Taking a flyer
I spotted this flyer all up and down Washington Street this morning. If this image is too small to read, just click on it for a larger version in a new window:
posted by Janet Dagley Dagley @3:45 PM
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25.9.04  |
Light rail 1, SUV 0
Less than a month after it began operation, the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail extension between Hoboken and Weehawken has already had an accident. Yesterday a SUV ran into the train, disrupting service for a half hour. The SUV landed on its side, but the train was relatively undamaged. The five passengers aboard were uninjured.
Note to SUV drivers: The word "light" in this context means the trains are lighter than more conventional trains. It doesn't mean they're lightweight compared to your vehicle, so you might as well wait until they pass through the crossing. They're also much shorter than conventional trains, so that won't take long.
posted by Janet Dagley Dagley @1:45 PM
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24.9.04 |
Pay-to-play game over in NJ as McGreevey scores a final point
"Don't just hold the position, Governor. Stay on the job."
That was my advice to out-and-outgoing New Jersey Governor James McGreevey the day after he came out and announced he was planning to resign. I doubt he ever reads this blog, but yesterday he proved that he's still working for the taxpayers, even if his political career (the first act of it, anyway) is in its final days. As the state and many communities within it argue and argue and play political games with the notion of a ban on pay-to-play politics, McGreevey barred campaign contributors from doing business with the state, just like that by signing an executive order. For those of you who aren't familiar with the Garden State, that's kind of the equivalent of signing an executive order announcing that henceforth, everyone in New Jersey will walk on their hands instead of their feet.
He couldn't have done it before he came out as a gay, but married-to-a-woman, American, because he himself was part of that system. From the Trenton Times:
"I take this action recognizing that cynics may say that I am doing this to create a legacy for myself - a `Hail Mary' pass of sorts to seek redemption," McGreevey said. "I do not hold onto some hopeful notion that I will be known for much more than as the governor who resigned - and I am at peace with that. "Others may say that I am hypocritical in biting the hand that fed me. Believe me, I am more aware than ever of my own frailties, but that does not justify inaction."
Thanks, Governor. It's only Sept. 23 -- so we expect you to remain on the job until Nov. 15. What next? I know: how about an executive order proclaiming equal rights for people such as yourself?
posted by Janet Dagley Dagley @5:43 PM
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23.9.04 |
The perils of digital migration
Some believe the decline of our civilization began with the designated-hitter rule; others say it was the loss of that red plastic button that was once used to put callers on hold. Whenever and wherever it started, that decline continues to this very day, at least in our household. The cable company insisted on replacing our good old analog box with a digital one. As a result,
I spent the entire day trying to get my television to do some of the things it used to do, like showing us all the channels it claimed it could. (We gained video-on-demand, but lost CNN, CNBC, Discovery, ESPN2, Spike, A&E, Comedy Central, E, and BET, no matter how emphatically we demand that particular video).
I spent the entire day trying to get my television to do some of the things it used to do, like work when the VCR is on.
I spent the entire day trying to get my television to do some of the things it used to do, and then it did show me CNN and all those missing channels for about 5 minutes, until I turned on the VCR.
I spent the entire day trying to get my television to do some of the things it used to do, and spent about an hour and a half on the phone with the cable company's user support people, who scolded me for even having a VCR and insisted that a service person would have to make a house call sometime in the next few days.
I spent the entire day trying to get my television to do some of the things it used to do, during which time I visited the cable company's web site and downloaded the manual for the new digital box, then followed the directions on it. (That REALLY messed things up.)
I spent the entire day trying to get my television to do some of the things it used to do.
I spent the entire day trying to get my television to do some of the things it used to do.
I spent the entire day trying to get my television to do some of the things it used to do.
I spent the entire day trying to get my television to do some of the things it used to do.
I spent the entire day trying to get my television to do some of the things it used to do.
I spent the entire day trying to get my television to do some of the things it used to do....
and we're still working on it. Right now, it won't give us much of anything except fuzz, and whatever we feed it through the DVD -- which is NOT the BBC News. Fortunately, we can keep up with the news via Air America Radio.
And even more fortunately, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, which we usually watch at about this time, is a rerun.
posted by Janet Dagley Dagley @6:34 PM
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22.9.04 |
The American Street, state-by-state
Welcome to all the New Jersey bloggers and others just joining us thanks to the new States Rights listing at The American Street. Kudos to Kevin Hayden for a great contribution to the blogging community. There are 15 of us "progressive bloggers" in New Jersey, which has suddenly become a Swing State.
posted by Janet Dagley Dagley @4:45 PM
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21.9.04 |
Blue potatoes
Last week at the Hoboken Farmer's Market sponsored by the Jersey Fresh program, I bought something unfamiliar: blue potatoes. I cut one up and cooked it with some fresh green beans the other day, and by the time they were ready to eat, only the skin was blue. Here's what happened when we fried them.
Here's how they look right out of the bag:
and after washing:
They're blue (or possibly purple) inside, too:
Sizzling, and still blue:
Now some are turning much more blue than purple:
The skins are now golden brown, but the insides still look bluish:
Serve on a blue plate with water in a blue glass. (That's a salmon pattie next to the potatoes, along with a cheddar-topped English muffin). Bon appetit!
posted by Janet Dagley Dagley @4:30 PM
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20.9.04 |
Washed up
It was quite a stormy day here yesterday as the remnants of hurricane Ivan passed through. We don't know if this was left here by the storm, or if its owner is just one of the many who can't find a parking place in Hoboken:
posted by Janet Dagley Dagley @7:26 PM
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19.9.04 |
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