The weather is definitely changing as we’ve had what appears to be the 6 or 7th tornado warning and perhaps third tornado to touch down in New York City in the past few years. For many living in the Big Apple, tornadoes were a phenomenon limited to Hollywood movies, the Discovery Channel and’ far off’ in the Midwest. The thought of a twister striking a metropolis like NY was unimaginable..Apparantly thats all changing..
I’m not sure what to make of all this. Is it global warming, the earth shifting or something that’s always existed but was under reported. In any case God help us if a category 4 or 5 ever touched down in mid-town Manhattan. All the shards of glass raining down from those massive high rises would do unspeakable damage. In addition, I’m not so sure many New Yorkers would know where to go and how to seek adequate shelter. Do you open your windows to relive pressure which was advice given back in the days? I’m not sure if it works now.. Do we rush down to the nearest subway station and use them as makeshift storm cellars? Would New Yorkers simply scoff at the idea of a tornado and not heed any warnings till it was too late and a funnel cloud is barreling down upon them?
Here’s some footage of the windstorm hitting the Redhook and the South Parkslope sections of Brooklyn..Now for folks living in places like Oklahoma or Kansas, this is just a windstorm. As far as they’re concerned NY has away to go befor it becomes the new tornado alley.For folks in NY its a big deal. Shout out to Adrian Mueller / fabrik studiofor capturing this.
Now the report has all sorts of numbers that may be of use to news reporters, but for the average person going about their business day-to-day, whatever numbers the report put out doesn’t even began to tell half the story. To start, we have a number, (1 in 7) that talks about people ‘living in poverty’, that number doesn’t include the folks who are part of the ‘working poor’. That’s where you really likely to hear tales of woe.
Nor does this report reflect those who simply fell off the proverbial grid. In other words, there are folks who been out of work for over a year, who have run out of unemployment benefits, lost their homes and have fallen through the cracks. Many have been led to believe their downfall is their fault and thus they have been too embarrassed to speak out and emerge from the shadows. How they’re making it may be stories onto themselves. I see folks like this everyday.
Many are living in their cars or couch surfing. Many will park their cars in their old neighborhoods where they can no longer afford to live, but know its safe and familiar. They keep their 30 dollar a month gym membership so they can shower and keep themselves up. They take advantage of the free wi-fi at coffee shops where they spend lots of time looking for jobs on trying sell things via E-bay or Craig’s list. Today’s homeless person is not some drunk or crackhead type of ‘undesirable’. He or she may be your next door neighbor trying to put up good appearances so as not to lessen their chances to bounce back.
The sad part is for many there will be no bounce back and thats where we have this major disconnect between the Have and Have Nots. Many who Have are completely out of touch and hold a fairytale view of what’s going on with folks who are in economic peril. They think this is temporary and with a little more elbow grease things will turn around. Sadly at times this notion seems to be one held by our president.
When this Census Bureau economic report came out, I immediately thought back to a scathing video put out earlier this year by longtime scholar, author and Civil Rights leader Cornel West. On the one year anniversary of President Obama‘s presidency the Princeton professor took him to task for not talking about the plight of poor people. West an early supporter was very pointed in his remarks as he expressed his profound disappointment.
He said the President Obama and his cabinet had‘technocratic’ approaches for dealing with the poor folks and that it was far removed from what is really needed. He noted that the approach much be such where they as political leaders are in the trenches alongside the people, building with them from where they stood and not so detached.
Cornel’s remarks suggested that its one thing to look somberly into a camera and say ‘Many Americans are having a tough time’ as if this is a temporary thing like missing a car payment that could made up next period. It’s another thing to truly understand what its like when a family has run out of options and will be out on the streets with no skill sets on how to navigate and survive.
West like many who work on the front lines for change understood that part of this disconnect complicating their challenge to Obama were seemingly high-profile, well to do media pundits and opportunistic politicians who would give lip service to the plight of poor people or use them as political footballs.
We saw this at the start of the summer when GOP Senators held up unemployment benefits for a few weeks as a way to send President Obama a strong message and ‘teach him a lesson’ about spending. It was also a way to get Democrats to cave into lobbying efforts from Wall Street hedge fund managers who wanted to see proposed tax increases included in the spending bill, disappear.
Senator Jim Bunning upheld payment benefits to the unemployed
While Bunning and others tossed these political footballs around, many lost homes. Many had their electricity turned off. Many had their cars repossessed. What we saw on TV was Bunning standing firm and shaking his fist at the camera calling for economic restraint. What we didn’t see or hear too much were from those who were seeing the last of their world crumble.
We didn’t hear from the person who lost their job, lost their home and simply didn’t have enough deposit money for an apartment. We didn’t hear from the person who lost their job, fell behind on their bills and suddenly couldn’t get a job because their credit rating was bad. We didn’t hear from the person who was out of work and had been looking for a year only to discover that because he or she had been out for so long was now deemed undesirable in the job market.
When such viewpoints were brought up in public space, you always had news anchor with a million dollar salary be dismissive or some sort of pundit with lucrative speaking dates lined up telling us times are tough but they’ll soon get better.
Here in California we saw how Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger implement ‘furlough Fridays where all state workers would be required to take a certain number of unpaid days off. This was essentially a 10-15% decrease in salaries in a state notorious for having a still increasing high cost of living. The practice was put on hold and declared wrong. Workers were told they could get back pay and it gave thousands a sense of relief. Sadly that wasn’t good enough for the governor who fought the ruling and eventually got it overturned. So as this census Bureau report comes out showing 1 in 7 Americans are in poverty, Furlough Fridays return to places like California.
We’ve also seen this play out locally in the city of Oakland when last year the entire city council voted to raise parking rates and increase strict enforcement. It was later discovered that this enforcement would only apply to the city’s poor neighborhoods. This was taking place in a city with a 20% unemployment rate where its been estimated to be even higher in those poorer districts.
Oakland City Council member Jean Quan
During a recent mayoral debate the issue of aggressive parking enforcement came up and generated more buzz on outlets like twitter than any other topic brought up that night. When this was brought to one of the city council people who favored this plan, mayoral candidate Jean Quan she seemed oblivious to the hardships this was causing.
She went explained to me, how the city shouldn’t have free parking and seemed impervious as to what happens when an unemployed or under employed person in the city gets their car towed for unpaid parking ticket which many argue shouldn’t have been issued in the first place.
Columnist Zennie Abraham broke this down in a column he penned last year about Oakland’s parking sting operation. For those who don’t know, the city of Oakland like many other municipalities invested in a machine that reads license plates and so late at night or in the wee hours of the morning parking enforcement officers scour the poor neighborhoods looking for cars to boot or tow.
This is a huge set back for those snared, one that has far-reaching consequences not just for the individual , but also for the small neighborhood businesses that person is likely to patronize. In other words if I own a business and customers suddenly has to scramble to pay 500-1000 for a towed car that’s potential revenue lost from businesses that could’ve circulated that dollar a few more times both in hiring and spending. Quan just didn’t get it.. But her view is reflective of that big disconnect. In her world its a fine. In someone else its a huge set back with far-reaching consequences.
The poverty report just gave us numbers but didn’t tell us about all the increased fees and hidden taxes besieging the poor and being explained away and justified by the rich. In other words, pay your parking tickets or credit car on time and avoid getting hit with exorbitant penalties.. that is of course if you can now afford to pay the bill in the first place.
Lastly this Census Bureau report doesn’t reflect those who are not living in poverty because they prematurely have dipped into their 401ks and have depleted their funds out of desperation.
I had a good friend tell me the other day that she had done everything she could to keep her family above water. She had cut backed, downsized, rented rooms and was working two jobs but none of this was enough with rapidly rising costs. Finally in a last-ditch effort she dipped into her retirement money. She explained it was a hard decision to make, but it was either that or be on the streets. She said “The person in front of you today at age 40 is relieved, but that same person at age 60 will be miserable“. So 20 years from now we may have another economic crises when folks are holding their hands out having spent their life savings 20 years earlier.
My friend was one of the lucky ones because she actually had a 401k to dip into. Many weren’t as fortunate. Many saw their money disappear overnight at the start of the economic downturn hence that 401k was no longer an option. Many never had a 401k to begin with. It was reported the other week a record number of people were raiding their retirement funds just to survive.
The reports showed that many middle aged people were the ones dipping into their retirements, noting that for those over 35 who lost work, it was going to be extremely difficult to get back in the job market. Some of it was due to changing fields and new technology which made old skill sets un-marketable.
The more pervasive but unspoken reality is that many employers don’t wanna pay someone who earned their keep after trolling for 10-15 years at a job. Their logic is ‘Why pay them their worth, when they can dip into a younger work poll of people who were being urged to ‘work for free’ as interns as a way to get their foot in the door or to take considerably less pay under the guise of ‘paying dues’?
The other story not being spoken about was the fact that today many middle-aged folks are in this precarious position of being both caretaker and caregiver. In other words they are taking care of aging parents, many of whom divorced years ago, so they have mom who needs help on one part of town and a father living in another.
At the same time they are taking care of kids. If they’re middle-aged, they may have kids who are 10-14 which can be incredibly expensive. Those who have kids ready to go to college are looking at increased fees, some as much as 38% which was the case in California.
It was scenarios like this we aren’t hearing being addressed by Obama and many other politicians. Its not being spoken about by those in mainstream media where the reporters and pundits are doing quite well for themselves. It isreality that with each passing day is rearing its ugly head and will in due time impact us all one way or another
Ines Sainz, the sexy supermodel TV Azteca reporter in the middle of the NFL's sexual harassment investigation after New York Jets Head Coach Rex Ryan and Jets players were allegedly involved in throwing footballs and making catcalls to Ines as she was waiting to interview Mark Sanchez, was said have been "asking for it" according to words uttered by FOX and NFL Network Analyst, and Merchant's NY bar regular Bryan Baldinger on Tony Bruno's show Thursday.
According to Sports Radio Interviews, Bryan Baldinger has a lot to say about Ines Sainz on Tony Bruno's show on 97.5 the Fanatic in Philadelphia:
We know a blue-chipper when we see one. This world is full of beautiful girls. But then there are those girls that are absolutely striking from any distance. There are those girls that are good from far, but far from good. No, no, no. This girl is in a category all for herself. I wish I was on the Jets practice field and they throwing me pass patterns by her as well. You would have seen me stumbling to get to her.
But Bryan, also a lover of fine cigars from personal experience, didn't stop there.
Listen, I don't know what she covers for that station in Mexico. If you come into the NFL dressed the way that she is dressed you are just asking for it. I don't know how you can justify any of the actions. Boys will be boys I guess.
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But Baldy wasn't done. This blogger could almost hear Bryan Baldinger saying this in a bar, like Merchants, New York City:
Listen, these are painted on jeans. She's got a shirt that is just glued to her body. There is nothing out of place. If you want her to walk up there and do an interview with Mark Sanchez(notes), put her in a room with Mark Sanchez. Don't take her through the locker room. I don't think the Jets are wrong in any of this. I don't think they have to apologize for any of this. And for her to make any claims on harassment or of any harassment issues, I think she is just inviting it all upon herself in this case.
Also: celebrity maps, jupiter island, parties, photo gallery, politicos, scandals, $54 million, dennis belcher, divorce, elin nordegren, golf, jose lambiet's page2live, jupiter island, mortgage, pga, tiger woods
One reason Tiger Woods' golf game has taken a hit is his pocket book is substantially smaller in the wake of his divorce from his wife Elin Nordegren, and after Woods was fooling around with many other women during their marriage.
The Palm Beach Post section Page2Live reports that Woods put his new $54 million home, still under construction, as loan collateral to pay her off in the divorce, or Woods risked losing the dwelling he's spent five years building. The home is located at 8934 Conroy Windemire Road in Orlando, Florida.
According to the document, executed August 25th 2010, and executing the mortgage loan (and which you can download with a click here) Tiger Woods has to pay off the debt in "periodic payments" to to January 15th 2016.
Page2Live's Joe Lambier has described the firm holding the mortgage, JRD Florida Ventures LLC, as "shadowy," but does not explain why.
In a search it's revealed that JRD Florida Ventures LLC is a "limited liability Virginia company." It's strange that a firm with a name implying that it does business in Florida would have a Virginia base for its own corporate documents.
One reason for this is the firm handling the divorce for Elin Nordegren, McQuire Woods, is based in Richmond, Virginia and, as part of their legal business with the Woods divorce, set up this organization. Dennis Belcher, with McQuireWoods, is listed as its registered agent, who is one of Elin's six divorce lawyers.
So basically, McQuireWoods is getting money in two ways: handling Elin Nordegren's divorce and serving as the agent holding her mortgage money. This must be some kind of way to protect against a large capital gain tax payments Elin would have to pay in gaining so much wealth in this way.
What's equally interesting is, while Elin's apparently sheltered from capital gains taxes, Tiger Woods still has to pay any taxes associated with his home. Wow.
Have you ever had a superman shot? Then you know how good they taste. Now, how about adding that with some vanilla pudding and a bunch of cool whip? Even better on a hot day or when you need a different type of drink!
1 box Instant vanilla pudding
¼ c amaretto
¼ c bailey’s
¼ c blue caracao
¾ c milk
8 oz cool whip
In a medium sized bowl, add vanilla pudding and milk. Whip until smooth and slowly add the bailey's and the amaretto and blue caracao. Optional: To make your Superman shots looks more like Superman colors, food coloring can be added.
Fold in the cool whip. Spoon in to two ounce plastic (disposable) cups with lids. Place in the freezer and chill overnight before serving. Travels very well to events in a cooler.
Is your sweet tooth giving you fits? Here's an easy recipes that is yummy and easy to transport for any Saturday or Sunday pre-game tailgate party.
1 brownie mix
1 c crisped rice cereal
1/2 c toffee bits
Heath candy bars
Prepare brownie mix according to package directions. Grease a 9x13 pan and pour batter in. Sprinkle crisp rice on top and press lightly in to the batter. Sprinkle toffee bits over cereal. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes. Cool completely over a wire rack before cutting and serving. Cut in to small squares.
This blogger's friend in Hicksville, NY outside Manhattan and on Long Island sent an email that was the first word of a tornado in the New York, Queens, Brooklyn area:
we had a tornado here tonight..were ok,..but my friend over in the next town got a tree through his garage...
Reportedly New York City was hit by what's described as a "freak storm" leading to "an absolute washing machine." There was a lot of damage due to winds of over 100 miles per hour, and a driving rain storm, and at the center of all of this a tornado.
According to The New York Daily News, one person was killed and the storm was "flipping tractor-trailers like toys."
The following videos tell the story of what happened to many in New York City, including Queens, Brooklyn, and other parts of the vast region.
First, this guy is really excited over the whole possibility of a tree falling, yelling "Shut the f--- up," and, well, check out the video:
This video below is the best one yet. It's from a high rise residence, 20 stories up, in Queens, and covers the storm from start to finish and at times is scary to watch, starting at 1:16:
Here are other New York tornado videos accounts:
In addition to the one death, there were scores of injuries, perhaps thousands when we consider those unreported.
Jott link mobile on Zennie62. This blogger just instaled Jott link mobile on Zennie62. It works, in fact it works so well I'm going to use it very often at football games mostly and at other sports events. I'm a little concerned about the background noise and how it might impact my Jott. listen
Just instaled Jott mobile Voice to Text service for zennie62. This is a test to see if it comes up in the zennie62.com blog. Very excited. Use this new service. listen
The Daily Show's Jon Stewart announced on his show Thursday, September 16 at 11 pm EST that he will be hosting a "Rally to Restore Sanity".
This rally will take place on October 30, 2010 in Washington DC. This rally is obviously a way of mocking Glenn Beck's rally. This event is also dubbed "Million Moderate March."
Signs will be made available. The slogans on some of the signs will say: "9/11 was an outside job" and "I Disagree With You But I'm Pretty Sure You're Not Hitler.
Stephen Colbert announced on The Colbert Report that same night at 11:30 pm EST that he would also be hosting "March to Keep Fear Alive" the same day as Stewart at DC's National Mall.
The event will attempt to gather 70-80 percent of American's who are not extremists on either side.
Heidi Montag and Spencer pratt seem to have been keeping a lot of secrets this summer. It seems like the divorce was really just another PR ploy - a long string of them - and that they lived together all summer in secret!
Heidi and Spencer rented a home in Malibu, where they hid away as husband and wife, also happens to be trashed! The house is worth millions of dollars and has a price tag of $20K per month to rent.
Heidi and Spencer took their four dogs with them and the dogs did damage to the inside and the outside of the home. I can imagine...
Even though the pair dropped a large security deposit, they aren't getting it back and will probably have to pay more for the damages. I smell a lawsuit coming on!
Do you think Heidi and Spencer will pay for what they did?
This panel consists of some major heavy weights in video gaming. The moderator is John Gaudiosi who is from the 3D Gaming Summit.
One of the people this blogger knows is Lorne Landing of Odd World Inhabitants and Chief Creative Oficer of Oddmobb Inc. Lorne says that all the major new games coming out will have 3d.
Avatar shows the way
Corey Bridges gives James Cameron hi marks for his.understanding of 3d immersive gaming. And once again Avatar has established the standard for 3d entertainment.
Creating a story around the engine.
Matty Rich says that the story has to fit around the 3d engine. It is hard to do but doing so is worth it.
Lorne says Hollywood doesn't get video games because its not tech oriented.
In other words a VC wants to know what you failed at. Hollywood is afraid to fail.
The weather is definitely changing as we’ve had what appears to be the 6 or 7th tornado warning and perhaps third tornado to touch down in New York City in the past few years. For many living in the Big Apple, tornadoes were a phenomenon limited to Hollywood movies, the Discovery Channel and’ far off’ in the Midwest. The thought of a twister striking a metropolis like NY was unimaginable..Apparantly thats all changing..
