Twice as Stupid

Remember this guy? Well apparently my bitching at him and posting a picture of his company vehicle on the Internet wasn't enough. He parked there AGAIN! Third time - if he dares a third time - I'm calling the cops. Or maybe I'll tell the delinquents hanging out next door that he pissed me off... they like me... and they aren't very bright...

Blind or Stupid?

or just one lazy asshole...




You be the judge.

clearly, that is a driveway... my car is the dead giveaway... sure, there are weeds growing in the gravel... I ride my bike most days... but COME ON! you blocked my ENTIRE driveway asshole!

Train Tact

It seems that a few of my fellow commuters can use a refresher course in manners. It really isn't hard, but you have to at least try to use some common sense. Here are just a few ways to be a better commuter.

• when you are on a train platform that is packed shoulder to shoulder, do you really think that 6ft golf umbrella was such a great idea?
• when the train arrives at the station, you will need to close it BEFORE you get on the train. plan ahead.
• once you are on the train, where do you plan on putting that giant wet umbrella? In the overhead luggage rack? uh, NO! try again....
• I realize that I take an early train, but sleeping across three seats on a peak-hour train is grounds for a beat down - and this train stops in Bridgeport, pal!
• If your cell phone/crackberry ringer is set to "obnoxious", ANSWER THE FUCKING PHONE!
• No one else in the train car wants to hear Miley Cyrus on infinite repeat for 40 minutes little girl!
• If you want to get your arrogant Armani covered ass on this train, you better move and let me get the hell off - unless you want to "watch the gap" up close.

And while I am whining about the people on the MTA, let me complain - again - about these freaking trains. I've covered this before, but apparently no one was listening.

Now, don't get me wrong, the MTA staff on the train rocks. They are professional, polite and they take pity on you when you aren't paying attention and end up in Harlem (nothing wrong with Harlem, but I was aiming for Greenwich).

BUT can you PLEASE maintain the train cars? Yes, I am aware that you've ordered new cars. great. That may help when they get here - NEXT YEAR. Oh, wait, my bad they begin to arrive in a year, but you won't have them all until 2012. thanks. even if the train fairy delivered them all today. It still isn't enough.

Gas prices are going up. I-95 isn't getting any less crowded. More people are taking the train, 20% more in the first quarter this year. Every day the trains are more and more crowded. The Friday afternoon trains are SO full, that the conductors can't even move up and down the aisles to collect tickets. it can't be safe to run the trains that full.

What does NOT help matters is when trains are regularly a car short. Even worse? A car short and at least one car with rain leaking in so badly that half of the seats can't be used. No, actually, even worse was the Friday afternoon express that was not only a car short, BUT two of the cars were without a/c - in July - in CT. It was so hot in those cars that it was unsafe! So glad you got that one fixed - almost a week later...

Don't get me wrong, I'm really enjoying the commute - since I don't have to drive. I really like my job, but I couldn't handle the commute if I had to deal with the mess on I-95... even if gas were free. It is just that some mornings, the little things piss you off... and some days I just feel like bitching (I'm tired and I'm sore and it's my blog. get over it.)

Another Random Recap

Kids:
Saturday, we took the kids to Devon Day. there were rides, ice cream, popcorn, magic show, and, of course, face painting. Andy got a Praying Mantis (his favorite bug. he actually found one hanging out in my veggie garden a couple of weeks ago. Good bugs.. we like that!)

Ryan got a Hermit Crab (or so he called it) "tattoo" on his arm. No, he's not like his dad AT ALL...




Colin's vocab is just EXPLODING! new words every day. I forgot how amazing this phase is.

The boys filled up the marble jar and were rewarded with a shopping spree at the book store. I've never seen them so overwhelmed with options.. not even at the toy store!

This is week 2 of Karate Camp. The boys had So much fun last week, that we didn't need to think twice about sending them to the additional week.

Knitting:
I am making slow but steady progress on my Anniversary Shawl. I've gotten this beading thing down, so the pace is picking up now. It still looks like a mess of seaweed, just with pearls in it now. Once I finish this tier, I'll try to pin it out for some pictures.

Since Ryan liked Todd's socks so much, and I had so much yarn leftover, he is getting a pair too. They are my current commuter knit.



I finished my shorts, short of weaving in the ends. I'm not loving them. I need to force myself to sew in the ends, try them on and give them a change before I decide they are an UGH! and yes, I will take pictures of the monstrosity for your amusement.

Assholes:

We had a great streak going there for a while.... but this asshole blew it last night. Just when I thought people were getting the picture...


Injuries:

According to my doctor, my leg is healing well. I think it still looks pretty nasty, but hey, he went to Med School... I didn't... I'm back on my bike, but not without pain when I pedal. It is still better than driving or taking the cab.. I think I've become addicted to my daily rides. There are worse things....

As far as the legal action, I was contacted by the drivers insurance company and referred them to my lawyer, so I guess that ball is starting to roll...

oh- and it isnt' just me, see!

Back in the saddle....

I got my bike back on Saturday (yes, I bought a new helmet!). I was really happy to be back on the bike Monday morning.. until the clouds unleashed their vengeance on me about 3 blocks from the station. NOT.FUN. neither was the cold, wet train ride (I had a change in the office thank goodness!). My commute didn't improve with the bus ride. Some lady pulled out into the side of the bus. She destroyed the front end of her car and scratched the bus. Still, it is better than being hit on your bike... but really, 2 accidents in two weeks? Enough already!

Monday night also meant stitch removal for me. While I am THRILLED to be rid of them, the bandages and the itching, I'm not liking the return of the pain! It hurt getting them out and it hurts to even touch my leg again. Still, the doctor said it looks good and is healing well. I'll take his word for it. It looks like I have a vagina on my leg. (nice mental picture, no?) I did bring Andy with me. He was fascinated adn asked lots of questions. He said it looked easy...

As for the potential legal action, I'm leaving that up to my lawyer and not expecting any news soon.

While we are on the topic of commuting, I finished Todd's Patriotic Socks. He was putting the first one on while I was sewing in the ends on the second. Guess he likes them! I know Ryan does because I have been oredered to make a pair for him. I've got plenty of yarn leftover for a kid pair, so why not? next pair is MINE.

KABOOM!

Well, I started off my Holiday weekend a little early and with a big bang. Due to possible probable legal actions, I'm not going to go into detail here, but, this is what happens when a car pulls out in front of a bike.

you'll notice that while I have street slicks on them, those are trail rims - heavier and stronger than street rims.... yeah... If you look closely, you will also see that the left brake lever is a bit on the reddish side... That'd be from impaling me in the thigh. Luckily, it went into some "well placed padding" (those were teh doctors words - not mine!) so it wasn't the worst case injury. I did end up with 7 stitches and a rather nasty bruise. I'll spare you the pictures....

While I was home and resting on my now 5-day weekend, my boys took good care of me. Dr. Andy was fascinted by my stitches and the wound itself. Ryan was busy making sure I had everything I needed and even helped me change the bandage. Maybe we have a nurse in the making? or maybe he was sucking up for marbles. By Sunday, they were over me and back to being seagulls*.

I had the camera out, taking pictures of the bike before Todd brought it back to the bike shop and I kept hearing a little voice say "cheese.. CHEESE!"

then a not so little voice say "ME TOO!"

On the 4th we went to my in-laws for a cook-out and fireworks. I had the camera out to show them the bike pictures and I heard it again..."Mommy.. CHEESE!"


then another "ME TOO!"

I think his SuperHero Face ended up looking more like a mug shot...

I just happened to catch this one... how CUTE is this?


Happy belated Independance Day!

*If you didn't get this, watch Nemo. the seagulls are exactly like little kids - "mine mine mine".

Parade of Asshats

this is just since last Thursday.






Notice the second picture - TWO rather large SUVs blocking the driveway-one is also blocking the hydrant. I called the cops on that one. DO NOT block the effing hydrant. touchy subject with me. wonder why?

You Park Like an Asshole- Part 1

well, I don't mean you. Not unless you are the genius responsible for this stupidity (check out this site for more parking assholes!):



This dumbass managed to block BOTH of my driveways at the same time! JACKASS!

I Live on a corner. On one side of the lot there is a hydrant and our two driveways. There are several "NO PARKING" signs that indicate that you can not park from before the hydrant until the other side of the corner. Not to mention the "DO NOT BLOCK DRIVEWAY" signs.

Why is this such an issue in suburbia? We live across the street form a park. We go through this crap EVERY softball* season. Appearantly, these guys can play ball and drink beer, but are incapable of walking a block to get to the field. Then they wonder why I get so pissy about it. How about I block your damn driveway EVERYDAY, shout obsenities and sit on your lawn drinking piss beer and talking loudly until 10 pm even though you repeatedly tell me to keep it down because the babies are sleeping. think you'll get pissy? Just wait unil I start turning your sorry asses in for DUI....

*I love softball. It isn't summer without the clink of the bat and the chatter of the game. We spend summer nights eating dinner on the front porch and watching the games. I jsut don't think it is too much to ask for a little common curtosy...