David Gilmour: Reprise

Here are my pictures to Los Angeles, California. I have plenty to reflect on, but they'll be time for that later....

April 19th, 2006 at THE KODAK THEATER:

The venue......

My lucky streak continues. I found hotel space behind the Kodak Theater (That one's for you Christine. See what I mean?)

Jorge and I at the Pig-n-Whistle on Holywood Boulevard.

Fans patiently waiting for autographs and hour after the show backstage.

I don't care what anyone thinks: the LA show was a hell of a lot louder and rowdier than the Radio City show with people taking pictures and calls of "WOOOOOOOO!!!". It was in a way more intimate as well, however, with about 3,400 people there.

After the show people came out flabbergasted...

We met the nicest fans, too. Here are the Cole's from Palm Srings, California. Mr. Cole, a life long Beatle fan and ex-roadie, said there is nothing to compare to this show in his concert experience. Here we are where we met at Mel's Diner on Highland at 2am. Damn camera phone....bad shot!

So, there's plenty of space on the Walk of Fame for David Gilmour star? Where do I sign up!

Noella's Dora Adventure

Today was Noella's turn to see an "icon" at Radio City Music Hall. This was the picture I took after we saw "Dora's Pirate Adventure", a cute show that had Noella on her feet most of the time. We started with hot dogs at Gray's Papaya's on 72nd Street and made our way down. Why Gray's Papaya? Five hot dogs at Gray's: $4.75. One hot dog at RCMH: $3.75!

This was our first little trip together anywhere in a very long time, and it was well worth it. Everything from taking the train to just walking down the street was new and fresh...much better than hanging out in a mall somewhere. During the show she sang and interacted with a huge smile on her face. I think we spent most of the time watching her watch the show!

We're now considering a family trip to California as a follow-up to my lone trip in a few days to see David Gilmour again. I've realized that it's way too easy to get into a routine which itself can become a rut. Work is becoming a larger uphill battle than I've bargained for, and family life at home has been condensed into a two and a half hour exercise of getting ready for bed. It's getting warmer out, and Christine and I need to start planning family activities consciously and with regularity. Going away on a long trip maybe a nice way to mix things up a bit....

...now on to packing for my Gilmour pilgrimage out west....

Aww, I'm gonna miss these guys...

Welcome Alexa Christie!!!

Angelica and Alain welcomed their new daughter into the world today at ~8:10pm. Alexa Christie weighed in at 8lbs 6oz and was wide awake and very healthy!!! Here she is at one hour old. Everybody in our immediate family was there to welcome her to the world.

Mom and Dad arrived to the hospital at 9am. It was a day filled with plenty of contractions, ice chips, and visits from their anesthesiologists!

The doctors waited as long as they could for the baby's head to decend, but it didn't happen quickly enough for them.

At 8pm they prepped Angelica for a cesarean section which went off without a hitch!


Here's the proud Papa with Alexa Christie and a curious big sister, India, looking on.

Here's her very happy Abuela holding her fourth grandchild.
Noella and Christine get in on the action.
That is a pure natural reaction from her "Titi." That is a really cute baby!!! I think we're going to love having this little one around...

From David to Dora, & Happy Birthday Mom!!!

Now it's Noella's turn. She loves all things Dora, and how could I have turned up a chance while at RCMH last week to buy tickets for us? Well, on Sunday we'll be taking her to the same place I saw David Gilmour. I'm sure she'll have a blast, but I'll be seeing hallucinations of David Gilmour soloing to the Dora Theme Song...

She's never been to RCMH and we have pretty decent seats, so it should be a good experience. These tickets were pretty expensive so it better be! One ticket costs more than what I paid to see David Gilmour!!! Come on, it's a cartoon!

On another note, today is my mom's birthday. She's been so kind to me over the years (okay, I've been spoilt rotten being her only son). Noella has really taken a liking to her this past year as she has filled in babysitting for us. She turns 63 today.

We bought her a little cake, and Noella wrote a special note in her card. Here's Noella singing "Happy Birthday" to her Nana Flora. It was a rough start between them, but they really have grown to love each other. There's lucky little Shaggy-Precious who we found abandoned as a puppy in an empty lot Thanksgiving 2004. She's brought plenty of joy and companionship to my mom since then.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOM!!!

David Gilmour at Radio City Music Hall: Coda

I took only two pictures inside RCMH. I couldn't help myself. I needed to have some visual record of my feeling that night. First, the scalloped dome and stage. It was from this vantage point that I witnessed what will probably be the most satisfying musical experience of my life.

(PICTURE REMOVED)

This one is from a DG Blog friend, Deborah, who sat just a few rows from the front. Then there was this picture below that I took during the end solo of "Comfortably Numb"...

(PICTURE REMOVED)

...I was in a Cathedral of Sound, and David Gilmour conducted his sermon to maximum effect. I'm already a convert, but man am I reborn....

David Gilmour at Radio City Music Hall: Day Two

Tonight was my turn to see David Gilmour at RCMH at long last!!! The performance was everything I expected and more!!! That may sound a bit cliché, but it's true.... There's so much to tell and not enough space to tell it in. Let's just try the pictures, shall we?

Here are more bloggermates at Heartland Brewery. From left to right: Yours truly (time to lay off the burgers and fries!!!), Deborah, Laurie, Stephen, and his son, Nick.

Here we are by the RCMH Stage Door entrance waiting for a glimpse of the man himself (notice Deborah's "Echoes Please" t-shirt?) Sorry you never got that picture of David, Deborah...you could have mine! And here are some of them below....

Heeeeey, Guuuuuuyy!!! Is that David Crosby and Polly sneaking in behind you? Below are more pictures, but look at the people's faces (there's one person in particular who stands out). The lust for autographs filled the air, unfortunately.

Hey, is that Richard Wright in the background? I never noticed him coming in? Somebody told me he went right in and refused an autograph saying, "No, not David's album." I don't blame him. The next two pictures of people wanting their photo's taken with David started to make me feel really uneasy about being there.

You see, there was a moment when David Gilmour looked at me and just smiled. I thought, "Hey, that's cool!" I smiled back and held his gaze for a moment without anything to say, then I realized he thought I was the photographer for the guy he was posing with. When I realized that, I gestured to the guy next to me. I woke up and took these two pictures in sequence just before he stepped inside, but I didn't feel right afterwards. Was I any different than that lady in the purple jacket? I'm not sure of the answer to that, but allow me to share this last picture which is my favorite of the set and was taken as a fluke random shot.

Everything in this photograph speaks volumes. I wonder if Polly would like this one?

Oh, and to all those fans who treat David Gilmour like a commodity....

:-)

David Gilmour at Radio City Music Hall: Day One

The sky cleared up and RCMH was ready to receive the Gaggle of Gilmourrim with open arms. The sound check was booming through the closed doors on 51st Street. Little did I know that the renditions of "Shine On", "The Blue", and some "harmony thingy" I heard included the legends David Crosby & Graham Nash! I may not have attended today, but I did get to hear them do those songs!!!

Here are DG Blogger mates who came to hang out before the show. There I am with Wendy, Sally, Tom, and guests before we went around the corner to Heartland Brewery.

Here we are at Heartland Brewery talking about all things Floyd, the David Gilmour Blog, and our fearless Features Editor (all positive, 'onest!)

My blogger friends encouraged me to try and stand on line and get tickets on reserve that were not picked up. I got to third in line, but no luck. But no matter....

...It's my time tomorrow night! As I was walking towards the train station, I snapped this shot of the 42nd Street/Times Square area. The picture doesn't do it justice. As chaotic as this town can get, I can think of no where else I'd rather live. This city, for me, embodies all that is dark about humanity as well as all that is good and beautiful. No example is more apparent than on that horrific day of September 11th, 2001 and the days afterward when everyone knew each other, held each other, grieved together, and rallied together to stand up in the face of tragedy to proclaim we would not give in to fear. Politics aside, New York City has rebounded 100% and then some. If you look into the eyes of a New Yorker, look beyond the attitude and see yourself in his or her eyes....

T-Minus Three Days......

It's three days until David Gilmour and company open their North American Tour at Radio City Music Hall. I was in the area today with my daughter and brother-in-law and took these pictures with my camera phone.

Here's a poster outside RCMH. This one is not too far from the stage door entrance (hmmm?)

Manny's Music put together a Gilmour shrine with a replica of the strat he bought there around 1970.

"On an Island" ranks number five on the Virgin Megastore charts based on their sales of the album. A free lithograph with the purchase of OAI is still available at the Times Square location. Here's some guy with obvious good taste.

Three days to go and I'm pumped!!! Next stop: The Discovery Channel Store for a good pair of binoculars.....

By the way, if any Gilmour Blog friends are reading this and plan on driving to RCMH, park north of 50th street and west of 8th Avenue to save $$$! I parked on 46th and 8th Ave. and paid $44 for a few hours!!! That's the middle of the theatre district and a block from restaurant row!!!

Advanced Scouting.....

To All My Fellow Gilmour Fans:

Here's Radio City Music Hall.....just waiting for David Gilmour and his band to start their North American OAI Invasion April 4th and April 5th. Across the street from Radio City is a water fountain plaza in front of the Time Life Building.

As you face the fountain (with Radio City behind you) you will see a sculpture to the left and a news telestrater to the right. I suggest we meet under the telestrater as that is the least crowded and easily recognizable area on the mini-plaza. We could get a nice group shot with Radio City in the background...

Here is a picture of the Heartland Brewery on 51st street between 6th and 7th (Radio City is on 50th street and 6th Avenue). This seems to be a nice place to hang out and is very close. The problem is they fill up quickly on a concert night. If we want to hang out before and after, we'd be on a waiting list.

We would have to meet by the telestrater at 4:45pm, take our group picture, and head over the Heartland to secure space by 5:00pm. Is that too early? I'll keep checking around and will update this page. In the meantime, how many people are we?

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Update 3/29/06:

It's settled. We'll meet under the telestrater at 4:45, take a group shot, move on to Heartland Brewery, toss back a few, take a few more pictures, and go see the concert we've all been waiting for. Heartland says there should be plenty of room for us by the bar. If we're lucky, and want a table, there may be some available between 5:00pm and 5:30pm. Though I hate their directions, here at least is a mapquest link for you of the area.

For those coming by PATH, here's a map for you. Click here for PATH weblink. Click here for NYC Transit System. The "1" Train, "E" Train, and "D" Train stop on and around 50th street (D Train being the closest).

If you are driving and need to park, expect to pay top dollar on an event night around RCMH & Rockefeller Center. You may want to check out this list of garages and call ahead to see what's cheapest. As a rule of thumb, I tend to go as west as I can in that area to find the cheapest parking (7th ave, 8th ave, 9th ave, 10th ave).

Getting Together for a New Family Member

There's nothing like getting together to celebrate the impending arrival of a new family member. Here is my wife Christine in the act of surprising her sister Angelica at a little babyshower she threw for her this weekend. It was a modest and warm gathering that refelcted the care and thoughtfulness my wife puts into everything she does. The decorations, the souveniers and baby shower basket she made by hand, the lapel pins, and how she rearranged the funiture (including using my piano as a decoration table!) all refelcted my wife's personality and warmth.

Angelica and Alain are expecting by April 5th when she's scheduled to be induced. It's amazing to think that very soon a new person will come into the world with her own individual personality and potential to contribute to our society....
Family is central to everything we are and all we wish to become in our society, and I'm lucky to be a part of this little family.


Above are some family and friends waiting for Angelica and Alain to arrive. Christine, her mom, brother, India (Angelica's daughter), and I were literally decorating and cleaning our apartment right up until people started arriving!!!

Here on the right Alain and Eric swing back Coronas while Eric's wife, Marisol (Christine's aunt) chats it up with Angelica's friend Xiomara. India keeps a watchful eye on her brother Carlos who's really interested in what his mom is doing.

What these pictures don't capture is the smell and taste of how good my mother-in-law's cooking was!!! The pernil (roasted pork shoulder) and moro negro (rice cooked with black beans) was about as good as any Dominican mom from the old country could make!!! There's my mother-in-law, Adriana, laughing it up as she watches her son, Dioliver, and Eric go at it in a baby dressing competition below.

Above in the background and below is that delicious Dominican cake with pineapple filling!!!

Becoming a parent is an awe inspiring experience, and no matter how many times you are graced with a child the experience never ceases to amaze. We only have one, Christine and I, but are hoping for more. We have, however, seen many babies born into our family, and, as observers and co-child rearers, are inspired every time there's a new family member. This baby will be Angelica's third and Alain's first. We wish them, India, and Carlos all the best as they gear up for the fifth member of their little household! I'm going to love posting here when the day comes.....

Mmm, I think it's time for a piece of that cake....

Light My Fire....

"With friends surrounding..." -Gilmour/Samson

In 2005 I attended another in a long series of campfires in the Catskill Mountains in upstate New York. I've been going up there since 1984 when I was a kid, and in this picture is Peter, who has been a friend of mine since that time, with his son, Max (today is Peter's Birthday...Happy Birthday Pete!!!). Whenever I've sought inspiration, I've turned to memories of this place. The "Camp-out", as we've called them, was just one of countless opportunities to bond with each other, find out about yourself, and dare to dream. I'm a big Pink Floyd fan, and it was Peter along with another friend, Sean, who first turned me on to that group as well as a whole genre of music.

These memories and that music are getting a lot of replay these days as I get centered and hold on to the idealism that sent me into social services. Well, off I go to start an important day.....

Hiatus, Balance, and Acrimony

It's good to be blogging again after such a long hiatus. I've been reading, researching on-line, checking my favorite blog (David Gilmour's Blog), and grant/report writing for my 9 to 5.... It's been a two month stretch that has been very trying on so many levels, but I'm plugging along...

The hard part has been balancing everything with my family life. It is impossible not to bring work home with me, but it has been impossible to want to do work at home. Then when I want to do work I can't get a moment to concentrate until 11:30pm!!! The end result is work that keeps piling up.

Trying to bring resources into an underserved community is nobel and satisfying work, but "doing more with less" has become tiresome to say the least. (I had to be born and persue a career in social services during the most fiscally conservative period in the field's history, didn't I...)

This is also a thankless job. No one in the community is ever satisfied with what they perceive you to be doing except for the kids and families you actually serve. I won't go into this here (just a rant now) but what has made these two months more difficult is having to deal with bad faith gestures, ego trips, and all kinds of mis-communication flying around me. Sometimes I wonder, "Why do I bother?", and then I see Noella and understand...

Below is a letter to the editor I sumbitted this week to a local paper.
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Dear Editor:

I find that more and more I am confronted with the question, “How does one build successful collaborations in a community where we either fail to listen or fail to speak out effectively?” As a social worker, it is in my blood to serve and motivate others to act to the best of my ability. Whatever the answer is to that question, I am propelled to act as my heart and mind tell me is right within the context of my knowledge and experience. The question I pose is a deeply personal one, for all around us is an insidious darkness that threatens to extinguish our better nature with mistrust, connivery, and blame. Mike Green of “ABCD Organizing” in Denver, Colorado says that building community “...begins with conversations.” Conversation is the engine that drives what people care about into action, but what about a community where people fail to listen or hear only what they want to, or speak at each other and not to each other, or speak far too much? When conversations breakdown relationships fall apart, and this community is rife with broken conversations. Last night at a community meeting I saw a quote from Mahatma Gandhi, “You must be the change you want to see in the world.” I will live by that truth and continue to serve and motivate through speaking and active listening despite the surrounding darkness that threatens. Is that the answer? I’m not sure, but I’ll keep shining my light and will let you know if I find one.

Angelo Ortiz
Inwood Community Services, Inc.

TBP Part 3: The Bush White House & The Iraq War

There has been a lot of debate in the three years since the Iraq War began. Are we there for Oil or to fight terrorism? Well, no matter who is right, this war is just a backdrop in a much larger sociopolitical drama. The debate is compelling, but when you see the bigger picture you are compelled to question your most basic presumtions.

When the Bush Administration came to power in January of 2000, the conservative movement in America acheived a pinnacle of success: they finally controlled two branches of the federal government (executive and legislative) and were within striking distance of controlling a third (judicial; note recent fights over Supreme Court nominees). It was the culmination of an almost forty year effort to roll back a liberal agenda over-reach that in the period between the FDR and Johnson Administrations. The details of that argument are beyond the scope of this post, but it starts with a philosophical debate that dates back to the founding of the nation: What is the role of the Federal government in the lives of Americans, and how much power does the Federal government have over the individual states?

It is well kown that Franklin D. Roosevelt implemented a broad sweep of federal programs to get America on it's feet again after the Great Depression, The New Deal. Thirty years later came Lyndon B. Johnson and The Great Society. Conservatives, as I understand it, hate the expansion of Federal Government these programs represent, and they abhor how the Supreme Court began legislating from the bench passing decisions that were consistent with liberal thinking as opposed to maintaining their neutrality such as with Brown v. Board of Education and Roe v. Wade. Ronald Reagan and the American Conservatism Movement slowly began turning liberal policies around preaching new economic policies and a strong America. The Contract with America helped solidified Republican Congressional control in 1994. This conservative climate shift in Washington and across the nation also ushered in a new age of conservative lobbying and conservative media control, and unprecedented corporate influence.

By the time Bill Clinton was sworn in to a second term in 1996 (much to Republicans dismay after their attempted impeachment of him) , the stage was set for taking over the White House. Hitting the airwaves right after the 1998 mid-term campaign were reports of fund raising for the next potential Republican candidate: Gov. George W. Bush of Texas. Looking at the Republican rise and the changes in Federal spending at face value one could brush off the significance as just a change in the electorate. Then you look at how Bush came to power in 2000 and you raise an eyebrow, but then again there is a little something called "The Project for a New American Century".

This is a conservative think tank promoting policies that from their point of view strengthen America home and abroad. In 1998, a group of PNAC conservatives wrote an open letter to then President Clinton encouraging his administration to take an aggressive stand against Saddam Hussein. They stated that a free Iraq would help spread democracy through out the middle east, create a strategic advantage for the US, and secure American "interests" in the region. This policy position, written three years before 9/11, seems to provide a very disturbing side note to what is happening today in 2006. What makes it all the more disturbing is the fact that the architects and signers of that document are they very same people at the heart and head of the current Bush Administration. Donald Rumsfeld, Dick Cheyney, John Bolton, Paul Wolfowitz were all signers of that letter to Clinton, and they are the very same War Hawks who pushed for the war in Iraq (Jeb Bush was also a signer, the Governor of Florida that played a large part in the 2000 election).

PNAC wrote in their policy paper "Rebuilding America's Defenses" that the only way to get Americans to support a larger role in world affairs is an event on par with a Pearl Harbor? That opinion feeds fuel to 9/11 conspiracy theorists, and, quite frankly, has made me suspicious as well. (read here if you'd like what the other side says about these theories).

Today terrorism is on the rise, Iraq is on the verge if not in the middle of a civil war, and the poll numbers for Bush and the Republican party are sinking lower and lower. The bigger picture here is that, though Iraq has begun to try and govern itself, the whole Iraq War has bred the kind of western resentment that created Al-quaeda type terrorism in the first place. Resentment against america builds. What's more is that Islamic fundamentalists are getting politically smarter. Hamas, a recognized terror organization, was voted into power in a Democratic Election in Palestine.

As the Bush Administration keeps finding justifications for granting greater authority to a Unitary Executive, the middle east might destabilize further as Iran asserts it's autonomy. I'll go into these issues in The Big Picture Parts 4 & 6, but in the meantime keep an eye on the middle east this year as well as reports coming out of the Islamic world and the policies of the Bush Administration's war on terror.

NYC Homeless....

"Us and them, and after all we're only ordinary men" - Pink Floyd

Be grateful for the things you have because you never know what tomorrow brings, and for some people tomorrow brings the same "nothing" and despair that came the day before. What would you do if you lost everything and you were on the street? These are the things I'm thinking about tonight as I wait for Noella to fall asleep here (yes, I finished my grant...hooray!). Noella asked a question about something recently that caused me to try and explain why someone poor didn't have food to eat or a place to live. This is another thing to keep on the "parent radar": explaining the hard-knocks life to a child who has all her basic needs met and being grateful for what she has.

The David Gilmour Blogsite had a post today about this issue and it got me thinking. I'll share here what I posted there, but all this raises the question, What exactly are we doing about the 40,000 people who are homeless in NYC? There is so so so much housing going up in the city today, but who can afford them? What are we doing about preventing homelessness or helping those who have lost everything to rebuild their lives because the root issues are much deeper than just giving someone a roof over their head?

Hmm....

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My post from the David Gilmour Blogsite:

"The issue of homelessness is one that is never gets the kind of attention it deserves. I applaud you guys (David Gilmour, Features Editor, et al) for using this corner of the internet to raise awareness.

I used to work at a transitional living community in the village here in NYC. The place was all about helping people get off the street and on their feet in every sense by providing mental health services, substance abuse services, life skill building, public benefits assistance, work readiness skills, and placement at single room occupancy units around NYC. What rings true is this: you can not cure homelessness without rebuilding lives. I’m glad to see Crisis raising awareness and influencing policy on this issue back in the UK.

Homeless youth are persistent problem in the village, and there’s a community coalition trying to tackle the issue. For those of us here from NYC, I read that almost 50% of homeless are children. Local governments are taking the brunt of the storm with mixed results with little support from state governments or Washington, D.C. Get involved or at least stay informed.

Check out what NYC Department of Homeless Services are up to. New York Cares and the New York City Rescue Mission are two places you can check out to see how you can help locally.

The food pantries and the soup kitchen in the neighborhood where I work today are forever running low on supplies as are many others in the NYC area. Try to find one close to home, give what you can, and put on a little “Dark Side of the Moon” in your mp3 player as you walk away feeling good about getting involved….."

Joy in Mudville!!!

Well, thanks to David Gilmour fans at his blogsite, I soon will have in my possession two tickets to see Gilmour at Radio City Music Hall...and I'm buying them at regular price, not the inflated prices those profiteers are scamming for!

These fans are from Tennessee, too. Boy, this internet is an amazing place....

As far as this grant writing is concerned, I've fallen behind on my schedule, but should get it in on time minus a few shorter nails....

I want to get back and finish my "Big Picture" posts...these issues are bugging me and I gotta get'em off my chest.

Noella is bored. With both her parents swamped with work at home, she's left to entertain herself. At this point, she's running out of things to do. Time to go to Blockbuster Video......

Scalpers, Profiteering, and Frustration....

Man, I missed a chance to get tickets to see a great musician yesterday!!!! David Gilmour, the Pink Floyd guitarist who is going on tour this year, will be in NYC in a few months, and can you believe those tickets sold out in minutes.....and do you know why??

People snatched them up to sell them at inflated values on E-Bay or even scalp them, I imagine, at the venue the day of...... Why isn't selling these tickets on e-bay illegal? Geez, man...I mean come on!!!! Do these people realize what this does to the common fan?

My agency better get this grant I'm working on; I might have missed my chance to get ahead of those profiteers because I've been focused on this damn application!!!! If I would have missed out because they sold out in a few hours then maybe I'd feel different, but this just isn't fair.

Anyway, I better get back to this grant....

What's Important....

This picture was when Noella turned four years old this past October. I have this picture of her and Christine on my home computer, work computer, and laptop desktops to remind me that very little else matters except their happiness. There is very little else that gives me more satisfaction than when I see these two happy, excited, content, etc.

I'm now in "grant mode", as I like to call it. There is a potentially huge grant from the NYC Department of Youth and Community Development due next Thursday, and it could make a huge difference for the kids in the community where I work. When I get into "grant mode", I shut the door and go on a writing marathon that keeps me up all night and causes more of my hair to fall out. This picture is going to help keep me grounded; no matter how busy or stressed I get, they are there waiting for me...

Well, enough of this blogging stuff for now.... I've begun pulling stuff together for my next TBP Part 3, but I have a grant to write!!!

Hubris Nation

hu·bris= (n.) [hyoo-bris] Overbearing pride or presumption; arrogance...
- American Heritage Dictionary; Third Edition

The word "hubris" is Greek in origin, and in Ancient Greece the word referred to "a reckless and violent disregard for the personal space of another person resulting in some kind of social degradation for the victim...most often referred to violent outrage wreaked by the powerful upon the weak" (Wikipedia). Looking at our nation today it is hard not to see how national politics have become modern theatrical versions of Greek tragedies and mythology. The political climate today is a toxic atmosphere where assaults on character and political assassinationss have become common place. Washington, D.C. has become the ultimate dichotomy representing all that could be great amout this nation while showcasing all that is wrong.

The hubris comes from the leaders and defenders of both sides of the political spectrum, and it is eroding our political system almost as much as the dollars and perks used to curry favor in the beltway...

(Note to self: Remember to teach Noella good listening and people skills, good analytical skills, and the value and virtue of humility...)

TBP Part 2: The Energy Industry

"To know is nothing at all; to imagine is everything."
- Anatole France

All over the major news networks tonight are the reports of the mining tragedy in West Virginia. I mention it here because, as a parent, I feel so much more sensitive to harrowing human stories than I used to. Maybe I've become too sensitive, or perhaps now I've become "re-sensitized" to how precious life is after 30 years of media desensitization? Whatever the case maybe, the story behind the story of this current tragedy is the Coal Industry and ever-present and ever-growing energy problems.

There has never been a hurricane season like one we saw in 2005 since we started documenting weather statistics in the mid 19th century. The entire Gulf Coast region was hit and our energy production and import facilities were crippled. We all know the rest of the story: oil price spikes, $3 gas, home heating through the roof. One concern of mine is how fickle oil prices continue to be given our current geo-political environment and uncertain weather patterns. The United States is the world's largest consumer of oil, and with the explosion of economic growth in China and India increasing demand of oil our dependence on fossil fuels puts us in a precarious position. All this and there is little understanding among the general public just how uncertain some scientists are as to exactly how much oil is under Saudi Arabia and just how sensitive production wells can be. If you push production too far, you could actually trap the remaining oil that's underneath. The oil picture, however, is only one piece of our energy collage.

Looking at the bigger picture one can start to appreciate the place of coal in our society. You can truly appreciate the sacrifice of those West Virginian coal miners who lost their lives once you see that about 49% of our nation's electrical power came from coal in 2005!!! Mid-western and the southern states are some of the largest consumers of coal for electricity production (including Texas and other "red states"). Considering that the coal industry is practically the spine of our electricity infrastructure there is no excuse why safety standards in coal mines have become more lax. It's ironic (or suspicious) that US electricity production from oil increased 49% in 2005 when compared to 2004 when we have the largest known reserves of coal on the planet that are the equivalent of four times the oil reserves under Saudi Arabia!!! Coal is incredibly cheap when compared to oil, but the production and utilization of it remains dangerous and dirty. The US has to make the industry safer and cleaner to the point where we can truly become the "Saudi Arabia of Oil" and begin to reduce our dependence on foreign sources of energy. These energy facts are still only part of the bigger picture.

In case people haven't been keeping track of the "buried" news out of Iraq or how our involvement there relates to our need to be close to oil resources, do people realize that our "good friend" who sold us the war, Ahmed Chalabi, is now the Iraq Oil Minister? What about our electrical infrastructure? Has everyone forgotten how vulnerable and antiquated our electrical grid is? Have we forgotten about the 2003 Black Out? What about the Auto Industry? Do people realize how slow US car makers are to capitalize on the popularity of Hybrid models and how their dependence on SUV sales is one reason why Toyota may outpace US auto makers like Ford and GM?

The competition between the US and Russia to gain a strategic advantage gave birth to the "Mercury", "Gemini", and "Apollo" programs and a wave in technological innovation. What we need today is a new space race, or a new "Apollo Program", or you could even call it a new "Independence" movement that will create huge Federal and private investments in education, innovation, science, and technology that increases our independence from foreign energy sources. We can copyright our new technology and infrastructure and sell/export our new energy expertise globally. We can revitalize "American Pride" as we did in 1969 when we landed on the moon, and we can outpace Asia and the European Union as our economy is invigorated by a new booming Energy Industry all the while reducing our colonial ties to the middle east that have given so much impetus to the fundamentalist Muslims that seek to destroy us.

In the meantime we will all be wise to watch the Energy Industry in the near future, maybe even invest a little on wall street as energy company stocks rise. I'll be keeping track of how alternative energy companies are doing despite how slow they've been able to progress due to limited Federal and private investment. Heck, I might even guide Noella to pursue a science, engineering, and/or technology track to fight those "bad guys"as those skills may come in handy if I'm right about renewable sources of energy?....