Winter Manor

Welcome to my winter retreat.

Photo taken 3 inches into our 12 inch storm.

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EWR Train

Waiting on the iron horse so I can get back home to New Brunswick, NJ. Florida trip is over. Back to a crisp 54° F. The train is 8 minutes late. The ride should be about 1hr. That should be enough time to fix up the apartment a little.

Dennis F.

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take a look at the new diggs.

Dennis F.

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Roads, Water, and Blood

Sunday, 10.25.09 was my sweat day. I poured out every ounce of energy I had stored up in my muscles for a 19 mile ride through Central NJ. The shot to the left was my midway point. Upon reachng this lake I took a few minutes to catch my breath and took a few photos of a wonderful autumn sky over the lake. This is where the Princeton crew team practices and competes. It's well-kept and worth seeing.


I also randomly found Rockingham. According to the sign it's the site of George Washington's HQ in 1783. For more info go to http://www.rockingham.net/ . I thought it was pretty cool to find the historic landmark.

Making Strides Breast Cancer Walk

Sunday I participated in a 5 mile walk to support cancer research. As the title suggest this was the Avon Making Strides Breast Cancer Walk. Pictures to come.

Bad Economy? Who said so?

Lower Manhattan. Goods times are back in the financial mecca of
the US market. Recently the DJIA aka The Dow Jones or the Dow 30 returned to 10,000. The market indicator reflects investors sentiment about the performance and health of the 30 largest corporations in the United States. The number itself means very little and is largely based on investor's feeling. In fact as the economy continues to shed jobs, taxes rise, property values fall, and prices rise, the Dow rose from 2,000 points this year.

Wall St. and the nations largest banks succeeded once again to prove it lacks any sense of morality. News reports say Wall Street's worst heroes are on track to collect record bonuses to be measured in the billions of dollars. This in the midst of a great economic crisis which some seem not to even acknowledge. Their brand of capitalism is synonymous with greed and it's simply wrong.

Abscence

A lack of hardware has made it impossible to share photos of some of my most recent sightings. I will have to buy a new adapter for my PC but I am doing everything possible to avoid the purchase.

Looking Back

The past two weeks have taught me to look back and then look forward. Just at that moment between doing nothing and doing something we all have a choice. The real test of our mettle is whether we choose to take the rough road that might lead to our goals or do we stay on the road we already know. This is the easy road that allows us to just get by.

Three examples....

The lieutenant, the actress, and the med student. These three people do not know each other but they are connected through me.

The Lieutenant entered the military looking for adventure, training, and an education. He left with a sense of accomplishment except for in one small area. He pushed his superiors for years to assign to Asia. They refused. The soldier gets older and eventually becomes a family man. He leaves his adventures behind longing for the simpler life. Just before signing the final papers he is given the opportunity he has always wanted. The soldiers closes his mind to the idea and says goodbye to Uncle Sam. Seven years later he wishes he experienced Korea and Japan when he was thinner, faster, and longed for the next adventure.

The actress, like many in her field, is hungry for work and dreds the day when her looks and charm will no longer be enough to get the job. Her eye is focused on success through sacrifice and although she does not know what the future may bring she is determined to give her best to her passion. Love of the theatre is something I don't understand but those born with an attraction to the spotlight relish it. The actress takes the rough path for the sake of love and devotion to a dream.

The med student is like most of us. The doctor in training is torn between quitting to lead the easy life and struggling for a few more years to meet a goal. The med student can quit but will live a life always wondering what could have been. Her she can also succeed and look forward to years of debt and the threat of lawsuits. Devotion to the wellness of people is their mantra. As easy as it is to believe this, for the med student sacrifice will be unending. The difficult path the have choosen will last years for their family's and a lifetime for themselves. Why then would they take the beaten path if they know it will never smoothen?

Why Does the Garden Stink?

So I am finally realizing that the glamorous world of logistics and supply chain management is not so glamorous. Companies seem to recognize the importance of managing their supply chains efficiently. They also seem to recognize that this challenging profession is demanding. They seem to pay SCM professionals decently well in comparison to other professions. However, despite knowing all this they seem do their best to minimize the number of people managing the supply chain. I suppose that for us to truly be called experts we must be rare gems in the corporate war chest.

My current role as a logistics analyst requires a 30 minute drive from Jersey City, NJ to New Brunswick, NJ. The drive is not the problem. The smell of burning fuels is the problem. To be technical I guess I should the smell from New Jersey's oil refineries at 7:30 am should be termed burning bio-carbons. The stench is awful. It's quite sad because New Jersey has the reputation of being a dirty smelly state and for 5 minutes each morning on one of America's busiest interstate highways (I-95), I am forced to agree.

Dinner at LaGuardia Place

At 510 LaGuardia Place you will find an incredible restaurant with an exterior resembling something from the wrong side of the tracks taken over by squatters. Behind the intimidating facade is le Souk. It is a delightful dining room just off Bleeker Street. The restaurant features a rich menu filled with the best north African cuisine. You will also be entertained by a live DJ and mesmerized by very seductive belly dancers.

Take a look at Le Souk's website for more.

4 Glasses and 1 Green Rock.

 

So we tried something different this time around. We went to Green Rock for drinks and some dancing fun. Typically I would go with a group and just order drinks or have dinner then drinks. Friday night was different. Us guys plus another female friend had a mission. We tasked ourselves to dance, drink, have fun, make eye contact, get a few phone numbers, and take it from there.

It takes balls to strike up a conversation with a complete stranger but you never know what you will get. New York is funny in that way. My strategy is to let those around see that you are straight shooter and once does this by being like vanilla. Exemplify that you are good, sweet, and can satisfy cravings. Do not be over the top, that is too loud nor extremely colorful. I am not a high energy individual but I will always show confidence in myself and style.

This is a true New York lesson by way of Hoboken.

FY 2009 PSAA Board Mtg 1

I am presently serving as Co-Chair for the Penn State Alumni Chapter’s New York City Chapter. The first full board meeting for FY 2009 was held on July, 07, 2009. I met other board member and am learning how to manage the work the association does for its members. I will continue to work to improve the experience for members of the alumni association.PSAA New York City Chapter

The Raining Rainbow

The firework show was amazing. It was so amazing I forgot to blog from the viewing area. The entire show lasted approximately thirty minutes. The rockets were fired from the Hudson river and lit up the sky over New York and New Jersey. Below are just of few shot taken from my camera. The view is from Steven's Institute of Technology in Hoboken, NJ. Certain visitors perched themselves in a single spot for upwards of fours hours before the show began. I can certify that ever minute was worth the wait.

Showing off - The first phase of the displayed some fun designs in the night sky. We saw spheres, elipses, cubes, and faces!!!

Shock - Some big, bright, and colorful explosions hooked us all.

The finale - A grand closing for a big, bright, colorful, and loud show. Ovation roared from the crowds on the river banks coupled with the fog horns of the vessels in the river.

Clouds, The American Way.

Thirty minutes to go before the start of our fireworks show and the sky has an air of American patriotism to it. This is a good start to what will hopefully be a great show.

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July 4 Pre-Show

Large boats have taken position throughout the Hudson River for this years Fourth of July fireworks show. People are looking for the spot on land and on the water to have the best view of tonight's spectacle.

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A Rainbow over Brooklyn

I spent the evening at the South Street Seaport. Tonight's main feature was Open Air Opera. The event, which started a few minutes late, went from 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm.The purpose of the free event was to expand the reach of the arts and culture to residents of the New York metro area.

As if to spite us for the event's free price tag, the audience's resolve to participate in the live event was tested by the weather. The downpour started just as the orchestra began setting up. Space was limited to roughly 300 chairs so the audience had to remain in place, seated, during the evening's showers. When it was over the crowd was pleased to see the event start quickly. Additionally we were rewarded with a beautiful rainbow just behind the orchestra and over Brooklyn.


The orchestra was disciplined. Their rapid movement, the uniformity of their sound, their teamwork, all demonstrated the high level of skill and talent this group was sharing with us. The orchestra amazed us but the opera singers absolutely left the audience in awe. Every note was reached. Every motion was calculated and refined. The performance this team put on for us captured the attention of 3,000 people for one hour. Remember we only had enough seating for three hundred. The open air opera drew people from all over lower Manhattan. It pulled people from their restaurant tables, shops, and sightseeing treks. It was magnificent event that was truly a success despite the bad weather and made us all lovers of the opera.

Remebering Neda Agha-Sultani

The current crisis in Iran is unbelievable. Certainly this struggle is teaching world governments that the 21st century has provided the people with the means to keep their government's accountable. It is amazing seeing just how much footage is coming out of Iran. Information on Neda Agha-Sultani can be found all over the internet. Links to video, images and text concerning Neda are listed below.

1. HuffingtonPost.com
2. Wikepedia
3. Telegraph
4. iPouya

5.



What's is most deplorable however regarding the circumstances of her murder are the actions of the Iranian government to ensure her body was placed in a pauper's grave without ceremony or final respects. Such action, such policy is inhumane. Deliberately disrepecting funeral and burial traditions is amongst the lowest form of human cruelty. New websites and blogs report that this woman is the first martyr of the 2009 pro-democracy revolution in Iran. Denying the right to mourn to this woman's family, denying the right to assemble for prayer vigils, and denying the right to hold memorials in mosques for her and others that have been killed are three heavy nails that the current Iranian leadership has just hammered into its own coffin.

Before the Storm...

Sailing from Point Pleasant, NJ on Saturday June 20, 2009. Here's a shot of our departure from the New Jersey shore for an early morning of fishing. This is about three hours before the storm caught up with us. Three hours of fresh Atlantic Ocean fishing just miles from the coast was great fun. The following two hours of rain was not.

Gone Fish'in

The front of our boat.

God's hands on a quilt

"Tuesday's Child: Does God Have Enough Hands?" by Deborah Fell.

This is the image of a quilt at St. Paul's Chapel in New York City's financial district. The church is directly across the street from the site where the World Trade Centers' twin towers once stood. This quilt was sewn after September 11, 2001. It depicts images of that dreadful day. This is an iconic image that is burned into the memories of New Yorkers in those days immediately after the horrific tragedy of that day.

Rainy NY days

These are some really down grey days in New York. I spent part of the morning St Paul's Church.

Iran finds supporters in the West

We have seen four days of demonstrations, protests, and violence. The people of Iran are on the streets literally fighting to be heard by their government. The recently presidential election seems to have all to easily gone to the incumbent. Protesters immediately took to the streets renouncing their results as a sham. In fact the incumbent was declared the victor three hours after polling had ended. Millions of paper ballots were supposedly hand counted in three hours, reflecting a 60/30 split in favor of the incumbent. The people of Iran have risen up denouncing the election and their government. The nation supreme leader has ordered an investigation into the allegations of fraud. Two days into the investigation it appears he is convinced irregularities occurred.

Journalist have been kicked out of Iran. As of yesterday all foreign journalists are barred from filming or photographing events in Iran. All information on the current environment is coming from individuals. Iran has restricted all communications in the country. Cell phone, internet, and satellite services are being interrupted. The mainstream media has its hands tied. The people in Iran are turning into citizen journalist, providing the stories, pictures, and videos. Reports police brutality, widespread violence, and other crimes against humanity have been reported. My information sources are listed below:
1) Huffington Post
2) Twitter: Alyssa_Milano
3) Boston.com



The events in Iran are opening new ties of support and solidarity between Western nations and the people of Iran. By working together over the internet the world is seeing Iran as it is and watching how the theocratic regime responds as its people demand political justice.

Embers of a Settling Day

There is something special about sunsets in New York City that set it apart from other cities. From time to time while walking in the heart this very busy city one can find moments of absolute serenity. The city becomes still. One will look forward, back, then all around; hear no one and see nothing but empty streets and a setting sun. These moments are brief and almost feel imaginary. My memory might be horrible but each of these rare moments has lived within me every since.

The Empire

An atypical shot of New York's tallest building, the Empire State Building. I call this "Imperial Ascension." I do not really like taking photos of New York landmarks because they have been shot to death.

Washington Wisdom

A few days ago I bought "The Hardball Handbook: How to Win in Life." I finally cracked it open today and dove right into it. I parked myself on a bench in a New Jersey park overlooking New York City. I stayed there and read for two hours without distraction. I can say that it's an excellent read. The book gets straight to the point delivering a series of lessons and quick takeaways for the reader.

The book is the latest piece published by accomplished political figure Chris Mathews. Mr. Mathews hosts his own television show. His guests are leaders and representatives of the United States government and other entities. He regularly invites guests from public and private fields to discuss issues critical to the national debate. His journey through life has given him a unique perspective to how decision are made in Washington D.C. This book shares some of the principles that helped lead power figures to achieve success.

Movie Night: The Hangover

You must see "The Hangover". This Hollywood hit will blow your mind and keep you laughing. This movie is the ultimate escape and has been called the mature version of "Superbad".

The trailer does a great job drawing you into this comedy. Four friends have one crazy night in Los Vegas and wake the next morning with a massive hangover and no memory. The plot thickens as they try to recover from their long night. The film is a must see for anyone who loves a laugh and can handle adult humour.

image source:http://www.yourmoviestuff.com

American Poultry

The most inspiring symbol of what America aspires to be. The bald eagle symbolizes America's strength, prowess, and reflects the sense of freedom that we believe in so greatly.

Early Summer

Where's the weekend heading? I have been asking myself this almost daily for the past few months. Despite the terrible economy this is turning out to be a wonderful and exciting year.

More pictures to be posted on what acitivities New York offers this year.

Chavez and the Mouse

source: ISHR.org

I don't really like this one because of gow fake it looks. Just like all the others this image won a Clio Award recently and depicts the fear leaders of closed societies have of the internet and other open forms of media.

Castro and the Mouse

source: ISHR.org

It's a sad image isn't it? This image won a Clio Award recently and depicts the fear leaders of closed societies have of the internet and other open forms of media.

Ahmadinejad and the Mouse

source: ISHR.org

It's a sad image isn't it? This image won a Clio Award recently and depicts the fear leaders of closed societies have of the internet and other open forms of media.

Los Angelos

source: http://www.musicomh.com

Recently I have been seeing a lot of references to angels and spirituality in my daily life. It's odd because I do not consider my highly religious. Regardless, I have noticed that the public and private debate of which I have witnessed and participated in surrounding national and familial politics strongly revolves around the raging struggle between forces of good and evil.

I recently saw the Hollywood version of Dan Brown's Angels and Demons. I give it four and a half stars. It is a very good thriller. The president of our republic also frequently refers to us appealing to our better angels. There are references to debates of this sort entwined in national politics and lately they appear more interesting because of their subtlety.

Miro

If you use Firefox, enjoy watching internet videos, or basically want a platform to learn more about what else the net has to offer then I suggest you take a look at Miro. According to Mozilla, Miro is a free, open source Internet TV and video player. According to its marketing Miro offers very high quality video which trumps normal and HD video quality on most websites. I have used it to watch Stephen Colbert and the Scifi Channel on Miro. The program is truly impressive. Learn more about Miro here.

Commencement Season

Probably the most long awaited day for most people is graduation day. For college students May is the month we love the most. It marks the end of an academic year and after years of study mid-May signifies the commencement.

Today I attended the 133rd commencement ceremony at the Steven's Institute in Hoboken, NJ. The reason for my presence was to support and share in the moment with a friend how has worked hard and earned the confirmation of an advanced academic degree.

Blarney Stones anyone?

I spent the afternoon in the city again. It was such a nice day so I did some walking.

Any viewer of the television show the Colbert Report is probably familiar with his references on sucking on his blarney stones. Well it turns out that Blarney Stone is an Irish pub on 3rd Ave and 44th St. Pictures to come soon.

Dennis F.

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Speedway at 34t St.

Macy's at 34th St. has a new event. The store is currently showcasing vintage F1 race cars. The vehicles are on display in the store windows and on its selling floor. To find these relics enter at on the east of the landmark between 34th to 35th st and Broadway.

Midnight post

I made it into the City today to meet with an old friend and to have some fun. We started with the cliché shopping around 34th Street for about an hour. It's unfortunate that I lost an hour of my life looking for women's shoes with my friend at macy's. Afterward we went to Union Square for some more shoe shopping excitement.

It was at Union Sq. that we found probably the best frozen yogurt I ever tried. The glacerie is called red mango. The fabulous creation pictured here is pomegranite frozen yogurt with dark chocolate pebbles and almond flakes. It was very good and left us wanting more.

Dennis Fiakpoey.

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Rendez-vous à l'aeroport

I have to pick up a friend from the airport today. Expected arrival is 9:00 pm tonight. I cannot confirm whether my friend caught his flight from Hong Kong. I will have to drive across New York and wait until I see him. In the worst case scenario if he is not on tonight's flight then I will do this again tomorrow.

Going to the airport reminded me of the April 27, 2009 Air Force One flyby over New York City. The plane flew very low and appeared to be chased by two air force fighter jets. Needless to say it caused a panic in Manhattan for obvious reasons. Read more about the story at nytimes.com

source
Zeleny, Jeff "After Flyover of Air Force One Backup, Military Office Director Resigns " nytimes.com May 8, 2009 http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/05/08/after-air-force-one-flyover-military-office-director-resigns/?scp=2&sq=New%20York%20City%20Air%20Force%20One%20fly-by&st=cse

Trinity Chuch Cemetery

When taking the time to discover new parts of this country I sometimes notice iconic things that mirror America's roots. Even though we are a forward looking nation it is sometimes fun to notice those things in our society that are very European, Latin, or African in origin.

Trinity Church is centrally located in lower Manhattan near Wall St. and the New York Stock Exchange. I have attached 1 of my photos of the cemetery at Trinity Church to this posting. The cemetery and its design take me back to France. It's a lovely church with rich history and took my mind back to the days of old New York.

The cemetery is well preserved. Most tombstones can no longer be read however many still have legible eulogies for the dead. The paths are paved with stone and lined with flowers and other plants. This must be one of the most peaceful places in lower Manhattan.

The First

There are many things I hope to share on this blog. This is the first posting so I will keep it short. It's late and I am going out for a little while. Let's see what I can post tomorrow.