Sandy 2012 - Greater Danbury

Some shots from around the Greater Danbury Area after the storm Sandy.

Crews on Plumtrees Rd, Bethel CT

Best Buy, still under dark clouds (figuratively too?)

Angry Birds in the Sky?

Long waiting lines at McDonald's at the Danbury Fair Mall, Danbury, CT

Need to charge your electronics for the next storm? These are some spots at the Danbury Fair mall, Danbury, CT.



Charging Spot #1 - Note the two spots on the floor - they are two plug points.

Charging Spot #2 - Pillar in front of the Microsoft store, Danbury Fair Mall, Danbury, CT

Charging Spot #3 - All the pillars by the Food Court have plug points on them, Danbury Fair Mall, Danbury, CT

Charging Spot #4 - Another mommy blogger by the food court, getting her laptop charged, while her son was having fun in his Halloween costume, by the Food Court have plug points on them, Danbury Fair Mall, Danbury, CT



Charging Spot #5 - Food court or War Room?   Working at the Food Court, using the plug points on the floor, Danbury Fair Mall, Danbury, CT

Charging Spot #6 - Working at the Food Court, using the plug points on the floor, Danbury Fair Mall, Danbury, CT

More crews on Payne Road, Bethel CT

And some more crews on Payne Road, Bethel CT

What if money were not a factor...

This video was shared by a friend. If u're here - and have 3 minutes to spare, do, do watch this video.  

See Original version at:  http://www.ebaumsworld.com/video/watch/82842379/ 

For a couple of years ..

.. I 've been blaming it on lack of sleep and too much pressure from my job, but now I found out the real reason: I'm tired because I'm overworked. The population of this country is 237 million. 104m are retired. That leaves 133m to work. 85m are in school, leaving 48m to work. 29m are employed by the federal government, leaving 19m to work. 2.8m are in the Army, leaving 16.2 m to work. Of that 14.8m work for State and City Governments, leaving 1.4m to work. At any given time there are 188,000 people in hospitals, leaving 1,212,000 to work. Now, there are 1,211,998 people in prisons. That leaves just two people to do the work. You and me. And you're sitting at your computer reading jokes.


- Attribution - Heard this somewhere, not exactly sure where.. 

Less Recess

- Originally written in Aug, 2011 -

"The future's going to be tough" my then 8 yr old had told me seriously one day, as he yanked my face to look at him instead of watching TV,  glued as I was to CNBC as the anchors discussed the gyrating stock markets .

"Who told you?!" I asked him, surprised to see him reflecting the sentiments of some of the senior most analysts on TV.

"My teacher" he paused and that had my attention, as I was perplexed at the thought that his teacher might have taken the time to explain what was going on to third graders. "That's something" I thought. "What did your teacher talk to you about?".

 "Next year we're going to have a shorter recess and if we talk too much in class, we're not going to get even that recess. So you must learn to listen more while in class - that's what she said to us" - he explained.

Now that made sense.  How quick was I to jump to my own conclusion.

I wish his teacher had spoken to Washington, Wall Street,the Banks, the home-buyers, and to all of us caught in this undending see-saw of the futurecast of where the global economy is headed, whether we believe we have anything to do with Wall Street or not.   All of us, from Washington to yours truly, were not  listening, not paying attention to the signs. And now the "Future's going to be tough" as my son had predicted. As savings, retirement funds, houses we live in are in a state of constant jeopardy,the world as such would have to work harder and get less recess, I guess.

Logical Laxmi Vs. Victoria's Secret

Another of my 8-yr old's repartee's  on retailers --
Eyes transfixed on the scantily clad model, out comes the question -- "If it is supposed to be Victoria's Secret, how come they show it on TV everyday?"

A decision, a turmoil

- A SHORT STORY-

"Are you girls all packed?" Mom asked.

"Yes we are" said the older girl.

"I still see your sister's favorite toy - put it in her backpack for me please", said Mom, while trying to rummage through a huge binder, frantically racing against time, to sort through and put away some important documents into her carry-on bag.

"She doesn't need it. Anyway we'll be back soon right?" asked the girl as she walked towards her own backpack. Mom ignored her, something not typical of her.

The girl stood still for a moment. She came back and posed the question once again, softly, yet firmly - "We'll be back soon, won't we?". She needed an answer, and was not going to be ignored.

Mom led her into the next room, out of earshot of the younger one, who seemed to be oblivious to the conversation, rocking away to the music from her player, that  seemed to fill her young spirit. In the chamber where the little one was sitting, her brand of music filled the room, making the place feel warm and lively.

As Mom and the older girl stepped through the ornately carved entrance adjoining the next chamber, the silence of that chamber made that place feel cold, even though it was warm.

"We may not be back" in a firm yet soft tone, said Mom facing her daughter, her hands on the daughter's shoulders, looking at the child soothingly - trying to hide  the storm of uncertainty that was going through her mind behind a gentle veil.

"You know,  all the things going on for Dad, well we're not sure if he'll get to.., get to..  stay on", she said trying to find the right words. "I know you girls love this city, but we may have to go back home",  she said and sighed softly, having delivered the message and held her daughter close to her heart, hugging her, reassurance in that hug. "Don't you girls love it to be back with Nana. And you can be back with all of your old friends", she tried to explain.

Realization dawned on those young shoulders, which were slightly slumped now, unsure how to take the news. For now, it seemed to quieten her. Finally, she looked up, her arms still tightly embracing Mom, a glint of a tear in her eyes, "But Mom, how about school? Are you going to change our schools? Do we have to go to a new school? I'm not even sure all my old friends in our city are there anymore or if they'll talk to me, after all this."

"Well, I said we may 'have to'. It's not decided yet, .. ok? Why don't we cross that bridge when we get there? And we'll tell your sister at that time, not right now -- she's too small now to understand. Isn't she? So, let's keep this between you and me for now. Ok, my sweetheart? We have to get going now I think - Let's finish packing up". She kissed her daughter and slowly walked back to resume the job she was on.

The older one nodded and quietly helped pack her sister's backpack, putting that favorite toy in, deep in thought.

There was a knock on the door.

"Come in", said Mom.

"Ma'am, we're ready to leave" said the man at the door.

"Let's go" said the First lady,  the familiar brilliant smile back on her face. Holding both her daughters' tender palms firmly in either hand, she walked out the door, not daring turn around and look back.

Her fate now lay in the hands of millions of citizens outside that door.

- A SHORT STORY -
- Written Nov 6, 2012 - Presidential Elections, USA.