6/30/15

Isn't OnA adorable???

6/29/15

Thank you to my team, and a few other colleagues who treated me to lunch today. I appreciate all you have done for me over the years. We have DD, RC, me, EP, JjLJr, KjW, CR and VC. It was certainly a luncheon to be remembered ...

Never Forget

Spotted LB having lunch at Windfalls today. He's one of the old Republic Factors crew. Looking good Louie, thanks for the shot ...

We were watching the movie A Walk Among the Tombstones, and noticed this home from Malba in a few scenes... With our Whitestone Bridge in the background.

Hmmm Fuck ISIS ....

Don't Tread on Me ... It has to be said !!!

While we're all being distracted, our planet is dying ... have a nice weekend. Wake up, the nightmare hasn't even started ... http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2015-06-24/whats-really-going-fukushima

6/27/15

Unfortunately, these dissents are too intellectual for some to comprehend the long term implications. The subject of the ruling is irrelevant to the writings, which refer to the forest and not the trees. Think people, with your minds, not your hearts think of what America was founded for. We keep giving the federal government too much power and influence over We the People. Watch over your shoulder, there's gonna be a boomerang coming at you someday. Celebrate yes, but our Constitution didn't get us here. It was usurped. What's next ? No US flag flying ? Several states permit open carry for gun owners. Should the views of those handful of states, become prevailing law from the top down ? That's not how we are supposed to function. But that just happened. The movement started with 1 state out of 50, then 2, now up to 14 out of 50, and I'm proud to be a citizen of one of those states. but should that dictate the majority viewpoint of another state ?  It was just  a matter of time for it to become 50 out of 50. Slippery slope here ... http://www.attn.com/stories/2163/dissenting-justices-supreme-court-marriage-equality

hmmm Two Americas - The Democrats are right, there are two Americas. The America that works, and the America that doesn't. The America that contributes, and the America that doesn't. It's not the haves and the have nots, it's the dos and the don'ts. Some people do their duty as Americans, obey the law, support themselves, contribute to society, and others don't. That's the divide in America. It's not about income inequality, it's about civic irresponsibility. It's about a political party that preaches hatred, greed and victimization in order to win elective office. It's about a political party that loves power more than it loves its country. That's not invective, that's truth, and it's about time someone said it. The politics of envy was on proud display a couple weeks ago when President Obama pledged the rest of his term to fighting "income inequality." He noted that some people make more than other people, that some people have higher incomes than others, and he says that's not just. That is the rationale of thievery. The other guy has it, you want it, Obama will take it for you. Vote Democrat. That is the philosophy that produced Detroit. It is the electoral philosophy that is destroying America . It conceals a fundamental deviation from American values and common sense because it ends up not benefiting the people who support it, but a betrayal. The Democrats have not empowered their followers; they have enslaved them in a culture of dependence and entitlement, of victim-hood and anger instead of ability and hope. The president's premise - that you reduce income inequality by debasing the successful - seeks to deny the successful the consequences of their choices and spare the unsuccessful the consequences of their choices. Because, by and large, income variations in society is a result of different choices leading to different consequences. Those who choose wisely and responsibility have a far greater likelihood of success, while those who choose foolishly and irresponsibly have a far greater likelihood of failure. Success and failure usually manifest themselves in personal and family income. You choose to drop out of high school or to skip college - and you are apt to have a different outcome than someone who gets a diploma and pushes on with purposeful education and/or employment. You have your children out of wedlock and life is apt to take one course; you have them within a marriage and life is apt to take another course. Most often in life our destination is determined by the course we take. My doctor, for example, makes far more than I do. There is significant income inequality between us. Our lives have had an inequality of outcome, but, our lives also have had an in equality of effort. While my doctor went to college and then devoted his young adulthood to medical school and residency, I got a job in a restaurant. He made a choice, I made a choice, and our choices led us to different outcomes. His outcome pays a lot better than mine. Does that mean he cheated and Barack Obama needs to take away his wealth? No, it means we are both free men in a free society where free choices lead to different outcomes. It is not inequality Barack Obama intends to take away, it is freedom. The freedom to succeed and the freedom to fail. There is no true option for success if there is no true option for failure. The pursuit of happiness means a whole lot less when you face the punitive hand of government if your pursuit brings you more happiness than the other guy. Even if the other guy sat on his arse and did nothing. Even if the other guy made a lifetime's worth of asinine and shortsighted decisions. Barack Obama and the Democrats preach equality of outcome as a right, while completely ignoring inequality of effort. The simple Law of the Harvest - as ye sow, so shall ye reap - is sometimes applied as, "The harder you work, the more you get." Obama would turn that upside down. Those who achieve are to be punished as enemies of society and those who fail are to be rewarded as wards of society. Entitlement will replace effort as the key to upward mobility in American society if Barack Obama gets his way. He seeks a lowest common denominator society in which the government besieges the successful and productive to foster equality through mediocrity. He and his party speak of two Americas, and their grip on power is based on using the votes of one to sap the productivity of the other. America is not divided by the differences in our outcomes, it is divided by the differences in our efforts. It is a false philosophy to say one man's success comes about unavoidably as the result of another man's victimization. What Obama offered was not a solution, but a separatism. He fomented division and strife, pitted one set of Americans against another for his own political benefit. That's what socialists offer. Marxist class warfare wrapped up with a bow. Two Americas, coming closer each day to proving the truth to Lincoln's maxim that a house divided against itself cannot stand.

6/25/15

A nice turnout at The Cutting Room. The Cause and other bands joined ALTSO to support the Nepal earthquake victims. Here are the pics - ALTSO supports Nepal - The Cutting Room - June 2015 , And please also checkout the video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=flEJXhM2DZA These are also available on Flickr - 2015 0623 ALTSO supports Nepal

Thank you to a special group of friends and colleagues. I've worked with this group for a very long time, and consider each of you good friends, as well as good people. We did a lot of great things together, and built Republic and HSBC IT as a world and first class service provider. Thank you to JjLJr, Senor LC, WT, BP, TH, RW, me, NG, CR, VF and DC. Collectively we represent 300+ years of service to the Bank, or is that servitude ? Either way, we have/had a great team of professionals. We've many accomplishments to reflect back on. Thank you all for your support and help through my time here.

"...You know, if one person, just one person, says it, they may think it's his opinion and ignore him And if two people say it, in harmony, they may think they're both faggots and and ignore both of them And if three people say it! Can you imagine three people walkin' in, saying "Obama Sucks" and walkin' out? They may think it's an Organization ! And can you imagine fifty people a day? I said FIFTY people a day . . . Walkin' in, saying "Obama Sucks" and walkin' out? Friends, They may think it's a MOVEMENT, and that's what it is: THE OBAMA SUCKS MOVEMENT! . . . and all you gotta do to join is to Sing it the next time it comes around on the guitar. With feelin'..." (Arlo Guthrie-ALice's Restaurant)

6/24/15

VO stopped by the perch to wish me well. We've worked a long time together, and it's been a privilege to have done so for all these years. Stay in touch my friend...

I do admit, I will miss this view of the building. I've always enjoyed it ...

Here you go brother, the Five Corners is now Danny's Steakhouse ...

Got to work Monday, and my shredder was gone. Emails sent, dogs in hot pursuit, for all I knew it was upstate near Dannemora by now ... Eventually tracked it down to someone I won't name (CR), who was just taking whatever he wanted like I told him. PS - wait until I'm GONE .... lol - Either way, it's back home for the moment ... Hopefully, today the trash has been emptied ...

Our NY Public Library lions, Patience and Fortitude are reading their books. Probably better than most of our publik skool stewdents ...

hmmm 1776-Article2

6/23/15

Spotted this butterfly the other day. Waiting for ours to show up, we don't have a large fennel bush, so we hope to raise only a few this year.

Ro and Probie FjL were at Montauk last week, and came home with this interesting piece of drift wood. Someone lost their 'package'... So far, I've found it moved 3 times since I placed it in the yard ...

BH was in town to properly dispose of some Bluecoat hard drives and stopped in to say good-bye. It's been a good run my friend. Say hello to you beautiful bride MH for me ...

6/22/15

Thankfully, No Panty Day falls on a Monday this year. Ladies, please be prepared for the rush hour commute. Thank You !!!

My Uncle & Godfather NL would have been 80 today. Happy Birthday, I wear my Zeke bracelet every day, and I miss you every day ...

Astronaut Scott Kelly took this pic of red aurora's. He's stated he has never seen them before. If you ask me, that's Scooby wishing The Lady a happy birthday ...

6/21/15

Happy Father's Day to the best father I ever had. And one tough mother-fucker too. He taught us all well, and continues to set the bar for us to aspire to. I love you !!! And Happy Father's Day to the rest of you Dads out there ... You know who you are !!!

I love my new bird pet the boys gave me for Father's Day....

One of our blue jays enjoying me nuts ...

Seems like we have a new interloper. A black squirrel has been stopping by enjoying my nuts ...

Damn weeds, nothing seems to kill them ...

Checkout this local article about 2 Bronx boys who made it big. AL and Bongo Billy will be joining The Cause and a few others at The Cutting Room on Tuesday for a benefit for the Nepal earthquake victims, as part of the ALTSO charity ...

Here's a cool vintage map of College Point ...

6/20/15

	Another massacre, this time with a car. We need better, no MORE, car control. How many more senseless deaths, loss of life and limb, and forever damaged families should we continue to put up with. As a nation, we need to seriously reflect on how we can better manage the easy access to automobiles ...  http://news.yahoo.com/man-runs-car-crowd-killing-2-injuring-many-114542868.html
	I can't stand baseball, and I certainly don't think ARod should still be playing. But, he is, because the league let him, the union keeps him, the teams hire him, and the fans come to the park to watch him play. With that said, he deserves whatever recognition that goes with reaching such a distinguished milestone. Back in the day, we used to call that way of thinking ... 'tough nuggies' ... http://sports.yahoo.com/news/alex-rodriguez-homers-for-3-000th-hit--and-yankees-fans-roar-their-approval-232532737.html
	The conduits are all in place for the new building PoEs. They seem a little close to be considered 'diverse' ...

There go the Bowery Boys !!! Spotted Engine 33 headed down 5th Avenue...

I know I'm leaving soon, but can my trash be emptied a little more often than once a week ?

6/19/15

A Happy Birthday shout out to my handsome nephew, the Vinman. Enjoy your day. I love you !!!

Happy Birthday to RC, one awesome guy .... enjoy your day !!!

2013 FBI Homicide Statistics. Stop being played by the government and the media. A murder is a murder. Why is it more of a problem if it's a white offender and a black victim ? There are more whites killing whites, and more blacks killing blacks, than there are the opposite. Do we really care less when a black person kills a black person ? Because that's what we're saying, and how we are reacting. That's where the idea of all lives matter should start from. Why can't we just accept bad people (color neutral) harm innocent people (color neutral) and deal with that fact, with real, meaningful consequences. Stop the race baiting, it solves nothing, and We the People are slowly being disarmed, and dependent on government. A criminal will always find a way to obtain a weapon. If it's not a gun, it will be a hammer, a car, a chainsaw, a bomb ...  https://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/ucr/crime-in-the-u.s/2013/crime-in-the-u.s.-2013/offenses-known-to-law-enforcement/expanded-homicide/expanded_homicide_data_table_6_murder_race_and_sex_of_vicitm_by_race_and_sex_of_offender_2013.xls

6/17/15

In 1985, we took out a 30 year home mortgage with Republic National Bank. It was at a rate of 12.125%. Over time, we refinanced at a lower rate, for 30 years, then around 2001, we refinanced again for a 15 year loan at 4.68%. The mortgage was transferred to HSBC, and sold to Fannie Mae during the housing crisis. Well, today, we paid it off in full. 1 year early for the 15 year, but just about exactly 30 years from when we started. Congratulations honey, we did it. I'll print out the mortgage copy, so we can burn it in the backyard. Now, this McMansion in College Point is all ours ....

The Freedom Tower from 40th & 5th ... Never Forget

The way this Hendrick's Gin blimp was flying around the Empire State Building, you'd think they were doing shots up there ...

6/16/15

A nice view of our Whitestone Bridge from the park ...

6/15/15

Got together with a few friends, as we usually do. This time we had a few more since this may be my last gathering with the bank. Was great having everyone together, we have CC, Gimp, JjLJr, Moi, ET, Goombazza, SaY, ShR, and NM

There's me and my good pal, MN, from Evergreen. Rumor has it that our new momma, KT may be back part-time soon. Hope to see you soon ...

6/14/15

Our Special Angel, OnA took her first dip in the pool, and had a blast ...

Cool pic of the GWB on Flag Day ...

It's been a Mets week for the family, our nieces and great-nieces were there, and so was FvL singing the National Anthem with his school...

We're thisclose to finishing this, but alas, I won't be there to see it to the end...

We're all prepared for the parade ...

6/13/15

A few real nice pics of CitiField at night ...

6/11/15

Someone knows the Mets pretty good ...

Spotted DA as I was walking between buildings. He's doing well, and is always smiling ...

Work continues on the new building next door. More foundation prep work being done

They almost done with this years phase of the new roof on the USTA Tennis Stadium

JjLJr and KP are just chilling in the yard ...

Ro has all sorts of contacts, and if you wanna get near Keith or Ron, you gotta shmooze with EO ...

We were there for Gabby and Gia's first pitch at CitiField...

6/10/15

	1 down, 49,999 to go.... did I mention, It's all good, bitches !!! ;-)
	Pics from the game - NY Mets support FDNY & NYPD - June 2015
	The boys from TL119 are headed to CitiField ...

We're going to this game tonight, and our Probie FjL will be there with the daughters of Lt. Ambelas as they throw out the first pitch. So proud of our boy ... and proud of all the boys in the house ...

6/9/15

As my dear friend Scooby would say, It's all good ;-)

6/7/15

Quick update on that goldfish. It's about 15 hours later, Ro went to Petco, bought  a tank and food. Got home, and moved a dead goldfish into it's new home, and fed it ... Yup, dead already !!!

My honey looks hot, all ready for the 'Sprinkle' party ...

6/6/15

Salute ...

Fun times at the St. Luke's Fair this year. With our Special Angel, OnA and the rest of the family. And we won a goldfish, that's gonna get eaten pretty soon. At least the fish I won, was fake, and I gave it away ...

Came across DnC, and PS at the fair, and you can barely recognize them ...

Congratulations to American Pharoah, first horse since Affinity in 1978 to win the Triple Crown.

Crazy Pete is one of the instructors who resigned over the recent FDNY flap over passing people who can't pass the FST. We met him, and fully support the decision. You have to maintain high standards ...

Ya gotta love it ... Have a Nice Day !!! 2 cons break out of jail, leave this sign ...

6/5/15

Thank you to ChubbyMuffin for the cool CAT hat ...

There's my friend AO keeping our DC all secured ...

Visited NJDC yesterday, and got to see the Freedom Tower again. Here are some good shots...

Not a job I'd want, having to wash these windows ...

Finally got our boat out of dry dock...

We have a new family of morning doves enjoying our seeds ...

Newest additions to the Pez collection. Special Easter Hello Kitty keychains (note the bunny ears), and a special Scoupe et Tourbillon Pez dispenser. The character is from a French children's comic publication.

6/4/15

Today's TBT - a caricature drawing of the family a friend of my dad's drew in 1971. Notice Zelda in the window at the top ...

6/3/15

Happy Birthday to me brudder, NL, enjoy your day. Love you !!!

6/1/15

Skylift. 'They pick things up, and put things down ...' and sometimes, there's an oopsie ... We used them for our generator replacement lifts, this time, something went wrong on Madison Ave. and a CRAC was dropped from the 30th floor...

5/30/15

Stay safe out there boys. Here's a glimpse of just another day at the office for the Gang .... http://youtu.be/ogSogPY1pk0

5/29/15

Blow me ...

Congrats to JjLJr. He fought a moving violation ticket and won. Feels real good when you stick up for yourself, and you win ...

5/28/15

Well after 18 years, my HP LaserJet 6p finally died. I spring for this basic Brother wireless printer, and it's pretty sweet. Caneven print from our handhelds and tablets.

hmmm 142.4 - Nice summary by a Notre Dame University engineer: Here are the 10,535 pages of ObamaCare condensed to 4 sentences. As humorous as this sounds.....every last word of it is absolutely TRUE! 1. In order to insure the uninsured, we first have to uninsure the insured. 2. Then we require the newly uninsured to be re-insured. 3. To re-insure the newly uninsured, they are required to pay extra charges to be re-insured. 4. The extra charges are required so that the original insured, who became uninsured, and then became re-insured, pay enough so that the original uninsured can be insured, which will be free of charge to them. This, ladies and gentlemen, is called redistribution of wealth for health...or Obamacare!!

5/27/15

I've added over 200 pics to 'My Favorite Prints' page. You can see I've been on a recent birds kick, but as you go back I have some real nice photos to view... also available here - http://www.jackleone.com/FavoritePrints/FavoritePrints.html

5/26/15

Does this tape work, and is it available at Home depot???

Checkout the Series Updates now available. My Blog and Postings Family and Friends photos My Photography and Collage material My Favorite Prints Jack's Photo Sets @Flickr Jack's video channel at YouTube Jack's Facebook page LPTS - PEZ Collection Quarterly Report Have something to say ? email me at

5/25/15

I spotted this exhaust pattern coming from those planes. Anyone know what planes cause this pattern ?

Enjoy the pics of our town parade. College Point Memorial Day Parade - May 2015

5/24/15

	Got Randy climbing up my leg to get to my nuts, now if I only get Ro to do the same ... http://youtu.be/M_ouOu5KwCg
	The Titan Durty Band, with Special Guest Bongo Billy rocked Paddy's on the Bay to open Memorial Day weekend... Titan Durty band w/Bongo Billy - May 2015

5/22/15

The walls may be bare, but we still have Scooby on our minds. You will be there until the end my friend, as you wanted to be.

RS stopped by to say good-bye. Moving on to new opportunities, and to begin teaching as he was taught by Scooby. I wish you luck my friend, and please stay in touch. Scooby was very proud of yee ...

Cleanup continues, and the scavengers descended to claim their goodies, as all network engineers do... DJ & WR hoard patch cords, and KC, CR, and WR scoped out the rest of the room.

Yip, Yip, Yip - thanks for lunch my friend ...

The beast just turned 45,000 miles. That's 5,000 per year .... Should last me forever ...

Got a neat little surprise in the mail. $80 ticket for blowing a light on LI, on Easter after visiting my sister and family ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5AL2TTUnBA&feature=youtu.be

Ryobi makes these 40 volt rechargeable battery yard tools. I got the leaf blower, and it's amazing. Just picked up the weed trimmer, and it works great.

The first foundation concrete pour was just done for the building next door. https://youtu.be/Ul6-sLgfI2I

That roof framing on the USTA Tennis stadium is nearly complete for this year.

That Leone gene just keeps on producing proud parents and amazing young adults ... Congrats to Rl, and his proud parents, my cousins ...

5/21/15

Memorial Day is Monday, and our town parade is Sunday. God Bless America...

Ro's got this beautiful Calla lily plant in the yard.

Anyone ever come across these vintage Hot Cinnamon Pez candy ?

Here ya go bugger ... vintage Froot Loops

5/20/15

Damn weeds in the yard ... ;-)

5/19/15

Ro rescued a cardinal today. He ended up OK, and flew away after some TLC and food/water. Either that, or he didn't make it, and the cats got a special treat ... Either way, I got these great pics, and that's all that really matters. Look at the blue on his back ?

5/18/15

They're preparing for their next big foundation pour at the building next door...

Spotted Ladder 128 headed down 5th avenue. Isn't that Ladder 24 territory ?

5/17/15

Spotted this opossum in the neighbors yard, eating out of the stray cat bowls of food. At one point the opossum and cats were all eating together... And check out those paws or are they hands ?

Some of our spring flower blooms

5/16/15

I think Randy is getting a bit too comfy around us. Yesterday I caught her trying to get into the house, by climbing all over the screen door.

5/15/15

There's an update to the Things to be Mindful Of list, it's meant to be

A primer for the youth of America

      And a refresher for their parents and grandparents

I'm sure you have some ideas for this list, so send them over, I'll sort them, judge them as worthy and post them as I receive them. Our youth need help, and this will definitely help them develop into kinder, gentler, humans. At least, that's my hope and desire.

5/14/15

A double dose of TBT - do you have any idea how much and who I had to pay to have this done when we visited Chicago ???

Today's TBT - middle-aged lovers ... SaY and ET

5/13/15

hmmm 911

Hey Dodger, remember when you were crawling on the floor ?

5/10/15

A very Happy Mothers Day to Zelda, my mom, and to the wonderful mother who raised our children. I love you all  !!!

Happy Mothers Day to all you mothers, new mothers, and expecting mothers.

5/9/15

	The tri-fecta completed ... We got Airport Road open again, 11th avenue opened, and the 3rd Ave exit opened. Hope that's a good omen ...
	If you're ever in Astoria, checkout Bartolino's Italian Ristorante, great food, and quiet atmosphere. The veal spiedine is awesome. (not as good as Ro's, but awesome), am I right Silver Fox ?

Spotted this hawk down the new walkway near the waterfront by Lax avenue

5/8/15

Tonight we say good-bye to a great friend. Scooby is dancing under the auroras, waiting for us to join him. You will be greatly missed my friend. I know - It's all good ...

Very nice funeral service for Detective Moore. God Bless the NYPD. Always be careful out there son. We love you !!!

5/7/15

Spotted TL7 headed down 5th Avenue. Isn't that Ladder 24 territory ???

The roof for the USTA Tennis Stadium continue to make progress

Meet the newest edition to the Pez collection - Marvel Avengers - Thor, The Hulk, Ironman and Captain America

5/6/15

Services for Scooby will be Friday, from 7-9pm. Thomas M. Quinn & Sons - 35-20 Broadway Long Island City, NY 11106

5/5/15

As I get older, it becomes apparent that you won't meet too many people in life who end up being special to you in some ways. That connection can happen in many different ways, and happens with all sorts of people. The world and beyond lost a very special man today. Scooby was called home to enjoy the Aurora's for eternity, chillaxing, and waiting for each of us, that may have passed his trail meet him on the mountain to pass a joint to. We worked for a very long time together, on a variety of major infrastructure projects, and I trusted him and depended on him. Everyone did. He cared about his work almost as much as he was proud and cared about his family. It was his way. He became a friend. I am proud to have known you, your family and your love of life. You lived life, and loved living it, while giving love to all you met in life. Be proud of your family, and your legacy. I will never forget you. You will never be forgotten. The perch will never be the same. Godspeed, and up the RA ...

Congrats to me brudder. He beats me in paying off his home mortgage. Great work. Now, light that fireplace one more time and burn that note baby ... enjoy ...

5/3/15

Always Be Safe, Always Proud !!!

5/2/15

Me and my honey at the Malba circle.

Got my chatchka from the FDNY 150th Anniversary open houses, and an awesome shirt from the Whitestone house for E295 & TL144 ...

Current count for the year is me 1, mosquito's 0

The male & female cardinals stopped over for some treats...

5/1/15

4 years on ... still DEAD .... Geronimo EKIA

A few pics from a recent communion we attended...

 

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