From Sunrise to Evening

on Christmas Eve [12/24]

in upstate NY

 Chillin with some Tea at the

Downton Abbey truck on Dec 12th

 A leisurely and tasty
Sunday afternoon tea break

 My Lovely Holiday Tree

Evening of Monday, Dec 9th, the “NYC Area Friends of JRR Tolkien and Fantasy” Meetup group was at the AMC Empire 25 on 42nd Street for a special exclusive screening of "The Hobbit: the Desolation of Smaug".  This is part two of Peter Jackson's new "Hobbit" trilogy.  [We saw the film at IMAX in 3D, so that explains the special glasses we wore.] What a roller coaster ride of a film! Excellent! My only real gripe was too many Orcs. I sat with Wendy, Margaret and Pauline.  [Pauline took this photo of Margaret, me and Wendy]  It was great chillin with everyone and seeing others from our meetup group.

PERSONAL NEWS #226

Nov 1^st I had a private yoga class with Fabrice and Shiva.

Nov 3^rd, I watched the NYC marathon in my hood on Manhattan Avenue, while listening to the live Reggae tunes performed by Nando Griffiths.

Nov 4^th, I had a private yoga class with Fabrice and Shiva.

Nov 6^th, I attended a talk given by Rashid Khalidi on the Middle East situation.  Mr. Khalidi is the author of the book … “Brokers of Deceit: How the U.S. Has Undermined Peace in the Middle East”.  This deceit, by the US towards the Middle East, and its continued support of Israel, has been ongoing since 1975.

Nov 7^th, I attended a talk given by author Ann Jones at the Brecht Forum in Brooklyn.  She was speaking about her latest book … “They Were Soldiers: How the Wounded Return from America’s Wars – The Untold Story”.  The event was hosted and co-sponsored by Haymarket Books, Rosa Luxemburg Stiftung, IVAW and BFP.

Nov 8^th – 10^th, I had health issues over the weekend due to lung condition and on anti-biotic.

Nov 11^th, I had a private yoga class with Fabrice and Shiva.

Nov 12^th, I attended “The Future of Stop & Frisk! Can We End it?” community forum in Fort Greene area of Brooklyn after work.  The forum was an amazing event with speakers who are passionate about seeing to it that real change happens.  Even with the temporary setback that happened when 3 current judges over rule the decision of the initial judge on the case.  Over a 100 people were in attendance at the forum.  Also, discussion shifted to potential actions that people could take, starting from a grass roots level. With most things it requires social media as well as on the ground face to face contact to motivate and keep people involved.

Nov 15^th, I had a private yoga class with Fabrice and Shiva.

On morning of Nov 16^th, my cleaning lady stopped by to tend to my apartment.  Afterwards, I had a much need appt for acupuncture therapy with Dr Tan, and following that with an equally needed pedicure.

Sunday, Nov 17^th, I joined other members of “NYC Friends of Tolkien” for a delightful “Brunch with Bilbo” at Stone Creek lounge.  We socialized, enjoyed good food and watched the extended edition of The Hobbit.

Nov 18^th, I had a private yoga class with Fabrice and Shiva.

Nov 19^th, I participated in the monthly BFP Arts & Culture committee meeting, which was productive, and we had two guests attend.

Nov 20^th, I volunteered at the WCW national office to assist with computer work.

Nov 21^st, I had an urgent dental appt in the morning to fix a chipped tooth.  Ouch!

Nov 22^nd, I had a private yoga class with Fabrice and Shiva.

Nov 23^rd, I joined my friend Debbie S at Stone Creek lounge for an enjoyable Doctor Who event in the afternoon.  Afterwards we headed over to a friend’s apartment for a social visit.  We drank tea, played with Dobby [cat], nibble on tasty pastries made by Deanna and talked about all sorts of topics.

Nov 25^th, I had a private yoga class with Fabrice and Shiva.

Nov 26^th, I had a consultation with my dental specialist about implants.  My office dental plan covers half and I would have to pay the other half, which amounts to $1,900.  Ouch!!

Nov 28^th, since 2006, I volunteer with Project Find in Manhattan to assist with bringing hot meals and goodie bags to home bound seniors.  This year I helped with getting the goodies into those bags; then working with Gloria [driver] and Diane [another escort] in delivering meals and bags to 16 people along West 24^th Street.  Weather was cold, windy, but sunny.

Nov 29^th to Dec 1^st, I visited the parents, brother and sister-in-law in upstate NY for the remainder of the holiday weekend.  Weekend did not run smoothly for my father, and we had to have the ambulance take him to hospital around midnight on Friday.  [Mom and I followed in the car to hospital.]  Learned he has Strep Pneumonia and has to stay in hospital through Wednesday.  Visited him on Saturday afternoon … the shakes and fever have dissipated.  He is on the slow road to recovery.  Amen!  Rest of weekend Mom and I did some shopping, dining out, decorate house for Xmas, hair salon and watching HP on cable TV.

IN THE NEWS

How Wall Street Turned America into Incarceration Nation

Les Leopold, AlterNet

Transforming poorer neighborhoods into desirable real estate for the new elites often requires getting rid of the poor: jail becomes the new home for many.

http://www.alternet.org/corporate-accountability-and-workplace/how-wall-st-turned-america-incarceration-nation?akid=11186.9992.a9-FeC&rd=1&src=newsletter929145&t=3

The NY Times Uncovers Conservative Attacks and Then Prints One of its Own; Both Are on the Front Page

George Lakoff, AlterNet

http://www.alternet.org/ny-times-uncovers-conservative-attacks-and-then-prints-one-its-own-both-are-front-page?akid=11186.9992.a9-FeC&rd=1&src=newsletter929145&t=13

As Experts Weigh in, Warmongers Emerge as Sole Opponents of Iran Nuke Deal

http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2013/11/25-5

The Climate Disaster Bubbling in the Arctic

http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2013/11/25-3

Americans for Safe Access: Report: Medical Marijuana States Already in Compliance with Federal Enforcement Guidelines

http://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2013/11/25-1

Sierra Club: 12 Michigan Counties Show Unhealthy, Poorly Controlled Levels of Ozone Pollution

http://www.commondreams.org/newswire/2013/11/25-4

5 Things You Need to Know About the Iran-US Deal Over Nuclear Program

Alex Kane, AlterNet

http://admin.alternet.org/world/iran-and-us-sign-historic-deal?akid=11184.9992.ZosOzl&rd=1&src=newsletter928941&t=3

10 Biggest Myths About Retail Workers

Stephanie Luce, The Guardian

Over 1 in 10 US jobs is in the retail trade.  Here’s what their lives are really like.

http://admin.alternet.org/10-biggest-myths-about-retail-workers?akid=11184.9992.ZosOzl&rd=1&src=newsletter928941&t=7

6 Outrageously Greedy Companies that make Scrooge Look Like a Softie

Lynn Stuart Parramore, AlterNet

http://admin.alternet.org/economy/scrooge-and-american-companies?akid=11192.9992.czAxSA&rd=1&src=newsletter929520&t=3

How Wall Street’s New Empire of Rental Homes Could Blow Up the Economy

Laura Gottesdiener, Tom Dispatch

Wall Street is at it again, this Time, they’re turning rentals into the next get-rich-quick bubble.

http://admin.alternet.org/economy/tomdispatch-laura-gottesdiener-wall-streets-rental-empire?akid=11192.9992.czAxSA&rd=1&src=newsletter929520&t=15

Extreme Whether!

"Extreme Whether" tells the story of climate change as a family drama.  Today, we launch an Indiegogo funding campaign to bring what we feel may be our most important play to production in March-April at Theater for the New City.  We have already done four super readings with terrific audience response. Climate scientists and climate activists have praised "Extreme Whether".  Please, take a few minutes to view the video and, please, if you like what you see, ask your friends to visit the site.  We need your help to spread the word about what we feel is the most important story we can tell, the struggle to save the earth. The start of any funding campaign is crucial; we’re asking for your early support.  Thank you for your help!

http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/extreme-whether

IN THE NEWS

Fact Check: Social Security Does NOT Increase the Deficit

Lynn Stuart Parramore, AlterNet

Bought politicians and pundits continue to spread nonsense about America’s best-loved program.

http://admin.alternet.org/economy/fact-check-social-security-does-not-increase-deficit?akid=11165.9992.jGWZY5&rd=1&src=newsletter926394&t=5

You Might be Surprised Who Collects on the Tips You Leave at Restaurants

Saru Jayaraman, The Washington Spectator

By law your tip is supposed to go to restaurant workers  -- often they don’t.

http://admin.alternet.org/labor/you-might-be-surprised-who-collects-tips-you-leave-restaurants?akid=11165.9992.jGWZY5&rd=1&src=newsletter926394&t=9

It Was Bad Enough That We Militarized Our Own Borders – Now the U.S. is Doing it to the Rest of the World

Todd Miller, TomDispatch.com

http://admin.alternet.org/civil-liberties/it-was-bad-enough-we-militarized-our-own-borders-now-us-doing-it-rest-world?akid=11165.9992.jGWZY5&rd=1&src=newsletter926394&t=13

 Brunch with Bilbo Baggins

at

Stone Creek Lounge

on

Sunday, Nov 17th

 Smaug the Mighty

 Timdalf and Frodan

IN THE NEWS

The Shamelessness of Bankers

RJ Eskow, Blog for Our Future

Bank executives have displayed disrespect for both law and regulation, that they are not worthy of the public’s trust, and that they are culturally impaired at a profound level.

http://www.alternet.org/shamelessness-bankers?akid=11137.9992.a9L2_d&rd=1&src=newsletter922936&t=3

House Republicans Prepare the Next Obamacare Repeal Bill, in Disguise

Joan McCarter, Daily Kos

Republicans want the status quo health system in which millions are losers in the health care game because of pure chance.

http://www.alternet.org/news-amp-politics/house-republicans-prepare-next-obamacare-repeal-bill-disguise?akid=11137.9992.a9L2_d&rd=1&src=newsletter922936&t=15

Poll: Americans Overwhelmingly Support Increase in Minimum Wage

Andrea Germanos, Common Dreams

New Gallup poll shows 76% of Americans want wage to increase; trend shows consistent support for increased federal minimum wage.

http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2013/11/12-4

Candidate or Not, Elizabeth Warren has the Right 2016 Message

John Nichols, Common Dreams

http://www.commondreams.org/view/2013/11/12-2

As America Slides toward Dickensian Nightmare, Novelist of the 99% is Trending Big-Time

Lynn Stuart Parramore, AlterNet

Charles Dickens is a man for our season, an artist who got people to think about economic injustice.

http://admin.alternet.org/economy/america-slides-toward-dickensian-nightmare-novelist-99-trending-big-time?akid=11138.9992.F_elLt&rd=1&src=newsletter923131&t=5

Top Democratic Pollster Says Don’t Mess with Social Security – Or Else Face the Wrath of Voters in 2014

Steven Rosenfeld, AlterNet

http://admin.alternet.org/economy/fixing-and-expanding-social-security-wildly-popular?akid=11138.9992.F_elLt&rd=1&src=newsletter923131&t=13

 Brooklyn for Peace

hosted the successful

"Pathmakers to Peace"

at

Brooklyn Historical Society

on

Sunday, Oct 20th

Sam, Stacy with Charlene

 Honoree - Lynn Nottage

David with Honoree Rabbi Lippmann

 Annual HP Halloween Ball

Friday, Oct 25th

Salem, MA

PERSONAL NEWS #225

Oct 1^st, I did volunteer computer work at the WCW offices.

Oct 3^rd, I attended the monthly TGTSNBN meetup at Twins Pub on 9^th Avenue.

Oct 4^th, I attended my private yoga class with Fabrice.

Oct 5^th, I attended the autumn cosplay with other members of TGTSNBN up in northern Yonkers at Untermyer Park and Gardens.

Oct 6^th, I attended my private yoga class with Fabrice and Shiva played outside.

Oct 8^th, I attended the BP PF/Fundraising committee meeting and we are in the final stages of planning for an event on October 20^th.

Oct 10^th, I had an appt with Dr Tan for acupuncture treatment.

Oct 11^th, I attended my private yoga class with Fabrice

Oct 12^th, After Dana finished cleaning my apt; I did errands around the hood and then headed to Prospect Heights for a “photo walkabout”.  I captured images of autumn, doorways and flowers.  Afterwards I made some purchases at the Grand Army Plaza farmers market before meeting acquaintances of mine for dinner at FAROS in Park Slope.  We enjoyed a delicious dinner, interesting diverse conversation and received early b-day gifties.

Oct 14^th, I attended my private yoga class with Fabrice and gave a giftie to lil Shiva.

Oct 15^th, I attended the monthly BFP A&C committee meeting, which was very productive and interesting.

Oct 16^th, Stopped by theater to see Wendy and pick up my fancy robes for HP Halloween Ball.

Oct 17^th, I participated in the BFP Fundraiser/PF committee conference call regarding final prep for “Pathmakers to Peace” event on the 20^th.  After work I attended the monthly NYC Friends of Tolkien meetup.  Since today is my birthday, I received greetings, gifties and treated to dinner by friends and acquaintances at the meetup.  It was all very enjoyable.

Oct 20^th, I attended, as well as volunteered, at the “Pathmakers to Peace” event, which was hosted by BFP fundraising and peace fair committees.  The event was a success and 160+ attended the function at Brooklyn Historical Society.

Oct 21^st, I had an appt for acupuncture with Dr Tan before he goes to Tibet on vacation.  That evening I had my private yoga class with Fabrice and Shiva.

Oct 23^rd to 27^th, I was on vacation in Salem [MA].  Saw a lot of Salem this time around, plus hung out with friends/acquaintances, and attended the annual HP Halloween Ball and the HP walkabout.  Weather was chilly, windy, with some clouds and sunshine.  No rain and no hurricanes!  Over the course of several days I went on the Red Line trolley tour, ghost tour, Witch House, Phillips House tour, Peabody Essex museum, and the Yin Yu Tang house tour.  Lastly, I mostly dined at Kushco Depot and Life Alive for healthy, fresh vegetarian / vegan food.

Oct 28^th, I had my private yoga class with Fabrice and Shiva.

Oct 29^th, I attended the BP PF/Fundraising committee meeting, and it is a follow up to the “Pathmakers to Peace” event.

Happy Halloween

from

Salem MA

 Baroness von Huffledor

with Dumbledore

 TGTSNBN Fall CosPlay

at

Untermyer Park and Gardens

October 5th

 Ministry of Magic

Auror Dept

 Umbridge and McGonagall

Confrontation

Dumbledore Looking On

 Untermyer Park and Gardens

Northern Yonkers

PERSONAL NEWS #224

Sept 2^nd, I headed back to NYC from the long Labor Day weekend.  I joined in on a regular yoga class with Fabrice teaching and afterwards got to play with Shiva for abit.

Sept 3^rd, I participated in the BFP board members urgent conference call regarding the Syrian situation.

Sept 4^th, I had a much needed chiropractor appt.

Sept 5^th, I attended the monthly BFP board members meeting, which predominately centered on the Syrian situation.

Sept 6^th to 8^th, I headed back upstate NY for Carol and Art’s wedding.  I stayed with my parents, as they were also guests at the wedding, and Carol had asked me to be the photographer.

Sept 9^th, after work I attended a vigil / protest regarding “NO TO WAR IN SYRIA” in the Ft Greene neighborhood of Brooklyn.  This “Vigil for Syria” was hosted by Ft Greene Peace AND Brooklyn for Peace.

Sept 10^th, I attended a productive monthly BFP Fund/PF committee meeting, as we get closer to the “event” set for October.

Sept 11^th, I participated in the monthly Peace Alliance conference call.  The guest speaker was Sam Daley-Harris, founder of RESULTS and author of the book "Reclaiming Our Democracy: Healing the Break between People and Government." Sam has helped thousands of ordinary citizens transform from hopelessness into extraordinarily powerful advocates.  Sam is now working with The Peace Alliance, coaching them to deepen their grassroots organizing efforts.

Sept 13^th, I had an appt with Dr Tan for acupuncture treatment, and afterwards a private yoga class with Fabrice.

Sept 14^th, I met up with my friend Jackie at the Prospect Park zoo for a nice afternoon outing.  Afterwards we strolled through the park to Barnes & Noble in Park Slope, and then wrapped up the day with dinner at FAROS on 7^th Avenue.

Sept 15^th, I volunteered to assist with tabling for Brooklyn for Peace [BFP] at the Flatbush Frolics on Cortelyou Road.  Sunny, warm weather with abit of a breeze and spoke with many people about BFP, NYC politics, Syria, etc.

Sept 16^th, I attended the monthly BFP A&C committee meeting, of which I am co-chair.  Meeting was productive, informative and our guest [Karen Malpede] talked about her new play “Extreme Weather”.

Sept 17^th, I attended an informative and interesting monthly BFP PEJ committee meeting at Matt’s house in a lovely part of Prospect Heights [Bkln].

Sept 20^th, I attended my private yoga class with Fabrice and Shiva.

Sept 21^st, I went briefly into Manhattan to meet with Wendy and decide/purchase trimmings for my fancy robes.  Then off to Port Authority to purchase bus tickets for excursion on Sunday.

Sept 22^nd, I travelled up to Valley Cottage, NY with Carole, Laura and Fari to attend Timdalf’s annual Bilbo and Frodo birthday picnic.  The weather was abit cool, but all who attended had a good time.

Sept 23^rd, I attended my private yoga class with Fabrice and Shiva.

Sept 24^th, I participated in the BFP Fundraising / PF committee meeting and we are making progress for the upcoming “Pathmakers to Peace” event, which is slated for October 20^th.

Sept 25^th / 26^th, is crazy busy at work with the annual International Tax conference taking place this week, and I am doing volunteering for it.  It is very tiring work.

Evening of Sept 26^th, I attended the Neko Case concert at RCMH, which was very enjoyable.

On Sept 27^th, saw more of the International Tax conference and my having health issues with lungs.  This resulted in leaving abit early from work and getting antibiotics that my lung doctor called into the pharmacy.

Over the weekend of Sept 28^th and 29^th, I rented some Sherlock Holmes [starring Jeremy Brett] DVDs for a marathon viewing while I recovered from health issues.

Sept 30^th, I attended my private yoga class with Fabrice and Shiva.

I was Chillin at the Annual ITS

Conf during the day [Sept 26th]

and at the Neko Case gig that

Evening at RCMH

IN THE NEWS

NSA Spied on MLK, US Senators and Other Vietnam War Critics, Documents Show
http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2013/09/26-2

Crisis at Fukushima Continues to Spiral With Hole in Radiation Barrier
http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2013/09/26-1

Look Around, Workers Are Pissed
http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2013/09/26

Reading Obama’s Iran Speech

Phyllis Bennis, Common Dreams

http://www.commondreams.org/view/2013/09/26-6

Noam Chomsky: “The Foundations of Liberty Are Ripped to Shreds”

Steven Garbas / Noam Chomsky, Satellite Magazine

http://www.alternet.org/civil-liberties/noam-chomsky-america-openly-brags-about-boom-times-its-drone-wars-while-casuallty?akid=10985.9992.hQI5L6&rd=1&src=newsletter902537&t=3

Seymour Hersh: Story About Killing Osama Bin Laden is One Big Lie

Lisa O’Carroll, The Guardian

http://www.alternet.org/media/seymour-hersh-story-about-killing-osama-bin-laden-one-big-lie?akid=10983.9992.DOS4hG&rd=1&src=newsletter902420&t=3

Krugman: Plutocrats Have Become Sociopaths with Their Persecution Complexes

Jodie Gummow, AlterNet

http://www.alternet.org/economy/krugman-plutocrats-have-become-sociopaths-their-persecution-complexes?akid=10983.9992.DOS4hG&rd=1&src=newsletter902420&t=7

U.S. Wealth is Now the Most Concentrated at the Top Since 1916

Eric Zuesse, AlterNet

http://www.alternet.org/economy/us-wealth-now-most-concentrated-top-1916?akid=10983.9992.DOS4hG&rd=1&src=newsletter902420&t=17

Jeremy Scahill: Obama Is an Enforcer of Empire

Amy Goodman / Nermeen Shaikh, Democracy Now

http://www.alternet.org/jeremy-scahill-obama-enforcer-empire?akid=10976.9992.YduE-x&rd=1&src=newsletter901448&t=15

Is the Natural Gas Industry to Blame for the Toxic Sinkhole Devouring a Town in Louisiana?

Rod Bastanmehr, AlterNet

http://www.alternet.org/natural-gas-industry-blame-toxic-sinkhole-devouring-town-louisiana?akid=10977.9992.91pZkt&rd=1&src=newsletter901885&t=3

Krugman: Rich are Waging “Pure Class Warfare”

Elias Isquith, Salon

The Nobel Prize winning New York Times columnist argues the rich are even more selfish than you thought.

http://www.alternet.org/krugman-rich-are-waging-pure-class-warfare?akid=10977.9992.91pZkt&rd=1&src=newsletter901885&t=5

Taibbi’s Latest Expose: How Teachers, Cops and Firemen are Getting Their Pensions Fleeced at Lightning Speed

Amy Goodman / Matt Taibbi, Democracy Now

http://www.alternet.org/corporate-accountability-and-workplace/taibbi-his-latest-expose-how-wall-street-hedge-funds-are?akid=10978.9992.YDrubm&rd=1&src=newsletter901960&t=7

 Celebrating Bilbo and Frodo's

Birthday on Sunday,

Sept 22nd

 Timdalf presiding

over the festivities

IN THE NEWS

Top 45 Lies in Obama’s U.N. Speech

David Swanson, War is a Crime

http://www.alternet.org/world/top-45-lies-obamas-un-speech?akid=10975.9992.yTO89S&rd=1&src=newsletter901319&t=3

Brazilian Leader Gives Obama Hell Over NSA Surveillance

Alex Kane, AlterNet

http://www.alternet.org/world/brazilian-leader-gives-obama-hell-over-nsa-surveillance?akid=10975.9992.yTO89S&rd=1&src=newsletter901319&t=7

Obama Tells World: US is ‘Exceptional’ but [Don’t Worry] Not ‘Imperial’

Jon Queally, Common Dreams

http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2013/09/24-3

 Brooklyn for Peace Members

tabling at annual

Flatbush Frolics

Sept 15th

Sunday – October 20^{th -} 6-9pm

Pathmakers to Peace - Awards Reception

at the Brooklyn Historical Society - 128 Pierrepont Street, Brooklyn Heights

2013 Pathmakers to Peace Honorees:

• Lynn Nottage, Pulitzer Prize winning playwright (“Ruined”)
• Dr. Ahmad Jaber, Arab American Association of NY
• Rabbi Ellen Lippmann, Kolot Chayeinu and Children of Abraham Peace Walk
• Nancy Romer, Brooklyn Food Coalition and Brooklyn College Community Partnership
• FUREE  (Families United for Racial and Economic Equality) 

Tickets on sale now!
http://www.brooklynpeace.org/brooklynforpeace/committees/fundraising/pathmakers-to-peace-entry.html for info on tickets, tables, sponsorships, and ads in the program journal.

Reading of “Extreme Weather” a new play by Karen Malpede

http://theaterthreecollaborative.org/

DATE: Monday, Sept 23^rd

WHEN:  7:15pm wine reception – 7:45-9pm live reading and discussion
WHERE:  Columbia University, Schermerhorn Auditorium, Room 501 [enter building, walk up one flight of stairs and auditorium is directly in front of you]