Category: The Bronx

Happy New Year’s Eve 2020

We’re about to say goodbye and good riddance to 2020, the fire in a dumpster year. Of course, who’s to say that 2021 won’t bring on its own madness?

The year in review stuff hadn’t been much to impress me, because the year from March onward was dominated by the pandemic, racial injustice, and the presidential election. On the one hand, thank goodness Joe Biden won. On the other hand, let’s get to the inauguration and realize that there is so much hard work to do and to face. If we can commit to take better action, maybe there is still hope?

Do take a moment to reflect on those we lost this year, how we maintain and cherish the relationships we still have, and how we may still have much to hope for.

I’m re-sharing the link that I had shared back last year, December 31, 2019, on Facebook: “Start Fresh: 6 Tips For Emotional Well-Being In 2020” over at NPR. Why didn’t I follow these ideas in 2020? Well, I renew so-called resolutions for awhile now. These are still good ideas.

I took off from work today and spent much of it trying to do my last day of the year donations to all my causes. So, consider this the annual reminder that, if you can, don’t forget to do this before the year’s ends in a few hours. And, apparently, the CARES Act or whichever bill it was that had been passed is trying to encourage more donations. Donations might not be the solution, but at least we’re trying? And, anyway, consult a tax professional for the correct details on tax implications.

On a much lighter note: the year in pop culture was a mixed bag. NY metro area sports were a bust. The movies I did not see – well, so that goes. I did get to see the virtual offerings of the Asian American International Film Festival! And, Team Triscribe did enter the 72 Hour Shootout! Oh, I think that we forgot to blog about either of those items, so… maybe we should blog more in 2021…

Looking through my e-mails, I was almost impressed by this Williams Sonoma e-mail for their big warehouse sale. They’re selling a Star Wars Instant Pot/pressure cooker, which in in the same of R2D2. So cute! And, not cheap but on sale. I have no need for it, but really cute… Oh, goodness, they even have an R2D2 toaster…

Meanwhile, it’s 2021 already for some parts of the world! I still remember how 2000 was the year in which a lot of the TV channels went with a time zone to time zone celebration. There was something really amazing about that (granted, that was when the Internet wasn’t what it has become; check that out, kids). Sometimes I wish that we keep holding on to that feeling of amazement (the good kind of amazement, not the “WTF” bad kind).

I’ll likely post again later to note what I read during 2020. The pandemic ended up not being all that conducive to my reading habits, let alone my exercising habits or much else. But, here’s to hoping for all the best for 2021! Maybe? Uh… 🙂

(cross-posted at sswslitinmotion.tumblr.com)

February 2013 and Time Passing

Because this is triscribe and we are New Yorkers:

The passing of Mayor Ed Koch. See here for the NY Times obituary. The news was a sad one to hear on 1010 WINS first thing in the morning, and the realization that the quintessential New Yorker – even if you disagreed with him – is no longer physically among us.  The mayor of our youth and the road to the New York City that we know now.  Koch would be remembered for his “How’m I doing?” and his legacy – while complicated (since history is never easy) – cannot be ignored.

I’d read Koch’s movie reviews once in awhile; this NY Times item shared a couple of his hilarious reviews.  And, Koch’s curiously amusing and fascinating post-humus video interview with the NY Times, released after he died per his request, done in 2007 and how he wanted to be remembered.  He was Hizzoner.  (apologies to the NY Times, with its nice editorial and all, but I remembered reading about Koch in the hometown paper of the tabloidy Daily News).

An interesting overview and clips from Metro Focus on Channel 13 on Koch.  I couldn’t help but like the photo of Koch in front of the city landscape – with the World Trade Center’s Twin Towers in the background – the past and time passing.  Different times!

 

 

The Days After

No, I’ve never seen the movie “The Day After Tomorrow” – somehow, the idea of NYC wrecked in a new Ice Age (and this movie probably came out some time after the bad snowstorm of 2003) didn’t appeal to me and I wasn’t in the mood for the emoting of Dennis Quaid and Jake Gyllenhaal.

And, according to imdb, there was a 1983 tv movie with the title  “The Day After” (something about a nuclear fallout and starring a bunch of big names and familiar character actors like Jason Robards, John Lithgow, Steven Gutenberg, JoBeth Williams, and John Collum); I have no memory of that one.  And, based on the summary on the imdb page, it sounds really depressing. We’re no where near that close to world dissolution.

Count your blessings!  Breathe!

But, the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy incurred a bunch of mixed feelings. The headline of this NY Times’ article by James Barron and Ken Belson, “Hardship Strains Emotions in New York,” works for me because there has been so much going on.  I think it was from the NY Times somewhere, maybe a Thomas Friedman column (don’t hold me to it!), where it was said that the nation was in post-traumatic stress since 9/11/01, and I often feel that’s the case in New York City; the stress of the hurricane’s aftermath only emphasizes that to me.

Dazed, since one never imagines that this much damage would happen to the tri-state area; persistence, since one can’t just give up; maybe even inspiration, since so many have risen to action.  We’re pulling through; we’re getting there.  (almost a personal motto of mine as it is).

There has been a lot of impatience – I wonder if the Internet and social media, and cell phones, only increased the feelings and expectations of instant gratification? Or that we’ve become so dependent on electricity? (easy for me to say, when my neighborhood in Brooklyn was minimally effected).  Then again, a lot the craziness could have been avoided with a lot more planning and better communication of what happened and what expectations to have and why things will be.

There’s the sense of question for what works in the context – what respects the community? (such as it is, since in a dense urban context, sometimes “community” is hard to find).  For example: do we hold the marathon or not?  Unlike 9/11/01, we did not have have a six-week odd to deal with stuff; we had only days. I consider the marathon to be a great NYC thing, and I look at Meb Keflezighi as an American inspiration for being an American elite marathoner (not too many of those for quite awhile), but there was just not enough time for the NYC Marathon.  We could have civil conversation, but the controversy itself became a distraction from moving forward and helping each other out.

How do we balance interests and feelings and needs and wants?

Everybody feels forgotten, and Manhattan looked like two cities, with the half/third of the island in darkness (even described as a “dead zone”) and the north end looking no worse for wear.  You got to feel empathy for Staten Island, Gerritsen Beach in Brooklyn, and the Rockaways and Breezy Point in Queens, and there was so much going on.

But, there are reasons for everything: gas shortages are because the port was closed; the port needs electricity; there are places with no electricity; etc.

Gas? Well, we’re getting there…

Electricity? In Manhattan – almost there!  So looking forward to near normal MTA service; MTA is doing quite a job! (amazing that I’m even saying that).

Semblance of normality is near.  In the meantime, see how you can help.  There are a lot of possibilities. Brokelyn has a good list, wnyc has been a great resource (see here for wnyc’s list of ways to help; also, their tumblr page is terrific), and the libraries are open (NYPL, BPL, and Queens).  NYS Bar Association announced a storm relief effort.

Oh, and FC is so right on the mark on Facebook: NY1 has been on it and has done a great job.

I’m not forgetting NJ.  I’ll be out there again soon, I’ve no doubt.

Don’t forget Eastern Standard Time; we fall back an hour tonight.

Don’t forget to vote next Tuesday. The Civil War didn’t stop Election Day; our legal rights should still be exercised. Hell, you can still vote by paper, if necessary (not that I’m suggesting that it has to be, but that depends on your district’s situation). Check your district/board of Election/county clerk’s office.

So, hang in there, friends!