Camping...New York Style

I'd like to go to New York in the spring...when there's no fear of snow. But rooms costs several hundred dollars a night. The rooms I like cost even more. So my plan is to camp out in Central Park. A little inconvenience won't bother me.

If I take a tent, a Coleman heater, and a good sleeping bag, I can save a lot of money. If I'm frugal this winter, I can buy one of those blow-up mattresses to sleep on.

I'll fly there, of course. Air fares aren't too expensive in the spring. I figure I can get all my camping supplies in one large suitcase, avoid extra baggage costs and put the few clothes I need in a back pack. A pair of jeans, drip dry tops, a nice pair of black slacks and black knit jacket in case I want to see a show. Walking shoes, of course.

I think Central Park is a good place to camp. Beautiful views, drinking water, rest rooms, nice people, police protection just in case a few dissidents rumble and for exercise, several walking trails. I won't cook out--there's a 'no grilling or campfires' rule in the city. Law biding camper, that's me. For just a few dollars, the street vendors will feed me well. The money I save on a hotel room will easily allow me one or two meals in a good restaurant if I need a change of pace from street food.

Oh, did I hear you say 'there's no camping in Central Park..not any park in New York City.' Oh really!

So those campers, I've seen on TV night after night over the last two months or more ...those are just figments of my imagination? Didn't they show row after row of tents, sleeping bags...you know, camping stuff?

Oh, you say they are protestors, not campers.

Okay, I think I get it. Some people can camp in the city. Some can't. If you have something to complain about, you can camp...pitch a tent, settle in and make yourself at home whether others want you or not. You beg for food, demand curb side service and don't even worry about waiting in line for a rest room. Just use a bush or squat by a tree. No problem.

It certainly is okay to camp/protest on public property, you say...we all own it, don't we? From what I've seen, you can be totally irresponsible on public property. I hear that if you scream loud enough, cry foul, soon city workers come and clean up after you...Was that your mess...or was it communal crap? No matter for me, I'll be a rather tidy camper.

The world is unfair, the big banks are out to get us, there's no fair share...well, okay, 'camp' in the city. You don't even have to claim you are homeless or indigent or unemployed. Good. So to be a city camper...well all I have to do is whine and complain. Got it!.

Then stake my tent on whatever piece of property I want. I can obstruct traffic, hinder business, spit on the police and cry foul play all night long. I don't have to close up shop, put out the lights or be kind to my fellow citizens. I just have to be obnoxious, disrespectful, disorderly, irresponsible or foolish. And, of course, I can defecate on the street...that seems to be the rite of passage...if you are a real camper.

So I'm going to camp in Central Park. Because----

I'm unhappy that unfair minded citizens can camp out, cause our city governments to spend huge amounts of money on their waste products, cause police officers to work extra hours and not be able to provide other services to law biding citizens. That's a start, isn't it? I'm also unhappy that streets are closed, traffic is stalled and law biding citizens are prevented access to public areas because of unsavory campers. I'm unhappy because if I watch TV I have to hear about a lot of sorry lots who have nothing better to do than act like fools. That makes me rather sad, disappointed and frustrated, too. I have a lot to complain about.

You say I don't have a legitimate complaint? Of course, I do. I say I do, therefore I do. And that's why I'm going camping in Central Park this spring.

Maybe I'll head out to Portland, San Francisco, Seattle, too. Oh, L.A. might be fun. I'll take any donations that come my way. I need help to get me where I want to go. Come on, hand out some money, give me, give me lots of money. You don't want to give me money? You're suppose to give me money. Aren't you?

If not, then I have another reason to camp in Central Park...I don't have enough of your money. That definitely is worth complaining about.

New York, here I come!

New Author....

I always say writing a book is easy. The hard work is getting it published. I'm happy to report that Lane Stone's book, Current Affairs, is published and has been released. I'm happy she offered me a copy for review. Scroll down below, past the blogs, to read the review (please).

Today is a good day to Write for Reason. This one is not a rant, not a warning, just a good-feeling chat. It's about Lane Stone.

I met Lane (alias Abbey)at Killer Nashville. We were trying to figure out who stole the beef. A mystery. Sort of...dinner arrangements were changed by the event organizer and a few stragglers didn't have a clue as to where we'd get our meal fix. Other than the hunger pains and a great need for a glass of red wine, we didn't care about the beef. We intended to listen to mystery writer, Jeffery Deaver, and we'd dished out $75 for the dinner event. Plus, the high heels we were wearing to prove we could still walk with straight ankles were annoying.

So we joined forces, put our collective wisdom together to locate the beef. Luckily our instincts were intact even with the above noted distractions. We found the dining room. The salads were still being passed and a waiter still taking drink orders. Big Red wasn't quite appropriate for the asking, the dining room fit the occasion, so we settled on a robust Zin and didn't gulp it too quickly.

Thing is, we were virtual strangers. But it didn't seem like it that night. We had a great dinner together...well, we actually were seated with 6 or 8 unsuspecting writers/fans who listened to our chatter and joined in occasionally. We had a lot to talk about---we didn't know each other.

At any rate, Lane Stone's book is available. Current Affairs...a Tiara Investigations Mystery. There's no mystery here...it is a funny book. You'll get the essence of Lane when you read the story. But between the lines, you'll uncover this witty, intelligent, good looking lady who's not afraid to laugh out loud or make a new friend. She's a worldly chick with a lot of chique. If by chance you meet her at a writer's conference, invite her to dinner. Tell her I said hello....
Cheers, Wil

Plant Life

You might imagine the title has something to do with nature. Perhaps about green energy, organic food or community gardening. Well, it's really all about nature...the nature of man.

I was ready to toss aside the local newspaper and "Plant Life" caught my attention. An ad on the second page, right underneath the Ann Landers column and beside the obits list. The letters were a grass green color, bold print and wisps of slim green leaves bordered the "Plant Life" logo. Second line, in black bold, "Recommendations". Okay...on to the substance, pun intended.

This ad, paid for by a local physician, was intended to sell marijuana. Of course, this is a certified marijuana center. Our state has legalized the distribution and, thus, we can't complain that it is being offered to the public. Of course, there is more to this than the debate over legalizing marijuana. There's a lot to consider about this particular advertisement.

There's a charge for Registration. Only $125 for a bona fide consultaion, where you'll receive safe, natural treatment for Disease and Chronic pain. The ad notes also you'll be greeted by an informative and professional staff. Walk-ins are welcomed.

So what, you're saying. The state has sanctioned this activity, this kind of business. Some people may benefit from medical marijuana.

Take into consideration there are many reliable, therapeutic medications that relieve pain and help curb symptoms of various diseases. Medications that have been tested in numerous clinical studies, approved by the FDA and prescribed and administered by knowledgable professionals through out the community who do not charge a Registration fee for their consultation. Granted you pay a physician to prescribe legitimate medications...but a professional fee and registration fee are totally different and ethically different.

But what really frosts my cookies about this particular ad is the big, bold portion of the ad that details the location of the office. It's a vivid cross section of the intersecting streets with a thick line leading to the door. The line represents the main street in town. And circled in bolder letters were these words: JUST 4 BLOCKS FROM CAMPUS. 'Come on in,kids. We're just down the street'.

Now here comes the part about nature. Human nature....there's some of us you might call healthy plants and there's some of us that are just plain, ugly weeds. It strikes me that this particular business, those who advertise the medical marijuanna center, fall into the ugly weed category. Do you think JUST 4 BLOCKS FROM CAMPUS was an unintentional misnomer?

Naaa....just the nature of the beast, I'm sure. There's about 15 thousand students in close proximity to this informative and professional medical staff. I purposely avoided using bold to highlight 'professional medical staff'. Just my nature to read something more into the advertisement than what presents itself? Could be...but until proven otherwise, I'm going to talk to you all about these Plant Life recommendations.

Parents beware: Someone wants to sell marijuana to students.
Pain Victims beware: There are many safe, reliable, predictable, ethical medications to use to improve your quality of life and you don't/won't have to pay a registration fee or consume unknown, untested, unreliable Plant material (marijuana) to make your self feel better. In fact, if you do succumb to the advertisement, the plant material offered, you'll still have your pain...it will just be disguised in a cloudy haze of fantasy and elusion. Until you knock on the door again. Oh, and you'll have less money.

Nature....Human nature...there's a little bad in all of us, we're foolish, innocent and unsuspecting, dopers and dreamers. But lets not be 'drugged' by greed and misnomers.

Plants....well, some shouldn't be watered.

So...what's your thoughts about a little plant life down your main street?