Off Topic - That Was the Week It Was - November 14, 2010

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?

Big Bang Theory Review

My The Big Bang Theory review is up on CliqueClack TV. While I was excited to watch this week's show as Wil Wheaton has been in my email circle from TV Squad and CliqueClack TV for years, it was Blossom who stole the show. Er, Mayim Bialik.

But I do hope they keep bringing Evil Wil back to irk Sheldon.

Survivor: Nicaragua - November 10th Episode Blog Party Post

Survivors Ready?

Welcome one, welcome all! The blog party is ready to start! Everyone is welcome to join in with comments as the show airs here on the East Coast or even later in West Coast time. As the show airs, I'll post major events here, but the real fun and most of the reactions are in the comments section. See you there!

They ended up with men vs. women on a rough reward challenge. The men won (zipline, feast, etc.). Chase sat out and thought the women would win, so he's with them (women).

Brenda won immunity in a memory game challenge -- it was between her and Marty at the end.

My pool boy Marty got the boot. I'm not sorry to see him go.

The Amazing Race - Nov. 7 Episode Blog Party Post

Football AGAIN -- the show is delayed here on the East Coast. Once it starts, as it airs here on the East Coast, I'll update this post with major happenings. Later tonight (or at least by morning) my show review should be posted over on TV Squad. But the real fun will be during showtime right here in the comments area. Everyone is welcome to join in!

Football is STILL on here as I post this, so we'll be running more than an hour late.

Finally, 9:07 PM ET and we're about to start. This is beyond annoying, CBS.

1. Nat and Kat -- also won $5000 each
2. Brook and Claire
3. Nick and Vicki
4. Gary and Mallory
5. Jill and Thomas
6. Chad and Stephanie must go back and pay cab
7. Michael and Kevin - 2 thirty-minute penalties -- cab leading and taking a cab.
6. Chad and Stephanie - although a 30 minute penalty, they're doing better than Kevin and Michael
7. Michael and Kevin -- eliminated.

Off Topic - That Was the Week It Was - November 7, 2010

It's Sunday morning, once again time for my off-television topic look back at the past week in words and photographs I've taken. The early part of the week here was cold, raw and rainy. Of course, it was a cold rain. By the time the sun came out later in the week, I was so ready for it. It's still cold, but it's November. The cold is something to be expected this time of year.

I was part of an act of divine intervention this week. Yes, really. I'm talking Girl Scout cookies. You see, I was waiting for my train home from work when I noticed girl scouts selling cookies on the other platform. I've lost all my Girl Scout cookie connections and thought ... mmm, Thin Mints. But they were on the other side. I wasn't about to walk down the stairs, under the tracks, up the stairs, then vice versa.

I thought for a moment, "Well, no trains are really due right now. It's not a raised platform. I could pass them money through the fence between the tracks and they could toss me a box of Thin Mints over the fence." No, not a good idea. I'm not so much worried about myself. I know the trains -- I would definitely get off the tracks in time. But I wanted them neither hurt, nor in trouble. So I resisted.

I resisted for a good five minutes, then saw my train approaching in the distance. I guess Thin Mints just weren't meant to be. Wait ... what's happening? They see the train and decide to make the run for it, down the stairs, under the tracks, up the stairs, across the open area. One fell, but they kept on coming.

It was fate. It was Divine Intervention. They got to my train just as I was about to board.

"A box of Thin Mints, please!" One of the conductors kept looking at me. "Aren't you going to open them and share them?"

"No." Y'see, I needed milk with them for my retro cookie trip to the past. They still taste just as good as they did 30 or 40 years ago, albeit you get fewer cookies per box and the price is way high.

In other news, yesterday was the big Plainfield Library Photo contest exhibition and awards. I chatted with local bloggers Bernice and Dan, as well as talking Amazing Race for a bit with Rebecca. I enjoy the people the event attracts almost as much as I like checking out what caught the eyes of others in town for the contest. I love Bernice's photo of the statue head from the Chotola building on North Avenue. I'm surprised it didn't win a prize.

It's hard to tell exactly the criteria for awarding the prizes. I was told that my photo "Before the Dawn" was a staff favorite, yet it didn't win anything. It was put on the cover of the program which was way cool, though.

One woman went on and on questioning the process they use to determine the winners. I believe she thought that professional photographers have an edge in the competition. I personally think it has nothing to do with things at all. The professionals (only one entered this year) really don't seem to have a better eye than the amateurs.

The man whose shots keeping winning the top awards is an amateur. I love his work (William Monroe). Perhaps professionals have better equipment, but it's the moment which often makes the shot. Or it's the composition. In 8x10's, fancy equipment which can make photos into murals isn't the key. It's the eye of the photographer, the subject matter and the moment.

That said, this amateur (moi) took second place for "Golden Lamps" and Honorable Mention for "The Walls Come Down." Two ribbons, two cool certificates and one check. I feel so honored to have won something both times I entered the contest. There are a lot of talented folks in town and I believe some of their photos were better than mine. I was also honored that they chose to use my foggy train photo (last year's second place winner) to head up the invitation card for this year's event.

I created a Photobucket album for the show and made this slideshow --



Onto the photos I've taken in my travels this week. Clicking on an image will open it larger in a new window.

Looking Up

More and more trees are but barren branches, yet some others are still sporting green. Peak foliage is over with. However, I still found beauty in Library Park. Plainfield, NJ.

Okay ... we swim across the Hudson?
Gotcha!

A poster on my NJ Transit train. I assume there are ferries or something from those points. I've never taken a ferry other than the Staten Island Ferry. If I take the bus into the city, it uses the Lincoln Tunnel. The trains have their own tunnel -- would have an additional one in the future, but Gov. Christie shut that down. If I have to swim the Hudson, I'll stay in town, thank you. There are plenty of places to explore and stuff to eat!

Soapy's Neon

Soapy's Laundromat on Park Avenue in Plainfield along with the reflection of the other side of the street.

No, no, no!

Hmmm ... no use of CDs? I'm glad I retired my CD Walkman for my not-an-iPod. This is a sign outside a liquor store on Park Avenue in Plainfield. I don't know if it was a liquor store when the sign was put there. A marquee has been put in place obscuring the edge of the sign. I can only assume it was due to bootlegged CDs. I guess.

Sin Yu

I wonder how well this restaurant would do if they switched their name around to Yu Sin. With the language errors I see on Chinese restaurant menus, I wouldn't be surprised if it was named Yu Sin. If my Spanish was better, I'd check the menus out to see if they make similar errors in the Spanish text on them. Park Avenue, Plainfield.

Red Tower

I've shot this place before, but never managed to get this angle without cars passing by. Park Avenue in Plainfield.

Home for Adults

If you click to make this one larger, you'll see the marquee reads "Home for Adults." I would guess it was originally a hotel, but now it's more like the Greta Garbo Home for Wayward Boys and Girls for adults. No, it's not senior citizen housing. I find the building quite intriguing. West Seventh Street, Plainfield.

Sure, he looks cute

But he's probably daydreaming about his favorite movie, Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds. West Seventh Street, Plainfield.

Fall flowers

Park Avenue, Plainfield.

Wienie King

The Carmen Miranda hat's a bit of a shocker, but whatever floats his boat. The E&A Restaurant Supply store on East Fifth and Cleveland in Plainfield.

The Graffiti Wall's latest

I've decided that the ever-changing graffiti wall at the back of the E&A Restaurant Supply and Plainfield YMCA on the other side is an allowed thing. The graffiti in this parking lot shows much more talent than your average tags. One of these days I'm going to hit it as they paint. Right now there is a section all primed. I'll keep checking. I think (could be wrong) that the XMen who do these also did the graphics for the E&A building itself. Maybe they were paid in a wall, I don't know. As seen from East Fifth Street, Plainfield.

A puddle, leaves and reflections

When the white eagle of the North is flying overhead
The browns, reds and golds of autumn lie in the gutter, dead.
Remember then, that summer birds with wings of fire flaying
Came to witness spring's new hope, born of leaves decaying.
Just as new life will come from death, love will come at leisure.
Love of love, love of life and giving without measure
Gives in return a wondrous yearn of a promise almost seen.
Live hand-in-hand and together we'll stand on the threshold of a dream.
-- "The Dream" from On the Threshold of a Dream
The Moody Blues

Church Street, Plainfield.

Rain's neon glow

North Avenue, Plainfield. I edited this one for a combination of black and white and color.

More rain, more reflections

North and Watchung Avenues, Plainfield.

Abandoned Corn

Bridgewater, NJ. I don't know why. But there it was.

Last gasp of the wildflowers

They can tough it out growing in rocks by the Bridgewater Train Station, but a few more frosts are going to do them in for the winter.

Conspiring, I'm sure

Fool, get the coffee OFF the floor!

NJ Transit train. This is a full cup of coffee. Not only is it on the floor, but it's also at the edge of the aisle. What happens to full cups of coffee when the train stops? Why, they tip over! Then, due to the train's stop and go motions, as well as swaying, that single cup of coffee can end up front to back covering the entire car! Fool.

The Plainfield YWCA

By the early morning's light er, night. I like to experiment with taking dark shots without a flash. As seen from Church Street before the dawn.

I'm just SO cute, aren't I?

I've been using this as my Facebook profile photo this week, but figured I'd put it in here for those who don't use FB. Yes, Vincent, you're SO cute.

How was your week?

Survivor: Nicaragua - November 3rd Episode Blog Party Post

Survivors Ready?

Welcome one, welcome all! The blog party is ready to start! Everyone is welcome to join in with comments as the show airs here on the East Coast or even later in West Coast time. As the show airs, I'll post major events here, but the real fun and most of the reactions are in the comments section. See you there! Hopefully they'll nail Na'onka for the stealing as seen in the promos!

Merge on? La Flor got directions to their new camp. Moving to Espada.

Two will win immunity -- a man and a woman. Jane won for the women and is hanging in against the last three men in the challenge -- Marty, Chase and Fabio. Marty's out. Chase is out. Fabio wins for the men!

Alina was voted out and is the first member of the jury. Jane wanted Marty out as do most of the commenters here. Marty is my pool person.

That doesn't mean I like him.

The Amazing Race - Oct. 31 Episode Blog Party Post

Football AGAIN -- the show is delayed here on the East Coast by about a half-hour. Once it starts, as it airs here on the East Coast, I'll update this post with major happenings. Later tonight (or at least by morning) my show review should be posted over on TV Squad. But the real fun will be during showtime right here in the comments area. Everyone is welcome to join in!

8:24 PM and it's finally starting here. Other areas started on time (see comments).

1. Jill and Thomas - trip to Brazil
2. Brook and Claire
3. Michael and Kevin
4. Nat and Kat
5. Chad and Stephanie
6. Gary and Mallory
7. Nick and Vicki -- non-Philimination leg!

Off Topic - That Was the Week It Was - October 31, 2010

It's Sunday morning, time for my weekly off-television topic reflection on the week gone by in words and photographs I've taken in my daily travels. It's Halloween. BOO! (Scared you, didn't I?) And, if you're reading this, Happy Birthday Russ!

Where I spent the majority of my pre-adult life, the leaves were already gone come Halloween. Here, they're peaking. Some trees are still green while others have barren branches ... and yet others are brilliant yellows and reds. Autumn is my favorite time of year as the weather is usually pleasant, not too hot nor too cold, and the foliage can be breathtaking.

Daylight Savings Time is coming late this year. I expected it last weekend or perhaps this one. Nope! It's not until next week. Who decides these things? Is there a way they could strive for consistency from year to year? What's up with that? I want my extra hour of sleep!

Our weird weather continues. In the early part of the week it was warm and even a bit muggy. Then we went down to freezing Saturday morning. I'm actually a fan of brisk weather -- I like temperatures in the low 50s in the morning, perhaps to 70 in the afternoon. I guess we won't see many days like that for a while.

Things are pretty much same old-same old around here. So, it's onto the photos from the week. Clicking on an image will open it larger in a new window.

Vincent, look! Mice!

There were mice on my NJ Transit train last night, as well as Grim Reapers, vampires, (fake) ladies of the evening, clowns, you name it. These two girls are two of the Three Blind Mice. The other one was in the seat facing them as they were in a four-seater. Accompanying them was Wendy from Wendy's (don't ask me, I don't get the connection), but he wasn't wearing his wig.

All were heading into the city (NYC) for parties. With Halloween on a Sunday evening, lots of parties were held Saturday. The big Greenwich Village parade is tonight and the train will be costumed once again. I won't be on it. I'll be home, yes!

BOO!

A store window on East Front Street in Plainfield. Note the police car in the reflection. It was weird. I would stop, sometimes sit on a bench, take some shots and he'd park. I'd move along, he'd creep along. Then if I stopped again, he'd stop and park until I moved again. I don't think I look suspicious. Maybe they're just not used to people walking along taking photos downtown.

The Value Man

This building is really cool. I wonder what it housed in its early days. East Front Street, Plainfield.

I'd like some ETC, please

Got to love the mix of Spanish and English in neon. Envios is shipping and tarjetas are cards. Don't ask me what's included in etc. But I want one! The corner of East Front Street and Park Avenue, Plainfield. Edited to leave the neon in color.

Does anybody really know what time it is?
Does anybody really care?

- Chicago - "Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?"

No, it's not 11:36 (and a half). This is more like the clock in the old Mamas and Papas song "Twelve-Thirty (Young Girls Are Coming to the Canyon)" -

I used to live in New York City;
Everything there was dark and dirty.
Outside my window was a steeple
With a clock that always said twelve-thirty.

But this is Plainfield. We march to our own beat, keep our own time. And that time is always 11:36 (and a half). Park Avenue, but there no longer is a Park Jewelers there.

Reflections Part Deux

I guess I'm just a sucker for reflections in windows. Here, the businesses across the street are reflected in the Park Madison Office Building. Park Avenue in Plainfield. When I first moved here there was no building there. It was an odd park with benches all around the edges and perhaps two sidewalks to the middle ... lots of grass and signs to stay off the grass.

Too windy for chess

The chess tables sit empty as the temperatures drop and the winds pick up. Park Avenue and East Front Street, Plainfield. And what time is it?

Old, new and a change of seasons

The old PNC bank pillars, the Park Madison Office Building and colorful leaves. Park Avenue, Plainfield.

I'd like to make an apartment in there

This building has been vacant for more than a few years. Its windows are so cool! These are actually the second and third floors. Supposedly there are all kinds of plans for this and the PNC bank ... including some apartments. Seeing how slow some things are done (cough:::The Monarch:::cough) around here, I better not count on 'em. Park Avenue, Plainfield.

Standing in the railway station
Got a ticket for my destination
-- "Homeward Bound" by Simon and Garfunkel

Okay, he had it as sitting. I took creative liberties! Plainfield Train Station

C-c-c-an't bloom!

The weeds came to life in the warm weather, then the cold made them refuse to come to full bloom.

Storm clouds move in

Plainfield Train Station Tuesday just around sunset.

Pretty colors

Bridgewater Promenade Shopping Center, Bridgewater, NJ.

Sunrise by the ball park

The boys of summer are gone from the TD Ballpark in Bridgewater (by the train station).

Jus' chillaxin'

Ready to face another day. Plainfield Train Station.

Police activity!

Hey, this is outside MY window! (Hence the camera focusing on the screen as it was still in the "heat wave.") There was some kind of parking kerfuffle but nothing which warranted police. But then the riff raff neighbor whose tires were slashed the night before was screaming that the cops need to lock up so-and-so who slashed her tires. I just want the riff raff neighbor to move. No one else in the building has people honking horns and screaming up at their windows at all hours.

We're talking pea soup

One morning the fog was outright ridiculous. The dark line in this photo is a pole right near me. You can barely see the sun. Some of you will recognize the sign -- it's the one ripped apart by a storm earlier this year. But what you can't see is all the parked cars in the Bridgewater Train Station parking lot!

It wasn't as foggy when I left Plainfield that morning

This was before I hit the bad fog. Plainfield Train Station.

The train! The train!

Autumn Leaves

At the Plainfield Train Station

Watchung Avenue in the pre-dawn

Yep, it's all lighted up. As an ex-neighbor in my building referred to our parking lot lights ... those are RUDE lights.

Are you comfortable, Vincent?

His overbite shows.

How was your week?

Don't forget to stop back for the blog party during The Amazing Race!

Survivor: Nicaragua - October 27th Episode Blog Party Post

Survivors Ready?

Welcome one, welcome all! The blog party is ready to start! Everyone is welcome to join in with comments as the show airs here on the East Coast or even later in West Coast time. As the show airs, I'll post major events here, but the real fun and most of the reactions are in the comments section. See you there!

Espada won reward -- horseback rides, breakfast at a farm.

Apparently they won immunity too, not that I could tell thanks to Comcast or WCBS2 losing its signal for ten minutes. Grr.

Jill was voted out. Hmmm...

The Amazing Race - Oct. 24 Episode Blog Party Post

Football AGAIN -- the show is delayed here on the East Coast by about about fifteen - seventeen minutes. Once it starts, as it airs here on the East Coast, I'll update this post with major happenings. Later tonight (or at least by morning) my show review should be posted over on TV Squad. But the real fun will be during showtime right here in the comments area. Everyone is welcome to join in!

Nat and Kat completed the fast forward task.

Nat and Kat first to pit stop -- won a trip to Costa Rica.
2. Gary and Mallory
3. Jill and Thomas
4. Michael and Kevin
5. Brook and Claire
6. Nick and Vicki
7. Chad and Stephanie
8. Katie and Rachel - Philiminated