Avatar NYC the good bad the ugly - Suzannah B. Troy

There is so much to tell you and I felt the love and beauty of such a diverse group of New Yorkers from poverty level to rich, the  super spiritual, from black to Asian to the pink haired.   


Before I get to the happy thoughts I wanted to take a moment to remember those that died from violence here in NYC and they were mostly females from babies to grandmothers .... Has Nyasia Pryear's murderer been caught yet?   She was murdered the night before President Obama's inauguration.  Instead of her family celebrating, they grieved. 


By the way I wrote President Obama asking him to help us because the East Village has been mega-dormed to death and they use the term "community facility" to bust through zoning and they exclude the community.  Here is my YouTube with my letter to the President asking for his help to get us community outreach resource center in every one of those buildings that are called "community facilities" but exclude the community and actually help to displace the community and small businesses. I also asked the mayor on the John Gambling Show  Hear me confront Mayor Bloomberg on the John Gambling show about the tsunami of community crushing development and the need for community outreach resource centers. pick the top option for "archived link" which gives you the stream with out down load move the cursor to 29 minutes (almost the end!!!) OCTOBER 19, 2007 . If these community outreach resource centers were in every mega dorm, the college kids would be forced to recognize the people are struggling and get involved in helping the community rather than being involved in the push out.  Let us face it, John Sexton, the president of the evil empire aka NYU, the purple reign of terror needs to find another job preferably in Nantucket where I think he lives and I am still wondering if he can even vote in NYC considering he rushed down to testify we needed king Mike, the developer's mayor or is he like so many rich people here that can't vote because they refuse to declare NYC their home for tax reasons.  They call Florida, Vermont, Virgin Islands, Conn., anywhere but here their real home but rush to say we need Mike Bloomberg for a third term. Watch my YouTube review on Avatar for more on NYU, Cooper Union, Columbia University and any U. with a mega dorm in the East Village including The New School, NY Law, SVA so get insight on how the people feel.  




NYU mega dormed the East Village to death and has helped every university possible to follow NYU's community crushing lead confusing the East Village, Bowrey, Lower East Side Bowery with dorm fodder.   Click here to read the latest and it is from Crain's about 3 Universities banding together to occupy a big dorm on the Lower East Side on Delancey Street not far from where my Grandfather was born in 1904. The only thing worse than the mega dorms is The Red Square with Lenin on the roof (Mike Red Square Rosen's rich man's toy) looks like a pro-type of the mega dorms with balconies.   Please remember that developer Mike Red Square Rosen demands you call him a community activist!   Actually NY Law mega dorm on 3rd Street has balconies just like the Red Square and when the Hell's Angels were raided the college kids stood out on their balconies in their pajamas watching the NYPD in action as well with Ron Kuby giving a stunning performance in a lawyer working the media very effectively.  I can't tell you who won the Oscar this year but best actor but Kuby's performance was unforgettable.   The tax payers will be paying dearly as usual but I don't think the "balconied would be lawyers" will be doing anything much but corporate law or maybe real estate. Clearly the community is an inconvenience and the only thing they have not done is provide NYU buses and trolleys to bus us out. 




The tenants of Stuy Town meant to be affordable housing way back when and by the way NYU has student housing there as well and Peter Cooper Village are trying to find an ally to buy the property. Good luck and Blessings!    




The FBI made some raids today but I do not think they made arrests although they did get yelled at.   True or false?  I contacted the FBI about issues closer to home...?  I am learning more and more about the NYPD and special units they have? Not true.  One is true.  All are true.  I will let you know if you guessed correctly. Never a dull moment.  




Just to hit the rewind button.  Betty White is proof that some people age better with dignity and a sense of humor as she achieved monster ratings for her presence on Saturday Night Live and people loved her Super Bowl commercial.  She is sizzling hot.  




Oh by the way, I saw John Thain today getting in to a chauffeur driven mercedes on Central Park South...ho hum.  I bet a meg-million he is happy he is not chair of GS right now although he has had his share -- not talking about a mother load of shares -- but share of trouble butless than golden after leaving Goldman Sachs, right?.  He sure looked smooth today.    




Prediction -- major fall-out over Steve Rattners pension fund scandals -- that scandal"s" with an s coming and splish splash it is going to splatter on king mayor Mike Bloomberg, just a little.  Mike Bloomberg, what is the name of Steve Rattner's new firm he created just to manage you 5 billion dollars.  Mayor Mike said Steve should not have to step down from his job at The White House and clearly Mike Bloobmerg still is supporting his good friend Steve Rattner.  




All is quiet on this front for now but get ready for more head lines on this....   Apparently President Obama has a fan that thinks he is sizzling hot.  I don't find the Pres. sizzling.  I am not sure he is doing a great job but I do think he is a nice guy and compassionate.  I can't say New York is feeling any of his benefits.

For Giuseppi Loagn fans -- Time and Place

Time:	Tomorrow at 9:00 pm until Sun May 16 at 9:00 pm
Venue:	5/14 IPR 5/16 Brecht Forum

Description

2 chances to roll with brother Giuseppi Logan May 14th at the Issue Project Room (G plays around 10,.headlining) www.issueprojectroom.org May 16th at the Brecht Forum (G plays around 9,.headlining) www.brechtforum.org with Matt Lavelle,Francois Grillot,and Dave Miller.. *special guest Chris Forbes 5/16 and remember my YouTube series To follow Matt's booking for Giuseppie join his facebook page http://www.facebook.com/people/matt-Lavelle/1059025151 Remember my YouTube I posted when people thought he was dead and long gone.... so follow my YouTube documentary series and now his son's.  I will have more information on that soon.   I spoke with Giuseppi Logan tonight.  I told him his son is returning which of course made him happy.  I asked him to play "Suzannah" a song he composed.  I told him I would see him very soon!

Lawrence Taylor denies sex do condoms lie? post Suzannah B. Troy

Lawrence Taylor is in deep trouble because in the State of New York it doesn't matter if he did not know the woman he had sex with was under age.   He says he did not have sex with the under age prostitute but just pleasured himself. 

This could all get down to a condom and lab results based on what investigators gathered from the hotel room. 

In the mean time a supposed friend of the underage prostitute says she is lying.  Some friend.  She lived with the pimp and underage prostitute and was in the car when the underage woman allegedly bragged about earning the money without having sex with the john aka Lawrence Taylor. Is this supposed "friend" who is basically calling the underage prostitute a liar telling the truth or doing damage control?   Is the friend the one lying?  If she is, did someone put her up to it and if so are the people involved in damage control doing this and are they being given some incentives? 




Maybe the answers to whether Lawrence Taylor is pulling a "Bill Clinton" as in I did not have sexual relations with that woman strategy,  are in the contents of the  condom.  The underage sex worker said she was worried about getting pregnant because of "condom trouble"....that is my term not hers and Lawrence Taylor, she claims reassured her she had nothing to worry about because he shoots blanks meaning he had a vasectomy.   If he does shoot blanks, how would she know that?  Why would that have come up in conversation?  She did not even know it was LT. It is understandable that a professional player might enjoy a promiscuous life style perhaps having sex with groupies that would follow the players from hotel to hotel would get a vasectomy because as I recall,  I saw an Oprah segment where it has been documented that women preying on these athletes go to extreme measures to get these guys' sperm and get inseminated one way or another without their consent to get pregnant and  have DNA proof for financial gain and connection to these pro-athletes. 






Lawrence Taylor might be right he was  set-up and so was the underage sex worker as well as beat up.  Now she is called a liar by a stripper slash friend.  Sounds like "the friend"  may has been motivated to come forward to save Lawrence Taylor because she is a fan or who knows for other reasons but it ultimately comes down to LT saving LT and he may be figuring out how to do that behind bars. Lawrence Taylor and his team have every motivation to do damage control. 




LT has already been hit with major financial fall-out and he does not want to go to jail so he has picked a "self loving" defense and witnesses  aka "friends" can say what they want but people following this story will have to wait for the evidence to speak and the contents in the latex are key.   There are, I am sure some men that put on a condom to pleasure themselves but  in theory if he is shooting blanks how did the underage sex worker know? The contents of the condom will tell the truth. A sympathetic jury may let him walk what ever the evidence and if that happens if LT doesn't get his act together he will get in more trouble yet again. Lawrence Taylor was blind sided by Lawrence Taylor.

Yetta Kurland Restore St. Vincent's Site - Suzannah B. Troy

Dear Neighbor,

I hope you will attend our planning meeting to restore a hospital at the St. Vincent's site.  It is this Thursday, May 13th at 6pm at Our Lady of Pompeii Church located at 25 Carmine Street (at Bleecker).

This is a follow up meeting from our April 30th Town Hall Meeting where Assemblymember Gottfried, Assemblymember Glick and Senator Duane joined us to discuss some of the serious concerns with how St. Vincent's Hospital was closed and equally serious concerns with the fact that we now have no hospital on the lower west side of Manhattan.

There was an incredible turnout of hundreds of community members.  I am including some photos below of the April 30th meeting.

Many great ideas came out of this Town Hall discussion and many of you have emailed me since then with other great ideas and thoughts.

We need to hear from you this Thursday as we sit down together to organize our next action and get even more people out.

The only way we will hold those responsible for this illegal closure and get a new hospital for the Village is if we get our entire community to come out so please come on Thursday to help us plan how to do this.

Please RSVP by responding to this email that you are coming and let me know if you are bringing anyone.

Look forward to seeing you all there.

Best,
Yetta Kurland

http://yettakurland.com/

Sucuzhanay murder not hate crime? - Suzannah B. Troy

Welcome to Brooklyn, New York and to two trials where you can gather together the only select group of people on the planet who don't believe Jose Sucuzhanay was beaten to death because of hate and prejudice.  Jose and his brother were walking arm and arm when these hate mongers decided they must be gay and therefore beaten to death.

First of all what is wrong with someone that they are out there with so much rage on the streets of New York that they are beating people to death, stabbing them or shooting them?  

These two trials are a mark of great shame on the City of New York, as if the murder of an innocent man simply walking home arm and arm with his brother, daring to be happy in a city filled with a lot of angry, lonely dysfunctional people in need of anger management classes, possibly medication, a life have to take someone else's life and do so attempting to beat two brothers to death.

These jurors lacked empathy and they assume it could never happen to them.  I am straight but I have been gay bashed.  It could happen to anyone of these jurors....welcome to NYC.

These cowardly thugs were so outraged by two men walking arm and arm happily together that they had to attempt to beat them both to death and they started by yelling gay slurs but according to trials in Brooklyn that doesn't count as prejudice and one even resulted in a mistrial.  Both these monsters need to go away for a long, long time.

To add insult to injury the jurors for both cases say hey it was not a hate crime.  I guess it doesn't count until it happens to them.   I remember I was in college and I was with my Mom on Canal Street having shopped at Pearl Paint and was walking arm and arm with my Mom and this group of idiots made a homophobic comment.    Around the world the jury is out and there can only be one conclusion about the people posing as jurors on this trial.  

I have had gay bashing  including be a stalker sicko with a camera who is so deluded and lonely he calls me his stalker when in fact he takes photos of me -- my back --  without my knowledge and sets up a gay bashing gang bang attack with his anonymous internet buddies which I  turned in to the NYPD and lawyers.

On this YouTube I show you a crime scene in the West Village and it appears a man was severely beaten in the West Village and it was said to be because he was gay.  They had to taken him to St. Vincent's and put him in a coma because of brain swelling.   I have no idea how he is doing now and what is the status of this case.

Bottom line is NYC has way too high a threshold for hate, anti-woman and  anti-gay.

Jim Morrison Lena Horne Lawrence Taylor - Suzannah B. Troy

I just made a new YouTube and I touch on many different topics including Jim Morrison, Lena Horne, Lawrence Taylor and his victim actually wishing him well and briefly on NYC politics.  I will post my YouTube at the bottom of this piece.  Here goes.... For Jim Morrison fans, Tom DiCillio's "When You're Strange" will be free to watch on PBS tomorrow night (Wednesday) at 9:00PM.  In response to my YouTube about Tom coming to talk to the audience after a screening at Angelika's on Houston St. in NYC,  I have had people from all over the world write me including in Spanish asking me how they can see Tom's new film with never before seen footage of a young Jim Morrison which are out takes from his film "HWY".   Now I can tell you the film is on TV tomorrow night! Please remember if you do get to tune in that Jim's girlfriend's mom has creative control because she had footage Tom needed so that effects the telling of part of the story...anyway for Jim Morrison fans this will be quite a pleasure.   The audience was jam packed to the brim with Jim Morrison fan's and they loved the film and thanked Tom/  They also did not like Oliver Stone's version "The Doors" at all and either did Pam's mom. On to the icon, great beauty, chanteuse, actress and Civil Rights activist Lena Horne.  I found this quote actually in the editorial section of The New York Post by Quincy Jones today and I had to post it.  I discuss her as well in my new Youtube. "Lena Horne was a pioneering groundbreaker, making inroads into a world that had never before been explored by African-American women, and she did it on her own terms. Our nation and the world has lost one of the great artistic icons of the 20th century." — Composer/arranger Quincy Jones on the death Sunday of the legendary singer and actress at the age of 92 Next, Lawrence Taylor and a NY Daily News article today that gets in to the gory details including that yes indeed LT had sex with her, the lights were down low so you didn't recognize him.  She had been beaten by her pimp and just wanted to get this over with as quickly as possible.  There was a concern about the condom coming off on her part and he said don't worry, he is shooting blanks.  Bottom line is she said the room was dark so maybe he did not see she had been beaten, who knows but she is a huge Giant fan and wishes him well.  She does want the pimp to go to jail for a long time.  Click on the link to read more.  For all those asking what was he doing and why did he ask for a professional sex worker.  I don't know. I did watch an interview and his wife said if in fact he did cheat on her, he is in trouble.  Clearly she is not going to grab a golf club.  She sound calm and reasonable.   Why?  I guess it is uncomplicated in a guy's mind to have sex, pay and leave.  No relationships or drama but LT's case who knows what the collateral damage will be besides jail time, losing sponsors...etc.  I can't imagine. The real victim who is underage so we her name is never mentioned is trying to break free of this and get her life straight.  She wants to get her GED and become a pediatrician.   I found an amazing article on  an ex-child prostitute who got her law degree and now is an activist fighting to get kids off the streets and break free.

Giuseppi Logan reunion Part 2 post by Suzannah B. Troy

Bobby Paulino keeps sending me edited pieces of the documentary I suggested Jaee Logan make when we were first connected by his friend David who was following my YouTube documentary of his Dad. I also suggested a Hollywood film like The Soloist and that Jaee could set up a charity to help musicians and artists like his Dad as was down with Nathianl Ayers, the subject of the book and film.  I suggested to Jaee that he starting writing in a journal in preparation for a book as well.  Here is my YouTube series starting with the first video of Giuseppi Logan playing on a freezing cold day to an empty park and a 20 part series still on going that brought a reunion of Father and Son.  Pete Gershon, publisher of Signal to Noise wrote a powerful piece which also honors and acknowledges my work on Giuseppi Logan called "Out from the Shadow".  I believe because of Peter's powerful writing and my YouTube discovering Giuseppi Logan which rocked the jazz world this led to Josh Rosenthal of Tompkins Square Park records to get him in the studio and make a new album mostly with original work.Giuseppi Logan Quintet (Dig)  The new CD, Giuseppi Logan's first since the 1960's is a successful and was received with very strong powerful reviews.  There were some in the music world that thought Josh Rosenthal was wasting his time and that GL was shot but Rosenthal proved them wrong. You should know that Giuseppi was married before he met Jaee's Mom and had many children.  There were problems and maybe it was undiagnosed mental illness.  I do not know.  He said she had him arrested and put in mental institutions.  Jaee has a different take on this saying she did not support his music and wanted him to have a 9-5 job which was a killer for him.  Music was and is his life line. He was divorced and re-married a woman who understood his love for music and came to New York City were he could pursue fame and fortune.  As you here him say.  He found fame but not fortune.  It is very sad and upsetting but I don't think he got much for those two successful records.  As we filmed a man stopped which was caught on camera and said Giuseppi Logan, you records got me through college.  He shook Giuseppi's hand. Giuseppi Logan studied at The New England Conservatory and when GL self destructed Jaee's Mom took Jaee to California.  Jaee was an honor student and he went to college studying music as well. You will hear Father and Son discuss Giuseppi Logan playing with all the famous musicians including Coltrane and Jaee as a little boy played with their kids.  Giuseppi played with Coltrane, Mingus, Sun Ra and more Jazz greats as he contributed his own unique compositions to what is called the free jazz movement. 

Dan Orth, Jaee's partner wrote me this...and I have made corrections...

It is John Coltrane not Charlie.Charlie Mingus,the late,very famous Miles

Davis,Thelonious Monk,and Milford Graves are more jazz greats who worked with

Guiseppi.Milford Graves,the legendary drummer,is alive and well at age 68.I have

his interview in Jazz Inside,Volume 8,Number 4,Winter 2010.He mentions

Guiseppi Logan twice in his very lenghty interview.Guiseppi told me in New York

city the fact that Guiseppi is not his born,legal name.Somebody in the jazz

world told Guiseppi in the 1960"s that he should change his first name.

                                                                                        Dan Orth

Thanks Dan -- I work very hard and I am often very tired so thank again for your help.

Matt Lavelle join forces with Giuseppi Logan when Logan came in to buy a reed.  Matt kept getting Giuseppi Logan gigs and formed a ban.  This was a life saver for Giuseppi because music is is life force and it also lead to him making money.  Josh Rosenthal even gave Lavelle producer credit on the new CD, The Giuseppi Logan Quintet which includes Francios Grillot, Warren Smith and David Burrell In my series Giuseppi thanks the people of New York.  He tells me he found out from his friend using the computer that people thought he was dead.  He got a little money and took a bus to NYC where people gave him help.  He found shelter although I had heard reports at times he was homeless and people gave him clothing and instruments.  An amazing Salvation Army Angel got him a small room close to Tompkins which is his life line.  He told me people here in NY gave him instruments.  The Jazz Foundation has also been helping him and gave him an instruments, a bass clarinet and flute but the flute is not playing right. I call Giuseppi Logan this morning.  I started very early and he picks up at 7am.  Giuseppi I have great news.  I just got confirmation you son is coming back this month.  I believe for your birthday on May 22.  Giuseppi hadn't heard from Jaee and he was worried he may not return.  He is returning Giuseppi. I asked GL who else he played with and here are a few more names. Giuseppi  played with so many people and here are so morewith Roland Kirk ,  Eddie Gomez, Eric Dolphy  and even  Dizzy Gillespie! I had to leave to go to a meeting but before I did I suggested Jaee and Giuseppi walk over to where Charlie Parker lives.  I couldn't go with them. I wish I could have.  Enjoy the 2nd part in a series Jaee Logan is putting together and a sad reminder Jaee lost his only son to gun violence and he has an organization set up with the goal to stop the violence. Giuseppi has some gigs coming up.  Here is the first in at least 3 that are booked ...IPR in Brooklyn 10pm 5/14 www.issueprojectroom.org Brecht forum 9pm 5/16 9pm www.brechtforum.org He is also going to be on a jazz radio show in Newark the day before his birthday...I have a lot going on so you have to contact Matt Lavelle for more info.  You can join his facebook page, myspace or email him lavelle.matt@gmail.com. Again I have to say I am so honored and proud to be part of this YouTube miracle and helped Giuseppi out from the shadow as Pete Gerhshon describes it and even writing this was work. I am tired.  Thanks to Tim Madison for pushing me to keep filming.

Lena Horne Activist Icon passes post by Suzannah B. Troy

Lena Horne was a great beauty, a beautiful person, singer, performer, icon and Civil Rights activist.  Growing up in Bed Stuy Brooklyn her peers treated her badly because of her light black skin.  They said she had a white father which was not true.

Lena Horne was the first African American Actress to have a contract with a major Hollywood studio with a clause stipulating she did not have to play any demeaning or stereotypical roles according to this blog I linked to and also was a favored and loved presence at The Apollo Theatre.

Below a quote from The New York Post Editorial section from Quincy Jones, May 11, 2010.

"Lena Horne was a pioneering groundbreaker, making inroads into a world that had never before been explored by African-American women, and she did it on her own terms. Our nation and the world has lost one of the great artistic icons of the 20th century."

— Composer/arranger Quincy Jones on the death Sunday of the legendary singer and actress at the age of 92

She was a ground breaker and a fighter for Civil Rights and she contributed and helped pave the way for other thanks to her activism and courage.  She died at 92 years old here in NYC  New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center and she had her family with her.


I remember Liz Smith was a big admirer of Lena Horne and I was invited to a function dedicated to her.  Her daughter came in her place if memory serves me right. 


Lena Horne was very humble and down played her talents but she truly was a compelling performer, a great beauty, a loved Mother and an activist that made a difference and will be missed.


She was born here 92 years old and she passed away her in NYC...full circle fully loved...


I think of Alicia Keys singing "Empire State of Mind" so beautifully and I think of Lena Horne now  eternally beautiful;  her great contributions remain with us in spirit.  Thank you and Bless you Lena Horne.

Giuseppi Logan son's video post by Suzannah B. Troy

As any of the good people following my blogs and YouTubes know I discovered Giuseppi Logan playing "Begin the Beguine" 2 years ago on a freezing cold day and I knew I captured something amazing. I ran home and I followed GL's instructions to research him on the internet. I immediately found a YouTube posted on ESP channel of a British film maker's showing Giuseppi Logan in the very same park, Tompkins Square Park in the East Village but from 1966. Giuseppi's son Jaee happily plays in the park with little girls as Giuseppi's original composition plays in the background. Peter Gershon, the publisher of "Signal to Noise" wrote a powerful piece on Giuseppi Logan "Out from the Shadow" and I was deeply moved by what Pete wrote about my contribution and my work in this exciting discovery... Giuseppi Logan was in fact a live. He had made 2 successful records in the 1960's before he vanished. Where did he vanish to? His demons got the better of him. More on that later. I have a poem in the park..."miss you, miss people, neighborhood, trees, NYC idiosyncrcasies" at the base of the fountain with the word "Hope" you will see in the video I am posting that was sent to me. Giuseppi Logan was standing just a foot away from my poem with the words "Hope" above my poem like a shining light. Who would know I would stand next to Jaee Logan 2 years later and Jaee will be talking to us about broken family trees...not only had Jaee Logan lost his Father but he has lost his only son to random gun violence. His son Jaee was shot 3 times in the back of the head. What you will see is Giuseppi Logan and his son Jaee reunited after 40 years thanks to my YouTubes. When Giuseppi self destructed Jaee's Mom took him to the west coast which is his home base. He has his Dad's musical gifts and the first time I conferenced called them as we talked -- Giuseppi would play music and it spoke to Jaee in a way I could not through is music. I was deeply moved. I have had to deal with the dark side of YouTube and blogger owned by Google and I have had to turn to the NYPD and lawyers but this is the best side of YouTube and Google. I call this a YouTube miracle and I am so honored to be part of it.

Iron Man 2 review by Suzannah B. Troy

Mickey Rourke wore his soul on his skin in his comeback film "The Wrestler" and he was breath taking in his first few minutes of Iron Man 2 when he actually has dialogue.  Rourke is superb but this was not a script heavy movie and he doesn't get much dialogue or screen time but he is riveting when he does get to speak and I loved the head to toe Russian Mafia tattoos.  If you haven't seen Eastern Promises, a serious film not a cartoon movie, than rent this memorable film about the Russian Mafia in England.

Iron Man 2 is fun.  The critics were less than enthusiastic and for good reason but the movie will do really well at the box office.  There is a superb supporting cast including the sexy siren Scarlett Johansson, John Faurvre not sexy but fun,  who also directed the movie and although Samuel Jackson has a very small role he is super!   There are plenty of cameos including Christine Amanpour for global news buffs, internet billionaire Larry Ellison as well as an amazing retro-car with hand painted flames that I would love to go for a ride in! 


I was bored to tears in the over the top fight scenes that were techno-extreme fighting meets professional wrestling and maybe it's just me...if I have to see fighting than I would rather see be hunky guys in the flesh not cartoon like machine.  At this point in my life over the top special effects are too much for me and I would have preferred to read a good book during those scenes.  Even the coming attractions were over the top over, stimulating tech heavy, leaving me longing for small films like Crazy Heart

The movie is fun and will make big bucks at the box office.
Also for New York lovers Queens is also a star in Iron Man 2  as well!!!!!

I am obsessed with "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo".  There is a tattoo scene in this film that is unforgettable although the film is too violent for me.  I am reading the book and even got the poster in Swedish.

For tattoo buffs -- The NYC Tattoo Convention 2010 is this Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  I special shout out to Clayton Patterson who helps put on this convention because he had my art in the window
of his Outlaw Art Museum!





http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQ0uQwNxPNg

Happy Mother's Day to everyone!

Suburban Atlanta, GA - Happy Mother's Day everyone! I can't remember missing celebrating Mother's Day and it was vitally important for me to give my Mom the gift of my help here in Georgia. See, my Mom still insists on working, and I see that as a personal failure on my part because I believe if I made enough money she would not have to work. I give her money each month, as of this writing it helps but not enough to compel her to just stay at home.

Yet as I write this, i'm not sure that would keep her at home cooking and tending garden. While she does do that - tend garden and cook - I really think working around people is Mom's way of staying connected. She's a United Airline retiree but if United called, she'd answer it in a heart beat.

Mom's tried working for me but following Internet trends can be boring if you really like being out and about with folks. Not that I don't, but that's my Mom. It's good therapy for the passing of friends over time.

The one curse of old age is that your friends die. While the logical and uncaring mind would say "just make new ones" it's also a young mind that would form such a thought. Friends are supposed to be and are special people in your life. Friends know you. They're the people who have license to open your door without knocking or tell you what they think because it's for your own good.

Friends are people who borrow money from you and pay you back. They keep your secrets, well, at least the ones that are worth keeping. When you lose friends you lose a part of you. (And while I'm thinking about it, for those who are dating and hear the words "let's be friends", anyone who says "we're friends" and does not meet the criteria above isn't a friend. Don't kid yourself. In my experience, real friends come with benefits. But enough about that for now.)

I think if I were married with kids that would keep Mom at home because kids are the center of her life. It doesn't matter who you are, if you're around my age, your my Mom's kid and she talks to you that way.

I remember a neighbor of mine mistakenly and she will tell you stupidly poured gasoline on the side of the street in full view of my Mom, who was visiting. Well, she got it from my Mom. And while I didn't know her well at the time, and do didn't know what to expect as a reaction, I realized Mom has a way of putting things such that people know she cares and isn't being malicious. She has that way about her.

But fortunately, even though I'm not a father and believe I'd be an incredible one, I'm also not suffering through a divorce or discovering that my wife's cheating on me, either. So, I suppose there's a bright side too.

But I digress. I'm here for my Mom, who I love very much and always will. From the practical perspective, she's my only remaining family and I'm the only child, so I travel here each month to help her. But even if that wasn't the case, I'd be here anyway!

Happy Mother's Day! Give your Mom a kiss if she's near by and a call if she's not - even if you argue with her, at least enjoy that you're able to!

Calling 311 Mike by Suzannah B. Troy artist NYC

I had to call 311 tonight...call it the good citizen thing or what ever. It took a half hour of holding to do what I wanted to do and I can only say this....the people that answer the phone tend to be the nicest people on the planet. Saints...They are so polite and so nice.

It took 20 minutes of holding to speak to the very first extremely kind nice person. She sounded very tired but still very professional and despite her fatigue down right nice....thought to myself she is a good person working hard and it is clearly a busy night. Maybe do to the high winds tonight 311 is extra busy, the high winds have been causing a lot of trouble here in NYC....time to snuggle with loved ones and watch The Wizard of Oz.

The mayor had a good idea, 311 but it doesn't work that well because like everything here in NYC there are not the "dollas" to back up the ideas.

I have to laugh when I think of this funny older white guy with gray hair, a bit nerdy, can't think of his name that shows up to the MTA meetings and always gives Mayor Bloomberg hell. He says to solve the MTA budget crisis all we need to do is hold Bloomberg upside down and shake him. I assume he means like the salt shakers nanny mayor Mike Bloomberg would have us put down even if it takes a gun to our heads except Mike is anti-gun.

Mike 311 is a great idea but it seems like your idea is under staffed and by the nicest of New Yorkers and you can't really make the idea work.

More and more NYC resembles communist Russia with capitialist prices. I first used that term to describe the high price of health insurance here in NYC but now it seems like that is the "state" of NY unless you are a fat cat politico, ruthless in any number of categories etc., just not the category called "the people of New York" aka "the tax payers". At the rate we are going we may be heading towards NYC resembling Greece. Don't worry mayor Mike, I am not talking about grease, greasy food or turning you upside down like a salt shaker to cure our mega-billion dollar deficit. New York City may start resembling Greece more and more and I am not talking about the Parthenon. By the way, did you see The New York Post's coverage of the "protest dog" that shows up for every major riot in Greece?
For non-New Yorkers, our mayor is called the nanny mayor because he wants to make sure we cut down our fat intake, our salt intake, but drinking is okay! That is the one industry he has no qualms with...just look around the streets at night for proof.

If anyone hasn't noticed here in New York, Albany was suppose to balance the budget by April 1. An appropriate day except the tax payers are losing everything dollar and sense except for a sense of humor, perhaps. Maybe instead of a billionaire we should have a comedian for mayor. No forget that. The accidental governor, Dave Patterson always sounded like he was auditioning for Saturday Night Live until he got himself implicated in three scandals, than he lost the bad stand up comedy and he still refuses to step down. Thanks Dave!

By the way getting back to Mike, is there a clause in "New York city gov law" that says if the mayor has a 2nd income and that 2nd income earns over 2 billion dollars that he has to pay a special tax like half of his multi-billion dollar income from his 2nd job...? Didn't think so but I had to ask.

Mike, I want to ask you are we going from a recession to a depression?

Hello, 311, I want to report a budget catastrophe here in NYC waiting to happen like an oil spill in the East River...a disaster...help!


Thirty minutes later I hung up but before doing so I told 311 operator, Angel no. 2, the specialist thank you, praised her but told her I don't like our mayor. Thank you and bless you!

Plaxico Buress cel trouble post by Suzannah B. Troy

Plaxico Buress shot himself in the foot as opposed to his thigh according to The New York Post when he lied to a prison guard misleading the guard to believe he had permission to use his cel phone to call his attorney when in fact he did not!

Buress has 7 months left to serve on his 2 year prison sentence and I am angry because I was one of those people that did not want him to go to jail. I preferred that he be able to stay with his family and do a hard core anti-gun ad campaign and very serious community service but be home to be a parent. I am disappointed to read this news.

The only thing that is confusing about The New York Post article is the date of when this occurred but either way Plaxico Buress got busted and lost his recreational privileges for a month.  No report on whether or not this will impact his release date.

For movie buffs that don't want to leave their home I did a short YouTube movie review of entertaining rentals and one of the most unusual is The Big Fan written and directed by Robert Siegel who wrote the screenplay for The Wrestler.  For football fans or people that like dark off beat films The Big Fan is a must see and possible cult classic.  I also talk about Moon, another possible cult classic directed by Duncan Jones, David Bowie's son and he looks like the wrestler version of his Dad and of course The Hangover!

Might Mutts Good Souls post by Suzannah B. Troy

http://www.olliesplace.org/

http://mightymutts.tripod.com/frame.html

http://www.adoptapet.com/adoption_rescue/75946.html Good hearted 2 legged New Yorkers heart and soul powered to help 4 legged New Yorkers in need! Today it was beautiful and instead of taking the day off these wonderful New Yorkers are taking their big hearts to Union Square to help animals to find homes.  I made a small donation and I have a "Might Mutts" T-shirt I bought a few years back. I am a big time animal lover and one of my most favorite TV shows is "Dog Town" which is can found on National Geographic Channel.  Dog Town is their TV show name but they are actually called Best Friends Animal Sanctuary and they rescue all kinds of animals.  For the TV show they focus on dogs and if you have not watched the show keep a tissue box handy.   By the way if you haven't seen their tv series on Michael Vick dogs than at some point I hope you get to because you might come to the opinion I have, he deserved a harsher sentence. For Mother's Day you can donate to a locate pet rescue place like the ones listed above, or Dog Town has wonderful presents that you can actually wear including cool jewelry and help raise money to care for the animals.  I wish every shelter was run like like Best Friends. Here in NY another favorite of mine is City Critters.  I always try to send them a donation as well.  Just love City Critters and one of my adopted loves is from City Critters so I love you CC! Don't forget their are animals that need loving homes and thanks to the people that help out like these wonderful New Yorkers.

Staten Island Ferry Crash injuries post by Suzannah B. Troy

1010 Wins reports there was a Staten Island ferry crash and there were injuries but nothing as horrific as the previous one from seven years ago.  There is one serious injury and two police officers on duty were injured as well as a dozen or so people  but  again I repeat nothing like the last ferry crash which was horrifying.

The Andrew J. Barberi hit the pier at 9:20am this morning and just seemed to be approaching too fast and for some reason they could not slow the ferry down.  It is said the throttle failed.




Same boat, same terminal,  a far more devastating crash  that took the lives of 11 people and severely injured some survivors happened October 15, 2003.   It was like deja vu but not as bad thankfully.


Here is the Wikipedia page for the Staten Island Ferry boat crash that resembled a terror attack and even made people think of Sept. 11.  There were many law suits and pay-outs.  Also deeply heartbreaking and a moving story of the young man that had to have both his legs amputated.   His name is Paul Esposito and he considers every day a blessing.  He settled for $8.9 million dollars.  


Of course as usual I have major praise for our 1st responders rushing to rescue the people on this ferry and prayers and healing wishes to all injured.  It does make me think of the Ferry crash from 2003 where so many people died or were injured and that crash did make me think of Sept. 11.  


Staten Island was NYC's "heart" -- this little Island -- like a powerful heart keeping the downtown area alive and going after the horrific day.  So many rescue workers rushed to the WTC after 9-11 and for those that survived many made the trip to the WTC every day digging in the rubble hoping to find bodies or even a small piece of DNA so Staten Island holds a special place in my heart.

Notify NYC 46th Broadway shut down post by Suzannah B. Troy

As I have told my loyal readers I am on the Notify NYC program with the City of New York so I got the notice via text message and email..."Due to police activity in the vicinity of 46th Street and Broadway (MN) expect street closures in the Time Square Area."

Than I checked 1010 wins and there was nothing but now they are reporting breaking news that the shut down is due to a suspicious package.  I will get back to you with more information when I get it.

Stay tuned, stay safe.

2:25 Notify NYC writes, "All police activity at 46th Street and Broadway in Manhattan has concluded.  All streets in Times Square are now open.  Expect residual traffic delays.

Well folks, show the NYPD is alert and it does remind me of Sept. 11, the weeks after when there was a lot of anxiety and worry and all kinds of delays.  The New York Daily News reports the suspicious package was a cooler with sodas....someone's lunch.  The NYPD  Bomb Squad x-rayed it and gave us all the green light all is okay. Today all's well that ends well...thanks goodness.