Wet Dog, Dry Plants – an Irene Postscript August 28, 2011
Posted by judylobo in Animal Stories, Dogs and cats, Photography, Politics.Tags: Hurricane Irene
5 comments
It is over for us. Hurricane Irene came and left leaving most New Yorkers unscathed (if you are not counting all of the people that had to evacuate or are calling their insurance companies to assess their house/tree/car damage).
I have started to schlep my outdoor plants back outside (without the energy I had yesterday). Benny has been on two walks since Irene passed us by – which he much preferred to this morning’s very wet outside adventure at 6 AM.
a) Manhattan had no power outages. Why doesn’t the Government spend stimulus money to bury all power cables underground? Manhattan had no power outages because our cables are all underground.
b) The Battery did not flood very much considering it it all manmade and should be flooded all of the time.
c) Here is the one thing that was damaged in my neighborhood – an upset pot.
d) Plants going back onto my balcony (a work in progress).
e) I know that life is back to normal. The lunatic that stands on the corner singing and screaming with his guitar returned.
I hope your experience with Hurricane Irene was as uneventful as mine. Unfortunately, Mayor Mike has informed us that the transit system will most likely not be up and running for tomorrow’s rush hour. He is sure ‘we’ will figure someway to get to work because New Yorkers are tough. Hey, Mayor Mike – you have a chauffeured lim0. Want to pick us all up and give us a ride?
Waiting… August 27, 2011
Posted by judylobo in Animal Stories, Dogs and cats, Photography, Science.Tags: Hurricane Irene
7 comments
I cannot believe it is only 3 PM. I am not very good at waiting. Yet, here we are at Casa Lobo, waiting out the impending storm. I look out the window often. Here are a few things that caught my eye from my 11th floor perch. Madison the cat has found having all of the outside plants inside very entertaining. Benny is milking my being home by begging for a treat every time our eyes happen to meet. Sadly, he usually wins the treat war. I am a sucker for those fluid eyes.
Deconstructing Casa Lobo August 27, 2011
Posted by judylobo in Animal Stories, Dogs and cats, Photography, Politics, Videos.6 comments
We were instructed by building management to clear our balcony of any furniture, grills or plants before Hurricane Irene drops by. Easy for you to say, Pedro. Have you seen my balcony? (All photos below). So, I went to the gym at 7 AM to build up my strength for my upcoming arduous task. My 24 hour gym is closing at 10AM today and will be closed tomorrow as well. In case you are living somewhere else and have not see the news – NYC is essentially shut down as of noon today. No subways or buses and the airports (all three) are shutting down. There are evacuation areas throughout the five boros and most food items are gone from supermarket shelves.
I checked my own pantry and found I had plenty of food for the pets, ample wine, pretzels and tuna. What else does someone need? Am I nervous? No (except when I turn on the TV and hear the horrible warnings, statistics and blather). So I turned off the TV and did my task. There are now pots, plants and garden supplies all over Casa Lobo and both Benny the dog and Madison the cat are not pleased. The cat retreated to the closet to hide and benny hid under the bed. Now that the noise is over they have returned to their normal positions.
Do I think the Mayor and Governor have over-reacted? I surely do. I think if this hurricane had hit during the week when Wall Street does whatever it is they do – it would have been a different story. However – ‘who works on the weekend’ – the powers that be thought? ‘Not anyone I know’ – so they shut it down. Am I cynical? You bet. Just because I am not blogging much on politics these days do not for one minute think that I have changed my tune or softened in anyway. I am mad as hell and shake my fist at passing clouds all of the time.
So what will I do today and tomorrow? I will devote myself to some projects that have been on a list for ages. I will stare out the window. I will most likely speak to my good buddy Carol several times and also will yak with my sister Terry. One more thing – I will call and speak with my zoo buddy, Mary tomorrow as it is her birthday. ‘Happy Birthday, Mary’.
Good night Irene – good night.
A Shout Out to Governor Cuomo June 26, 2011
Posted by judylobo in Photography, Politics.5 comments
The anual Gay Pride Parade goes directly past Casa Lobo. It is always very loud and festive but this year – even more so. I cheered rather loudly myself when Governor Cuomo passed by. A HUGE shout out to him for promises kept.
Weiner Walks and I’m Pissed June 16, 2011
Posted by judylobo in Politics.3 comments
I know I have been uncharacteristically silent of late but now I am pissed.
What the heck is going on? Anthony Weiner was the only Democrat with enough moxie, chutzpah and smarts to take on the Repugnants and call them out as they should be on issue after issue. So what do the waffling, ball-less Dreadfulcrats do?
They throw their loyal pit bull under the bus. They call for his resignation and send him off into the sunset alone without so much as ‘thanks for all you have done.’ I am pissed. Weiner said what I thought – he said it over and over again. Who is going to do that now? I do not see anyone in the House who will come to the podium and say what needs to be said.
Sad – pathetic and very disappointing. I will miss him.
Keith and Kovacs April 13, 2011
Posted by judylobo in art, Links, Politics, Videos.1 comment so far
Boy, do I miss Keith Olbermann. Last night, thanks to my sister Terry, we went to the Paley Center (the Museum of Television and Radio) to enjoy 90 minutes of ‘The Life and Legacy of Ernie Kovacs’, moderated by Keith Olbermann.
‘Cerebral and surreal, Ernie Kovacs was one of television’s most daring and subversive originals. From 1950 until his untimely death in 1962, the outrageous comedian used the small screen as his personal comic canvas, challenging the medium’s conventions and assumptions. Moderator Keith Olbermann, himself a master of pop culture references, will lead a discussion about Kovacs’s offbeat sensibility and how it paved the way for future experimentation by Monty Python, David Letterman, and MTV. George Schlatter and his wife Jolene Brand will put their friend’s life in perspective, while two of the most innovative creators of contemporary television, Robert Smigeland Joel Hodgson, will examine why Kovacs remains relevant today. Historian Ben Model will reveal how he curated the definitive box set of Kovacs’s work, which will be released by Shout! Factory on April 19. The evening also will feature exemplary highlights of Ernie’s art, testifying to his personal motto, “Nothing in Moderation’
The evening was funny and entertaining but what I enjoyed most of all was seeing Keith again. I have missed his Countdown more than I realized. Yes, I have been distracted these past few months about politics, the world and the demolition of our system of government as we know it, but last night I was energized again.
Contractually, Olbermann is not allowed to speak about his separation with MSNBC so there were vague and subtle references all evening about his estrangement with the network that the crowd enjoyed. Keith will be back on the air on Current TV sometime soon. I for one, will tune in.
If you are not familiar with the work of Ernie Kovacs there is a treasure trove of snippets on youtube and the new boxed DVD set is now available. He was a genius who tragically died in a car accident at the age of 42. Below are just two of my favorites.
Grandma and the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Tragedy March 26, 2011
Posted by judylobo in Jewish Stuff, Photography, Politics, Religion.10 comments
Much has been written about the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory tragedy that happened 100 years ago this week. 146 lives were lost. It was the beginning of a strong labor movement in NYC and many laws were changed to protect workers.
My grandmother, Anna Osipow Goldberg worked at that factory. She did not go to work the day of the fire. Why, you may ask? I never got a straight answer to that question. By the time I was old enough to understand the consequences of that tragic day, my grandma was consumed by what we called in those days, ‘senility.’ It was probably Alzheimer’s Disease, but that word was not in the lexicon in way back then. My grandma was a tough, stern, unsmiling, woman. She did not want to talk about her childhood in Czarist Russia, she did not want to talk about the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory – in fact – she did not want to talk of much at all. Whenever she wanted to speak, it seemed to me as a child, that she spoke in Yiddish. I think I assumed she did not want us ‘kids’ to know what she was speaking about.
All these years later – I wish I had asked the right questions. I sure would like to know why she never smiled. Maybe she was thinking about all of those lives lost – I do not know.
If you don’t stand for something – you’ll fall for anything February 26, 2011
Posted by judylobo in Photography, Politics.1 comment so far
Along with thousands of others we went down to Foley Square this afternoon in support of Planned Parenthood, the pro-choice health provider. The House of Representatives voted last week to cut federal funding for Planned Parenthood. It was a good, loud NY crowd. It felt encouraging to see so many young women out there fighting the good fight that I and so many others fought for so many years ago.
Mike Pence, the obnoxious pro-life Indiana Congressman is proud to have his name on this bill. The congressman said he wants to stop taxpayers’ money from funding abortions. Attendees at the rally said that Planned Parenthood, which is the largest sexual and reproductive health care provider in the country, offers many other necessary services for women. They said if the bill passes, millions of people in the United States, including 800,000 New Yorkers, would lose basic health care and education services.
The Pence amendment faces an uphill battle, as there is a Democratic majority in the Senate and the president has threatened to veto the measure if it is approved. Below are some photos from the day. Keep the faith.
Rally Ho! February 25, 2011
Posted by judylobo in Links, Politics, Supreme Court.1 comment so far
Get those placards out of mothballs. Join me and the throngs down at Foley Square this Saturday from 1 to 3. You know where Foley Square is right? It is where you always see the team from Law & Order descend those grand court house steps. In the next week, Congress will hold the fate of Planned Parenthood and family planning in their hands. We must let them know that New Yorkers will not stand for this current assault on women’s access to health care. Join Elected Officials: Senator Charles Schumer, Congressmembers Yvette Clark, Carolyn Maloney, Jerry Nadler, Anthony Weiner, NYC Council Speaker Christine Quinn! Celebrities and Musical Guests: Kathleen Turner, Gloria Steinem, Kathleen Hanna, the Mountain Goats, Nellie McKay, Toshi Reagon, Maddy Wyatt, oh yes, and me and my gang. Come one – everyone else across this great country of ours is holding a placard for something – how about you?
Something to jump for… February 17, 2011
Posted by judylobo in Links, Photography, Politics, Videos, wildlife, Zoos.1 comment so far
Finally, something to jump and shout about. One of my favorite former Senators, Russ Feingold, has started a movement. I signed up and made a contribution – how about you? Let us not just watch the rest of the world in revolution mode – let us join the excitement. Progressives United is founded by Former Senator Russ Feingold. Progressives United will lead the movement to curtail corporate influence on politics, and we will never compromise on our integrity in the allies we work with, the candidates we support, or the donations we accept.
