Off Topic - That Was the Week It Was 9/20/09

It's Sunday morning and that means it's time to take a look back at my week in words and photos. I was on a staycation this week -- a vacation during which I just relaxed and basically stayed home. Thus, I really didn't get too many tremendous awe-inspiring shots.

My week was spent pretty much with a cat, my new best pal Vincent. I think he's still adjusting to a safe life after living on the streets of New York City and in the shelter. When I first brought him home, he was very leery of a three-foot tall skinny wooden painted cat next to a bookcase.

He still alerts when he hears noises in the hallway. A dog barked in the hallway and he looked outright startled. I can't imagine how he felt at NYC Animal Care and Control with all those dogs barking 24/7.

But mainly, Vincent sleeps. He loves to sleep ... usually on me or next to me. I feel a bit guilty right now because I wouldn't let him on my lap as I write this up. He's a dear, but he is going to have to get used to the fact that he can't be on me all the time! Then he purrs and looks at me, then on my lap again. However, I return to work tomorrow and he will have to be alone. I think he'll be fine. He'll sleep and save up his purrs for the evening.

Vincent is very well-behaved. Although he can jump, he doesn't get on the kitchen counters or in the trash. He doesn't scratch the furniture and only uses his sisal cat scratch pad for that. He doesn't meow, although I know he can. The night I got him home, he jumped in the carrier and let out a loud meow as if to say "Put this away! I'm HOME now!"

The NYC AC&C gave me a bag of Science Diet cat food telling me it's what he's been eating. Well, that's because that's what they were giving him! I decided to open one of the cans of food I had bought in preparation for him and he went crazy for it! Why, he all but meowed! He does make the chirping sounds that cats tend to make.

I believe I made a good choice with Vincent. He seems thrilled to be in a safe home and has definitely decided he idolizes me. I know the relationship will grow. He is certainly a lovebug kind of cat. Onto my week ... clicking on an image will open it larger in a new window.

Track Five 5 Five

I took this shot last Saturday at Newark Penn Station while waiting with Vincent to get our transfer train home. One of these days I'm going to have to walk around Newark Penn. These days it's a lot more historical and cool-looking than New York Penn. When I was a child, New York Penn Station was supremely cool. Then they tore it down and gave us a cheap substitute.

Who's that cat?

Why, it's Vincent and he's sleeping! I really love that touch of a gray toupee that he wears.

City Hall Flowers

I took a walk downtown and noticed these flowers growing in planters outside of the Plainfield (NJ) City Hall building. Naturally, they became photo fodder.

Eek! Deadly nightshade coming out of the sewers!

Yes, the deadly nightshade has taken root in this sewer. I love the colors of the plant and know it's not all that deadly. Perhaps ill-advised, but it would take a lot to kill.

Look! Vincent is sleeping!

I tell you, he's doing a lot of that. He gets sleeping really soundly, too. I believe that will wear off after a while. Seeing him at home makes me think he had a really rough time of it on the streets and in the shelter.

Farmer's Market in Plainfield

I deliberately made a trip downtown for this as I'm always scheduled to work the days they're in Plainfield (and all the other local farmers markets in nearby towns, too). Wednesday and Sunday. Why can't the farmer's markets be set up for my days off? Wednesday isn't a bad day ... why not? Why Monday and Thursday while I'm at work? This is the Stillwell Farms of Robbinsville -- great NJ fruits and vegetables!

Mmm, mmm, good

I bought some peppers, strawberries, green grapes, and potatoes while there.

Plainfield City Hall

"Erected by the people to inspire zeal for the common welfare and dedicated by them to the cause of just and capable government." Um, okay. Seems to be a lot of brouhahas about the local government these days. The mayoral race should be interesting. BTW -- Mayoral candidate Jim Pivnichny commented on my photos last week. I'm not sure about my vote yet, but I have to say he's out and about really trying to get involved. That's a good thing.

Latino Heat and Flash Tattooing Car

Watchung Avenue in Plainfield. I think the Flash Tattooing car had to be painted by the Custom Underground folks -- both businesses are just around the corner. The Latino Heat bar used to be the Rusty Nail, if memory serves. I haven't been in it in either name. Thinking about it, I've lived here for about eight years and never have been in a bar in town. I have indeed been in the Plainfield Donut Shop, though. Maria rules and she'll see me at 6:20 tomorrow morning!

Please get that camera out of my face

This is as much as I'm going to open my eyes for your camera. Quit it. I'm sleepy.

I SAID ...

Darned paparazzi!

Mi Bodega

While I don't frequent the local bars, I do frequent the closest bodega. They tout it as a supermarket and, while they're really nice folks, it's not really a supermarket. The frozen foods are mainly ice cream and ices related. They have bananas, onions, and potatoes for produce. They do have a selection of fresh meats and deli items. Canned goods, soda, milk, juice, bread, cigarettes, and newspapers, as well as deli sandwiches, seem to be the real meat of the store.

Look! I'm an EAGLE! Master of my domain!

King of all he sees, a pigeon perches on a chimney at the corner of Berckman and East Second in Plainfield.

Rest in peace: Patrick Swayze, Mary Travers, and Henry Gibson. I feel some of my childhood (with the latter two) has been taken away.