When this is over, I want more...

Lock-down in #NewYorkCity has been both positive and negative, its given us the opportunity to severely appreciate our #frontline #workers (medical professionals, police, ambulance, utilities workers, restaurant, pharmacy and grocery workers, plus) and especially teachers. Its also been frustrating for many and wonderful for others. We’ve read more, studied more, got certified and adopted video chat as our main means of communication. We’ve also watched waaaay too much TV and video on demand. Spent much more time than usual on the toilet (or was that just me!?).

We have also been in touch with friends and family we have ignored for years. #whenthisisover I want to see some sort of continuation of the affects of the #lockdown. Maybe we should all apportion a few hours from our weekly allotment of 168 specifically to continue lockdown activities. Select maybe 12 hours to re-purpose to maintain all the good things we are doing now, adding it to our weekly routines. Decide to be good by doing good weekly, as well as, sharing those experiences with people who are not family. Lets see weekly lockdown parties with friends who spend copious amounts of time together just like we are doing now. I feel like we need a national holiday to showcase our frontline workers and remind us how special they all are, we did not honour them like this before, did we!? I love the idea that whole communities came together for a specific purpose, lets do more of that. Lets understand that together we are more powerful and ignore those who seek to divide us. Ffuck lets Quarantine those fools, permanently.

Original post:  Medium

THE DEFINITION OF "I'M A LITTLE GAY" ICYMI

This week there's been a lot of talk about what it means when someone says "i'm a little gay", so here's what it means.

The discussion was prompted by remarks of one James Franco, rennaissance man, actor, artist and so much more. when he said in an interview with New York Magazine, "I'm a little gay", most of the folks who commented on this seem to be at a loss to it's meaning, including one gay organization in Brooklyn. Any gay boy who faced a deep sense of teenage angst about their sexuality can tell you what it means, all then have asked this question, "am I gay or just a little gay", and through their own rumination have gained a definition for it that satisfies their own need at point or another.

For the purposes of generality the definition of "I'm a little gay" is as follows: representing a feeling that oneself, though never having a gay experience, has thought about it, and believes that it is in fact ok to be gay and feels comfortable in gay situations. And further, such feelings include supporting gay rights in every sense that it can be supported. As well as, having a real affinity for the gay lifestyle.



To be clear this is not a discussion about James #Franco or the debate thats currently lighting up #Socialmedia, this is just a post about the definition of what it means when someone, anyone, says "I'm a little gay", Its not a #gender category, its a feeling, a sense of self, a mere part of one's identity. not the defintion of one's identity. Its surely another phrase that will light up the politicians and some will certianly attack the phrase when ever an aid suggests it will gain traction in #cyberspace.

For those of you, young or old, who is grappling with gender and identity issues, let this be just another guide to your thinking. use it or lose it, ITS ALWAYS YOUR CHOICE! for the rest of you, learn it and understand it, if you don't get it, ask me questions. Disclaimer: This is Not pscycosocial advice. it is not meant to be provide health care of any kind, but rather, to lead your thinking in this one issue regarding a very complex discussion about identities.

tweet me @darrel3000

#francophiles #franco #jamesfranco #newyorkmagazine #imalittlegay #gender #gendergap #genderequality +jamesfrancoTV @jamesfrancoTV        

IT'S OFFICIAL: NYC GOES TO SLEEP at Noon Saturday, see more Darrel3000.blogger.com

By Darrel Sukhdeo

For the first time in history all NYC public transportation, all Airports, Bridges and tunnels will stop running at Noon on Saturday Aug 27, 2011, including Amtrak, NJ Transit, Path Trains, JFK, La Guardia & Newark airports, Metro North Railroad, Long Island Railroad, all New York City, and New Jersey Bridges and Tunnels. Hurricane Irene is threatening the worst destruction ever seen in New York City. Officials are warning the worst and hoping for the best. City officials said it takes 8 hours to shut down the entire system as explanation for the early cut-off at noon on Saturday. Current forecasts expect Hurricane Irene to reach NYC by 8pm Saturday. According to ABCnews, there are 5,912 Skyscrapers in NYC, most of which have never faced a category 1 Hurricane. Lower Manhattan and some Subway tunnels are expected to flood.   

The City that never sleeps will finally get a rest.  

For the first time in history, NYC streets, subways, railways, restaurants, tourist attractions, entertainment, Broadway Theatres and Times Square will be empty. All in an attempt to keep everyone safe from the treachery of Hurricane Irene. We are expected to get at least 12 inches of rain that we cannot accommodate, along with category 1 hurricane winds (minimum 74 mph), 6-12 feet ocean swells and waves, downed trees, airborne debris and shrapnel. Regardless of what the reality turns out to be, we will have significant flooding, flood zones will flood, rivers will bank and we can expect many areas that rarely flood to be flooded. Some forecasts are predicting many low-lying areas, that have never been flooded, to swell with water. The try-state area (NY, NJ & CT) have received about 10" of rain this August (2011); we normally get 4" in August, so the earth is saturated, the rivers are full and the ground around trees are wet and pliable. Introduce hurricane force wind speeds (above 73 miles per hour) and only disaster will ensue. 

A Region holds it's breath.

Everyone has been warned to stay off the streets, not just in NYC, but all across the try state area. Barrier Islands and shore lines have been evacuated, along with hospitals and senior centers in those areas. Thousands of sheets of plywood have found their way over windows and doors. Highways across the region were closed by Saturday morning, some open only one way, letting folks get out of evacuation zones, with no option to return. Every authority, Governors, mayors, county chiefs, legislators, news anchors and reporters, OEM commissioners (Office of Emergency Management), borough presidents and the red cross have warned the worst, have been working to be prepared for at least a week and have battened down everything at risk. Subway and bus yards in high risk zones have been cleared. Commercial Aircraft are being secured in hangers or flown out of the area, while private planes are being covered & tethered to ground with steel cables.  

The aftermath 

There is a lot of data available from previous hurricanes to assist emergency planning on every level. However, NYC has never faced such a direct hit. Many outcomes can only be guessed, certainly, many formulas and models are being examined to determine what might happen given NYC's unique skyline. Emergency personal will be on alert all across NYC to monitor what happens so that the OEM can respond accordingly by Sunday afternoon when the worst is expected to be over. NYC has the largest and best equipped municipal workforce in the world, including police, fire, EMS, sanitation, transportation, information services, engineers and hospitals, all of which are in a state of preparedness for the worst. We expect that by Monday morning the city will be wide awake and ready to remain awake hour after hour, day after day, year after year, unceasingly.    

RED CROSS: Have a "GO BAG"

Get a Emergency Supplies “GO KIT”

Being prepared with the right emergency supplies can reduce the risk of harm when disaster strikes. Pack a “Go Bag” When disasters (fire, flood, hurricane) require a quick evacuation, a “Go Bag”—backpack with emergency supplies/important documents for each household member—is essential.

What’s in a “Go Bag?”
Water—small bottles
Food—nonperishable snacks
Battery-powered radio/flashlight (with extra batteries) or crank radio/flashlight*
First Aid Kit—bandages, scissors
Copies of important documents in a waterproof container (ID, proof of residence, insurance info, emergency contact card)
Prescription info—name, dose, doctor’s name and number
A whistle to signal for help
Silver foil blanket—also called a mylar blanket
Keys—a second set of car and house keys
Cash—small bills
Toiletries—hygiene items, toilet paper
Personalize your “Go Bag” for your special needs—baby supplies, contact lenses, pet supplies, etc.

More here: NY RED CROSS

NEW YORK CITY SLEEPS FOR 1ST TIME IN HISTORY

By Darrel Sukhdeo

You've heard it before, "New York City, the city that never sleeps", well that is about to change. NYC will be shut down come midday tomorrow, Saturday Aug 28, 2011. All transportation will be will be shut down, as a precaution, so that after the storm we can be up and running again. This affects ALL trains and buses, including Access-a-ride, Subways, NYC buses, Path trains, Long Island railroad and Metro North railroad. Airports, Bridges and Tuunels will also be closed. ALL BUSES ARE FREE THIS WEEKEND, SUBWAYS IN " ZONE A" ARE ALSO FREE. you will also be able to access FREE WIFI throughout New York City, unless there is damage to cell towers in your area.

A State-of-Emergency (SoE) has been declared in New York City, Nassau County and Suffolk County, New York and New Jersey. Mandatory evacuations have been ordered in all coastal and low-lying areas declared "Zone A". Shelters are already open, with many more to be opened by 5pm on Saturday. Although, officials are asking people to seek shelter with relatives, friends and colleagues because limited shelter capacity is available.

GET UPDATES & DISASTER GUIDES HERE:
W
WWW.nyc.gov
www.nyRedCross.org
http://www.suffolkcountyny.gov/
NEW JERSEY: State.NJ.us

Follow @darrel3000 on twitter.com for ongoing updates.
I also reecommend you follow @redcossny @notifynyc @NYTlive @NYTmetro @ny1

BREAKING: FIRE STOPS J-TRAIN IN NYC. PICS at Darrel.Posterous.com

112th Street @Jamaica Avenue in Richmond Hill, New York, during 4 alarm first that guts two medical offices and 5 other businesses