More Sad News

The Funtown Pier in Seaside Heights, NJ

As if my beloved Seaside Heights hasn't seen in enough tragedy in the last few years...

As a kid, going to the shore meant a trip to Seaside Heights. Every Mother's Day we'd pile in the car (Mom; Dad; Grandmom B; Aunt E; my sister and I) and head down for a day on the boardwalk, playing the wheels and riding the rides; eating pizza, caramel corn and Khor's orange creme custards.

Our day always started at the south end and the Funtown Pier with it's magnificent old carousel in the Carousel Arcade. We'd play games of chance for stuffed animals (for us) and cigarettes (for Mom and Dad); ride the dark rides and eat at any number of very bad-for-you places. When we got to Casino Pier, where the bigger 'adult' rides were located, we'd have a few rides and then head back, playing more games and hitting the arcades for a few rounds of Skeeball and silliness. On the way home, we would stop at any number of farm stands ("The Dirty Lady" was a favorite) and buy fresh Jersey produce to consume after we got home. If we were very good, Grandmom B and Aunt E would take my sister and I down a few more times each summer, spoiling us rotten along the way. We always had a good time.

As I got older and managed to drive myself down, the somewhat seedy side of Seaside became more apparent, but it was always lots of fun. One time, my very dear college friend Mary and I went down in the mid-80's. We had to park fairly far from the boardwalk and walk through town, where we came across a couple of Italian-American New York girls walking across the street from us. They had very dark tans, tiny bikinis and enormous hair-dos. Mary and I tried not to gawk and giggle, but were caught staring by one of them who brazenly turned to us and shouted "Yeah! I'm a Guidette! What the f*ck!" It was all we could do to keep from breaking down in hysterics. 

Most recently, my dear Matty and I met there to celebrate my birthday, two years ago. Sadly, MTV's "The Jersey Shore" had left its dirty little imprint on the boardwalk, where nearly every shop, bar and restaurant had signs proclaiming "As seen on 'The Jersey Shore'" or "Snookie Sandwich Specials" or other equally distasteful references to the TV nadir. It made me a little sad to see my beloved Seaside sullied by the decidedly non-Jersey cast of low-lifes who had taken over. 

Then, last October, Superstorm Sandy devastated the region, sending Casino Pier's iconic 'Jet Star' coaster into the ocean and destroying much of the boardwalk. I was heartbroken. But the folks in Seaside fought back and rebuilt. The boardwalk was replaced and the piers rebuilt. I was hoping to go there next weekend and see what had become of my beloved childhood playground.

Today, though, a fire broke out in the Khor's stand at the south end of the boardwalk. High winds from an impending storm stoked the flames and at least six blocks of stores; restaurants; arcades and amusements were burnt to the ground. The Carousel Arcade and its historic carousel were destroyed, along with the Funtown Pier, as you can see in the photo above.

I am heartbroken again. And not just for the loss of those iconic places from my childhood, but for the people who depended on those businesses for their livelihoods. A rainy June and July combined with an unseasonably cool August had already left the resort town hurting. Today's fire just added insult to injury. And while I know that Seaside will rise from the ashes over the next few months. there are so many things and places that can never be fully replaced and Seaside will never be quite the place it was when Uncle P was a s child.

Such, I suppose, is the way of the world. But that's cold comfort when mourning the loss of something so deeply ingrained as part of my personal history.

More, anon.
Prospero

You have read this article Childhood Memories / Fires / Hurricane Sandy / New Jersey / Seaside Heights / The Jersey Shore / Tragic with the title Hurricane Sandy. You can bookmark this page URL https://tammycross.blogspot.com/2013/09/more-sad-news.html. Thanks!

Ironic Tragedy

F5 Tornado - Topeka, KS. 1966

Tornadoes are measured on the Fujita Scale, named for University of Chicago Meteorologist Tetsuya Fujita, who developed the scale in 1971 (my sweet friend Chris will be so excited that I've done some research on his lifelong obsession, even if I actually learned that from a movie long before I met him). The scale goes from 1 to 5. An F5 tornado is massive and consists of winds up to 300+ MPH. The description of an F5 (via) is terrifying:

"Incredible damage. 

"Strong frame houses lifted off foundations and carried considerable distances to disintegrate; automobile sized missiles fly through the air in excess of 100 m (109 yd); trees debarked; steel reinforced concrete structures badly damaged." 

That's what happened in Oklahoma, today. "Incredible Damage." And it was. The footage on TV and on line is horrifying. As if this writing, there are no final figures, so I won't talk about casualties. I will talk about brave teachers who led their students to safety. I'll never understand why people no longer respect nor approve of teachers. It's no wonder no one wants to go into teaching, anymore. 

But that's neither here nor there. In the wake of this tragedy, as with any natural disaster, myself and everyone like me is going to be blamed for it. In fact, I am certain that as of this writing, some wingnut Evangelical has said the tornadoes were 'God's' punishment for the country's sinful attitudes towards Queer people. Seriously. Don't wait too long before Shirley Phelps and her viperous kinfolk show up to blame a random act of nature on me; my friends; my family and everyone like us. And then there's Pat Robertson, whom I am sure will simply disregard actual, proven science and say that 'God' is vengeful and wrathful and wants to punish us for our sins. I have to wonder why 'God' would take his anger out on a region mostly populated by Robertson's kind of Christians. Shouldn't an angry supreme being  have better targets of destruction? Vegas, maybe. L.A. and New York and San Francisco? Hello? Key West? Provincetown? Miami? New Hope?  No, 'God' chooses Moore, OK, right in the middle of the Bible Belt. What kind of a-hole supreme being punishes the pious for the sins of the wicked? The Judeo-Christian God of Abraham is pretty much a dick, by those standards. 

Meteorologists often refer to an F5 as "The Finger of God." This leads me think of 'God' as a petulant child, swiping away anthills and crushing those ants left behind with his thumb. Either that, or he's a psychopath. I think the thought of 'God' as a snot-nosed 6-year-old psychopath actually scares me much more than the thought of my own mortality. How cruel would it be if we were all living at the whim of a lunatic toddler?

Like any natural disaster, today's events take a psychological toll on everyone, no matter what one believes. But the great thing about humanity is this: We get back up. We fix what's broken. We move on, no matter how painful it may be to do so. Some folks turn to their faith, which is perfectly fine. Some folks volunteer, which is even better because it actually accomplishes something. 

Here's some rather scary footage from today's event (via):

First and foremost, these folks need food, water, clothing and medicine.  Donate to your local Red Cross or start your own drive. Uncle P was inconvenienced for a few days last October by Sandy. I don't even want to think about what these poor people are going through. Want to make a difference? Don't waste your time praying. Send a blanket, some canned food or a couple of bucks. It'll do so much more good.

More, anon.

Prospero

You have read this article Atheism / Disasters / Hurricane Sandy / Nature / Ramblings / Religion / Tornadoes / Weather with the title Hurricane Sandy. You can bookmark this page URL https://tammycross.blogspot.com/2013/05/ironic-tragedy.html. Thanks!

What the Hell is Wrong With Congress?

Just Some of Sandy's Destruction

The idiots in Congress have once again voted to deny aid to the NY and NJ victims of Superstorm Sandy, cementing their places as the most hated and ineffective Congress is U.S. history. I don't understand why these men and women would want this as their legacies. 

Are they simply racists who oppose anything the first African American POTUS suggests? Or are they just a-holes who don't care how History regards them? Either way, the American people (both Republicans and Democrats) are getting pretty tired of their nonsense. House Republicans (many of whom come from states affected by previous natural disasters) continue to prove their contempt for America by acting in opposition to the best interests of the very people who voted them into office. Are they so caught up in their own agendas that they can't even be bothered to see the big picture? I must assume so. How pathetic is that?

I know I'm 'preaching to the choir,' as it were, but I urge each and every American reading this to contact their local, state and US representatives (a simple Google search will tell you who they are) and demand that he or she take action and move them to support the needs of their constituents. Personally, it boggles my mind that those we have elected to follow our mandates, refuse to do so. American politics, despite the re-election of President Obama, has reached an all-time nadir and it is up to each and every one of us to demand better from those we have chosen to represent us.

It makes me crazy to think that a satirical comedian has better grip on what's wrong with American politics than the politicians, themselves:

The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
Get More: Daily Show Full Episodes,Political Humor & Satire Blog,The Daily Show on Facebook

Make your voices heard. Stop partisan politicians and vote out the creeps who continue to hold our country hostage to out-dated; homophobic; misogynistic; economically unsound and basically destructive ideals. 

More, anon.
Prospero

You have read this article Hurricane Sandy / Nonsense / Politics / Ramblings with the title Hurricane Sandy. You can bookmark this page URL https://tammycross.blogspot.com/2013/01/what-hell-is-wrong-with-congress.html. Thanks!

The Worst American Ever

'Douchebag' Is Too Kind a Word

John Boehner and the Repugnican-controlled House represent everything that is wrong with American politics, today. 

Walking off the the floor Monday night without even considering a relief bill to aid the the tens of thousands of victims of Superstorm Sandy in NY and NJ, Boehner cemented himself as the most-hated man in America. It certainly didn't help that on Friday, Boehner told Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid "Go f*ck yourself!" Twice. Really? This is how civilized adults conduct the business of the country?

By the way, that spinning sound you are hearing right now? It's coming from Lincoln's grave. 

It's pretty bad when even members of his own party are calling him out for his disgraceful, childish and callous disregard for the people whom he has sworn to protect. I'm not generally a fan of homophobic NJ Governor Chris Christie, but it's pretty bad when the party darling gives a press conference calling out Boehner's shameful behavior (via):

I may live in PA, but I was born in NJ, grew up in NJ and most of my friends and family live in NJ. I've spent many a Sunday afternoon on the boardwalk in Seaside Heights and more than a few dollars in the casinos of Atlantic City. The majority of the Theatre work I've done has been in NJ and there are very few weeks when I don't spend at least an evening there. It sickens me that Boehner and his cronies are so obsessed with their own agendas that they can't be bothered to help the very people they were elected to serve.

So go ahead and cry your crocodile tears, John Boehner. No one is buying your act anymore. Worst Person of the Year doesn't even cover it. You sir, are the Worst American in History. Go f*ck yourself, indeed!

More, anon.
Prospero

You have read this article A-Holes / Evil / Hurricane Sandy / Losers / Politics / Ramblings / Repugnicans / Sad / Scumbags / Worst American in History with the title Hurricane Sandy. You can bookmark this page URL https://tammycross.blogspot.com/2013/01/the-worst-american-ever.html. Thanks!

On the Merits of Hot Water

Thanks to Hurricane Sandy, Uncle P had no electricity, heat, Internet access or landline phone between Monday night and Thursday afternoon. And as of this writing, I know several people in my area who still have no power or heat. Of course, there are folks to the east and north who have lost far more and my heart goes out to them. I cannot begin to imagine the kind of devastating losses they are suffering and I am so very grateful to just have a roof over my head, at this point. Indeed, uprooted trees have deprived many in my town of even that.

While this may well seem like a First World problem rant, I really want to talk about how the past week has given me a new appreciation of the plight of folks in the Third World, who deal without electricity and heat on a daily basis. 

I grew up (as probably most of you did) in a world where I took things like hot water and TV for granted. When the power would occasionally go out during a storm, it was usually a minor inconvenience, lasting few hours at most. When Katrina hit the Western Gulf Coast, I clucked my tongue and railed against a seemingly unresponsive Bush administration. I was horrified by the destruction and saddened by the many deaths left in the storm's wake. Last year, when Irene caused so many problems in New Jersey and New England, I did much the same. It wasn't until Sandy hit so close to home that I truly gained perspective on either storm. Even then, the relative minor inconveniences I experienced pale in comparison to the losses suffered by so many others in Sandy's path of destruction.

This morning, my Facebook status read "Oh, glorious hot shower! I shall never take you granted again." My sweet, gorgeous friend David commented "Of course you will. Your (sic) human."  And while David is probably right, I hope to make a conscious effort to appreciate all that I do have in a new light. The hot shower I took this morning was practically revelatory and as much as I loved it, I couldn't help but think of those nearby who still didn't have that luxury, which led me to think of those who have never had that luxury. While I hate to distill such episodes to platitudes and cliches, I can't help but think "I complained because I had no shoes, until I met a man who had no feet."

Be grateful every day for what you do have and never take it for granted. Complain only when it is truly warranted, but always know there are others worse off. Help those in need when you can and appreciate everything you have. You never know when it might all be wiped away.

Were I a religious man, I might say: "Thus endeth tonight's lesson." And even though I am not religious in any way, I think it still applies.

More, anon.
Prospero

You have read this article Hurricane Sandy / Lessons Learned / Uncle P with the title Hurricane Sandy. You can bookmark this page URL https://tammycross.blogspot.com/2012/11/on-merits-of-hot-water.html. Thanks!

Turkey Month Begins

A Turkey from Turkey

While Hurricane Sandy put an all-too-soon end to Shocktober here at Caliban's Revenge, Uncle P soldiers on. 

The year's penultimate month is known as "Turkey Month" at the Revenge, where every Thursday I post about a bad, bad movie. And since the month starts out on a Thursday this year, I thought I'd talk about a Turkey from Turkey. 

1982's Dunyayi Kurtaran Adam (The Man Who Saves the World) is often called "The Turkish Star Wars," and while the producers may have blatantly stolen footage from George Lucas' 1978 ground-breaker, the plots couldn't be more disparate.

Two men crash land on a desert planet they believe is inhabited only by women, only to find out it is Earth 1000 years in future, under the control of an evil wizard. There are zombies; skeleton warriors; an evil queen; a giant monster and "golden ninjas." At the end, we are 'treated' to a speech about the human brain being "the strongest weapon in the universe." Stealing its soundtrack from Raiders of the Lost Ark; Moonraker; Ben-Hur; Flash Gordon and The Black Hole (among others), 'director' Cetin Inanc has made what many consider to be the worst Turkish film of all time  - and that's saying something, especially if you've ever seen other Turkish films. Slack copyright laws and budgets that put many U.S, independent films to shame, helped to make Dunyayi Kutaran Adam a very sad reality. And the mismatched aspect ratios (is that the 'Death Egg?') certainly don't help.

Still, a reviewer from Istanbul had this to say on IMDb:

"One can not put this movie into any categorie (sic) because it has created a new categorie (sic) in film world. It might be classified as cult-scifi (sic) but in a very different way. Some people might think that it is a comedy but it is absolutely a very very serious movie which is made under very difficult circumstances. Very very low finance has forced the producers to use incredible items, and creativity is at the extreme measures. If you are interested in extra-ordinary movies, don't miss it."

Really? Truth be told, after sifting through several clips from this film, I'd personally rather spend another three days without power than sit through the whole thing (available here, if you're brave enough).  Here's a trailer (or at least, a hodgepodge of scenes):

My head actually hurts just from watching that. I hope you got through it without puking or having a seizure of some kind. I can only imagine that the Turks must be starved for real entertainment and I can only thank the circumstances of my birth that I am not one of them.

In case you're wondering, power was finally restored here at about 2:00 PM, though many in my area are still without. My thoughts are with them and all those still suffering the effects of Hurricane Sandy. If you are able to do so, please donate to the American Red Cross' relief efforts.

More, anon.
Prospero

You have read this article Bad / Bad Movies / Hurricane Sandy / Low Budget / Movies / Nonsense / Shocktober / Star Wars / Turkey Month / Turkeys / Turkish Movies with the title Hurricane Sandy. You can bookmark this page URL https://tammycross.blogspot.com/2012/11/turkey-month-begins.html. Thanks!

It Could Have Been Worse

The Jet Star Coaster, Seaside Heights, NJ

Uncle P here. The power is still out at my house and the Day-Job just opened today, so I'm briefly posting between calls.

I lost part of a fence gate at my house and all the food in my fridge and freezers, but that's about it. My house is very cold and I haven't had a proper shower since Saturday, washing my hair and stinky bits in cold water. If the power isn't back by the time I get home today, we're going to a hotel, if only to get a decent night's sleep someplace warm and have a hot shower. There are people near where I live in much more dire circumstances than I: homes smashed by trees; homes flooded and lives lost, so I can't really complain, too much. 

The photo above is of one of the amusement piers at Seaside Heights (yes, "The Jersey Shore" place), which is the shore resort of my youth. Seeing the Jet Star Coaster like that is simply surreal. It reminds me of the Statue of Liberty at the end of the original Planet of the Apes, but in real life. If you live in the region affected by hurricane Sandy, my heart is with you and I hope you are safe and well.

More, anon (or as soon as possible).
Prosperp

You have read this article Hurricane Sandy / Storms / Uncle P with the title Hurricane Sandy. You can bookmark this page URL https://tammycross.blogspot.com/2012/11/it-could-have-been-worse.html. Thanks!