow and oh, so mellow.

Try to remember the kind of September

When grass was green and grain was yellow.

-“Try to Remember,” from The Fantasticks.

Earlier tonight, I walked over to the Brooklyn Promenade after work, to make sure to see the Tribute in Light. I feel sadness, and I reflect where we were then, and where we are now. I wonder.

Here’s a link to Gothamist’s post today on the Tribute in Light. Gothamist also posted images of the Oculus’ retractable roof opening at 8:46am, and allowing a beam of light at 10:28am, on September 11, 2017.

Above that photo I had taken some years ago at the Brooklyn Promenade.
I had also taken this photo a couple of years ago at the Brooklyn Promenade.
I took this one on Sept. 10, 2012, via my old phone.
Photo that I took on Sept. 10, 2012, via my old phone.

Also, please do check out the previous post of 2016, to access the links to earlier posts here on triscribe on this day.

— ssw15

(cross-posted at sswslitinmotion.tumblr.com)

APA Stuff to Consider, or Spring 2017 Begins

There is still snow on the ground, even though it is melting.

Worthwhile items about Chinese Americans over at NPR, from last week: gentrification of Chinatowns.  When an immigrant community’s next generation assimilates or moves on, or there are changes in the types of jobs available, a community will change. But, gentrification in terms of race and class – that’s not exactly comfortable stuff.

The story of the Delta Chinese, as fascinatingly portrayed on NPR, is sort of a contrast to the gentrification of Chinatown. It isn’t quite about displacement by class and race, but the evolution of immigration and society is something to remember and reflect on. (btw – definitely worth reading this NPR item, along with the other NPR item on gentrification of Chinatowns).

The NPR item on gentrification of Chinatowns, notably, quoted Peter Kwong, Hunter College professor, and Asian American studies pioneer, who observed that New York City’s Chinatowns may be the last stand of a working class, viable Chinatown.  Sadly, Kwong passed away last Friday, as announced in the news.  (h/t Asian American Writers’ Workshop‘s Facebook page post).  Things to think about, as we consider the history of Chinese in America, and how do we go forward.