Bloggers Talk LIRR Troubles, Expressions of Manhood

Every day on Patch, locals share their opinions on a variety of subjects. 

Here are some of the most interesting blogs from the past week:

• LIRR Commuters Getting Short-Changed by Congress- Again!: Once again, intransigence by Congress will be costing LIRR commuters money. The 2014 Commuter Transit Pretax Benefit will be REDUCED from $245 to $130 because Congress has not acted to extend this program or to make it permanent.
• Expressions of Manhood: Expressions of manhood are too often echoes wrapped in shadow. Lately everything from the NFL to political discourse speaks to image rather than reality.  I’m reminded of the coach who told us that the next 40 minutes would be the most important in our lives.
  
• Random Not Random: Last Saturday I received a “random” text message from my friend Fabian asking me to come into Manhattan on Monday for a mural painting at the New York City Rescue Mission. If you know me, then you know I don’t believe in random.
  
• 12 Years A Slave: 12 Years A Slave, the intense emotional film, brought tears to many eyes including Opera Winfrey and Madonna. The film quickly became the rising topic for celebrities. It's heart whelming moments lead the film to become a possible Oscar contender.
  
• Free Form, Free Wheeling Bluegrass Mashup: Pop superstar Bruce Hornsby and country legend Ricky Skaggs, two artists with more hit singles, awards, accolades and nods from fans and contemporaries alike are set to descend upon the stage of the Paramount in Huntington on the 20th and while it may seem at first to be a most unusual pairing, It is not as far fetched as it appears.
  
• Not So Merry Birthday: Having a baby around the holidays - what was I thinking? Obviously, I wasn’t, either with the planning or the execution, but there’s no walking that cat backwards. I’m stuck with a late December kid.
  
• Rambling Rose: Today looks to be a good one, lots to do, see, read, consider. I have recently joined online writer’s forums and have resurrected many of my poems, with minor modifications, from decades past. I must admit to a feeling of surprise at the prospect of them still being relevant.
  
• Mornings Will Be Different: I constantly wonder why the end of almost anything is so disturbing. From as far back as I can recall, saying goodbye has been something I cannot do well.  If I have enjoyed an incredible evening at dinner with friends or loved ones, invariably I request a second  cup of coffee to extend the sunset, and postpone adieus.