After The Dawning Of The Day

Where to begin? It feels like forever, but it also seems as though time has stood still. It's been Twenty years since America had 2,977 souls taken from us. Sons and daughters, fathers and mothers, friends, and lovers. Two decades.

It still in many aspects doesn't feel real. Maybe we don't want it to feel real. 

We were transformed that morning into a different nation. A more fearful one and as such, sadly more hostile. It was a sweetly serene cloudless morning that seemed to promise nothing but goodness. A world we still wish it could be. It offered an innocence we would never see again. We were jolted from a slumber to see the heart of darkness. While nothing, not even the march of time can bring back those who we lost on that morning without reason, let the fact we are here now serve as a welcome reminder that throughout our history, our darkest days have always been followed by our finest hours.

And yet, here we are, still asking not to judge others by the circumstances of their birth, or color of their skin, but by the depths of their character. We need to reclaim that resolve to be better that the days following that morning brought. It was a time, however brief, when we showcased the strength of ideals when made real. We showed that what unites can be stronger than what divides us. That we can be beaten only when we stop believing in what we wish we could be.  

We were tested and it brought out the best of us. We turned the fire of destruction into a light in the darkness. On that day, we saw total strangers protect us,  And now we ask that they protect us again, yet some don't see it that way. 

These individuals need to come to a realization that science, education, and humanity can all co-exist for the betterment of all. 

Many days It seems as though we can't even survive each other let alone whatever the planet is throwing at us this week. Mother nature is probably pulling her hair out somewhere right now, frustrated at whether or not to unleash another flood before or after this weeks inevitable mass shooting or Darwin endorsed viral challenge. 

We need to be better than this. I know we can be. Hell, we've proven we are. It's not about being a sheep, or following a herd, its not about mandatory this or enforcing that. It's about the continued existence of the human race. 

Twenty years ago, bureaucrats swore that the toxins that enveloped the city were harmless and not a danger. Scientists steadfastly stated that they were wrong, that it was dangerous and contained unknown amounts of toxicity. Since that day, more than 3,000 first responders alone have passed away. 

It's enough to make me want to put my fist through someone's skull sometimes. It's that damned infuriating sometimes. 

But this isn't about me. It's not about one person anymore. We're all in this together. We're a team, and its time we started contributing and helping everyone. The ignorance that got us into a lot of where we currently are and consistently repeating that mistake is not the answer. 

I don't like to come from a place of anger. It's not who I am. I believe in peace, I want love, and I don't care how cliché that sounds, because that is honestly how I feel. But this constant tug of war between two domineering sides of humanity just wears in the soul till that's what remains. We need to be united in a common goal again.

Today, going forward should not be about aggression or hostility. Today should be the first day of the rest of our lives. A rebirth. A day in which we look back at who we once we're and start looking forward of who we will become.

It has been 7300 days since September 11^th, 2001. They have built parks with beautiful monuments with names that slowly stop seeming like real people. They’ve named junior high schools and streets after people. But soon enough it will just be us. We will be the only ones that remember

Let's stop having these tragedies in order to remember people...if that all we can do to honor the ones we loved and lost is be the ones who remember, have we really honored their sacrifice? 

Yosemite.

I initially began writing this in December of last year, since then, many...too many…other events have transpired. So I've had to make edits, and then more edits, Now we have less than a week.

"It's now or never." I said. So here we are. It’s a much more different place than it was in the fall of 2016. Democracy and human decency were Shattered in one slowly unspooling night of un-reality.

Agent Orange, as I call him, told you that it would be he who would clean up the country, due to the fact that people of another race, "raped and murdered civilians."  That was it, his...opening salvo in what has been an embarrassment of incompetence. A never ending and systematic take down of every core ideal that our nation was founded on began almost immediately. From the denial of women's rights to innocents....children, caged like animals, resembling a scene from world war II.

In doing so, he tapped into a side of the country we had long thought left us. A side so vile and disgusting, we’d rather not acknowledge their vile filth. But that’s the thing about locking away bad memories is they come back at the worst time.

So, since then, an all out assault on civil rights has ramped up. Cities are burning. We now have police officers, clad in body armor and carrying heavy assault weapons running on the whims of an unstable maniac. Now the police, Americas protectors, are now feared by many. 

It is flat out exhausting at times, to try and count the daily atrocities committed by this gutless scum. One day its taking a blind eye to bounties placed on the heads of American soldiers, the next day, its sending in government agents to fire weapons at peaceful protesters. They are then strafed with a helicopter, in the middle of a major American city, the nations capital no less!

The holder of the office of President of the United States of America is in charge of holding our nations best interests at heart. This...inhumane being has done nothing of the sort, caring only about himself. The president must be ready to compromise and negotiate. Instead, he has chosen insults and bullying. My neighbors son drives a truck with a flag on it that says, "Make liberals cry again." That's flat out bullying. Maybe not physically, but it is mental and emotional bullying.

That is the kind of behavior Agent Orange encourages. Is that what you want to be known for? To attack someone's want to live in our country, to practice whatever religion they want, to love who they want? To be viewed however they want? A country founded on the basis of freedom for all? A country whose land is actually stolen from its natives. We have zero right to say its own people aren't welcome. Athletes and entertainers. Artists and executives. They are all being verbally attacked by this shambling mass of grease. Why? Well for one thing because they, like every normal human being, agree that being shot at or abused because of the color of their skin is not acceptable. So when you get angry at looters…maybe think that the way we treated people before has led us to this. You can anger only the lion so many times till the lion mauls you.

Now, we find ourselves in the midst of a global catastrophe, made worse by the careless attitude possessed by this fool. Instead of picking a fight with an NBA champion, this idiot could focus on finding a cure for a disease that to date, looks to kill millions. Some of whom are even his staff and family. Lives lost, both American and in other nations. The sole job now, the only concern should be stopping this virus. But I guess golf is more important. No, wait, it’s not. This is the only thing that should be addressed by the President right now. THE ONLY THING. 

Even after he, his wife, and staff were stricken with this virus, he still defied medical orders. This is due to his unabashed and now certifiably dangerous ego.  Do you want to be known as the home of people who don't believe scientific theory is real? Those people who are currently denying countless decades of proven education based on a 5 minute video they saw on YouTube?

My doctors, like every other medical professional, have dedicated their lives to helping and saving others. They have all gone through years of schooling. They have sacrificed family, friends, relationships and sleeping in on Sundays - to ensure they are at the top of their game every day to help save people. Then they go back to school to learn more. They have had more sleepless nights, heads buried in a text book of medical procedures than you can imagine. So while some complain about how vaccines don't work because they "were created as a secret plot to steal my polished rock collection..." they're placing an IV in a terrified patient shaking with fear. Now go tell me how your little, "Drinking motor oil will beat the virus by Frank the bum." video has more sound reasoning.

I Shouldn't have to fear going outside because I might catch something. I shouldn't be going on what is now my 8th month of not being able to touch another human aside from my doctors. This is not how humanity should function, but this utter and complete asshole has made ignorance the norm.

With his regime in power, countless Americans will lose health coverage and die. I could very well be among them, my Parkinson’s alone leaving me as one of the many who bear the title of having a, “Pre-existing condition.” So, essentially, one thing I’m saying is anyone voting for this prick wants me to die. And I get it, I like mint chocolate chip ice cream, and I yammer on a bit, but I don’t think I deserve death. I do like it here, amongst the living, ya know?

Another frightening example of his battle against science was his impulse into forcing NOAA, the agency in charge of the National Weather Service - to issue false warnings about the path of Hurricane Dorian last year. This served as yet another clarion call that he must be regarded as life threatening to Americans and people the world over. The narcissistic freak altered an official weather map out because he refused to admit that he misspoke. Instead, he took a marker to the map, and created a non-existent threat that confused many. This ego stroke likely cost an untold amount of money.

How many different kinds of despicable does this feckless piece of trash have to be until you realize you've been duped? The economy is not better, jobs are not flourishing, and basic civil liberties are actually in doubt. 

Removal from office is the only option. This is a move both he and his spineless brigade of yes-men have fought. This despite the overwhelming evidence pointing to the absolute and total guilt of a wretched husk of a human. You've all seen what is happening. Countless hours of footage, and his own damning ramblings are commonplace. These ramblings are very likely tied to a severe mental and cognitive disability. Many high level staffers have come forward painting a picture of a chaotic mess driven by an off the rails, self serving egotist. Nary a week goes by that a new book is released, taking another brick of integrity away.

He has used baseless fears, playing on conspiracy theories to try (and Sadly successfully) brainwash anyone who dares question him and his regime. The fabric of trust between the government and its people has been torn asunder. It needs to be stopped or these same elements of corruption will continue on this course, unchecked for far, far too long.

This is an individual so soulless, so lacking in any morality, that its astounding how he has made it this far in life.  What he has been selling since the start are flat out lies. He's preying on the naïve and weak minded. He is toying with the uninformed. He doesn't think you're smart enough to know when you’re being fed alternative, or flat out made up facts to keep some afraid - and to keep him in power.

He supports nazi's and racism. He's slowly pushing the idea that if you're not white, you're not American. This is exactly the way hitler pushed the idea that Jews weren't German, no matter how many generations they'd lived there. He's following the nazi playbook to the letter. He preaches hatred under the guise of, "necessary" change, while change is what he actually fears. When confronted by this during the recent debate, he was offered the chance to deny once and for all. It was an easy answer. Instead, he not only failed to deny, he encouraged violent white supremacist's and militias to take up arms. This very likely led to a near kidnapping of Michigan's governor. This is not change, this is dangerously close to anarchy.

Is that who you want leading our nation? For those who voted for him. I beg of you to take just a moment to look inside yourself and ask, "Does he stand for the same things I do?" Is a man who mocks handicapped people one who I want running the nation? This...man who labels countries, "shitholes", then insults and threatens cities in his own nation, is he the right choice? , a man who brags about sexual assault and ignores science...is that...truly what I, or my children want?" Look within yourselves and question if you really think this is the right track.

The change we actually need is for this regime to crumble at the might of truth and democracy. Throughout history we've seen empires rise and fall, even the highest leaders, ones with absolute power, crumble.

A united nation listens to its founding ideals, one of which he attacks on a near daily basis. That is Freedom of the Press. The free press is not the enemy of the people. It never was. It reports the truth, which is something that terrifies this tiny man. A "man" whose soul was corrupt from the start. I love my country. I would gladly fight for what it should represent, but I, nor any of you should recognize a government that tries to silence its own free press. He has tarnished our image and made a mockery of us on the global stage. He has done nothing but make us a shameful shell of a once great idea.

Thanks to people like him, greed and hatred have poisoned our souls. We need to purge it. The color of my skin, my gender, whom I chose to marry, my ability or lack of ability should not be my defining characteristic, nor should it be anyone else’s. What should we define a person by? The moral content of their character. Yet Agent Orange and his followers have none. No moral integrity whatsoever. 

I am speaking as an American. An American who will fight against injustice, intolerance, hatred and fear. It is time for that to end. And it all starts by voting him out of office in a defeat that sends a resounding rebuke to the unethical, immoral hate that he pushes upon you.

This cannot be the new normal. This is not OK. We as a human race should march forward as a society, not regress. 

He told you Americans were the greatest people, and at times we were, and I believe we can be again, but we are far from that now. We can get back there, but only as a whole. As one unified, united nation. 

I ask you, don't listen to him, this world has room for everyone; but we have to start treating it with respect. Life can be free and beautiful, but we have to correct the course. We must remove him from office, only then can we make inroads not to past good times, but better future times. 

He is evil to the core. The only thing that evil needs to succeed is for those are good, and pure of heart to sit by and do nothing. We can make a change, we don't have to take this. We cannot despair. The anguish that is now upon us is the result of the bitterness of a man who fears human progress. He hates forward progress. Only the unloved hate, and this disgraceful psycho is unloved. The power he has taken from the people must be returned. Only then will democracy, hope and liberty return. Don't give into this tyrant, this withered out husk of a man who in truth doesn't care about you. What he does do is collude with enemy states for his own benefit. He is a hollow man with an empty mind, tiny hands and no heart whatsoever. 

Our flag was created as a symbol to help inspire us and become a place better than its predecessors. Pitting one American vs. another to the point of which it breaks families...breaks friendships...that is not what this flag stands for. Instead of fighting common evils, this sociopath has us fighting each other. We swore we would learn from that mistake in the past, yet here we are again, facing another civil war. Dignity, honor and justice must see their way to the forefront again. We should help everyone when its possible. The base human instinct should be to help one another. We generally want to thrive in each other's happiness, not wallow in each other's misery.

You are Americans dammit, You are human beings! You can come together when disaster strikes right? Now's the time. You, the American people, have the power to make life free and wonderful. You have the power to make a change by removing this weak minded buffoon from office. Remember, there are more of us than there are of them, more people willing to fight for humility and for humanity. More people who are in the shadows, questioning the ruthlessness of this madman. For you, it is time to step free from the cloak of fear and stand up to fight for what you know is right. 

We have a choice to make. We all have the opportunity to be patriots. Will you take a stand?  You need to hold them accountable. Doing nothing gets us nothing. I don't care what his brood says. America was founded on one principle above all else. That is that we fight for what we believe in, no matter the odds or the consequences. The problems we all are currently facing can be solved. But we have to do it together. It has been said that a person can do anything once they realize they're a part of something bigger. Well, you are a part of that something bigger. We all are, and now is the time to show it, to become a part of that bigger, nobler cause. In a way it’s built on guile and sheer willpower.

Yes it’s a daunting challenge. 

However, with hope, and together, we can accomplish anything we set our minds to, including bringing peace to our society again. In the name of freedom. In the name of Science. In the name of Gender and Sexual Equality, and in the name of Immigrants rights, Black rights, and American rights, we have to fight this. And we have to fight to win. We are fighting for a new day, a new world, one that is accepting of science and love. One that is free from the grasp of this absolute lunatic, this...dictator. We have to fight for a world of reason, a world where progress will lead to the utopia we know we can be. Hate and intolerance? This is not what America stands for. VOTE HIM OUT

5 Bullets And A Broken Hope

   "I'm from Staten Island and I'm sorry," is how i often introduce myself to new people i meet in other parts of the city. It's not something I am proud to say. I wish I could speak about how beautiful this island is, with its beaches and untouched woods. I'd truly enjoy speaking about the great pizza and tasty Ralph's Ices, or tout Snug Harbor.

But no, first I have to defend myself from the stereotype that random Manhattan or -insert city/town/state here- is making. Because, before I even get to the, "Island", "Staten" is all they needed to hear before making their opinion. That opinion is likely even further cemented in their brain if they hail from the city.

They know of the laughing stock that is Richmond County. The forgotten borough, the family member you have to acknowledge but don't ever admit to being related to. That's us.

And you know what? I'm sick of it. I'm also sick of defending the racist, homophobic, xenophobic, epistemophobic(look it up.), and fascist lot of ignorance that has sunken its teeth into my home. For years, i'd be the, "Staten Island Apologist", hopelessly defending the backwater, backwards and outdated mindset of a place so far behind the times, its a wonder that we have working power and water.

Yesterdays disgusting farce of a parade down Forest Ave once again threw Staten Island into the forefront of national news. This time for banning an openly bi-sexual Pageant queen from marching. "Security concerns" was the reason given. This is lie. Admitting the truth, the parade is organized by a homophobic organization, would be, "pandering to the liberal snowflakes." as a random Staten Islander would say as he chugs a beer on his front lawn, which is adorned with "America: Love it or leave it" signs. Watch out George Washington, we have ourselves a real patriot here.

And with those actions, we went from a laughing stock - to the signal fire at the top of everything that is wrong with the current state of the world.

I saw an episode of, "The Simpsons" the other day. It was the one where the family is watching TV, which is showing a program like "Taxicab Confessions", wherein a drunken Homer enters the car. After a brief exchange, clairvoyant and sharp witted as ever, Lisa, with deadpans, "Another proud moment for the Simpsons." A prediction proved accurate as Homer verbally eviscerates his family. I sympathize with Lisa here. Every time I hear Staten Island mentioned on any news program, or see it mentioned in any article, I cringe as it is almost always in a negative light. And island residents do little or nothing to defend itself from the negativity. In fact, it sometimes almost seems to double down on it.

A prime example of this is what happened here in 2016. An island man had a local, "artist" erect a giant letter, "T" in his front lawn, to, "honor" the criminal who would steal the presidency. This resident knew it would be divisive. This due to the fact that, surprisingly, not everyone on this island supports someone who puts people in cages. Nor do they support someone who brags about sexually assaulting women. The sign would subsequently be set ablaze. One might think the story ends here, with the man admitting defeat and let his 5 minutes of fame fade.

But no, undaunted and in a show of true Staten Island bullheadedness, the, "artist" returned, this time erecting a bigger sign. This example only furthers the complete and total lunacy that this island displays day in and day out.

In a time where where vitriol and toxicity reign, this island does not look to engage in peaceful debate. It instead resorts into shouting matches and hate speak. We get enough of that from 1600 Pennsylvania ave. I don't want to deal with it during what should have been a celebration of Irish heritage and culture.

And don't for one second hide behind the bible. For one, I an atheist, am not governed by a textbook that tells me i'm a bad human for not going bowing down for forgiveness because I saw a breast on a TV show, while the man in the silly Jedi-robes gets away with touching little kids. Isn't it odd that the rules only apply for your conveniences, not everyone's, even though, "God loves all creatures?" Except the tan and brown ones right? They don't belong on,"your island" right? Nope, can't have diversity, because then we might not be able to elect a rich old white man into power? Thats the Staten Island way. And screw anyone who thinks otherwise.

This island is a backwards thinking sinkhole. In fact, the response to African Americans and other people of color asking to not be harassed by authorities for doing nothing other than walking, driving or even sitting on their front porch? A whole wave of pro-police, anti-black sentiment rose up. People of color politely and respectfully request the same common decency any white person would get. They were met with a stubborn wall of ignorance and hate.

Island residents beg and cry for a Whole-Foods or a Wegmans or -insert random company here- to open up on the island. Then when said company declines, the residents cry out in shame, "Why?!" Well, maybe, just maybe, some companies don't want to be associated with the type of populace this island seems to put on center stage? Whole Foods is known as a company that caters to those who support sustainability and environmental growth. You know, the way must upward beings do? Meanwhile, Staten Islanders align themselves with a, "man" who denies climate change is a real. He blatantly altered a weather map to, "prove" he was right, and has done more harm to our planets future than any other one person on the planet.

It is impossible to stand up anymore and offer this island to the masses and say "You're welcome here." I've tried, I really have. I've been a staunch supporter of showcasing the good, the potential for the island, then I hear the voices of the clueless. One of those being the city councilman who's answer to the lack of support from the city is to, "secede", that is to say, become our own city. This is an idea that has been floated around from time to time but has thankfully never gotten much traction. It is always seen as the, "Child who doesn't get what they want so they draw on the wall with markers to get attention." type of argument.

For a moment, lets pretend for a moment that the secession movement was successful. That we did gain our, "independence" from the big bad city. What then? Where would our newfound city get its money? Taxes. Those taxes would go through the roof like a Saturn V rocket. All those city services we do have now, police, fire, schools, they'd no longer be run by NYC, so we'd need to get that money somewhere...where....i know! more taxes! You think bridge tolls are bad now, just wait until the city of Staten Island gets on the map. You'll never leave again, which is maybe what some people want. They want to be insulated in their own bubble of,"maga, maga, maga, liberals are bad, deport all immigrants!"

Well fine, if that's what you want then go for it, because when it fails, i'll do nothing. Those of us who truly care about humanity and common decency and love and inclusion will long ago have laid down our arms. I say we because I know that I am not alone. I know there are good, kind, smart and caring people on this island. I see you, and I hang my head in shame with you, because I know that you too have tried, and simply grown to weary of it all.

"If you don't like it then leave!" the ignorant punks will say. Unable, as always to see their ignorance will be their undoing. It's started already. The supposed,"Great big hope" for the island, the New York Wheel was to be the islands crown jewel, a majestic Ferris wheel. It was to have been hundreds of feet high on the tip of the island's north shore. All around would see it and gaze in wonder.

But alas, it would never come to be. Financial problems and construction problems would sink the wheel before it even got its massive legs into the ground. Another in the long list of failed projects that have scarred the island. From grand shopping halls, to immense waterfront parks, to even a few failed race tracks, this island is where great ideas go to die. Almost every developer runs into problems here. The reason is because on Staten Island, "we do things our way, and if you don't do things that way, you can leave," is again the stubborn answer. It's as if this island has an innate fear of anything that could make life better for its residents.

It's kind of funny that the two things the island is known for, the Staten Island Ferry and the Verrazzano Narrows bridge, are two ways to escape the island. If that isn't a sign to out of borough residents, I don't know what is.

When offered a chance at its first ever female president, they instead went with the most morally bankrupt individual on earth. They didn't do so because they claimed she had a, "Shoddy background." they didn't choose her because shes a woman, and that's different, to different for an island run by the male elite.

It's no surprise the city, state, country and world mock and deride us. We have done nothing to prove we are anything else than what they see us as. If it ever changes, maybe we'll get that ferry from Great Kills to Midtown. Maybe one day we will receive a proper city-run hospital so I don't have to wait with my father in the ER for 6 hours. Hey, its only a heart attack, they don't kill everyone, right? Maybe one day i'll be able to say to that pageant queen, "do you want to march with a pride flag, a banner, or both?"

But sadly, those days are far, far far away. This island should be ashamed of itself.

Steam Powered And Rogers Resolute

   I often find that time, the concept of it, is frightening, if for no other reason then the fact it's arbitrary in many aspects. You can't fight it, nor can you rewind it, you can't stop it, you just have to exist with it.

So when I look at the calendar in the corner of my screen and see that the year is 2018, following 3 numbers that have been seared into the collective consciousnesses of a generation, I wonder why I am still accompanied by temporal shock. Has this much time really transpired since then? "Can't be real.", I tell myself. Then I am reminded of Don Henley's tune, "In a New York Minute." He remarks on how, "everything can change." And my word has it ever.

We were all transformed that day, we became wholly different. Fearful. Hostile. A reflection of another point in time that we sought to distance ourselves from.

The days since have grown longer for many of us, and many of us have become more world weary and tired. Aching, Our feet our heavy with life, though we wouldn't admit as such, for admitting any weakness is an insult to the machismo and bravado some try so desperately to cling to, as if to admit to anyone that empathy is not welcome.

We desperately need to alter this outlook. We can be better. Our feet must be heavy and loud with optimism and yes, hope. A welcoming of emotion and humanity is very much a good thing.

Everyone of us is on a clock. That clock will run out. Maybe not today, maybe it will be in 20 years, 40 years, but at some point, it will run out. Our time is finite. Is living in fear and anger really the best use of that time?

I'm one of those annoying people who lets bad days stack like Lego bricks into a bad week, bad month, etc. Now, I don't know if you're like me, and wow do I hope you aren't...but if you are, at least in that aspect, you and me have to change that mindset fast.

Every year I write these monologues and I try, in my own minute way to not just illustrate my thoughts, but to stir others to action, to shake the dust of that day off and rise. Rise like my mothers favorite musician, Bruce Springsteen urged us all to do. It may be as simple as going out for a run or walk. Be Steadfast and unwavering. Be tenacious and posses boundless energy.

There is no reason not to. The urgency of the ever ticking clock should spur you to do more, do better, do good, because while the future is a mystery, why not try and make it a good one?

After Ascension

   Each year on this day I attempt to repeat the same schedule as I did 16 years prior, at least I try to. As the years pass, I have found life often alters the schedule. As a friend once said, "we plan and the universe laughs." Sometimes change like this can actually be for the better.

   That day is slowly beginning to fell like many years ago, and that actually scares me. The passage of time in general is quite sobering.

   The ruins of the chasm in lower Manhattan have been filled with the memories of a day forever frozen in memory. I, until this spring during a race, refused to set foot on that hallowed ground. "This is not my place", I thought, until the kindness of a friend imbued me with spirit and determination that made the open wound in my mind and soul begin to heal...just a bit.

   This is one of the many reasons why I run. It is healing, freeing, in a way, even though it can be at times tortuous, it lets the mind expand and breathe, giving birth to new ideas and thoughts, pushing the clutter aside.

   It seems as though we're sometime out of touch with ourselves and with others. And we need that to end. We need to learn how to make better use of what we have at our disposal.

   You may find that even what was a traumatic event, in many cases, becomes a learning experience. You grew and gained from it. Eventually, even, you might even become a better person from it. That is how we are supposed to grow as a species, as a culture.

   Yet, we're lately, we seem to be out of touch with ourselves and with others. And we need that to end. We need to learn how to make better use of what little time we have on this rock, what we have at our disposal, and utilize it to improve the world. We are not doing this right now.

   For example, Staten Island, while my home, no longer feels welcoming to me. A place I would once staunchly defend to no end has turned into a cesspool of bitterness and bigotry of which I fear there may not be a return from. This is something that was told to me by multiple people, all of whom I rebuked, until last year. We need to take a long hard look in the mirror and ask ourselves, "Have we really progressed as a culture, as a species?" I don't think so. If this is the best we can do, i'm not impressed.

   In fact, in light of the recent weather events, some people are claiming the, "end times" have finally arrived. Me being a staunch atheist, just sees it as a continuance of the cycle of life, albeit not a good one.

   Yet through all this, I still have hope. I'm no longer the full blown optimist I was a child, though I look to the rest of my city, once ruined, and see that it has been reborn, and though some may argue otherwise, I think this is truly for the better. It's certainly beats the alternative. Being stuck is something i'm good at. I'm not happy about it, nor am I proud of it. It is, in fact something i'm attempting to rectify. But, unlike this city, it is not a change that can happen in an instant. You to can make positive change happen.

   Making my way through this darkness, I'm still searching for the bright light of my finest hour. It has been a titanic battle of wills, and many days I find it difficult to even get out of bed. But I do, and push through to the best of my abilities. Some days are better than others, and some days the only way I can get through it is by using the mindset of, "I know something out there is trying to beat me, and i'm gonna fight it just to piss it off."

   What was once an empty sky has once again been populated with glass and steel. Stone and wire. Men and women. People. Going about their lives. Everyone of them fighting a battle most of us will never know anything about. So when you interact with these people, or any person, take the briefest of moments and remember that. Be human. Show compassion.