I was feeling that I needed to wear some red today. It's a powerful, emotional colour - the colour of hearts, and blood, and the apple that is a symbol of New York city, a place that has been near and dear to my heart since I first travelled there when I was 14. Of all the large cities I've visited, it is the one where I have felt most at home.
While watching the scenes of the damage from Hurricane Sandy to Manhattan and the surrounding boroughs on the news, I couldn't believe that a mere two weeks prior to the storm, I had been having a wonderful time in New York with my friends. Fortunately, none of them (as far as I've heard) were injured or trapped by the storm, but at least 100 people lost their lives, homes and businesses were destroyed, and five days later, especially in the outlying boroughs, many are still without power, people's homes are flooded, lineups for gas stretch for miles, and public transit is minimal. My beloved Chelsea was hit hard, and it will likely be months before gallery owners calculate the value of the art that was destroyed or damaged.
Personally, I was glad to see that the New York Marathon had been cancelled, although I realize the decision was not made lightly, and there will be significant costs to the cancellation. We know New York, and New Yorkers, are tough and resilient - we remember the aftermath of 9/11, so they don't need to prove anything to the rest of the world by holding the marathon in the wake of a devastating storm. Direct those resources to the people that need them the most right now. And all the runners, wondering what they were going to do when they couldn't do the marathon? How about lending a hand with the cleanup?
Personally, I was glad to see that the New York Marathon had been cancelled, although I realize the decision was not made lightly, and there will be significant costs to the cancellation. We know New York, and New Yorkers, are tough and resilient - we remember the aftermath of 9/11, so they don't need to prove anything to the rest of the world by holding the marathon in the wake of a devastating storm. Direct those resources to the people that need them the most right now. And all the runners, wondering what they were going to do when they couldn't do the marathon? How about lending a hand with the cleanup?
New York, my heart is with you.
leather pants - The Sentimentalist
sweater - Value Village
felt flower pin - The Fairies Pajamas
shoes - by Naot from Walking on a Cloud
hat - From Mars
