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stuck in queens

yeah! Who knew one could be stuck in quuens.
I brought my car to bayside, to a dealer, to get a recall taken care of, and the car seats checked for safety.
Well, in order to do that, they're gonna take all day, and now I've had to call for help, to be rescued and borrow a car in order to pick up Willik.
So, as I write this, I am at a public library, awaiting my dad's arrival.
I will then be dropped off at Rainbow Preschool, where Phoenix goes to school and where my mom and sister work. I will borrow one of their cars, and the car seat that my dad brings, go home, attempt to get something done there, before going out again to pick up Willik, and then pick up Phoenix and my mom.
Fabio is swamped with work, so thank God, my dad was available.
As if that wasn't enough, the parts which need repair on the car seat, are not available on their own. Instead, the whole seat needs to be replaced. That would cost $417 just in parts alone. Needless to say, we will not be doing that. We'll just buy Phoenix a nice new car seat, and spend $50 instead.
At least the recall repair to the airbag is free.
Well, this is not how I had my day planned. God, what am I supposed to learn here?


update: It's almost the end of the day, and more of the day was different than I'd planned, or hoped.
My dad picked me up within a half hour of the posting of the above entry.
We went to Rainbow, my my mom was in a long meeting, so after waiting for her for about a half hour, we decided to take her keys, tell my sister to relay the events, and go.
I went on to Willik's schol because there wasn't enough time go home, but it was definitely way to early to pick up Willik. I walked around the Queens College campus, and had hoped to capture some good shots, but I didn't find anything much of interest, and just exercised my legs.
After I got Willik, I went back to Rainbow for the 3rd time today, and picked up my mom and Phoenix. Though the original plan was to go to the dealer to pick up the mininvan, that changed too. I was dropped off at home, Willik did some homework, Fabio got home, and then we left again, to pick up the car.
We ended up back at home after 7pm, and I picked up some brick oven pizza on my way home. At least dinner was easy, the boys ate well, and they had a quick game of candyland. Now they are in bed, I feel like going to bed, and Fab is gearing up to start another class.
Whew, what a day!!!

20 September 2006 | Comments (1) in city

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Whew! I'm tired just reading about it!

Posted by: Abuelo at September 21, 2006 04:48 PM


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"Squat" Book Review

A book about 24 hours in the life of a homeless man in the Lower East Side.
I'm not normally one who reviews books, but I felt compelled to write about this one.
A quick read, I read it over the course of a weekend. It was interrupted reading, between my young sons having something to say and a brief trip to Philadelphia, I managed to keep up with it and not "lose" my place in the story.
The story takes place in the 80's when the L.E.S. is heavily populated by homeless people, and they are all taking up residence in squats.

This book was written by my pastor and friend Taylor Field. He knows this scenario well, as he's lived and worked in the Lower East Side since '85, serving with Graffiti Community Ministries and pastoring Graffiti Church. These ministries have made a conscious effort to continue to be involved with people who might not have anywhere else to turn to. Not only that, but all the author's proceeds will directly benefit these ministries.

But I digress-- I'm to write about the book...
I loved the book, and not just because it was written by someone I know. I loved the characters. I thought they were well developed, and I felt like with each chapter, I got to know a bit more about the nuances that made Squid tick; the fire within Unc that kept him playing Devil's Advocate. I leaned closer to see what Jason would say next, and was amused by Bonehead's kind nature. Then there's Rachel. I love the fact that the girl makes everyone smile; she's very passionate and pleasant.

What I like most, and what spoke to me most, was the author's ability to make me identify with all of these people. They may not be directly based on someone, but I could think of people just like these. People who I've met and talked to. More importantly, if I let myself, I can see bits and pieces of myself in all these characters. Ultimately, that is what made the book for me. It was that uncomfortable sense that I am made up of all sorts of quirks that these squatters possess. Most of these traits are not ones I am proud of. I also possess personality traits that some of the mission workers have, but sometimes, even the most well-meaning actions I take, can still hurt someone, or steer them away from Christ rather than toward Him.
I think that's one of the key things that sets this book apart from many others. It will stir you to realize that you are part "Squid" and part "Bonehead" without preaching at you. You will have to face parts of this within. So next time you come across someone like these characters, don't be so quick to judge them, or cast them aside.

'Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.' -- Plato

15 September 2006 | Comments (0) in thoughts

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