tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6013047951433917702024-03-13T21:01:02.546-04:00Daddy DiariesPete Burkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01899232790631556740noreply@blogger.comBlogger1274125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601304795143391770.post-71517541408274166062024-02-23T20:22:00.004-05:002024-02-23T20:22:37.334-05:00It's True. Be Kind. <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhcI_etlJHOnO5ECCvQueZbcdAoAx_g3X-PIZwtoYJMYf2nk5J9Noxz0nSHxGGIEzJf2Vz5rQgPz6OT1oOrU2a1ULcepWjuEyBHlbO31fYQtX4GnsGAFjcFtMqFAlLaZGAzS1VmukPFvHt26knJ7XvEjwUooLly6QeNyds216QXbIr8rZymCGgiPn0RDf4" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="512" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhcI_etlJHOnO5ECCvQueZbcdAoAx_g3X-PIZwtoYJMYf2nk5J9Noxz0nSHxGGIEzJf2Vz5rQgPz6OT1oOrU2a1ULcepWjuEyBHlbO31fYQtX4GnsGAFjcFtMqFAlLaZGAzS1VmukPFvHt26knJ7XvEjwUooLly6QeNyds216QXbIr8rZymCGgiPn0RDf4=w367-h458" width="367" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Well for me, almost 51 years at this point. Yes, kindness can go a long way. Being kind and expecting nothing in return can also go a long way. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Don't worry, I won't turn this blog into a site for regurgitating memes, but there's some that I come across that are great, worth saving, and worth sharing with you. Little bits of wisdom, humor, and things that I just find interesting and want to share with you. </div> <p></p>Pete Burkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01899232790631556740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601304795143391770.post-69897020334220965512024-02-22T20:56:00.007-05:002024-02-23T21:01:50.235-05:00Teach Them Well.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" class="placeholder" height="480" id="85db2116d293d" src="https://www.blogger.com/img/transparent.gif" style="background-color: #d8d8d8; background-image: url('https://fonts.gstatic.com/s/i/materialiconsextended/insert_photo/v6/grey600-24dp/1x/baseline_insert_photo_grey600_24dp.png'); background-position: center; background-repeat: no-repeat; opacity: 0.6;" width="640" /></div><br /> If you don't know who Bruce Lee (or his son Brandon Lee) were, you should look it up. I love this quote. (Don't worry, I will still buy you things.) But it is important to pass on lessons to your kids. <p></p>Pete Burkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01899232790631556740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601304795143391770.post-44367139109659768942023-11-02T13:05:00.003-04:002024-02-23T20:28:23.051-05:00Spend time. <p><a href="https://youtube.com/shorts/3mDkrr87yoE?si=VsPdRBfzd8iKJAu3">https://youtube.com/shorts/3mDkrr87yoE?si=VsPdRBfzd8iKJAu3</a></p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi6JmK0AtOK0nsBf4Pa9QVuPE6pUd4Ouwpkufq2MZa1IigcDrz1iBujCdO3NH66S3QL-5flYv4IrtF6AB_T0elVWDVTwJh-nWrhQKAzuLC2sxdPnD4VA3-9s-oOWIkWHWEg8y9T1OWLTeSrGA3Ecw9wTrVyTCHN8f0mT7i_5jpJzoxkdZod9qi5a6IF62M" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1128" data-original-width="788" height="628" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi6JmK0AtOK0nsBf4Pa9QVuPE6pUd4Ouwpkufq2MZa1IigcDrz1iBujCdO3NH66S3QL-5flYv4IrtF6AB_T0elVWDVTwJh-nWrhQKAzuLC2sxdPnD4VA3-9s-oOWIkWHWEg8y9T1OWLTeSrGA3Ecw9wTrVyTCHN8f0mT7i_5jpJzoxkdZod9qi5a6IF62M=w440-h628" width="440" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Great video. All true. It goes by so fast that it's scary. When I think about when you guys were little, I start to feel tears welling up. I miss when you guys were little. I'm grateful for the time we had but I wish I had more. Before you know it, you'll be young adults with your own lives, friends, dreams, goals, jobs, etc. That's why I don't take being able to spend time with you now for granted. (That's actor Michael Keaton btw.)</div><br /><br /><p></p>Pete Burkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01899232790631556740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601304795143391770.post-72280279068067739742023-09-11T00:05:00.042-04:002023-09-13T00:17:09.759-04:00My 9/11 Story. <p> </p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><i>I Sat down at the computer this morning and just wrote this whole piece. Just a stream of consciousness to the best of my memory. I have a more detailed story, but it's 55 pages. Anyway, feel free to read if you would like. There's some graphic details that I should warn you about, so if you need to, just skip those parts. I just think it's important you know the story of what I experienced that day that changed so many lives forever. The fear was palpable in the air. It was pure terror. There were several times during that nearly 2 hour period between the first plane hitting (8:46am,) and the last tower falling (10:28am,) where I didn't think I was going to make it out alive. But I did. And I am grateful for it. Because I have you guys. </i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"><span> </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue";">Thinking back to that day it’s hard to believe it’s been 22 years. But here we are. I wrote this piece this morning 9/11/23 if you are inclined to read.</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue";"> </span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>I was living in Manhattan in September of 2001 and had just moved into an apartment three weeks earlier two blocks south of the World Trade Center on Greenwich St. (about 800ft from the South Tower, WTC 2.) At the time, I was working as a production assistant on music videos, commercials, and working backstage on concerts in New York. </p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The night before, 9/10/01, I had just finished a week of working on the Michael Jackson/Jackson 5 Reunion Concert at Madison Square Garden, which was filmed on two separate nights: 9/7/01 and 9/10/01. That experience alone has plenty of interesting stories attached. But that’s for another time. Thunderstorms swept through NYC in the early evening of 9/10 clearing the way for a beautiful September morning with blue skies. </p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>After the show wrapped after midnight a few of us on the show hung out in the dressing rooms and exchanged stories about how the show went. I remember standing outside the 8 Penn entrance of MSG chatting with Slash of Guns N Roses for a while he waited for his limo. Later, around 2am, I took the the subway home and decided to get off a few stops early (Chambers St) and walk through the WTC Plaza since it was such a nice fall night. The towers were mostly dark, but you could hear the traffic from the FDR Drive and just the general white noise of the city reverberating off of the towers. I remember thinking “holy shit, this is awesome.” I dreamt of living and working in New York as a kid. Now here I was. </p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>I stopped at Cordato’s Deli on Greenwich St, because even at that hour you could get a fresh slice of pizza and a beer. So I did. I remember to NYPD officers taking their lunch break with some pizza in the booth next to me. I went back to the apartment and was still buzzing from the night’s events at MSG, so I didn’t fall asleep until around 5am.<span style="font-size: 11px;"> </span></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="font-size: 11px; white-space: pre;"> </span>I was jarred awake at 8:46am by an explosion, then the sound of falling debris, some hitting our building. It’s hard to describe, but it sounded like a whoosh, then a punch. Like the kind of sound you feel in your chest. I was sleeping on a top bunk and immediately jumped down onto the hardwood floor in my bare feet. Ran over to the window and opened it up to see what was going on. I was on the 7th floor, but the 55 story Deutsche Bank Building was blocking my view of the towers. Still, I could see smoke. I grabbed my digital camera and started taking pics. (I had an early Sony Cyber Shot F-505.) In the smoke filled air it looked as though thousands and thousands of sheets of office paper were floating down. I noticed sparkling in the sunlight which must have been tiny bits of glass still making their way down. Then, I saw a single sheet of office paper floating down like a feather right in front of our window. The corner of the paper was on fire. I remember seeing someone coming out of a restaurant and putting white table cloths over the remnants of a body on Washington St. I knew something terrible had happened. The sound of sirens started to swell seemingly from all directions.</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>One of my roomies came out and said, “Pete what the hell was that?” I said “I think they bombed the World Trade Center.” (I don’t remember saying that, she told me I said that when I saw her months later.) A lot of things are blocked out of my mind from that morning. It’s like my mind only let’s me see little moments and then immediately retracts. Like it’s just too much to relive, so it just goes back into it’s hiding place until something triggers a memory. </p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>So I grabbed my Canon (Film) Camera, a telephoto lens, and loaded my pockets up with whatever unexposed film I had. I told the girls I’d be right back. I’m just going to document what’s going on outside. I remember feeling nervous on the elevator ride down from the 7th floor. What was I going to see? What am I walking into? </p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>When I stepped out the door onto Greenwich St, it was a scene of debris and chaos. Some people were running, some seemed impossibly calm, just looking up at the buildings. So I started walking ups Greenwich St towards the World Trade Center. As I got to Albany St just behind the Deutsche Bank building, a man saw me with my camera and yelled, “You got a camera? Document everything! Those bastards!” On Albany St I noticed a man on one knee examining a seat cushion from the plane. Clearly shaken. (This photo is now in the permanent exhibit in the 9/11 Museum) I’m starting to realize the seriousness of the situation. I’m starting to see plane parts, office paper, books, luggage, parts of the plane, and yes, shredded body parts. I remember seeing part of the leg still inside of a shoe. It didn’t seem real. As I got up nearer to the World Trade Center plaza at the base of World Trade Center 2, there small fires on the ground and the overwhelming smell of jet fuel. I took another photo of a woman crossing the Greenwich St in a dress, hat and sneakers. A shaft of sunlight between the buildings seems to be focused on her, on her cell phone, seemingly unaffected by the chaos around her. (That photo is also in the permanent exhibit in the 9/11 Museum.) </p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="font-size: 11px; white-space: pre;"> </span>World Trade Center 1 came into view once I reached Greenwich and Liberty, right next to FDNY Engine 10 Ladder 10. The view didn’t seem real. About 80 floors up, deep orange flames, and thick black smoke bellowing from World Trade Center 1. There was debris falling occasionally which I think may have been the aluminum sheathing on the outside of the building. I continued up Liberty onto Church St. I am now directly across from the World Trade Center Plaza in full view of both buildings. I remember a Coca Cola delivery truck stopped in the middle of Church St as though the driver abandoned it. (This became important later because there’s photos of large pieces of the facade impaled in the ground right next to the Coke Truck.) </p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>It’s about 9am, maybe a few minutes before. There’s a loud bang and everyone starts running. I instinctively run even though I didn’t know why they were running. I ran down the loading dock ramp of the old US Steel Building. There was an overhang near the rolling garage door that offered me a little protection from falling debris. </p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>It instantly became clear why people were running. There were people jumping from the highest parts of World Trade Center 1 near where the fire was. People were jumping at a terrifying rate. Sometimes several at a time. I remember seeing one man jump and I could see his suit and tie flapping in the wind. I could hear it from where I was standing. It sounded like a flag whipping in the wind. I heard him scream all the way down and then he must have hit the roof of one of the lower WTC Plaza buildings. Some were hitting the ground in the plaza. I do not want to describe it completely, but every time someone hit, it did sound like an explosion. I did see the the man an woman holding hands. I can’t recall if they held hands all the way down. I saw so many people jump, that in the months after, the falling leaves reminded me of it. I was as terrible as you could imagine. Probably worse. I can still hear the screams clearly in my mind.</p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>All the chaos was sharply cut by the sound of an approaching jet. I wasn’t sure if it was one of our fighter jets at first. The sound grew louder and louder until I saw UA Flight 175 pass over Deutsche Bank at an incredible rate of speed. Then for a brief moment, silence. The asshole terrorist must have let off the throttle to pitch the plane to the left and cause maximum damage. I saw the underside of the jet as it slammed into World Trade Center 2 sending a massive fireball and debris out of all sides. The tower seemed to sway like a tree as a wave of debris came crashing down on the streets below. When the plane hit, I remember seeing dozens and dozens of people jump out of World Trade Center 1 all at once. People that were caught out in the plaza came running down the loading dock ramp to where I was. I remember a man pounding on the metal bay door, “Let us in! Let us in!” I don’t think there was anyone there to open the bay door. It became a crush situation briefly, so I decided to get out of there. </p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="font-size: 11px; white-space: pre;"> </span>I ran up the loading dock ramp and onto Church St. My intention run back to the apartment and evacuate with the roommates. The second plane had hit, now there was even more debris strewn all over, some of it on fire. I remember an NYPD Officer seeing me running and he started yelling at the top of his lungs, “Get out of the street! Get out of the street!” (I hope he survived.) The towers were still standing but crippled and burning. I continued sprinting down Church St then made a sharp right on Cedar St which was a narrow alley and the buildings offer protection from falling debris. I fell pretty hard at some point because I landed on the palms of my hands and my knees. (Months later, small shards of glass began working their way out of my skin.) </p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>When I got back to the 7th floor apartment, one of the girls said, “Oh thank God, we thought you were dead.” I think from breathing heavily and all of the adrenaline surging through my body, I could hardly get a word out. My throat was completely dry. (I don’t remember this the girls told me later that,) I grabbed the half gallon container of iced tea out of the fridge and drank the whole thing. Then blurted out, “We have to get out of here.” So we loaded up our backpacks, and headed out, thinking we’d be back a few hours later. Once on the street, our plan was to walk a few blocks south, then walk up to our friend’s apartment in Battery Park City. </p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>I walked into Cordato’s Deli again, this time to grab a few waters incase we got stranded somewhere. I came back out to see the girls taking photos (with those old Kodak “Fun Saver” disposable cameras) of the gaping hole in World Trade Center 2. I remember one of the girls saying, “it looks like it’s leaning.” No sooner did she finish that sentence when the building came crashing straight down. Easily the loudest sound I have ever heard. I instinctively rand back into Cordato’s Deli, with only one of the girls right behind me. The other two ran into the building across the street. No sooner did the doors close behind us when a wave of ash came rushing down the street like an avalanche. At the back of Cordato’s Deli was a bar, which was attached to the Pussycat Lounge. (Use your imagination.) Chani and I ran to the back and we hid underneath the swing door that the bartenders use to get behind the bar. “Are we going to make it?” Chani asked. “I don’t know,” I said. Just then a man who must have been caught in the dust cloud came into the deli. There was a glass door between the bar and the deli, so I could see this man needed help. I grabbed the water bottled out of my backpack and tried to help the guy rinse his eyes out and gave him a bottle to drink. I went back to where we were sitting underneath the bar, and the owner came in and said we were alright, we’re safe, we can stay there until we figure things out. He had a remote and put the TV on. I’m sitting there watching what I just saw with my own two eye and I still can’t believe it. The building is GONE. </p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Things had kind of settled after about 20 minutes and although we were still in the middle of that ash cloud, you could start to see sunlight poking through. Then the ground started shaking and the power went out. The ungodly sound of the other building collapsing. The TV went off. It was dark. Then another wave of ash came down the street again obscuring the light. It didn’t seem like it was going to end. People were crying. Now I’m scared. Truly scared. I start thinking the worst. I’m also thinking about how many people who have just died. It seemed unfathomable. The power did kick back on after about half an hour or so and that’s when several ash covered FDNY firemen came in and told us we needed to evacuate. They were giving out masks but didn’t have enough, so they gave one to Chani and I just grabbed a bar rag to cover my face. “Where are we going? I asked. “Just walk towards the Brooklyn Bridge,” one of the firemen said. So we step outside into the darkness. The streetlights were on as though it was the middle of the night. There was about 6 inches of ash outside on the sidewalk mixed with office paper. I thought the group of us from the Deli/Bar were going to walk together, but everyone just scampered off in all directions. So it was just Chani and I trying to make it to the East Side of Manhattan. All of Lower Manhattan was draped in this massive cloud of ash. I looked toward the Trade Center and it was pitch black except for some flames I could see flickering, and the beeping sounds of alarms. May have been the FDNY locator beacons for the firemen. Not sure. We made our way to Wall St, past the Statue of George Washington and past the New York Stock Exchange. The few people we saw walking around were covered in ash and seemed dazed. By the time we got to the East Side, we could see sunlight again. My cell phone was dead, so I could call anyone to let them know I was okay. We made it to a nice Korean Church on the Lower East Side where they welcomed us and let us use the phone. We stopped at Puck Fair (Irish Pub that’s no longer there,) and they could see we’d been through it and took care of our food. I had a Guinness and a Burger and was able to charge my phone. Smoke was still billowing from downtown. Once my Nokia was charged I was able to get through to more people and let them know I had survived. </p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">This is just one story of many. </p>
<p style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 11px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 12px;"><br /></p>Pete Burkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01899232790631556740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601304795143391770.post-87279307641903979132023-07-06T03:56:00.003-04:002023-08-02T19:17:47.959-04:00Ok. Crazy stories. Here’s one I’ve never told. <p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"> Ok, so March 1988, I’m 15 years old, and my parents and I are going to Hawaii for my freshman year Spring Break. It’s a long flight. We flew from Newark, NJ to Dallas, TX. (3 hours.) Then Dallas to Honolulu. (8 hours.) Once at the Honolulu airport, the first thing you notice that it smells like flowers. Hawaii is almost unimaginably beautiful the first time you see it with your own eyes. I got to boogie board on Diamond Head Beach. Then we took an Aloha Airlines flight to Hilo on the Island of Hawaii. We took a tour up to the top of Kilauea Volcano, and it seemed like the surface of the moon. There was snow up there that’s how high we were. I don’t remember what the flight number was, but I know it was an Aloha Airlines 737. </span></p><p>Fast forward a month later, April 1988 and we see on the news at home that an Aloha Airlines 737 had an unexpected emergency in the air. At 24000 feet the plane suffered an “explosive decompression,” and part of the top of the plane blew off in mid air, leaving some of the passengers exposed like they were in a convertible. Once flight attendant was sucked out and obviously never found. The plane managed to land safely and the flight attendant was the only casualty. </p><p>I can’t prove if I was on that plane or not, because I don’t know if they used more than one plane on the Honolulu to Hilo route. But I imagine it was highly likely that there was only one, and I was on it the month before.</p><p>The accident was blamed on poor maintenance and metal fatigue. I went on to finish the 9th grade.</p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi0GrKZxSqItBDzj1bWQtcey--5hr_4Mf6UJQUMGV78W5mQD2x8XjRgNHCEs_jQmI9-Srw7s7j_3esk-OjEKxVaMwzDsOwirKr2JjaUtQqt9XMDqXX_BxFV5fhNKU_6dRYRofDc3E3Y3Gm44QcQg3H9Xnoc9aZu8MzCV8hTR-rwdcJ49dyiPi1w5AbhzCw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi0GrKZxSqItBDzj1bWQtcey--5hr_4Mf6UJQUMGV78W5mQD2x8XjRgNHCEs_jQmI9-Srw7s7j_3esk-OjEKxVaMwzDsOwirKr2JjaUtQqt9XMDqXX_BxFV5fhNKU_6dRYRofDc3E3Y3Gm44QcQg3H9Xnoc9aZu8MzCV8hTR-rwdcJ49dyiPi1w5AbhzCw=w622-h466" width="622" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">All good everyone! Welcome aboard.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiXiz-mmqzti5etyBoM9iFAAzeC-as2HjKFkkvp6KHNUluWKMyXL4kdJ3KheBfvsn-JnkMOBM87d1zrpEWZkSdEEnwtytV9r79eEZxQvdC0-HZVl6WIZnvQTTM2MC-66kW_eYpJ8A-nSvKbXA2uB0oC4y6aShGiBNjq0QyKwOW3CoUJrTBQuJ2N3j1KyzQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiXiz-mmqzti5etyBoM9iFAAzeC-as2HjKFkkvp6KHNUluWKMyXL4kdJ3KheBfvsn-JnkMOBM87d1zrpEWZkSdEEnwtytV9r79eEZxQvdC0-HZVl6WIZnvQTTM2MC-66kW_eYpJ8A-nSvKbXA2uB0oC4y6aShGiBNjq0QyKwOW3CoUJrTBQuJ2N3j1KyzQ=w609-h342" width="609" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Honolulu, we have a problem.<br /><br /></div><br /><br /><p></p>Pete Burkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01899232790631556740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601304795143391770.post-25551619179250294552020-11-25T15:30:00.001-05:002020-11-26T15:14:08.462-05:00Happy Thanksgiving! Pete's Mean Green Bean Rock 'n' Roll Casserole (from 11/25/2010)Despite the lengthy name, it's just a spiced up casserole.<br />
<br />
<b><u>Pete's Mean Green Bean Rock 'n' Roll Casserole</u></b><br />
<div><br />
</div>2 Cans of Campbells Cream of Mushroom Soup with Garlic<br />
<br />
2 Cans of French Cut Green Beans<br />
<br />
2 Cans of French Fried Onions<br />
<br />
1/2 Cup of Milk<br />
<br />
<u><b>Add spices to your liking:</b></u><br />
Black Pepper<br />
Cumin<br />
Chili Powder<br />
Cayenne Pepper (Dash)<br />
Cajun Seasoning<br />
<br />
Put 2 cans of Cream of Mushroom Soup, 2 cans of Green Beans, and 1 can of French Fried Onions in a casserole dish.<br />
<br />
Add 1/2 Cup of Milk, Spices, then mix together.<br />
<br />
Bake in the oven at 375 degrees for 25 minutes.<br />
<br />
Have Toby Keith playing loudly in the background.<br />
<br />
Cover the top of the casserole with French Fried Onions and place back in the oven for five minutes, or until the French Fried Onions brown.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FA1553ah2uA/TO6O4E4pqfI/AAAAAAAAD4I/r9oBFV39TEw/s1600/6a00c2252c86eb8fdb00cdf3a0e42ecb8f-500pi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_FA1553ah2uA/TO6O4E4pqfI/AAAAAAAAD4I/r9oBFV39TEw/s320/6a00c2252c86eb8fdb00cdf3a0e42ecb8f-500pi.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>When you take it out of the oven, the top layer should be crispy, the bottom layer should be mushy, and the whole thing should be yummy. Enjoy.Pete Burkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01899232790631556740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601304795143391770.post-51655457272818327542020-11-20T17:37:00.000-05:002020-11-20T17:37:51.159-05:00Another Lockdown<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjXmNGLmTXJsSdFCBK-ngEbHJDBC0vqPxh6WIk0txwDp4_CyAQXQt_htWvWuYN4tvNdA1WkRauNvXl377Ynb9W4Vf9U-QQgch9-YyEUMZWh8fiRYaTrPAtYHGhXu48r54IKYgbtpjde3o/s2048/9AF9FF37-E778-45AC-B192-3B90F0052EC4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjXmNGLmTXJsSdFCBK-ngEbHJDBC0vqPxh6WIk0txwDp4_CyAQXQt_htWvWuYN4tvNdA1WkRauNvXl377Ynb9W4Vf9U-QQgch9-YyEUMZWh8fiRYaTrPAtYHGhXu48r54IKYgbtpjde3o/s320/9AF9FF37-E778-45AC-B192-3B90F0052EC4.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh0huF6sWKo0efSAapFl14_hrRCkCDGzPoTzjwXz4qiN0o48dTOcmxTlCatWFXBQ0kWzWWnPKhSPnpha6ZJML6nuEJW0JoD8Yi4Z56JziXt5xZeTzwRuig_qVMn83PMXsFL7RK5T5lN6Y/s2048/9CD82BEA-DC78-40AE-8D57-289A13DB2E19.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh0huF6sWKo0efSAapFl14_hrRCkCDGzPoTzjwXz4qiN0o48dTOcmxTlCatWFXBQ0kWzWWnPKhSPnpha6ZJML6nuEJW0JoD8Yi4Z56JziXt5xZeTzwRuig_qVMn83PMXsFL7RK5T5lN6Y/s320/9CD82BEA-DC78-40AE-8D57-289A13DB2E19.jpeg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Stopped by to see the kids again today and it seems we may be on the verge of another lockdown until after New Year’s. Not only are Lucky and Ash getting big but so are Evan and Eliana. Sometimes I have to look at Evan twice because I can’t believe how tall he’s gotten in the last few months alone. I dropped off some of Eliana’s </div><br />Pete Burkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01899232790631556740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601304795143391770.post-15594053523484503212020-11-18T11:33:00.000-05:002020-11-18T11:33:01.990-05:002020<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In the internet world of know it all memes and anonymous quotes, every know and then I see one that hits me pretty hard. No matter how bad things get I've always believed can and will get better. I've always had this driving force, even when I lost my way for a while, there was always an undercurrent of optimism that got me through the worst of times. I'd like to think that my Mom would have loved this quote. Or maybe had she seen it while she was still here that she would be the one who sent it to me. I don't know exactly what it is, but the essence of this quote has put into words something I've always believed, and it's something that's pulled me through some rather challenging times. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOcno3dgjriZRIbHG4DBGH2ibI_jGnejWxtpGWcuHwDJIRRQQGEp75Is2HVTmAA2jvCeJUkNbqzMepSdW0RQw5qekZM2lIRvLQ2C_Qzbn71ywuMsUwFPOcZe4q2S7FG2buwouk9ymWCyE/s1125/00B7A884-BAFD-4FC1-BE96-C74C42F23AD1.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOcno3dgjriZRIbHG4DBGH2ibI_jGnejWxtpGWcuHwDJIRRQQGEp75Is2HVTmAA2jvCeJUkNbqzMepSdW0RQw5qekZM2lIRvLQ2C_Qzbn71ywuMsUwFPOcZe4q2S7FG2buwouk9ymWCyE/s320/00B7A884-BAFD-4FC1-BE96-C74C42F23AD1.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p><br /></p>Pete Burkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01899232790631556740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601304795143391770.post-57414079813154241102019-09-27T01:04:00.001-04:002019-09-27T01:04:57.950-04:00Thinking About You TwoI just wanted you guys to know that I think about you all the time. I miss you guys immensely and your the first thing I think of when I wake up, and the last prayer I say before bed. Every. single. Night. I love you both and can't wait until I see you again.<br />
<br />
Love,<br />
<br />
Dad.Pete Burkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01899232790631556740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601304795143391770.post-28500103144591673032019-09-02T21:16:00.001-04:002019-09-17T14:59:24.656-04:00Summer of 2019 - GONE (152 Days without my kids)The summer of 2019 should have ended this weekend with me spending it with my kids. Instead, I have seen them ZERO days. This is inexcusable, and in a few months, it may be against Pennsylvania law, punishable by up to 6 months in prison for the alienating parent.<br />
<br />
My attempts to ask for the kids go either unanswered or are outright refused, with no explanation. This is parental alienation, plain and simple. It is wrong and I will continue to fight for my parental rights.<br />
<br />
I have been in touch with several PA State Representatives regarding parental rights legislation that is being introduced, some re-introduced in the next session of the General Assembly of Pennsylvania.Pete Burkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01899232790631556740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601304795143391770.post-19037064563898513582019-09-01T06:46:00.000-04:002019-09-17T14:59:24.553-04:00150 DaysI have been in touch with several (6) members of the Pennsylvania State General Assembly in regards to this matter and have gotten some positive feedback. There are a few House Bills that are going to be introduced in the next session pertaining to parental rights, that if passed, would stop this ongoing parental alienation in it's tracks.Pete Burkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01899232790631556740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601304795143391770.post-34213810140793355772019-08-29T11:04:00.000-04:002019-09-17T14:59:24.723-04:00148 Days (My Letter to PA State Rep David M Delloso)Rep Delloso, I'm a resident of Delaware County and I'm writing to you to ask you (once the house is back in session,) to vote for PA House Bill 508 (Parental Rights,) and PA House Bill 1349, also regarding parental rights.<br />
<br />
I feel that these pieces of legislation are crucial to correcting an imbalance in regards to the rights of parents, (mainly fathers,) who have been subject to unjust parental alienation. It is one of the most painful and unjust acts one parent can inflict on another, in the end, it's mainly the children that are hurt as a result, and there's little to no recourse for the parent fight back against it. I feel that both of these pieces of legislation could go a long way in preventing parents from conducting campaigns of parental alientation and pave the way for father's to be more involved in the lives of their children without interference.<br />
<br />
Thank you for taking the time to read this, and I hope you'll consider voting for both of these bills.<br />
<br />
Pete Burke<br />
Lester, PAPete Burkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01899232790631556740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601304795143391770.post-34908825404548787882019-08-08T13:38:00.001-04:002019-09-17T14:59:24.790-04:00127 DaysI haven't spent the day with my kids in 127 days. I have stopped asking because the answer is always no. Your mom is actively trying to keep me away from you guys and I cannot for the life of me see how this is just or fair. Furthermore, I don't see how other adults involved in this situation can stand by and condone this type of behavior. I'm going to continue to fight for your right to be with your father.Pete Burkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01899232790631556740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601304795143391770.post-60679979126680978832019-08-04T08:59:00.000-04:002019-08-04T08:59:03.494-04:00123 DaysI haven’t spent the day with you guys in 123 days and you haven’t slept over my house since October. I am trying to see you guys but your Mom is choosing to keep me away from you without giving me a reason. Pete Burkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01899232790631556740noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601304795143391770.post-23995553473930142932019-08-01T00:54:00.003-04:002019-08-01T00:54:17.063-04:00Evan & Eliana at Balloon Festival 2012<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FaQi_13CrEs" width="480"></iframe>Pete Burkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01899232790631556740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601304795143391770.post-80768847429093500442019-07-23T22:16:00.003-04:002019-07-23T22:20:22.364-04:00Welcome New Readers! Thanks for taking the time to check out my "Daddy Diaries." I began this blog back in May of 2008 just before my son Evan was born to document my journey into fatherhood. One of the main reasons in particular was so that my Mom, who was living in Florida and physically unable to travel, could keep up on the latest happenings of their grandkids Evan, and then 2 years later, Eliana. There are over 1,300 posts on this blog that include firsts, birthdays, visits, school, sports, visits to family, etc. All of them positive, that was until parental alienation began. It has been 111 days since I have spent the day with my kids, so forgive me if the tone of the blog has changed in the past few months. I think any father in my situation would have thoughts and feelings on having his kids intentionally withheld from him. I'm no exception. So feel free to scroll down on the right and browse the "Blog Archive." Pick any year, any month, check out the blog, and I think what you'll find is a dad that loves his kids and wants nothing more than to have them in his life.Pete Burkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01899232790631556740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601304795143391770.post-54174052010385711472019-07-17T12:01:00.000-04:002019-07-18T12:02:01.295-04:005 Reasons Why Parallel Parenting is Better Than Co-parenting.<a href="https://www.huffpost.com/entry/5-reasons-why-parallel-parenting-is-better-than-co-parenting_b_8679076">5 Reasons Why Parallel Parenting is Better Than Co-parenting (Huffington Post)</a><br />
<br />Pete Burkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01899232790631556740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601304795143391770.post-34086987324191304632019-06-28T10:24:00.002-04:002019-06-28T10:31:08.188-04:0086 DaysWe were supposed to be in court today to find out what's going on with me seeing you guys. Of course your Mom's lawyer conveniently had vacation today, which pushes the case another month. I just want you know that I have been actively asking to see you guys, and your mother has either said no, or like this morning, not answered my texts at all. I don't understand how this is fair to you guys. Your mother has accused me in the past of playing games. How this is not "playing games" is beyond me. This is playing games with your right to see your father and have your father in your life. How any adult, friend, family or otherwise can sit idly by and remain silent is something that is beyond my comprehension.<br />
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Just know that I am asking to see you and I am being rejected by your mother. I started this blog 11 years ago when Evan was about to be born. Even with the divorce, I never thought it would turn into a journal about parental alienation and a father being systematically and purposely being withheld from seeing his kids. This is a disgrace. I'm sorry your mother is willfully putting you through this.Pete Burkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01899232790631556740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601304795143391770.post-49500695714064333812019-06-27T19:57:00.002-04:002019-06-28T10:29:31.732-04:0085 Days85 days. 85 days since I last spent the day with my kids. Still no explanation. Still no word after supposedly "waiting to hear back from my lawyer," nothing. 78 days sober today and I'm still waiting to hear why my kids are being prevented from seeing me.Pete Burkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01899232790631556740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601304795143391770.post-72585899957169517462019-06-20T11:04:00.000-04:002019-06-28T10:55:37.314-04:0077 Days ("Not today, Evan.")Haven't spent the day with you guys in 77 days. Evan I know you've asked multiple times and get the answer "Not today." Doesn't seem fair to either of you. I was told that "nothing is happening until we go to court at the end of the month." That's another 8 days. We'll be nearly 2 weeks into summer vacation before your mother decides whether or not it's okay for their father to spend the day with you. Unreal.Pete Burkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01899232790631556740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601304795143391770.post-66163754327480633782019-06-16T11:06:00.000-04:002019-06-20T11:06:25.209-04:00Father's DayYour mother is keeping me away from you guys on Father's Day. I really don't even have words. How is this okay? How are other adults co-signing parental alienation?Pete Burkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01899232790631556740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601304795143391770.post-77178385341291111502019-06-13T15:46:00.000-04:002019-06-13T15:46:18.055-04:0070 DaysIt's been 70 days since we spent the day together. Evan, I asked your mother what plans were for you and Eliana this weekend, and if you could come and go to the gym at Eddie's on Saturday and said "No,"that nothing would happen until after the court date June 28th. By that date we will have not spent a single day together in almost 3 months. I can't imagine a single parent that would be okay with this. This is not right. This is unfair to you guys and is nothing short of abuse. I'm sorry that you are not allowed to see your own father on Father's Day weekend. Just know, that I will continue to fight for you guys.<br />
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Love, Dad.Pete Burkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01899232790631556740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601304795143391770.post-70598627582748439762019-06-05T12:39:00.000-04:002019-06-05T12:39:10.403-04:0062 Days I requested via text to see you guys and ask why supervised visits were not being resumed and got no answer from anyone involved. I really don't see why a father would be treated this way. It is unnecessary, uncalled for, and unfair to you guys. Hopefully the courts will stand up for you and resume you guys being able to come over on weekends, the way most normal families operate. Hopefully I'll see you guys soon, but with softball season being over, and no response as to even supervised visits, I don't know when that's going to be.<br />
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There are mothers out there fighting to get the father involved in the kid's lives. Fathers who want nothing to do with their kids. I am not that father. I want to be involved in your everyday lives, and I am being turned away.<br />
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Hope to see you soon.Pete Burkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01899232790631556740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601304795143391770.post-37090978846069405522019-06-04T12:34:00.000-04:002019-06-05T12:34:25.809-04:0061 DaysWorked today but was available to see you after school. I was able to to talk to you on the phone to say goodnight.Pete Burkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01899232790631556740noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-601304795143391770.post-14374178225196185922019-06-03T00:21:00.002-04:002019-06-03T00:21:26.762-04:0060 DaysIt's now been 60 days (2 months) since we last spent the day together. Granted, 28 of those days were my fault. I had to go to the hospital to get myself right.<br />
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There was something about that day that was so fun, so spontaneous, and so exciting it almost seemed too good to be true. I remember on the drive home after your mother picked you up thinking what a great day it was, but had this sinking feeling that it was, indeed, too good to be true. Turns out it was.<br />
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Here we are 60 days later and we have not spent a single day together. My requests to your mother go unanswered and I have not been offered an explanation as to why I am being kept away from you guys. I have a feeling an explanation would be motivated by either spite, irrational fear, or just a blatant desire to keep your father out of your lives.<br />
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As Father's Day approaches I am facing the prospect of not seeing you guys. I didn't do anything to deserve this. Why? Because I had a drinking problem? I went to one of the best 28 day recovery programs in the state of Pennsylvania and have come out not only sober but with a new outlook on life. I am 54 days sober and while it is still early in the process, I have never felt better, and do not want to ever go back to that lifestyle. I have an excellent support system with Stacey and she has been 100 percent supportive of my decision to stop drinking. It was a dark chapter in my life and I look forward to living life sober and being the father you deserve.<br />
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I can for the life of me understand why another adult will stand up for me. Everyone, including my family just stands by and acts as if this is normal. Not my family, not the courts, no one is speaking up. I will not give up fighting for you guys. Children deserve to have their father in their life. I won't rest until this situation is brought back to normal and that you guys can:<br />
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Sleepover my house on weekends<br />
Come down to the beach<br />
Have weeknight visits during school<br />
Go on hikes, bike rides, visit parks.<br />
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Everything that your supposed to do with your dad. I will not give up.<br />
<br />Pete Burkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01899232790631556740noreply@blogger.com0