20 May 2010

On a rail

    On a train bound for nowhere.
      Kenny Rogers

Yet another morning finds me on the train to NYC. Anyone who knows me knows I love trains. It probably seems silly to some, but I still get excited when I get to ride the new NJT double-deck cars. Today I scored the singe seat with the baggage bin next to it. Ahh, luxury.

This week I've been working in Flushing, which means the E train from Penn Station to Queens. That's fun too, because I love the new NYC subway cars.

(BTW, right now I am side-by-side with a Metroliner, keeping almost perfect pace. Wait... taking the lead... and first into Newark Penn!)

Anyway, where was I? The new Subway cars (more information than you could imagine here). They have the clear automated voice and best of all, this electronic diagram of the line showing you what stops are ahead of you. Of course, you need to check the board and listen to the automated voice. The other day I didn't and ended up on the F which takes an entirely different route to Manhattan, crossing the E's line on the way.

That's happens a lot with the NYC subways. Other subway systems, the Boston T, for example, look much more organized. There is an organic quality to the NYC subway map which is annoying or cool, depending on how you look at it.

So, running out of power and no outlet nearby. A useful project would be mapping NJT rolling stock to show where outlets are....

08 February 2010

Note to self

    That's the political equivalent of reminding yourself to breath.

    Thinking about the crib notes on Sarah Palin's palm, I suspect some are pointing out that a few scribbles are not the same as an entire teleprompted speech. Which is true, except that Obama doesn't hide the teleprompter.

    But whatever, put aside the hypocrisy point. It's the notes themselves that kill me: "Energy," "tax cuts" and "lift American spirits." That is what she needed to write down. Really. No joke.

    That is pure Palin.

    06 January 2010

      A state cannot so deem a class of persons a stranger to its laws.
        Supreme Court Justice Anthony M. Kennedy
        (Romer v. Evans)

    It's time I dusted off this blog, and what better reason than tommorow's State Senate vote on Marraige Equality in New Jersey.

    Everyone deserves to marry the person they love. It's that simple. I stole the following action list from Sharon:

    1. Call your State Senators and tell them to do what's right. (When following that link, click the "state" tab.) If you already know who your Senator is, go here for contact information.
    2. Email your Senator. It can't hurt to do both.
    3. Go to Trenton tomorrow. Garden State Equality has info here.

    This is our best opportunity. Let's not squander it.