New normal: Interacting with others
Stefanik’s politics continues to draw lots of attention
The Front Page
Afternoon Update
Monday, May 10, 2021
By Ken Tingley
We were rested, ready and most importantly, we had been vaccinated.
We traveled for the first time since early December to see our son in San Antonio, Texas this weekend.
I was really surprised at the number of people doing the same thing, although it was Mother’s Day weekend.
The cars were double and triple-parked along the curb outside Albany Airport, the line through security - somewhat social distanced - was backed from the security gate to the walkway to the parking garage. TSA had their hands full moving people along.
When we flew to Texas in November, social distancing was possible. The airports - depending on which one you changed planes - were much quieter. Changing planes in Baltimore this weekend made me realize there is no way possible to social distance in the future without the airports making significant changes.
When we arrived in San Antonio, they had three luggage carousels to deal with 10 flights all coming in about the same time. Thankfully, I only saw one person not wearing a mask.
But it was all worth it because we got to see our boy for the first time since Christmas.
But as we got out into the world for the first time in a long, long time, I inadvertently dropped my own guard.
We were sitting at the bar of neat Tex-Mex place having a margarita, when a woman came up to the bar. She didn’t know whether to have a frozen margarita or one on the rocks. I jumped into the conversation and insisted she get the the one on the rocks. My wife and I have years of experience.
We started talking. She said this was her first drink since getting pregnant 11 months earlier. She was there with her family and her 2-month-old. My wife told her about her experience working with babies in pediatrics. It turned out she was a nurse, too. In the middle of the conversation, it occurred to me neither of us was wearing a mask.
We were just conversing like the old days, but there was part of me that felt like we were doing some wrong, that even this brief conversation was risky behavior.
We are going to have some adjusting to do in the coming months.
Lots of Stefanik feedback
During my first three months doing this newsletter, I’ve found that politics gets the most views. My observations of Rep. Elise Stefanik’s past lies to constituents last week made it one of the most read posts so far,
I’ve written a lot of Rep. Stefanik over the years, not because I like criticizing her, but it just seems to be a necessity in this day and age when politicians are out for themselves more than ever. If you look at one or two things she has done, it does not seem significant, but when you line them up one after the other - yeah, I’m working on a time line - you see a disturbing pattern of self promotion rather than service to the people.
None of us should tolerate that.
Stefanik bonus
Here is one of my columns on Stefanik from February 2020. It holds up pretty well. Check it out HERE.
Keep those votes coming
SOOP, my publisher for my collection of columns, is moving forward with the proof reading and design of my book. We’re hoping for a July publication.
If you haven’t voted for my book yet, go on to the SOOP website, punch in your email address and they will keep you updated on the latest with the publication of the book.
Please tell all your friends, neighbors and acquaintances on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. To vote: CLICK HERE.
Happy birthday
Shout out to my best friend from our Pop Warner years in Connecticut. My buddy Craig is having a sensitive medical procedure to celebrate his 64th - that’s how it is when you are in your 60s - so I’m hoping all goes well and the rest of the day is better than the beginning.
We’re hoping to get together for that Syracuse game at Madison Square Garden in December.
The weather
Acclimatizing to San Antonio weather has been a challenge. I was here in October and November and it was very pleasant.
While the 85-degree temperature is fine, the nearly 90 percent humidity is an abrupt change from upstate New York.
But we have access to a pool.
