“An Observer review of thousands of pages of court records and internal agency documents, and interviews with a former company executive reveals a company that operated outside the law for almost four decades, even as citizens, activists and TCEQ’s own investigators pleaded for action. The records and interviews show a facility that held its pollution control equipment together with duct tape and routinely pumped out hazardous metals including nickel, vanadium, and molybdenum in quantities considered potentially harmful to nearby neighborhoods and an elementary school less than a mile from the plant. A former Gulf executive and a former TCEQ official described to the Observer how the company blatantly polluted for years and got away with it.”

“In 1985, “We are the World” won song of the year, The Goonies and Back to the Future lit up the silver screen, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced it would assess the health risks of dioxins. “We are the World” hasn’t hit the airwaves in years, and you’d be hard-pressed to find a child today who is familiar with beloved 1980s flicks. Yet 27 years later, Americans are still waiting for the EPA to fulfill its promise on examining dioxins.”  - Daily GOOD

Dow Chemical Co. (DOW) (DOW)’s Union Carbide won dismissal of a lawsuit alleging polluted soil and water produced by its former chemical plant in Bhopal, India, injured area residents, one of at least two pending cases involving the facility known for the 1984 disaster that killed thousands.

Scientists warn that chemicals we’re exposed to every day can cause genital deformities and even breast cancer. Is our government paying attention?

Trichloroethylene (TCE)  - Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry Data Sheet  

TCE Linked to Higher Parkinson’s Risk - NYTimes 11/14/11

A year ago, I read an article about the history of the Brazos River and how it contained dangerous levels of dioxins for several decades. This chemical contamination prompted the Texas Department of State Health Services to issue an advisory against eating fish from the river that lasted over 7 years, from 1990 to 1997. That startled me for a number of reasons, but mainly because my father, family, and friends fished and swam in the Brazos during this time, without a passing thought. I don’t remember any warnings - do you? 

This led me to wonder what other hazards exist in our community that we’re likely unaware of? And thus this blog.

Today, over 40 companies operating in Brazoria County generated toxic chemicals and waste. Most of those chemicals are completely contained in the production process, but a lot are exposed to workers and citizens of Brazoria County through both accidental and intentional releases. 

My end goal is to produce and direct a documentary about Lake Jackson’s short, yet rich history and the effects of the petrochemical industry on this part of Texas and our nation.  I also plan to trace the connection between Parkinson’s Disease and environmental toxins and reach out to others within Brazoria County that are suffering from this debilitating disease. 

Hi friends, 

Since I’ve been receiving texts, emails, and FB messages from all over asking how to help, I’ve decided to put my obsessive information hoarding to good use and aggregate everything I come across here on this blog.  Please spread the word!  

BUY SUPPLIES VIA AMAZON FOR DELIVERY TO BROOKLYN FOR SANDY RELIEF! 

I finished my first olympic triathlon and had enough strength left to smile for a photo. 

Post-accident consultation with Dr Simon (Taken with instagram)

Please share your opinion. Save the internet as we know it. 

I ran the NYC Marathon with a camera on my head. Cause I’m crazy like that!

This is happening. Again. 

Only 6 more days left until the big race! Number 3! How I made it to my 3rd marathon, I will never know. 

Last week, I official hit the 10K cumulative fundraising mark for Team Fox, all coming from personal donations. Thank you all for supporting me in reaching this tremendous milestone. It’s an overwhelming feeling to know one little person can raise so much money. 

In super exciting news, NYRR and the NYC Marathon team asked me to be a Social Media Reporter for the race. I’ll know more about what that entails this evening - can’t wait! After last year’s time lapse video cut out at mile 20, I’m determined to capture that finish line, come hell or high water! 

Stay tuned!

In my love/hate relationship with NYC and running, today I love them both.

My 2010 NYC Marathon time lapse video!

WNYC featured my race video and article and it’s making its rounds on the interwebs. Check it out!

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Marathon

The marathon countdown clock displayed the figure above when I stopped by NYRR for a little morning motivation.  My body has a similar clock, counting down to freedom. The weight of this year’s marathon feels much heavier than the last, which makes me wonder if it might be time for a little break from running. An easy 4 mile run is scheduled for this am, but it never truly feels easy until it’s over. Ugh.

Perhaps that’s just the problem - running was not meant to be easy. And maybe that’s why I keep chasing after the idea that, one day, I’ll reach a place where going out for a run feels effortless. Isn’t that chase the reason why people run in the first place?

Until I arrive at that magical destination of no sweat exercise, I’ll whine as I slip on my shoes and head out the door, knowing that it will feel a hell of lot easier once I’m back home. And come Sunday evening, I’ll have proudly carried this load over the last several months, and far more than just 26.2 miles. I won’t need a clock to remind me what I’ve accomplished, just a tub full of ice and a hot tea (or toddy)!

“It does not matter how slow you go so long as you do not stop.” - Confucius 

That’s the quote that tumblr selected for every beginner’s profile template. It resonates with me and it hits right at the heart of why I chose to start this blog, so I might as well keep it around.

For years, I’ve jotted down quotes that have inspired me in any given moment, tucked away in my little moleskins which have accompanied me thru life’s adventures. “Happiness is a journey, not a destination.”,”I’m not here for a long time, I’m here for a good time.”,”True courage is not the absence of fear—but the willingness to proceed in spite of it.” There’s a pattern to the sayings that have stuck with me - each motivates me, on the dreariest of days, to quit whining and enjoy the moment, but always push forward when times are hard.

So that’s what I intend to do. In less than 2 weeks, I will set out on my second attempt at the NYC Marathon. After a sprained ankle (now healed!) and several bouts with illness, I might not set a personal record on November 7th. And that’s ok, as long as I don’t stop. Maybe I’ll even take the time to enjoy myself.

PostScript: I’ve even planned to document the journey! In my nerdiest act to date, I will wear this crazy camera on my head while running all 26.2 miles. Eat that,  Lewis Skolnick!