MOVING ON

More books ready for listing in my online storefronts anytime from now A photo posted by Jerome Espinosa Baladad (@dyerohmeb) on Jul 14, 2014 at 8:28am PDT Something good must have been happening because I have come to realize I've been growing several online bookstore storefronts these past 5 years or so. It mainly started from having to schlep all my books every time I move to new dwellings. The collection of books has been brought about by my main occupation as a writer, a job that so many other New York City (NYC) dwellers share with me. I have to make a living out of my writings, so I would figure out ways to make money from all these activities I do that are related to my main job as a writer.  I know that a bookstore will have better chances of growing and making money if it has items that are ready for the selection and buying of the shopper who happened to looking for particular printed materials at such unpredictable times. I don't worry much about ...

In my neighborhood in Stapleton, Staten Island can be found a number of old buildings, including churches that have been around many, many decades before I came here. I took the chance to take their pictures and share them here, which opportunity came when I took a hike one (apparently) cold autumn day from St. George to my house on Beach Street. I took the St. Paul's Avenue path, which opened views to these churches along the route, the sites of which normally I would just see while I'm in the car or on the bus to & fro my daily destinations.  I know at least 2 more churches, one of which is just a block away from where I live. I'll take the chance again to shoot their pictures in another time. It was chilly the time I took these shots and I realized I was wearing thin clothes, and I was soon feeling sick when I got home. Remember to visit and check out these places when you get the chance to come here in Stapleton, Staten Island, be...

Lately, I've noticed how the view from where I would stand on the Stapleton train station would change each time I find myself there waiting for my train. Ever gradually, the Manhattan skyline has emerged into my easy but myopic view ever since the buildings along the bay were quickly demolished one after the other. The FDNY Marine Building still remains standing, and we're not sure if it will go soon. Actually, I've seen similar views from some houses here in Staten Island. I could see it from the top floor of the house where I live currently. But I'm surprised to be seeing it from the distance where I'm usually waiting for my train to St. George for the ferry to Manhattan. I've noticed the still ongoing construction of the emerging dominant tower that replaces the Twin Towers; its lights are seemingly on all night long. I also see those buildings on the side of New Jersey, which state is really closer to Staten Island than any of those other borou...

I just want to rid myself of the ill feelings I've got over the loss of my iPod Touch with serial number CCQG7M0MDCP9, which I lost (or somebody must have stolen it from my jacket's side pocket) inside the S78 Bus in Staten Island. I've taken steps to check the status using Apple.com's me.com  and another application. I've already filed online a form with the MTA . I'm just missing my music, my books, my pictures, and those notes I've written down as entries for books I've been thinking of writing. Well, I may just have to push the start button again. Or I may just have to buy an iPad soon. I can only pray and hope I'll get back that iPod or even just the notes, which I still have to work on continuously for my writing projects.  Peace!

You can commute without much fuss from another borough of NYC. Plan how to get to Staten Island by the ferry. From St George Ferry Terminal in Staten Island, take the Bus S51 from Ramp B. This ride may not take longer than 20 minutes passing by Staten Island's downtown and picturesque streets to take you the Beach. Get off at Sand Land and Dolphin Fountain, and the Beach is just a block away across the street from the traffic stop light. Have fun! Zen like view......the skies looking peaceful, and myself feeling rested even for a moment that seemed to last for a long while I didn't venture to these spots anymore; they have to be explored next visit. The Verrazano-Narrows Bridge from a short distance The owners of this pug were pleased to be asked to have their pet be photographed....he just looks so strong and fit! and ready to punch anytime! LOL "Madonna and child" poses at the beach? after the beach? Was surprised to see a wind vane with a dolphin attached to it Lo...

I've been staying in this household in Stapleton, Staten Island, for nearly 3 months now, and my landlord, Mike, has prepared at least twice his favorite, stuffed pepper [click on the link for a typical recipe found online] . He used to own and run a restaurant offering American cuisine for many years. His version of stuffed pepper is prepared rather quick, and ending to be very yummy. He would asked me to cook the rice that would be included in the stuffing (as I bragged about "cooking rice without a rice cooker is no problem, being Asian myself"). He'd include ground beef, egg, flour, plus some special ingredients. The prep work is done fast, in less than 10 minutes, I noticed. He'd add some kind of a pasta sauce in the baking dish, add some cut pieces of potatoes around the stuffed pepper, cover the dish with foil, and then prepare the sides (usually vegetables, and mashed potatoes). The dish is baked in at least 45 minutes. I observed we can actually spend ti...

I've just completed my moving from my former space up in Inwood to Chinatown , both in Manhattan, or a distance involving over 200 blocks. I've observed myself that I'd like moving bit by bit, rather than doing it all at the same time. All I needed to do is to decide if I'm moving finally, which maybe due to some circumstances beyond my control. My latest moving was due to the owner's decision to have my former place renovated, and get sold eventually. I would have wanted to buy it for myself, but I think there will be better opportunities to come, in time. It's actually an ideal place for starter families, as it's spacious and in an area where you'd see a lot of families who are just starting to build their families, and it's still in Manhattan, though it's way up there in the so-called " upstate Manhattan " that most maps exclude as it's not touristy enough. It's a wonderful place to live in, even though some neighbors c...