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An arm with a tattoo: "I was made for the library, not the classroom."

Bloomfield Station

This is the Bloomfield station where I catch the train into the City every day. It's a shame that this part of it is in such a state of disrepair -- especially considering the other side just got a nice facelift -- but politics have apparently gotten in the way of its restoration and the surrounding area's revitalization. It would be nice to see a development plan that balances local flavor with notable franchises, a small movie theater and a good selection of restaurants because I'd rather not drive up to Montclair whenever we want to find something new and…

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An arm with a tattoo: "I was made for the library, not the classroom."

Breaking Ground

Bloomfieldguy

There are 8 million stories in the naked city, plus another 2-3 million, give or take, if you count the transplants who still commute in for work from the surrounding cities and towns in Long Island, Connecticut and, yes, New Jersey.

From Bloomberg to Bloomfield is my story, a native New Yorker on his third go-round living in the Garden State, now as a first-time homeowner in the town of Bloomfield, which is in Essex County, due West of the Lincoln Tunnel and just north of Newark and East Orange, which are effectively the Bronx to Bloomfield’s Mt. Vernon, the former being where I’m from originally, the latter where I lived for most of my high school years.

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An arm with a tattoo: "I was made for the library, not the classroom."

Spindle Update: Scheduling Delays

If you’re one of Spindle‘s obsessive readers who’s figured out our update schedule and checks in every second Tuesday for new content, you’ve probably noticed our schedule has been slipping a bit the past couple of months.  Thankfully, it’s not for lack of content, as the submissions continue to come in at a steady pace and many of them are pretty good!*

Truth is, I started a new job about two months ago and it has completely swallowed up the little bit of free time I used to have to keep Spindle on its intended monthly schedule.  Plus, I’m coaching my son’s Little League team AND Salomé just wrapped up her Master’s Degree AND we just bought our first house, so Spindle-time has been virtually non-existent since the beginning of March.

No worries about the fun coming to a premature end, though, as I expect to be back on a regular schedule shortly, and will post mini-updates sporadically whenever I’m able to until I do get back on schedule. I’m particularly excited about the upcoming debut of our newest column, “GSNY”, by Gabrielle Sierra, who has a great voice and some very interesting stories to tell.

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An arm with a tattoo: "I was made for the library, not the classroom."

Goodbye Potter’s Field

Home ownership is a key theme in one of my favorite movies, It’s a Wonderful Life, and as I called our current landlord this morning to officially let them know we won’t be renewing our lease, I couldn’t help but recall the scene where Mr. Martini is moving his family into their new home courtesy of a loan from the old Bailey Bros. Building & Loan Association:

“No more we live like pigs in this Potter’s Field!”

While our apartment is far from a slum, we’ve definitely outgrown it, both physically and psychologically, and more than any other step we’ve taken in the home buying process so far, making that phone call felt like the most concrete affirmation yet that we’re really doing it. There was also a bit of the bittersweet there with the realization that, after a combined 17 years, I will likely never live in the Bronx again.

Of course, It’s A Wonderful Life has an answer for that, too:

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An arm with a tattoo: "I was made for the library, not the classroom."

I’m Not Dead

…but I certainly feel like I’ve been buried alive lately!

[youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdnljEV7MP4]

Speaking, tangentially, of being careful what you wish for*, I’d totally understand if Obama was really close to just saying “screw y’all” and handing the nomination to Clinton. Hunter S. Thompson’s sentiment — paraprashing someone else, I believe — “In a democracy, people usually get the kind of government they deserve, and they deserve what they get.” has never felt truer than the past month or so. Thanks to the new job, I’ve successfully taken a break from the Democratic primary and avoided last night’s debate, but Andrew Sullivan’s on-the-fly take and IllDoctrine’s parody (above) confirmed that it was even worse than I expected it to be. Say what you want about Clinton’s “right” to continue her campaign, when your only hope is to carpet bomb your opponent and hope he doesn’t survive the assault, I’d say that’s akin to one’s First Amendment rights stopping at yelling “Fire!” in a movie theater.

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An arm with a tattoo: "I was made for the library, not the classroom."

Walk Now for Autism, 2008

India and Daddy in Inwood ParkDid you know that every 20 minutes another child is diagnosed with autism?

Three years ago, our daughter India was diagnosed with PDD-NOS – an Autism Spectrum Disorder. After three years of intense therapy and lots of support from organizations dedicated to families of children with Autism, India has come a long way and while she still has some trouble with communicating and overstimulation, she no longer presents with the symptoms typically associated with Autism.

Please help me give other children the same opportunity by supporting me as I walk with Team 352X again in this year’s Autism Speaks Walk Now for Autism fund-raising event.

This is my 3rd year walking — 2nd year with Team 352X — and I consider it one of the most important things I do each year. Your financial support is most appreciated, not just on behalf of my daughter India and the great kids my wife Salomé teaches at 352X, but for all the kids and their families who benefit from an increased awareness of autism and the additional resources that are becoming available due to that increased awareness.

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An arm with a tattoo: "I was made for the library, not the classroom."

Spindle: Play Ball!

While the weather hasn’t really acknowledged it yet, Spring is officially here, and there’s no better sign of the hopefulness it brings with it than the start of baseball season, as the Mets and Yankees vie for a shot at another subway series to send their old stadiums out with a bang.

Over at Spindle, we’re getting into the spirit of the season with the release of our Play Ball issue and the announcement of the winner of our first ever writing contest:

CONGRATULATIONS TO LIZ DOLAN FOR HER WINNING SUBMISSION:
The House That Ruth Built

Her poem is featured in this month’s Play Ball issue, and she will receive a $50 honorarium, $25 of which she is graciously donating back to the magazine.

The issue also features Honorable Mentions from Caroline DePalma, Robert Ross, Wayne Scheer, Janet A. Shainheit and Skip Shea; plus new and archived work from Roger Bonair-Agard, J.T. Clark, Guy LeCharles Gonzalez and Larry Jaffe.

If baseball isn’t your thing, we also have new columns from Stephanie R. Myers (Myers Music Machine) and Brooke Wacha (On the 1), plus a great new Gallery from Syreeta McFadden.

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