What’s The Vibe Now?

The news media is bombarding us nonstop with down and out stories of skyrocketing inflation, crazy gas prices, brutal war in the Ukraine, gun violence, January 6th hearings, a divided House and Senate, decisions by the Supreme Court. Ai-yi-goddamn-ay. 

You know where I look for clues about what’s really going on? From real people, local people. They have the giddy-up and grit to keep things going. I always take a lead from down-to-earth New Yorkers. Man, can they take a hit. 9/11, COVID. Get up and get going. Don’t quit. Right now, the sidewalks are buzzing in NYC. Happy hours are hopping and tourists are back.

This past Sunday, the Times did a great piece on a variety of New Yorkers coming out of the other side of the long stretch of the pandemic. People like Steve Monterey, playing handball in St. Mary’s Court, who says things feel like they’re coming back to normal. Or businesses that started during the pandemic, like Art Bean Coffee Roasters. Ricardo Verona, zipping around Rucker Park on rollerblades, said, “We’re getting through with smiles. I feel the energy right now. People feel like, ‘Yay!’” Over on Staten Island, Clinton Hall Beer Garden general manager Jason Breska said, “Staten Islanders are a different breed, They’re ready to get out and live their life. The pandemic taught me gratitude. appreciation of being around other people and being outside.”

In other news, Henry Kissinger has a new book out this week called Leadership. Hank is 99 and he’s optimistic that new leaders will rise to the challenge as they have in the past. He’s counting on it. 

And away we go. Keep your dukes up.   

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vvVtjaOnwog

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