On Sunday I attended the Soka Gakkai International Youth Festival "It All Begins With Me!" Really, I did not want to get on a bus for 8 hours. Somehow I made myself get on to the bus and it turned out to be a great experience. On the bus, I connected with other youth members (Youth division is 35 and under). I'm not going to say that the trip wasn't agonizing at some points along the way, but I'm so glad that I got on that bus.

When we pulled up to Lincoln Center in NYC, there were other youth members there to greet us. They were so genuine in their care for us and clapped and congratulated us for our efforts to be there. Most of us from the Upstate Region began to rehearse to sing a song to the 3,000 plus youth in attendance. I chose not to along with my friends Mike, his mother, Samantha and Adam. We were free to walk around New York until the festival began.

It was as hot as all hell as we walked to Central Park and then to Times Square. For Mike and his mother, it was their first trip to see the city. Being a little naive, they followed a man selling something out of a burlap sack down a side street! He opens up the sack to reveal a bunch of overpriced knockoff bags. After five minutes of sales pitch we break away only to see the men stopped by the police only minutes later. Not sure if they were arrested or not, but I assume what they were doing wasn't exactly legal. There were several near traffic accidents as my friends stepped into busy streets without looking. It was crazy and I was definitely dehydrated by the time we walked back to Lincoln Center.

We get back, only to be told that we need to come back in another hour! GRRR. Since I was hungry, we decided to eat. After passing many expensive restaurants we happened along a Subway, the only thing within walking distance I could afford. My body soaked up a bottle of water, but still I was dehydrated.

It increasingly became hotter with every step we took. We got back to the center, this time to face crazy lines that wouldn't move. Finally, we get into auditorium and sat in the very front of the center! They had reserved us seats at the event knowing how far we had traveled to be there!

It turned out to be amazing, starting out with a DJ battle. Everyone that performed was a member of the SGI Youth Division. They had really young kids dancing to Busta Rhymes with Missy and Mary J! They were sooo good. The Young Woman's Division performed African and Asian dance and the Young Men's Division entertained us with drumming and gymnastics!

Afterwards, we walked some more, got some more food and got increasingly more hot and dirty! At 5pm we waited for our bus that was late. The Woman's Division provided us with watermelon, water, and complete chicken meals for our ride home. Finally, we get onto the scorching hot bus and head home. Sleeping was nearly impossible on the full bus. I taught my friend Shannon who is 14 some Spanish, which I suspect she is going to use on boys (She lives on the west side)! Her life is far from easy, but she is doing great. She avoids drugs, has loving parents and has some talent in poetry. My friend Mike who is 15 came out of the closet in the 8th grade! I so wish I were courageous enough at his age to do the same. We got back today at 2am.

I'll post some pics of the show later.

This is a continuation of my obsession with the Niagara.


Military Vehicles-ROTC Site

Water Front

Peace Bridge










Tonawanda Asphalts


I'm assuming these pipes are some type of effluent being discharged in the Niagara, but I can't confirm.



Original Erie Canal Site




Noco Testing Plant. Anyone have any iidea what is going on here?






Grand Island Bridge

United We Stand

I'm publishing a letter that I intend to send to Senator Clinton as well as other government representatives. My desire is to inform everyone of one of the ways in which the budget crisis has affected our community, but also to see if there are any errors in my writing or style. Here is a chance to rip me to shreds!

Madam Senator,

It has come to my attention that funding cuts have affected the Erie County Department of Health and their STD testing clinics. This, I believe, is not only morally unacceptable, but also fiscally unwise for county and federal governments.

Access to the free testing clinic at the Rath Building in the City of Buffalo has become a nightmare. The clinic, now only open three days a week and with little staff to address the demand for this service, are missing many opportunities to identify positive individuals. Reducing HIV cases is dependent upon an informed citizenry. There are many people who are not being able to be seen upon entering the clinic. How many of those people return to get tested can never be known. Funding must be increased to this valuable public service that reduces the greater cost of treatment, by proactively preventing the spread of STDs.

Please address your attention to this matter and act appropriately. Thank you in advance for your efforts.

Sincerely,


Libertad

Thanks for your suggestions peepers!

Pics of Canada. No particular order.