PERSONAL NEWS #58
I spent five nice, long days visiting the family in upstate New York over the Memorial Day holiday weekend. Weather didn't always cooperate, but for the most part it was decent. Always feels good in abandoning NYC for a brief spell. Breathe in the clean air and the scent of nature. On a lunch and shopping visit to Saratoga Springs, Mom and I spent some time in a Barnes & Noble to avoid a brief nasty thunderstorm. [Well, it was on our list of stops, so we took advantage of it.] While there I spotted the special illustrated edition of "The Da Vinci Code", which I promptly purchased.

Haven't read this bestseller yet, but was advised by a co-worker that the illustrated version makes it a far more exciting read. Started it on Sunday and finished it on Wednesday. Damn, it was a good story, lots of fascinating facts, terrific illustrations and the ending caught me off guard. Halfway thru the book my gut instincts enlightened me regarding "teacher" and I was right when I got to the end of the book. Hell yeah! Also at Barnes & Noble I picked up another SHARPE book by Bernard Cornwell. Must satisfy my Sharpe fix.

Throughout the rest of the holiday weekend I did yard work, cooking, baked a Vegan Chocolate Cake, power walks, watched a Poirot marathon on the telly, tag sales, visit hairdresser, etc, etc.

The monthly NYC DoP meetup at Viva Natural on June 2nd was a washout. I waited 15 minutes, ate a slice of whole wheat crust pizza and no one showed up. Sigh!

On Friday, June 3rd, I met up with a Fox Lane classmate of mine for dinner. Hadn't seen Eileen for many years and we know each other thru other classmate connections. One of whom I don't socialize with anymore. [That's another story and would take to long to relate for now.] Anyhow, we'll be heading down to the DC/VA area end of this month to attend a wedding. A good friend of ours [Nancie] invited us to her daughters wedding. [Review & photos will be in next "Personal News” regarding the wedding weekend.] Back to Friday evening - we met up at a Starbucks on upper Westside of Manhattan. Socialized for abit before heading down Broadway to do abit of grocery shopping at Fairway, and then ended up at a very nice Mediterranean restaurant for dinner. Wish I could remember the name of the place - I think it was on Broadway around 75th Street. While catching up on ALL topics of news/gossip, we partook of yummy garlic bread with melted Gorgonzola Cheese on top. And for main entrée, I had grilled crab cakes with veggies. It was a fun evening, which was marred abit by the delays and cancellations of the NYC subway system. Five subways later I arrived home at 1am and was naturally exhausted.

QUOTE OF THE DAY ... Absolute power corrupts even when exercised for humane purposes. The benevolent depot who sees himself as a shepherd of the people still demands from others the submissiveness of sheep. Eric Hoffer

On Sunday, June 5th, I went to two outdoor art & craft shows in Manhattan. The first one is a favorite of mine, which I attend every year in June and September. The annual Lincoln Center Art & Craft Show is must-see. So many lovely items by many different, talented artisans. I didn't purchase anything, but found inspiration for some artsy projects I'm currently working on. From there I traveled by subway down to University Place, near Washington Square Park, for the 75th Annual "Art In The Village" show. [The shows concept was originated by painter Jackson Pollack and fellow Village artist Willem DeKooning.] Again I didn't purchase anything, sadly my pockets were empty, but I derived much pleasure from viewing brilliant artwork. The weather turned out great with sunshine and some clouds.

On Tuesday, June 7th, I listened in on the monthly National DoP conference call at 9pm EST. Matthew Albracht [ie: Peace Alliance] was hosting the call and guest speaker that evening was Lisa Earle McLeod. Lisa wrote a great op-ed back in March and it can be found at http://www.forgetperfect.com/columns/05_mar_18.htm

Ms McLeod is a newspaper columnist who met and interviewed Marianne Williamson, plus read her book called "The Gift of Change". She's been an activist for a short time and mostly communicates with "mothers" about peace. [Lisa had many suggestions on how we can promote the DoP campaign. The folk that phone in on these monthly calls are from ALL over the US. It’s an honor, plus enlightening and informative, to listen to what others have say and as well as participate. Another "speaker" was Judy Kimmel [ie: Peace Alliance] who spoke about possible ideas for upcoming holiday events and promoting peace. Such as inviting friends and family to a "picnic for peace" OR participate in ones local July 4th parade. It was a great conference call and two other NYC DoP members [ie: Liz & Kevin] were on besides me.

Thursday, June 9th, was a busy day for this lady. First of all, work was bubbling along at a nice pace, even though most of my department was out. Took an extended lunch hour to attend a 1pm press conference down on City Hall steps for the Peace Tax Fund.

Recently, NYC Chapter Dept of Peace board members held a vote and decided to endorse the PTF group. The weather was sunny, warm and quite humid that day. Before the conference I handed out DoP flyers and chatted with a number of folk. One of which was a nice, young female NYC cop, who was very receptive to the idea of a peaceful world for all, especially children. Thomas showed up and always a pleasure seeing him again. He gives terrific hugs and has such wonderful eyes. Two other NYC DoP board members [ie: Ellen & Dawn] showed up and we sported our DoP buttons. I'd never been that close to City Hall, let alone on the steps for a press conference. One has to go thru security, which is quick and painless. The press conference was attended by 20 to 30 people, but sadly, very little media. [Corporate mainstream media ... definitely not true journalism and their reporters are pathetic, feeble morons. Bought by the rich and corrupt to do their bidding.]

After work I was able to join in for an hour with a Support Group, which is run and hosted by a NYC DoP board member. Business isn't discussed and there is space for meditation, exchanging thoughts/ideas, and voicing inner emotions/conflicts. Sort of like going to a shrink, but its free and you’re surrounded by supportive, likeminded individuals.

Wish I could have stayed for remainder of session, but I had to race home for a 9pm NY State DoP District Team Leader conference call. [Damn subways, was 10 minutes late for call.] Hosted once again by Kevin and those who participated in the call were David, Jordan, Pricilla, Dave [8th district] and myself. Kevin started off the call with a quote by Einstein. Much discussion about the July 23rd congressional lobbying training to be held here in NYC and hosted by my DoP chapter. [Kevin mentioned that Walter Cronkite is definitely onboard for the Washington DC Peace Conference in September. WooHoo!] I brought up the suggestion that NYC DoP members could "house" those visiting for the July 23rd weekend. This suggestion was warmly received by all. Jordan talked about tax dollars, how it’s spent and how it should be spent. Plus he had some great ideas, which he emailed to Kevin, on fundraising and donations. David mentioned author Steve Primer and his book "Of Practical Persuasion & Influence". Which I intended to look for next time I hit B&N. Kevin ended the call with a wonderful quote by Mother Teresa.

A STANZA WRITTEN BY POET LORD BYRON [1788 - 1823]

Oh! Snatch'd away in beauty's bloom,
On thee shall press no ponderous tomb;
But on thy turf shall roses rear
Their leaves, the earliest of the year;
And the wild cypress wave in tender gloom:

And oft by yon blue gushing stream
Shall Sorrow lean her drooping head,
And feed deep thought with many a dream,
And lingering pause and lightly tread;
Fond wretch! as if her step disturb'd the dead!

Away! we know that tears are vain,
That death nor heeds nor hears distress:
Will this unteach us to complain?
Or make one mourner weep the less?
And thou - who tell'st me to forget,
Thy looks are wan, thine eyes are wet.

On Sunday, June 12th, I went to see the following . . . STRATEGIC OMISSIONS: The Truth Behind The Health Effects After 9/11 (90 min, 2005) A documentary film by Heidi Dehncke-Fisher and Gordon Skinner. There was a post screening discussion introduced by Congressman JERROLD NADLER (NYC District 8]. It was held at the Unitarian Church of All Souls on upper eastside of Manhattan. Brief summary of the film [which we're told was still a work-in-progress] - The collapse of the Twin Towers at the World Trade Center released 2,358 toxins into the air. These toxins are known to cause asthma and upper respiratory allergies and those exposed to them are at heightened risk for numerous cancers. STRATEGIC OMISSIONS investigates the impact of 9/11 on the health of rescue workers and lower Manhattan residents and unearths the political cover-up of the findings of the Environmental Protection Agency [EPA]. Brilliant film and sadly I couldn't stay for the Q&A afterwards.



MESSAGE FROM FELLOW NYC KUCITIZEN REGARDING “HOMEWARD BOUND ACT”
Please contact your Congress member regarding H. J. Res. 55, the HOMEWARD BOUND ACT. When you click on the link right and below http://clerk.house.gov/ it will lead you to the US House webpage. Click on Bill Summery and Status and fill in H.(space)J.(space)Res.(space)55. There you can read all about the bill and its co-sponsors (we have gained more since its introduction last week!). When you go back to the homepage on the right side is a window saying CONTACT YOUR CONGRESSMEMBER. There you can find out who your Congress member is and how to contact him/her. Let’s help to BRING OUR TROOPS HOME at last. Be a part of it. Remember: we, the people have a lot of power. The politicians have to follow our call even if they don't like what we want. After all WE ELECT THEM ... lets use our power here. Let’s END THIS WAR! http://clerk.house.gov/

LAST WEEK, ON JUNE 15TH, OHIO CONGRESSMAN DENNIS KUCINICH WAS INTERVIEWED ON FOX NEWS … Click on the URL to read the transcript and see what DJK has to say … http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,159752,00.html