Welcome to my weekly off television topic look back on the week gone by in words and photographs I've taken. Later tonight, we'll have The Amazing Race blog party going on -- everyone is invited to join in with comments! Hopefully the show will air sometime around the time it's scheduled. The football delays are killing me. On Mondays I go into work an hour earlier than the other weekdays and work later. I'm up before 5 AM and don't get home until past 6 PM. When the show ends at 10 PM and I have to write it up late, I'm all groggy for my busiest day on my "real" job.
Enough whining, I guess. In other news, the weather this week has been glorious! The daytime highs have been in the fifties and even a few trips into the low sixties. It's been cold at night, most nights below freezing. The skies have been clear, too. I call it absolutely perfect!
Unfortunately the crime scene hasn't been as pleasant where I live. A 17-year-old boy and a 23-year-old man were fatally shot on the other side of town from where I live -- two homicides only about 24 hours apart. Both murders happened in broad daylight. Now, not to worry about me. I'm just about the least likely demographic in town to encounter this kind of violence.
I think if I were young, black and male, I'd seriously consider agoraphobia as a way of life. That or getting out of the west side of town. I myself live on the east side. I still won't wander around at night, but consider my own neighborhood quite safe.
In general, now that the dark is coming earlier, where I travel on foot is safe enough because I know many of the shopkeepers, residents and probably some of the criminals, too. They're not going to go for me and I also have doors to run to if needed.
In yet other stuff, I hear that New York is now clamping down on those FourLoko energy/alcohol drinks. I bought one to see what the fuss is all about. I can see why they're dangerous for the college kids and such. But for me? Um, well ... I took all day to drink the can (on my day off, mind you). I'm not a huge drinker.
It's hard to believe Thanksgiving is less than two weeks away. Where does the time go? When I was a child it took an eternity to get to the holiday season. I'm going to have to dig out Vincent's Santa suit for a new shot soon!
Onto this week's photos -- clicking on an image will open it larger in a new window.
Nighttime is the right time?
Well, I'm not sure if it's the right time, but it was indeed nighttime. This is the corner of Watchung and North Avenues in Plainfield by the train station Saturday evening.
Berries and barren branches
They're not barren of berries, of course! But the leaves have all vanished and the berries have taken over. Since I never see birds nibbling at these, they might be poisonous.
Pants on the Ground Again
This is a grown man. This whole look makes 'em look so silly. Yet I'm sure he thinks he looks cool. Blech. North Avenue, Plainfield.
Golden Leaves by the Golden House
Although the colors have peaked for the season, we still have lots of golds and scattered reds still ... along with some green. In another few weeks, there will be a ton of raking ahead. This is in my neighborhood. East Front Street, Plainfield.
So, California had a "missile" sighting, eh?
I have THREE of them! It's actually the same as the California mystery one -- contrails. The air was so dry here that clouds were evaporating before they formed. These three extremely short contrails were caught in the waning sun at sunset. Normally the contrails go a lot longer. These almost seemed like small brilliant scratches in the sky.
Losing my religion
A tattered well-worn paperback edition of the New Testament is perched atop a garbage can in front of Union County College at Church and East Second Streets in Plainfield. No, it's not mine, nor did I put it there. It just was.
"That's me in the corner,
That's me in the spotlight,
Losing my religion ..."
--"Losing My Religion" by REM
Morning Sun in the Alley
This alley can be a bit intimidating at night. I've seen denizens of the night there, drug dealers in the shadows, etc. But the dawn's bright sunshine makes it go gold. Off of East Front Street, Plainfield.
What's that? Is it food for me?
No, squirrel. It's a camera and I just shot you! (If I had food on me, I would have given him some.) Right outside my apartment building door, Plainfield.
Twilight
But no vampires.
Satellite News Truck Setting Up
He's parked by the police station. This was the day of the first homicide. I saw the scene from the train as we passed by, a gazillion police cars and a news helicopter overhead. But no one except this one truck was hanging out at the police station. On East Fourth looking towards Watchung Avenue, Plainfield.
Birds Hiding in Plain Sight
They think I don't see them.
Still some color at the train station
Looking towards Watchung Avenue from the Plainfield Train Station.
Autumn flowers
They just planted these last week. I don't think they're going to last long with the nighttime temperatures going below freezing most nights. East Front Street, Plainfield.
Autumn hangs in there
My 'hood again, but I don't live in that building (nor the one from earlier). East Front Street, Plainfield.
Next Station
This train coming from Newark is just about empty. Bridgewater Train Station.
Wired Hawk
Bridgewater, NJ
Black and White Lamps
Looking towards Gavett Place from the Plainfield Train Station.
This one even looks evil!
Unlike that cute fluffy almost Christmas card bird I shot last week, I bring you a European Starling. Killer beak ... and just check out those claws! Run for your lives!
We have crabs!
No, I don't have crabs. Pete does. Pete's Fish Market (which does have great fish) on East Second Street, Plainfield.
You saw squirrels and birds
and didn't bring any home?
Hmmm ... there's nothing wrong with Vincent's eye. Both of his eyes are usually the same size. I think he did this just for attention. Or, he wants me to sing the Vincent Song to him.
How was your week?
