A few days ago my room-mate informed me that next year he is leaving as our rents are going up to the stratosphere so if he leaves so must I. My room-mate is a school teacher and I am a museum security guard. New York City rents are brutalizing folks like us. In order to live comfortably in New York City you must make upwards of $70 a year this is a salary that neither school teachers nor security guards can ever achieve unless you take on extra jobs or work non-stop overtime.
Basically the working class is being crushed. Big time!
I’m looking to move from my current Brooklyn location to either Washington Heights in Manhattan or to the Boogie Down Bronx. Must be near the subway walking distance to the train and cat friendly. Where I go my cat Sylvester goes with me. Safety is also paramount.
I’m also willing to consider Queens as long as it is a short walk to the subway. Also wherever I go whether I wind up in a studio or a one-bedroom it must have enough room and be in a safe neighborhood where Stephen can visit me. It would also be nice for the neighborhood to have amenities like good grocery stores, banks, a Walgreens pharmacy, etc…
I hope to make the move sometime around Spring/Summer/Early Autumn 2017.
Please contact me privately using my Gmail address. Thanks!!
Gentrification is pushing working class people like me out of the neighborhood. Once the Hipsters start moving in the rest of us are forced to leave. I like Brooklyn, I enjoy living here and wish that I could stay. Truthfully since I will be making more money in my new position technically I could stay if I worked DOUBLE SHIFTS FOUR TIMES A WEEK!! Yes if I did maximum overtime which would mean giving up writing, photography and naturally blogging I could stay in my Beloved Brooklyn. If I give up having any kind of life including Not Seeing Stephen I could remain put but I’m not willing to do that so move I must!!
I just wanted to add the link of a blog post that really impressed me. Being pretty or beautiful is temporary and my days of pretty are long over. When pretty fades that’s where Strong takes over.
Now anybody who has been reading my blog posts over a period of time knows that even though I’m on Team Love that I am Not on Team Sucker or Team Doormat. I am a Soldier (U.S. Army 1977-1981) A Warrior ready to fight for my people. I will battle for All peoples who have been disenfranchised!
“You may not be interested in war, but war may be interested in you.”
– Leon Trotsky
Then it’s on Like Donkey Kong!!
I will fight and do battle as did my Biblical namesake!!!
Judges 4-5
New King James Version (NKJV)
Deborah
(See the Full Biblical text below)
However I do most of my fighting with my pen because as the expression goes the Pen is mightier that then sword.
4 When Ehud was dead, the children of Israel again did evil in the sight of the Lord. 2 So the Lord sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan, who reigned in Hazor. The commander of his army was Sisera, who dwelt in Harosheth Hagoyim. 3 And the children of Israel cried out to the Lord; for Jabin had nine hundred chariots of iron, and for twenty years he had harshly oppressed the children of Israel.
4 Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, was judging Israel at that time. 5 And she would sit under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the mountains of Ephraim. And the children of Israel came up to her for judgment. 6 Then she sent and called for Barak the son of Abinoam from Kedesh in Naphtali, and said to him, “Has not the Lord God of Israel commanded, ‘Go and deploy troops at Mount Tabor; take with you ten thousand men of the sons of Naphtali and of the sons of Zebulun; 7 and against you I will deploy Sisera, the commander of Jabin’s army, with his chariots and his multitude at the River Kishon; and I will deliver him into your hand’?”
8 And Barak said to her, “If you will go with me, then I will go; but if you will not go with me, I will not go!”
9 So she said, “I will surely go with you; nevertheless there will be no glory for you in the journey you are taking, for the Lord will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman.” Then Deborah arose and went with Barak to Kedesh. 10 And Barak called Zebulun and Naphtali to Kedesh; he went up with ten thousand men under his command,[a] and Deborah went up with him.
11 Now Heber the Kenite, of the children of Hobab the father-in-law of Moses, had separated himself from the Kenites and pitched his tent near the terebinth tree at Zaanaim, which is beside Kedesh.
12 And they reported to Sisera that Barak the son of Abinoam had gone up to Mount Tabor. 13 So Sisera gathered together all his chariots, nine hundred chariots of iron, and all the people who were with him, from Harosheth Hagoyim to the River Kishon.
14 Then Deborah said to Barak, “Up! For this is the day in which the Lordhas delivered Sisera into your hand. Has not the Lord gone out before you?” So Barak went down from Mount Tabor with ten thousand men following him. 15 And the Lord routed Sisera and all his chariots and all his army with the edge of the sword before Barak; and Sisera alighted from his chariot and fled away on foot. 16 But Barak pursued the chariots and the army as far as Harosheth Hagoyim, and all the army of Sisera fell by the edge of the sword; not a man was left.
17 However, Sisera had fled away on foot to the tent of Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite; for there was peace between Jabin king of Hazor and the house of Heber the Kenite. 18 And Jael went out to meet Sisera, and said to him, “Turn aside, my lord, turn aside to me; do not fear.” And when he had turned aside with her into the tent, she covered him with a blanket.
19 Then he said to her, “Please give me a little water to drink, for I am thirsty.” So she opened a jug of milk, gave him a drink, and covered him. 20 And he said to her, “Stand at the door of the tent, and if any man comes and inquires of you, and says, ‘Is there any man here?’ you shall say, ‘No.’”
21 Then Jael, Heber’s wife, took a tent peg and took a hammer in her hand, and went softly to him and drove the peg into his temple, and it went down into the ground; for he was fast asleep and weary. So he died. 22 And then, as Barak pursued Sisera, Jael came out to meet him, and said to him, “Come, I will show you the man whom you seek.” And when he went into her tent, there lay Sisera, dead with the peg in his temple.
23 So on that day God subdued Jabin king of Canaan in the presence of the children of Israel. 24 And the hand of the children of Israel grew stronger and stronger against Jabin king of Canaan, until they had destroyed Jabin king of Canaan.
The Song of Deborah
5 Then Deborah and Barak the son of Abinoam sang on that day, saying:
2 “When leaders lead in Israel, When the people willingly offer themselves, Bless the Lord!
3 “Hear, O kings! Give ear, O princes! I, even I, will sing to the Lord; I will sing praise to the Lord God of Israel.
4 “Lord, when You went out from Seir, When You marched from the field of Edom, The earth trembled and the heavens poured, The clouds also poured water; 5 The mountains gushed before the Lord, This Sinai, before the Lord God of Israel.
6 “In the days of Shamgar, son of Anath, In the days of Jael, The highways were deserted, And the travelers walked along the byways. 7 Village life ceased, it ceased in Israel, Until I, Deborah, arose, Arose a mother in Israel. 8 They chose new gods; Then there was war in the gates; Not a shield or spear was seen among forty thousand in Israel. 9 My heart is with the rulers of Israel Who offered themselves willingly with the people. Bless the Lord!
10 “Speak, you who ride on white donkeys, Who sit in judges’ attire, And who walk along the road. 11 Far from the noise of the archers, among the watering places, There they shall recount the righteous acts of the Lord, The righteous acts for His villagers in Israel; Then the people of the Lord shall go down to the gates.
12 “Awake, awake, Deborah! Awake, awake, sing a song! Arise, Barak, and lead your captives away, O son of Abinoam!
13 “Then the survivors came down, the people against the nobles; The Lord came down for me against the mighty. 14 From Ephraim were those whose roots were in Amalek. After you, Benjamin, with your peoples, From Machir rulers came down, And from Zebulun those who bear the recruiter’s staff. 15 And the princes of Issachar[b]were with Deborah; As Issachar, so was Barak Sent into the valley under his command;[c] Among the divisions of Reuben There were great resolves of heart. 16 Why did you sit among the sheepfolds, To hear the pipings for the flocks? The divisions of Reuben have great searchings of heart. 17 Gilead stayed beyond the Jordan, And why did Dan remain on ships?[d] Asher continued at the seashore, And stayed by his inlets. 18 Zebulun is a people who jeopardized their lives to the point of death, Naphtali also, on the heights of the battlefield.
19 “The kings came and fought, Then the kings of Canaan fought In Taanach, by the waters of Megiddo; They took no spoils of silver. 20 They fought from the heavens; The stars from their courses fought against Sisera. 21 The torrent of Kishon swept them away, That ancient torrent, the torrent of Kishon. O my soul, march on in strength! 22 Then the horses’ hooves pounded, The galloping, galloping of his steeds. 23 ‘Curse Meroz,’ said the angel[e] of the Lord, ‘Curse its inhabitants bitterly, Because they did not come to the help of the Lord, To the help of the Lord against the mighty.’
24 “Most blessed among women is Jael, The wife of Heber the Kenite; Blessed is she among women in tents. 25 He asked for water, she gave milk; She brought out cream in a lordly bowl. 26 She stretched her hand to the tent peg, Her right hand to the workmen’s hammer; She pounded Sisera, she pierced his head, She split and struck through his temple. 27 At her feet he sank, he fell, he lay still; At her feet he sank, he fell; Where he sank, there he fell dead.
28 “The mother of Sisera looked through the window, And cried out through the lattice, ‘Why is his chariot so long in coming? Why tarries the clatter of his chariots?’ 29 Her wisest ladies answered her, Yes, she answered herself, 30 ‘Are they not finding and dividing the spoil: To every man a girl or two; For Sisera, plunder of dyed garments, Plunder of garments embroidered and dyed, Two pieces of dyed embroidery for the neck of the looter?’
31 “Thus let all Your enemies perish, O Lord! But let those who love Him be like the sun When it comes out in full strength.”
Homebody. The furthest I’ve traveled in the last eight 8 years is New Jersey, Washington, DC and Connecticut!
What kind of TV commercial would you like to make? Describe it.
Hmmm….. Now I don’t have a TV but perhaps I could make a commercial showing how we are more alike than different. Something to promote LTD, Love Togetherness and Devotion. It would feature myself and my brother Stephen an Awesome Autism Guy who is the most Loving and Caring person I know.
My first Autism Fundraising Video Efforts.
Describe yourself in a word that starts with the first letter of your name.
Devoted. Devoted to my brother Stephen.
Sword Marvel Universe
Sword Marvel Universe
Stephen Marvel Universe
Sword Marvel Universe
Sword Marvel Universe
List some fun things for a rainy day.
Sleeping. Eating. If Stephen his here with me doing some art projects, i.e. collages. Listening to music. Working on my blogs.
Art Collage
Art Collage
Art Collage
Art Collage
Art Collage
Art Collage
Art Collage
Art Collage
Art Collage
Bonus question: What are you grateful for from last week, and what are you looking forward to in the week coming up?
Grateful that I survived our devastating and disappointing election. Seeking ways that I can promote peace plus helping those who are disadvantaged like the Autism Community. It is not enough to complain about D.T. but we have to do things that will help those who are disenfranchised. Stop Complaining!! Start using your Blogs in ways that will help those in need!
In that effort I’m encouraging everyone to make donations to Queens Centers for Progress and AABR whose programs and services have changed my brother Stephen’s life and many other developmentally disabled adults lives for the better.
Remember even if you don’t have money you can donate time via volunteering, cars, art supplies, etc………
I’m Looking forward to raising as much money as possible for both AABR and QCP. Please share this with all your Networks and encourage folks to donate. Thank you and God Bless!!
Well after this week’s USA nation-wide election drama it is time to focus back in my own personal health drama. My Gastro Doctor put me on a low-fiber diet. I do notice a difference. Certain vegetables, legumes and wheat do seem to set my stomach off in the wrong direction. I still have not picked up the solution and tummy meds from Walgreens mainly because when I went on Monday they did not have them.
By the time the medicine and solution came in I had to go to work. There is no way I’m getting off the subway train at Nostrand and Fulton just to pick up all this junk then try to get back on the train going home after standing 8 hours at work. The New York City Subway system is over 112 years old and getting worse in terms of running properly day by day. A 45 minute train ride can take up to 2 hours.
Usually once I’m on the train there is no getting off. Looks like I will be rescheduling these stupid G.I. tests for another time since I cannot take days off next week just to spend 1 day drinking nasty solution, have the procedure then report to work the next day. Impossible. Plus they actually expect you to have someone take you home after the procedure!! Huh! Come on! Most people my age work. I can’t get days off and neither can they nor do they live near me that should be responsible for me getting home safely.
Anyway I would not ask somebody to do that for me. I’ve gotten myself home from various hospital E.R.s at all hours of the day and night by myself in various states of medical distress with no help so when the time comes I can do it again. I’m used to this. Back in November 7, 2008 I had a minor stroke. Called my cousin thinking for sure that he would pick me up to take me home. I had lost vision in my left eye. Did he come for me at the hospital? Nope! He decided it would be more fun to take his then girlfriend out on the town! Go figure. That’s why I don’t rely on people and rarely ask for help. Real Life.
Also my finances are getting on an even keel. I’m starting to become more financially stable so I’m not going to risk that by missing days of work for some dumb tests. I like paying my rent and bills. I’m feeling more comfortable about my money situation. As long as I can do overtime all will be well.
Fun Stuff
The only exception I made in terms of train hopping was for my vitamin shot yesterday. That’s easy. It can be done after work. No problems. No issues. Simple. Easy Breezy. Love it.
Also looking forward to Celebrating Thanksgiving with Stephen and some of our New Jersey cousins. Looking into getting tickets for at least one perhaps two holiday shows. We don’t do Black Friday or as I like to call it Broke Friday!! LOL!! 🙂 😀
Entertainment Possibilities
The Hard Nut a take-off or satire of the Nutcracker
Had my first B12 Booster shot Saturday morning. The offices are nice and clean. The gentleman who is a nurse who gave me my shot was professional and polite. He is also very good looking and easy on the eyes!! LOL!! Yes young folks I still look at men even at my age! LOL!!
I did feel energized afterwards. Also treated myself to a manicure and a pedicure. The way I figure we are not on this earth just to work and pay bills. I work loads of overtime and I might as well spend some of that money on me. Naturally I always make sure that my rent is paid. One must have a place to live and New York winters are brutal.
I was able to go on an extended Soulful Strut (that’s what I call my photography walks) along 8th Avenue in Manhattan. The pictures will be posted both here and on my photography blog Roaming Urban Gypsy. https://roamingurbangypsy.com/
Once I pay my landlord, purchased my Metro Card (bus & subway), utility and phone bills I try to buy myself a small treat. For those of you wondering I pay cash. No credit cards for me. Also Yes I am saving for retirement. That comes out of my paycheck automatically and goes into a Fidelity Savings plan that I cannot touch until I’m 59 or probably 60. As a Union employee I also get a pension. When I turn 62 God Willing I will apply for and collect Social security.
Obviously due to my girlfriends death emotionally I’m still sad, distressed and upset but her passing has motivated me to take better care of myself physically. There is not much I can do about my feelings. Nobody feels happy or joyful when a close friend dies. However in light of all that has happened my faith and reliance on God deepens.
Of course one can take all the vitamins in the world, eat the right foods, exercise all day long and then get hit by a truck or bus but all things being equal and having no control over accidents I hope to outlive my friend, co-workers, my parents and many of my relatives who have died in their 50s and 60s. Since I turned 50 in 2009 I’ve seen, heard and been to more wakes and funerals than I care to admit. I guess the key is to make it past 65. My goal is to live to be 70 an age that neither one of my parents achieved. At least one can apply for social security at 62 and have a few years to enjoy oneself before traveling to the great beyond.
I never smoked. Rarely drink alcohol. Eat very little red meat and no dairy. I do some moderate exercise usually walking during the week. I’m open to new health technologies. Reviv | IV Therapy infusion is one that I shall participate in on a regular consistent basis as long as I’m able. Everybody wants to live a long life but living a long life without good health is worthless. Who wants to be a vegetable, in a nursing home or become a burden to one’s family members if you’re fortunate to have living relatives who even desire to care for you.
Since I never married nor had children the onus is on me. Also my brother Stephen is another great inspiration and motivation for me to be my Personal Best. Stephen is the World’s Greatest Autism Guy and in excellent physical condition. Only the two of us now so Stephen relies on me. Once I retire in approximately two years I want Stephen and I to be able to do fun activities and enjoy our Golden Years together.
Espiritu en Fuego/A Fiery Spirit 