Everyone's got a story, especially in a wacky place like New York City. Today, we can add one more wild tale to the eight-million-item list-- a kite-surfer washed up on some rocks at the edge of Liberty Island, home of the Statue of Liberty.
Kite Surfing near a national monument, in a perilous waterway, in cold weather, near marine police on 24/7 anti-terrorist watch? Bad idea. Image Source
Apparently, the athlete was taking advantage of the windy conditions coming our way thanks to Tropical Storm Ida. Problem is, he was doing it in one of the country's busiest bodies of water. The Hudson river, which surrounds Liberty Island, is difficult to navigate because of complex currents, and notoriously polluted to boot.
Sometimes the big surf created by stormy weather is appealing to surfers (kite and wind surfers, too), but the desire to harness extreme conditions should never come before a consideration of the potential hazards. At the very least, utilizing one of New York City's many other bodies of water would have been wise. The Long Island Sound, perhaps. Almost anything would have been a better idea.
Since New York City was attacked by terrorists in 2001, the waters around lower Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty have been patrolled 24 hours a day by United States Park Police, so causing a disturbance in the area is not something that will be taken lightly.
The surfer (still unidentified so far) is in Parks Police custody right now, wasting both his own time as well as that of the Parks Police.
So watch the surf reports if you're into that sort of thing, and see if you can catch some big swells or heavy winds without putting yourself in harm's way. Kite surfing is a great way to enjoy particularly blustery days, but it shouldn't happen at the expense of anybody's safety!
Halloween is mostly about getting spooked, eating candy, dressing up ridiculous, and cutting loose. But last night, cyclists and cycling advocates in cities around the country got together for a spooky yet serious Halloween tradition-- the annual Halloween Critical Mass ride!
Critical Mass is a popular group bike ride that happens around the world, in which cyclists band together and create a 'critical mass' of people-powered traffic that is large enough to lay claim on big city streets that are usually strictly car territory. Last night, riders around the world put on costumes in a an action that proved activism and a good time don't have to be mutually exclusive.
I wasn't able to make the ride in New York because of a lingering bike-related injury, but thanks to the miracle of the internet, and the documentation of countless costumed crusaders, we can take a look at the action as it went down in a number of different cities last night. Image from NYC by Irene Roxanne on Flickr.
You'd think that the fun-factor created by a costumed crew of cyclists would draw a groundswell of support from pedestrians, partiers, and motorists alike-- but according to Bike Blog NYC, an angry charter bus driver ran over somebody's bike during the ride!
So much for bringing outsiders in with good spirits and sweet costumes.
If nothing else, the story of last night's ride should highlight the importance of diplomacy and an alert attitude whether you're at a demonstration or trick or treating in your neighborhood. Some people just aren't amused at the sight of others having a good time (or changing the world!). It's best to simply avoid confrontation and stay safe.
So when you're out tonight celebrating Halloween, stay smart! Don't go out alone, make sure that you can see and hear well out of your costume, and don't be afraid to steer clear of fishy candy or heated situations. Happy haunting!
The City of Miami is working hard to get more people on bicycles!
Last week, the City's Bicycle Coordinator, Collin Worth, organized a ride to get people who only normally ride only for leisure, from the sidewalks to the streets. The purpose of this ride was to teach people basic bicycle safety, so that they can be more confident riding when they have short trips to make. Police were invited to ride too, so that the newbie riders could feel safe on the road. (Coming from New York, I am still always shocked when the police are there to actually HELP the cyclists! They even stopped a few cars for us.)
We met up at the American Legion at 8:30am. The ride took us through four different and diverse Miami neighborhoods, The Upper Eastside, Little Haiti, Wynwood, and Bayshore. Some spots were even new to me.
David Henderson, from the Florida Bicycle Association broke it down for me, "A ride like this gives people a chance to experience what it is like to ride on the road, to interact with traffic and other riders, and to practice safe bike practices; stay to the right, pass on the left, communicate with the other people you are riding with, let them know when you are turning, stopping, slowing down. It gives people a chance to learn how to scan what is going on around them, how to look ahead and behind while they are riding.
I met some people from a "new mommies" group riding with their babies, a professor who encouraged me to apply for a Fullbright scholarship (giving me ideas and everything!), a bike shop owner, and also some "Slow Riders" from www.slowbikemiami.com.
AND to top it all off, we found a teeny weeny baby KITTEN on the street, who ended up joining our ride. (Yes the kitten is in the video too! I can't help it)
Her hands were shaking. Heart was beating rapid-fire. Her head was spinning and she couldn't focus on what her professor was saying. All she could think of was...
... where is her cell phone?!
I bet you didn't think that was coming. Something that sounds so trivial could make us incredibly upset if it actually happened.
When I lose my cell phone, I feel like I've lost touch with the world. A major panic sets in and my mind is constantly on trying to find it.
THIS IS AN ADDICTION
According to a recent article on drugrehabtreatment.com, cell phone addiction is now being cosidered as an illness in which rehab may be used to treat.
"In Spain, two children ages 12 and 13 were recently admitted to a mental hospital for mobile phone addiction. Their treatment will resemble that of drug addicts and those with obsessive-compulsive disorder. Maite Utgés, director of the hospital, indicated that the children were failing in school and couldn't complete normal tasks because they spent five or six hours a day on their phones."
This must be a joke. Sure, I do rely on my cellular for a variety of things, but... well...
I guess I'm addicted too.
Several studies have been done on this new "illness." In China, nearly 1/3 of all highschool students were found to "show signs of addiction."
Not only does this addiction affect one's mental health, it also has shown to decrease work productivity, traffic safety, and learning abilities.
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SYMPTOMS INCLUDE:
Feeling restless or uncomfortable when not using a cell phone;
Having irrational reactions to being without a phone if it is lost or forgotten;
Substantial increases in the amount of time spent talking on a cell phone;
Mounting cell phone bills that cause financial distress;
Problems at school and work from constant cell phone use;
Interpersonal problems from constant cell phone use; or
Taking unnecessary risks such as using a cell phone during inappropriate times (driving, etc.).
I don't know what to think of this addiction. If it's something we should worry about, what can we do?
So in two weeks of being at school, about 7 incidents have been reported of men letting their genitalia hang out while a cute girl walks by. In public. On the sidewalk.
I don't know what to make of this new trend. It's vulgar, disgusting, and just plain disrespectful of everyone who has to see it.
What are the reasons for pulling such a revealing act?
Well, according to one man, his wardrobe was malfunctioning at the time.
Okay. You're going to go outside. You have a mirror in your home and honestly if something looks like it's about to fall off, don't wear it.
A few of my friends have suggested that maybe these guys are proud of what they have.. down . there.. "If you got it, flaunt it," my roommate adds.
Well if this is a case then why don't we all just run around naked. Because we all have it. Believe me, I don't want to see your jewels. I know what they look like; I've seen them in health videos and in personal experiences. There's nothing special about yours. Have you not heard of keeping things to the imagination? Plus, chances are yours aren't the biggest anyone has ever seen. Why expose yourself for nothing?
Lastly, I came across an article in our Daily Collegian newspaper that reported one of the perpetrators was just "trying to meet this girl."
IF this is the case, our society is sad. It's going downhill. I'm pretty much flabberghasted that someone would go this far to actually talk to a girl. Needless to say, this encounter did not bring him to his goal.
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Summary:
Light Summary: Guys, if you're single and ready to mingle, don't use this tactic to get the babes. Obviously, it doesn't have a good success rate.
Serious Summary: Being on campus, usually a small grossly populated area filled with young partyers and innocent kids, it's not as safe as one may hope. Be careful for the weirdos out there and always walk with a friend at night.
Plus, if this happens to you, it will be funnier to experience with a friend.
