Into the Dust - Let Us Give Thanks - to US

[TomClash]

Still falling, breathless and on again.

Here in downtown NYC, the trains are slower, less crowded and there are fewer of them. Today a hooded African-American guy was preachin' about racism on the platform in Bed-Stuy -no one in the rainbow of waiting straphangers was really listening. I saw the homeless big man snoozing for a time - cup runneth over from the ones and fives generous New Yorkers were stuffing.

State sponsored construction continues downtown, so Bovis has a few bucks to spend on workers. On the Street, the Staten Island Secretary, the East New York Messenger and the Kings of Kips Bay prepare to fade to black; other are now the disappeared. A new crop of young, eager FIRE (Finance Insurance Real Estate) boys and girls, folders in hand, are coiffed and ready to go. Where they are going is anyone's guess. There's no money, just fear. I hear it's better uptown - what a surprise.

I remember the 1990s jumper-broker who split his body swanning from the 17th floor, spiking on Alexander Hamilton's tombstone. Nice dive. I didn't read about it, but I saw it. Are reruns coming?

Tourists have skipped the light fantastic except for the daily gaggle appearing at Century 21, the discount department store that has run 4 straight quarters of losses. Maybe the dollar is too strong and they don't want to spend. More likely they don't have any money either.

Patronless restaurants during Restaurant Week, clogged boxes of clothing returned to sender by the Real Department Stores, even before Black Friday. Soon the little shops will go - January looks like it could be bad. No bourgeois bailout for them.

Let's give thanks anyway - to all of US. We have a new President - the President of US. He's already giving us hope. I have only one thematic message for him - bring it, don't hold back, go for everything, let's take what is ours. FOR US.

Thanks for reading. Good night and see you on the other side.

[Triana]

1. One of my favorite songs. Love Mazzy Star and Hope Sandoval. n/t

[TomClash]

2. Good stuff :)