i have no idea what to do about RNC week...... ?

[metmagic]

should i even try to go to work? or just treat it like a normal day? (my original plan)

unfortunately i watched the news tonight :hmm: and of course they're making the Republican National Convention week sound like the city will be an absolute circus (well.... it's quite possible) :nut: a ton of protests and apparently there was a bomb threat today at Herald Square station (great, that's my train) :angry: note to self: wear running shoes to work

at first i didn't think it'd be a big deal for me cuz work is all the way on the west side (all the action is gonna be smack in the middle of midtown manhattan) but now with all this hoopla i don't feel inspired to go to work.......

my cool boss told me last friday that if the republicans freak me out too much i could just stay home and it'd be okay. :D she's so awesome.

hmm.... i don't know what to do.......

new yorkers out there, what are you guys gonna do? chuck, you going to work? nancy, you coming home or what? :D

[CitySkyline]

Hi, Cyn!

Yup, I'll be going to work. I don't think I'll be affected too much (knock on wood), since I'm coming over from Queens and staying away from the area near MSG.

But, on the other hand, I will be near Rockefeller Center/Radio City so who knows, there may be some protests near that area. If there are, I'll just take some pictures and post them here... :D

Since you're coming from Brooklyn, it probably will be more messy for you. But, you're a true blue NY'er, so I'm sure you can just take everything in stride! :D

[metmagic]

yeah i've been pretty laid back about everything--i mean, could this be any more insane than all the other stuff i've already experienced in the city? :D but everyone around me is freaking out, including my bosses & coworkers... and it's making me wonder if i'm being too casual or are they overreacting? i just wanna be prepared for whatever happens..... hopefully nothing.....

rockefeller ctr might get pretty crazy though :nut:

[CitySkyline]

How many of your bosses/coworkers are "native" New Yorkers? I'm guessing that's why they're all freaking out: they're not used to the zaniness. People like us (i.e., NYers who have been through everything) are more inclined to shrug it off. I doubt you're being too casual. I'm sure I don't need to tell you to be vigilant, but on the other hand, you're probably already used to being vigilant (or maybe I'm just too much of a cocky New Yorker for my own good! :D )

[GaryMrMets]

Cyn, Chuck, The F train at Herald Square station is my train to.

Some other stations they reported as targets to be blown up were 42nd street, 59th street Columbus Circle, and the Verrazano Bridge.

That news report just made me sick.

Well, at least the police and FBI have those two nut jobs in custody.

[metmagic]

i'm with ya gary.... the news report made me sick too :angry: i guess they have to exaggerate everything.... i just don't see how this is different from all the other stuff we have to deal with :confused: i dunno, maybe i'm wrong... hope not.....

[metmagic]

How many of your bosses/coworkers are "native" New Yorkers? I'm guessing that's why they're all freaking out: they're not used to the zaniness. People like us (i.e., NYers who have been through everything) are more inclined to shrug it off. I doubt you're being too casual. I'm sure I don't need to tell you to be vigilant, but on the other hand, you're probably already used to being vigilant (or maybe I'm just too much of a cocky New Yorker for my own good! :D )

actually most of them are as native as you can get. they just can't stomach republicans. as a matter of fact, alot of ny'ers are getting the heck outta town for the same reason. i'd be right behind 'em but i thought with this new job it wouldn't be a good idea to take time off.... little did i know my very bosses would be telling me NOT to come in to work lol :D

nan, we shoulda stuck to our going-to-florida plans! rats :(

[Piazza'sbabe]

Anyone I know that commutes from Long Island on the LIRR is either working from home (if they can) or taking vacation.
No one wants to deal with the hassle at Penn Station and they are native NY'ers and have worked in NYC for many years.
My friend Pat who's in the NYPD academy will even be working the RNC. They are talking the 1000 cadets who have been in the academy for a little over a month, sticking NYPD vests on them, handing them whistles and having them on traffic detail. (thank god they don't have guns yet! :tongue: )
SO THAT ALONE should make you stay away from Mid-town!

[Rockin Robin]

My cousin is renting a hotel room so he doesn't have to deal with the LIRR and Penn Station.

Someone else I know is driving to Shea and taking the 7 train in.


It's definitely going to be incredibly insane. Just give a try on Monday, Cyn. If it's just too much, take your boss' offer to stay home.

I was supposed to go for dinner and dancing in The City for a bachelorette party Saturday night, but because of the convention we decided to stay on Long Island. Thank goodness!

Should be a rather interesting week......

[Obri]

A little help here people. I have studied American politics, but it doesn't take someone who does to notice that the Republicans ain't too popular in New York state. So, to my question. Why do they insist on having their national convention there? :notme:

[rockin500]

NY probably wanted the money it should bring in. thats what it all comes down to dan: money!

I'm certainly glad its not in chicago, not because i am anti bush (cuz i am not anti), but because of all the kooks who would come out and protest.

[Durango53]

Dan I have heard from a friend in NY that it looks like about 30% are really from NY. And if that is the case then no matter where you held it they would have this problem. Also as people have pointed out above is that the press is exaggerating it.

But that is just what I have heard I live a long way away so I just posted on what I heard.....

[CitySkyline]

A little help here people. I have studied American politics, but it doesn't take someone who does to notice that the Republicans ain't too popular in New York state. So, to my question. Why do they insist on having their national convention there? :notme:

Actually, it's not so much New York State (since, after all, the governor is Republican). It's New York City that is very much a Democratic town. Anyway, I believe it's because of 9/11. After 9/11 happened, as a gesture of support for the city, the Republicans announced they'd have their convention in NYC.

At least, that's how I remmeber it....

[Piazza'sbabe]

Dan I have heard from a friend in NY that it looks like about 30% are really from NY. And if that is the case then no matter where you held it they would have this problem. Also as people have pointed out above is that the press is exaggerating it.

But that is just what I have heard I live a long way away so I just posted on what I heard.....
On Saturday afternoon there was a march from Downtown Brooklyn over the Brooklyn Bridge to city hall for Woman's Reproductive Rights. There were about 2500 people marching-90% NY'ers. It was a combination of NYC Planned Parenthood, Hudson Peconic Planned Parenthood (westchester and suffolk counties) and Nassau County Planned Parenthood, NARAL and FPA and their local supporters.
So no, not all the protesters are just "out of towners".

[Rockin Robin]

Chuck's partially right about why the convention is being held in NYC. Or another way to phrase it: they're trying to capitalize on 9/11. :frownsqua

[Obri]

Thanks for the info people. A gesture of support after 9/11? I would have thought the best thing would have been to have it as far away as possible.:D

[Nanner]

I'm actually surprised at how quiet it is here in Midtown West. I guess all the hoopla and all the talk of threats just made people throw up their hands and decide not to come into the city. I talked to a guy I do some part-time work with and he said it's incredibly quiet in the office. (They're downtown)...... Mostly commuters work their who decided just to stay home.

Anyhoo...... it's alot quieter than it normally is.

[Sheafaithful]

These are the times I'm glad that I live and work in Brooklyn....

[CitySkyline]

Actually, Kat, if you worked near where I do (Rockefeller Center area), you'd find it very quiet... although, it's true that since I'm coming from Queens, my subway never even passes by MSG. Coming from Brooklyn, I'd guess you'd have to pass by MSG, but at least you wouldn't have to get off the subway...

But, there IS something to be said about living in the outer boroughs... :D