April 2007 Archives

I thought she was good but....

for more comments check out......

But wait it gets getto...i mean better. Check out tracie's pro-Asia comment.

I like the abstract feel and composition of this image.
It is however a little reminiscent of a noose which gives it a creepy edge.
But,...I like. So there.

I found this makeshift home at a vacant fenced up lot in Brooklyn.

"Welcome. We have cable..."

Why not decide to take a nap on a perfectly available newly arrived Itlaian sofa?

I have been working since January at a nonprofit organization that specializes in service provision to homeless, poor, chemically dependent, and at risk populations. The specific programs I work for include a needle exchange for Heroine users, food pantry distribution for the needy and HIV tests and free condoms for whoever might want them.

The money and hours for the most part suck but it is an overall rewarding experience, which of course comes with its own challenges. Some of the stuff you hear is not always easy to hold nor is it always something you leave locked in a desk drawer at work.

It is not uncommon to think, “how-can-I-help-you-if-you-don’t-want-to-help-yourself”, but ultimately we need to meet everyone at his or her stage of readiness. One does what one can. All one can do is to educate the community and hope that someone some day will at the very least contemplate placing themselves at risk based on a motivational something you once told them during a counseling session.

My favorite part is handing out groceries and packed lunches to eagerly awaiting elderly clients as well as mothers and children. Everyone is for the most part so appreciative and grateful.

Our caravan of field vehicles at one of our sites.
Its all fun and games, unless you are the one driving and parking the 32-footer....

I was not particularly looking forward to my birthday this year. 32 was just not a number I cared to identify with. There was so much that I envisioned would be different in my life at this age. Wishful thinking eons ago had me believing that so much more would be established and accomplished. The lack of yet-accomplished goals, the hardships, family distance and overall lack of support made for a thirty-something celebration sans celebration.

I don’t feel that much has changed for me in terms of health and aside from laugh lines, a little fuzz in unwanted places, and a tummy testament to my love of sweets (i.e. Kit Kats) but I am blessed and all the gears are well oiled and working.

I really didn’t do much on my birthday weekend. My best friend, who isn’t talking to me at the moment, returned the favor this year by forgetting my day. None of my closer buddies went out of their way despite all of the damn dinners and gatherings I planned and helped fiancé last year. Not a bad thing because it officially frees me of any thoughtful responsibilities this year when their turn comes.

There were no big plans, no surprise parties or dinners, no presents, or any of the other things which could possibly further drill the reality of the big 3-2. I did however receive a steady stream of birthday wish starting at midnight which did just the opposite but brought many smiles.

Ultimately, I was glad that the previous 364 days had come to a close especially since a great many of them sucked farm animal ass.

Tout est perdu fors l'honneur

My 80-something year old Grandpa who…

-fathered 6 children, has countless grandchildren, and even more nephews and nieces, survived his wife and three kids, seen two World Wars, heads of state come and go, bought his first pair of shoes during his late teens, witnessed the gradual lost of his fellowmen’s civil rights, who has worked his entire impoverished life and who continues to amass knowledge, wisdom, and age-

…was just "given permission" to visit us (his family) in the states. Here’s a small list of other things that an (80+ year old) adult is not allowed to do without permission:

-Travel abroad without government permission.

-Change jobs without government permission.

-Change residence without government permission.

-Access the Internet without government permission (the Internet is
closely monitored and controlled by the government. Only 1.67% of the
population has access to the Internet).

-Send their children to a private or religious school (all schools are
government run, there are no religious schools in Cuba).

-Watch independent or private radio or TV stations (all TV and radio
stations are owned and run by the government). Cubans illegally
watch/listen to foreign broadcasts.

-Read books, magazines or newspapers, unless approved/published by the
government (all books, magazines and newspapers are published by the
government).

-Receive publications from abroad or from visitors (punishable by jail
terms under Law 88).

-Visit or stay in tourist hotels, restaurants, and resorts (these are
off-limits to Cubans).

-Seek employment with foreign companies on the island, unless approved
by the government.

-Run for public office unless approved by Cubas Communist Party.

-Own businesses, unless they are very small and approved by the
government and pay onerous taxes.

-Join an independent labor union (there is only one, government
controlled labor union and no individual or collective bargaining is allowed;
neither are strikes or protests).

-Retain a lawyer, unless approved by the government.

-Choose a physician or hospital. Both are assigned by the government.

-Refuse to participate in mass rallies and demonstrations organized by
the Cuban Communist Party.

-Criticize the Castro regime or the Cuban Communist Party, the only
party allowed in Cuba.

(if your feeling a bit of inner discomfort, worry not, you are not coming down with the flu. You are simply experiencing .0001 percent of the disgust that Cubans have to accept 100% on a daily basis.)

info credit: NetforCuba