Libra Qualities / Sept 23^rd to Oct 22^nd

Element / Air

Best Day / Friday

Strengths / cooperative, diplomatic, gracious, fair-minded and social

Weaknesses / indecisive, avoids confrontations and self-pity

Likes / harmony, gentleness, sharing with others and enjoying the outdoors

Dislikes / violence, injustice, loudmouths and conformity

Description / Libra’s are often considered to be fair and peaceful. They seek balance in everything they do and because of this; they try their best to avoid confrontation. However, Libra’s avoid confrontation so much; it can be perceived that they do not take accountability for their own wrongdoings. As a sign that will do anything to try to keep the peace, they prefer to not speak about the matter and when things start getting a bit tough, they avoid them. Libra’s enjoy a keen mind and strong intellect. This air sign will go wherever the wind blows them in search of what they feel is important to their true self. This Libra season get in tune with what you prioritize for yourself and work on it. Do not let others persuade you from following what you believe and doing what you feel you need to do for yourself.

Memories of Tuesday, September 11, 2001

[I wrote the below on September 13, 2002]

Those of you who know me very well are aware that my office is roughly seven blocks southeast of South Tower [WTC]. My office, at that time, was at 55 Broad Street and only a stone’s throw from NY Stock Exchange. Yeah ... we are close to "ground zero". From our 25th floor windows, we could only see the South Tower and the North Tower was hidden behind it.

That day started out just like any other for me. I had to be at the office by 8:15am to let in the caterer. As there was an all-day meeting being held in our large conference room.  The breakfast buffet needed to be ready by 8:30am. People started arriving for the meeting between 8:30am and 8:55am. A few made comments that they had heard talk of a "bomb" going off at WTC. At the time, we thought nothing of it. Do not think we are heartless, because we are not, I guess New Yorkers are immune to some things, but not all.

Sometime around 9am, we heard a huge explosion and then our building shook. I kid you not! Felt like a mini earthquake. We all jumped up from what we had been doing and raced to the windows. Looking out the northern end of our floor and upward we could not believe our eyes. A huge, gaping hole in the south tower with smoke, debris and fire coming out of it. Debris was flying everywhere ... even around our building. Bits of papers, fax sheets, reports, etc. Unbelieveable!! I went back to my desk and called my Mom right away. Once I got her on the phone, I said I was okay, but to turn on the telly to find out what was going on. She related to me that it was two commercial airlines and not a bomb. We talked for abit and I said I would call her later for an update. Then everyone went back to work. Yep, you heard me, back to work and the meeting. I made other phone calls, especially to my friend and ex co-worker Anni; her office is across the street from South Tower. At 9:15am, her office was evacuating and I prayed she would get away from the scene okay.

My boss, Ron G, showed up at office five minutes before South Tower collapsed. Said the action out on the streets was insane and out of a movie. Unreal, but not, yah know? Before Ron showed up, four of my co-workers made it back. Amen! They had been in south tower at a meeting on 80th floor when plane hit north tower. They had gotten down the stairs to 30th floor when second plane hit their tower. I was so happy to see them back at office. Gave them bottles of water and the first aid kit. When the south tower collapsed, it sounded like another explosion and our building shook again! We ran to the northside windows and could not believe what we saw. We were all freaking out at that point. Even though our windows were closed, we could still hear the screams of people on the street below as they ran in terror. The clouds of grey, black and brown smoke/ash were moving with force over buildings and down streets. Next thing we know our whole building was covered in the stuff. It got dark and you could not see out at all. My poor nerves were really jumping at this point. Then the building manager came over the PA system and told everyone to go down to the lowest level for shelter. Which we did ... after making a few quick calls ... one of which was to Mom. I went down the elevator with Ron and two other co-workers [Joe & Igor]. We stayed downstairs in a kind of fallout shelter until 11:45am. Some people were able to get their laptops running and access to the Internet. Slowly we were getting bits of info on what the hell was going on that morning and it was not a pretty picture. I mostly hung out with Ron, Joe and Igor or checked out news on people’s laptops. We were finally allowed back up to our offices, but management told us that if we left the building, they would not let us back in. Yeah, like we want to stick around here. NOT!

Ron told the three of us to collect our things, make a few phone calls and then we would hoof it out at 12 noon. I called Mom to tell her I was okay and about to head home. She sounded very upset over the phone and I could not blame her. She said the news and film footage on the telly was horrible. Mom had to take half a valium just to calm her nerves. Before we left the office, which was deserted except for us four, we grabbed bottles of water and small damp towels. We headed out the back of the building where we were met by paramedic’s handing out surgical masks. Amen! What a sight to meet our eyes out on those streets. It was like being in a city after a war. Everything was covered in that nasty soot, debris everywhere, abandoned cars & stores, as well as people like us walking east. Away from the disaster and horror. Unfortunately, I was wearing clogs that day on my feet and my feet/legs suffer. To this day, I still suffer occasionally from shin splints. Ron and Joe walked ahead of Igor and me. Sometimes we talked, but mostly we looked around in disbelief. It was like a mass exodus! By the time, we got to the Brooklyn Bridge it was closed off to pedestrians. Therefore, we walked past and further north to next one, which was Manhattan Bridge. By the time we reached that bridge, the air was clear and we took off the surgical masks. As we crossed the bridge we looked back south ... it seemed so surreal ... like it was a Spielberg film and the credits would roll any minute now. Nevertheless, it was not a film; it was all too real and frightening. One thing I was thankful for ... it was a nice, sunny day. I did not give a damn if I got sunburnt or not. When we reached Brooklyn, our first priority was bathrooms and then subways. At the subways [only in Brooklyn, Queens & Bronx were running not in Manhattan] I said goodbye to my co-workers and we all wished each other a safe journey to our respective homes. Ron, Igor and I live in Brooklyn, but poor Joe had to get back to the New Jersey shore. He stayed at Ron's place that night and got transport the next day. As for me ... it took two subways for me to get back to Greenpoint.

Arrived into my neighborhood at 3pm and walked to my friend Larry's place. Was not sure if my phone or telly would be working, but somehow knew Larry’s would be. I called Mom from Larry's place while watching the events of the day unfolding on the telly. Could not believe what I was seeing, so upsetting and I kept on saying "OH MY GOD". On top of all that, I was exhausted emotionally and physically. Once I got to my apartment, I found that I could use my computer, phone and only got Channel 2 on the telly. I returned phone calls to family and friends who were concerned. In addition, returned emails to many wonderful e-pals who were also concerned about me. I thank you all for your kindness and thoughtfulness. Made me feel soooo good and blessed. Did not know work was closed the next day, but I still trekked into our midtown office. While there, I made phone calls and found out that Anni was all right but had suffered a bad asthma attack. From there I went to get a manicure and then had lunch with Debbie in Brooklyn. Yep, the subways were running once again in Manhattan. On Thursday, I went back to E&Ys midtown office to help out, sort of like doing temporary work. Then my Administrative Manager gave me Friday off as "excused leave" and the following week I enjoyed my vacation time down in Cape May, NJ. By the time I came back to work the downtown area was open [relatively speaking] and it was business as usual at E&Y.

Overall, I thought I was fine, but for several months following 9/11, I suffered from strange dreams, nightmares and bouts of depression. One heard many different stories from friends, co-workers and still to this day. On the day of the one-year anniversary, I took a vacation day from work, as did many staff in our downtown. And like last year, I went and got a manicure. I think the professionals would call it ... getting on with life. It is not easy, but with every day, we do better and better.

 Volunteering

Inwood in northern Manhattan

Get Out the Vote

Aug 30th and Sept 6th

 Visited Fort Tryon Park

with a Friend

Sept 7th 2020

PERSONAL NEWS #306

August 3^rd to 6^th … Worked at the office due to internet issues at my apt, which got resolved by 7^th.  Utilized the company car service to and from home.

August 7^th … Took a vacation day from work, as I had an appt / free consultation with Clear Choice regarding implants / crowns.

August 8^th … Jumped on a Zoom meeting / call hosted by a good friend discussing Share International.

August 12^th … Took half a personal day from work to attend another Clear Choice appt.  This was to do prep work for the implants surgery in September.

August 13^th … Worked at the office and utilized car service to and from home.

August 14^th … Had a massage therapy session with Eric at 5pm in the apt.  All went well.  That evening I chatted on the phone with a good friend who recently moved to SC.

August 15^th / 16^th … Many phone calls with friends over the weekend.

August 18^th … After working from home all day, I jumped on an evening Zoom meeting with SGI Buddhist Kent district.

August 19^th … After working from home all day, I jumped on an evening Zoom meeting with Veterans for Peace.  Which was enlightening, informative and fascinating.

August 20^th … Worked at the office and utilized car service to and from home.  That evening I chatted on the phone with a good friend of mine.

August 21^st … Worked at the office and utilized car service to and from home.

August 22^nd … After taking care of errands, chores, laundry and groceries, I chatted on the phone with a good friend of mine from Seattle.

August 23^rd … Took car service to and from a delightful park in Inwood [northern Manhattan] to engage in peaceful activism with others.  We wore masks and social distance while writing postcards to voters in swing states.

August 24^th … After working from home all day, I called a good friend of mine in my northern Brooklyn hood and we caught up on news.

August 25^th … After working from home all day, I called a good friend of mine in southern CA and we caught up on news.

August 26^th … After working from home all day, I jumped on a PEJ committee Zoom meeting, plus a massage therapy session with Eric at my apt.

August 27^th / 28^th … Worked at the office and utilized car service to and from home.  Evening of the 28^th I chatted on the phone with a good friend of mine in southern NJ.

August 29^th … After wishing my dear Mom a happy birthday, I jumped on a Zoom meeting with Share International, plus did some grocery shopping and laundry.

August 30^th … Took car service to and from a delightful park in Inwood [northern Manhattan] to engage in peaceful activism with others.  We wore masks and social distance while writing postcards to voters in swing states.

 

Mom's Homestead

PERSONAL NEWS #305

July 1st and 2nd … Worked at the office.  Took car service to and from home.

July 4th … I participated in a Share International Zoom meeting, and enjoyed phone calls with friends.

July 5th … Enjoyed several phone calls with friends.

July 6th … Worked from home due to pandemic.  In addition, my first pedicure since March 1st, and it felt wonderful.  Jumped on a BFP committee Zoom meeting at 4pm.

July 7th … Worked from home due to pandemic.  In addition, my first proper hair trim at a salon since mid-February.

July 8th … Worked from home due to pandemic, plus massage therapy with Eric.

July 9th … Worked at the office and that evening jumped on a BFP committee Zoom meeting.

July 10th and 13th … Worked from home due to pandemic.

July 14th … Worked from home due to pandemic.  Watched “A Starting Point” website launch via Zoom at 1pm.  Great website originated by Chris Evans and Mark Kassen.

July 15th … Worked from home due to pandemic.  Also, participated in the Bideawee town hall Zoom meeting at 2pm.

July 16th … Worked at the office and that evening jumped on a BFP committee Zoom meeting.

July 18th and 19th … Drove to upstate NY to visit with my Mom.  First time in seeing her since mid-February.  A good friend of mine drove me up and we took all the necessary precautions so none of us would get Covid-19.

July 20th … Worked at the office and that evening jumped on a BFP committee Zoom meeting.

July 21st … Worked from home due to pandemic.  That evening I joined SGI Kent district Zoom meeting.

July 22nd … Worked from home due to pandemic, plus massage therapy with Eric.  Afterwards, I jumped on a BFP committee Zoom meeting.

July 23rd … Worked at the office and utilized car service to and from.

July 27th … Worked from home due to pandemic and jumped on a BFP committee Zoom meeting at 2pm.

July 29th … Worked at the office, as internet service at home is screwed up.

July 30th … Worked at the office, as internet service at home is screwed up.  That evening I jumped on a BFP committee Zoom meeting via my cellphone.

July 31st … Worked at the office, as internet service at home is screwed up.

 Visited Mom in Upstate NY

Weekend of July 18th / 19th

NY City Hall Park

Six Years Ago

DO NOT JUDGE TOO QUICKLY; ONE OF YOUR MISCONCEPTION CAN RUIN A LIFE!
Our biggest fault is that we give judgment without checking anything. When we realize later, there may be nothing left to do. Judging others is something incredibly habitual. Oftentimes, we do not allow ourselves to picture the other person’s situation and put ourselves in their shoes. We think our viewpoint is the only valid one and this stops us from seeing beyond it and understanding other, different perspectives.  Think about yourself. How many people are there who do not know all the struggles that you have gone through that have affected your actions and behavior?  Your actions define you. When you judge someone, you are defining yourself. You can give your opinion, but criticizing or not understanding that person is not going to help them.

What harm can cause judging a person?
➡ People can feel discrimination.
➡ People can feel isolated.
➡ Feel ashamed.
➡ Misunderstood.
➡ Criticized.
➡ Feeling demeaned.
➡ Disorienting.
➡ Holding them back from achieving radical success.
➡ Separate people from achieving the goal.
➡ Your judgment creates limitations for others.

"Never judge a man's actions until you know his motives." ~ Vikas Swarup

PERSONAL NEWS #304

June 1^st … Worked from home, plus I participated in the eighth Zoom video call regarding the ongoing planning for BFP “Peace and Climate Change” committee.

June 3^rd … My boss came into the office and I had to go in as well.  It was a productive work day.  I took car service to and from the office, which the company paid for.  That evening I participated in the BFP PEJ committee Zoom meeting, which was productive and informative.

June 4^th … Worked at the office and it was quite productive.  I took car service to and from the office, which the company paid for.  While working I also joined in the virtual Zoom tea party from 1-3pm.

June 5^th … Worked from home and afterwards had a delightful Skype chat with a friend.

June 7^th … Took Uber car service to and from for a visit with a good friend at Fort Tryon Park.  We wore our masks, stayed 6 feet apart while we socialize and stroll around the park on a lovely day.

June 8^th … Worked from home and participated in the Zoom video call regarding the ongoing planning for BFP “Peace & Climate Change” committee.

June 9^th … Worked from home and participated in a Zoom video call with other SGI members from my Kent district.

June 10^th … Worked from home and participated in a Zoom video call with other Bideawee volunteers.  Then had massage therapy with Eric at my home.  We both wore masks and kept everything clean.

June 11^th … Worked at the office and it was quite productive.  I took car service to and from the office, which the company paid for.

June 15^th … Worked from home and enjoyed a phone call with a good friend in VA.

June 16^th … Worked from home and participated in a Zoom video call with other Bideawee volunteers.

June 18^th … Worked at the office and it was quite productive.  I took car service to and from the office, which the company paid for.

June 22nd ... Worked from home; plus participated in two BFP Zoom video call committee meetings.

June 23rd ... Worked from home and participated in a Zoom video call with other SGI members from my Kent district.

June 24^th … Worked from home; plus had massage therapy with Eric at 5pm, and then jumped on a Zoom video call / meeting with BFP board members.

June 25^th … Worked at the office and it was quite productive.  I took car service to and from the office, which the company paid for.

June 29^th … Worked from home; plus participated in the Zoom video call regarding the ongoing planning for BFP “Peace & Climate Change” committee.

June 30^th … Worked from home; plus participated in the 3^rd Zoom video call BFP town hall event at 6:30pm.

PERSONAL NEWS #303

May 2^nd … Took care of errands and chores.  Did a 30-minute power walk and chatted with a good friend via Skype.

May 3^rd … Did a 30-minute power walk and participated in a 45-minute Zoom video call with my SGI Buddhist group at 4pm.  It was an inspiring “intro meeting”.

May 4^th … Due to the pandemic regarding COVID-19, I worked from home on my personal laptop and brought all files, plus a memory stick, with me.  At 4pm I participated in a fifth Zoom video call regarding the ongoing planning for BFP “Peace & Climate Change” committee.  Afterwards, I did a 30-minute power walk.

May 6^th … At 3pm I participated in a 1-hour Zoom video call with Bideawee and volunteers.  Updates on what’s been happening.  At 6:30pm I participated in a 1-hour Zoom video call regarding BFP first digital town hall and the guest was Bill Hartung.

May 7^th … Worked at the office and it was quite productive.  I took car service to and from the office, which the company paid for.  Got home and took a 30-minute power walk before jumping on a 40-minute Zoom video call.  Our SGI Buddhist group had a discussion meeting.

May 8^th … Due to the pandemic regarding COVID-19, I worked from home on my personal laptop and brought all files, plus a memory stick, with me.

May 9^th & 10^th … Enjoyed several phone calls with friends, which brightened by days.  Did errands, chores and laundry.  Plus 30-minute power walks on both days.  Called Mom on Mother’s Day to wish her well.  Abit upset as I haven’t been able to visit her since mid-February due to COVID-19.

May 11^th to 13^th … Due to the pandemic regarding COVID-19, I worked from home on my personal laptop and brought all files, plus a memory stick, with me.  Shopped at Costco after work on Tuesday, May 12^th, and purchased some good buys.

May 14^th … Worked at the office and it was quite productive.  I took car service to and from the office, which the company paid for. After work I jumped on a 1-hour Zoom video call with BFP PEJ committee.

May 15^th … Due to the pandemic regarding COVID-19, I worked from home on my personal laptop and brought all files, plus a memory stick, with me.  During the evening, I enjoyed a delightful 1.5-hour phone call with a good friend in CA.

May 16^th … After several errands, grocery shopping and doing laundry, I enjoyed a Skype call with a good friend.

May 17^th … I enjoyed several Skype calls with my brother and several of my HP friends.

May 18^th … Due to the pandemic regarding COVID-19, I worked from home on my personal laptop and brought all files, plus a memory stick, with me.  Afterwards, I participated in the sixth Zoom video call regarding the ongoing planning for BFP “Peace & Climate Change” committee.  Afterwards, I did a 30-minute power walk.

May 19^th … Due to the pandemic regarding COVID-19, I worked from home on my personal laptop and brought all files, plus a memory stick, with me.  After work, I participated in a 50-minute Zoom video call with my SGI Buddhist group.  We had a discussion meeting regarding appreciation.  Afterwards, I did a 30-minute power walk.

May 21^st … Worked at the office and it was quite productive.  I took car service to and from the office, which the company paid for.  Arriving home, I did a 30-minute power walk.

May 22^nd … Due to the pandemic regarding COVID-19, I worked from home on my personal laptop and brought all files, plus a memory stick, with me.  Also, a call with a high school friend.

May 24^th … Took Uber car service to and from Central Park for a leisurely stroll from East 80^th Street up to East 100^th Street.  It was great to enjoy the lovely weather in the park, take photos, soak in the sunshine and still social distance while wearing a mask.

May 25^th … Our office was closed for Memorial Day and I participated in the seventh Zoom video call regarding the ongoing planning for BFP “Peace & Climate Change” committee.  Also finished watching season six of the Father Brown tv series on Britbox.

May 26^th … Due to the pandemic regarding COVID-19, I worked from home on my personal laptop and brought all files, plus a memory stick, with me.  I also listened in on a NYC non profit digital event at 2pm regarding fundraising / events.

May 28^th … Worked at the office and it was quite productive.  I took car service to and from the office, which the company paid for.  I also joined in with BFP second digital town hall Zoom session at 6:30pm.  This session was regarding the affects of COVID-19 on certain communities in the NYC area.

May 30^th … Took Uber car service to and from for a visit with a good friend at her midtown hotel.  We wore our masks and stayed 6 feet apart while we socialize.

May 31^st … I spent the afternoon in the northern part of my hood at Industrial Park.  Took some lunch and bottled water, plus my camera and book.  It was lovely getting away from the apt for several leisure hours.

Wear your Mask

and

Social Distance

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Waterlogue by Tinpocket