Off Topic: That Was the Week It Was - January 3, 2016

Good morning! I hope 2016 brings everyone happy and prosperous days ahead! Of course, I also hope it brings us some entertaining television seasons. Since today is Sunday, this is my weekly (except last week) off television topic reflection on the week gone by in both words and photos I've taken along the way.

My apologies for the lack of posts lately and for even missing the photo post last week. The holidays aren't a great time for me on a personal level, my workplace gets overwhelming and I've been running on empty. It all ends up with a lack of inspiration to do much other than sleep in what little free time I have on hand.

Well, this week I did end up watching the huge The Walking Dead marathon instead of sleeping during my off work hours. It lasted for days! Eek. I really should have slept instead! What do the kids say? Oh, I'll sleep when I'm undead. Heh.

Although we're in for a chilly week ahead, we had the warmest December on record. I have no real complaints about that. Even this week's chill isn't deep freeze surrounded by ice and snow. I don't really mind the cold weather; it's the dangerous walking and driving on icy/snowy streets and sidewalks. My heat for my apartment is included in the rent. My electricity is not included. Thus, the air conditioning season brings about higher bills for me than the heating season.

That's about all I have for you. You'll probably note the lack of real inspiring photo fodder in the photos below. But, hey ... I showed up this week!

Clicking on an image will bring it up in a larger version.

Looks almost like buds on the tree

But things haven't gotten quite that crazy. It's actually grey clouds and fog lifting and the angle of the morning sun. Photo taken in my 'hood. But that's not my castle. It's not a castle at all. It's a church.

Plainfield Train Station

My last train ride home in 2015. 

Winter dandelion

This weather's been unbelievable. Despite a dip in temperatures, dandelions continue to grow.

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Ick. Nasty feets on the seats!

NJ Transit needs to do more than post signs telling people not to do this. Idiots who do such need to be banned from the four-seaters!

More feets on the seats

Grr. TWO conductors walked by and said nothing. Thankfully, one conductor was brave enough to tell another passenger to use headphones. But, sheesh.

Huh. I did not know.

I had no idea there was a Plainfield Fruit and Produce Company. I've never seen it in town. There's a produce market downtown, but I don't think this is theirs. I spotted this truck in Bridgewater.

Snice!

I know it's either sleet or freezing rain blowing sideways in the wind. But I personally like to call it snice (snow/ice). This didn't last long and it didn't stick at all. However, it definitely stung any exposed skin!

Still unusual for this time of year.

I've never even seen a dandelion gone to spore in New Jersey in the winter. I have this year.

I could take the bus home instead of ...

... the train to work! Not that I live in Newark. Nor do I live in Washington Park. 

Lost in translation

This cherry-picker, carrying a man, wandered very slowly (less than a few miles an hour) in the wrong lane all the way up North Avenue by the train station, then took a left on Watchung, still driving against traffic. It finally ended up where they're constructing the new apartments on East Second Street.

We've had a lot of foggy mornings

I took this shot looking out my living room window. I should be able to see houses.

About sums things up

Disclaimer: This is not my tree, nor my crime scene tape.

New Year's Eve morning LONG worm!

Since the ground hasn't frozen yet, rain brought the worms out in full force. This guy was probably nearly a foot long and healthy-looking. Well, for a worm, that is. For a human, it would be not so healthy-looking.

Let me eat my catnip now ...

Vincent is such a cat!