A clearer picture of Omesh Hiraman, the 22-year-old freshman who sent the Flushing main campus of St. John’s University into a tailspin yesterday. Hiraman was wearing, of all things, a George W Bush mask, and carrying a rifle. St. John’s had recently instituted a text-messaging system, and thousands who had signed up, received warnings on their cell phones abut the gunman on the campus, which was promptly put on
‘lockdown”. Without a doubt, everybody on campus, as well as millions off-campus who heard the news, had frightening thoughts of Columbine, Virginia Tech, and the most recently threatened campus — Delaware State. Luckily, no one was hurt, largely due to a NYC police cadet, also a St. John’s student, who spotted

But, as the identity of the gunman emerged, so did the sad details. Today, with their son in a psychiatric unit at Bellevue Hospital, Omesh’s parents spoke to the press. They apologized to the community for the havoc their son had wrought on campus yesterday, and said that Omesh was not a bad person. Then, a picture emerged of a troubled history borne of events for which he was not responsible. Omesh Hiraman was a student at Stuyvesant High School, the specialized high school for the city’s most brilliant students. In fact, from there he had gone to Cornell, but left after a short time.

But, then 9/11 happened. From his high school, which is right next to Ground Zero, he saw the Twin Towers fall. and according to his parents, he was never the same from then on. He became paranoid after that. It wasn’t clear from the interview whether he suffered from schizophrenia before that day,but it seems apparent that the events of 9/11, exacerbated whatever latent mental illness he was prone to. He also recently had back surgery to correct his scoliosis, a curvature of the spine, and suffered extreme pain.

Maybe it was 9/11, the medication he took for back pain, mental illness, the pressure of two older accomplished brothers, or a combination of all of the above. We can’t be sure. But we do know that Omesh Hiraman was a victim of a world and a medical condition that dealt him more than he could handle. And for that, I pray for him, as well as all the others out there that keep it all bottled up until it all explodes. Today, St. John’s students tripled enrollment in the cellphone emergency text-messaging program. But we all have to register for a bigger program– to try to repair a world in which children can get through life without the fear of snapping all of a sudden. We all need to look at the factors that have made days like yesterday far too common lately on our campuses.

Photo from brilliantearth.com

I recently experienced some trials in getting my engagement ring fitted. I was told it would be easy, since virtually any jewelry store does fittings. But you can’t take your most prized piece of jewelry (or rather the only piece of jewelry with any real value that I own) to any jewelry store. I’d heard horror stories of sketchy places replacing the stone with cubic zirconium or something. Since my lovely engagement ring was ordered online (from brilliantearth.com, a conflict-free jewelry company that specializes in Canadian diamonds), bringing it back to the place of purchase (usually the best choice) was not an option.

I first asked my married friends, most of whom also had to get their rings fitted. But they’d all gone to small jewelers in their suburban home towns and I thought the city must have ample good options.

I first decided to go with a big chain store - Macy’s. I figured they’d be cheaper than Tiffany’s, but still a known name that should do a reasonably good job. Unfortunately, their jewelry department does not do fittings for rings not purchased at the store. They do work with an independent jeweler, located on one of the top floors. I went up there and found a warehouse atmosphere with boxes everywhere. There was a small area off in a corner with a counter and glass case filled with watches, but I looked around and at the rather young, inexperienced person at the counter and I ran. My Precious!!!!
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My place of business has had broken (off and on) air conditioning all summer. Since they are a retail establishment it seems odd that it cannot be fixed even when it is literally 90 degrees in the store. The owners of the store have decided to move our location, apparently to save some money on rent. It seems that a few weeks from now, we will be moving to a new space. This is all well and good, but when the employees are starting to get faint from the heat it is just plain unacceptable. I am a patient man; however, I am at the end of my rope. I spoke to the owners of the store today and asked if we had to “suffer in this heat” any longer. He told me he had literally no more words of encouragement, since he had been trying to be positive about the 90 degree temps all summer. “That’s it! We are moving!” he says, throwing his notebook down in mock anger. I was not amused. Seeing that I was not taking to his joke he proceeded to say, “Well, at least I don’t have a large beard on my face”, waving his hand around near his chin to indicate the facial hair he did not have.

If we were friends, this would have been fairly humorous. We are not friends. It seemed as though he was saying he was happy that he did not have a beard (that I grew for the last three years and is a defining factor in my everyday life) because damn, it would be even hotter in here if he had one of those!

Sometimes I wonder if some people have any tact. Does your boss have tact?

I just got kicked by a big ugly fat woman!

Just now, walking down Eighth Avenue a few blocks south of the Port Authority, there was a bottleneck on the sidewalk (as there often is there). So as I’m trying to maneuver my way through it, JUST LIKE EVERYONE ELSE ON THE SIDEWALK, this enormous blob of a creature (which, incidentally, bore a striking resemblance to South Park’s version of Sally Struthers, but with ass-length, tar-black hair instead of blonde) plants herself right smack in the middle of the crush and defiantly refuses to shift any of her girth this way or that.

Whatever, lady. Unfortunately, since she chose to stop directly in front of me (it was like coming upon Stonehenge on a Manhattan sidewalk, I kid you not) getting around her in the mob took some fancy footwork on my part. And though I did manage, my shoulder brushed against some part of her mass as I passed.

And that’s when it happened: the ugly troll actually lifted one foot off the ground and kicked me in the shin as I squeezed by her! How she managed to not topple over, I’ll never know. I can only assume that the crowd pressing against us on all sides assisted in holding her more-than-ample frame upright. Honestly, it’s shocking that the single leg that remained on the ground didn’t immediately shatter under the full weight of her gigantitude. Maybe it was a prosthetic. Who knows.

Anyway, after a beat in which I swallowed my utter bewilderment, I gave her a nice “fuck you,” and continued on my way. Jesus.

Fat or skinny, let’s all just try to be considerate of each other out there, people!

One thing I hope to do on this trip into New York is see the exhibit about Jane Jacobs at the Municipal Art Society and even better go on a related walking tour.

Since Jane was an advocate and keen observer of the actual spontaneous order of city life, who didn’t leave us any 12 lane expressways or public monuments, she may be a hard subject for an exhibit.

The galleries are located in the Urban Center, 457 Madison Avenue at East 51st Street.Suggested donation: $10

Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays - 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Wednesdays - 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Sundays - 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

I met up with some fellow bloggers at the Galaxy Global Eatery this evening, located in Union Square. I find Union Square’s always a safe location for a big meet-up since, with its multitude of subway lines, it’s convenient from any location. Whether I’m coming from work in the Financial District or going home to Astoria, it’s a pretty fast ride.

Likewise, the Galaxy Global Eatery appeals to a wide range of people with its broad selection. Its eclectic menu includes a variety of vegetarian dishes, unique creations, and even hamburgers, along with a slew of cocktails, wines, and non-alcoholic juices and teas. The place has everything and it’s not too pricey.

I sampled the Unchicken drumsticks, edamame cakes, beet chips, yucca fries, and a couple glasses of Riesling. Everything tasted delicious. I also enjoyed the decor, particularly the navy-colored ceiling with glittering stars. I highly recommend this heavenly spot, especially for larger gatherings.

I was in the city on Friday, the 21st, but I didn’t see any of this. Parking Day, originated with a group artist/activists in San Francisco who wanted to call attention to the huge amount of free public space that has been given over to cars in almost every American city. Photo’s here.

My name is John Morris, an artist and lifelong native of Queens (Woodside and then Forest Hills)who pulled up stakes and started a little gallery in Pittsburgh a few years ago. I blog on the Pittsburgh Metroblog. Yes, it’s true that the Steeler Nation may be pursuing a stronger first strike capability but I’m not involved in that and I come in peace. I’m in town to help put together an exiting project in a space I will be renting on East 2nd street in November that I hope to keep everyone updated on.

If you’re like me - in your 30’s and hating the scene - most nights, all you want from a night out is a fun time spent with friends and having the ability to talk without screaming over music or getting hit on by guys.

Don’t get me wrong, I love men (big difference between guys and men) - I don’t seriously date, but I do have a love for them.

Here’s the thing. My standards for men’s behavior are probably beyond what most people find just acceptable and I don’t care to settle, but I really do appreciate the rare gentleman.

I guess this is the point where I should mention that 2 years ago, I lost my partner, my fiance, my everything… in a tragic accident. This once confirmed bachelorette experienced “absolute bliss” when she least expected it and now, I’m enjoying my love for the city.

Anyway… even though I don’t care to date, it doesn’t mean that I don’t like the attention of a man.

Now that the summer is officially over, we’ve been out and about enjoying the mid season weather and we’ve found that certain men can really make a regular night out into a night to remember. All while doing their thing behind the bar.
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So, as anyone who has attempted to venture anywhere near the UN today has probably noticed, the 62nd UN General Assembly meetings are going on. Actually, many people may have noticed because of all the coverage of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s talk at Columbia today. As I was unable to attend due to uh, prior commitments or something, I managed to get all the scoop by reading the liveblogging at NY Magazine’s Daily Intelligencer. Highlights include the university president talking smack, Ahmadinejad complaining about it, and a denial that Iran has homosexuals:

There is laugher and booing. He looks a little sheepish but continues on: “We don’t have homosexuals. In Iran we do not have this phenomenon, I don’t know who told you that we have it.” Man, you Americans think everyone is gay.

And, of course, a retard joke to top off the skirting of the Holocaust denial and Israel questions:

Ahmadinejad cuts loose: “I have a joke here,” he says. “I think politicians who are looking for the nuclear weapons are retarded.” Even audience members who showed up stoned (”I can’t wait to tell my kids I did this, dude”) are flummoxed.

Apparently, everything was conducted with decorum and fairly civil discourse, though there were lots of protests, as evidenced by the image in Irina’s post.

Were you there? What did you think?