I live in Harlem. I love Harlem. I love the people, culture, and architecture. I love the bustling rhythms of 125 Street, and the quiet solitude of empty nineteenth century streets. What I don't love is the invasion of predatory real estate companies who buy properties here at bargain rates, through a rigged system offered by NYC Department of Finance, ( where only some people can bid at NYC auctions on defaulted property) and then proceed to tear down 19th century brownstones so they can build ugly luxury apt buildings. I also don't like it when these same realty companies. Icer Realty for instance own lots that abut my garden, and have plans to build a 7 story apt building that will destroy the light of my urban garden, and farm.
These horrible,greed ridden companies, like Icer Realty are allowed to do evil, destructive things like this because of NYC's zoning regulations, and because no courageous City Council representatives have put forth legislation that protects the architectural integrity of neighborhoods that aren't " Landmarked". I live in a Historic District, but the houses are not "Landmarked".There is also no legislation that obligates Developers to protect the light of existing buildings.In Japan,in Tokyo there are laws that protect the light of existing buildings. We need similar laws here, and we need them now.
Wednesday, January 20, 2016
Thursday, August 8, 2013
Thursday, October 4, 2012
Last night's presidential debate
After a long absence, and months of being active with Obama for America-Team Harlem it has occurred to me, duh...I should try and link my political work, and my blog together.Yes, I know sometimes I am slow on the up beat. However once I get it, I get it. Today I am feeling frustrated that our wonderful, brilliant president did not eviscerate Mitt Romney last night.Why? Sometimes I feel that Obama is too cerebral, too,
" Oh you've got to be kidding me" too, "Is this guy for real?"
I spoke with a very astute person this morning, and he said that perhaps Obama wanted to give Mitt enough rope to hang himself. Mitt did put out some specifics last night that he will now have to stand by, and clarify.
On the other hand I think" Mr. Laid Back Barack," will have to eat a bowl of spicy chile, and do some jumping jacks before the next debate so he can come on stage, breathe some fire, and burn"Mr.I've Got the Hair, and the Cheesy Lies of a 1970's Used Car Salesman" up.
Barack has truth, and justice on his side, and the US, and the world needs his reelection.
So go Barack!!
You can follow my political activities, and learn about OFA-Team Harlem, on our Facebook page and through our Twitter postings.
Also, I have a petition asking Gillebrand, and Schumer to re-introduce a GMO Labeling in the US Senate.
You can look for it under my name, Josette Bailey. Thanks so much for caring.
" Oh you've got to be kidding me" too, "Is this guy for real?"
I spoke with a very astute person this morning, and he said that perhaps Obama wanted to give Mitt enough rope to hang himself. Mitt did put out some specifics last night that he will now have to stand by, and clarify.
On the other hand I think" Mr. Laid Back Barack," will have to eat a bowl of spicy chile, and do some jumping jacks before the next debate so he can come on stage, breathe some fire, and burn"Mr.I've Got the Hair, and the Cheesy Lies of a 1970's Used Car Salesman" up.
Barack has truth, and justice on his side, and the US, and the world needs his reelection.
So go Barack!!
You can follow my political activities, and learn about OFA-Team Harlem, on our Facebook page and through our Twitter postings.
Also, I have a petition asking Gillebrand, and Schumer to re-introduce a GMO Labeling in the US Senate.
You can look for it under my name, Josette Bailey. Thanks so much for caring.
Friday, April 20, 2012
Small Details
Today, was actually the first day of juicing. I'm actually not a big fan because of all the ritualistic components of cutting up the fruit, and veggies for the juicer, and then having to clean the juicer. Blah, too much work. I could buy juices from a health food store, or a company called Blueprint, but it gets to be too expensive. So, I guess I'm stuck with the old fashioned way of doing it myself.
Those tedious details are actually not what I want to write to you about. Sometimes I just let the blah,blah, go blah, blah. Today I want to proclaim the absolute exquisite perfection of simple things, a mango, a slice of pineapple, an avocado, the exhilarating sweetness of apple juice. the voluptuousness of walnuts rolled in maple syrup. The eating of these things are what I've been reduced to, or rather what I've been elevated too
.Why am I not always in paroxysms of pleasure when tasting these delights of nature?
Am I sedated by the hormones they put in non-organic beef, or poisoned by insensitivity, as a consequence of eating farm raised fish? I wonder? Am I just an insensate, insensitive brutess? Perhaps....
Perhaps in the sheer gluttony of normal consumption my senses have become dulled, and it is only in the liberation of deprivation can they be liberated, reawakened, and revived.
Like having sex again after a long period without it. The sensations so overwhelmingly pleasurable, that it makes one feel both intensely in, and out of the body both, simultaneously.
I remember the voracious delight with which I used to consume cherries. the red juice dribbling down my chin.Life can be so good, and it can be so easy, pleasure is often available cheaply, and even better yet,...sometimes free
So, this journey of restraint has already provided me with one gift. Let's see what others it has to offer.
Those tedious details are actually not what I want to write to you about. Sometimes I just let the blah,blah, go blah, blah. Today I want to proclaim the absolute exquisite perfection of simple things, a mango, a slice of pineapple, an avocado, the exhilarating sweetness of apple juice. the voluptuousness of walnuts rolled in maple syrup. The eating of these things are what I've been reduced to, or rather what I've been elevated too
.Why am I not always in paroxysms of pleasure when tasting these delights of nature?
Am I sedated by the hormones they put in non-organic beef, or poisoned by insensitivity, as a consequence of eating farm raised fish? I wonder? Am I just an insensate, insensitive brutess? Perhaps....
Perhaps in the sheer gluttony of normal consumption my senses have become dulled, and it is only in the liberation of deprivation can they be liberated, reawakened, and revived.
Like having sex again after a long period without it. The sensations so overwhelmingly pleasurable, that it makes one feel both intensely in, and out of the body both, simultaneously.
I remember the voracious delight with which I used to consume cherries. the red juice dribbling down my chin.Life can be so good, and it can be so easy, pleasure is often available cheaply, and even better yet,...sometimes free
So, this journey of restraint has already provided me with one gift. Let's see what others it has to offer.
Thursday, April 19, 2012
The Unasked Question
When one tells friends about going on a cleanse, there's always the weight of the unasked question in the room. How does this diet affect the gastro-intestinal tract? What about the poop? Of course,one's intimates will venture down this scatalogical road, but there is an inherent shyness in our culture about talking about shit. We talk about everything else mind you, people's sex life, or lack their of, how much they earn, pay for rent, price of home/condo/coop, their ethnicity...' Hi I just met you, what are you?'. But poop, and bodily functions brings out the prude in all of us.
Years ago I was surprised to learn that in Polynesia, people used to invite their friends to go off, and poop with them. It was considered a social event. After all,... we all have to do it, it takes a certain amount of time out of the day, and hopefully we are doing it several times a day if our innards are functioning correctly.
Small children, even in our culture are much more social about it,' Mommy will you stay here while I'm pooping.I want to talk to you'. Obviously, the move away from inviting friends , and family into the bathroom is as strong a statement of the loss of innocence, as Adam, and Eve covering their nakedness with a fig leaf, and it too connotes the price of knowledge.
I myself suffer from the sin of self consciousness, and would prefer that people not discuss body functions in polite conversation. As the mother of a twenty year old male, and the aunt to four more male adolescents I will frankly confess that many a pleasant meal has been ruined by their bad table manners, and grotesque mention of bodily functions which would best left unmentioned.
But, back to the role of poop when one is doing a cleanse. Allow me to wrap up this conversation up by remarking that one wants as much of it to leave oneself as possible Think of it as a physical correlative to giving up something for Lent, or asking for forgiveness during Yom Kippur (.no disrespect meant to either religion by juxtaposition to this topic). One wants to be free of one's gastronomic, and gustatory sins. Ate that fried chicken, bad girl, onion rings, french fries, bad girl, steak, hamburger, bad, bad, girl, too many martinis, and champagne, hang your head in shame. Can there be redemption for a sinner like me? Yes, through eating raw fruits, and vegetables, by going on a cleanse, and juicing, by taking noxious combinations of herbs, and supplements, by getting colonics. I will not elucidate the uninitiated on that topic today.
Pray for me all you sinners, because I am one of you.And even if because of health concerns I never am as indulgent as I once was, like Jimmy Carter once famously said 'I have lusted in my heart.'.
Years ago I was surprised to learn that in Polynesia, people used to invite their friends to go off, and poop with them. It was considered a social event. After all,... we all have to do it, it takes a certain amount of time out of the day, and hopefully we are doing it several times a day if our innards are functioning correctly.
Small children, even in our culture are much more social about it,' Mommy will you stay here while I'm pooping.I want to talk to you'. Obviously, the move away from inviting friends , and family into the bathroom is as strong a statement of the loss of innocence, as Adam, and Eve covering their nakedness with a fig leaf, and it too connotes the price of knowledge.
I myself suffer from the sin of self consciousness, and would prefer that people not discuss body functions in polite conversation. As the mother of a twenty year old male, and the aunt to four more male adolescents I will frankly confess that many a pleasant meal has been ruined by their bad table manners, and grotesque mention of bodily functions which would best left unmentioned.
But, back to the role of poop when one is doing a cleanse. Allow me to wrap up this conversation up by remarking that one wants as much of it to leave oneself as possible Think of it as a physical correlative to giving up something for Lent, or asking for forgiveness during Yom Kippur (.no disrespect meant to either religion by juxtaposition to this topic). One wants to be free of one's gastronomic, and gustatory sins. Ate that fried chicken, bad girl, onion rings, french fries, bad girl, steak, hamburger, bad, bad, girl, too many martinis, and champagne, hang your head in shame. Can there be redemption for a sinner like me? Yes, through eating raw fruits, and vegetables, by going on a cleanse, and juicing, by taking noxious combinations of herbs, and supplements, by getting colonics. I will not elucidate the uninitiated on that topic today.
Pray for me all you sinners, because I am one of you.And even if because of health concerns I never am as indulgent as I once was, like Jimmy Carter once famously said 'I have lusted in my heart.'.
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
This Ritual of Eating
How important is food to you? It's very important to me. How much time do you spend thinking about food. reading recipes, shopping, preparing food, eating, drinking, and then cleaning up? A significant part of our life is spent in some aspect of our relationship to food.
Even during a cleanse food is immensely important. One needs to purchase the supplements, and vitamins, the fresh fruit, and vegetables one will consume during the cleanse. One needs the tools, the blender, and juicer.
Ay yai ya, couldn't it just be simpler? Then, there's the old question,does one eat to live, or live to eat? If your answer is the former, you're an Ascetic, if your answer is the later you are a Sybarite. I've always known that I'm a Sybarite. In the tenth grade in a French class that met during our lunch hour I was introduced to the pleasures of really good French bread, Brie, Boursin and hard salami. Oh baby, where had they been all my life. I was sixteen, and I recognized that I had been missing something. In after school cooking class we learned to make chocolate mousse, and French onion soup, now I was in heaven.
Flash forward to the 1980's I spend six months working on the island of Nantucket. I have multiple jobs to pay the rent, and one of them is at a fancy gourmet store, and deli, Provisions. There I am introduced to triple creme cheese, and a wide variety of pates. I develop a taste for cornichons. Ou la la c'est magnifique. I had yet to learn that French cheese out of France taste like plastic compared to the creamy magnificence you will encounter there, but at that time I had yet to travel to France. And that is a story left for another posting
Even during a cleanse food is immensely important. One needs to purchase the supplements, and vitamins, the fresh fruit, and vegetables one will consume during the cleanse. One needs the tools, the blender, and juicer.
Ay yai ya, couldn't it just be simpler? Then, there's the old question,does one eat to live, or live to eat? If your answer is the former, you're an Ascetic, if your answer is the later you are a Sybarite. I've always known that I'm a Sybarite. In the tenth grade in a French class that met during our lunch hour I was introduced to the pleasures of really good French bread, Brie, Boursin and hard salami. Oh baby, where had they been all my life. I was sixteen, and I recognized that I had been missing something. In after school cooking class we learned to make chocolate mousse, and French onion soup, now I was in heaven.
Flash forward to the 1980's I spend six months working on the island of Nantucket. I have multiple jobs to pay the rent, and one of them is at a fancy gourmet store, and deli, Provisions. There I am introduced to triple creme cheese, and a wide variety of pates. I develop a taste for cornichons. Ou la la c'est magnifique. I had yet to learn that French cheese out of France taste like plastic compared to the creamy magnificence you will encounter there, but at that time I had yet to travel to France. And that is a story left for another posting
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
What going on a cleanse tells one about oneself
Yesterday April 16th,2012 I started what is going to be a 10-14 day adventure.It was the first day of a cleanse that includes eating fresh fruit and vegetables before switching to a juice fast.The schedule,as it now stands is 4 days fruit, and veggies, followed by seven days of juicing, and ending with three more days of fruit,and veggies. it is possible I may extend the number of days I juice depending on how I feel.
Yesterday was a very difficult day for me.I was extremely irritable, as my fiance would attest if he were also posting too.I was a major bitch, but then again I didn't feel well. It's not because I didn't have enough to eat. I had all kinds of fruit and vegetables, and nuts around the house.It's because I have a psychological addiction to meat/fish, cheese, chocolate, coffee, and alcohol, and not being able to have my favorite things makes me feel unhappy, and deprived.
I love food, and I love really good food.I have lived in Italy, and lived with an Italian man, and during those years I really got my food on. Also my father came from Louisiana, and the culture of food on that side of my family is very strong, in addition my mother's family is Jamaican, and the food made by my maternal grandmother was also delicious. What can I say I'm an unrepentant foodie. However, I'm an unrepentant foodie, who for health reasons, and a fiance pressuring her to become a size 6 must change her ways.I put off this cleanse for two years, joining yoga class, and Weight Watchers, but there always came a moment when I stopped going to class, or stopped counting my points, and let everything go. And when I say,let everything go I mean to the detriment of my figure. Thus have I reluctantly come to this moment in time when I will give myself a fresh start, and hopefully change my point of view about eating, and get a jump start on a new leaner, meaner fitter me. Stay tuned.
Yesterday was a very difficult day for me.I was extremely irritable, as my fiance would attest if he were also posting too.I was a major bitch, but then again I didn't feel well. It's not because I didn't have enough to eat. I had all kinds of fruit and vegetables, and nuts around the house.It's because I have a psychological addiction to meat/fish, cheese, chocolate, coffee, and alcohol, and not being able to have my favorite things makes me feel unhappy, and deprived.
I love food, and I love really good food.I have lived in Italy, and lived with an Italian man, and during those years I really got my food on. Also my father came from Louisiana, and the culture of food on that side of my family is very strong, in addition my mother's family is Jamaican, and the food made by my maternal grandmother was also delicious. What can I say I'm an unrepentant foodie. However, I'm an unrepentant foodie, who for health reasons, and a fiance pressuring her to become a size 6 must change her ways.I put off this cleanse for two years, joining yoga class, and Weight Watchers, but there always came a moment when I stopped going to class, or stopped counting my points, and let everything go. And when I say,let everything go I mean to the detriment of my figure. Thus have I reluctantly come to this moment in time when I will give myself a fresh start, and hopefully change my point of view about eating, and get a jump start on a new leaner, meaner fitter me. Stay tuned.
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