Ecstatic E's Journal

Hurricane Irene

2011-08-27T16:33:00.005-04:00

This is a dynamic post (will be updated if possible). For current post, click on "Read More"
General information

Projected to hit NYC as a Category 1 hurricane Sunday morning.
Track the hurricane, along with other data via Google's

5.9 Earthquake (Virginia) felt in NYC

2011-08-23T14:50:00.000-04:00

Quick Post:A 5.9-magnitude earthquake on the Richter scale was felt at around 2 P.M. here in NYC. At first, I thought it was just strong winds blowing at my house but upon looking outside the trees were calm. The house was creaking. But after a few seconds it repeated and this time the floor shook for about 3 seconds. The chandelier in my dining room was swinging back and forth for back and forth 10-15 degrees off its normal position.Perhaps because we New Yorkers typically don't experience major earthquakes as often as say, Californians do, so Facebook and the internet lit up in the moments after.Local and live coverage here: 7 online - 5.9 earthquake hits Virginia, rattles NYC, east coastAs of this post, over 9,500 people have "checked-in" to Foursquare - Earthpocalypse.Facebook statuses:"ahhhhhhhhh earthquake!!!"..."Uhh, did anyone else just feel that earthquake?"..."I just felt a very small earthquake! did anyone else felt that?"..."Earthquakes are the coolest things ever. I'm moving to Cali."..."totally freaked out right now."..."Too hungover to notice the earthquake."..."Missed the earthquake back home. Laaaame"..."i thought i was too heavy for my chair"Submit your reaction to the USGS' site to help them evaluate the effects of the earthquake here: USGS - Did You Feel It? - http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/dyfi/events/us/c0005ild/us/form.en.disabled.htmlPost 209 (Dated today, see 200th post for reason) EcstaticE.blogspot.com

Linkdump: Windows & Apple(s), Google & Paying More

2011-08-14T22:32:00.001-04:00

Taking a cue from Second Avenue Saga's recently titled post "Vacation Linkdump", I'm posting a bunch of links with brief descriptions which have been sitting in my "To Be Posted" bookmark folder for a loooong while.

2009
PC World - 23 Years of Wacky Windows Launches - A great amalgamation of videos of Windows launches from Windows 1.0 to Windows 7. Truly history-making and is remarkable seeing how something so simple eventually made all of today's technology possible.

Seattle Times - Precocious 5-year old gives Windows 7 pitch - Continuing with the Windows theme, this kid has been the talk of the town as Microsoft launched one of its most successful TV ads in awhile. From critic reactions, they're finally getting it right to fight back against Apple's successful 'Mac vs PC' ads.

Personal note - And have you ever seen the classic ad from Apple that told people to "Think different"? The ad is available for your review here; also see the infamous 1984 Superbowl one showing everyone following Windows and Apple helping break that monotony. But today, things are different, indeed. Today, Apple's products look alike. Basically all white, all in a plastic case. The same design for mp3 players, the same phones, the same desktops, the same notebooks. This standardization
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EcstaticE 2.0

2011-06-19T17:33:00.004-04:00

After some experimentation, this blog finally has a new look! After 3 years, 5 months since my first post (quite short) of the same, somewhat bland, blue and green and white backgrounds, it has a fresh design, using Blogger's somewhat new template designer. Links you haven't yet visited are in an easy-to-find Red, while ones you already have clicked on turn to Blue. I chose blue instead of the default darker color to still allow you to be able to find a particular link in the future. In addition, a more concise footer (eliminating the redundant comment info), instant feedback, and new share toolbar! Also started using a page break feature to help redirect traffic to the site when people use RSS/shared links - Subscribe to see for yourself!
Let me know what you think by commenting! And take a look at the before/after comparison after the break to judge for yourself!
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Instead of a Picnic on Governor's Island

2011-06-05T23:29:00.007-04:00

Arghh forgot to take pictures of the two loverly couples!!! [two pictures here] We were supposed to go to Governor's Island to have a picnic, but with the threat of a thunderstorm later in the day, we opted to stay in Manhattan instead. Well anyways, today got off to a pretty long train ride to 14 St. My buddy J and I walked to Union Square before heading back to 7th Av to meet up with his girlfriend and his two other Columbia friends, G & D. As we passed by the L train stop at 6th Av we coincidentally saw his gf emerging from the exit. Greetings exchanged - this is E, this is JC!

Went to a really cozy but humble restaurant, Elephant & Castle (not the bar chain) in Greenwich Village to have brunch. Apparently, D was able to tell from the restaurant's decor and age of the furniture that the venue has been open since 1976. Or maybe because we all saw the menu, dated 1976 and with the pre-inflated prices on it, hanging by the entrance! :) The menu wasn't too expensive for the food we received. $11.50 for the "Canyonland Poached Eggs (two), with Balsamic Jus, Fresh Tarragon, Tomatoes, Avocado and Wild Mushrooms, and Toasted English Muffin." I felt that the best part about the restaurant was the restaurant physically stretched from one street to the next because of the relatively awkward block geometry (windows on both sides!). Also the antique cash register - it had rows of push-buttons with some going from 10 to 90! All 4 of us treated J, with my total coming to $18 - not bad compared to Jean-Georges last year haha.

Afterwards, we walked back to Union Square to
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Cooper Exploits New Building, Hopefully for Cash

2011-06-03T14:18:00.000-04:00

Ever since the opening of the Cooper Union's New Academic Building, otherwise known as 41 Cooper Square, photographers and film crews have been all over the site. Every so often, I see such people outside and inside the building, from small photo shoots for a new line of Tumi luggage on 3rd Ave earlier this Spring, to huge productions such as the one for Ugly Betty in 2009, which I covered here. Most recently, I have also seen IBM film an ad with actors playing doctors and patients, with old IBM equipment placed as props around the building. Hearsay indicates that just a few days ago the show "White Collar" also filmed there. But some of the most widely-seen shots of the building are probably in advertising.

Although most of the ad for Cadillac features a fake museum-like interior, the final 4 shots are of 41CS, in the following order: 1 shot facing North 3rd Ave of a couple exiting the (empty as of now) rental space on the southwestern corner of the building, 1 closeup head shot with the doors closing behind them, 1 of them staring back at the building's "skateboard ramp" aka emergency stairs with the car next to them, and 1 of them entering the car, now MAGICALLY parked on East 7th St, with a view of the Foundation Building in the background.
EV Grieve: Cooper Union fit for a Caddy and the ad it's referring to Youtube: 2010 Cadillac CTS Gallery Arsenal FX

Bowery Boogie has a link to the Time Warner Cable ad, featuring Yes, Dear's Mike O'Malley on a tour bus passing southbound by Cooper Square on 3rd Ave. As the blog points out, "Landmarks featured most prominently are the new Cooper Union academic building (spacecraft) and the Cooper Square Hotel (glass dildo)."
Bowery Boogie: Time Warner Cable on Cooper Square

With the shortest feature of 41CS, Samsung shows a slanted Eastern elevation of the building, which then cuts to a closeup of the lobby windows with fake TVs inserted in the lobby.
Youtube: Samsung Apps

And in a recent viewing of the indie film Win Win, Fiat had a pretty long commercial before the film to introduce itself to the US market. A shot of the building from across the Square with the words "Derivative of Nothing," implying that the building and the car were originals. I've got to admit, the ad was pretty catchy, confusing at times, but well-produced.

Post 205 (Dated Today)
What do you think? Comment below! EcstaticE.blogspot.com

Neighborhood Crime Wave - We're Just Never Safe

2011-05-26T13:16:00.006-04:00

Despite the Mayor saying that violent crime in NYC had fallen since 2001, similar to the nationwide fall, there has been a spike in the past 2 years in NYC, such as in Queens - NYTimes: Steady Decline in Major Crime Baffles Experts

The following is my eyewitness account. Times are based on approximate durations.

2:10 A.M.: Earlier this morning, I awoke to some loud sounds, as if people were hitting garbage cans and yelling. I then heard a car alarm - sounding like our car's - and lurched out of my bed and peered through my window blinds, looking for signs that it was our car. Indeed it was. The car lights flashed and I saw one person running to the right, another next to the side of our car. In retrospect, I probably should have waited to see the perps' clothing, but my fight or flight response made me turn on my and another room's lights. I yelled out to my parents that it was our car and that there were people outside. Running back to my window, I saw that the criminals had now ran off.

2:12 A.M.: Dad went outside to take a look - front windshield was badly damaged from their using a neighbor's bundle of cut ~~tree trunks~~ wooden fence slats waiting to be thrown out by the garbage truck later that day; the bundle was still sitting on the front hood. Worker across the street came out but said did not see anything. Several neighbors from the left side of the block came over - they said that some of their cars had been similarly vandalized. The first one had already called police.

2:14 A.M.: An SUV charges down to the right side of the street (against the one-way); I thought it was the perps' vehicle.

2:16 A.M.: SUV comes back; driver actually lives at the end of the block and heard the commotion and attempted to give chase as soon as the goons started running away. He said that he saw some teens at the gas station.

2:20 A.M.: One police car arrives. Hearing about the gas station, they go down
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Healthcare Reform: Sept. 2009

2011-05-14T17:26:00.004-04:00

"Postcard from Canada: Why I Missed Obama’s Speech" - Single Payer Westerchester. 9/13/09. After President Obama's speech on his push for healthcare reform in Fall of 2009, this blogger remarks on the benefits of a single-payer healthcare system based on their experiences in the Canadian system. An interesting first-hand account that many naysayers often hide.

"Class Warfare" - Tim Allen Journal. 9/21/09. When I first read this I was amazed that Tim Allen wasn't only a funny man, but also someone who is able to understand certain economic ideas that some politicians and people just refuse to accept or think about. He makes a good point about how social programs such as a public option in the healthcare reform package are intended to be subsidized for the good of all, and profit-making isn't a primary goal. Only point is that the USPS is not directly subsidized by tax money.

"What’s the fuss with a public option?
Well, the post office for one...As a business it’s hard to defend sometimes with lines and spotty service. As a ‘social’ program it’s a wonderful place to assure a reasonable fee to get written or printed material and packages anywhere. If you asked FedEx or UPS to mail a letter, the carrier would scan it and you would wonder why you are paying $12.96 to send something when you could use the Post Office and mail it for under 50 cents. That’s the cost advantage provided by a ‘public option’. We are taxed to keep the price ‘fixed’, the fix augments the price of

41 Cooper Square is a Cleanroom Wrapped in Foil

2010-09-01T14:33:00.002-04:00

A cleanroom is typically thought of as a very sterile, white-finished place. It might look exceptionally clean, but it is not a place you would want to spend a lot of time in. The same can almost be said of Thom Mayne and Morphosis' new building for The Cooper Union in New York City. Cooper is a long-standing institution that has a (total) student body of about 1,000 each year, and has three major disciplines: art, architecture, and engineering. In 2007, the Cooper-Hewitt building located at 3av between 6th and 7th streets was torn down to be replaced with a new structure coined the "New Academic Building." This new building would be used by all three disciplines, with the engineering school moving from its place at 51 Astor Place. 51 Astor Place would be, like all other Cooper property, leased to a developer for 99 years and developed into a mixed-use condo.

[For those of you too lazy, pics taken Fall '09 at the end]

Now for the juicy bits. After 2 years of construction, the project's price tag reportedly ballooned 68%, with plenty of construction-related delays, leading to an unfinished building opening Fall of 2009. Among those delays, courtesy of Sciame - the construction management company hired, are slanted concrete floors (a lot of places are awkwardly sanded down), unfinished spaces (Engineering office, Frankie's Lounge, faculty bathrooms), malfunctioning HVAC systems, and improper signage. A Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) was issued only because Cooper had to move out of 51 Astor by Summer 2009 for the new tenant or face penalties. (The development deal has since appeared to have gone sour, as the New York Film Academy has moved in instead of new condos being built.) All of this led to construction crews working around the clock, during the school day and during the winter break to finish the job. Some bathrooms (e.g. 5th floor) have leaking sinks and stalls that flood. Even one year after the grandest opening where a bunch of politicians and Cooper's Board of Trustees had a nice photo op, the building is still not officially closed out (finished).

Now, construction-related delays are common, and every job has them. But what about the design of the building? Treehugger, the New York Times, and the architecture world might absolutely adore it, but from a practical standpoint, it is not all that brilliant. Standing from 3 Av or Bowery, you see a large metal mesh-covered building that stands out from the neighborhood. Boy, does it stand out - people have been calling it "the Death Star" for its resemblance to the Star Wars' enemy base. Now don't get me wrong - incorporating "green elements" in design is important these days - and if the mesh does really reduce energy usage then fine. But it sticks out like a sore thumb in a brick and stucco neighborhood. Every time I bring someone around the area, when they turn the corner at St Marks Pl they gasp and say something to the effect of, "Ugh, what's that?!" Sure, the folded metal letters spelling out the name of the place maybe cool - Daily Dose might refer to it as an interesting juxtaposition of "solid and void" - but the building stands out too much. So much so that during the first 3 months, wayward tourists often found themselves gawking at the building and attempting to enter the building, only to be strictly told by security that there is no tour available and that no picture taking would be allowed of the lobby/staircase. In my opinion, the building looks too much like a museum rather than an educational institution.

And to some extent, that was Thom Mayne's original intentions. The 2-story art gallery open to 7th St, the two aptly-nicknamed "Fish Tank" classrooms (each featuring at least 2 sides of glass walls open to the street and the hallway) and the gigantic space-hogging staircase all make it oh-so distracting. In fact, the original design was to have ALL classrooms have glass walls opening to the hallways-boy would that be very distracting, as evidenced when Ugly Betty visited. The classroom windows only open with much force, and when the sunshades are in use, conflicts and accidents (like the window corners tearing the shades) arise. The positioning of recycling/trash areas on one side of the building on most floors led to the addition of wastebaskets in the corridors. On a side note, Cooper does not recycle - they just wanted a LEED point for having recycling areas. The fire stair on the Southwest corner of the building - originally intended to be an exterior staircase, was boxed in with a glass curtain wall and is always HOT HOT HOT. And whether they forgot to change it after they boxed it in or did not have the money for it, that staircase is not for one with vertigo or acrophobia since the treads are metal wire mesh, whose original intent was to not factor into the square footage of the building as an exterior staircase, according to professors related to the construction. Oh, and the building has 20% less space than 51 Astor and more students will be using it than before. Example: the student lounges never have enough space during peak hours of the day. To add to that, the Board of Trustees have now taken over a much-needed room in the Basement that was used for classes because 'classes can't take place in our boardroom!' So thoughtful of them.

Last, but not least, is the grand staircase every critic ogles over. Initial fears by the faculty, staff, and students that its continuous 4 story path and (somewhat) polished concrete would lead to many trip-and-roll accidents and potential deaths (one professor named it "the Death Stairs") fell by the wayside to a general critique that it is a tremendous waste of space. I for one appreciate good design and it is a strong symbol that encourages the building's occupants to exercise more (NYC's Dept of Design & Construction loves it) and use the stairs (which is also why 2 of the 3 elevators are each about 30sqft. and one of those is an express elevator, although the sign on the Ground floor says "Express Elevators" and the other small elevator is frustratingly slow because like the freight elevator, in actuality stops on every single floor.) Digression aside, the staircase takes up a lot of space and has created plenty of small, cramped, offices underneath it on each floor it tramples over; which when added to the 20% less space has led to plenty of classes either not being offered as often or programming difficulties and class size restrictions (even into required classes in a major.) And one engineer remarked, "Is it a staircase for the building or a building for the staircase?"

One more thing - as if the staircase hasn't already created awkward spaces, the walls and traffic spaces are also dangerous. Walls diagonally cut to create the bench space behind the gash on 3 Av are occasional hazards to the distracted passerby (yes, I have hit my head on them.) Obtuse staircases serving the 4th to 5th, 5th to 6th, 7th to 8th, and 8th to 9th (no 6th to 7th can be a pain when you have to walk to the ends of the building to use the fire stairs), built to encourage people to take the Express Elevator(s) to Express floors (LL2,LL1,G,5,8) and walk (to save on energy usage) are way too narrow for people to pass by, especially with the high protection wall obscuring your view of people walking in the direction against you. These staircases also have awkward railings that jut out into the open, creating negative spaces in between them and the protection walls.

I appreciate good design and especially great architecture. I actually wanted to become an architect when I was deciding which college major I wanted to take. But the problem that I often see in architecture, often with "starchitects" (the famous ones), is that design becomes the number one priority and overshadows functionality, which is what matters most to the occupants of the structure. And when that happens, the building sucks. A good architect may dream of wondrous buildings and places, but unless he puts himself in a 1st person view of someone who will be a daily end user and brings a portion of those dreams into reality, then they have failed their primary role as an architect. And as one of the great architects of our times, Frank Lloyd Wright, said, "Form follows function - that has been misunderstood. Form and function should be one, joined in a spiritual union." (Viewing some of his drawings and models at the Guggenheim's exhibit last Summer titled "Frank Lloyd Wright: From Within Outward," might actually attest to a priority of function over form, as evidenced from the title of the exhibition)

And for that cleanroom reference? 41 Cooper's walls and desks are white; the ceilings are made up of dropped metal grids hiding the ductwork, metal sheathing is offset from elevator walls, and classrooms are windowless. Enjoy the building kids!

Album of 41 Cooper

Post 202 Dated 9/14/09, see 200th post for reason
What do you think? Comment below! EcstaticE.blogspot.com

Seen/Scene in NYC: Transit & Road Improvements Begin

2010-07-15T20:10:00.003-04:00

Shortly after the City of New York and the DOT announced game-changing bus and bike lanes running along First and Second Avenues, DOT got right to work on them. Forgetting the fact that they are truly not and will never be "surface subways" as the bureaucrats put it (due to the bus lanes not being physically separated, problems will arise when cars, trucks, and yes, even emergency vehicles park or stand in it,) lanes have been popping up over the past few weeks. On Second Avenue (with a better redesign of "bus bulbs" on Broadway as well) and First Avenue.

I got my first-hand look Tuesday along First Avenue: for the several minutes or so walking South along 1st it looked as if most vehicles were respecting the new bus, bike and parking lanes. But only time (and NYPD enforcement or mockery of) will tell.

Update 7/21/10: The problem with the Second avenue bus lane is that is adjacent to the curb, which means that trucks park there to load/unload. This is a clear difference from 1st Ave, where the bus lane is adjacent to a parking lane.

Here's some pics!

Clear view of new bike lanes at 1st and E 9th (looking South):

DOT Contractors painting bus lane along 1st Avenue:

DOT Contractors installing pedestrian refuge island at 1st and Houston:

Post 201
Comment below! - and leave an ID/email to get replies EcstaticE.blogspot.com

Happy 200!!!

2010-05-19T15:42:00.001-04:00

HAPPY 200th PUBLISHED POST!!!!!

Yes, the 200th post is finally here and is a confirmation that I am still alive. Apologies for the extremely long hiatus since my last official post on 11/11/09, school work and a sense of lethargy on writing a blog that no one really reads made me reluctant to continue blogging. However, with Summer break here and a enormous list of bookmarked websites and news articles in my browser's "ToBePosted" folder have persuaded me to resume. Although I will try my best to include everything I have wanted to talk about (politics, entertainment, rants), I can only include items that have been preserved in that aforementioned bookmark folder; stuff I thought about while in the shower maybe forever lost to time. Details/opinions may also be brief. I will also add a date to give it some context.

Now, on to the celebrations! A quick recap of the last 100 posts! (The 100th post was published 2/5/09.) Get ready for a barrage of hyperlinks but trust me, it is worth the read:

Cooper Union builds, completes behind schedule, and gets 'Ugly' (future posts show Cadillac and Time Warner Cable are lovin' it too)
Health Care Reform: Why I Fought for my Uncle Gen
My growing love for livability
Re-electing Bloomberg on my own, but was it a mistake? (future post)
I'm there for you, MTA, but we can all help
My attempts at super-local reporting
And I'm still looking for my Obama button :(

Here's to another 100 and thank you for stopping by and hope to see you again soon!

Post 200 Dated 5/19/10, see 200th post for reason
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Tours of 41 Cooper Sq Starting March 16

2010-03-05T17:40:00.009-05:00

Public tours of 41 Cooper Square, The Cooper Union's new academic building, are finally being offered. I frequently see tourists/visitors being denied entrance into the over-hyped building. Heck, they the guards don't even allow people to take pictures of the lobby. Of course, the following tours also explicitly say that "Photography is Prohibited," but I could probably help you get around that with a private tour. :D Then again, if they did allow you to take pictures, Thom Mayne's reputation (but more of Sciame's) would be ruined. When I have more time, details on how bad the building has fared after less than a year in operation will make your head spin.

Verbatim:

"Starting March 16th, GUIDED TOURS will be given of 41 Cooper Square.
Please contact Christine Romero at 212.353.4100 or cromero@cooper.edu to book a space on a tour.
-Every Tuesday at 12:30pm with the exception of holidays
-The maximum tour size is 15
-You must arrive at the college 10 minutes prior to your scheduled tour time
-You will be asked to show your I.D.
-Wear comfortable shoes
There may be limited access to certain classrooms and working labs. Photography is strictly prohibited."

Album of pictures
Post 201
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Links Gone Wild: Health, Sesame St, Berlin Wall, Diarrhea

2009-11-11T21:04:00.001-05:00

Just a bunch of links to news stories which I had been meaning to talk about, but just never found the time to, and now I don't really feel like leaving it backlogged any longer. Enjoy!

Health care reform barely passes House, awaiting annoying Senate: LA Times
Sesame Street Turns 40! I wish it could still make my day everyday (USA Today)
Google celebrates importance of Sesame Street in educating the world's youth: Google
20th Anniversary of fall of Berlin Wall, Communism?, but are world relations comparably better?: Associated Content
Why Won't My Parakeet Eat My Diarrhea?: Huffington Post

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3rd for Mike, 3 More for Obama

2009-11-04T21:53:00.003-05:00

Congrats to New York City Mayor Mike Bloomberg for winning a third term. I hope that he will continue the progress he has made in the city as well as build on new ones. However, many pundits say that he will have a harder time getting things done due to an increased Democratic control in the City Council, as well as a much smaller margin of victory at the polls (see images).

In addition, it has been one year since President Obama's historic election, and there is still plenty of work to be done, all hampered by the recession and the racism exuded by certain groups in the country. Let's hope for a better 3 years.

Best of luck to both men.

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Mike for Mayor

2009-11-03T08:00:00.006-05:00

When Mike Bloomberg took mayoral control over the city's public schools, he got rid of the bureaucracy of the Board of Education, which was ineffective because it just could never decide on what was right for the city's students. Now, graduation rates, and test scores are up. Because of Mike's PlaNYC 2030, New York City is now the world model in pioneering environmental awareness, tackling climate change, and improving the quality of life in urban metropolises. Crime has fallen dramatically since Bloomberg took office. He works for $1 a year, which in these tough economic times, is a real boon for taxpayers. Which is why I, a Democrat who voted for President Obama in 2008, unequivocally place my full support behind Mike Bloomberg for Mayor today. And I'm not the only one:

Endorsed by 60 newspapers including NY Daily News, NY Post, The New York Times, Staten Island Advance, Sing Tao, Crain's

Endorsed by dozens of Democrats including James Gennaro, Former Mayor Ed Koch, Newark Mayor Cory Booker, Bklyn Boro President Marty Markowitz, Miami Mayor Manuel Diaz, and Al Gore.

Endorsed by 39 labor unions with one of the broadest coalitions of labor support in NYC mayoral history.

Endorsed by people representing all of the different minorities in NYC.

Bill Thompson: Bad for Transit & Livable Streets

2009-11-02T22:11:00.000-05:00

As comptroller, he received millions in personal contributions while the city's pension declined. He gave billions to contractors who were willing to support him during his mayoral race. And if he becomes mayor, he will make quality of life in NYC worse.

Under Mike Bloomberg, the Department of Transportation has improved quality of life for pedestrians by increasing pedestrian safety with wider sidewalks, new pedestrian plazas, and safer routes to school for children. Bike lanes and bikers have increased in the past 8 years that enable more New Yorkers to commute by bike and to encourage more to take part in physical activity.

And yet, if Bill Thompson is elected as Mayor, he would do away with all of these safety and pedestrian space gains that other major cities worldwide have already instituted. He plans to get rid of the Dept. of Transportation's Commissioner, Janette Sadik-Khan, despite her even championing the installation of working bus arrival signs, something the MTA hasn't been able to do for a decade.

Thompson has also attacked Bloomberg and the DOT's installation of bike lanes and how they were harming neighborhood businesses and would rip them out. Not true. In addition, he also claimed that the community was not consulted before bike lane placement. Also not true. In fact, what the DOT has done in the past several years has made NYC safer for pedestrians.

And although Bloomberg's congestion pricing plan to improve mass transit for the over 5.2 MILLION people that take it did not pass the ever-ineffective State Senate, Thompson barely has a plan to improve transit that moves NYC. Benjamin Kabak of SAS says on his transit plan, "...the one about objecting to MTA service cuts. He won’t promise to fund the MTA, but he will object!"

This Tuesday, re-elect one of the most progressive mayors in NYC history that will continue to improve New York City's quality of life.. He is supported by unions, celebrities, local newspapers, and average New Yorkers. Plus, we give him only $1 a year-the best deal in NYC. This Election Day, Tuesday, November 3, vote for Mike Bloomberg for Mayor.

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Bloomberg '09: Really?!, Praise from Major Newspapers

2009-11-02T21:26:00.002-05:00

Bloomberg '09: Bill Thompson Loves Bloomberg

2009-11-02T10:15:00.000-05:00

With Mike Bloomberg's 8-year experience and proven independent leadership, he can bring NYC through these tough times and into a better future. This Tuesday, re-elect one of the most progressive mayors in NYC history who has not only reached out to New Yorkers to improve the quality of living, but also across the country to make us safer by making us safer, improving infrastructure investment, and reducing our negative impact on the environment. He is supported by unions, celebrities, local newspapers, and average New Yorkers. Plus, we give him only $1 a year-the best deal in NYC. This Election Day, Tuesday, November 3, vote for Mike Bloomberg for Mayor.

About Video: How can Bill Thompson run for mayor when he spends so much time running away from his record? On Education. On pension pay-for-play... as much as Bill Thompson tries to run from his record, the facts are the facts. Watch.
Youtube: Facts are Facts

About Video: Thompson praises Bloomberg's record on NY1.
Youtube: Praise from Thompson Himself

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Bloomberg '09: Support from Al Gore, for Education, and Middle Class

2009-11-02T00:51:00.000-05:00

With Mike Bloomberg's 8-year experience and proven independent leadership, he can bring NYC through these tough times and into a better future. This Tuesday, re-elect one of the most progressive mayors in NYC history who has not only reached out to New Yorkers to improve the quality of living, but also across the country to make us safer by making us safer, improving infrastructure investment, and reducing our negative impact on the environment. He is supported by unions, celebrities, local newspapers, and average New Yorkers. Plus, we give him only $1 a year-the best deal in NYC. This Election Day, Tuesday, November 3, vote for Mike Bloomberg for Mayor.

About Video: Mike Bloomberg's independent leadership has kept crime at record lows and improved our citys schools. Find out more about Mike's strong leadership and his Middle Class Affordability Plan, which will offer a new prescription drug card to lower costs, expand financial aid for hard-working middle-class students, and open new doors to bring companies and jobs to New York.
Youtube: New York Minute

About Video: On education, the choice is clear.
Youtube: The Education Challenge

About Video: Al Gore praised Mike's environmental leadership, calling the Mayor real deal when it comes to leadership on the environment.
Youtube: FORMER VICE PRESIDENT AL GORE PRAISES MIKE

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Bloomberg '09: Endorsed by Colin Powell, Matt Damon, Oprah, & Bono!

2009-11-01T23:49:00.001-05:00

Bill Thompson: Corrupt

2009-11-01T22:43:00.002-05:00

Are you voting for Bill Thompson for New York City mayor this Election Day? Well, think again. Thompson is embroiled with scandalous political connections and scandals that have and will cloud his judgment should he become our next mayor. Not only that, but as comptroller, he has handed city contractors millions in bonuses during arbitration on city projects. Check out these news reports:

Daily News: East Side nonprofit tied to political campaign work for Bill Thompson, Sheldon Silver

New York Times: As Pension Fund Lagged, Contributions to Comptroller Grew

This Tuesday, vote for the mayor who has been one of the most progressive mayors in NYC history who has not only reached out to New Yorkers to improve the quality of living, but also across the country to make us safer by cracking down on illegal guns, improving infrastructure investment, and reducing our negative impact on the environment.

Thompson tried to help out his friend who was a felon, and now his friend is supporting Bloomberg:
NYMag-Bill Thompson’s Close Friend Really Terrible at Returning Favors

NYPost-Newly released letter from 1982 shows Bill Thompson begged federal judge to spare then boss from tax evasion charges

Politico-Fred Richmond Haunts NYC Dem

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Death in the Family

2009-10-31T23:10:00.008-04:00

The following is a true recap of what has occurred these past two weeks. I felt like I wanted a way to remember what I've felt during this period, and hopefully see whether other people have felt the same way.

Friday, October 16
I had just finished my 2-3pm class early, the teacher let us out at about 2:45. There was going to be a Physics test on Monday, so I was pondering on whether I should stay with two other people to study for it. I went to the bathroom, then to my locker. I felt a buzz in my left pocket. It was my mom calling. I picked it up, and she asked me quietly in Chinese, "Are you still in class?" "No, we got out early." "Could you come to the hospital, your uncle's condition has drastically changed, and he may not have too long to live." "Oh...sure. Where is it again?" ... "I'll be there in I guess probably 20-30mins." "Alright, I'll wait for you there." I rushed back down to the classroom, where my three friends were still waiting. I said, "Uhh guys, my mom called and I have to go to the hospital now; my uncle's really sick and stuff." My friends were apologetic, with one remarking, "I hope he gets better." "Thanks," I said. I left with my friend to take the train. I gave a short description of what my uncle had gone through, including his 'battles' with the insurance company and his assigned hospital doctor, who had frequently been ignorant and out-of-reach from his immediate family. Before I took the train, I went to buy a Mega Millions lotto ticket, (the prize was over $200million), and said to my friend, "If I win this, I'm giving all the money until he's cured."

I took the local train, then switched to an express train, hoping to catch the preceding local, but ended up taking the same local train. I walked as fast as I could to the hospital, where I met up with my mom. She explained to me on how throughout the morning, other relatives, including my grandma, had also visited. I said, "Well, why didn't you call me earlier, I could have left class." Apparently, after going through a chemo just recently, his kidney was no longer functioning but his cancer cell count was at 99%. When I arrived at my uncle's room, his immediate family was there. He was already in a worse condition than in the morning. He had trouble breathing at times, and would frequently use the oxygen mask. He also had trouble talking and drinking, and seemed out of it at times. I now knew what the term "labored breathing" meant. I stayed there for awhile, until I left with my mom. That night, I prayed to the universe, to spare his life, and hoped that he would miraculously get better, because he was a strong man and had a strong and big heart.

For the next two weeks, every time the phone rang, I would keep thinking that it was a call that my uncle had passed. At first, my whole mind would seize up whenever I heard the home phone ring. Thoughts would go by of the bad news and the reaction from it. About a week later, news came that he was getting better; his kidney had started to work by itself again and he was more livid and partly back to his cheery and jovial self of his. Whenever the phone rang, I would think about it being of bad news, but less so because of his improving condition. I felt like my prayers had been answered, and that he would be back to his good old self and his cancer had gone away forever. On Friday, 10/30, my mom told me that my uncle had received another round of chemo.

Saturday, October 31
It was 6:30am. I woke up from a sharp ringing home phone. At first, no one picked up, because who calls that early? The second time, one of my parents picks up. For the next half hour, several more calls, which I later find out are apparently from my grandma and my aunts. I thought that my worst suspicions had come true, and ever more so when I heard my mom go out the door and went into my aunt's car, which headed to my grandma's place and then to the hospital. I dozed back off to sleep, realizing that my dad was still here and no one had woken me up, so presumably, it wasn't that serious. A few hours later, I woke up and asked my dad in Chinese, "So, what's the news?" "Uncle has gotten much worse; his temperature is dropping and they fear that this may be the real deal." I asked, "Well, should we go to the hospital? Who else is there?" Although I could tell my dad wanted to go, he replied that he was not feeling too well (flu-like symptoms) and did not want to get other my uncle sick. I spent the rest of the day doing homework and constantly thinking about whether this really was the end of my uncle's life, and what would happen. I thought about how ironic and symbolic that it was Halloween. And yet, I kept on remaining optimistic, hoping that he would be able to pull through yet again. I wished this again. My mom came home later in the day.

10:25pm
My family and I had finished watching Slumdog Millionaire earlier, and my mom went to take a shower. I was watching a rerun of one of my favorite shows, Boston Legal, when the phone rang. I thought it was just one of the many calls we had received earlier today. My dad, who was reading the newspaper, picked it up. My mom heard the phone ring and yelled, "Is it for me?" My dad gave the phone to her. A few minutes later, my mom came downstairs. She walked over to me and looked at me. I saw her, and looked back. She motioned with her hands a waving gesture. I perceived it to be to turn off the TV, but did not know why. She attempted to say, "Uncle has...," but then placed both of her hands over her face and started sobbing, sat down. I stared at her, thinking about whether It had just happened. I looked back at the TV and froze in place. I had no idea what to do - should I comfort her by hugging her?, or say I'm sorry?" I never personally went through a death in the family, and was in complete denial for several seconds. I shut off the TV. My dad, hearing her sobs, came over and sat down next to her. I then realized what had happened and leaned in close until our shoulders were touching. She sobbed so much, and just would not stop. I pondered to myself, should I get a tissue? But then I would be leaving her side? My dad then asked me to get a tissue, which I hastily got. She initially refused it until my dad said, "Come on, you're going to get a runny nose." I went back to get tissues a few more times. My mind was wiped empty, and I started to shed some tears a minute later. But I was thinking about how neither my dad nor myself really cried that much. When she stopped crying, I held her hand and tried squeezing it.

More phone calls came. My aunt was now getting ready to repeat what she had done this morning-pick my mom up to go to the hospital. My mom went and got ready. We were all still in grief. I was speechless for the next 10 or so minutes, only asking my dad, "Should we go?" My dad said that he would have to talk to my mom about it. After my mom got dressed in dark jeans and a black sweater with a black tie, she called my older cousin at the hospital. She didn't pick up. She tried the other sibling. He picked up and said that his family was leaving the hospital, since the hospital would now take care of the rest and there was nothing else for them to do there. My mom told me to call my grandma to let her know about this change of plan. My cousin also said that we would not have to go to the hospital tomorrow either. I was still hoping that my uncle would somehow, someway, come back alive.

Dai Yut Geen.
Ever since that first Friday, I had been thinking about how I wanted to write a post about this experience and my feelings. And so far, it's been an hour since starting it. I still have not had such an emotional outbreak as my mom did, and my mind is oddly clear. Perhaps this is because I've been thinking about what a great man my uncle has been these past two weeks, and perhaps this was a way of preparing for the bad news. I still cannot believe this, or maybe I have. Perhaps denial is hard to get over, or maybe it helps us deal with sudden catastrophic events. Maybe denial is a mental thing that acts as a protective bubble and you really do not realize the magnitude of a situation until it pops. Whatever it is, I know my uncle has left this earth doing what was good for his family and friends. He was a well-liked, friendly uncle who always made his home open and never gave up on the New York Giants. :) My mom is now (12:15am) trying to call my uncle in HK. My uncle always wanted to go back to HK but never could because he was dedicated to raising his two kids and supporting his family. Perhaps he will get to go now. You will be missed, and I hope that you will live a happy afterlife - I'll see you there in the future. Goodbye and goodnight, Uncle Gen.

12:28am
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Bloomberg '09: Better Transit for NYC

2009-10-30T02:23:00.001-04:00

With Mike Bloomberg's 8-year experience and proven independent leadership, he can bring NYC through these tough times and into a better future. He has been one of the most progressive mayors NYC has had and on this Election Day, Tuesday, November 3, vote for Mike Bloomberg for Mayor.

About Video: Mike toured the five boroughs to talk to New Yorkers about Moving NYC, his plan to improve our city's transportation network. Watch Mike talk to supporters and explain why building mass transit for the 21st century is simply too important to our economy, to hard-working families in every borough, and above all, to our city's future.
Youtube Link

About Video: Faster express buses for outer boroughs, cleaner stations, a 311 transit hotline, upgraded security—Mikes plan to improve our city's transit means reforms that would work for all New Yorkers. Mike's plan would transform mass transit in New York City while stressing accountability to cut waste and save millions.
Youtube Link

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Bloomberg '09: Better Education for NYC Students

2009-10-30T01:11:00.001-04:00

With Mike Bloomberg's 8-year experience and proven independent leadership, he can bring NYC through these tough times and into a better future. He has been one of the most progressive mayors NYC has had and on this Election Day, Tuesday, November 3, vote for Mike Bloomberg for Mayor.

About Videos: Mike turned around the citys public schools by stressing accountability and focusing on results. When Bill Thompson was in charge of the Board of Education, it was dysfunctional, slow to adapt to better policies, and bloated. Mike cut millions in bureaucracy and placed it into the classroom. By cutting wasteful spending, stressing accountability, and demanding higher standards, Mike fixed a broken system and made our city's public schools work for our kids.

Youtube Link
Youtube Link

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Bloomberg '09: LGBT for Mike

2009-10-30T00:20:00.002-04:00

Bloomberg '09: Green Rooftops

2009-10-29T22:07:00.001-04:00

Best of Bill Maher

2009-10-24T21:32:00.002-04:00

episode 172
Premiered October 16, 2009

Guests: Garry Shandling, actor/comedian; Alec Baldwin, actor; Chris Matthews, TV Host; Gov. Martin O'Malley (D-MD); Rep. Alan Grayson (D-FL)

Maherisms
After Cheney came that exciting new group of Obama critics known as 'the Birthers.' Or as they used to be called, 'the Klan.

This is truly a bizarre year for Republicans. Their sex scandals were with women.

It was inspiring to see white men finally stand up to the oppressive, rigged system that has forced them to live in a hopeless cycle of wealth and opportunity.

Stop trying to scare me with your Mayan calendar doomsday theories. I'm supposed to be terrified by counting the days on the Mayan calendar? Why, is my Mayan girlfriend late for her Mayan period? If the Mayans could see the future, how come they couldn't get away from Cortez? Besides, we have much scarier things to worry about in 2012. [slide of Sarah Palin]

On Balloon Boy
It was a pleasure to hear a newscast about a boy getting blown that did not involve the Church.

[Rush Limbaugh] wanted to buy the St. Louis Rams and they wouldn't let him. He was very upset. He said, this was a dream he's had his whole life, to someday own black people.

On Healthcare
[Republicans'] idea of healthcare reform would be to allow you to take your gun to the doctor's office. – Rep. Alan Grayson

On Afghanistan & Iraq
We could pay for healthcare for everyone in this country who doesn't have it simply by ending the war in Iraq. – Grayson

We are fighting a 14th century enemy with an 18th century strategy. There is no reason why we need to be there. – Grayson

Whenever a general says, 'I need more troops,' translation: we're losing. – Chris Matthews

If we spent the money we spent in Afghanistan or a fraction of what we spend in Iraq on alternative energy policy in this country, we wouldn't even have to bother with fighting wars for oil in the Middle East in the first place. – Alec Baldwin

On Don't Ask, Don't Tell
I think that we should rid ourselves of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell.' But then we're going to have to change other phrases like, 'I got your back.' – Garry Shandling

On Diversity
There are no Native Americans in the administration. And you would think at least...Chief of Staff. – Shandling

From: HBO Real time with Bill Maher

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A Tree Grows in (not Bklyn) the Road

2009-10-20T22:07:00.002-04:00

An interesting way from Australia to calm traffic and provide a better environment to live in. Trees are planted in square plots of land that seem literally plopped onto the sides of roads and around crosswalks.

Youtube: Streetfilms Shortie: Planted Trees Green Streets/Calm Traffic (Melbourne)

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Bill Thompson = John McCain on the Inside?

2009-10-20T05:56:00.000-04:00

New York City Mayoral Candidate Bill Thompson failed to call out one of his supporters earlier this year at a campaign stop. His supporter called City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, "She's a whore and you can quote me on that.... I'll call her a whore, and I'll drop my trousers and she can kiss my a--." Thompson did not call for him to apologize, and Bloomberg's campaign called this as, "Silence in the face of those comments speaks volumes." The lack of ethics from Thompson is similar to the actions of 2008 Republican Presidential Candidate John McCain, for when he failed to call out his supporters at his rallies called Obama a "terrorist" out loud, even at media-filled events.

Source: NY1 News

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Top 5 Health Care Reform Lies

2009-10-19T21:45:00.000-04:00

Lie #1: President Obama wants to euthanize your grandma!!!

The truth: These accusations—of "death panels" and forced euthanasia—are, of course, flatly untrue. As an article from the Associated Press puts it: "No 'death panel' in health care bill."1 What's the real deal? Reform legislation includes a provision, supported by the AARP, to offer senior citizens access to a professional medical counselor who will provide them with information on preparing a living will and other issues facing older Americans.2

If you'd like to read the actual section of the legislation that spawned these outrageous claims (Section 1233 of H.R. 3200) for yourself, here it is. It's pretty boring stuff, which is why the accusations that it creates "death panels" is so absurd. But don't take our word for it, read it yourself.

Lie #2: Democrats are going to outlaw private insurance and force you into a government plan!!!

The truth: With reform, choices will increase, not decrease. Obama's reform plans will create a health insurance exchange, a one-stop shopping marketplace for affordable, high-quality insurance options.3 Included in the exchange is the public health insurance option—a nationwide plan with a broad network of providers—that will operate alongside private insurance companies, injecting competition into the market to drive quality up and costs down.4 If you're happy with your coverage and doctors, you can keep them.5 But the new public plan will expand choices to millions of businesses or individuals who choose to opt into it, including many who simply can't afford health care now.

Lie #3: President Obama wants to implement Soviet-style rationing!!!

The truth: Health care reform will expand access to high-quality health insurance, and give individuals, families, and businesses more choices for coverage. Right now, big corporations decide whether to give you coverage, what doctors you get to see, and whether a particular procedure or medicine is covered—that is rationed care. And a big part of reform is to stop that.

Health care reform will do away with some of the most nefarious aspects of this rationing: discrimination for pre-existing conditions, insurers that cancel coverage when you get sick, gender discrimination, and lifetime and yearly limits on coverage.6 And outside of that, as noted above, reform will increase insurance options, not force anyone into a rationed situation.

Lie #4: Obama is secretly plotting to cut senior citizens' Medicare benefits!!!

The truth: Health care reform plans will not reduce Medicare benefits.7 Reform includes savings from Medicare that are unrelated to patient care—in fact, the savings comes from cutting billions of dollars in overpayments to insurance companies and eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse.8

Lie #5: Obama's health care plan will bankrupt America!!!

The truth: We need health care reform now in order to prevent bankruptcy—to control spiraling costs that affect individuals, families, small businesses, and the American economy. Right now, we spend more than $2 trillion dollars a year on health care.9 The average family premium is projected to rise to over $22,000 in the next decade10—and each year, nearly a million people face bankruptcy because of medical expenses.11 Reform, with an affordable, high-quality public option that can spur competition, is necessary to bring down skyrocketing costs. Also, President Obama's reform plans would be fully paid for over 10 years and not add a penny to the deficit.

Source

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Cooper Union: Out with Black, In with Green

2009-10-19T19:20:00.007-04:00

Cooper Union has a new website. Right now, at a superficial and aesthetic level, it looks waaaayyyy better than the old one, which had a black background and was clumsy to navigate.

http://cooper.edu/

And not just that, Channel 7 WABC and channel 2 WCBS both aired a segment on Cooper's new academic building today. Video and news link provided below. What's key is although the building is aiming for LEED Platinum, the highest rating from the U.S. Green Building Council, it is currently only certified for a Gold rating. Of course, the average person still has no clue what Cooper is. I overheard a woman passing by the school, taking note of the school name on the new building, asking her husband, "What's the Cooper Union?" He replied, "I dunno."

WABC: NYC school sets 'green' standard
WCBS: NYC College Unveils Eco-Friendly Science Lab

Of course, pictures of the inside are coming soon...just plenty of tests coming up.

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Bloomberg '09: Endorsed by Sergeants Benevolent Association

2009-10-16T07:48:00.002-04:00

With Mike Bloomberg's 8-year experience and proven independent leadership, he can bring NYC through these tough times and into a better future. He has been one of the most progressive mayors NYC has had and is needed.

At his Manhattan campaign headquarters on Sunday, Mayor Bloomberg received the endorsement of the Sergeants Benevolent Association. The association, comprised of approximately 10,000 working and retired NYPD sergeants, acts as an advocate for those who work on the front line of the largest metropolitan police department in the U.S.

Video Link

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Streetsblog + Me = Cool

2009-10-07T22:06:00.003-04:00

Articles from tips I've sent to Streetsblog:

1) AAA Times Square Magazine Article
2) DOT's Ped Plazas Survey
3) Soon to come (I hope), something on Cooper's anti-indoor bike rack...

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Bloomberg '09: Jobs

2009-09-30T21:46:00.007-04:00

With Mike Bloomberg's 8-year experience and proven leadership, he can help bring NYC through these tough times and into a better future.

Video Link

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Weird Dream

2009-09-30T21:24:00.003-04:00

Not to keep reiterating my adoration for Ms. Swift, but I just had to write about this. I dreamt last night that I was in class one day, and the Professor was trying to fix one of the new motorized window shades, which broke. I offered help, but they said, "I don't need your help" in a bossy tone. I turned around and whispered to my fellow classmates, "What a bitch."

All of a sudden, I noticed someone with blond hair sitting a row or two in front of me. For some reason, I had my laptop with me, with Facebook open. I typed into my status: Is that Taylor Swift sitting two rows in front of me? After hitting enter, that 19-year old star turned around, smiled at me, and turned back. I then saw her typing into her laptop (what is this, the future where everyone has a laptop for class?). I then saw in response to my status a comment from her, Yes it is. I absolutely freaked out to my friends sitting next to me (even though she was sitting right there). Of course, this probably had something to do with the fact that I was just too shocked seeing Ugly Betty stars America Ferrera and Dylan Baker last week that I did not get a picture or autograph.

Shortly after, when the teacher returned to teaching, she strapped on her guitar, jumped out of her seat, and ran out the classroom. Several people followed her. I was in shock (again) for several more seconds until I followed in pursuit. I went up the stairs (shockingly looking like the ones leading to LL1), ending up on street level. I saw those people standing on a pedestrian island which had a Fox News van parked on top of it. I ran over and into the van, where she was standing. I then heard her say to some guy, "Please don't cancel the AIDS benefit concert." I felt sorry for her. The dream then ended. This was probably one of the best dreams I've had that made me happy in-dream.

When Reality Mixes with Fantasy

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David Yassky for Comptroller

2009-09-28T21:34:00.002-04:00

Despite the fact that John Liu is Asian and he represents nearby Flushing, I'm supporting Democrat David Yassky for Comptroller. Surprised? So am I. But with his primary opponent John Liu always flip-flopping on major issues and his poor, if not uneducated performance while he was (and still is) on the City Council's Transportation Committee, there needed to be a better candidate.

The Comptroller Race: Who Will Stand Up for Transit?

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AAA: You're BSing Me Right?

2009-09-24T21:45:00.005-04:00

You read it here first: AAA, the automotive company, just published an article blasting the "environmental and congestion benefits" of the pedestrian plaza in Times Square. They also doubt the safety improvements brought on by eliminating car traffic from Broadway. Let's look at it this way - taking back the streets from the gridlock, pollution, and hazards of car and truck traffic makes it safer for pedestrians. Every time I have visited Times Square before this makeover involved overcrowded sidewalks filled with passersby and tourists, and many people frequently have to walk out onto the asphalt. And it's funny how they believe that the diagonal orientation of Broadway fits into "New York’s no-nonsense grid–pattern street design." Then again, AAA is basically a lobbyist for car drivers...

http://www.aaany.com/CarandTravel/Current/A_Broadway_Flop.asp

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Cooper Union's New Bldg Gets Ugly (Betty)

2009-09-23T23:26:00.002-04:00

Exclusive pics from the Thom Mayne-designed New Academic Building at 41 Cooper Square for The Cooper Union in New York City will follow up soon, but this just could not wait. Ugly Betty, played by America Ferrera, started filming today in and around the building. Guest star Dylan Baker was also on hand. Here's how it all went down...

Along Lafayette St and Cooper Sq by Astor Place, loads of trucks and trailers were parked on the sides. One trailer, which I had previously seen before, had the words, "Lucy" and "Desi" and "Stunt Driver" on a few doors. It also had the sign with the word, "Daybreak" on the side.

As I approached 41 Cooper, I saw two white sheets set up with lights directed at it in front of the building, on 3rd Ave. Entering the building, I then realized that my own school was going to be the star of the ABC TV show, Ugly Betty (their staff had name tags with the show's name on it.) How often does something like this happen? - I was pretty much elated for the rest of the day...

Boy was it hectic the entire day. Coming out from class in the basement, where the director and staging was setup involved encountering a large amount of crew and hurrying quietly to the next class. At first, they were filming in the Basement's Ladies bathroom. They then moved onto the grand staircase/entry. This is where most of the publicly-seen action took place. Dylan Baker didn't look too pleased at us students moving slowly through the set-I saw and somewhat heard him muttering, "Come on, come on." Description and dialogue are in the video links (on Youtube). Although the first video was shot at around 1 PM, they setup a huge bright white light at the top of the 4 story staircase, making it look as if it was morning - probably explains the name of the episode taped to the trailer: "Daybreak"?
Shot locations (as of today): Lobby/Grand Staircase, Upper atrium, Alumni Terrace (which would explain why there was a scissor lift on St Marks Pl with some blue lights directed at the Terrace-for a morning glow?).

Although I did say hi to Baker later in the day, and he said, "Hi, how are you?" I would've asked for an autograph but I had no pen or paper with me at the time and he was on his way to his next scene up on the 8th floor Alumni Terrace. Good thing I didn't-I thought he was William H. Macy after someone else said she saw him earlier. Shortly after, my fellow classmates and I also saw Ferrera waiting for the elevator...with two huge, Black bodyguards. I barely recognized her in her black dress without her glasses until she turned around partially...lol Good thing I'll have plenty of opportunities to get a signature and a picture: according to a source, the crew will be here for 3 days, each day for a fee of $20,000...I'll be bringing my better camera tomorrow!

Link to album: http://s60.photobucket.com/albums/h10/herenthere/Ugly%20Betty%20Cooper%20Union/
Link to Youtube clips-be sure to rate!: Clip 1
Clip 2
Clip 3

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'09 MTV VMA: Taylor Swift Performance Analyzed

2009-09-17T22:36:00.003-04:00

Country/Pop star Taylor Swift made a new kind of music video last week-she did it live. For her live performance of her song "You Belong With Me" for the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards in New York City, hosted at the famous Radio City Music Hall, she took to the subway and the street. And her earlier disruption by Kanye West when she accepted her Best Female Video award, making her the first country star to win a VMA, did not affect her performance one bit. And thanks to Beyonce, who gave Swift her a chance to finish her speech when Beyonce won for Best Video of the year.

Starting out (supposedly) on the F platform at 42 St/Bryant Park, she started her song with a small ensemble on a mostly empty platform. Several seconds into her song, she tore off her jacket, revealing a stunning red dress, and walked onto a just-arrived F train.

(Note: The authenticity of the F train is questionable, as the train shown in the intro and the train she got on (#1937 and #1928 respectively), but F trains typically use R46s. In addition, no F train stops at a station like that.

Then it became a party. Several dozen teens and fans (hired, of course) sang and danced along as the train left the station for its next stop: 47-50 Sts-Rockefeller Center, where Radio City Music Hall was. She made her way down the car, which was propped with additional exposed fluorescent lights and colored ones, for when the car was turned into a club-like experience.

(Note: At this point, it definitely is not a regular F train: the specially added "F" rollsigns onto the exterior along with interior signs resembling the new R160 'FIND' displays saying "F - 47-50 Sts Rockefeller Center" as the destination.)

Upon arriving at the station, the camera cut to the mezzanine, where Swift pushed through the emergency exits, prompting the alarm to ring, and rushed up the stairs along with her supporters. Turns out it was justified in her using the exits, as she was going out to finish her song in a huge crowd in front of Radio City, so it was an emergency...haha. And it was a huge crowd...performers on top of the Radio City sign, so many fans on the street that they had a taxi as a prop for her to stand on. She finished the song with, "THANK YOU NEW YORK!"

Of course, for an eyewitness account, check out this Youtube video of a passerby's account only an intersection away from the performance, and check out his account for more videos on this pretty rare event.

But of course the truth has to come out eventually, and as this Youtube user puts it,

"If you were wondering, the subway part of her performance was pre-taped, I saw the set and extras for it, but she didn't come til after midnight, and I couldn't stay that long :/ The part where she was outside on the taxi was live though."

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US Open: Serena Quits, a Disappointment

2009-09-12T22:59:00.005-04:00

Serena Williams (USA) has just quit her semifinals match against Kim Clijsters (GER) because she believed she was wrongly accused of a foot fault. She argued with the line referee and judge, and then proceeded to argue again. She then quit, leaving the match. Clijsters, looking disappointed, won by default. But Williams had been losing, and this is no way to treat another player or the fans. Lose gracefully, and it would have been better appreciated.
At her press conference/Q&A immediately afterwards, she repeatedly asked the reporters "Pardon?" and "I'm sorry I don't understand your question." Could be a sign of shock of not winning again, or feeling guilt?
[edited 11:20]

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Bloomberg '09: 5 Boro Economic Opportunity Plan

2009-09-11T19:19:00.005-04:00

Five Borough Economic Opportunity Plan

With Mike, we can work together to help bring NYC through these tough times and into a better future.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0Ch_V7mrbI

www.mikebloomberg.com

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The Case for Healthcare Reform, Part 2

2009-09-11T11:56:00.003-04:00

This is Part 2, for Part 1 click HERE.

In addition, a national development of a computerized records system, such as those pioneered by the Mayo and Cleveland Clinics which have helped enhance the outcome of its patients and have reduced the cost of healthcare, is an important goal. As for opportunities for the private sector in healthcare reform initiatives such as computerized records, many companies have already stepped in with their programs, such as Microsoft HealthVault, Google Health, and Dossia. Healthcare reform would mean a greater use for these services. This is an example that while private industry is integral in innovations in a free market, when there is an exclusive product or service that, if made more accessible to the entire population, would benefit all, then the government has a right to step in and make that happen.

These and other actions proposed by the President as well as countless economists and independent research organizations leads to lower long-term healthcare costs and a better lifestyle for everyone, with fewer worries. Take a look at Canada, the UK, France, or even Cuba; they have a nationalized healthcare system which includes 'perks' such as paid maternity leave that led to healthier, longer lives for their citizens and a more productive economy. Worries in the US about paying for the healthcare of illegal aliens is simply untrue, and is one of many lies fanned by such closed-minded reactionaries such as Newt Gingrich and Sarah Palin, who recently has conjured up terms such as "Obama's Death Panel."

The public option is also a major component of healthcare reform since it allows individuals and families to do what makes America a great capitalist nation: purchase the health plan of their choice. This creates more competition and makes HMOs lower their ridiculously high premiums and provide better value for the money to compete. The President's plan to also make individuals pay for basic health insurance (with certain exemptions) will ensure that the responsibility of staying healthy is shared by everyone, since an illness here will affect everyone else.

The need for healthcare reform in this great nation is best summed up by a quote from John Locke, one of the great Enlightenment philosophers whose ideas helped patriots establish the American government. In Locke's Second Treatise of Government, he said,

"This makes him willing to quit a condition, which, however free, is full of fears and continual dangers: and it is not without reason, that he seeks out, and is willing to join in society with others, who are already united, or have a mind to unite, for the mutual preservation of their lives, liberties and estates, which I call by the general name, property."

When our freedom is attacked, do we all not band together to defend it? This is the question we must ask ourselves now but for healthcare - can we risk continuing to fear whether or not our guardians of our health (doctors) and their employers (private insurance companies) are truly caring for our well-being whenever we get sick? More and more, we see doctor's pledges to the Hippocratic Oath being more and more overshadowed by the promise of pay from insurers. Or will we form a better society by investing in our physiologic and economic future by ensuring that everyone has the same fair access to healthcare that people better off get? Let us honor the late, great Senator Ted Kennedy, who fought for decades for better healthcare for Americans. Let us make the right choice as a united country for the betterment of ourselves and for our future generations. Let us say yes to the President’s healthcare reform.

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The Case for Healthcare Reform, Part 1

2009-09-10T22:30:00.006-04:00

We need healthcare reform NOW. This can be accomplished in two ways: 1) Regulating insurance companies; the word regulate being one of the most hated words in the Republican dictionary, and 2) Overhauling what HMOs can do and providing a Public Option, as the President has proposed. Frankly speaking, the most likely reform to pass will undoubtedly be the second option, although this does not mean I am on the GOP’s side. This article addresses why we need healthcare reform.

For too long, we have let the people of this country go without a security that if they get sick, they will be provided the necessary health coverage to get better. Insurance companies cannot be trusted based on its 30+ years history - they terminate a patient's health insurance when it becomes too costly for them. They pay doctors and hospitals for the amount of tests they conduct, rather than how much better the patient gets. They deny coverage to people which ends up costing everyone more through higher premiums by not giving them the proper care they deserved originally. A sick worker leads to lower productivity and increased costs for businesses as well as higher long-term costs in the world economy and increased burdens on future generations.

Republicans and Conservatives claim that the government will not be able to handle national healthcare since it already cannot effectively handle Medicare and other government-regulated industries. They claim that Medicare is bloated and that people should instead go and buy their own insurance. But if someone is sick, how can they possibly afford the time to review the offers of private insurance companies when the companies are only in for profit? President Nixon started Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) because it provided a way for private companies to earn a profit off our illness. True, having perfect competition is a key value of democracy and capitalism in America, and a free market with individual choice is key to ensuring the best quality. But when it comes to healthcare, something that is so integral to our lives, we just cannot trust large corporations who pocket our money for their happiness to ensure that we will be better off. From an insurance companies' point of view, if a patient is going to be too expensive to keep insuring, then they just cut them off, regardless of the fact that the patient has paid them continually beforehand for an assurance that they will be taken cared for in times of need. Is that not what insurance is for?

And trust me, I am not only behind healthcare reform for myself, I am also writing for my uncle, who for nearly a year has been in and out of area hospitals and has most recently been diagnosed with leukemia. What made my family’s dealing with this crisis worse was brought on by his insurance company's ridiculous terms. When the hospital chose to place him in a 1-person room, his HMO denied payment since they would only pay for his hospitalization’s room and board if he stayed in a "semi-private" (2-person) room. This dispute took place at a time when he was suffering immensely as a result of sometimes-failed treatments and numerous blood transfusions. Another incident was when he had to be rushed to the hospital after being released due to a sudden change in his condition. The HMO accused him for not notifying them beforehand about a hospitalization, but in an emergency, would anyone really be willing to spend precious time waiting on a phone with their insurer to let them know that they needed to go to the hospital? Besides, the hospital, with its numerous staff and resources, should have the responsibility to notify the insurance company.

Having the government step in and level the playing field is critical in the healthcare industry because they realize that since our tax dollars are being used to pay for it, there has to be a good return for the investment. Instead of waiting until a patient is sick to treat them, more emphasis is placed on ensuring that patients get better preventative treatment by increasing the availability of tests which help spot problems before they occur. Rewarding health practitioners for the quality of care rather than the quantity of care they give, the reverse of which was the status quo, is also a key goal of healthcare reform since it does not make sense for hospitals to release patients before they fully recover to only have them return soon for the same problem.

Part 2 - Conclusion - will be available tomorrow.

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New MTA Ads for Door Blockers Ineffective

2009-09-08T23:42:00.000-04:00

I saw the above ad the MTA installed as part of its renewed PR campaign to stop door blockers on subway trains today. It was located inside of the subway car, on a square ad located next to a door. Then I realized something as a passenger blocked the door with his arm and held it there for 5 seconds before the conductor relented and reopened the doors. Shouldn't the ads be placed on the windows of the doors or to its sides on the EXTERIOR of the train instead? Using a sticker for the door or to its sides would allow passengers rushing to the train from the platform to see the "Please Don't Hold the Doors" sign and may actually do just that. Instead, they will only see the ad after they have successfully delayed the train and the ones behind it.

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Bloomberg '09: United Food & Commercial Workers - Local 1500 Endorses Mike

2009-09-02T23:51:00.000-04:00

United Food & Commercial Workers - Local 1500 Endorses Mike for Re-election

With Mike, we can work together to help bring NYC through these tough times and into a better future.

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Health Reform is NOT Socialist

2009-09-02T19:37:00.000-04:00

President Obama's Healthcare reform is not socialist: just take a look at this TIME cartoon which illustrates that if Republicans had their way, there would be no such thing as public school in America. Where would we be without public options?

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A Better Cash for Clunkers Deal?

2009-09-01T15:15:00.000-04:00

Cash for Clunkers was a failure in not only my mind, but others as well - even car dealers. Called the "Auto Stimulus Plan," it aims to offer,

several features that the government plan was criticized for lacking. It allows consumers to buy used cars, and its rebates are tiered in proportion to the level of fuel-efficiency improvement that is achieved by the trade-in.

After all, it made no sense that it rewarded the people who had purchased the clunkers that had horrible mpg ratings by giving them a $3500 or $4500 rebate, and screw over the people who had made a more responsible choice by getting a more fuel-efficient vehicle.

As “Cash for Clunkers” Sputters, a Privately Funded Spinoff Picks Up

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Bloomberg '09: Office Openings

2009-08-30T19:18:00.002-04:00

With Mike, we can work together to help bring NYC through these tough times and into a better future.

"Do you remember the time when we had to breathe in cigarette smoke?"

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Seen/Scene in NYC: Forget Cabbies, 34 St Bus Lane a Parking Lot

2009-08-27T16:30:00.008-04:00

Btwn Lexington and 3rd Aves/34 St: On Tuesday, I witnessed a new Bus Arrival sign, not in operation yet, installed at a Northbound Madison Avenue/32 St bus shelter (probably M4, M16).

But forget that, the bigger news story was the extreme abuse of the 34th Street bus lane. The lane was installed earlier this year to help speed up buses running along that street which is notorious for having extremely slow bus speeds. I had previously heard of the NYPD and cabbies leaving their cars in the lanes, but I had to see it for myself to believe that it was worse than that.

You can see for yourself in the following 2 pictures that were taken here. Limos and cars just parked in a bus lane clearly demarcated by a red-colored asphalt topping, along with street signs proclaiming "No Standing, 7am to 7pm Mon to Fri". Both pictures were taken on a Tuesday at 1:09 PM. From what the New York State Dept. of Motor Vehicles' regulations say,

"A NO STANDING sign means you may stop only temporarily to load or unload passengers."

Some of those vehicles didn't even have a driver in the vehicle! Perhaps some transit-advocates (maybe if I had spare time) could document each offending vehicle's license plate as well as the surroundings, and post them somewhere! I was going to do the same thing Tuesday, but there were way too many valet parkers and only one of me...

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Seen/Scene in NYC: Plazas Charming Hollywood

2009-08-27T11:44:00.004-04:00

Madison Square Park: The NYC Dept. of Transportation (DOT) has in the past several months been transforming areas of Manhattan into urban pedestrian plazas, most notably Times Square and Herald Square. Madison Square Park was actually the first to receive painted green asphalt, sand surfacing as well as the addition of chairs, tables, and greenery to make it a comforting oasis in the middle of traffic-hectic Manhattan. Known as traffic-calming measures, fewer road lanes and "neck downs" help slow down traffic, thus making it safer for pedestrians.
These urban oases have been a great hit with New Yorkers and tourists alike, with the ITDP (which awarded NYC the Sustainable Transport Award), and recently, even with Hollywood. On Tuesday, I walked by the park and noticed that there was a film crew on the plaza! A hot dog stand seemed to be the focus of a large boom camera and at least 2 dozen crew and extras on the site. My initial reaction was that it was a shoot for Law & Order, since I had previously seen them at Astor Place with a similar type of camera. Now why would I call the plazas a success? Without it, this location would not have had a great location to shoot the Flatiron Building directly behind it and house all of the equipment, attractiveness is key...Score 1 for the DOT! Picture below:
[EDITED 9/23/09] Hot dog stand was set for Ugly Betty shoot.

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Don't Block Bus Lanes says Stringer, DOT-TLC

2009-08-26T21:10:00.001-04:00

Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer is on a quest for the NYPD to ticket drivers parked illegally in bus lanes. Bus lanes are designated lanes for bus use only during a 12 hour period, 7am to 7pm, to allow for faster bus travel. However, private vehicles and delivery trucks still park in those lanes, and the police aren't doing enough to stop this illegal behavior. Unfortunately, a plan to fund cameras that would capture the licenses of illegal vehicles was defeated thanks to someone in the New York State Assembly named David Gantt.

However, there is hope. The Metro New York edition reported 2 weeks ago that the NYC Dept. of Transportation, which is also leading a renewed attempt at bus tracking technology, will also work with the Taxi and Limousine Commission "to use cameras to bust cabbies in bus lanes." They will first start with the bus lanes on 34th St as well as the Select Bus Service BRT route in the Bronx. With regards to Albany lawmakers such as David Gantt who have relented against using cameras to catch red light runners, Mayor Bloomberg said, "It defies common sense."

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Bloomberg '09: Rev. Bernard Endorses Mike

2009-08-26T09:28:00.001-04:00

With Mike, we can work together to help bring NYC through these tough times and into a better future.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXZpMsNit5g

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Seen/Scene on the Subway #2

2009-08-25T22:43:00.001-04:00

Seen/Scene on the Subway is a new line of posts that document interesting or unique events that I've experienced on the NYC Subway. For similar stories, click on the tag at the bottom of this post.

7 Train: AM Rush hour, at Main St station, as the train is pulling out of the station, the conductor says the following:
"Good Morning, 您好 (How are you), 지내세요 (How are you?), Buenos dias (Good Morning)." This was the first time that I had ever heard a conductor use more than one language on the speakers, and although he needed to brush up on the translations a little - there is a better phrase for good morning in Chinese and Korean - he should be congratulated and commended for taking the time to greet passengers and make their groggy ride a little more comfortable. And he picked the right variety of languages too-from a superficial view of the riders at Main St, his order of languages following English was properly represented. Kudos to the conductor!

42St/Grand Central: A trio of religious recruits were cruising the platform and handing out leaflets encased by a clear plastic sleeve. Thinking it might have been a coupon, I took one. After realizing what it was, I looked around for a garbage can. I saw one about a subway car's length away, and walked towards it. After I threw the package away, I noticed 2 other people had followed me and had done the same thing. I guess there actually are environmentally responsible transit riders who don't just throw trash onto the tracks or platform.

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DOT Leads 3rd Try at Bus Arrival Signs

2009-08-24T18:53:00.003-04:00

Nearly 7 months ago, the MTA gave up on their second attempt at successfully installing and operating bus arrival signs. The interesting thing about my post was how I titled it "Maybe the Third Time's the Charm." It turns out I was right about that.

Two weeks ago, the NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) along with the MTA and Mayor Bloomberg unveiled a new pilot program on 34th St. The displays fit perfectly into the top rectangular box of the Cemusa-designed bus shelters, since they were designed with these signage in mind. It shows the current time and temperature, as well as the next 3 buses due to arrive with their route numbers, destinations, and Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA). It uses GPS-technology, which despite the MTA's claims that it was partially the reason for the failure of the last 2 trials, works to relay the bus' current location through an estimation that takes into account traffic patterns. The bottom of the sign also displays "Welcome to New York. It's a Metro Card City. Please visit www.mta.info for more information on the Metro Card". The signs are provided free by a company called Clever Devices, which has successfully worked with Chicago's buses to cover their bus network with similar technology. This is an important step at increasing the reliability of mass transit in NYC, as well as increase its appeal, and I look forward to seeing this technology rolled out to other bus shelters throughout the city.

Of course, being NYC, there are its shares of miscreants who just ignore the law by parking or standing in bus lanes. What's worse is when the NYPD does it. This of course can really upset the ETAs of the signs not to mention impede traffic flow.

edited 8/27

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Bloomberg '09: Trabajos Para Todos

2009-08-21T10:50:00.000-04:00

With Mike, we can work together to help bring NYC through these tough times and into a better future.

Means "Work for All"

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Shame on TWU Local 100

2009-08-20T21:26:00.003-04:00

The MTA just got screwed. Again. Last Monday, an arbitration panel declared that the Transport Workers' Union, the union that represents train drivers, conductors, and bus drivers, would be able to receive a 11.3% raise in the next 3 years, for a total of $350 million, something that the MTA just cannot afford in these times. Their deficit is projected to be $10 Billion in the next 5 years. The Union claims that these pay raises are on par with some city workers' unions that got 4% raises. Mayor Bloomberg's rebuttal: "The city's finances are different than the MTA's finances, the city's workforce is different. So there's no reason to think that if one does something, the others automatically have to get it." To make things worse, they also won the right to not have to increase healthcare contributions for the next 3 years-currently at 1.5%, as well as not having to pay that cost on overtime pay. This was something that was negotiated out from the 2005 illegal transit strike. In addition, the MTA now has to postpone the initiation of One Person Train Operation (OPTO) to the year 2012, something where a train does not have a conductor on board but only the driver, already present on numerous train systems throughout the world. This would have saved the MTA millions in operating costs, not to mention the investment in new technology to make OPTO happen over the past few years. Now the MTA's future, as well as the economy of the city, is at even greater stake. Unions.

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This blog is now:

Bloomberg '09: Fix It

2009-08-19T22:26:00.008-04:00

Starting today, this blog will bring you Mike Bloomberg's TV Ads for his 2009 Mayoral Campaign. With Mike, we can work together to help bring NYC through these tough times and into a better future.

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Seen/Scene on the Subway

2009-08-19T18:55:00.003-04:00

Seen/Scene on the Subway is a new line of posts that document interesting or unique events that happen on the NYC Subway. For something of a predecessor, see Car #1224

Uptown 6 train: African-American man selling metal whistles, varying colors. But it's his sales pitch that captures the whole car's attention. He has several versions of a rap-rhyme that just plain tells people what they can use the whistles for: from jogging to women who might need it for help to bikers or campers, that whistle could save your life...for only a $1. And someone actually did buy it! His poetry lit up the faces of people in that car, including myself, who found this salesman to be a cheerful, uplifting guy.

Flushing-bound 7 train: A Caucasian girl, in her 20's, heading to CitiField. How did I know? She had an ID card hanging which had a "CitiField" printed on top, and at the bottom, "Corona-EMS." Before she got off, she had been taking stuff out of her bag: medical tape (Not sure what it's called...about 1/2 inch wide, white, latexy), pen, and other items she latched or stored into her pants. Right before the train stopped, she managed to pull over an extremely bright yellow jacket over her shirt which read "EMS" on the back. 80+ degrees Fahrenheit and humid and still a jacket over her shirt, in a stadium that would be filled with fans. I call that commitment to saving lives. And she was hot. :D

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MTA: 7 Line Getting CBTC and T Stands for Torture

2009-08-14T21:23:00.002-04:00

Part 5 of Week-long Series on Mass Transit in NYC

After the relative success of computerizing train operations on the L line, the MTA is set to do the same with the IRT 7 line. Computer Based Train Control, or CBTC, allows new trains to sync with signals and a computer that better allows trains to run closer together while increasing safety and reliability. The technology also allows the feasibility of next train arrival information, currently in use on the L line. LED monitors display approximately when the next train will arrive, although my recent experiences with these monitors have shown that they are still a little off. CBTC also allows One Person Train Operation, OPTO, and worries about safety are offset by its common use throughout metro systems around the world. This helps save the cash-strapped MTA money without jeopardizing the safety of passengers, since the train driver/engineer can now take on the role of conductor without having to worry about driving the train as much. Of course, the Unions are always getting in the way of progress, and frankly they need to recognize that if they want to keep their jobs, then they should let the MTA save the money to do so.

And speaking of progress, the Second Avenue Subway is on its way!...after 70 years in the making. But will it be opened in my lifetime? I doubt it: Judge for yourself, with New York Magazine's timeline titled, "The Long, Tortured History of the Second Avenue Subway."

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6 Train's Moving on Down (for Uptowners)

2009-08-13T21:12:00.003-04:00

Part 4 of Week-long Series on Mass Transit in NYC

Let's take a train ride on the New York City Subway, shall we? Let's say that you're taking the F from Delancey St and want to go to 42St/Grand Central. So you take the Queens-bound F all the way to 42St/Bryant Park, or transfer for an express B or D train at Broadway/Lafayette St. Then, another transfer to the Flushing-bound 7 train one stop. According to the MTA's Trip Planner, that will most likely take you 30 mins to travel 2.4 miles during rush hour. In the future, a new interchange point between the B, D, F, and V lines and the uptown 6 train may help cut that time to 26 minutes (and a lot less walking at the long tunnel between the 7 and F at Bryant Park). Currently, riders can only transfer between these two systems to/from the downtown 6 platform at Bleecker St, since the uptown platform is staggered "above" the downtown one. (Note: many IRT platforms in downtown Manhattan, most notably on the 6 train, are not connected.)

Currently under construction is a new transfer area, escalators, and elevators to connect the uptown 6 platform to the rest of the complex. This is done by extending the uptown platform South and by excavating and by building an entirely new concourse below it. Expected completion date: 2011. The design is by architecture firm Lee Harris Pomeroy Architects, and it looks marvelous. (Of course, any new station or major rehabilitation is great compared to the state of most stations now.) It also has a signature "hive-like" LED artwork that will make passersby look up from their Blackberrys and iPhones for a minute-just hope they won't trip. Take a look for yourself:
>>>Lee Harris Pomeroy: Bleecker Station Expansion and Restoration
>>>Curbed: Soho, Noho Join Forces for Subway Super Station!

(Taken using MTA's Interactive Trip Planner, with Delancey St as start point, specifying F, and Grand Central as End point for a weekday 8:25 am departure.)

Published Post Number:151/157
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The Liberty Card: Coming Soon?

2009-08-12T23:08:00.003-04:00

Part 3 of Week-long Series on Mass Transit in NYC

The Liberty Card does not exist...yet. My long time imaginary name for the ideal smartcard that would be used in the tri-state region for mass transit fare collection. (For those of you who take PATH, you have a similar card called the SmartLink. A smartcard is great: it uses Radio Frequency IDentification technology to allow contactless payment, getting rid of all that frustrating magnetic strip swiping currently used in the Metrocard system. If even New Yorkers can't always swipe it correctly the first time, all hope for tourists are lost (I've seen and experienced it). Just tap and go, and you barely have to put any effort into it-keep it in your wallet or jacket pocket, and as long as nothing majorly metallic or thick gets in between your card and the reader, you're guaranteed a smooth entry.

But smartcards do not stop at the turnstiles. In Hong Kong, where the Octopus card was first introduced in 1997, the possibilities for its use truly lives up to the number of legs of the animal referred to in its name. Acting as a debit card, with "top-ups" with either cash or a link to your bank account, it is the island city's most popular form of payment (10 million daily transactions), next to cash. Places you can use the Octopus card (and some potentially in NYC as well) include:

Subway
Bus/Light Buses
Tram
Convenience Stores
Supermarkets
Bakeries
Fast-food restaurants
Vending machines
Parking meters
Newspaper stands
Secure entry points

Now, the question is: who would pay for the implementation of a smartcard? Most likely, the MTA, since it has the highest ridership in the region. However, their most recent budget forecast for the next 5 years is $10 billion short, and money is always constantly being diverted to cover shortfalls. The point could be made that since credit card companies such as Mastercard and Visa already have their own RFID-enabled cards, that the MTA should just let the credit card companies develope it. In fact, select stations in the NYC subway system already allow pre-registered users to use their card.

But the MTA should partner with the Port Authority of NY and NJ (which has the SmartLink) to either keep the SmartLink or develop a new card: LibertyCard. The MTA could make the card pay for itself! By implementing a debit-card like system with online account access, the card could be used at retailers similar to those mentioned above, with the MTA charging a credit card company-like fee per transaction. This would not only allow the usage of the card to pay for all the research and implementation costs, but also would give higher security to its users: riders, especially little kids and the elderly would no longer have to carry as much cash with them when they go out. In addition, if the smartcard is lost, it can be easily canceled/replaced without having to worry about your checking being emptied or credit being hurt. The MTA should seriously consider transitioning to a smartcard, but only after planning out a long term financial sustainability plan for its use so that it recoups the cost of its development and roll out that will also benefit New Yorkers and visitors immensely.

Read More: I was planning on blogging about this topic before, but just never got around to it, until I was reminded by 2nd Ave Sagas: The Future of the Metrocard Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4

Published Post Number:150/156
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Bloomberg Releases Mass Transit Plan

2009-08-11T21:52:00.001-04:00

Part 2 of Week-long Series on Mass Transit in NYC

Bloomberg released his "wishlist" last week for New York City's mass transit improvements, giving another reason why New York City cannot afford to lose a mayor of his caliber in the upcoming mayoral election. Summary of his plans for improving mass transit:

1. Expand and Improve Service in Underserved Neighborhoods Via the Commuter Railroads
2. Fix Stations More Efficiently and Cost Effectively to Ensure Existing Stations Are in State of Good Repair
3. Reinstitute F Line Express Service (in Brooklyn)
4. Reopen the Staten Island North Shore Alignment
5. Pilot Light Rail or Street Car Service in Brooklyn and Western Queens Waterfront
Neighborhoods
6. Provide Subway Riders with Time Notifications
7. Expand Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and Select Bus Service (SBS)
8. Provide Commuter Van Service to Neighborhoods Where Transit Service Fails to Meet the Community’s Needs (Comment: critical need in Northeastern Queens and Brooklyn)
9. Use Smaller Buses to Service Existing Routes During Less Crowded Periods
10. Provide Free Crosstown Buses on Select Routes (Comment: although the MTA will be spending less money running fewer buses because of reduced delays, they would end up losing money on these routes, despite the overwhelming convenience.)
11. Provide 50% of City Bus Routes with Tracking Technology by 2013 (Comment: MTA already gave
12. Provide Cheaper, Safer, Better Transportation for ParaTransit Riders

You can view his full report here: http://www.mikebloomberg.com/mass_transit_plan.pdf

Published Post Number:149/155
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Thoughts on MTA 2010-2014 Capital Program

2009-08-10T19:58:00.007-04:00

Part 1 of Week-long Series on Mass Transit in NYC

This is an email sent to the New York City MTA in response to their draft of their 2010-2014 Capital Program, released today and found here: http://mta.info/mta/capitalprogram.html

Smartcard investments: although I have long pushed for the MTA to finally adopt this ubiquitous technology, unless the MTA finds ways to "profit" off smartcard usage, I think funding should instead be diverted to more pressing concerns. Profit=expanding usage to merchants such as supermarkets, convenience stores, news stands, etc., like a debit card. People that don't have credit cards (ex. youth) would be able to use it at other places without having to carry cash around. MTA could charge a fee to merchants, like the credit card companies do, at 3rd party places. Octopus Card is a good example. And if smartcard is ever put into place, please do not drag out process of allowing Metrocards to continue to be used like what happened with the token back in the '90s.

Page 8: Sustainable Investments-despite the economic downturn and credit "freeze", the MTA should also expand their property ownership around new and existing stations. A good example: Hong Kong MTR-through their MTR Properties, they have hugely successful commercial and residential developments on top of or going into stations, creating an easy and direct connection to the transit system as well as an interconnected area.

More ventilation at platform level-perhaps keeping the hot air from the trains from wafting into the platform? Or employ A/C units similar to
Grand Central's 4/5/6 platform.

New buses with push-bar rear exit opening tech is GREAT! But news of eliminating the push button on new Orions is not...

HEETs are not as efficient as traditional turnstiles and are in fact more dangerous and moves traffic slower-when a load of people are getting off a train, it's scary walking into swinging metal bars coming at you.

Using new tunnel lighting is great, especially with CFLs or (maybe with a very generous sponsor?) LEDs. But too much lighting is inefficient lighting-take the tunnel on E/V at 53St/Lex. There is way too much lighting there for illumination-similar to what an at grade tunnel would have.

Commendations on finally getting Herald Square escalators working after nearly a 6 month out of service period-image is everything to riders.

7 is getting R142's? I thought it was R179s? And if it is 179s, you should definitely consider having the R143's LED message boards along with 160 FIND maps...LEDMB=ad space.

What happened to your deal with CNN on televisions on platforms? I truly would love to see this deal go forward- AD REVENUE for MTA; TVs should face platform from tracks; MTA announcements as well; vandalproof.

And more PR - reaching out to public with Youtube? Twitter? Using Youtube, MTA could publish videos about construction progress, Did You Knows?, service interruptions, and other info that could better improve the public's view of the MTA AS WELL AS give you more support, away from those annoying politicians.

Get a way to release the Senate's clamp on MTA financing approvals-you should be able to get what you want without having to go through the Senate.

Published Post Number:148/154
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DOT Hiding Cash for Clunkers Data, LaHood Oblivious

2009-08-05T19:38:00.004-04:00

Another reason to say NO to the addition of $2 Billion to the Cash for Clunkers program. Honestly, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood was even quoted as saying he was looking to purchase a Ford Explorer...16 mpg...shows how much he knows.

>>>AP: Obama Administration Won’t Release Full Data on ‘Cash for Clunkers’

Published Post Number:147/153
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Shame on Weak Addition to Cash for Clunkers

2009-07-31T19:39:00.008-04:00

Shame on the United States Congress for approving another $2 billion for the "Cash for Clunkers" program today. The program, which started earlier this week, allows owners to trade in a qualified, old, gas-guzzling vehicle for a newer vehicle with higher Miles Per Gallon in return for a $3,500 or $4,500 rebate. Already this week, $100 million has been redeemed of the original $1 billion approved for the program. Although this program is a good start at making our environment better while keeping the auto industry going from its already-faint heartbeat, the plan is flawed. The only specifics as to what kind of new car you can get is just one that has a higher MPG rating than the old car - hardly would make any difference if your old car got 18mpg and your new one gets 22mpg right? Representatives and Senators should have corrected this mistake with this second pass on the program. Don't get me wrong, I am not against keeping American auto workers on the job. However, Detroit wanted lower standards originally because they could barely compete with Japanese automakers' highly fuel-efficient vehicles, but in return, we screwed up a BIG chance to really turn this country around with better, cleaner, vehicles.
But there is hope in sight: a bipartisan group of senators is planning to oppose the new deal unless more stringent fuel-efficiency requirements are added. Oddly enough, 95 Republicans opposed the bill, even though the auto lobby has historically been pretty aligned with the GOP.

http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/07/31/house-quickly-sends-2-billion-more-to-cash-for-clunkers/

Published Post Number:146/152
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Escalators Operational on the Subway? Oh My!

2009-07-30T19:40:00.002-04:00

New York City Subway's escalators and elevators are locally notorious for always being out of service. The biggest bandit: the ones on the B/D/F/V lines at 34St/Herald Square. Most of the escalators had been out of service since August 2008! I kept on noticing every few weeks that the MTA would just tape over signage indicating what date it would be fixed with a new date. But, as Second Avenue Sagas reports, the MTA is finally addressing these issues, and the ones at Herald Square look like they're running smoothly...for now.

http://secondavenuesagas.com/2009/07/07/mta-escalators-on-the-up-and-up/

Published Post Number:145/151
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T's a G

2009-07-29T19:49:00.002-04:00

For those of you who are not familiar with slang, it's Taylor Swift's a Gangsta...
This is from her 2009 Country Music Television "dream" video with rap artist T-Pain.

Published Post Number:144/150
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CMT 2009: All About Taylor Swift

2009-07-27T18:57:00.000-04:00

Link to Country Music Television's 2009 CMT Awards from June 16, 2009 full show.
(Not that big of a country music fan, but I am a fan of Taylor Swift, who opens the show with a hilarious series of sketches about her dreams and how if she wants it to happen, it will:

"But it's my dream."

Another memorable quote: Bill Engvall, host, to Taylor, about all of her songs about her ideal guy (me? lol):

"Taylor, if you stopped writing songs about guys you wanna go out with, maybe they'd date ya."

Engvall pointed out that Swift, at only 19, she had already made it onto Oprah, CSI, SNL, and is a worldwide hit. In my personal opinion, she has been bridging the gap between country and pop for the past few years, like myself as an example. Her songs have country as a background with its themes and music, but are also fast-paced and a good singer enough that is winning over the pop radiowaves. She won the awards for Best Female Video of the Year (Love Story) and for Best Video of the Year, as well as countless other awards these years. Congratulations Taylor!
CMT-Opening
CMT-You Belong With Me
CMT-Best Female Video
CMT-Best Video

Published Post Number:143/149
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BRT Not as Efficient, But Cheaper in Long Run

2009-07-23T22:48:00.006-04:00

I decided to republish the following remarks I made in response to a few people at a forum called Skyscraper City on the topic for the New York City Subway. In it, I describe briefly why Bus Rapid Transit should be considered instead of a new subway line on Second Avenue, whose opening was just recently delayed another 2 years on top of a previous delay of 2 years. This delay is only for Phase 1 of 4...

Original Post: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showpost.php?p=40110610&postcount=598

[Quote=ADCS]
BRT is not the right idea. This is the United States; no matter how fancy the bus, there's still the stigma.[/quote]

What stigma? Buses are used to connect to subways and for cross-borough travel here in NYC all the time. True, BRT is slower than subway and is more affected by weather conditions, but the proposal of Bus Rapid Transit takes a fresh approach at bus travel by having as much of a physically separated lane for buses. Think about it: along with prioritized signaling, attractive stations, longer distances btwn stops, and paid-before-boarding will make BRT run faster than conventional buses and close to subway functionality.

And here's another reason to support BRT over a new subway route: wouldn't you want your taxes to be used more effectively?

(More info at: http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/fer...sservice.shtml)

[Quote=ArthurK] As I think about it, a BRT is far less effective compared to the SAS. There's no way a bus in Manhattan can keep up with the speed and quality of an (express) subway. Plus: you waste a lot of space at street level. Plus: the SAS will be integrated in the NYC subway network, with Q-trains running from Brooklyn via lower Manhattan and the SAS to 125th street, and a possible further extention into The Bronx. That's almost impossible with bus services. Manhattan is just to crowded for a BRT at street level.
The construction of the SAS is IMHO an effective way of spending taxes. And it gives no pollution at street level and is sustainable for the future.[/QUOTE]

[Quote=davsot]Honestly, I just think that trains are way more efficient. If you manage your power sources correctly, subways don't pollute. Subways might be a tad bit quieter.
Buses pollute directly, though it doesn't need to be said they are more efficient than private cars.[/QUOTE]

True, a bus will never beat a train running under normal speeds. And trust me, as a railfan, there is no doubt I would prefer a subway over a bus. But the point of BRT is not to equal the subway but act as a substitution to complement it - currently the Lexington Ave. Line is the most crowded line during rush hours and is frequently delayed because of it is over-capacity. Having anything running parallel service would help relieve this line.

The new express track for the Q train has already been shelved several months ago with the elimination of the central track of the 96th St station on the SAS. An extension into the Bronx is unlikely in the next 430 years since it would involve completely new construction. Construction costs will undoubtedly rise and the current projection of 2018 is the completion date of ONLY PHASE I. 3 more phases remain.

Why BRT saves more money in the long run:

No foundation/settlement issues during construction-something that, especially with the legacy of Manhattan buildings, is constantly in the news.
There is no need to power lights in the tunnels or stations, street lights are already present
Signaling powering and maintenance is provided by DOT, initial build costs are cheap
Track flooding, a major problem, creates the need for higher maintenance costs for pumps, leak prevention, etc.
No need for powering fans for ventilation-BRT is out in the open
Today's MTA buses are "Clean Air Hybrid-Electric Buses": quiet and a lot less polluting. New buses are also handicapped accessible with planks that fold out onto the street. Eliminates the need for installing costly elevators, especially since they breakdown all the time and take forever to repair.
Opens the way for a shared and protected bike lane
Space is not an issue: 2nd Ave is 4 lanes (+2 for parking), and the point of building mass transit is to discourage driving = less pollution

_

Published Post Number:142/148
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A Turn-Around for the Post and Daily News?

2009-07-22T00:30:00.001-04:00

In response to the recent positive comments from the New York Daily News and The New York Post with regards to New York Governor Paterson's pick of Jay Walder as the next head of the MTA and trying to pressure the State Senators to quickly confirm him, I JUST CAN'T BELIEVE IT. Over the past year, both papers have been hugely critical of the Governor and especially the MTA. They keep on blaming these two parties for stuff that is really the Senate's fault. It's the Senate who can't seem to approve funding for camera enforcement of keeping illegal traffic from bus lanes, funding for congestion pricing, as well as a sure means of funding for the MTA in the LONGRUN.

I am really surprised by their recent “siding” with the MTA and the Governor...have we finally got them to side with the pro-transit group? Or is this just a temporary ploy as a result of the Albany coup to get readers to be loyal to their presses...?

Published Post Number:141/147
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Frank McCourt Dies

2009-07-21T20:09:00.001-04:00

Just wanted to leave a little something about teacher and author Frank McCourt, who passed away Sunday at the age of 78. I only remember his book, Angela's Ashes, about his tough childhood in Ireland. I read it in 8th grade as part of a reading assignment, I couldn't find any other book that seemed interesting yet challenging, and this one seemed to fit the description. What I found was an amazingly detailed and extremely touching book about a childhood that seemed commonplace back then, and may still be true. The level of prose and emotions evoked made me truly love the book. Thank you for sharing your experiences with us, Mr. McCourt.

Published Post Number:140/146
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200 of 1800 Miles of Bike Lanes Added, But Safety?

2009-07-08T23:26:00.003-04:00

Today, the Mayor and other city officials celebrated the addition of the 200th mile of new bike lanes ever since the city announced it as a major goal in improving the livability of New York City streets in PlaNYC. By 2030, the city is expected to have 1600 more miles across all 5 boroughs. However, more often than not, these bike lanes are on the narrowest of streets, with nothing but a 6 inch white painted line to separate fast and dangerous cars from bikers. Bikers are frequently injured or killed these days, mainly from vehicles just plain ignoring them - either by sideswiping them or just parking in the lanes (something even cops do it too). Something more along the lines of buffer zone along most bike lanes such as this city-approved one from Streetsblog would be better. We still have a long way to go before NYC is truly a bike-friendly city.

Published Post Number:139/145
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William Shatner Gets All Riled Up at Tonight Show

2009-07-08T22:34:00.000-04:00

Absolutely hilarious:

Hulu-The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien Wed. Jun 17

Published Post Number:138/144
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Happens Once a Lifetime - Missed it Already

2009-07-08T19:45:00.002-04:00

Today, at 12:34:56 on 7/8/9 (abbrev. from 07/08/09), was the time and day when it formed a consecutive string of numbers from 1 through 9. And I had no idea it happened until just now. Sucks.

Gizmodo-You Guys, 12:34:56 7/8/9 Is a Once in a Lifetime… Oh, You Missed It

Published Post Number:137/143
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Jackson Remembered Everywhere, Every Second

2009-06-26T19:02:00.006-04:00

The death of the megastar Michael Jackson yesterday eclipsed the death of actress Farrah Fawcett. Every news source, from radio to newspapers to TV, announced details of his death and the overwhelming support from Los Angeles to New York, London to the Phillipines, Africa to Japan. In fact, the top 10 songs have 4 by Jackson, 44 of 100, and 8 of the 10 top-selling albums by him in the past 24 hours (which I predicted-bought your Apple stock yet?). Numerous TV specials were on all 3 major networks last night, and ABC will air a special 20/20 segment titled, "Michael Jackson: The Man and His Music." In fact, there was so much traffic and shock over this sudden death that the websites Google, Twitter, and the LA Times crashed at one point yesterday.

At the popular Fmylife website, someone posted:

"Today, my brother and I were going to give our parents their anniversary gift which cost us over $3000. The gift was a trip to London in August to see a show on Michael Jackson's comeback tour. FML"

and

"Today, Michael Jackson died. FML"

:::EDITED 7/7/09:::
From Amazon's Top-selling music June 29, 2009

Published Post Number:136/142
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R.I.P. Michael Jackson, Farrah Fawcett

2009-06-25T19:50:00.003-04:00

The King of Pop, Michael Jackson, and TV's original Charlie's Angel, Farrah Fawcett, both died today in Los Angeles today. I didn't really know Fawcett that well, but Jackson was a really amazing singer and of course, dancer. He had numerous songs and albums that frequently topped the charts and even though his career and life declined in the past 10 years, he will be sorely missed.

If you haven't bought Apple stock now, DO IT. In the next few days, if not 24 hours, sales of Jackson's songs will go through the roof. Sucks for Virgin Music, which closed most of its stores recently.

Published Post Number:135/141
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CitiField is Amazing

2009-06-24T19:34:00.001-04:00

My first baseball game, the Mets lost 3-0 against the St. Louis Cardinals. But the exciting part was getting to spend some time with my high school friends at a completely new stadium. The new CitiField looked new, but still had a relatively classic look on its facade. High arches with brick inlaid made it look spectacular at nighttime, with strategically placed lights. Inside, wide concourses and plenty of new amenities. The only bad features were a LACK OF SIGNAGE. I entered from center field, and right past the turnstiles was the Jackie Robinson Rotunda. 3 levels, with 2 escalators at the middle. Nowhere was signage that indicated that access to seats were by taking the escalator. At the top of the escalator, signage barely 6" tall on seating sections. And the men's urinals didn't even have urinal screens! ???

Published Post Number:134/140
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Overheard on the 7 Train

2009-06-22T23:32:00.002-04:00

As I was taking the 7 towards Flushing this afternoon, I overheard a couple of fans of the St. Louis Cardinals (from St. Louis) comparing the mass transit systems of St. Louis and NYC. They remarked about how the NYC Subway went "just about everywhere." However, they made a key point on how St. Louis' Metro got you to the airport with a new and clean train. Here in NYC, LaGuardia Airport is only connected by buses. (JFK Int'l is connected by the AirTrain, but no one really rides that since you have to get out and transfer to the local subway to head to the city.) If only we had the money...and political will.

Published Post Number:134/140
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Global Warming a Fake Not a Priority

2009-06-18T22:40:00.004-04:00

Recently, I had a discussion with a coworker about whether or not global warming is real. They said that some people believed global warming was just a gimmick, creating a new industry with plenty of new companies to push "green" technologies and services. However, whether or not our global warming is causing a warmer planet or that we are just merely accelerating a natural phenomenon is not the biggest point. Should we continue polluting our environment and the world in which our successors will live in? Do we want to continue killing off animal and plant species so that we are the only ones left on Earth? Are we planning to live in a worse off world than the one we were born in? These are the questions we should be asking ourselves, not debating whether or not global warming is a hoax or not.

Published Post Number:133/139
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CA Supreme Court Decision Disappointing

2009-05-28T13:11:00.003-04:00

equal rights. for all. since when have these two been separated?

The California Supreme Court's decision to uphold Proposition 8, the ill-conceived voter referendum held in the 2008 election was very disappointing. Not only have they gone with the views of the uneducated masses, but they have also created two classes of gay people: those married prior to Prop 8 and authorized under a previous Court ruling, and those who have not yet married. This not only lends to the question of whether this is a violation of the Constitution, but also on when this nation is ready to accept equal rights for all, as many other countries have recognized. In fact, the Courage Campaign is already underway in overturning this decision.

Published Post Number:132/138
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After a Movie, Hoot the Night Away at Hooters (Wasn't Clinton's Fault Though)

2009-05-21T16:33:00.004-04:00

Maybe it's Bill's fault that everything he touches turns into something involving a woman and scandals (Just kidding, he's a good man). During the '92 U.S. Presidential election, former President Bill Clinton stopped at Future Diner, a small restaurant located next to a movie theater (then Cineplex Odeon) inside a mall (once dominated by a Kmart) for a lunch. He returned in 1993 to champion his health care reform with local residents and led to the creation of something called a "Clinton Wrap."

In 2005, the diner closed, and has remained vacant until just several months ago, when the Queens Chronicle reported that Hooters, the restaurant chain that serves up just a little more than a burger and some fries, will be moving into the famous location. Community members are worried that it may attract some trouble into the area, especially since it is located right next to the Loews' movie theater (formerly Odeon), a Kohl's (Kmart left around 2003), and plenty of other family-oriented attractions. What is even more concerning is the existing outdoor dining area. Because Little Johnny might be dreaming more than what he just saw at Night at the Museum.

>>>Queens Chronicle:Fresh Meadows Hooters met with some concern
>>>Former Queens Tribune Review

Published Post Number:131/137
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Thank You Streetsblog!

2009-05-11T15:48:00.003-04:00

After posting about how one city's innovation can make bus lanes in New York City better, Streetsblog featured me as one of their headlines for today. That post got over a 150 hits-a record! And in this economy, bloggers are having an even harder time trying to get people to spend some of their time getting infotained. Thank you Streetsblog! (Of course, whether or not people may have subscribed or will return remains another issue)

Published Post Number:130/136
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Better Bus Lanes in NYC?

2009-05-09T22:28:00.007-04:00

The following video shows how a "Bus-only" street would work. Taking place possibly in Italy *(Edited as suggested by commenter: Newcastle-on-Tyne?)*, it utilizes mechanized poles that protrude from the roadbed. As buses approach the poles, a sensor sends a signal to lower the poles. After the bus has passed, the poles reset to their risen position. Of course, as you will see, some drivers think they maybe quick enough to beat the poles, or do they...?

This idea can be utilized in NYC's Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) or as the MTA calls it, "Select Bus Service" lanes, once in an experimental mode but now expanding its reach with Phase II. Since funding for camera-enforced lanes were defeated by a certain Gantt (David Gantt) last year, the NYC Department of Transportation and the MTA have been having trouble stopping people from driving into the lanes or leaving vehicles in it. In fact, I was at 34th St & 7th Ave recently, and spotted someone leaving a whole bunch of crates in front of an H&M in a special 34th St bus lane reserved for buses. (Picture follows-bus lane is near curb, painted red)

Published Post Number:129/135
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Edited 5/11/09

Mike Bloomberg 2009

2009-04-25T23:30:00.003-04:00

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg has transformed his website into his mayoral campaign headquarters. Usually filled with press releases about his personal goals, the site now actively recruits volunteers and brings full attention to the issues he believes in fighting for and the endorsements that are fighting to keep him mayor. And having a bold, responsible leader like Mike Bloomberg is something I believe in fighting for.

>>>Join Now!

Published Post Number:128/134
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Earth Day 2009

2009-04-22T15:01:00.006-04:00

It's Earth Day! 39th anniversary, actually. Not so sure Mother Earth is happy to know that we're still doing nothing to truly change our course and help save the environment. To celebrate, let's take a look back at 1990, when ABC aired a television special called, "The Earth Day Special." It featured the Muppets, Looney Toons characters, and nearly 50 huge celebrities, such as Meryl Streep, Morgan Freeman, Will Smith, Danny DeVito, Candice Bergen, Michael Keaton, etc.

This rare 1990 TV special "celebrated" the 20th anniversary of Earth Day by providing a great informational experience that attempts to catch viewers of all ages onto what is happening to the Earth and what - people of the 1990's - can do to save it. It's unique storyline provides great insight to how polluters are sleazy by personifying Mother Earth and having interactions between the evildoers and the Every Man (who happens to be played by Robin Williams.) It presents a Mother Earth hospitalized and news coverage of the neighborhood that witnessed her getting sick and what those people, as well as "celebrities simultaneously watching the show," are doing to help the environment. The only bad part is that it does not focus on encouraging taking mass transit, which definitely reduces pollution.

Watch Part 1 here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJ6HKG8R488

Thanks to A Daily Dose of Architecture for providing the link.

Published Post Number:127/133
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Agreement Against Jackie Chan's Anti-Democratic Remarks

2009-04-19T17:11:00.006-04:00

As a follow-up post to yesterday's comment on Jackie Chan's outrageous opinion that the democracies and freedoms of Chinese people need to be "controlled," the backlash from Hong Kong and Taiwanese legislators begins as more people become outraged at the veteran movie star's comments.

>>>Sun Star: Jackie Chan's China comments prompt backlash (3:37 p.m.)
>>>Telegraph: Jackie Chan says Chinese people need to be 'controlled'

Published Post Number:126/132
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Hey Jackie Chan: Hong Kong Not a Democracy

2009-04-18T15:55:00.005-04:00

Celebrities make mistakes occasionally, right? Recently, at a business panel forum in Hainan, Hong Kong movie star Jackie Chan declared that Chinese people needed to be controlled. He believed that too much freedom was not good -

"I'm not sure if it's good to have freedom or not, I'm really confused now. If you're too free, you're like the way Hong Kong is now. It's very chaotic. Taiwan is also chaotic." [Source]

Actually, Jackie, Hong Kong is NOT a full democracy. Its Chief Executive, Donald Tsang, was and still is appointed by Mainland China's government. The only people representing HK citizens who can vote for him include many politicians who are loyal to Beijing bureaucrats. If freedom of speech and democracy includes arresting and rejecting visitors whom are deemed 'dangerous' by Chinese official, then Hong Kong is a democracy. Hong Kongers are NOT free Jackie.

And on the matter of Taiwan, chaos results from the divisive emotions of whether to be friendly with Mainland China's government. If Beijing would be more open and tolerant with their own people, then there may not be as much chaos.

Published Post Number:125/131
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Betty Brown: Racist

2009-04-15T21:47:00.005-04:00

Betty Brown, the Republican state representative from Texas should resign. Now. Recently, at a House Elections Committee, she was questioning Ramey Ko from the Organization of Chinese Americans. Ko was testifying at how many Asian Americans have differences in the names that are transliterated on some documents and an English name on other official documents. In response, Brown said:

"Rather than everyone here having to learn Chinese --
I understand it's a rather difficult language -- do you think that it would behoove you and your citizens to adopt a name that we could deal with more readily here?

As Huffington Post's Rachel Farris said on Brown's use of "citizens", "the last time I checked, he wasn't a nation. Or even a governing body. Nice guy, well-spoken, but certainly not a sovereign leader of a nation."

Well, let's put it this way. When a foreigner, oh let's say an American, visits an Asian country, perhaps China, I would bet that the citizens there would have a hard time pronouncing English names as well. Surely that's a hard language to learn.

Ms. Brown, with all due respect, the reason why Asian Americans and other foreigners try to keep their ethnic name as much as possible, even after its transliteration, is because it allows them to have have a connection to where their roots were from and to remind them of their identity that their parents had. Thank you for apologizing, although should this happen again, either coming from you or your fellow constituents, the backlash will be stronger.

>>>Link to article and Youtube video of Q&A session (or for a direct Youtube link to the section with the remarks, click HERE.)
>>>Advertising Age article about Brown's remarks and why names aren't just faceplates

Published Post Number:124/130
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MTA: More Thoughtful Ads

2009-04-13T16:17:00.002-04:00

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), New York City's bus and subway company is some financial trouble. To the tune of a deficit that will balloon to over $10 billion in the next few years. With state representatives stalled in Albany, the MTA has been getting innovative with their advertising to get more revenue. In fact, since 1998, the MTA has more than tripled their ad revenue from $38 Million to $125 Million in 2008. Second Avenue Sagas talked about how they have begun plastering the exterior of subway cars with ads since late 2008. I recently saw another new ad technique that actually cannot be easily replicated elsewhere in the NYC subway system. At Lexington-53St, on the escalator ride down from the concourse to the E/V platform, the escalator has a low clearance and the ceiling is shaped like an arch (in fact, you can hear the conversations from other people on the escalator even though they are whispering, see: http://american_almanac.tripod.com/quincy2.htm). The full-length of the ceiling is plastered with Continental Airlines ads. My pictures are included:

Published Post Number:123/129
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Chef Irvine is Back!

2009-04-11T15:32:00.000-04:00

Acclaimed chef Robert Irvine is back hosting the 6th season of Dinner: Impossible on the Food Network. Ousted last season because of some flaws in his resume, he has returned to host the awesome show which pits him and a small crew of chefs against a challenge of preparing intricate meals with no advance warning and against several hours time. He has previously cooked on the show in a variety of settings, including in an Ice Hotel, at a colonial-reenactment settlement, and at weddings. And his charisma and peppiness were far better than whoever hosted the show last season. Yay for Chef Irvine!

>>>News from his blog about his reinstatement

Published Post Number:122/128
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Virtual Different Looks of NYC Looks Real (SimCity 4)

2009-04-10T17:06:00.007-04:00

/// An updated screenshot of my NYC as well as ones taken from my beta testing of CXL should be available August 2011 ///
I have been working on my SimCity 4 version of New York City for over two years (since January 2007) and have gotten my way through Southern Brooklyn, Staten Island, and a region bordering the East River. My road network is pretty accurate (with the exception of S. Brooklyn - I'm planning on redoing that later on) and major landmarks and public spaces are included, all with the help of Google Maps. However, after seeing what lucky7 has done with his "The Different Looks of NYC" City Journal at the highly-popular SimCity 4 forum/exchange site Simtropolis has made me consider giving up on my city. His road and transportation network is so intricate and exact it looks as if it were a satellite photo. My opinion is that he can make it that accurate due to a custom-made, larger map size. Although he has yet to fully populate his city, it is fantastic and deserves his award. I myself do not have a City Journal, but will hopefully have something that is comparable!

Of course, Monte Cristo's Cities XL is coming out later this year, and so far it looks far superior to SC4, partly due to plenty of user feedback about the shortfalls of SC4. It looks and has a much more realistic gameplay, as evident from Simtropolis' Webmaster's review of an invitation-only review.

Published Post Number:121/127
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FDA May Get Chance at Regulating Big Tobacco

2009-04-05T19:00:00.001-04:00

Finally, after decades of irrefutable scientific evidence that smoking harms the health and the creation of smoke-free environments in numerous cities, the Food and Drug Administration may finally be able to regulate the tobacco industry. Last Thursday, the U.S. House approved a measure that would allow the FDA to "regulate the contents of tobacco products, make their ingredients public, prohibit flavoring, require much larger warning labels and strictly control or prohibit marketing campaigns, especially those geared toward children." However, companies can continue to put the harmful nicotine and tobacco in cigarettes. The bill is sponsored by Rep. Waxman (D-CA) in the House and by Sen. Kennedy (D-MA) in the Senate. However, Rep. Buyer (R-IN) is proposing a bill that would threaten that power. Honestly, the ill health effects of smoking are so upfront that no one should be going up against something that may save lives. Of course, in China

Published Post Number:120/126
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Building America's Future - 2009 Update

2009-03-31T18:49:00.001-04:00

Last year, I found it fascinating how a mayor from NYC and two governors from different coasts of the US could come together and form a coalition to help better the United States' infrastructure by increasing smart and responsible spending. With a newly-elected president, this time they were welcomed to the White House with a description that the three were one of the most "innovative elected officials in the country." NYC Mayor Bloomberg said that the meeting went well and that it was great having President Obama, someone with the 'intellect' that could help improve the state of the nation.

>>>Governors Lobby For Infrastructure Investment
>>>Building America's Future (Official Website)

Published Post Number:119/125
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Lost My Obama Button

2009-03-30T21:48:00.000-04:00

Hi everyone,

I lost my MoveOn.org Obama button on the E train a while back, if anyone's seen it or is willing to donate their extra one to me, let me know? (It means a lot to me)

Thanks.

Published Post Number:118/124
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Earth Hour 2009-Results

2009-03-29T16:25:00.000-04:00

Over 4,000 cities in 88 countries with millions of people participated! I look forward to Earth Hour 2010!

>>>Earth Hour Media Centre

I turned off nearly all the lights in my house-except the dining room one, because of dinner...Beginning at 8:30 PM, I heard on my local news radio station (1010 Wins) report about the Earth Hour event at least 5 times in the next hour. It made sure people in NYC would not be "scared" in wondering why major buildings such as the Empire State, Rockefeller Center, the United Nations, as well as decorative lights on East River bridges had their lights off or dimmed.

Published Post Number:117/123
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Earth Hour 2009

2009-03-27T17:55:00.003-04:00

Earth Hour is back! The worldwide event, sponsored by the World Wildlife Fund, promotes energy conservation as well as global warming awareness. It's Saturday, March 28th from 8:30 - 9:30 PM Local time. I participated last year and I hope to continue it this year, along with millions of participants around the world! For more info, visit http://www.earthhour.org/home/

Published Post Number:116/122
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U.S. to Sign Gay Rights Decree

2009-03-26T20:44:00.004-04:00

Bravo. The United States will sign a decree that former President George Bush refused to recognize, from the United Nations that will call "for the worldwide decriminalization of homosexuality." It is about time that we recognize that homosexuality is not something to be discriminated against.

U.S. to sign U.N. gay rights declaration

Published Post Number:115/121
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Movie Time!

2009-03-09T22:49:00.001-04:00

Yahoo! released its "Most-Anticipated Movies" for Spring 2009, and here are my picks for which movies I would like to see, if I ever get the time to do so:

Duplicity (Julia Roberts, Clive Owen) - looks like a Ocean's 11-type comedy?
Knowing (Nicholas Cage) - Knowing how Nicholas Cage thrilled us with his National Treasure movies, this seems like another great adventure flick
Observe and Report (Seth Rogen, Anna Faris) - both funny actors, will wait and see how the reviews turn out
The Soloist (Jamie Foxx, Robert Downey Jr.) - two great actors (Ray, IronMan) in a comedic drama

Published Post Number:114/120
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Vanguard: Naked China, Out of Control

2009-03-07T18:55:00.000-05:00

This exclusive undercover investigation of China's wild animal markets helps make the case for China to toughen their health rules and laws. The video is provided by Current TV.

Vanguard: Naked China, Out of Control

Published Post Number:113/119
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2 Innovations for the NYC Subway

2009-03-04T21:07:00.002-05:00

(1) On Tuesday February 24th, a new era rolled onto the tracks on New York City's subway. The L train, from Brooklyn to Manhattan, was the first to have its trains running automatically. The computer-driven trains will still have someone to monitor the train's operation, as well as a conductor (if only the transit union didn't win in their court battle against the MTA a few years back when the MTA tried to go conductor-less on the G train.) Right now, the trains will run with this technology during the morning rush hour as well as during off-peak hours. The technology, developed in-house from their Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC)
and new signaling technology.

(2) Secondly, I just wanted to point out that there exists a better New York City subway map. KICK Design came out with KICKMap, a revitalized version of NYC's subway map. It shows each line as its own separate entity, with stops (day, night, etc.) and transfers with symbols at each station. These two features allow for a more coherent distinction between which and when trains stop at which stations, instead of the MTA's current map, which often throws all of the information at you in one block. Its "combination of both diagrammatic and topographic features," make it just so much more easy to read. As my own encounter with a mother and daughter from London (October '08?) showed, tourists often have a hard time attempting to understand the map. (Admittedly, sometimes I do too, especially for lesser-traveled lines.) Unfortunately, the MTA decided against adopting this design, even ridiculing it, when its creators presented it to the agency.

Published Post Number:112/118
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