WEEKLY POSITIVITY– Creeping Without Consequences: Statue of Liberty “Live” Webcams - The DV Walking Wounded:

SOURCE: https://www.earthcam.com/usa/newyork/statueofliberty/

How would you like to visit one of America’s most treasured icons? I found out about this Live Webcam years ago, because this was the only way that I thought I would be able to see her AND they were doing restorative work on her (and I’m nosy)…it was VERY cool to watch. However, I am proud to report that I DID finally get to see her live and in-person — although I had to go with my (then) Abuser. Funny story. You’re welcome to read on below, or skip to the end where I talk more about the Liberty Cams.

He was a truck driver and got a load assignment that he had to go to New Jersey to retrieve. I asked off from work, arranged with my mother-in-law to keep the kids, and got to tag along to go see New York City, the Empire State Building, the 9/11 Memorial, and of course visit ‘the Lady’. I’ve wanted to see her since I was small child, after I saw a Warner Brothers cartoon where she was scolding someone along with Bugs Bunny.

I had to put up with a two day drive with my abusive Husband. Thankfully, he let me nap some and I had one earbud in while he was ranting about something that bothered him. I did my obligatory smile and nod, ocassionally asking an open ended question to keep him going . We stayed in a shady motel halfway there, with us arriving in New Jersey the following morning. The NJ hotel looked descent, but we only checked in. We took a train ride, then a subway ride, and did touristy things. It was SO hot, especially when we rode around the city in one of those open topped buses. As the day progressed, it got hotter and he got angrier. I wanted a piece of pizza in New York City, but had to settle for a hot dog for lunch (which was pretty tasty), because he swore that we’d find the best piece of pizza in Little Italy. We did NOT, in fact. That in itself was a night mare, because someone stole my credit card info, once we found a place to eat, but I did finally get a mediocre piece of pizza. He was ready to fight someone, anyone at this point. I decided I had enough of his nasty behavior! I came all that way to see Lady Liberty and I set off on foot, simply pretending that he didn’t exist and hoofed it a few miles to the lady, following these signs:

He continued to scream and carry on while we were in line for the ferry, so I simply didn’t acknowledge him. I knew I would pay for it later, but I really didn’t care. I guess he made so much of a ruckus that a NY Port Authority police officer came over and told him to “shut up or get out of line,” then kindly asked me if he was bothering me. I smiled and told him that I didn’t know that crazy man, that I was visiting all the way from Indiana and I wasn’t going to let anything ruin my visit. The nice officer tipped his hat and told me to “carry on then.” The police (there were three of them now) talked to him for five minutes, out of line, stating that he was being rude and disorderly and that there were several complaints about him “harassing a poor woman.” I smiled to myself as I listened, but didn’t hear much, as the line was moving quickly. They inserted him back into line near me and I bought my ticket. He had to buy his own (I wasn’t about to buy a ticket for some “strange man!”). He got one of the last tickets on the ferry that I was on and we sat in silence, with him staring at me with a hang-dog look. I still didn’t acknowledge him. Served him right! I also knew I’d pay dearly later on, but I still didn’t care. I kept hopping up and taking pictures as we got nearer and nearer to the Lady. She was even MORE magnificent than I’d ever dreamed! The next day was a nightmare that I won’t outline, because his trailer that he had to pickup was delayed and then we had to book the room for another night and leave the following morning. That road trip home was pure physical and mental hell, but I don’t regret what I did. Not one little bit!

It’s kind of a hobby of mine, seeing all sorts of different Statues of Liberties. I’ve seen the one in Las Vegas, as well as the smaller ones sprinkled around the country that the Boy Scouts of America erected years ago. We have two in the county that I live in and I’ve seen a few others in my meager travels. I intend to see the smaller one in France someday, as well as the other ones sprinkled around the world and the USA.

Needless to say, I enjoyed NYC thoroughly, but wished I had gotten to see more and not deal with a horrible, angry nag of a human being. Most abusers don’t allow their subordinates to travel, because it’s too much hassle for both parties. So, the live webcam is a great start, just be sure to come back and look at it at different times during the day and during different seasons! I will warn you, there are pop-up ads that you will have to close, BUT it’s totally worth it. You can choose from four different cams also: