The Election

I am relieved by the election.  No surprise to anyone, I'm sure.  The rich will still be rich.  The biggest victory is that the possible Supreme Court nominees will be more in tune with equal rights for real, breathing (not corporate-entity) people.  Marriage equality, women's rights, the environment, and the ridiculous drug policies in this country all inched forward. My hope of all hopes, is that we address our infrastructure, energy research, and climate change needs to be prepared for the future.

The filibuster needs to be reformed so the gridlock in the Senate can get cleared.  Hopefully, individuals in Congress vote their conscience rather than just straight party affiliation.  Though with the every two year election cycle, and congress peoples' seemingly only interested in reelection is not very encouraging.  If in two years, your congressman only voted his party, vote him out for not represent the 40% or so that did not vote him/her in.  The GOP really should not double down on the obstruct Obama agenda, he is there, work with him.  Stopping government just slows things down.  Let his policy decisions including debates and, thus, compromises play out, then reevaluate at the end of his term.  If it doesn't create positive movement, we can change agenda with the next presidential election.  Bush/Cheney were allowed to run amok for eight years, it didn't work in disastrous ways (the economic depression, deficit, illicit wars). 



And to those watching Fox, or really ANY cable/radio talking heads, STOP.  You might realize there really is a lot of good going on in this country, in our communities as we slowly recover from the recession and wars.  You don't have to listen to NPR, just take a news break and enjoy your family and neighbors.

Morning Runs

Each morning in the dim light of predawn, my rental car windows fogged from the night's dew, I crept out of the placid, monotonous meander of this gated village of white-walled condominiums and sprawling lawns. With a little more gas, I headed straight down the avenue, over the inter-coastal water way, and parked next to the pier of Deerfield Beach in front of what was a Howard Johnson.  No shoes, no shirt, and my bathing suit. I trotted down to water's edge for my early morning run.  With low tide, the sand is hard, my foot steps showed a dig of my forefoot and the slight touch of my heal as I ran to the inlet and back. My tracks followed the undulating motion of the waves.  The sun rose on the horizon.

Sandy

92nd Street on the Rockaways.  One street, three blocks wide from ocean to bay. Every house was flooded with at least 6-plus feet of water.  The whole of people's soggy belongings piling up on the street.  50 foot parts of the boardwalk are strewn about 2 blocks from the ocean. A foot of sand covering the street.  Cars rendered useless.  To think that that is only one street and each street for miles going east along Long Island, Belle Harbor and Breezy to the west, and then miles south along the Jersey Shore are as devastated.  Some were fortunate, many more are much worse off.  Spirits are still high in this neighborhood.  Manpower is what they need.  If one has gas in their vehicle, fill it up with friends, gloves, shovels, and some garbage bags and get out there. That's how it will get done. 

Neighborhoods, volunteers, and government are indispensable.  Neighborhoods and volunteers band together to clean out, cope, comfort, protect, and move beyond the disaster.  The National Guard, Red Cross, FEMA, power companies, and, of course, the Department of Sanitation are there.  They are essential in rebuilding the infrastructure that we so depend on.  We see first hand what happens when no electricity stops the gas pumps from distributing gas.  Patience, accountability, and understanding are absolutely necessary for the rebuild.

  

Running Races

Just a few years ago, and I mean about four or five, running races here in NYC was an easy last minute event.  I could peruse the internet, find a race, show up, pay some money, and run.  Races in Central Park with the New York Roadrunners Club were always crowded, which does make racing worthwhile and give a feeling of being part of something.  There was usually an eclectic group of people including slim elite athletes running like a group of gazelles in the front and a big cadre of rounded individuals getting themselves back into some kind of shape.  People generally wore the basic running shoes, jogging shorts and some cotton t-shirt from the bottom of their workout drawer.  Being Manhattan, there definitely was a group that had the newest running thing.

It's changed.  I can't run in races anymore.  For one, I would have to know the race schedule and my schedule more than a few days in advance.  Secondly, I would have to regularly check on the website for the registration openings, wait the week or two from when I noted the schedule, remember, and sign-up within the few hours that the race remains open.  They fill up quickly.  I don't want my weekends scheduled too far in advance.  What if some unforeseen road trip, family visit, swell, random visiting friend arrives, or an Bear Mountain bike ride comes up?  Last winter we booked a place in Puerto Rico the day before we left.  This is not Danielle's ideal scenario, but she relinquishes her much better sense of scheduling while traveling.  That is when I am on my game.  Plus, when I do schedule a race, seemingly everyone just bought a new running outfit at Jack Rabbit Sports.