Off Topic: That Was the Week It Was - November 10, 2013

Good morning, peeps! You've arrived at my weekly off television topic reflection on the week gone by in both words and photos I've taken along the way. Yes, this is Sunday morning and this is the view from here in New Jersey. No, not the real industrial New Jersey you see from the turnpike immediately outside the city. Nor is it the almost New England type farmlands and woods like Northwest New Jersey. Nope, this is northern Central New Jersey -- one of the most densely populated areas of the most densely populated state; a whole bunch of towns close together in what they call the Greater New York City Metropolitan Area.

As a result of locale, many folks commute from around here into Manhattan daily. I don't. Yet I have a love for the city. I'm awaking to news that some idiot shot two people at the skating rink in Bryant Park. Geez. Isn't anything sacred? When I go into the city with my camera around the holidays, Bryant Park is almost always on my agenda as it has a wonderful holiday atmosphere and I can actually get close enough to photograph the skaters (unlike Rockerfeller Center). Apparently not a random shooting, there had been a verbal confrontation between one of the shot skaters and the gunman. At this point, both victims (both skaters) are alive. But ... sheesh. What is WRONG with people?

In other local news, I want to grouse about change. Yes, I know change is always going to happen. But there has been a wooded area next to a brook just as my train approaches the town of Bound Brook. I've often seen deer there from the train. Plus, a man in a maroon truck drops off tons of breadcrumbs daily for at least the past ten years for the geese. This man has been at it daily, dumping about a big wastebasket size amount of bread. Daily ... rain, shine, snow, no matter the season. In the last week, they tore down all the trees and bulldozed it flat. Wah. I don't know what's going to go up there, but I'll surely miss what was.

Let's see ... I must have some good news. Hmm. Well, Vincent the Cat is doing well. But he does kind of have the life of leisure. So, he's bound to do well. There haven't been any more mice incidents.

On a positive local change in Plainfield note, now that the leaves are thinning on the trees, I can see one of the more notorious crime-laden public housing projects in Plainfield from the train. They've been talking about razing it for years. Well, it looks like that's imminent now. People are moving out and, as they do, each apartment is getting boarded up. Sure, the thugs who took it over years back will just find new places to do their "business." But, hopefully, it will be a new start and a much safer life for the innocent children who lived there and the elderly residents. No one should be afraid to walk out their doors in the daytime.

On the other hand, here at my apartment building, it's not cheap to live. Yes, some of the apartments are subsidized for elderly and a few families. But, for the most part, people in my building need to work for a living. As a result, it's safe to take trash out to the Dumpster at 2 in the morning if you feel so inclined. You're more likely to get frightened by a raccoon rather than Riff-Raff. Our latest landlord has really been doing well with upgrades and repairs. The elevator hasn't been out of order for more than a few hours at a time for months now. The new windows look spiffy. I'm pleased with the place and I haven't always been.

This week was rather mundane, so are my photos ... but I do have two Vincent photos for his fans! Later tonight I'll post the blog party for The Amazing Race. If you watch the show, come watch with us! We have cyberdrinks and snacks!

No, no ... not already!

Plainfield has its holiday decorations up on the street corners downtown. Sigh. Taken from the corner of East Front and Church Streets looking towards Watchung Avenue.

But, but ...

It can't be the holiday season already! Roses are still growing on East Front Street just two blocks away!

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Tucked away with flowers!

Okay ... first the bird feeder was on a tree. The tree went down in a storm. They put the bird feeder on a short holder. Birds didn't visit. They hung the bird feeder from the fallen dead tree in the front yard. The birds came back. They tied the dead tree to the fence and hung the bird feeder from it. The dead tree somehow took root and started to grow. They chopped the top off (note it's still tied to the fence) and hung the bird feeder from a post, moving a bird bath nearby it. The birds do visit it although none are in this shot. East Front Street, Plainfield.

Colorful berries

These are growing by the fence along the cemetery on Church Street in Plainfield.

Gone now

This little tree by the Plainfield Train Station was full of color on Monday morning. By Saturday it was barren branches.

Gingko glory

The huge gingko tree by the Plainfield Train Station is a gorgeous gold!

A dash of red

The ivy on the fencepost has gone a brilliant red. East Third Street by the side of the Friends (Quaker) Meeting House in Plainfield.

Barren trees, red leaves and shadows

The leaves are already gone from these trees. The angle of the early morning sun makes for the shadows, yet the bushes are still a bright red. Bridgewater, NJ.

Brrr ...

One of those brightly lighted changing billboards has been erected by the TD (Somerset Patriots) Ball Park/Bridgewater Train Station area. Great. Now I know what time it is and how cold it is as I walk from the station to my workplace.

Fenced-in foliage

Bridgewater Train Station

Won't give up!

Heck, if they could poke their way through snow, they'd do it!

Dusk arrives early

Plainfield Train Station

City living

Looking out one of my (new) windows in the city of Plainfield. Yeah, the hustle and bustle outside my window is really a problem! Those squirrels!

"Not in Service"

Excuse me, yes, it IS in service. Perhaps the little marquee doohickey isn't in service. But the train is indeed in service. I'm not getting off! Raritan Valley Line, NJ Transit.

Red!

East Third Street, Plainfield.

Thinning out

I suppose all will be just about barren by this time next week. Wah. East Third Street approaching the Plainfield Train Station (where the lights are).

It's coming

My morning train is full of Super Bowl ads. I'm glad I usually have Sundays off. I can't imagine the drunks that will be train traveling that day! Bridgewater Train Station.

Pretty colors in Bridgewater

This is the walk by the TD Ball Park adjacent to the Bridgewater Train Station. The leaves are coming down fast now.

Uh-oh!

Hmm ... two NJ Transit 59 buses to Dunellen (next town over) in a row. That's not a good thing, not at all. They're coming from Newark and they're supposed to be a half-hour apart at peak rush hour times. Knowing NJ Transit, the second one is probably supposed to be the first one! Watchung Avenue and East Fourth Street, Plainfield.

Past peak in da 'hood

While some of the leaves outside my windows are still green, most of the trees have gone through their burst of color. East Front Street.

Underfoot

I think the only time I really like to scuff my feet along is while walking though fallen leaves.

Getting a bird's eye view

I'm surprised he didn't sit on that slightly higher branch! Bridgewater Train Station.

Catnip! Glorious catnip!

Vincent needs to seek a 12 Step Program for his addiction.

I got stoned and I missed it

Hey! You! Paparazzi! Get that camera out of my face! This had better not hit the tabloids!