I'm Jackie and I watch TV. I'm not proud. Bookmark the blog now as your source for live feed reports from inside the 'Big Brother' house! Come, join in on the fun ...
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Survivor: Redemption Island Season Premiere Blog Party
It's here! Zoetawny was kind enough to once again make a blog logo for the show, too. She really does rock and I appreciate all of her efforts -- I can't make those animated logos at all. Thank you, Zoetawny!
Margo is running the blog pool and, as I've mentioned in previous posts, set up a separate site for joining in. The participants are assigned castaways randomly by Margo's Mom. While winning basically means bragging rights, we get to cheer on our castaway until they're, well ... cast away. The pool is closed at this time, but if you didn't get in it, just cheer on your favorite and join in on the fun!
Here's the updated list of pool participants and their castaways:
Andrea Boehlke - Auntie Leigh, Suzanne
Ashley Underwood - Sydney, Monty924
David Murphy - Jeannemarie
Francesca Hogi - Petals, ML
Grant Mattos - Gayle, Joy N
Julie Wolfe - Lars, Karen in CA
Krista Klumpp - Jennasmom, Donna in AL
Kristina Kell - Jackie, Merrilee
Matthew Elrod - Zoetawny, MEB
Mike Chisel - Lanell, Chris
Natalie Tenerelli - PDX Granny, Laurie
Phillip Sheppard - Rbennie, Lisanne
Ralph Kiser - Becky, Brent McKee
Rob Mariano - Gaylos, Donna in FL
Russell Hantz - Margo
Sarita White - SueGee, DKNYNC
Stephanie Valencia - Nana in NW
Steve Wright - delee, Terry in PA
The show will be starting in about ten minutes here on the East Coast. As it airs, I'll update this post with major news while sharing some opinions on what I see both here and in the comments area. Of course, the comments area is where the real party is! Everyone is welcome to join in, the water's fine! Oh. And bring snacks. Snacks are always good!
Survivor fans ready?
Kristina (I believe it's her) found an idol without clues. Watch out, Russell!
Zapatera, Russell's tribe, won the first immunity challenge.
Whoa! Phillip just called out Francesca and Kristina out on their plan to vote out Rob! And, told about the immunity idol ... sheesh, ex-Fed agent. Loose lips sink ships.
Francesca was voted out (to Redemption Island) and Kristina did not use the idol.
Tonight is Survivor Night! - Rob/Russell Video, too!
Tonight marks the season premiere of Survivor: Redemption Island. The pool players for the blog have been randomly selected and will be included in tonight's blog party post.
I didn't realize that Rob and Russell were set to appear on The Early Show this morning and just happened to catch it. If you missed it, here's the video --
I'll make a separate post Friday, but with the new Amazing Race season starting Sunday evening, that pool is open for the swim right now -- to get in on the action, contact lifeguardlaurie@gmail.com
I didn't realize that Rob and Russell were set to appear on The Early Show this morning and just happened to catch it. If you missed it, here's the video --
I'll make a separate post Friday, but with the new Amazing Race season starting Sunday evening, that pool is open for the swim right now -- to get in on the action, contact lifeguardlaurie@gmail.com
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Survivor: Redemption Island -- Cast Quick Takes Part 4
The official CBS website for Survivor: Redemption Island is up and running. The show premieres this Wednesday evening, February 16 at 8 PM ET/PT. After a lengthy and really inexcusable delay, I'm here to post about the last group of men castaways.
The much beloved Margo has offered to run the blog pool once again. Remember, there's no wagering, per se. You'll be assigned a castaway to cheer on and bragging rights if that person is the sole survivor. You can sign up for the pool at this link. Margo rocks, doesn't she?
This post covers the final group of men castaways. To check out the others I've "quick-taked," hit the link to the show at the bottom of my post. Let's get on with it ...
Name (Age): Ralph Kiser (44)
Tribe Designation: Zapatera
Current Residence: Lebanon, Va.
Occupation: Farmer
Ralph -- Well, golly-whillikers, I just don't know. He seems to have a pretty high opinion regarding how likable he is. Whether that will translate to being sole survivor is the question. I will say he's probably going to do well at the physical actual surviving in the environs, if not at surviving the mind games.
**************************************
Name (Age): Steve Wright (51)
Tribe: Zapatera
Current Residence: Huntington Beach, Calif.
Occupation: Former NFL Player
Steve -- I guess he's not to be mistaken with comedian Steven Wright. Rats. Steven Wright's commentary would be cool on the show! Another NFL dude, eh? In a way, he does remind me a bit of Tom Westman. He could do well and recognizes that the game is highly social, especially in the end.
**************************************
Rob Mariano (35)
Current Residence: Pensacola, Fla.
Previous Seasons: "Survivor: Marquesas," "Survivor: All-Stars" and "Survivor: Heroes Vs. Villains"
Boston Rob -- What can I say about him? I didn't like him so much on his first season. I thought he became overly-hyped by CBS and had a finger in every reality pie for some time. But then something happened. The dude grew on me. I'd like to see him do well and I'm definitely hoping for some good Rob/Russell clashes. But I do think he'll be seen as a threat and will probably go home without the million once again.
******************************************************
Russell Hantz (38)
Current Residence: Dayton, Texas
Previous Seasons: "Survivor: Samoa" and "Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains"
Russell -- I like him and I don't all at the same time. I really believe in his first season, he was absolutely what was needed to bring entertainment into the show. It's magical watching him find hidden idols. Yet the dude, for all he is good at in the show (including challenges), can't play the social game for nuthin'. Now that he's well-known, he's not going to last long as they should be onto his snake oil salesman ways. Hopefully he'll be entertaining while he's there. It's hard to believe he's only three years older than Rob.
Stop back Wednesday evening at 8 PM ET for the blog party! Bring snacks!
Off Topic - That Was the Week It Was - February 13, 2011
It's Sunday morning, time for my off television topic look back on the week gone by in both words and photographs I've taken. I believe I've either become a zombie or I'm just winter weary. While we had our first week of winter without measurable snow, most of the week was bitter cold. I think it's getting to me. I could go for a really long winter nap ... wake me up in the spring!
Er, well. I can't do that. I do have to keep the bills paid and a roof over my head. And cat food. I can't forget the cat food.
On the home front, they've been rehabbing the apartment next door. Much of the work is being done at very odd times -- 7 AM, midnight. This was the apartment where the riff-raff were living. Now, they weren't there even two years. Before they moved in, a rehab of the unit was done. The tenant there before that was a super and he painted and put in new kitchen cabinets when he moved in. I have a feeling the riff-raff must have trashed the place. Why am I not surprised?
Meanwhile, I think my kitchen cabinets date back to at least the 70s and my bathroom fixtures could have used replacement before I moved in. I've been here 10 years. But, then again, I don't want maintenance workers in here ripping things apart while I live here (especially if I'm not home). While things seem better under the receivership, the workers seem to be day laborer types. I'd worry about Vincent getting out and my belongings if they were in and out. All of my things work, they've just seen much better days -- about 40 years ago!
There hasn't been much going on in my life lately. It's because of both the weather and the fact I'm in some sort of winter funk (or I've become a zombie). Things are firming up for the autumn vacation. I'm still working on a date for my right knee replacement. Oh. I had some interesting news this week on a personal artsy endeavor, but I can't go into it until I know more. It's good, though. I just need more details before I blab.
Along with my slump, my photos are a bit "eh" this week. Often it was too cold or too windy or I was running too late to really stop and look for the shots. I have high hopes for next week when we should be flirting with the 50s and maybe even a 60 degree temperature. Hopefully I'll get myself in gear so I'm not rushing to make my train!
Clicking on an image will open it larger in a new window --
Well, the geese never leave. I'm not sure why they're year-round residents here. But the grass is something new this week. In areas which get most of the daytime sun and with only the standard snow pack, some patches have gotten down to the ground despite frigid temperatures. We have had a lot of sun this week. Although there are more places which still have snow cover way above my knees, as well as the HUGE snow piles, it's nice to see these actual earth bits here and there. Bridgewater, NJ, on Saturday.
Yep, snow. It's not measurable as it was just a squall in high winds. At one point, I couldn't see across the street. Watchung and North, Plainfield, NJ.
Amidst a pile of snow, this cone must have been voted off the island ... or something. I hope it's not there to warn us that there's a pile of snow about 15 feet high and 30 feet long. I think we'd see that, don't you? North Avenue, Plainfield.
This is also Saturday morning, just before the snow squall. This lawn doesn't get lengthy daytime sunlight exposure. You see how high the snow remains. East Front Street, Plainfield.
The sun has been melting the snow off the roof at the Plainfield Train Station -- the result being these almost identical "snowcicles."
On and about the yellow line (which you need to stand behind!), it's snowcicle suicide, like lemmings into the sea.
Now, if it were really WARM, all the snow would slide off in large batches and not slowly sneak on down.
In winter, everything seems to freeze frame at times. Bridgewater, NJ.
On Friday morning, I saw this on East Second Street. At first I thought a truck accidentally dumped snow. That one big chunk of ice and snow had to be at least 20 inches wide. It could cause an accident.
When I went past the corner, I saw two men from the college chopping at the snowbanks and throwing it on Church Street.
NJ Transit got its act together and chopped the ice/snow never shoveled sidewalk to the Bridgewater Train Station. Yes, I noticed they threw some of it in the street, too.
"Watch Your Step." Well, geez ... since you have barely shoveled the station all winter, we have no choice! I can only guess that someone must have filed a claim for a fall which set in motion the ice chopping and sign activity. Now if they'd take care of the North Avenue walk in front of the Plainfield Train Station.
A green apple sits alone in Bridgewater. Weird, I've photographed an orange in the same place in the past. Perhaps fruit just materializes there or, as in Star Trek, it gets transported to that spot.
This either Spelling Notebook orWriting Journal was just sitting there on the sidewalk on East Front Street. Now someone's daily journals might be misspelled!
This walk in Vest Pocket Park on the East Fourth Street side of the Plainfield Train Station hasn't been shoveled all season. It looks like someone might have touched it up a bit after the sun melted parts of it. But, trust me, it was snow-covered until this week. When the sun came out, it melted down to the pavement. When night came, it froze over. LUGE!
I find it funny. Yes, it's a ca-ca photo. This is what happens when a herd of deer decide to use the sidewalk and nibble at the grassy edges. I've noticed that deer and rabbits prefer shoveled areas as the snow cover is way too much. Since the snow went all icy on top, the rabbits are on it again. But the deer sink. They prefer the sidewalk. Bridgewater, NJ.
Morning clouds gave way to brilliant blue skies nearby the Plainfield Train Station.
Notice how icy and dirty our snow cover is. Perhaps we do need new snow? Um. Nah. The wind blew these all over the place at the intersection of East Second and Berckman in Plainfield.
Yes, Vincent. I see you peeking at me.
How was your week?
Er, well. I can't do that. I do have to keep the bills paid and a roof over my head. And cat food. I can't forget the cat food.
On the home front, they've been rehabbing the apartment next door. Much of the work is being done at very odd times -- 7 AM, midnight. This was the apartment where the riff-raff were living. Now, they weren't there even two years. Before they moved in, a rehab of the unit was done. The tenant there before that was a super and he painted and put in new kitchen cabinets when he moved in. I have a feeling the riff-raff must have trashed the place. Why am I not surprised?
Meanwhile, I think my kitchen cabinets date back to at least the 70s and my bathroom fixtures could have used replacement before I moved in. I've been here 10 years. But, then again, I don't want maintenance workers in here ripping things apart while I live here (especially if I'm not home). While things seem better under the receivership, the workers seem to be day laborer types. I'd worry about Vincent getting out and my belongings if they were in and out. All of my things work, they've just seen much better days -- about 40 years ago!
There hasn't been much going on in my life lately. It's because of both the weather and the fact I'm in some sort of winter funk (or I've become a zombie). Things are firming up for the autumn vacation. I'm still working on a date for my right knee replacement. Oh. I had some interesting news this week on a personal artsy endeavor, but I can't go into it until I know more. It's good, though. I just need more details before I blab.
Along with my slump, my photos are a bit "eh" this week. Often it was too cold or too windy or I was running too late to really stop and look for the shots. I have high hopes for next week when we should be flirting with the 50s and maybe even a 60 degree temperature. Hopefully I'll get myself in gear so I'm not rushing to make my train!
Clicking on an image will open it larger in a new window --
Look! Grass! Geese!
Well, the geese never leave. I'm not sure why they're year-round residents here. But the grass is something new this week. In areas which get most of the daytime sun and with only the standard snow pack, some patches have gotten down to the ground despite frigid temperatures. We have had a lot of sun this week. Although there are more places which still have snow cover way above my knees, as well as the HUGE snow piles, it's nice to see these actual earth bits here and there. Bridgewater, NJ, on Saturday.
Saturday, 15 minutes before the geese shot
Yep, snow. It's not measurable as it was just a squall in high winds. At one point, I couldn't see across the street. Watchung and North, Plainfield, NJ.
A cone exiled
Amidst a pile of snow, this cone must have been voted off the island ... or something. I hope it's not there to warn us that there's a pile of snow about 15 feet high and 30 feet long. I think we'd see that, don't you? North Avenue, Plainfield.
More typical than the geese shot
This is also Saturday morning, just before the snow squall. This lawn doesn't get lengthy daytime sunlight exposure. You see how high the snow remains. East Front Street, Plainfield.
Snowcicles
The sun has been melting the snow off the roof at the Plainfield Train Station -- the result being these almost identical "snowcicles."
Pretty until they fall on your head
On and about the yellow line (which you need to stand behind!), it's snowcicle suicide, like lemmings into the sea.
From another view
Now, if it were really WARM, all the snow would slide off in large batches and not slowly sneak on down.
Time stands still as does the water
In winter, everything seems to freeze frame at times. Bridgewater, NJ.
Shame on Union County College!
On Friday morning, I saw this on East Second Street. At first I thought a truck accidentally dumped snow. That one big chunk of ice and snow had to be at least 20 inches wide. It could cause an accident.
When I went past the corner, I saw two men from the college chopping at the snowbanks and throwing it on Church Street.
Finally!
NJ Transit got its act together and chopped the ice/snow never shoveled sidewalk to the Bridgewater Train Station. Yes, I noticed they threw some of it in the street, too.
NJ Transit also put up a new sign
"Watch Your Step." Well, geez ... since you have barely shoveled the station all winter, we have no choice! I can only guess that someone must have filed a claim for a fall which set in motion the ice chopping and sign activity. Now if they'd take care of the North Avenue walk in front of the Plainfield Train Station.
Abandoned
A green apple sits alone in Bridgewater. Weird, I've photographed an orange in the same place in the past. Perhaps fruit just materializes there or, as in Star Trek, it gets transported to that spot.
Oh no!
This either Spelling Notebook or
Luge run part two
This walk in Vest Pocket Park on the East Fourth Street side of the Plainfield Train Station hasn't been shoveled all season. It looks like someone might have touched it up a bit after the sun melted parts of it. But, trust me, it was snow-covered until this week. When the sun came out, it melted down to the pavement. When night came, it froze over. LUGE!
I normally wouldn't do this, but ...
I find it funny. Yes, it's a ca-ca photo. This is what happens when a herd of deer decide to use the sidewalk and nibble at the grassy edges. I've noticed that deer and rabbits prefer shoveled areas as the snow cover is way too much. Since the snow went all icy on top, the rabbits are on it again. But the deer sink. They prefer the sidewalk. Bridgewater, NJ.
Move along clouds
Morning clouds gave way to brilliant blue skies nearby the Plainfield Train Station.
No, I didn't put them there
Notice how icy and dirty our snow cover is. Perhaps we do need new snow? Um. Nah. The wind blew these all over the place at the intersection of East Second and Berckman in Plainfield.
Y'know ... I can see that camera
Yes, Vincent. I see you peeking at me.
How was your week?
Sunday, February 06, 2011
Off Topic - That Was the Week It Was - February 6, 2011
What? It's Sunday morning? Oh my! That means it must be time for me to post my weekly off television topic reflection on the week gone by in both words and photographs I've taken. I swear I'll get that last Survivor cast post up today. Really.
We've had another week of weather here in New Jersey. Sure, every day of our lives has weather. But we're having WEATHER this winter! For the most part of my childhood years, I grew up in upstate New York. I'm not talking Westchester County; I'm talking in the foothills of the Adirondacks. One childhood year was spent not far outside of Buffalo, NY. I know winter. This year, New Jersey is having one.
The amount of snow makes things almost surreal when walking on a quiet evening. In the beginning, children played. Now many of the yards have no prints. I've seen some interesting snow sculptures from the train, though. In Dunellen there's one actual igloo built with "bricks" of snow and a rooster head of snow. Looking around, the snow makes the area reminiscent of either New England or various ski resort towns I traveled to in another life.
This week we had something new and different to spice things up -- an ice storm. While it would have been fantastic photo fodder, I only took photos out my window from my safe non-slippery apartment. My knee has definitely improved since the fall, but I'm almost phobic about falling again. I didn't used to be that way -- I was a fearless skier who knew how to fall. But falling on ski mountain and on an icy sidewalk are two different things! In skiing, you want to roll or slide. On icy sidewalks, you basically just thump.
In better news, my friends and I have our vacation house set in the Outer Banks (NC) for the last week of September. Woohoo! Ten bedrooms, tons of amenities, oceanfront, luxury, comfort, sand, hopefully some sun ... who could ask for more? What makes it even better is the group of friends, friends made originally via this blog. They rock!
Due to having to walk very carefully and avoiding going outside unless I had to, I once again have no works of art in my photos (except Vincent might think his shot is). They more or less show you what I've seen this week. For those of you in warmer climes, they might show you how the other side lives. For those of you with WEATHER, we can commiserate. Clicking on an image will open it larger in a new window.
This New Jersey Star Ledger box still sports the news from January 17. At least, if you want to know who won the Golden Globes, it's there. The nearby local Courier News box has a shoveled path to it and is stocked daily. That surprises me. Bridgewater Train Station.
Nobody, 'cause you can't get to the phone! This is at the Plainfield Train Station, the section of North Avenue which remains no man's land. No one shovels it. No revenue can come in from the parking meters because most are all but impossible to access. No one can walk from Watchung Avenue. Why does this situation go on year after year? SOMEONE needs to take ownership of that half-block section of city sidewalk and get the job done.
That footpath of ice through the snow shows that no one has shoveled this section of sidewalk since the last big storm. This is in the downtown business district on East Front Street. This shot was taken Saturday morning with a light rain coming down atop the ice and snow. It's way slippery. I saw one man fall.
Maybe I'm not thinking logically, but I think the city would have the opportunity to get some fine revenue and pedestrians would have a safe walk if city ordinances were actually enforced. Oh, silly me. I'd hate to see the lawsuit if someone ends up hurt from either walking in the city street or falling on ice.
Saturday morning was warmer and foggy in the 'hood. At least it cleared the icy spots on the walks which have been shoveled regularly. Many of the sidewalks remain single file. I was in shock the other day -- there I was walking up a single file sidewalk and a little boy, maybe 10 years old, was coming the other way. I was near a walk to someone's steps, so I stepped in there to let him pass by. He looked up at me and you're never going to guess what he said.
"Thank you."
Thud.
Manners! Manners without a parent present! Manners! If I could, I'd tell his parents. Not too many kids, inner city or suburbs, use the simple "thank you" or hold doors these days. It made me smile.
I shot this using a flash (which I don't often use) at the Plainfield Train Station. While the weather has been rough this year, there is an undeniable beauty to winter. I'm still glad I live in an area where there are four seasons. I just like spring and fall the best!
Only narrow walkways shoveled. NJ Transit never cleared the station right since the first storm of the season.
Although we're having a heat wave as I get this typed, we had some bitter cold both before and after the midweek ice storm. Watchung Avenue.
After the ice storm and then rain, a huge deep slush puddle formed at this sidewalk on the intersection of Church and East Front. Of course, when I went through the next morning after the weather, it had become cold again. I believe my weight would have broken the ice on the slush puddle and the board was icy. Oh well, it was a good gesture for the day before! I walked over the board. It brought back nightmares of balance beams.
My neighborhood Methodist church all lighted up, practically glowing in the snow. Yes, there is a single file sidewalk shoveled between the fence and the snowbank. East Front Street, Plainfield.
This is a neighbor's car. Sigh. They slid on ice. By the way, look at the walk on the left. That's my walk in front of my building. Not only is it dry pavement, it's fully shoveled and people can pass each other on it. They've done a fantastic job here this winter with the walks, the sidewalks and the parking lot.
On Berckman by the East Second Street intersection. While they had a narrow walk shoveled, plows pushed a huge snowbank over it. Those hedges are about six feet tall. I got over this one by bracing myself on the snow pile. Trust me, it's not fluffy snow. It was as sturdy as leaning on a car.
This is the view out my window at my building's parking lot as the ice storm was in action. They had gone through with the salt truck after midnight, but that didn't stop the ice. My neighbor cleared their car, but then didn't go to work (which is an oddity). The lot was re-salted when the temps went up a bit.
The little bodega seems to light up the early evening. Well, I might have helped that a bit by making the rest of the shot black and white, but ...! Note the single file sidewalk ahead.
This is going on throughout the city. Car caves with no roofs. One narrow exit to get in and out. Great parallel parking practice. But why is this happening? During previous years, they'd stick up signs telling people to move the cars or get towed on a certain date for street plowing. These snow caves take up several feet of extra space, thus narrowing the actual drivable surface. This situation has existed since the first snowstorm. While I took this shot on Berckman Street, you can see it all over.
The lights at Vest Pocket Park by the Plainfield Train Station make the ice-encrusted snow glow and dance. There is a positive to having ice cover the snow -- it won't blow around during windy times! Now if it would just melt ...
Okay, yeah ... it's really pretty.
They have a cheap version of Plainfield's cool lamps. Not only that, but one of them is glowing white.
No, I didn't fill the "on" with black marker. This is at the Bridgewater Train Station where there's a small building exposed to the elements with a huge "doorway" across the front of it. There are two heaters over the two benches. If you turn on the heat, your hair gets hot while the rest of you remains cold.
Icicles on the aforementioned Bridgewater Train Station outpost.
All he sees is snow and ice.
The snow/ice pile on Church Street just keeps growing.
These are new benches on East Front Street in front of the Monarch Building. Not only is the city not showing any evidence of caring about its pedestrians, so many of the benches are getting totally destroyed. Parking revenue isn't being taken in because meters are buried. Sure, the city has a new DPW web page up. But I'm not seeing this vast snow removal going on. I saw it ONE DAY in front of the main Post Office. One day. One block. Thank you, Plainfield!
This poor bird was trying to walk atop the ice-crusted snow. Even he couldn't get a foothold. I hope he doesn't fall and break a hip.
A man talks on his cell phone surrounded by the icy snowbanks at the corner of Watchung Avenue and East 4th.
I guess I'm just neglectful, Vincent. Here, get on my shoulder and I'll carry you around.
How was your week?
We've had another week of weather here in New Jersey. Sure, every day of our lives has weather. But we're having WEATHER this winter! For the most part of my childhood years, I grew up in upstate New York. I'm not talking Westchester County; I'm talking in the foothills of the Adirondacks. One childhood year was spent not far outside of Buffalo, NY. I know winter. This year, New Jersey is having one.
The amount of snow makes things almost surreal when walking on a quiet evening. In the beginning, children played. Now many of the yards have no prints. I've seen some interesting snow sculptures from the train, though. In Dunellen there's one actual igloo built with "bricks" of snow and a rooster head of snow. Looking around, the snow makes the area reminiscent of either New England or various ski resort towns I traveled to in another life.
This week we had something new and different to spice things up -- an ice storm. While it would have been fantastic photo fodder, I only took photos out my window from my safe non-slippery apartment. My knee has definitely improved since the fall, but I'm almost phobic about falling again. I didn't used to be that way -- I was a fearless skier who knew how to fall. But falling on ski mountain and on an icy sidewalk are two different things! In skiing, you want to roll or slide. On icy sidewalks, you basically just thump.
In better news, my friends and I have our vacation house set in the Outer Banks (NC) for the last week of September. Woohoo! Ten bedrooms, tons of amenities, oceanfront, luxury, comfort, sand, hopefully some sun ... who could ask for more? What makes it even better is the group of friends, friends made originally via this blog. They rock!
Due to having to walk very carefully and avoiding going outside unless I had to, I once again have no works of art in my photos (except Vincent might think his shot is). They more or less show you what I've seen this week. For those of you in warmer climes, they might show you how the other side lives. For those of you with WEATHER, we can commiserate. Clicking on an image will open it larger in a new window.
All the news fit to sit forever in a box
This New Jersey Star Ledger box still sports the news from January 17. At least, if you want to know who won the Golden Globes, it's there. The nearby local Courier News box has a shoveled path to it and is stocked daily. That surprises me. Bridgewater Train Station.
Who you gonna call?
Nobody, 'cause you can't get to the phone! This is at the Plainfield Train Station, the section of North Avenue which remains no man's land. No one shovels it. No revenue can come in from the parking meters because most are all but impossible to access. No one can walk from Watchung Avenue. Why does this situation go on year after year? SOMEONE needs to take ownership of that half-block section of city sidewalk and get the job done.
Is there a reason U-Haul isn't being fined?
That footpath of ice through the snow shows that no one has shoveled this section of sidewalk since the last big storm. This is in the downtown business district on East Front Street. This shot was taken Saturday morning with a light rain coming down atop the ice and snow. It's way slippery. I saw one man fall.
Maybe I'm not thinking logically, but I think the city would have the opportunity to get some fine revenue and pedestrians would have a safe walk if city ordinances were actually enforced. Oh, silly me. I'd hate to see the lawsuit if someone ends up hurt from either walking in the city street or falling on ice.
Richmond Towers
Saturday morning was warmer and foggy in the 'hood. At least it cleared the icy spots on the walks which have been shoveled regularly. Many of the sidewalks remain single file. I was in shock the other day -- there I was walking up a single file sidewalk and a little boy, maybe 10 years old, was coming the other way. I was near a walk to someone's steps, so I stepped in there to let him pass by. He looked up at me and you're never going to guess what he said.
"Thank you."
Thud.
Manners! Manners without a parent present! Manners! If I could, I'd tell his parents. Not too many kids, inner city or suburbs, use the simple "thank you" or hold doors these days. It made me smile.
Icicles
I shot this using a flash (which I don't often use) at the Plainfield Train Station. While the weather has been rough this year, there is an undeniable beauty to winter. I'm still glad I live in an area where there are four seasons. I just like spring and fall the best!
Plainfield Train Station
Only narrow walkways shoveled. NJ Transit never cleared the station right since the first storm of the season.
Baby, it's cold outside
Although we're having a heat wave as I get this typed, we had some bitter cold both before and after the midweek ice storm. Watchung Avenue.
Someone was enterprising!
After the ice storm and then rain, a huge deep slush puddle formed at this sidewalk on the intersection of Church and East Front. Of course, when I went through the next morning after the weather, it had become cold again. I believe my weight would have broken the ice on the slush puddle and the board was icy. Oh well, it was a good gesture for the day before! I walked over the board. It brought back nightmares of balance beams.
Methodist by night
My neighborhood Methodist church all lighted up, practically glowing in the snow. Yes, there is a single file sidewalk shoveled between the fence and the snowbank. East Front Street, Plainfield.
Auto body shops must be having a banner year!
This is a neighbor's car. Sigh. They slid on ice. By the way, look at the walk on the left. That's my walk in front of my building. Not only is it dry pavement, it's fully shoveled and people can pass each other on it. They've done a fantastic job here this winter with the walks, the sidewalks and the parking lot.
Then there's this sidewalk.
On Berckman by the East Second Street intersection. While they had a narrow walk shoveled, plows pushed a huge snowbank over it. Those hedges are about six feet tall. I got over this one by bracing myself on the snow pile. Trust me, it's not fluffy snow. It was as sturdy as leaning on a car.
Ohh ... that's all ICE!
This is the view out my window at my building's parking lot as the ice storm was in action. They had gone through with the salt truck after midnight, but that didn't stop the ice. My neighbor cleared their car, but then didn't go to work (which is an oddity). The lot was re-salted when the temps went up a bit.
Again, out my window during the ice storm
East Second Street
The little bodega seems to light up the early evening. Well, I might have helped that a bit by making the rest of the shot black and white, but ...! Note the single file sidewalk ahead.
Car caves
This is going on throughout the city. Car caves with no roofs. One narrow exit to get in and out. Great parallel parking practice. But why is this happening? During previous years, they'd stick up signs telling people to move the cars or get towed on a certain date for street plowing. These snow caves take up several feet of extra space, thus narrowing the actual drivable surface. This situation has existed since the first snowstorm. While I took this shot on Berckman Street, you can see it all over.
Icy snow
The lights at Vest Pocket Park by the Plainfield Train Station make the ice-encrusted snow glow and dance. There is a positive to having ice cover the snow -- it won't blow around during windy times! Now if it would just melt ...
Plainfield Train Station
Okay, yeah ... it's really pretty.
Bridgewater Train Station
They have a cheap version of Plainfield's cool lamps. Not only that, but one of them is glowing white.
"Get with the program, Fred. We're all facing this way now!"
Heh. Heh. It says "butt."
No, I didn't fill the "on" with black marker. This is at the Bridgewater Train Station where there's a small building exposed to the elements with a huge "doorway" across the front of it. There are two heaters over the two benches. If you turn on the heat, your hair gets hot while the rest of you remains cold.
How long can they get?
Icicles on the aforementioned Bridgewater Train Station outpost.
Bugs? I'm looking for bugs.
All he sees is snow and ice.
Have a seat!
The snow/ice pile on Church Street just keeps growing.
This is just disrespect!
These are new benches on East Front Street in front of the Monarch Building. Not only is the city not showing any evidence of caring about its pedestrians, so many of the benches are getting totally destroyed. Parking revenue isn't being taken in because meters are buried. Sure, the city has a new DPW web page up. But I'm not seeing this vast snow removal going on. I saw it ONE DAY in front of the main Post Office. One day. One block. Thank you, Plainfield!
Icy trash bin
Even the birds slip on ice.
This poor bird was trying to walk atop the ice-crusted snow. Even he couldn't get a foothold. I hope he doesn't fall and break a hip.
Waiting
A man talks on his cell phone surrounded by the icy snowbanks at the corner of Watchung Avenue and East 4th.
Excuse me.
Is there some reason you're
not carrying me around?
Is there some reason you're
not carrying me around?
I guess I'm just neglectful, Vincent. Here, get on my shoulder and I'll carry you around.
How was your week?
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