Drizzling on My Parade

What is a New York Thanksgiving with out the Macy's parade?

Tonight, I had a sneak preview of featured balloons in the parade.

Lined up along 77th street and Central Park west, were familiar floating characters such as Spider Man, Sponge Bob Square Pants and Shrek, all covered in nets and held down with hundreds of sand bags. The weather was misty and the temperature was cold, but that didn't stop the thousands of New York parents and their kids from coming out and taking a peak at these giant inflatable visitors.

The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade starts tomorrow at 9 A.M. Get there early, dress warm, and enjoy the view.

Drizzling on My Parade

Pot Calling the Kettle Black?

I was walking to the grocery store on an August afternoon when two teenage boys handed me this “Tony Alamo Christian Ministries” pamphlet.

Unlike most New Yorkers who are deeply annoyed with street handouts, I ‘m still new and greatly accept every piece of literature that is shoved in my face; curiosity I guess.

I read it.

This religious pamphlet would offend any practicing Catholic. The article refers to Catholics as Nazis, kidnappers and the Antichrist.

Self-proclaimed “World Pastor" Tony Alamo writes, “They [Catholics] are also the ones behind the D.H.S. (Department of Homeland Security) stealing Christian children and today’s Catholic-controlled world government persecution of true Christians – sending weak-minded young people to brainwashing centers like the Catholic Cult Awareness Network, now called Wellspring, which they (the Catholic government) call 'counseling centers'."

Alamo then pleas to Catholics, “Ask God to save your soul,” followed by a prayer and five step process to “receive salvation.”

Wow.

Slightly disturbed by Alamo’s fervent allegations, I then glanced at the picture of the Pastor himself. With his fluffy mini-fro, cheesy off-white suit and shaded Aviator sunglasses that he’s creepily sporting INSIDE a portrait studio mind you, I thought to myself, “No thank you Mr. Alamo, I’ll take my chances with the Catholic Church.”

I respect our freedom of religion and speech in the first amendment of our constitution, though there’s no law respecting a person who exercises these rights.

I folded up the pamphlet and added it to my “New York Experience” box.

It wasn’t until today that I decided to reopen my box and take another look at this piece of literature handed to me a few months ago.

Then, I googled “Tony Alamo” and this is what I found.

November 13, 2009 – (Friday the 13th)
CNN – “Evangelist Alamo sentenced to 175 years on sex charges.”
CBS – “Tony Alamo, Christian Ministries Pervert Preacher, Gets 175 Years for Molesting Child Brides.”
The Examiner.com “Tony Alamo: the same old story – abusive do-it-yourself preacher.”

Last week, in Arkansas, 75-year-old Alamo was sentenced to 175 years in prison for taking underage girls across state lines for sex, the theft of his late wife’s body, and income tax evasion to name a few of the 10 convictions. His youngest known victim was eight years old.

Alamo used his status as a father figure and leader of the church as a weapon against girls, threatening the “loss of their salvation” if they did not submit to his demands.

While determining his sentence, United States District Judge Harry F. Barnes said, “Mr. Alamo, one day you will face a greater judge than me, may he have mercy on your soul.”

Since then, there has been a website set up to serve as a resource for information and support for the victims of Tony Alamo.

Alamo’s lawyers have appealed the conviction.

Alamo, whose real name is Bernie Hoffman, calls the accusations a hoax, claiming that he loves children and doesn’t abuse them.

In the pamphlet that disgustingly lies on my desk, Alamo writes in the fifth and final step of his salvation plan, “You must learn the Word of God, then submit yourself and do what the Word says. . . If you’re like me and would rather not be damned, but instead be saved, then say this prayer to God.”

Let his prayers begin.

Fact - A record 7.3 million Americans are now in prison, on parole or probation, costing the United States $52 billion on corrections last year.

Pot Calling the Kettle Black?

FALLing in Love

Central Park is sporadically covered with gigantic glaciated boulders. I climbed to the top of one and took this picture.

Covering over one square mile of Manhattan is New York’s famous Central Park. It consists of two skating rinks, 37 playgrounds, a 106-acre reservoir (among several smaller lakes and ponds), a Central Park zoo, over 26,000 trees and 200 species of birds.

Fall is one of the more popular seasons to visit Central Park for obvious reasons. The temperature is crisp, the air is clean, the leaves are breathtakingly beautiful and everyone seems to be in a pleasant mood.
If you want to jog through the trails, play catch on a grassy knoll or just relax on a park bench and catch up on a good book, I believe Central Park is one of the most inviting getaways that New York City has to offer.

Growing up on a small farm in East Texas provides more serenity and privacy, but for now, I’ll enjoy the substitution of car horns for donkey brays as best I know how.

Fact - In 2009, NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg cut more than $5.6 million in funding from the parks and recreation budget, causing job losses for 167 employees.

FALLing in Love

Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree

Inside those walls of scaffolding is Spruce, the 76-foot tall Christmas tree from Easton, Connecticut. In a couple of weeks, those metal poles and wooden planks will come down, as thousands of Christmas lights and decorations go up.

Workers are decorating around the clock to get Rockefeller Plaza’s most cherished tree ready for the 2009 tree lighting ceremony on Wednesday, December 2nd at 8:55 P.M. sharp.

Even though they only use lights and one star to decorate this Norway Spruce, the star stands 9.5 feet tall and weighs 550 pounds, and more than five miles of wire and lights are used to make this the most famous Christmas tree in the nation.

Rockefeller Plaza is also home to NBC Universal, the Today Show and the world-famous Rockefeller skating rink.

Fact – Holiday shopping isn’t even in full swing, but stores are already experiencing toy shortages. Nervous retailers are under-ordering their shipments of toys in anticipation of another economic hit to holiday spending.

By early December, experts have predicted shortages of the top 100 toys as opposed to the usual short supply of the top 15 toys of the year.

Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree

It's a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

Welcome to my mini-version of Canton's First Monday.

The Union Square Market is located just a few blocks from where I live. On a beautiful day, walking through the square provides a wonderful source of exercise with loads of entertainment, especially if you're interested in people-watching.

On the north side of the square, vendors sell anything from organic fruit, herbs and vegetables to more seasonal items like pumpkins, decorative squash and mums.

There is even an older couple who sells hot apple cider on those days when wearing thermal underwear isn't enough to keep a person warm.

On the south side of the square, local artists set up tables, displaying unique expressions of the city in forms of paintings, sculptures and jewelry.

The SPCA even sets up a little "Dog Alley." Unfortunately, no chickens or goats are up for adoption here.

Everything is reasonably priced, and there is always room for some bargaining.

Fact - More than 65 percent (two thirds) of Americans will spend less money on holiday shopping than last year.

It's a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

Nature in the City

I pass this tree every time I take a jog down 20th street to the East River.

Tree tumors, also known as “burls,” are benign growths that develop on the trunks of trees.

Although the cause of a tree tumor is unknown, scientists believe these eye-catching anomalies can be the result of anything from an ingrown branch or twig, to damage caused by insects and fungus.

When harvested properly, tree burls make some of the most unique and expensive furniture in the world.

If people around the neighborhood knew how valuable this tree was, I doubt it would still be standing today.

Fact – Americans use 50 million tons of paper annually, consuming more than 850 million trees.

Nature in the City

Same Dog, Different Life

One of the biggest things I miss about Athens is the company of my dog, Candy.

Pictured above, are images of my dog in her home environment and a picture of a different dog and similar breed in her home environment. I assume "her" because of the bedazzled pink shoes strapped to the feet.

This is just another component that makes the Upper East Side, the Upper East Side.

The weather is beautiful, sunny with a temperature high in the mid 70's. I say this for clarification purposes: This dog is not wearing shoes because the pavement is too cold or too wet. It's simply a fashion statement.

Sometimes Candy will come home from the groomers with a bow tied to the top of her head, but that lasts five minutes before she ferociously scratches it off. To us, it's cute. To her, it's uncomfortable.

Vanity in yourself is one thing but vanity in your pet? Please, give this dog a mud puddle, pronto!

Fact - SPCA financial donations are down 50 percent in 2009. At the same time, SPCA is also experiencing a 20 percent spike in overcrowding at its shelters.

Same Dog, Different Life

Oh, Rats!

Rats are a growing problem in the New York City subway stations.

This particular station in Union Square was last baited with rodenticide in July of 2001. I was 14.

Rats can reproduce by 2,000 percent in just two years. Don’t you think it’s time to re-bait the subways?

There have been reports of rat sightings in the NYC subway stations: in the gutters, on the tracks, in the subway cars, scurrying across benches. Pictures and videos have even been taken as proof.

A study found that 77 percent of rats in the northeast are infected with Hepatitis E, which can cause high fever, liver failure, even death. Not to mention, 100 percent of them carry fleas.

Fact - This year, 1500 New York City transit workers have been laid off because of budget cuts.

If employees are being let go because of funding problems, do you really think there's any money left over for the rat problem?

Oh, Rats!

Texas, Meet Falafel

This delicious Middle Eastern meal is usually served as street food in New York City.

Falafel is a fried ball made of spiced chickpeas and fava beans. Usually eaten with pita bread and humus, this meal is cheap and delicious.

One serving of falafel contains 57 calories and even though this is a vegetarian meal, falafel has 16% (2.26 grams) of a person's daily protein requirement.

This is a healthy and tasty option if you're looking to save some money. One meal costs around five dollars.

Fact - Inflation in basic food products is taking a toll on families who try to save money by eating at home.
Since 2008
Flour inflation 37%
Egg inflation 34.8%
Milk inflation 23.1%

Texas, Meet Falafel

Weekend in Washington Square

Free A Cappella Entertainment
Now here's something you don't see every day in Texas.

New York City is full of the most talented people in the entertainment industry. This A Cappella acoustic group known as GroundStone is no exception.

We stayed and listened to at least four of the songs the members performed that day, including Stand By Me and Run Around Sue.

The diversity in people and cultures in New York City is very enriching, and along with diversity comes an appreciation of different art forms. It was a real treat listening to these talented men sing, but I couldn't help noticing the empty jar sitting in front of the performers with a sign that said, "God Bless."

Fact - Two hundred and thirty-seven or 44 percent of the members of congress are millionaires.

Weekend in Washington Square

Welcome to the Upper East Side

Residents of the Upper East Side in Manhatten start early when it comes to introducing their children into high society.

I was walking down Second Avenue one night and came across a children's boutique called Prince and Princess. Who would have guessed?

The Upper East Side is known for its wealthy residents and expensive taste in . . . everything. Watch one episode of the popular CW TV show Gossip Girl, and you'll understand exactly.

Fact - The sale of luxury goods has declined by 15 percent in the first half of 2009. It's now trendier to be thrifty and modest in spending. In reaction to the latest consumer trend, Gucci has taken its signature GG bags out of the display window and placed them in the back of the store next to the luggage.

Welcome to the Upper East Side

Un-American

Here it is ladies and gentlemen, one of the most headlined subjects in this year's media, located between Wall Street and Exchange Place, the New York Stock Exchange.

Behind this enormous and ironic display of American patriotism, lies the world's largest stock exchange by dollar volume, and in recent times has been on an intense roller coaster ride, at one point plummeting to the lowest value in over 70 years.

Now, we are in what is referred to as a "Global Financial Crisis."

The sidewalks are filled with bustling New Yorkers on their lunch breaks, barely taking notice of the abnormally large flag hanging above their heads. They hurry back to their jobs, some worried about being laid off, others living paycheck to paycheck.

Fact - National unemployment hit 10.2 percent last month, and a recent study shows that employed people are actually more stressed out than those who are unemployed.

Lucky me?

Un-American

Welcome to the Big Apple

These are the two views of my front yards. One is not better than the other. They're just different.

"If not now, then when?" was my reasoning behind moving to the largest city in America (8.3 million). My professors always said that I should be prepared to move to a small town after college and get my experience as a reporter where I can make those rookie mistakes and not worry about it being plastered all over youtube the next day.

I'm not opposed to living in a small town. I grew up in Athens, TX where the population is just now reaching 12,000 people. I just prefer to be unemployed and looking for a job from home in a city unfamiliar to me and experience new things that I would never be exposed to otherwise.

I'm excited to submerse myself into the culture of New York City and hopefully provide a fresh look on important issues that might inadvertently be overlooked by someone who has already become numb to this overwhelming environment.

Welcome to the Big Apple!

Welcome to the Big Apple