Shadow over us after the election

Whether that shadow is cast by the loss of Mitt Romney or your body jumping up and down in front of the lamp as you yell in elation over the re-election of Barack Obama, the real shadow looming over our city is the nor-easter coming our way tomorrow.

First, some important news about the hurricane. People are in dire straights in Long Island. Thousands are STILL without power, and it is below freezing tonight. Neighborhoods are flooded, and people are waiting for inspectors to go around to thousands tof homes to inspect them before they can turn it back on; however, residents complain no one is coming to inspect. LIPA is the power company on Long Island, and they say 500 inspectors are going door to door and promise 90% of outages will be fixed tomorrow, but it doesn’t look like it. Everyone is freezing, there is no concrete communication, and residents feel helpless. They have no clue when they will be getting power back.

I didn't know what would happen with voting. It seems that disaster inspired many to vote. People say that the storm has humbled many of those that have suffered. The news showed people saying how it's their right to vote and they're proud to be part of this country that is reaching out to them in their time of need. Some people are focused on survival, not politics. Even still, people are toughing it out without power or heat and still made it down to vote. They found makeshift polling places and it worked out.

Thank goodness the election was today, because tomorrow we would have serious problems getting people to vote. As I wrote before, we have a big storm coming tomorrow. It's difficult to judge how it's going to affect the city, since 3-5 feet in water surging doesn't seem like anything compared to 11 feet. But it could be very damaging, coupled with freezing weather and the potential for 50+ winds. 

It is serious enough for parks and beaches closed tomorrow. People are evacuating nursing home patients in the Rockaways and northern New Jersey. There is still no power in northern New Jersey. United Airlines is suspending tomorrow afternoon, and Delta is not charging re-booking fees for tomorrow. Gas lines are still out of control with car lined up literally half a mile long. This is not good, people. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers tomorrow.

...where the hell are the Rockaways anyway?

It occurs to me as I sit here waiting to see who our president is going to be for the next 4 years that many people across the country may not know exactly what the layout of the city is like. I thought I would use a Googlemap to show you the main locations that were hit. Let me explain:

• Just for perspective, the top center of the map is the Bronx. I teach on the west side of the Bronx right on the water. On that piece of land, look down and find the word Manhattan. That's Times Square. Cross over the water to the right, and that's both Queens and Brooklyn. There is no definite line between the two, but Queens is on the top and Brooklyn is on the bottom. Staten Island is the bottom left hand corner.
• The left side of the map is the top part of New Jersey. See the map below for a better idea of the size of the state in relationship to New York City and Staten Island.

Now that you have an idea of what the boroughs look like...

• You see areas of orange, yellow, and green. Orange highlights the worst affected areas. Staten Island has large sections of orange around the entire island, indicating the scope of damage that was done over a large portion of the place. You need to cross a ferry or drive to get there.
• Look to the right of Staten Island, and you will see the long, finger-like piece of land that is completely orange. That is all Far Rockaway. It's isolation explains why it's been so difficult to get aide all the way out to the end of the land.
• At the end of the Rockaways, look across the water to Coney Island in orange and follow the entire bay of Brooklyn over in yellow and green. Widespread damage far inland.
• Right in the center of Brooklyn above East New York is where I live. The first big pin drop right there is where I took all my pictures and videos. My central location was the reason I didn't evacuate.
• Look up, you can see the green and yellow. Note to the left edge of Brooklyn there is orange. That's the Red Hook area I posted about trekking over to volunteer.
• Cross over the water there back to Manhattan, New York and you'll see the island rimmed with orange (because Manhattan is technically an island since it is rimmed with water, you just can tell). All of the footage of flooded tunnels came from the tip. The entire bottom half of Manhattan was pitch black during the power outage. Imagine 5 blocks of complete flooding all around the bottom, and gradual tapering off toward the center. Lots of people, small area. No lights, no power. Scary stuff.

So there you have it! This seems complex, and I know it is. But the amount of destruction here as far as land mass goes doesn't compare to New Jersey:

The area of New York City is located on the top right side of this map in the green between Long Island the rest of New Jersey. We're like the dingleberry of New Jersey, lol. That one was for you, Caitlin :) Hope this helps!

New York City does NOT have it together

After teaching all day, I went to vote. You can imagine my surprise when I looked to the left, looked to the right, and saw no end in sight...these 2 pictures show the voting line that wraps around the block.

Blame it on the hurricane... In Washington Heights? This is ridiculous. Ready to wait outside for at least an hour, and that just gets me through the doors.

Who Cares About the Election?

Wow, I can't believe I just said that. But seriously, think about it. Your home is floating in salt water. Your car is gone. Your possessions are destroyed. You're F-ing freezing, and can't see two inches in front of your face at night because you have to power.

And someone has the nerve to come up to you and ask you if you're going to vote tomorrow?

This would be my response: "No, jackass, I'm not going to vote tomorrow. I have to wait in line at a donation center to get food then rush back to my home to make sure that the few possessions I still have don't get stolen by looters. Then I'm going to haul water out of the first flood and start demolition so that I might be able to spare part of the frame. I have to hurry because night is falling earlier now, and once the sun sets, there is nothing more I can do. You think going to a polling site is high on my priority list right now? Get out of my face, man, unless you're going to keep guard of my stuff and let me sleep at your house."

Listen, I am the biggest proponent of voting that there is. I'm a teacher for goodness sakes, I have to be. I may say that I would vote, come hell or high water, nothing could stop me. But look at that house. If that was my house, I can't honestly say that I would give two craps about voting tomorrow.

Nor'easter Is Coming

I get to school today (finally!) and as soon as I walk into class, a student yells at me (psh, weird). They scream my name as I walk down the hallways. This is how the conversation went:
"Hey! Ms. Dame! We don't have school Wednesday!"
"Ummm, false, that's tomorrow. It's Election Day, tell your parents and siblings to vote, especially if you're Hispanic."
"No, Miss, we don't have school Wednesday. There's a storm coming. And I'm 16 I can't vote."
(Sigh) "I know you can't vote but the people that live in your house can. Make sure they do so, minorities will determine the outcome of this election. And what in God's name are you talking about, a storm's coming? The storm has gone. "
"We're getting another one on Wednesday. Hey, you callin' me a minority?"
"Forget about it, just tell your family to vote. I'll have to research this mystery storm you speak of, but I can almost guarantee you that we will have school, whatever it is. Bloomberg would make us come to school in 8 feet of snow now to avoid missing more school days. Don't be ridiculous."

It seems as though I may be wrong. (Not about the minorities thing, that's true.) There is a nor'easter coming our way on Wednesday. It is going to rain in the morning and get heavier throughout the day. There is a serious potential for more flooding across the region. Breaking waves along the city and Long Island will range between 8-14 feet and continue to erode beaches. Local to major flooding could occur at high tides throughout the day on Wednesday.

Winds are going to be between 25 & 35 mph with gusts up to 70 mph. And to make matters worse, it is going to be 40 degrees.

And now I want to you remember that there are still 1.2 million people still don't have power. 9,000 are still living in shelters. There are numerous people, especially on Staten Island, living in houses that are completely flooded with salt water on the first floor but won't leave because of widespread looting.

The sun may be out, but people are still suffering and over the next week, things are going to potentially get much, much worse. Let's hope this storm is a dud.

Adventure to Donate in Manhattan!!

I made it into Manhattan for the first time in over a week!!!!!!!!

Let's not lose focus here. While incredibly exciting, my journey into the city revolved around donating batteries, diapers, and wipes to families in dire need of basic living needs. We'll begin the journey with my roommate at Franklin Avenue in Brooklyn. We were itching to get out the house and help in a concrete way after our excursion to Red Hook the day before. So we set out to Target to buy the supplies. My friends Liz Dunn Ruiz and Courtney Ferrell were donating too!

First, we had to brave the subways for the first time in over a week. It was scary they were still being worked on, but we had to take our chances. Let's hope it works!! We had to take the 2 train LOCAL (that's right, I said LOCAL) into Manhattan. We didn't complain about the extra 20 stops that were added on to our journey. We had a purpose, to help those in need.

Megan & I headed to Target at the Atlantic Terminal mall right by the new Barclay's Sports Arena (home to the Brooklyn Nets now) to get the goods we needed. Don't let this picture fool you, it was mobbed.

30 D batteries? Check. 45 AA batteries? Check. 2 packs of diapers and 2 packs of wipes? Check.

The first time in the train in over a week. Hello Manhattan!

We showed up at Blarney Stone where Lauren had set up the upstairs bar with longs tables categorized by supplies. Is that all the space she had?

Nope, we found her on the opposite side organizing boxes of materials. 

Thank you to the Dame, Malmstedt, and Richmond families, along with Dena from Long Island and Carrie Tate's family in Las Vegas for helping Megan & I get all of these supplies for families in need!

Lauren is going to drive with her friends to the places in most need. First, they are going to Staten Island to visit her friend who's house was destroyed. They are going to check in with her donation station to give whatever they have the need for. Then, they will drive around the island to donation stations to give help with whatever has been donated. She has coordinated these trips with other friends to reach the hardest hit places in New Jersey, Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Long Island as well. I have asked her to send pictures when she delivers the items, so look for those pictures tomorrow or Tuesday. SO AWESOME to see the goods actually go where I want them to, can't wait.

My quarter master for the next few days!

Like hell I'm commuting from Brooklyn tomorrow! I called up Eric Dinowitz, my super awesome coworker at school, to see if he would provide me quarters for the next few days until the A train gets up and running. Otherwise, it'd be at least 2 1/2 hours on the train in the morning going LOCAL (that's right, I said LOCAL) to the BRONX from BROOKLYN (barf). Thank goodness he lives two blocks from school.

So, here's my plan for the week:

1. I'm going to educate the crap out of my students tomorrow. If the cashier at Target has no clue as to the devastation that has occurred (she asked me, "Why is everyone buying batteries today? What's going on?), then my students probably don't know since they live in the Bronx. 
2. Bronx Theatre High School is going to organize the crap out of volunteering activities. A teacher at our school has a sister in law on Staten Island, and we are going to do some serious activities to continue providing aide. I will be posting on this blog throughout the week to let you guys see what we're doing.
3. I'm going to vote on Tuesday and hope to God that Barack Obama gets re-elected. Yo, if you're reading this, vote. Please. 
4. I am re-instating Halloween on Wednesday. That's right, get those costumes out. Wednesday is Ms. Dame's birthday, so say hello to Dame-o-ween. I'll be dressing up as a zombie and handing out candy. Let's see if I can get everyone else to do it too.

The pictures below were taken by my friends that volunteered today in the Rockaways that I wrote about in my previous post. Don't be fooled, the need for assistance is overwhelming. While the storm is over, please keep everyone in your thoughts and prayers <3 

Terror in The Rockaways

Think things are better in the Rockaways? That was taken yesterday, November 3rd. 

Still, no power. No homes. Flooding. And now gang fights...

Things out there are bad, folks. There is looting all over the place. This person went to the Rockaways and volunteered. Here is her account of the absolute destruction that is still out there. The major point I'm seeing here is: how can most of Brooklyn be functioning normally, as if the hurricane had never happened, when there are people fending for their lives in freezing whether with what seems to be zero aide?

The following account was posted on a volunteer's blog that is working for the Occupy Sandy initiative that is based in Brooklyn. There is a list of shuttle opportunities to help out there as well as sites to drop off donations. There are places on here too that need new volunteers to go out and help distributing supplies. Now, the guy on the page says this account was emailed to him and that it's real. I can't confirm whether or not it's authentic because I don't know the guy that keeps this blog, but with everything going on right now, I wouldn't doubt it's real. The Rockaways are far out there, and it's difficult to get resources out there. You be the judge. Here's the site with the information:
How To Help The Rockaways

And here’s a letter from the Rockaways, it’s for real and it’s awful.

We went from block to block asking people if they needed anything. Some people took. Others declined and told us to give it to others in greater need. One person suggested we go further down “where things are REALLY bad.” Driving down Cross Bay Blvd some more, handing out more supplies to people we saw straggling along that road, we stopped in what looked like a makeshift staging area, replete with a FEMA truck, some fire trucks, an a PBA truck feeding some of the policemen in what looked like a town square.There were hundreds of people – Asians, Latinos, Whites, African Americans, Russians – seemingly encamped there, obviously stressed, some looking like they were in dire straights. The area looked like a war zone. All we saw again was just a docking station for people to charge their mobile phones. Where was the food? The water? Blankets? Coats? Ray, Paul and I were horrified.In the small park/’town square’ there was a small fold-up table with two guys there and meager supplies – they mentioned they were from a local church and that they had also been going from place to place doing what they possibly could. That was it.I ran over to what looked like the Captain within a group of policemen and asked if we could start passing out food and drinks in that spot. He assented. I ran back to the car and we opened up the trunk.Within seconds, people saw what we were doing and it was a mob scene. Hands reaching in panicked to get something… Within a very short time–maybe 20 minutes, almost all of our supplies were gone.

We left that square to go to a final destination on 91st street–a place where Ray’s friend lives. We got to that road and were horrified at the tragedy that happened there…  A woman named Sharon who told us a great many things about how people have no power, no internet, no gas (or cars destroyed), no food, no shelter, no blankets, but yet they are afraid to leave their shattered worlds because there is a gang war going on not too far East. We met a few men who had set up a fire in a very safe pit, were cooking some food, had set up supplies for their block. One of them told us how there were 13 gun fights the night before, they were counting. They could hear the shots and the cries. Terrifying. There are children living on that block. That block is cut off from the world.

They all asked us, each person we met: “Does anyone know what is happening here? Why hasn’t anyone come to help us yet?”

As dusk began to fall, I grew concerned that we had outstayed our visit there. One of the people told us that after 5pm things started to get rough, and by 6pm, “bad things are going to start happening here again.” The couple of men at the fire on 91st seemed to have that steely, confident reserve as block elders that whatever came, they were going to deal with it. They seemed to be the rocks of that particular community. Imagine that kind of thing going on all over Staten Island, the Rockaways, and beyond? There is hope in the strength of a community.Ray had purchased a few pounds of ham and bread for his friend, who actually wasn’t home–he was out doing relief work himself, despite the fact that his own home was destroyed with a large piece of boardwalk slicing it right through. We decided we’d bring our last bit of food and drink supplies back to that park we were at earlier.One of us noticed a woman hunched over with a baby in the park. People were overlooking her existence, as everyone seemed to be concerned with the coming of night and saving their own skins. I bent over and asked her if she needed anything. She said “I have four other children in the car. We don’t have a house anymore.” She had the smiling, reassuring face of a mom that was trying to make her little child feel things would be ok. Her eyes showed terror.I gave her the two pounds of ham and the bread, along with water, and I said to her “we are with you ma’am.” I thought of my own children, and spoke to her girl, maybe a 2-year-old, with fear and hurt in her eyes, definitely she was afraid of a stranger, I said “little girl, its going to be all right. I’m sorry this happened, but you’re going to be ok.”I don’t know that is true for a fact. But I want it to be.

As I walked away from that young mother and her child, I began to cry. That doesn’t happen too often.

We need to somehow make this all right for these people. I implore you all to find a way to do that, in your own ways…

-Joe Bachana

Love for Red Hook

People gathering to split up into groups and deliver lights to people without power.

It's absolutely bananas outside. My roommate and I decided we were going to go down to the Red Hook Initiative to volunteer. There are still thousands of people that don't have power there. We decided to swing by the Park Slope Armory first. We walked into the space and it was filled with hospital beds. We were told they had enough volunteers for the moment but to come back at 8 and there would probably be spots.

We made our way to Red Hook and were immediately astounded by the insane number of cars waiting for gas. One woman saw me taking a picture and yelled, "Hey! You taking a picture of all us stupid people waiting for gas?" I went over and talked with her, and she said she had been waiting for hours. They said there might be gas at 4, but no one knew. They were waiting on the chance it might be true. If you guys don't know, we are currently in a gas crisis. Cars can only get $20 of gas on alternating days according to their license plate number.

Look left, huge line......                                                               Look right, front of line waiting for gas

We continued walking to Hicks Street and saw the make shift medical center with people running all over the place, piles of donations being sorted in the back. Everything was so crazy we couldn't find the right place to sign up, so we continued walking.

The Red Hook Initiative is an organization that helps educate adults in the area and provide resources to the people living in the projects there. They were inundated with people and donations. The organizer of the volunteering campaign said it was being manned by volunteers and funded by individual and private donations. They were not prepared for the outpouring of money, clothes, food, and generally just attention that the center was providing. She said when the power went out, they were the only ones with light, so people just started showing up. Cars were dropping off trays of home made food. People from the projects were sifting through bags of donated clothes. Volunteers flooded the streets. We were told 13 groups of 4 were being dispersed throughout the neighborhood to distribute flashlights and information about assistance. We missed the first wave and found it would be at least 2 hours before the next shipment of lights came in that would need to go out.


We left and decided the best way to help people out here was with money. They didn't need bags of clothes, there was already too much. They had bodies to go between buildings. At this point, they needed supplies. Food. Blankets. And the best way to purchase and transport those items would be to give money to organizations with cars and trucks that could distribute what the centers needed.

I am going to get on a shuttle bus tomorrow to go out to The Rockaways to help dig cars out of dirt and clean up neighborhoods that were destroyed. Stay tuned for more.

How you can help me help others!

I'm going to an event tomorrow sponsored by a co-ed sports organization here in the city. They are setting up stations for people to come and donate money and materials directly to the people suffering on Staten Island, Breezy Point, Red Hook, and other neighborhoods that are destroyed.

http://www.facebook.com/events/486198398078142/

My plan: I am going to go buy a handful of the items on this list. I plan on getting some flashlights, hats, gloves, scarves, plates, utensils, blankets from my apartment, and water. I am to trek from Brooklyn tomorrow to Manhattan (which, don't worry, I will blog about with ridiculous pictures of what this is going to be like for me).

What you can do: 

1. Meet me there to donate money or supplies.

2. Send money directly to The Red Cross.

3. You can send money directly to me so I can buy supplies tomorrow. Just message me, let me know how much you want to contribute, and I will buy supplies for you. Drop and check in the mail whenever. I'll send you pictures of what I buy in your honor with your donations and drop them tomorrow at the event above. Just let me know if you want to contribute before tomorrow so I know if I have additional funds to buy items.

Here's what my friend says The Red Cross needs:

The event will be at the BLARNEY STONE on Eighth Ave and 31st St. in Manhattan. We will be UPSTAIRS.
In terms of physical goods, we specifically need:
*** blankets, jackets, gloves, hats, anything to keep folks warm
*** batteries
*** cleaning supplies
*** candles and lanterns, flashlights
*** baby supplies
* Plates, cups, forks, bowls, spoons, etc
* masks, gloves for cleaning
* socks
* water
* garbage bags
* boots
* Ensure, canned goods, non-perishable foods

A few things to remember:
-Please make sure any clothing donations are WARM clothes (coats, sweaters, gloves, etc)
-We're also really in need of things like batteries, flashlights, baby supplies, etc. Please see the full list in the description for other ideas
-Some new requests from clean up locations are "work gloves, contractor-strength garbage bags, bubble-wrap, and supplies to help with the cleanup"

-Please make sure that if you're donating any toiletries, socks, underwear, or personal items that they're NEW
-We'll be working at the event, sorting goods, but (as you can see below) keeping things organized when you drop is very much appreciated.

Check donations can be made to "The American Red Cross in Greater New York".

And lastly, PLEASE spread the word! Complete strangers are more than welcome so pass this event along!

Marathon is Canceled

The mayor has decided to cancel the race, even though he doesn't think that it would divert resources. It sounds like he's doing it because it's so controversial. He doesn't want a cloud to hang over the event. Why couldn't he say something more intelligent or sympathetic? Feels like he's blaming us for being pissed it's happening.

Read the NYTimes article here:
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/03/sports/new-york-city-marathon-will-not-be-held-sunday.html?emc=na

I think my friend Donal from Ireland said it best when he gave his list as to why it's a bad idea to have the race. Bloomberg could have addressed any of the city's concerns. I'd like to know what he'd say to Donal's post here:

"Not going to be a popular comment with my running friends but I'll say it. 
Bloomberg's decision to go ahead with the marathon is moronic.
1. People who are displaced are now being thrown out of their hotel rooms to make way for incoming participants.
2. Staten Island is destroyed.
3. Power coming back to a lot of people tonight but people like me won't have power for up to a week as the electric

al systems in our buildings are wrecked, can I check into a hotel? Can I bollocks! A cot in a shelter next to discharged psychiatric patients is the other option.
4. As of this minute 30% of hotel rooms in the city have no power.
5. Massive amounts of flights have been cancelled for people coming in and going out. People can't get in to participate, not to mention Amtrak etc.
6. Half the city will be without water even after the weekend due to issues with the steam system. Where are runners supposed to shower.
7. Massive fuel shortages. In addition food shortages because delivery trucks and shipments can't get in.
8. Loads of people who evacuated want to come back to the city and guess what? The fucking roads will be closed.
9. The Mayor wants to say that everything has returned to normal. No it hasn't you fucking prick, you can't brush the rest of us under the carpet to satisfy the race sponsors!

Rant over, thank you Mr. Twat of a Mayor.

Zone B."

Volunteering Resource

Why hasn't anyone created a resource for people in Manhattan to identify opportunities to volunteer??? Lots of sites are saying the best way to give in through donations. If that is something you are interested it, go to Red Cross and give a monetary contribution directly:
http://www.redcross.org/charitable-donations


Help Seniors Without Power (Manhattan)
http://www.volunteermatch.org/search/opp1232041.jsp

Multiple volunteering centers at evacuation shelters in Park Slope: NY College of Technology, Brooklyn Technical HS, John J. HS, IS 136, PS 249, IS 187, FDR High School.
http://parkslope.patch.com/articles/park-slope-armory-looking-for-volunteers-for-sandy-evacuees
More evacuation centers needing assistance.
http://www.nyc.gov/html/misc/html/2012/hurricane_shelters.html


Data base of volunteering by neighborhood:
http://brokelyn.com/where-to-volunteer-this-weekend/

Red Hook Initiative has a twitter feed that people can report to posting volunteering needs.
http://twitter.com/rhookinitiative
Red Hook needs money directly too, so if you're interested in that, donate directly to them. They are set on man power and now need money to continue providing prepared food, candles, cooking utensils, water, flashlights, batteries and more to hurricane victims.
http://www.rhicenter.org/index.html


Brooklyn Waterfront Cleanup via Facebook. RSVP to this email address: bwacinfo@aol.com
https://www.facebook.com/BWAC.ART

Click on your borough, fill out a form, and volunteering sites will pop up:
http://www.timeout.com/newyork/own-this-city-blog/how-to-help-in-new-york-city-after-hurricane-sandy?promoAllowOnce=1

Thanks to my friend Ken for providing this link as well with excellent volunteering activities as well. Register here for text and email updates about how you can volunteer.
http://interoccupy.net/occupysandy/


Thanks to Jean Marie Youngstrom for forwarding this information as well. I will see if this school in Washington Heights needs help when the subways are up and running and I can get to and from school.
"Storm victims from other parts of the city are arriving in droves to a shelter in Washington Heights. They need volunteers and all manner of supplies. 
Ahead of classes resuming on Monday the City is consolidating shelters, and George Washington High School will become one of the few remaining schools housing storm victims. I was at GW last night and learned that the current population of 16

0 adults and children will be swelling to 600-700 tonight.
The GW shelter is in need of volunteers at all hours, including overnight. They are also accepting donations of food and water, preferably in single-serve portions (easier to distribute).
If you can provide any form of help, please stop by the school, at 549 Audubon Ave. @ 193rd St."

Cancel the Marathon

I think Megan's friend Emily Fishbein is right. I know how important this event is for the city, and I too struggle with this issue, but she makes a really, really good point. I am proud of our marathon, but how appropriate is it to have people travel from all over the world to come here to run, and people to cheer them on, when people have lost everything and need help? If you're going to brave the subways to watch some runners, go get on a train and take your ass to a shelter to help people. This is what Emily said:

"Ok, I never do this. I cave. The race should be cancelled. 
Marathon runners: When you start at the Verrazano Bridge, half of you should turn around and run toward Hylan Blvd and go to Father Cappadanno or straight to Tottenville and help all those that lost their loved ones, lost their homes, lost everything in Staten Island… The other half should run through Brooklyn to Breezy Point to Long Island and help those that lost their homes and loved ones as well. There are so many people that need socks, t-shirts, shoes, water, hot food; these are all the same supplies that NYC will be providing to the thousands attending the NYC Marathon. Instead of running 26 miles through a city that President Obama declared a Major Disaster Area, run a gallon of gas to NJ so people don’t have to wait in line for 3 hours.

 I think it's important to keep certain things running in the wake of disaster and I was fighting this a bit today but the amount of resources like water, blankets and socks that will be used on the runners can be brought over to Hoboken to help the elderly and anyone else who needs it."

- Emily Fishbein

Teacher Grievance Form 11/2

Thank you Eric Dinowitz for contacting UFT and researching today to see what we can do as teachers to stand up for ourselves. The city wants to take away vacation days to teachers that can't make it in tomorrow due to the hurricane. Our union, while problematic and unfair at times, has once again fought for its teachers. Here's what you do if you are like me and can't make it to work tomorrow due to the hurricane (quoting Eric):

Many of you have asked me about tomorrow in particular, where the city has asked us to go to work.  With regard to this, the UFT has posted this on their facebook page:

"Obviously, the safety of you and your family is important so be safe and don’t take unnecessary chances to get to work tomorrow. But if you can make it in, we encourage you to do so. If, for one of a vast number of legitimate reasons, you are unable to report to work tomorrow, the DOE has set up an online form where you can appeal the loss of a leave day for your absence. Teachers assigned may use the same process to appeal the loss of a week’s pay for being unable to report. "

The DOE has issued something that is available in your DOE mailboxes, though I know not all of us check that.

Here is a link to the form if you need to miss work.

https://survey.vovici.com/se.ashx?s=705E3ED00F3F5EC1

Be well.  Hope to see all of you very soon.  

Commute to work?

Yeah right. This is the line at Grand Central at 42nd St to get a bus. And I'm supposed to get to work from Crown Heights? Please. Picture taken by my friend Py, and he says this is only 1/5 of the line.

Hurricane Extravaganza Aftermath

I tore through Crown Heights like a hurricane last night with my roommate and our neighbor Chris (who I am refusing to address as "pool god" as he has so requested). After four days of being cooped up in our apartments, we were ready to do some running around...literally.

First, dinner at Mayfield, yet another new restaurant on Franklin & Prospect Place that was featured in Eater, a nice database of delicious places to eat. We demolished a dozen oysters, and the scallops melted in your mouth. All two of them. We decided ordering more food was secondary to the necessity of venturing over to Vanderbilt to check out the scene over there.

The first place we checked out was Soda Bar complete with a bartender in a straw hat, a table of Irishmen in the corner, and a giant, walking fern that smacked us in the face as we walked in. Those leaves are like razor blades. I yelled out, "What is this?!? Fern Gully?" and the server turned around, smiled, and walked away. She had no explanation as to what her costume was supposed to be or why she was walking around with gigantic daggers shooting out of her back. The place was filled with round tables in the front, and true to Brooklyn form, there was a door in the back that led to another section of the bar. I felt like I fell down the rabbit hole and came out in a dingy European bar with couches and lounging areas. Careful though, you never know what you'll sit on if you attempt to claim a spot. I don't even want to ponder the possibilities. The bathrooms were an adventure, let me tell you. The door had a sign saying "doesn't lock" so my roomie had to stand guard. After careful hovering, I went to flush and almost overflowed the toilet. Let this be a lesson to you that you 1) never sit down on a toilet seat in New York City, and 2) take caution when trying to flush in a bathroom with red lighting. It's deceiving.

Chris can talk to anyone, as well as make anyone laugh. He sat right down at a table full of Irishmen and just started chatting them up about sports and the homeland. Table full of men laughing like good friends, I don't know how he does it. I know what you're thinking, Genevieve. No, none of the Irishmen were hot. Moving on.

We walked down to Branded Saloon. We certainly stood out by not dressing up because it seemed like everyone was in costume, and there were no slouches. I saw a giant man dressed like a woman in stilettos (pretty sure it wasn't a costume though), skinny men dressed as lumber jacks in plaids, a bartender in tight softball pants...wait a second. The bartender bought Chris a shot. A guy said he loved my shirt. We may or may not have wandered into a gay bar. There was live music in the back, and the dude was wearing a shirt with mesh sleeves...

Either way, we danced our faces off. Chris went around tugging on people's costumes and freestyle rapping to some awesome 90s song that of course all 3 of us knew every word to at the time but I can't remember for the life of me what it was. Does anyone remember anything from the 90s anyway? Something to do with baggy pants, velvet, and maroon lipstick, none of which manifested last night. Place was small but, true to Brooklyn style once again, had a separate back room for bands. We stayed up front and drank much better draft beer and hung out with an astronaut, Mrs. Mia Wallace, a dude wearing a mask from the movie Legend or Eyes Wide Shut (very creepy), a male angel, and an 80s band member. So much fun!

Suddenly, we realized with urgency, we HAD to play pool. Had to. Our desire was so great that we half ran the million blocks back to the bar by our apartment. En route, I climbed on a gigantic boulder, my roomie cracked jokes, Chris dropped a beat, I stomped it out, and we walked across Crown Heights spitting raps about doing laundry, astronauts, and football. Ludacris would have been proud. I'm surprised we didn't get assaulted.

You can guess what happened when we got to the pool tables. I wrecked it with my impeccable skills, too bad there weren't more people there to see it. Chris was lucky enough to beat me once, and my comeback win the second game spared me from doing two loads of his laundry this week. I have enough problems doing my own laundry, let alone any else's. I wash everything in one load too. Hot-cold. All of my whites are gray. It's amazing I know how to dress myself.

3:30 a.m. rolled around, and I hated my life (but not as much as right now, the following day). I don't remember the last time I stayed out that late. Wait a minute, that was last Saturday. I swear though, it had been months before that. Too busy running around the state and recovering from teaching. Lots of sleeping, very exciting stuff. I've had my fill of late nights, which is problematic since my birthday is coming up here and I'm beginning the last year of my 20s, which I am ecstatic about. I thought I was supposed to be wrapping up my years of making bad decisions! I guess I can wait until I'm 30 to give myself a hard curfew. Until then, it's game on.

Current State of Affairs Press Conference

Bloomberg, Cuomo & FEMA Respresentative: Lives are shattered. Homes are destroyed. People are living in rubble. We are not out of the woods. The storm is almost gone and will leave tomorrow in a bluster of 30 mile-an-hour winds. Most tunnels are still closed, and flooding has not been cleared. The subways are closed below 34th St. and in parts of Brooklyn. Everyone did an excellent job following evacuation plans. We are a resilient people and we will continue to bounce back when tragedy occurs. President Obama has given us outstanding support, calling multiple times a day and giving us aide through FEMA at every step of the way. Much commendation needs to be sent to the President for being such a tremendous help.

Drivers are not allowed to enter the city by vehicle unless you have three or more passengers, including taxis. You can use shuttle buses and the subway for free today and tomorrow. There are thousands of people here that still don't have power. We have disaster recovery centers open for people to come in and receive help and support. Literally thousands of FEMA people are here, hundreds of housing inspectors are here to help people assess the damage and rebuild as quickly as possible.

Thank God that we have a fully functioning and funded FEMA with the funds to help us. Getting this region on its feet would not be possible if it wasn't for this program. FEMA is covering the cost of transportation in the city, restoring power until November 9th, and relief to people without resources. They are asking for 90% to 100% of cost coverage to everything affected by the storm. There are huge liens at gas stations because there is a shortage of gasoline, due to the great number of people driving and operating generators. Many people don't have access to cell phones, and we are providing power stations for people to use. There will be community relations workers that will go door-to-door where people have no way to communicate to let them know what resources are available to help. This is the greatest natural disaster to hit New York, and maybe one of the 5 greatest in our country's history. But New Yorkers are tough, and the best this we have going for us right now is that we are New Yorkers, and we will prevail. (Side note, I teared up when he said this.)

Additional Information:

• There is a shortage of gas here in Brooklyn and all over the area.
• There are issue distributing gas to the area, and they're still trying to increase dissemination.
• They commended the directors of the tunnels for being such an enormous help. Screw that, those directors weren't the ones on the job that night. I will send the real thanks to my friend that is a sergeant for the MTA police department for putting himself in danger to help those that may have lost their lives if it wasn't for his own courage as well as the courage of his fellow police officers. This city can't thank you enough.
• There are so man people that have lost absolutely everything in this storm. Please please please keep these people in your hearts and prayers. I can't imagine losing my car, my house, pets, and possibly family members. It's just terrible. The sun is shining and people like me are running around with literally no effects to their lives. This does not mean, however, that people aren't suffering. We should all be humbled by what is happening.

My friend Py from Mechanicville, NY also lives here in the city and posted the following status on Facebook today. I think it adequately captures the seriousness of what is happening here.

"Thanks for everyone reaching out to the roommates and I to make sure we're alive and well. We are fine. It’s easy for us — even in the middle of Manhattan, virtually surrounded by the mayhem — to forget about what we’re dealing with right now. Dead bodies have floated up along the shores from New York to Virginia. New Jersey is a fucking swamp. New York City is madness, albeit scattered across the area from Westchester County to the Eastern-most tip of Long Island, and too much in between and plenty beyond. Friends and family in Queens, Brooklyn and Long Island have been sparred with their lives, and literally nothing more. Houses, cars, belongings … they’re dealing with the unthinkable. There’s a serious shortage of food, water and gasoline through the Tri-State Area, thousands without power, many humans and pets still missing. It’s easy to smile when you’re not the one suffering, but those around us are dealing with complete devastation. Keep them in your thoughts and donate any way you can to help get us back to normalcy. If anyone needs anything within our capabilities, reach out to us however you can. We have electricity, food and water. And be safe out there."

The School Conundrum

Where's Falkor when you need him?

Mayor Bloomberg just announced that New York Public Schools are going to be closed for students tomorrow and Friday; however, for teachers, we are expected to return to work on Friday to prepare for the opening of school on Monday.

...would someone like to tell me how I'm supposed to get to school? Here are the obstacles:

1. There are no subways running under the east river, so I have no access to Manhattan via trains.
2. Do you really think getting on a train that goes UNDER a river and THROUGH flooded stations is a smart decision? You're just asking to get trapped. No thank you.
3. I have no access to bus service into Manhattan, and if I did, how long do you think it would take me to get from Crown Heights to Riverdale in the Bronx? I better leave today to get there by Friday morning.
4. How would I get home, even if I made it to school?
5. Seriously, what are we supposed to do at work with half a staff (if we're lucky) and no students?
6. If I get hurt, I'm suing the city.

Possible modes of transportation: Falkor (duh), rowboat, catapult, Pegasus, piggyback ride, steal a bicycle and leave in one hour, get Will Smith or Denzel Washington to lead me through destroyed areas, join a zombie squad to guide me through danger, or teleportation (preferred method...although Falkor would be sweet).

I hope that Walcott is smart and won't dock us pay if we physically can't get to school. There are lots of dumb school officials, so I won't hold my breath. Unless I have to swim to school. Then that'd be necessary. No one wants to drown.

Bizarre Halloween

Who would have thought on a day like today people are still operating without power?

People in Seaside Heights is demolished, along with four other boardwalks that look exactly like this. Rides are scattered, wood is piled everywhere, and houses are flooded.

Long Beach Island in New Jersey won't be open for another 9 days. It is uninhabitable.

Breezy Point in Far Rockaway here in Queens had a widespread fire and the entire neighborhood was totally and completely burned. 100 homes gone. The community already suffered greatly during 9/11 when it lost 29 fire fighters, more than most fire houses. Who knows if the memorial for those men still exists. Read more about Breezy Point.

Halloween parades are canceled, and no one is sure whether or not the city can "cancel" Halloween. Sounds like a nightmare for all of the mothers that slaved for hours creating a cute costume for their kids. What about all of the high school students ready to traipse the hallways in their cool costumes, and the college students that are looking forward to the bar parties? I bet the bar parties still go on.

Now we will have no trash service until...we don't know. We stil don't have to move our cars. Bridges are reopened, as well as the Lincoln Tunnel, but the rest of the tunnels are still closed. There is limited bus service here, and Bloomberg says the subways won't be up and running until the weekend, if not longer. 

How the H are we supposed to get to school? It doesn't seem like such a blessing anymore. People are suffering. I don't think I can celebrate while 4 million people are still without power. So here we sit. In our apartment. Waiting to be able to go outside.

Returning to life

It sounds like our neighbor upstairs is vacuuming over bodies. The neighbors are yelling about who cheated on whom. "You TOLD ME you were HOME LAST NIGHT. (Expletive, expletive) mother (expletive), so on and so forth. Keisha Cole is being bumped on the corner. All appears to be back to normal.

New episodes of New Girl and The Mindy Project are on (thank GOD) and the cable channels have stopped live coverage of the aftermath of the storm. Who doesn't love a good shot of Shmidt dancing around in a red speedo? I think I'm going to continue posting on here until school starts back up again. Just want to make sure my family and friends know that things are calming down here and returning back to normal.

I'm returning to my life and realizing I have a lot of decisions to make soon. I'm deciding if I want to teach abroad or stay in the city. The American School of Madrid is looking for an English teacher. So, so tempting. I'm also thinking of going to grad school (AGAIN, dammit) to be an administrator. Maybe I'd like it more than teaching, who knows. I'm also seriously considering moving back upstate to Mechanicville.

But now, as this state of emergency that has taken over the east coast, I have to admit something. As corny as this sounds, when my home and city goes through something so devastating, I feel like I can't leave. I don't want to leave. I'm proud to be here, I'm proud of the citizens here. I hate the city sometimes, but I am filled with a profound love and pride being a part of this amazing city.

Pictures of NY tunnel

70 million gallons of water

Witch reporting for Halloween?

No, she's for real. NYC MTA representative needs help with her image...