Remember and Restore

Today is 9/11. September the eleventh, in the year twenty-thirteen.... Somehow that does not seem consistent, but what does it matter anyway?

We think about the events of a day that will live in infamy, because it showed Americans just how vulnerable we are. The very weapons used by terrorists on that awful day were commonplace---airplanes filled with commuters, ordinary wives, mothers, sons, fathers, best friends, businessmen, who added mass to the terrorist's methods of destruction.

Since then, we have instituted elaborate screening methods and eves-dropping surveillance that has intruded into the very concept of freedom and privacy.  The question is: are we as a nation any safer for it?

Time.

The passing of time, the methods to record time, the very reasons for the concept of time have varied according to cultural demands of the society using it. Agrarian societies rise with the sun, eat at midday or when they are hungry, and sleep when it is dark. It was only with the advent of industry that people structured their lives by the common denominator of time.

 Now we struggle with the weight of those years which have passed.  Over a decade since the twin towers collapsed, and the cost of the war that followed is yet to be measured.

In the span of a morning, filled with sunshine and promise, almost 3,000 people died.  It is estimated that it will cost over a trillion dollars to treat the wounded warriors resulting from war efforts to even the score. Our responsibility is to remember and to restore.

 Now, we take time in this morning of 9/11 to murmur prayers and promise that we will never forget. It will take longer, with God's help,  to forgive.

Life on South Clinton Avenue Smells and We're Not Going to Take It Anymore!

     Right on schedule to break the heat wave, rain pours through the trees and splatters on the hot patio bricks. The odorous mist it sends past my window smells of piss.

    Unmistakable.  Usually I love the smell of rain just after it starts, likely more of a textural change than scent....except on South Clinton Avenue in Trenton.

    We have been trying to clear vagrants and loiterers from the premises for months. Finally the Trenton cops gave us a special number to call to get faster response. I hope that it gives them enough complaint calls so they can move us up in priority.

     We have had  everything you can imagine....drinking, gambling, drugs, hookers...just about anything that you usually associate with quality of life issues. Noise, debris, and the ignorant dog walkers are not the only ones who leave feces behind.

    Which brings me to the topic at hand...piss. How hard is it to find a bathroom in Trenton? If you are drinking in a bar or restaurant, use theirs. If you are at home, you should have no problem. I want to point out that public drinking is against Trenton law and you can be arrested. Since public drinking would lead to imagining the need to public pee, stay home.

    How about that, all you creeps out there that think our senior citizen residence is a Trenton public business place: GET OVER IT!

    Elderly people live at Pellettieri Homes and Pennrose Management has been doing little to solve this issue. Over a decade of complaints has not convinced these out of state "managers" to deal with the situation so we continue to look for solutions.

    There seems to be a perception that Trenton stinks. We have a mayor under indictment who campaigned for votes by promising to cut the police force. I point out that he did keep his promise. However the dirt bags that put him into office may be some of the ones who are now pissing on any buildings they think are part of the hated establishment.

     I hope the rain lasts for hours. It will take quite a while to erase the evidence of these non-resident alien trespassers. 

     We have requested our building management to hire a security guard. Since that has not happened, it may take a catastrophe to get Pennrose involved. Heaven help us.

      Please take note:  We're not going to take it any more!

      Seniors rock.