NYC and Babies

This past Wednesday I had an opportunity to head to our NYC office and spend the day. This would be the first time I have been to the NYC branch office and was prepared to take full advantage.

Having been to NYC many times, I know how to get around, and whats where at least the major sites, and a few others I have discovered over the years. Like last year wandering around Chelsea pier looking for the Food network studios, only to discover that the Studio is not on the actual pier! My bad. but I did find the studios and the market Emeril is always talking about on his show. Story for another day.

Anyway, I leave town on the earliest train I can manage as the ride is about 2.5 hours to get to NYC. The day was going to be very nice weather wise, and I was planning to get in as much city time as possible.

Hurried out of Pen Station and hit 7th ave running almost, and headed east. It took me a good 20 minuets to walk the total of 12 blocks or more to the office. I had an idea where the office was but not exactly. However having used Google Map I was pretty sure where it was and what it looked like. I arrived and did my thing for the morning hours and then came lunch time.

I had a specific idea in mind for lunch but it changed slightly. I wanted to find a specific food vendor that was recently given a nice write up on a very popular food blog. Well, I did try to make to that one, but didn't, so I ended up in the raw oyster bar in Grand central. I had always wanted to go there and try the oysters as well as the stew.

It was nice being there, I was there once before long ago, and did not indulge in the raw oysters. Not knowing one oyster from another, I asked my server, and he brought me a tray of six, two each from a different selection. I really liked to one set, so I ordered a few more. well by the time I was done with a Belgium draft, the oysters and the stew, I was shocked at the total cost. It was a nice lunch but that nice!

Back at the office and being that it was very quiet there I did what I set out do, I left to go see a friend who lives on the lower West side of Manhattan. I don't feel right caller her friend though. When people ask how I know her and what the relationship is I simply say "my daughter". She is not in the biological sense, but I feel as though she is. She was a kid whom my wife and I took under our wind back when she was very young and have tried to watch out for ever since.

We watcher her go through her teens, I taught her to drive, we supported her while she was deployed to Iraq, she did care for my boy when he was born. I remember meeting her for the first time and knew she was special and that she would achieve great things. She recently finished her degree in Criminology at John Jay, but right now she is doing the most important work she can do.

She is a stay home mom. She and her husband have a beautiful baby girl, about 4.5 months old. well, my aim was to go take her to dinner, so I took a subway across town and met her at her apartment. Her husband wasn't sure he could get out of work and join us, so we decided to hangout in the apartment and enjoy the baby, and wait to see if he could join us.

As soon as as I arrive she handed off the baby to me, and what a little bundle of joy. She was happy laughing smiling and bouncing. I bouncer her on my knee and she would giggle. when I stopped she would move best she could to mimic the bounce, so I had to keep bouncing her. However after her bottle, bouncing stopped, I learned that lesson long ago with my son! you don't bounce a baby after they have had a bottle, you just don't.

I was not remotely hungry, so we didn't go out to eat, we talked about drinks but I was not in the mood. I was content to be with my daughter and her baby, I felt like a grandpa with the baby on my knee. it was the best moment I have had in a long time. It made all the trouble dealing with the city worth it. For those few hours I was content. It was like the feeling you get after a really really good meal, a full belly and a contentment. it was like that but so much better. To see her so happy with her baby and husband, and see that little bundle of joy, it was a moment forever etched in my mind now. One of those moments you know when it is happening that it is special.

Well, my time was up, I needed to get back to the train station and catch the last train back home. Well there was one more later but much too late for me. As it was I would not be home much before midnight, and had a long trek back to Pen Station and then the train ride back home as well. We bade farewell but not without making a firm commitment to see each other more often. In that, she committed to coming up and spending an afternoon for a cookout Labor day weekend in two weeks.

We are letting life get ahead of us and not spending the time seeing each other we would like to. her baby is 41/2 months old and that was the first time I saw her. We both agreed that is unacceptable, and will not allow that to happen again.

That's how it is sometimes, we let the ones we love go along in life and try to stay connected but it becomes lost somewhere. Granted there are many miles between us, but we should not let that be an issue unless we let it. The good news is we see this potentially happening, so we are going to ensure that we don't lose each other in living life to it's fullest.

It was good day in NYC.

Statue of Liberty

Earlier this year when we had visitors from Germany, we spent a few day in NYC. As part of that trip we decided to go see the Statue. I am an early person, and would have preferred we get there as soon as possible and get the sight seeing in early, but sometimes I am not the one in charge!

We did make our way there eventually and take the ferry out. What we were not prepared for was the security nightmare! Nightmare in that it was evident that the security there did not have any experience at it, and best I can describe was they were bumbling at it.

At the ferry we had to take off our shoes, go through a metal detector, and bags searched. It took well over an hour to get thought it, and it was not what I would have considered crowded.

Then after arriving at Liberty island we again had to be pat down, metal detectors shoes, off the whole works. I guess that was in case we swam to the boat and climbed aboard while it was in motion or something.

We waited in a line that crawled, seems they were only letting one or two people in at a time. When we got to a huge tent they had setup at the entrance, we were handed a plastic card. Then at the end of the line we handed the card to a security person. I tempted fate and my life by asking her what the card was for? From what I could see she swiped it in a machine then put it in a plastic bin. That bin was picked up and sent back to the entrance to hand to people again that were getting in line. It did not contain any personal information and I could only see it as a count card.

My question gained me a severe glance and a curt response "security purposes" and so I truly tempted fate and asked again. This time I got a full on stern look, and a very nasty response, "what business is it of yours"! I started to retort, but my company held me back as they did want to see the Statue after having come all this way.

We went to see the White House earlier that week, and the security methods were simple quick, and courteous. Whereas going to the Statue was a nightmare security wise. It was very clear the security personal were under trained and over badged with false authority.

Last time I was at the Statue was back in the mid 80's before 911, and all that, and I remember it was a breeze. We also were allowed in the crown back then, and I recall having to bend over to look out the crown. This time, no crown, not even allowed in the actual Statue but the pedestal only. They had a glass ceiling so we could look up into the Statue.

All in all the experience was not a pleasant one, and I was discouraged thorough the whole thing. What have we allowed ourselves to come to. We allow ourselves to be treated as if we are criminals when visiting our treasured landmarks. Why are we allowing this?

We need to do something to change it, to gain our freedom back again. We are giving up too much in the name of terrorism. I have sent a letter to my Congresscritters and voiced my discouragement with the Statue trip. How can such a treasure be reduced to such a mess. It was one of the worst security experiences I have ever had. Let alone having had it here in the US!

A political year begins.

This year began normal enough, same old routine plan a few trips go to work, etc etc. However chance conversations and chance meetings made it a slightly different year.

We planned to have family visit for a few weeks from oversees. My wife's brother and a female friend. My bother-in-law is not one for warm climates, so taking him to the Dominican was out, and he didn't like the sound of Florida either. In the Northeast that leaves few option for the month or March.

So, it was mutually agreed to go to Delaware in March! the upside, not too many tourist will be there, and the downside, well, the water is still quite cold, and most businesses are closed. Season has not begun quite yet.

One weekend day I am doing yard work or some such thing, and my neighbor drives by and stops to chat. So I mention we are heading to Delaware soon, and might pop over to Washington to see the Lincoln memorial and whatever other sites are there to be seen. I have never been to Washington, so it would be nice. He asked for my email, and I pass it along to him having no idea why, just being neighborly I guess.

Several days later I get an email from my Congress Critter, and along with that email is an invitation to tour the White House! I call the guy who sent the email and we work out all the details, he wants names SSN numbers, I tell him the guests are not US citizens so no SNN numbers no problem he says he needs passport numbers.

We pass a few emails back and forth and I receive a final email confirming our date and time for the tour. Naturally I see my neighbor again one day and thank him for the extension. He says no problem, he is well connected he was a consultant for many years for a local Congressman who well, didn't get re-elected due to some misbehavior on his part. He said it was his pleasure for helping him out from time to time with house issues he bought our friends house, and seemed nice so I didn't mind popping over and helping with minor issues. His garage door opener stopped working for instance and I knew the previous owners, they are still friends, so I knew the trick to get it working right again.

He said he was a Naval Commander retired, and now is enjoying retirement, but you can see through that guise. He clearly loves his politics and the roll he plays there. The Congressman he supported was Republican and he insists he is as well. However he off handedly mentions he is considering a fund raiser for Sen. Clinton later that year, and if I am interested he will extend an invite.

Anyway, we head to Delaware, and on the designated day we head on up to Washington. We had an ambitious plan for the day, but by the time we got to Washington we barely had time to get to The White House at our designated time. We rushed to get there then rushed to get to the right gate to check in, only to discover that the time frame is pretty flexible. At the gate I was amazed at what appeared to be lack of security. We gave our names and went into a tent to pass through a metal detector, and followed a path and we were suddenly in the White House. that was it. However I suppose that the appearance of light security is a sign of expert security and those who know how security is done right. Unlike visiting the Statue of Liberty, that is another story!

The tour was self paced and self guided, but in each room were staff whom you could ask most any question regarding the room. The tour was nice, short, but all the same very impressive to be in the White House. In the same building each and every President lived in. That in itself was aw inspiring. No camera's allowed unfortunately.

After the tour we easily found a nice pub type place to have a good lunch. As it was snowing, and the weather was clearly turning, we decided to see the Lincoln Memorial only and then head home. Well, never having been to Washington before, and not knowing where things were it was a challenge. My wife, son and I walked to where we thought the memorial was, passing the Vietnam Memorial on the way. That was aw inspiring as well, and we did make it to the Lincoln Memorial. by now it was blustery wintery snowing hard and cold. We could not find her brother and guest had no idea where they were, they had the car and the heat, and were not answering the cell phone.

So we stayed at the memorial until finally they called us. I walked to the car, then dropped them off so they could see the memorial and circled the square a few times not having luck parking but enjoying the warmth. By now it was getting late snow was heavy and we were downtown Washington on a weekday with heavy snow. I suspected that did not bode well to get out of town easily!

We all finally were together in the car, it was 3-4 ish and I could see the mass exodus begin for the end of the work day. However we drove past the Capitol building and could not resist a stop for a photo opportunity. We did get some great photos of the Capitol building with snow coming down. they look great, however, the commute nightmare began.

Getting out of Washington was no easy affair!

There was a little event getting to Washington as well. We had to head up through Delaware to get to the bridge to Washington, and the drive was longer than we expected. My brother-in-law being from Germany and wanting to drive, well, when we blew past the police car with the radar gun, it was a no brainer as they say that were going to be pulled over.

The officer was too funny. She asked for his Lic, and we told her it was German. Well, she came back to the car after a few min. and informed us how smart she was that she figured out all by herself it was a German Lic. we had to hold back laughing. Then, she asked if he knew how fast he was driving, to which he retorted, "maybe 85", she almost lost it then, and said well, we were clocked at 95 and even if we were doing 85, the limit was 55! then she did something odd, she looked over at me in the passenger seat and asked why I was not driving! I said then I would be getting the ticket! She did not respond very well to that remark, we were trying hard to lighten a tense situation, but she was not seeing the humor there.

My wife and the female friend were in the back seat glaring at us as well. It was getting hot in that car I can tell you. So, we offered our apologies and thanked her, but she was not done. She proceeded to explain more about the ticket as she then thought for some reason as people do sometimes that if she spoke slowly and over pronounced the words my German friend would better understand her! It was quite comical. His handle on the English language puts mine to shame. However the moment of almost complete loss of control came when she handed him the ticket and said it would be a $260 fine.

My brother-in-law not knowing the rules here in the US, pulled out his wallet and started counting cash and tried to hand it to her! I thought at that moment we were surely all going to jail with her. To her credit she gently pushed the hand he was holding out to her back and said no, he didn't understand he has to mail it in. She then very clearly and slowly explained as if to a child how to mail it in money order form etc etc. It was a long speech. Thus the reason we were rushing when we did arrive in Washington for the scheduled tour.

Politics,

Not something I get too involved in as a rule. Yes, I vote, and do pay attention to the politicians, who is running for what so I can at least vote somewhat intelligently.

However, a few weekends ago I had an opportunity come my way that was quite unexpected. The chance to meet Hillary Clinton personally and the chance to speak directly with her! For someone like me, a rare opportunity.

I will be the first to admit I am not a big fan of the Senator from NY, and do not believe in her views for the most part, and after having met with her and speaking with her, my opinion did not change. However the person who initiated to connection thought I might.

With only about six minutes talk time, what does one say that may impact her, or have any effect whatsoever, other than just another sound bite or however she might perceive it? What could I say and what topic specifically could I focus on to grab her attention, or at least put a bug in her ear about. Will I choke and stand there muttering senselessly, or talk about the weather! it could happen, my moment could come and go, and nothing leaves my moth that is comprehensible, it has been know to happen.

So, my moment comes, I am being introduced to her by my host, and through her personal assistant, and I see myself shaking her hand, and for some unknown reason, my head became calm, and my thoughts clear and I know exactly what I will say to her and in what sequence and how long I have to speak. It was like a ray of light.

So, I talk to her about the plight of many elderly, how they are barely making ends meet, such as my mother, and how there is a plethora of information out there and HEAP, and other programs for them, yet they don't seem to know about them or they don't make an effort to get on some of them because they once heard from someone they didn't qualify or it is simply too hard. We talked about upping the county limits on real Estate assessment that could also help the elderly in getting higher values for their homes through a Reverse Mortgage and so on.

She agreed that the information is out there but might not be getting to them. To her credit, she was aware that legislation just passed upping the County limits that week, so that would help greatly. She was very smart, and knowledgeable, and answered quickly and precisely. Then I asked her how her day was. Could not be all business after all. Again to her credit, she missed an event that afternoon that was more social for doing something more important. I knew when I asked her already as I had spoken with someone earlier that evening she went to see a child with Leukemia rather than attend the social event. So I told her I was glad to hear she did that personal thing and sacrificed her pleasure. She agreed. then I introduced her to my wife and they spoke for a time as well.

All in all it was a pleasurable experience, and not something I would have sought out though. It was happen stance and not by any negotiating of mine or any agenda. Right place right time brought that evening to us. There were other congress critters there, and Mayors and so on, I met with some as well.

This event was also a fund raiser, so the evening was not without cost. However my wife was willing to partake as she seems to like Senator Clinton for the most part. Here we are two different parties on the same house hold, but I suppose that is not so uncommon.

There are several issues I can not hold to with the Senator, but the main one that would certainly prevent me from siding with her would her view on Woman's Choice. This post is not about that but that would be a deal breaker right there.

I can only hope that she will in some small part of her recall the conversation and when she is in Washington making decisions and writing legislation, that she will indeed know that the people out there have real issues and concerns and there are people who are barely getting by, and help their lives in the choices she makes when voting. I can hope.

Wow, no post since December!

Well, what can I say, the slacker that I am. So much going on in life time to blog it all, who has that!

In the Spring I did have the opportunity to head on over to The Dominican Republic for a week. One of those all inclusive deals.

We drove to NYC, and stayed a night near the airport at a Marriott, that was nice. Our flight left Newark at 8:00 AM so we had to be nearby to get to the airport quickly.

All went well, the flight was about three hours from Newark, and quite uneventful. What we encountered in the Dominican was unreal. the airport was small rural, and very quiet. We quickly found the van that would take to our resort. The drive was about 45 minutes, and we drove through some very depressed villages. our driver was great, he knew the towns we drove through and gave an impromptu tour as we went through them.

Once we arrived at the resort we checked in, and I met a very eager man names Jack, who said he would take care of all our needs, we need only ask for him. he did live up to his promise. All the staff was overly accommodating, and friendly and we wanted for nothing.

We met many Europeans who took the 9 hour flight from London, or Germany. many Canadians were there as well, being from the US at that time of year was unusual so we were a minority. it was very nice to see all the different cultures there at one, and a few things at the beach we in the US are not accustomed to as well! Having lived in Germany for four years, I was prepared for some of that.

All in all the trip was great, we were well treated and kept busy by the staff with many activities or leisure time. We did not do any excursions as we needed the down time. This trip was for sole purpose of cleansing, to take a breather and relax and drop all the trappings of daily life. Not a single electronic device came with us, not one, save a cell phone that did not get turned on once.

The one and only down side was a few weeks after getting back home we get a call from the one credit card we used. Seems it was being used after we left. the person was shopping for gas, and ice cream and groceries in the village just outside the resort. So clearly the shop we used it at gave away the number, as we only used that card once to purchase gifts at the little stores on the resort.

Next, we will talk about the White House Tour!