Bruner Blog

Christmas in Tucson this year. Appropriately enough gifts included the PsychoBox, something from Dysfunctional Fuctional Fun, and Betrand Russell’s Marriage and Morals.

My mom had laryngitis on Christmas. I said that was proof of God and her Christmas present to the rest of us. She was not amused.

At the big family Christmas goose dinner, I realized that the relationship between M. and L., two generations apart and no actual blood relations to the hosts, is that M. is the sister of the ex-wife of the husband of the father of the ex-husband of L.’s mother. (In other words, M. is L.’s ex-stepfather’s stepfather’s ex-wife’s sister.) That about sums it up. Thank Christmas for Paxil.

So, today NYC’s subways are buses aren’t running, due to the MTA strike. It was no skin off my nose. Since taking a new full-time job a little over a year ago, I bike to work usually several times a week. It’s slightly over 6 miles from my 124th Street apartment to my 15th Street office (all the way down the glorious Hudson River Park bike path; three traffic lights the whole ride, all in the last few blocks between the river and 8th Ave).

I biked yesterday, and I biked today. Transit strike? Feh! It was notable, however, how many more bikers there were today than yesterday. Yesterday, which was actually a bit warmer than today, there was almost no one, except for a few hardcores like myself. Today, it looked like a spring day. I passed a couple of dozen other bikers (I don’t ride especially fast, but it was easy to pass these necessity-only bike commuters compared to the bike fitness nuts who normally breeze by me), along with several rollerbladers and a surprsing number of people who appeared to be running to work.

Let the transit workers strike everyday, for all I care! While I love the efficiency of NYC’s subway system, I loathe having to actually commute by subway. It’s so miserably crowded, I much prefer biking, regardless of the weather (aside from rain and snow). I delight in the multitasking of it: my commute, exercise and NPR news update all in one succint half hour.

Yesterday, I bought a nice new balaclava (gotta love that word; not this one, but something like it), plus a pair of warm biking gloves and lots of layers, and I don’t care how cold it gets (I’ve learned, however, to include lots of layers of long underwear, otherwise my you-know-what nearly freezes off!). Today it was an invigorating 22 Fahrenheit.

My office building has bike racks in the loading dock area, where I leave locks (one heavy chain for the back wheel and frame, one U lock for the front wheel), so I don’t have to lug those back and forth. I carry a change of work clothes in my backpack and shower at the NY Sports Club across the street from the office. If I leave early enough, I can get in a 20 minute workout at the gym while I’m there.

I’ve lost 15 pounds in the last year since taking this job!

Doesn’t that someone special on your list need this shirt?

Also available in teddy bears, dog t-shirts, thongs and lots of other styles.

A friend of mine in Budapest tells me that he gets an email to this effect (below) about once a month from the U.S. Embassy there. The summary is don’t travel. Everyone is out to get us. Foreigners are crazy and hate us and we don’t know why. Stay home and lock your doors. Draw the window shades, turn off the lights. Hide.

We would like to draw your attention to the following announcement from the Department of State:

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT - WORLDWIDE CAUTION

1. This Public Announcement updates information on the continuing threat of terrorist actions and violence against Americans and interests overseas. This supersedes the Worldwide Caution dated August 2, 2005 and expires on June 12, 2006.

2. The Department of State remains concerned about the continued threat of terrorist attacks, demonstrations and other violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests overseas. Ongoing events in Iraq have resulted in demonstrations and associated violence in several countries. Americans are reminded that demonstrations and rioting can occur with little or no warning.

3. Current information suggests that al-Qaida and affiliated organizations continue to plan terrorist attacks against U.S. interests in multiple regions, including Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East. These attacks may employ a wide variety of tactics to include assassinations, kidnappings, hijackings and bombings.

4. Extremists may elect to use conventional or non- conventional weapons, and target both official and private interests. The hotel bombings in Jordan in early November illustrate how terrorists exploit vulnerabilities associated with soft targets. Additional examples of such targets include residential areas, business offices, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, schools, public areas and locales where Americans gather in large numbers, including during holidays.

5. In the wake of the July 2005 London bombings and the March 2004 train attacks in Madrid, Americans are reminded of the potential for terrorists to attack public transportation systems. In addition, extremists may also select aviation and maritime services as possible targets.

6. U.S. citizens are strongly encouraged to maintain a high level of vigilance, be aware of local events, and take the appropriate steps to bolster their personal security. For additional information, please refer to “A Safe Trip Abroad” found at http://travel.state.gov.

7. U.S. Government facilities worldwide remain at a heightened state of alert. These facilities may temporarily close or periodically suspend public services to assess their security posture. In those instances, U.S. embassies and consulates will make every effort to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens. Americans abroad are urged to monitor the local news and maintain contact with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.

8. As the Department continues to develop information on any potential security threats to U.S. citizens overseas, it shares credible threat information through its Consular Information Program documents, available on the Internet at . In addition to information on the Internet, travelers may obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the U.S. or outside the U.S. and Canada on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. End of Public Announcement