On a Lighter Note... One Love... Blue... You Tube

["Blue- One love with lyrics"; as submitted to You Tube by Memmwy on July 01, 2008; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYJwltQQxQU]

You Tube Video Bliltz... Lots to Think About... Gangs... Bill Maher... Bugliosi on GWBush... Nifty Video on Child Discipline

Very Graphic at Times... Viewer Discretion Advised:

["On the Front Line: Gangs, Guns & Violence Part 1"; as submitted to You Tube by CutlineFilms on February 19, 2007; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChN4QvbbpFM]

Maher [Coming to a Theatre (UPAC) Near You!] on the Pharmaceutical Industry:

["Bill Maher - Big Pharma"; as submitted to You Tube by AwakeningMinds on July 03, 2009; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_vxr98bbRY]

Vincent Bugliosi on G. W. Bush... [What do you think? (Controversial / Viewer Discretion Advised]

["Prosecution of George w. Bush..."; as submitted to You Tube by commonagenet; November 23, 2009; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUNuhN5TQmk]

A Beautiful Video on Child Rearing / Discipline:

["Discipline that works!"; as submitted to You Tube by ParentsPartner on August 11, 2008; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o47FXeibqQM]

Love is My Religion... by Z. Marley... YouTube... Stopping the Violence... KIngstonCitizens.org... More...

["Ziggy Marley White House: Love Is My Religion"; as submitted to You Tube by ziggymarleycom on April 14, 2009; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I66MrIHu39g]

[This is the first time I heard (or saw) the video above. I think it is awesome!]

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However, in tune with my life and history - not so different afterall - I chose Bruce Springsteen's song - "For You" - to top my music list today. Why? Because, in a sense, it is a song that helped save my life in the past - and it carries a similar (to the above) message - "It's your heart that holds your fate."

Thanksgiving Day has come and gone. Mine was nice - and I hope yours was too. But the Holidays are a mixed bag for many people. Depression generally (from the stats I've read) go up. And this year the Holidays may bring challenges (social, financial, emotional, physical) that hold the potential for taking some folks over and/or beyond the "tipping point" (not my term, but I forget the source).

What do I mean by that?

Hang tight. Take it a "day at a time." Talk to people. Reach out for help (of whatever type) if you need it. And - feel free - here on site - to "talk" to me...

I'm reasonably comfortable (though it is a day to day struggle) in my own life now - worse off than many... better off than some... just another passenger, so to speak, on this train...

But I've been homeless in this lifetime. I have gone without food for myself and my children. I have lived at the bottom of the pecking order. I have entertained thoughts of suicide at different points in my life. And, I have even stood - at one point - in front of a loaded gun begging the person to shoot...

So, though I'm not exactly "whistling Dixie" [Or (lol) singing Pink Floyd's "Just Another Brick in the Wall..."] at this point - I am on the upside of down, more often than not - and if I can safely help another person find their way to their own heart ("It's your heart that holds your fate...") - I will certainly (at least via this blog) try.

A gentleman in Ward 4 (in association with the NAACP) - along with Alderman Whitlock, Alderman Madsen and Jeanne Edwards - is planning a rally (or something of the sort) geared towards addressing the violence --- "stopping" the violence --- in Midtown Kingston. Please see Kingston.Citizens.org (Ward 4) [There is a contact number there] for more information about this --- and add your ideas --- here or there --- to the mix.

I have never spent much time on this blog addressing the violence in the city. I know it is there. I fear it. And I grieve for the children - youth - families that are caught up in it.

Been there. Done that.

And through all of the violence I have witnessed, experienced and/or read about (I have done loads of research on this topic...) --- the message I have is this:

Nothing...
Nothing positive at all...
Ever comes out of violence!

Being the "bully in the schoolyard" so to speak... leads to nothing but eventual alienation, reform schools, jails and (this is if you follow it through to its maximum...) prisons or an early (sometimes violent) injury, institutionalization or death.

Being the chronic victim of such bullies is apt to lead to a stance of "learned helplessness" (basic psychological term) - fears, phobias, post-traumatic-stress disorder, addictions - and sometimes - much (including transitioning to the bully mode) worse...

What is the anger in Midtown [I certainly have my ideas, but lets hear yours) about?

What is a typical day in Midtown like - for a mother, a father, a teenager, a child?

What needs are being met? What needs aren't being met? Would a public forum (a safe public forum) - and being able to lend your thoughts, feelings and "voices" to the mix help?

Check out the posting on KingstonCitizens.org

Think [if these issues apply to you...] of someone that you love - someone that loves you - and reach out for help...

Put down your drugs [Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) are free...]...

Unfurl your fists (They might well end up broken anyway...)

Get rid of your weapons (Carry an alarm - a cell phone with emergency numbers programmed in... walk tall without malice...)

And I guarantee (yes indeed...) that your life (although life is never without its dangers, stress, grief and pain) will be better for it! [There is also the potential for faith (however one might define it), healing, accomplishment and joy!)]

Ask yourself: How can I contribute to my community? How can I make things better? Can I do one small thing - just one small thing - with those questions in mind - today?

It is not "us against them" [whatever this might symbolize to the reader] --- "them against us" [ditto] --- or anything of the sort.

I believe we have reached a point where we will all learn how to swim (like a school of fish...) --- or we will all (like a lead ball...) sink.

Peace, Love, Truth, Equality and Humane Justice,

NS

Happy Thanksgiving....

[Photo by NS]

Notes on the Proposed Budget... Happy Thanksgiving... How About Some Lights...

[Photo (by NS) of the Crowd at the Independence Day (Roundout Waterfront) Celebration]

Times are tough and Budgets are being belabored in households, committee rooms and courthouses throughout the land - leaving many of us a-tumble in a variety of ways - trying to figure out how to keep home, the Holidays, the community, our city, our state and our country afloat.

I promised some notes from the last Finance and Economic Development Committee Meeting (with a focus on the Mayor's 2010 Proposed Budget) that I attended - and I'm here to (as best I can, from an unofficial perspective) deliver.

The "Daily Freeman" covered some of this, but of course; and the "Kingston Times" surely will, as well --- but sometimes a few gems and/or passions get left out [This is surely true of my reports, as well...] of these "official" reports --- and sometimes [since we don't get to see any official "minutes" from these meetings] --- another perspective (my opinion certainly creeps in here and there, so take this as an layman's editorial) is good to have.

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At the Monday night (11/23/09) Finance and Economic Development [focus on the Mayor's proposed 2010 Budget] Committee Meeting [I believe there has been another one since] Kingston City Aldermen [most were present] and Union Reps pretty much had the "floor".

It sounded, to me, like the Kingston Police Benevolent Association (PBA) Rep (and/or associates) had met with Mayor Sottile and City Comptroller John Tuey in order to work towards some possible agreements and / or concessions [This PBA Rep was professional and respectful in his (remaining firmly set against any layoffs) presentation at the Committee Meeting - but nothing had been voted on by the Union membership yet] --- and this situation "might have" [?????] deteriorated since.

The Fire Department was also represented - but I'm less clear on this issue [I believe it was Mr. Tiano that mainly spoke on this topic] than the others --- a situation that is complicated by the fact that the City and the Fire Department apparently have a case in the Courts [having to do with the Mayor's retirement incentive program and disagreements/problems that have arisen around "same"] now. [As an aside, it appears as if the KPD and the KFD are looking at ways that they might be able to utilize a combined (no attached figures were available yet) dispatch center.]

The CSEA Union Rep that took the floor at the Committee meeting seemed pretty rigid (in my perspective) about the possibility of the CSEA entertaining any concessions [He stated that he "had nothing to bring to the table..."] - and it sounded to me [I admittedly missed some of the intricacies here] as if the Council was to get back to them (the CSEA) about some issues by (a tenative date?) 12/10/09.

As far as "juicier" stuff (lol) --- Alderman Shirley Whitlock [Ward 4] asked the CSEA Rep how he could "live with" himself. To which he responded (probably not exact, but close...): "You spent all summer long arguing over a streetlight...!"

After which [Alderman Whitlock was very upset (and voiced this) on behalf of Kingston Citizens that are not perhaps as privleged as some of the others...] the CSEA Union Rep stated (in a roundabout way) that he was not without empathy - that he had been through his own tough personal, professional and economic situations - but that (in synopsis) "it is what it is."

[Alderman Whitlock also had words with someone from the sidelines [who started the discussion...] that challenged her [Ms Whitlock] to give up her pay. Alderman Whitlock responded (in synopsis) that if anyone wanted her measley eight thousand dollars (The Aldermen are not paid enough for what they do, in my opinion!) they could have it...]

Committee Chair / Alderman Landi reminded everyone that the City of Kingston payroll is floating on a 2.5 Million Dollar bond [I take it this is similar to borrowed money (????? / Please correct me if I am wrong!)] at the moment - that time is of the essense - and that a Chapter 9 bankruptcy might [if the budgetary concerns cannot be worked out to everyone's satisfaction) be in the offing...

Alderman Landi also noted (synopsis) that a "rescue" by the state wasn't looking too likely, due to the financial condition of the state itself [See the Governor Paterson video below for more on this...].

Alderman Landi had done some research on the Chapter 9 Bankruptcy topic - and had handouts for the rest of the Aldermen --- but Alderman DiBella [Ward 5] refused her copy - stating that (synopsis) the idea of the City of Kingston filing for a Chapter 9 Bankruptcy was "shameful" - and that she wanted to proceed with a focus on potential "solutions".

Much more was said; there were some "heated" moments. But it was good (in my opinion) to see both Alderman Whitlock and Alderman DiBella (this does not signify my agreement or disagreement with anything that was said) take a vocal stand.

A potential meeting - to be held over Thanksgiving weekend was discussed [?????] - but since the Common Council President - Alderman-at-Large James Noble Jr. - was not present; apparently this could not be (at the meeting) put in place. [Any updates on this?]

Other upcoming meetings on the proposed budget [I will try (What is up with the City of Kingston Municipal Calender?) to stay up to date on any changes [due to the Holidays] are noted in the sidebar >>>>>

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All of that said, I want to state here that I can't always catch names - whether this be due to a hearing problem - my anxiety problem - or whatever --- and I apologize for that. I'm on a "learning curve" (self-imposed) so-to-speak - so please [I turn in my ideas to the Committee Chair, and encourage others to do the same...] bear with me.

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Enjoy your Holidays!

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BTW, if you aren't using those Holiday lights in the attic or cellar anymore (I find decorating to get tougher as I get older...) - why not consider checking them out for safety (or have someone else do so) and donating them to any businesses on Broadway [or homes] that would like to participate in a collective colorful boost?

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Time to make the salad!

NS

Addendum: As always, if any errors or noted, please let me know and the appropriate corrections will be made. Also - please feel free to share your thoughts and opinions!

Frown or Clown... Up or Down... Governor Paterson... NYS Budget Issues... You Tube... Shoulders Back... Head Up... Music Helps...

This may not be the best of times - and I might not have the type of equipment [Mine is good for small to medium venues] that I would like to have - but I am trying to get my clown / entertainment business back on the move [for a profit / as I can handle it] again. There is no better time (in my opinion) for some light hearted fun than now - and the more I fight depression (which I do...) the more I try (at least on my better days) to fight (this has to do with my sense of spirituality) for the light...

I can generally do clown and/or magic shows - in public venues [I'm not open to private parties at this time] - for 20 to 45 minutes [children love this]. I can do gift deliveries [in my clown outfit] in the Kingston area. And - with my husband's and son's help [both excellent singers] - and advance booking - I can host a pretty darn good [small to medium / up to 100 people] DJ / Karaoke / Dance [for any type of occasion] party.

I will also be trying my hand at designing and creating some sales-worthy craft items [with a focus on earrings for the moment] - and these will soon be posted [for sale] in the sidebar.

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Other than that [an unusual post for me] --- I will still be doing what I can as far as keeping up on local events, etc --- and more notes on the City 2010 Budget issues [I did attend the meeting last night] are pending. Please note that there are other meetings scheduled regarding this matter [including the one TONIGHT] - as well.

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For now I think maybe it is important to post the following video:

["Governor David Paterson"; as posted by NYSExecChamberTV on November 24, 2009; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZ4m53C3Cyk]

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Shoulders back. Chin up. Music helps...

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One of my husband's best songs:

Louis Armstrong "What a Wonderful World"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtPF9M3nIHs

One of my son's best songs:

Enrique Iglesias- "Hero..."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owTmJrtD7g8

One of my best songs?
Probably (lol) the Hokey Pokey! [Although I do a lot of other songs, including "Angel" [in the sidebar>>>] - as well.

So... if you are interested in hiring a clown (and/or Karaoke host and company) --- please let me [wingedbirdinflight@live.com] know! [Photography and/or the videotaping of your event - via Shutterbug Photos - along with instructions on how to set up your own blog - is also available]

Peace, Love, Truth, Equality and Humane Justice,

NS

Lol, lol, lol... Maybe like the bumper sticker, t-shirt, etc. says... "It really 'is' all about the 'Hokey Pokey!'"