<p>“I can’t imagine why you think volunteers would sit around drinking and playing drums in such a situation, and in fact the Occupy Sandy people are not doing those things.”</p>
<p>After what happened with the Occupy movements around the country, especially in NYC, it’s not such a stretch wondering what could evolve.</p>
<p>I have every hope that those involved will realize that the concept of helping others, in a concrete and generous way, is a far worthier concept than the original concept of, “Gimme, gimme,” and, “It’s not fair, so we’re going to set up tent cities and stay till we get what we want”. It brings a smile to my face (not a sarcastic one) to think of the Occupy movement bringing supplies to help out people who live near/on the beach, many of them 1 percenters.</p>
<p>Because really, we should be helping people affected by such a disaster. There is no us vs them, 1 %/99% when so many people are suffering. And that’s what it should be about in the first place, shouldn’t it?</p>
<p>Occupy is doing work in Brooklyn, my sis in law has been working with collection and distribution of supplies there. I’m sure all hands are welcome in this crisis. </p>
<p>And I hope this thread doesn’t devolve into a political one, that would be a shame.</p>
<p>^^Nothing wrong with a little drumming, though after about 15 minutes, you might need the entire six pack to endure it.</p>
<p>Not trying to turn this thread political, I’m just happy they are doing something helpful and worthy…which was probably the original intent anyways.</p>
<p>How are things going for those affected by the storm today? Is it starting to get better or staying the same? I wonder if the flood waters are mostly drained. It seems that water could get incredibly polluted, and all the toxic chemicals that have washed into it from people’s basements and garages could be a real hazard.</p>
<p>Just got our power back! Original estimate was for Friday, and since we couldn’t out of the area until then anyway, we were here. We have many friends and relatives in much harder hit areas, and I thought we would be able to house them here when our power was restored by the weekend.</p>
<p>At first it was fine - had fireplaces, hot water, etc. but ran out of hot water by Friday ( gas heater, but apparently electric starter) and house started to get very chilly. Ended up moving out on Friday to a local hotel.</p>
<p>I consider us fortunate - no issues with gas, little damage, stores and food places were open and roads were mostly cleared. My thoughts continue to be with those most affected. Several friends have lost homes or are suffering from ongoing lost business. It’s been a tough time for so many people.</p>
<p>I just moved my parents to a hotel also. It is going to get really cold tonight. I was lucky to be able to get a room. They didn’t want to go at first, but I said it was either that or my place. Room service won. I am going to be able to sleep better tonight.</p>
<p>Glad to hear you have power, roshke. My heart goes out to all affected by this monster storm.
** glad your parents are safe too, OF.
Makes me appreciate not only the things we are fortunate to have, but that there are lots of ways we can be o help to others, including those not directly affected by this storm. Go do something nice for someone else today.</p>
<p>Probably the kindest thing one can do is bring people into your house to stay. Though that is a tough one, depending on whom it is (strangers might be easier to have over than my complicated family)! And it seems like it could be an open ended situation, maybe okay for good friends and family, I suppose. Funny that your parents chose the hotel, oldfort, but I see their point on the room service. Glad you got them to go.</p>
<p>My parents wanted to be closer to their home, so they could go back whenever they wanted. They were also apprehensive about the tunnel/bridge restrictions and gas shortage situation.</p>
<p>^^I wouldn’t want to be far, either. If you can’t even get to your home, how can you take care of it? Hopefully the hotel is within walking/biking distance, so they don’t have to deal with gas at all. That storm coming their way soon is pretty scary too.</p>
<p>:o,abeams. Not having a roof sounds pretty unsettling, even with power, phone and water. Hope you have some other covering overhad very soon, even if it’s a temporary tarp. Hope they are able to provide something more permanent before things get colder.</p>
<p>BIL, SIL and niece left our house this am to head back to Bayonne. Still no power at their house, but they are heading back to vote and to meet w/the adjuster to come assess the damage to their roof. At my suggestion, they are taking I-78 through PA to Bayonne so they can tank up just before entering NJ and still have a reasonably full tank by the time they get home. Sent them off with an extra charger, batteries, etc. They were able to get all their laundry done here. </p>
<p>My FIL is in a rehab hospital in Maywood, but they have been operating on generators. We are thankful he is being well cared for vs. being alone in his apartment. No word yet on when school will resume; SIL is a teacher there. </p>
<p>SIL’s parents live in Ridgewood and came home from vacation on Wednesday. A huge tree in their front yard split and just missed their car and roof. They are still without power.</p>
<p>A friend of ours has parents in their late 80s who live on Long Beach. She has a condo in midtown. We pray she was able to get them evacuated to her apartment and that they are OK. Haven’t heard from her yet.</p>
<p>My best, to all of you, from my vantage in Ohio where I heard the winds, got brushed by this storm. It is difficult to lose, repair, deal with this sort of thing. Big hug. And it is colder now.</p>
<p>Had SiL and family and their dogs with us in S. Jersey (they live in Monmouth Co.) couldn 't stay because it’s too far from work, but luckily they got their power back. made sure they gassed up before they headed north (as did we.) if we can keep heading down to S.Jersey every weekend, we may avoid any long gas lines.</p>
<p>Limabeans–so sorry to hear about your house! :(</p>