New York City's Snow Reaction Plan

I have heard many people talking, and read the arguments of others going back and forth online, over whether or not the blasts of snow we have had this winter in NYC are the result of global warming.

I remember we had some pretty intense winters in the city back in the late 60's and in the 70's. My brothers and I and all the neighborhood kids were out playing in almost waist high banks of snow, searching for perfect hills to go sledding. The Mayor's running those snow shows were John V. Lindsay and Abraham D. Beame.

Then we had some wonderful storms in the 80's when Edward I. Koch was in the house. I remember one time traveling to work and experiencing no more than the expected snow delay in bus service, then facing a nightmare on my way home as the storm intensified. Most bus lines stopped running or had extremely limited service leaving many commuters stranded during rush hour. Two friends were not able to go home and had to stay with a relative who lived close to the subway station they exited. Meanwhile I walked 2.67 miles. The storm was worse then the 2 we have had so far this season.

Back then no one was talking about global warming. Snow storms were and should be expected to occur each winter. We live in the North East after all. We should not be expecting to be walking around in capris and flip flops but in parkas and snow shoes.

While I do believe we have made a pretty good mess of polluting our planet, damaging the fine barrier that protects it and have an obligation to find a way to fix it, at present I would just like to see NYC do a better job at managing efforts to clear the streets and get NY'ers and those visiting the Big Apple from point A to B efficiently.

The street in front of my home did not see a snow plow until 4 days after the blizzard of December 26, 2010 and has not seen one yet during this last one. Why? Why in a time of such advance technology in which weather can be predicted 10-plus days in advance, is NYC so unprepared to handle inclement weather. This is not 1968. This was not a surprise storm! Where's our action plan? Seems all we have are reaction plans in NYC these days.

So, 2 thumbs down to the powers that be responsible for coordinating snow removal leaving many NY'ers stranded a second time this winter season, especially given the fact that our recent storm was not as bad as the last one in December. You may think you learned a lesson from the storm in December but obviously not so well.

And, 2 thumbs up to all NY'ers for the sense of community and team work they displayed! Yes, NY'ers learned a lesson after the first blizzard, that is, "Don't wait for city snow plows to clean up your street." "If you want it done right, do it yourself." (http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2011/01/27/crews-hopeful-streets-will-be-cleared-thursday/)

PHOTO ESSAY

 

 During the winter storm of January 27, 2011...

 

the trees reached to the heavens in S.O.S....

and, the street signs didn't know 
which way to point...

because while the plow above 
and the one below...

and, others around the city 
were going over cleared streets...

 this was the look of one, like many 
1/2 a block away!

LINKS OF INTEREST

Winter of Discontent Lindsay's Snowstorm, 1969

By Owen Moritz, Daily News, Oct. 1998

http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2011/01/27/crews-hopeful-streets-will-be-cleared-thursday/

The Mayors and Snow

Columbia University Press Blog, January 13, 2011

http://www.cupblog.org/?p=2909 

Got a Quarter? New York City Apartment Dwellers' Weekly Challenge

New York City tenants have come a long way from the days of tenement living in the Lower East Side during the late 1800's and the birthing of all things modern we enjoy so much like having a toilet in your home with the turn of the 20th century. "Daaa-aad! Troy has been in the bathroom for 20 minutes and I'm gonna be late for school. (sigh)"  "Maria, Maria. Vamanos! Save some watar for d' rest 'o us, hija!"  "Feng, you got until the count of three. One... Two..."

If you fight over the use of your bathroom with your loved ones you can only imagine what it must have been like to share one with several neighbors and their broods. Maybe if they where smaller, people would get out of them quicker. I know you are probably thinking how much smaller could a New York City apartment's bathroom get. C'est ne pas possible! But Yes, it is possible as once upon a time they were like this.

Photos: Tenement.org

These spaces were for one function only, the rest of your morning regime was taken care of via the multipurpose sink, in the living room-slash-kitchen-slash-washroom. There was was one knob for cold water, cold water and more, you guessed it, cold water.

 

Photo: Tenement.org 

And pets did not have the luxury of pets today in sharing our most precious of spaces. Did they even dare come inside? It was probably nicer outside for them anyway.

"Are you done with the toothpaste?" 

"Can you hand it to me please?"    

(The supposed master of the pet asks)

 

Check out Boo's owner's blog entry at blog.wellsfargo.com
 

"I'm not done yet! Close the door!"    

(Answers the real King of the castle)
 

 

Photo:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/crochethookery/2726123983/

I have had the pleasure of living in boxes of different layouts and sizes in buildings and private homes in New York City most of my life and besides the lack of closet space complaint there is the L-A-U-N-D-R-Y. Few tenants have the luxury of having a dishwasher let alone a washer and dryer in their homes. This task is still one in which you must exit you box and commune with others in a space specially designated for the the spin washing, drying and folding of your delicates, linens and rough and tumble clothing. Even if you own your lovely box and have your own machines, chances are you still have to make make a trip and commune with your neighbors because they can't handle blankets.

Once upon a time the living room-slash-kitchen-slash washroom was also the slash-laundry room. The basin you used to shave and the dishes from breakfast did not sit long before being cleared. And once done the laundry was hung. Decorating every inch of available air space like streamers in bizarre celebration.

 Photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/nypl/3110615690/

And so my fellow New Yorkers like many in urban areas throughout the world go on quest for change to feed the hungry machines so their clothes can come clean.

Quarters. Forget "Buddy, can you spare a dime." We need quarters and plenty. Before cell phones became the norm for everyone to carry, even seven-year old's, and debit cards replaced cash, for the most part, people carried purses just for change to feed the pay phones, buy newspapers, ride the buses, etc. You can't get change in most places in the city, unless you make a purchase and today a pack of gum costs a dollar. Good luck trying to break a five and getting 4 quarters in that mix of change for your Wrigley's Spearmint. There appears to be a change shortage in some parts of NYC or maybe it's just that merchants are fighting the same roll of quarter fees because some have taken to posting signs asking patrons for change. Meanwhile, laundromats have change machines for use by their patrons only! And unfortunately, I have not seen nor heard of any friends having change machines in laundry rooms in the buildings they reside because of theft and maintenance concerns.

It costs at least 3 dollars to wash and dry a small load of wash, so depending on the size of your brood or laundry sacks, you'll need 10 to 20 bucks worth of quarters and were do you go to get them? To the bank.

Banks. Once upon a time every week or two weeks you got a check in exchange for you labor. You endorsed said check and gave it to the teller at your bank for deposit. Thanks to advancements in technology, funds are transferred electronically and with the flexibility of paying bills on line, nowadays one rarely steps into a bank except to get cash from ATM machines, which do not dispense quarters. So you have to get on line (make that queue) and depending on the bank you go to your conversation will go something like this: Teller- "How can I help you today? (smile)" You- "I need a roll of quarters." Teller- "Do you have an account with us? (still smiling)" You- "No." Teller (no longer smiling)- "Well then, I'm sorry I can't give your quarters" or "We only offer this service to our customers. I'll do it for you this once, but next time I will have to charge you." If I needed a bank, I certainly wouldn't want to bank with one who was so inhospitable. It's just a roll of quarters for the laundry!!

Two Stupid Dogs had a hard time getting just one quarter to use a pay phone. What an odyssey they would have gone on if they had to get 10 or 20 bucks worth.

I don't endorse any financial institution but Citi is quintessentially NYC as apple pie and base ball  are to America. And no teller has yet to give me 'tude for 10 or 20 bucks worth of quarters. Citi Teller- "How can I help you today." Me- "I need one, no make that two rolls of quarters." Citi Teller- "Here you go will there be anything else I can assist you with today?" Me- "No, that's it. Thanks." Citi Teller- "Thanks and have a good day!" Sometimes they throw in "thanks for banking with Citi." I could be cynical and say, "Hey, we bailed them out didn't we? So, they have to be nice." But that has been the Citi way even before we the people backed them and the others.

Citi's new campaign: "Our Promise to New York"

"I promise," started the slogan on the tee that the teller helping me was wearing, "to reward you for banking with us!" I asked about the slogan when he returned with my quarters and was told that yes, he (meaning they- Citi) meant it. We'll see. The proof of the pudding is in the eating. 

Citi's towers grace the skylines of Manhattan and Long Island City in Queens, and its name crowns the facade of our Met's new stadium to the chagrin of many. There are almost as many Citi branches as there are Starbucks. But with quarters in hand my thoughts return to completing the remainder of the weekly challenge, communing with my neighbors at one of the many designated spaces for the spin washing, drying and folding of the L-A-U-N-D-R-Y.

Links of Interest

Tenement Museum

http://www.tenement.org/

Tenement Museum Blog

http://tenement-museum.blogspot.com/

New York City's landscape is changing forcing many to leave the city due to lack of affordable housing and demolition of public housing complexes.

New York City Plans to Topple Public Housing Towers

by Manny Fernandez

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/06/nyregion/06demolish.html

A modern day Murphy bed for studio apartment dweller's. 

Not cheap but a definite space saver.

http://www.zoom-room.com/howitworks.asp

 Keys to living artfully in one room by Susan Zevon

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/homegarden/2010953744_oneroom02.html

New York City Housing Authority

(Public Housing Application, Section 8 assistance, news, & more)

http://www.nyc.gov/html/nycha/html/home/home.shtml

NMFCV7WU6W4U

Turbulence Mix

Turbulence

by Maureen Baraka Bonfante

Shimmy, Shimmy

SHAAAAKE!

Like a chicken cutlet

getting breaded in a zip-lock,

by a hungry man.

I am not big on the concept of fleshy, multi-celled organisms being enclosed in metal containers, in single unit or en masse and shooting out to the space above the clouds. "I can feel and be very close to the Creator from down here. Thank you very much!" Whether these vehicles-slash-temporary dwellings (depending on the length of your travel you may be dwelling in them) weigh a few thousand pounds like a Cesna or close to a 100 tons like a Boeing seems unnatural. Give me horseback or bicycle, a great pair of boots or sneakers, I'll get cross country. Backpack strapped, instead of strapping down to a coach or first class padded seat. Eventually. In a few months. That's the way man was designed to travel. Use those legs!

Ahhh, but the joy of travel by today's modern man. Metals forged and blended with a variety of resins, fabrics, and other components into vessels of different shapes, sizes and modes of transporting fleshy masses from Timbuctoo to the Galapagos. The science. The ingenuity. The training of all involved from project development to final product daily launches. Where would we be without them?

It's 2809 miles from New York City to San Diego. Walking at a pace of 3 miles per hour, 10 hours a day you could get there in 94 days and if you bike 40 hours a day 70 days, but you'll need lodging and that can get pricey. Amtrak with transfers, 4 days at a cost of $272 one-way. By car with a team of drivers to hit the road with you, keep the car in go mode and shape, driving non-stop, 43 hours. Forget about the GA$! And who would think of subjecting a horse to carrying ones weight for such a long journey? Where would you stop to get feed and a stable? Lush open plains for grazing?

"Ze plane, ze plane," shouted Tattoo as guests flew in to "Fantasy Island," that is ze way to go!



 *******
Left to right: Herve Villechaize (Tattoo) and Ricardo Montalban (Mr. Roarke)
*******

What spectacular views of creation await you!

  San Diego (right)

San Diego Coastline (left). Sky before turbulence begins (right)

And then there's the turbulence. What to do, what to do, if you aren't a fan of roller coasters, heights and being confined to a chair or being boxed in for any length of time, but travel by plane you must? Nothing, just let go and relax! Trust in the skill of the pilot and crew to get passengers safely to point B. A prayer, some meditation can't hurt either. Some people like to talk about the movement of the plane to their travel companions. "Wu-ooh! Did you feel that one?" "Oh my God." "I remember one time..." Others drink, if they were fortunate enough to get one in hand before the shimmy shaking commenced. Sleep. Read. Watch the mini-back seat or over head TV. Listen to some music.

As the English Playwright and Poet, William Congreve penned in Act 1, Scene 1 of  the tragedy "The Mourning Bride" (1697), spoken by Almeria, the Princess of Granada:

"Music has Charms to sooth a savage breast,

To soften rocks, or bend a knotted oak."

Music works, but just what kind is a question of taste and mood. For my ride back to NYC from San Diego the other day I choose Acoustic Singers, most on guitar. I call the following sampling of tunes I listened to in between reading, TV viewing, napping and munching, my Turbulence Mix, courtesy of Jet Blue, (xm) radio. The title of Jacqui Naylor's song "Easy Ride From Here," set the neurons off to a positive frame of mind. All had deep, rich, engaging lyrics, music and singing. Enjoy.

Easy Ride From Here, Jacqui Naylor

LINKS OF INTEREST

"  Do you have a fear of flying?"

Check out Les Posen's Fear of Flying Weblog for great tips. Understand the dynamics behind turbulence, why it is not unsafe, methods to reduce flight anxiety and more.

*******

"The Mourning Bride" by William Congreve

Miscellaneous:

"Timbuctoo" sometimes written "Tim Buck Two"- is a slang expression used to refer to something far away. "All the way from Timbuctoo." Timbuktu is a city in Mali on the edge of the Sahara. A key post on the trans-Saharan caravan route for trade of gold and salt and Islamic scholarship. It is also a town in California in Yuba county, off the Yuba River and depending on what version of the story you follow it was named for or by an African American miner, who was originally from the Mali city. Either way, today unfortunately it is just a ghost town like many in the United States. With no push for preservation, its presence in the American landscape is fading fast.

More on Timbuktu

At the behest of his father nineteen year old Alfred Tennyson submitted a poem on the subject of Timbuktu for a contest and his poem "Timbuctoo" won. Here's a sample:

(Lines 1-9)

I stood upon the Mountain which o'erlooks
The narrow seas, whose rapid interval
Parts Africa from green Europe, when the Sun
Had fall'n below th' Atlantick, and above
The silent Heavens were blench'd with faery light,
Uncertain whether faery light or cloud,
Flowing Southward, and the chasms of deep, deep blue
Slumber'd unfathomable, and the stars
Were flooded over with clear glory and pale.

(Lines 215-224)

     I am the Spirit,
The permeating life which courseth through
All th' intricate and labyrinthine veins
Of the great vine of Fable, which, outspread
With growth of shadowing leaf and clusters rare,
Reacheth to every corner under Heaven,
Deep-rooted in the living soil of truth;
So that men's hope and fears take refuge in
The fragrance of its complicated glooms,
And cool impleached twilights.

For more on this and to read his poem at length go to http://www.pathguy.com/timbuc.htm

Light A Candle and Pass Its Light

Candles  

By Maureen Baraka Bonfante

It,

burns.

Now.

For yesterday.

For todays and tomorrows.

Undulating,

like the gymnast's silk scarf in dance.

Flicker, Flicker. Sway.

Carried by and put out, by the the air.

Ignited. Igniting.

Apple, vanilla, cinnamon, lilac, orange, rose.

Wedding Day.

Birthday numero uno or one hundred.

Held in tribute or silent protest.

Power outages. Crises.

Combustion => Fire.

Small. Contained.

Guiding lights.

Trick or not.

LIFE!

Them.

They.

She.

He.

Us.

I.

Candles. Life. That is what my buddy Ms. S and I chatted about during lunchtime on Wednesday. She was asked by a member of her congregation to prepare a birthday tribute, message to commemorate the special day. It was about candles, hardships, ones triumphs, personal and spiritual growth through struggles faced, gemmed by scripture, etc. And sacrifice. In order for a candle to issue light, a sacrifice must be made by the wax. It melts away until nothing remains, holding the wick in place, housing the burning flame safely for man to hold. If fuels the flame and protects the wick from burning too quickly. It makes the light last as long as it can. Candles are simple but amazing systems of light.

Ms. S and I talked about how we get light from others, through sharing thoughts, feelings, counsel, comfort. Sometimes it's just being there, being positive. And how after feeling a new from the light we receive, it passes on. Naturally, without thought, as the heart beats, as the lungs breathe to sustain the body's life. A positive domino effect, which steams from the smallest gestures at times. Her candle message inspired by a friend who helped her choose a motif and saying for the birthday card. Her sharing of the message she prepared and how it came about inspiring me.

Haiti's Earthquake

Twenty hours earlier, January 12th, 4:53PM a 7.0 earthquake, 13km (8.1 miles) deep, struck the nation of Haiti. In a few short minutes, the time it takes to get your morning coffee, pick up a sandwich, wrap, pizza for lunch, or afternoon snack for tea time, the foundations supporting the people, infrastructure of the poorest nation in the northern hemisphere was wrecked unmercifully.

I don't want to comment much on the absurdities people in positions of high influence in political, religious and other arenas are spewing and feeding to others through various media. There is a nation of 9 million hurting next door to US!!! Body spewing blood like a broken fire hydrant, dying from starvation and disease. Politicking, pandering, and profiteering (not just monetarily), drinking in "ego" shots, on the blood of the victims of Haiti's quake. These are defective candles.

Pictures of Hope and Devastation

Top: Spanish rescuer with 2 year old Redjeson Hauston and father Claude at right. 
Boy reaching out for H2O (AP).

Bottom: Girl crying after the quake, picture by Tequlia Minsky, NY Times. Bodies (AP)

The world is filled with pain and suffering, but we CAN CHOOSE how to react. Bystander? Participant? Ostrich with head in earth? With compassion or empathy? What the world needs now is to get as many candles lit, passing light on and on, like an Olympic torch.

Neil Young's song "Light a Candle" conveys a beautiful message, fitting for the times we are living in, marking the dawn of a new decade in our human history. Following the lyrics and video clip are two others I found were a good compliment as today is Martin Luther King Day. One brought to my attention by my friend Mr. A (another example of passing the light), "Lean on Me," by Playing For Change (Peace Through Music) by a group of campers and volunteers at the Anaheim YMCA at Camp Fox in Catalina Island, CA, the second "Students remember 'I have a dream' speech," at the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C.

As we reflect on our lives, in what has come to pass let's remember the little ones who will be the leaders and caretakers of the nation of Haiti. Who like our children have dreams we can help come true.

Light a Candle 

by Neil Young

Instead of cursing the darkness, 

light a candle for where we're going.

There's something ahead worth looking for.

When the light of time is on us,

we will see our moment come,

and the living soul inside will carry on.

It's a chance to give new meaning,

to every move we make,

through the caverns and the caves where we come from.

When the light of dawn is on us,

we will see what we can be,

and the ancient ones will sleep an easy sleep.

In the hallways of the ages,

on the road to history,

what we do now will always be with us.

It's a chance to give new meaning,

to every move we make,

in the caverns and the caves where we come from.

Instead of cursing the darkness,

light a candle for where we're going,

there's something ahead worth looking for.

When the light of time is on us,

we will see our moment come,

and the living soul inside will carry on.

Light a candle in the darkness

so others might see ahead.

Light a candle in the darkness when you go.

Links of Interest 

Helping the Victims of Haiti's Earthquake  

Doctors Without Borders  

http://doctorswithoutborders.org/  

Habitat for Humanity: Disaster Fund To Help The Victims Of The Earthquake in Haiti

Charity Navigator: Listing of US charities egaged in works within and beyond borders.

Unicef: Help the children of Haiti

Science Facts Behind The Quake  

Hypo-theses  

http://hypocentral.com/blog/

United States Geological Survey

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqsww/Quakes/us2010rja6.php#details

Neil's Garage 

http://www.neilyoung.com/ 

New's from Neil's Garage  
http://www.neilyoung.com/news/index.html 
 
How Stuff Works.com

NYRR Emerald Nuts Midnight Run: Cheers to Good Health in 2010

*******
Above: NYC Artist Pedro Silva, Monkey Bars, Public Art

Left: Robert Rooney, Monkey Bars, (National Gallery of Australia)
*******

     Growing up during the 60's, early 70's in NYC forced one to fish in the pool of imagination and invention regularly after school, during summer, winter and spring breaks. We called on one another to play, and knocked on doors throughout the complex of apartment buildings in Astoria like Christmas Carolers forming a nice sized group along the way. Then on the largest empty patch of grass or cement we opened the floor to vote on what to do next. "Any ideas?" "What do you wanna to do?" "I donno. What to you wanna do?" "I donno!" "How about..." "Lets..." 

     Unlike today where many children are huddled in doors in front of PC's and Wii's and PS 3's and... we huddled to play touch football. "Hut 1." "Hut 2." "Hut 3." "Hike! Hike! Hike!" We pretended  to be superheros, villains, monsters and fair maidens. We went on quests. Like transformers the stoops, alleys, playground monkey bars, garage and trees we could climb became spaceships and dungeons, castles and the Amazon jungle. We fitted metal skates to our sneakers and shoes with a key and grated down the pebbled sidewalk, sharing in laughter and good vibrations that rushed to our brains. And we ran! We ran and we ran and we ran until we were red-faced and out of breath. Winner takes all! High-fives and cheers. We started out with a half block race, then a full block down to the mailbox, then around the block, passing the quiet stretch of single family homes.

     In Spanish we have a great expression for going around a city block it is "Dar una vuelta a la manzana." Translated literally it means to "Take a spin around the apple." What wonderful imagery for a kid. I don't know the origin of the expression. The word manzana which means apple is used instead of the word "cuadra," pronounced [qua-dra] which means a city block, only in this phrase. When asked of my whereabouts instead of saying I was running around the block with the other kids I said, "Di una vuelta a la manzana" (I went around the block). Translated properly "Dar una vuelta a la manzana" means to take a stroll NOT RUN around the block, but the neighbors on the quiet side didn't take kindly to our running past their houses so it was just as well to say we just walked around the block to avoid getting into more trouble. I was in first or second grade and loved running ever since though at several points in my life I have taken some long hiatuses. But I'm back.

     There are so many things to do in the Big Apple on New Years Eve from taking a spin around it in one of the many party boats offering dining and dancing to watching the ball drop at Times Square or the fireworks display at Brooklyn's Grand Army Plaza. For those of us who want to bring in the year with "Cheers to Good Health!" the city offers these:

New Year's Eve Bike Ride 
(Meet at Washington Square Park under the Arch at 10:30PM)- Free

http://times-up.org/index.php?page=new-years-ridee

15th Annual Brooklyn Bridge Walk Into The New Year- Fee

http://gonyc.about.com/gi/o.htm?zi=1/XJ/Ya&zTi=1&sdn=gonyc&cdn=travel&tm=37&f=00&tt=14&bt=0&bts=0&zu=http%3A//www.newyorktalksandwalks.com/cgi-bin/calendar/calendar.cgi%3Fd%3D31%26m%3D12%26y%3D2006

Jivamukti Yoga School 21st Annual New Year's Eve Celebration

9PM to Midnight- Free 
(Mauna- the practice of being silent, broken by chanting 12-12:30AM)

http://www.jivamuktiyoga.com/fms/event_fm.html
NYRR: Emerald Nuts Midnight Run- Fee

http://www.nyrr.org/races/2009/r1231x00.asp

     I can't run around the Big Apple, yet. But I have advanced from running around the block ("Dando vueltas a la manzana corriendo") and look forward to ringing in 2010 running with my Daughter and the other Emerald Nuts.     

Only 15 hours and 14 minutes to go!

What ever you do be SAFE,

HAVE FUN, CHILL, BE.

Cheers to Good Health to all in 2010!!

LINKS OF INTEREST

  
New York City's 10 Best New Year's Eve Events

http://www.nyc10best.com/2009/12/04/new-york-citys-10-best-new-years-eve-events-for-december-31-2009/

Hut! The Story Behind a Football Interjection, Ben Zimmer, 9/14/2009

http://www.visualthesaurus.com/cm/wordroutes/1983/

 More on Robert Rooney's art at the NGA

http://nga.gov.au/Google/SiteSearch.cfm?sa.x=42&sa.y=20&q=robert+rooney&cx=007717403091245101821%3Arj7rgvaps44&cof=FORID%3A11#941
More on Pedro Silva's art 
http://www.psilvastudios.com/ 

BTW: Old strap on skates sell from between $4.99 to $99.00 (Wow!) 
Wish I kept Mine.

Etch A Sketch Solution

"Every time I move I throw things out and 

start brand new, like an Etch A Sketch."
- A New Yorker Dude

 

Salvador Deli by Jeff Gagliardi

http://www.etch-a-sketchartist.com/ 

New Yorkers walk fast, talk fast and think fast. There just never seems to be enough time to get from point A to B to C to D to E to F, back to D and F and C with a full swing back to A. Time, time, there is never enough time. So we rush. RUSH. RUSH. RUSH. And in the process we dodge one another like hockey players cradling and handling a puck to the goal. It is an amazing feet, with all the rushing around that we can find time to keep in touch with others.

Where would we be without cell phones that facilitate our ability to reach out and touch someone? Walking, running to our goal while texting, e-mailing and talking."Watch out for that cab!" "What cab?!"

We plan dates with everyone for every available slot in our days. No time for a dinner date, how about a lunch date? No time for a lunch date, how about we meet and talk while we grab breakfast? And let the game of the fast talking fast thinking begin! You have 5 minutes before running up to the office! Tick-tock! Tick-tock! Can you take talking of the mundane with your friend to level 10?

1-2-3-START! Two young men are catching up. Like all NY'ers closet space is an issue. Architects of many buildings fail to realize that you have to dress for four seasons. Closet space only allows for ONE. It shouldn't matter if you live in a studio, a 1 BR or 2BR apt, one person clothes for four seasons. We must love summer because everyone seems to have more than their fair share of tee-shirts. The promo-tee from work, the free-bee-tee you got when exiting the subway station, promoting some product, brand, event, cause or other, the concert-tee, the team-tee, the crazy slogan-tee, "People like you are why people like me need medication," and the picture tees, "Yes, that's my grand baby," VP grandpa beams. "Dude, why you still wear that shirt? I thought you guys broke up." What a conundrum. The answer: Move. Move a lot. As the young man consoling the other in dilemma summed it up so profoundly, "Every time I move I throw things out and start brand new, like an Etch A Sketch." Ding-ding-ding, we got ourselves a winner.

But finding affordable housing isn't easy in The Big Apple which is why so many people stay put, while others get roommates, who hopefully wear the same shoe, pant and/or dress size so they can share clothes and have room in the closets for hockey, skiing, hiking and other gear. If not, it's time to get ready to play, the "I'm Moving" game. Grab some boxes, a bunch of 30lb Hefty's and some willing family member or friend participants. Set your goal and begin. Game tip: Take Friday off so you have time to rest on Sunday before Monday drops the puck and the new rush begins.

Left: Mohammed Ali by George Vlosich

Top and bottom right: Andy Warhol, John Lennon by Nicole Falzone

"Life is like an Etch A Sketch. 

Every once in a while you have to 

shake things up and start fresh."

- NYC Bites 

Empire State Building by Tim George

Want to Etch A Sketch but you don't own one? Play online.

http://www.flamegames.com/play/etch-a-sketch.html 

Check out more Etch A Sketch Art 

by Nicole Falzone and Tim George

http://www.ohioart.com/etch/Gallery.action?wing=Famous+People&hallOfFameWing=  

by George Vlosich

http://gvetchedintime.com/gvtchedintime/

 Etch A Sketch Cartoon

 x k c d A Webcomic of Romance, Sarcasm, Math and Language