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Frank_M

Re: Morning Murder at LSP Light Rail Station

#661

Home away from home

Quote:

heights wrote:
...and life goes on, a sad and unfortunate mishap.

Mishap????

If that's your take on murder, what's manslaughter--a happy accident?

Posted on: 2008/9/4 19:21

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Frank_M

Re: anyone tried renting a bedroom in their apartment to tourists?

#662

Home away from home

I would defer to Benjamin Franklin who wrote something to the effect of, "Fish and house guests smell after three days."

Posted on: 2008/8/28 16:20

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Frank_M

Re: An Open Letter to You, My PATH Nemesis

#663

Home away from home

Quote:

tommyc_37 wrote:

If not have the position eliminated, then at LEAST lower the salaries, honestly. I am sorry if I sound like an ass, but it's just the way I feel. Kids coming out of expensive colleges are making $25,000 and these guys are making nearly six figures with a high school diploma or GED, for doing a job that is very, very easy, and not even necessary.

Why would/should there be any connection between the price of an education and a graduate's subsequent income?

Posted on: 2008/8/21 17:01

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Frank_M

Re: Weirdest Street Names in JC?

#664

Home away from home

Quote:

mills wrote:
Steuben. Sounds like stupid.

Say "schtoyben"

Could be named for Baron Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben... one of the most important figures in American history, without whom the colonies may not have won their independence.

(I spent a lot of time in Valley Forge as a kid--his name is all over the place.)

Posted on: 2008/8/15 14:42

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Frank_M

Re: An Open Letter to You, My PATH Nemesis

#665

Home away from home

Quote:

ansky wrote:
Quote:

Frank_M wrote:
[There are most certainly conductors aboard MTA subway trains! The difference is that they're stationed in enclosed cabins. An automated system wouldn't work at all.

And on the Metro in D.C. the doors are opened and closed by the driver of the train. Seems more efficient that way. I don't see why they need to pay another employee just to open and close the doors.

I haven't been there, but isn't the comparison to the NYC subway pretty much apples-to-oranges? The DC trains and platforms were probably designed from the ground up to work that way.

The job is a lot more important than "just opening and closing doors," considering the age, condition, size, volume, and often chaotic nature of the NYC system. I want each train to have at least two pairs of eyes!

Posted on: 2008/8/14 20:40

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Frank_M

Re: An Open Letter to You, My PATH Nemesis

#666

Home away from home

Quote:

tommyc_37 wrote:
I have also seen that same conductor do that, at least a few times...always flirting with some woman and delaying the train. It is REDICULOUS that the one and only thing they have to do (open and close the damn doors) is DELAYED because of flirtation.

Those guys are so overpaid that it's rediculous. Furthermore, why do we even need that job? This is 2008, why can't it be automatic? NYC Subway is automatic, is it not? "Stand clear of the closing door please". Our tax dollars at work.

Didn't they strike a few years back, or threaten to? Why strike? You should be thanking God that you have the easiest job in the galaxy (open door...close door).

There are most certainly conductors aboard MTA subway trains! The difference is that they're stationed in enclosed cabins. An automated system wouldn't work at all.

Posted on: 2008/8/14 19:39

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Frank_M

Re: An Open Letter to You, My PATH Nemesis

#667

Home away from home

Quote:

Kindelan wrote:

I usually ride in the conductor area. It is my preferred area of standing. The trick is, you have to know which car you're on, as the conductors only use that space in the front and back of the train.

So now you know. And knowing is half the battle.

Shhhhhhhh!

Posted on: 2008/8/14 15:09

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Frank_M

Re: How do I Plead?

#668

Home away from home

Unfortunately, a parking ticket is a black-and-white issue of rules, not justice.

There are healthy people without handicapped placards on their vehicles who may occasionally or mistakenly use a reserved parking space. That offense is punishable by a fine and (apparently) a court appearance. On the other hand, there are far more healthy-but-obviously-lazy people with handicapped placards who occupy reserved parking spaces every day and I don't believe that offense is punishable at all.

Nice.

Posted on: 2008/8/6 20:10

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Frank_M

Re: Forget Taqueria!

#669

Home away from home

Quote:

UrbanRenewal wrote:

You say that you "still haven't experienced the alleged 'attitude'" at Taqueria Downtown, but from these experiences you've shared, it sounds like you already have!

Oh, they've been nice enough. It's just that they operate the restaurant in an unconventional manner that can be inconvenient for customers

Posted on: 2008/8/6 13:57

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Frank_M

Re: Forget Taqueria!

#670

Home away from home

I've been a repeat customer at Taqueria Downtown for the past year-and-a-half. It was a nice, simple relationship, they prepared delicious tacos which I then purchased and ate. That was then.

Two weeks ago on a Sunday afternoon I called to place an order. No answer. Called again a bit later. No answer. Hmmm, I knew they were open and I was jonesin' for carnitas, so it wasn't a big deal to walk a couple blocks and order. But why no answer? According to the proprietor, "We don't answer the phone when we're too busy." Oh.

I can certainly appreciate when an establishment is literally too busy, but 20 patrons seated in a restaurant with half of its tables empty doesn't seem to qualify in my experience. But what do I know--I don't operate a restaurant so they basically get the benefit of the doubt.

Last Sunday evening the story was different but still frustrating. We went as a group of four but we were sent away because, said the proprietor, "We're only doing take-out orders now." Again, people were seated but there were plenty of empty tables left.

Instead we went to Grand Sichuan where there were no open tables, but were treated like welcome guests and seated in a few minutes. Y'know, just like in a typical restaurant!

I still haven't experienced the alleged "attitude," just a pair of otherwise friendly restauranteurs who apparently don't want to be hassled with customers, especially when closing time is approaching. Too bad for me I guess, but I'm done being one of their repeat customers.

So it's off to Bayonne I guess :)

Posted on: 2008/8/5 19:49

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Frank_M

Re: Journal Square: Armed men rob Canco worker's lunch truck

#671

Home away from home

Quote:

wibbit wrote:
Why is there a lunch truck close to canco? There isnt any large business located there like in downtown.

I stopped at that truck one afternoon for a bite and wondered the same thing at first. (And yes, they were very nice.)

There are businesses immediately west of Senate... obviously not quite the hive of activity the areas once was, there seem to be plenty of people working there. The truck probably gets a decent breakfast and lunch crowd.

Posted on: 2008/8/4 13:14

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Frank_M

Re: Tonnelle Avenue: three plead guilty in entrapment theft -- fake prostitutes & fake cop

#672

Home away from home

It works in the movies.

Resized Image

Posted on: 2008/8/1 16:34

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Frank_M

Re: What's Happening at the Newport Tower Building on Washington Blvd.?

#673

Home away from home

Thank you kindly :)

FYI: The picture was taken with a fisheye lens which produces a curved image, but was "de-fished" with software, producing an ultra-wide field of view with straight lines. The downside is that it makes the image a bit soft in the corners.

Posted on: 2008/7/17 18:48

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Frank_M

Re: What's Happening at the Newport Tower Building on Washington Blvd.?

#674

Home away from home

Quote:

Xerxes wrote:
That's a very nice shot Frank...pity it will soon be all we have.

Thanks a bunch... I kind of like that structure. It's not Stonehenge or the Acropolis, but there's something to be said for massive columns and lintels.

Its removal might have something to do with future construction or the the PATH tunnel below. Who knows.

Posted on: 2008/7/15 14:47

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Frank_M

Re: What's Happening at the Newport Tower Building on Washington Blvd.?

#675

Home away from home

Another image, for what it's worth. (Taken March 2008)

Resized Image

Posted on: 2008/7/15 13:37

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Frank_M

Re: Photogaphy illegal in public places? PA didn't get the memo

#676

Home away from home

Quote:

jrsygrl22 wrote:
It's actually not legal to take photos in the NYC Subway anymore. My out-of-state cousins were stopped by an undercover officer when we were on the subway platform.

Actually, I don't believe that is the case. The MTA proposed a photography ban a few years ago, but I understand that common sense prevailed.

Often police/security will tell you that photography is illegal because they either don't know any better or they just want you to move on.

Posted on: 2008/7/9 18:02

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Frank_M

Re: Photogaphy illegal in public places? PA didn't get the memo

#677

Home away from home

I take a lot of photographs in Jersey City and I've been harassed more times than I care to remember. Taking photographs near the Holland Tunnel resulted in two police cars being sent my way.

My advice? Don't argue with police. Be as pleasant and cooperative as possible. Make eye contact and tell them what you're up to and why. They'll be more reasonable if you don't act like an arrogant jackass (something I'm unfortunately quite good at). It's okay to let them know you're not happy about it, but stay calm.

Security guards on the other hand are often completely irrational when they see a person conspicuously taking photographs. They wouldn't notice if you were doing it surreptitiously, but that's another story. In those cases make sure you're not on private property and if they threaten to call the cops, big deal.

One morning this past spring, I took a photo of a sign posted on the fence at the barren PPG/toxic waste site on Garfield Ave. It was a public message on who to contact for more information. Before I knew what was going on, a female guard carrying a troublesome-looking aerosol bottle was running toward me, hollering the entire way from her trailer. I explained from the sidewalk I was doing no harm nor was I trespassing. Her reasoning: "Well, as far as I'm concerned you are!!"

That's the mindset we have to deal with. Good luck to all and don't stop taking photographs just because some people don't get it

Posted on: 2008/7/9 15:52

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Frank_M

Re: filling water cooler bottles

#678

Home away from home

Yes, Snowbird... a quick search lists the address at 401 Thomas McGovern Drive, (201) 451-2000

I found it while wandering around JC with my camera a couple months ago. They have a self-service machine, but I don't know if it's in operation.

Posted on: 2008/6/30 18:15

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Frank_M

Re: Jersey City and Hiroshima (after the atomic bomb)

#679

Home away from home

Quote:

Have you ever thought that there are many places (lots) in Jersey City that strikingly resemble Hiroshima after the atomic bomb was dropped?

No.

Posted on: 2008/6/6 18:36

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Frank_M

Re: Raw Sewage Stench in Paulus Hook

#680

Home away from home

Last night it smelled more like low tide than sewage. I was at the marina earlier in the evening and it was indeed particularly stinky. Like cow manure though, I consider it a funk with a positive connotation.

Everybody needs a little funk.

Quote:

jerseyboy422 wrote:
The stench is back. We had a few days off, but it has returned. I moved to this area in February and only started noticing a sewage smell last week. For those of you who have lived near the Paulus Hook or Liberty Harbor area for at least one year, is this a normal occurrence? It is nauseating to say the least.

Posted on: 2008/5/30 12:10

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Frank_M

Re: Raw Sewage Stench in Paulus Hook

#681

Home away from home

Jersey City employs a combined sewer. Both storm water and sewage go to the treatment plant. During periods of heavy or prolonged rain, the plant cannot meet the demand and the combined effluent is drained directly into the Hudson river (and via the canal basin as well). You may have noticed "CSO OUTFALL PIPE" signs along the bank; that's where it comes out. The one in the canal basin has a strainer that retains large "particulate matter" thankfully.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Combined_sewer

Posted on: 2008/5/19 14:55

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Frank_M

Re: 2nd Street @ the waterfront

#682

Home away from home

Quote:

sporkster wrote:
...And I'd be PISSED if I lived in that building right behind it (the Mandalay I think?). It looks like the new building is going to really interfere with their Manhattan views.

What goes around comes around ;)

Interfering with a view is nothing compared with the subblocking and shadow-creating aspect of these structures that also isolate the city from the waterfront. Unfortunately, the visionary urban planner has long since been a thing of the past.

Posted on: 2008/5/6 17:32

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Frank_M

Re: Morris Canal basin development?

#683

Home away from home

This is what started me on the subject... The first image is from two snaps taken July of '07 that weren't intended to be merged, but it gets the idea across. (The top of the pile is matched, but the foreground is wrong.)

And this is a fisheye photo from last Saturday, April 26th

Posted on: 2008/4/30 4:05

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Frank_M

Re: Morris Canal basin development?

#684

Home away from home

Quote:

Scottacus wrote:
You are right that it is probably going to be condos. There are a few projects in this area. I think that site is for this new condo development:
http://www.thejcra.org/index.php?p=project-details&pid=7

Thanks for the links.

Three 30-story buildings apparently. No surprise given the trend.

Posted on: 2008/4/29 20:54

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Frank_M

Re: Morris Canal basin development?

#685

Home away from home

Quote:

alb wrote:
Is this the Hugo Neu building? If so: I guess the building is probably way too polluted to be re-used, but it's a little sad to think of it being torn down.

That's the one. I gather Hugo Neu sold it to, or partnered with Sims Metal in the last few years? The art deco stainless steel details on the facade are nice, it's a shame to see them become scrap metal themselves.

I don't think pollution is the issue although the soil underneath might be a different story! Who knows. I think it's more a matter of it being past its expected life and not fitting into the developer's plans. I can't imagine anything other than a high-rise there, with the view of the park, marina, and NY skyline as major selling points.

I'm kinda sad and conflicted about the whole thing, even the mountains of rusting metal and pools of neon green water (under good lighting conditions, they were interesting photo ops).

Jerseyboy - It's at the very southern end of Jersey Ave.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morris_Canal

Posted on: 2008/4/29 19:30

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Frank_M

Morris Canal basin development?

#686

Home away from home

For those who don't walk by it and didn't notice, the Sims Metal scrap yard is no more. The piles of rusting metal have been reduced to a tract of dirt and mud in the space of a few weeks. Talking to some of the guys who work there, they're supposed to be out by the 30th. The old building (circa 1938) is coming down as well, if it hasn't already.

Where can I find out about the land development that'll be taking place there? They're establishing a protected estuary, right? ;)

Or yet another dreadful high rise?

Posted on: 2008/4/29 18:13

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Frank_M

Re: Historic Newark Avenue graveyard Decays

#687

Home away from home

Walking around that cemetery was an interesting experience. I'd almost describe it as a field of grassy moguls. More than a century of erosion and decay seems to have created voids beneath the surface. I imagine a lot of groundwater from the Palisades drains through it on the way downhill... probably a bad place for graves in the first place.

On the positive side, it's one of the few remaining places near the downtown area where the town's history is still apparent.

Posted on: 2008/4/29 14:17

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Frank_M

Re: Please stop the huge 9/11 memorial at LSP - it will ruin the park's views of the Manhattan skyli

#688

Home away from home

$25 million could certainly plant a lot of desperately needed trees and make the park a better place for residents and tourists alike. The view of the NYC skyline sans the WTC towers is already a profound memorial. City planners and developers have already done enough harm isolating the waterfront from the city.

Posted on: 2008/4/28 15:22

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Frank_M

Re: Anybody have a link to a good tide table for our area?

#689

Home away from home

Sure I canst, Henry.

However, given the number of boats in the water, I suspected somebody might already know of a good resource. Thanks.

Here's another one... a crop from the original:

Resized Image

Posted on: 2008/4/21 13:39

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Frank_M

Re: Anybody have a link to a good tide table for our area?

#690

Home away from home

Thanks again... I needed high tide to make this happen!

Resized Image

Posted on: 2008/4/20 13:12

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