TV Bits, Photography, Roofus the Cat, and Stuff

Welcome to what just might be the most random entry I've ever made. I mean, I'm talking TV, Roofus the Cat, commuting, spring, life, and the fact that my space key on my keyboard has decided it will stick today. Clicking on any of the images will bring them up larger in a new window.

Roofus the Cat enjoying the sunshine earlier this week.

TV: Yes! A&E is FINALLY airing the finale of The Sopranos tonight! They've been pussyfooting around it for nearly two years. Sure, I know what happens -- I've read about it and have seen clips of the end. But I want to see the whole episode. I swear I've seen every other episode of the series at least twice by now. No, I don't have HBO and I'm too cheap frugal to spend the money on the DVD set.

With a ton of rain in the past few weeks, mushrooms seemed to appear overnight.

Health: I swear my immunities have been lacking since my knee replacement. I seem to pick up every bug that comes along. I told you I had a killer cold last week. Now, I still have lots of cold symptoms, but I think allergies are kicking in as well. I wake up congested, sneeze a lot, and am taking too much over the counter stuff daily. Blergh. The replacement knee continues to do well; the other one continues to fail albeit with a bit of improvement due to the warmer weather (I think). The year anniversary for the replacement knee is only a few weeks away -- May 14th. Oh ... and this swine flu stuff can keep its distance from me, please. Thank you.

It's SPRING!

Life: Grr, the elevator in my apartment building has been broken for two months. They worked on it this week and it worked for a day. I feel like I'm living in the apartment from The Big Bang Theory with its never-working elevator. Yes, it's only a three story building -- four if you count the laundry room in the basement. But it's still a big inconvenience for me, especially arriving home with groceries.

On a better apartment living note: My really loud and annoying fairly new next door neighbors not only had their cars towed (they weren't paying for the parking privileges), but due to complaints from other neighbors they were served with a cure or quit notice regarding excessive noise. Nope, wasn't my doing! Now I only know they're home when they allow their toddler to kick my dining room wall until I kick back.

Two trains head at each other, thankfully on different tracks.

Commuting: I took this photo as my train was stopped at a station and another one was arriving on the other track in Dunellen, NJ. The fluorescent lights and luggage racks are the reflection from inside my train. Yes, it's MY train. NJ Transit just won't recognize that fact.

MY train is fancier than theirs.

Commuting: Nah, not really. The engine on the back (there on engines on either end so the train needn't "turn around") is the same as on the previous image. I'm still not getting the fancy-schmancy double-deckers too often on my commute.

Oh! Boarded-up windows and police barriers on one of Roofus's rooftop buildings!

Life and Roofus: The window coverings appeared almost as quickly as mushrooms, along with a PD saw-horses and "do not cross" tape. I can no longer see through the building from the front. However, the back and part of the roof is all still crumbling away and open. I think they plan to take down the marquee there as it's starting to really strain at the lions' heads. But it's been like this for a week now. I don't know what's up. I just know that Roofus the Cat doesn't seem to be affected by it.

Next stop, Suspicious Acts, NJ. Really ... that could be anywhere in the state, right?

TV: To whomever is responsible for the television ad campaign for tourism in Canada, stop it. I mean it. Stop it now. Have you seen these commercials? They have to be the absolutely-freaking-most-annoying ads I've ever been subjected to. Well, perhaps those Head-On ads were worse, but ...! I don't want to hear people screaming. I just don't. What if blind people are tuned in? They'd have no idea that folks are screaming because a seal swam by. Sheesh. Boycott Canada until these ads are GONE!

Have I mentioned it's spring?

TV: I tried getting into Harper's Island, but dropped it off my viewing list on rather rapid order. I just don't care about the characters -- I think I'd off a few of them myself just to see them die. If I want to waste my life watching overly dramatic deaths, I'll get out my old videotapes of Halloween or something. Yes, I like murder mysteries, but this show just isn't my cuppa. On the other hand, I've been watching Southland. I enjoyed Third Watch by the same folks behind Southland. So far I'm not as totally into the show as I was Third Watch or Homicide, but it's keeping my interest.

More banks will probably become nightclubs as the recession continues.

Life: Even with the recession, I'm working more hours than ever before on my job. That is good as (a.) I'm gathering hours for my FMLA leave requirement for a second knee replacement and (b.) I can use the money. The side writing gigs have taken cuts over time. I'm glad I didn't foolishly quit my job and think I could make it freelancing for a living. In just two years I can see what I can get in my early retirement package and then consider whether that and writing gigs will work.

But chances are, I'm going to have to keep the day job for many years to come. At least, in this economy, I have a proven track record with the company (almost 30 years) and about as much job security as a person can have. The company is stable and I'd have to do something incredibly stupid and out of character to get fired.

Roofus is sleeping on that windowsill once again.

Roofus and Stuff: The people in that apartment have noticed Roofus. I saw them peeking out the window for him -- either that or they were checking for birds. They weren't looking at the street or the train station. And, one day, I saw them open the window and put something out on the ledge. I believe it was food. So far I haven't seen the person and Roofus at the same time. I'm thinking that Roofus probably avoids humans as much as he avoids everything other than rooftops, balconies, windowsills, and birds.

I've seen more of my alma mater this weekend than I have in years. That Craigslist killer guy did his undergraduate work at SUNYA. Well, nowadays they call it U of Albany or something like that. I always said the pre-med students there were a bit too intense. Me? I studied English. That's always great for landing a job later on, right?

It's going to be in the 90s here today. I call RIDICULOUS! I want spring. I don't care for really hot temperatures. I like spring and autumn for the daytime temps in the 70s. It's like we've gone from winter to summer. Sigh. I refuse to go out.

I'll be returning later with The Amazing Race. Can you believe we're down to the final four? Yikes! I hope you all can stop by!