Almost there I'm told

Today the good Prof notified me that I'm almost there. The way I posted my You Tube video isn't Politically Correct. The good Prof offered assistance which I would accept should all else fail.

To be truthful I was ticked at myself for not figuring out how to post the correct way. There is some German in me. My Dad told me I'm of "mongrel" background. So that allows me to be stubborn at times because it might be in my heritage. The video that follows is the result of perseverance.

Now to what led up to posting the video. Last week I was volunteered to take a family to NYC for some business. Their original appointment was at 8:30AM at the Federal Plaza. This is down in the south of Manhattan and close to the Tribeca area.

We were originally going to leave at 2AM so as to be there in plenty of time. Plus avoid the bulk of inbound rush hour traffic. The appointment had been changed to 10AM but they still wanted to leave at 2AM which we did arriving on the NYC side of the Holland around 5:30AM. At that point traffic was moderately comfortable. We parked and got some breakfast. Within an hour traffic was bumper to bumper with horns blowing and lots of drivers mouths going. Just as glad I was on the outside of their cars.

I will say that uniformed police and uniformed traffic police were doing a good job of keeping intersections open when traffic lights changed. In this area it was noticeable to me the different attitude toward the traffic police. I have been in other areas of the city where they were not obeyed or respected. I drove charter bus there for 3 years so I've seen plenty.

Some things are the same no matter where you are. Going into Mickey D's it was evident that there were several early morning "regulars" there. They all sat in one area and shared a paper. Their banter was centered around what was the hot item on the paper page they were looking at right then. One group would finish to be replaced with the next shift of people. Then there were those that were in a hurry and couldn't stand still. Or they had other problems.

After my charges headed for their appointment I walked around the area some. It was still rush hour. Maybe I should say it was the intense part of rush hour. It seems that it is rush hour all day in one sort or another. Mid morning the intensity lets up some. Then from 12 Noon it slowly builds to the evening rush hour.

Now, those that think their commute to work is too long think about this. At 6AM a Martz bus pulled up to a corner on Broadway and dropped off several passengers. They were commuter workers because in that stretch of Broadway you don't pull to the curb unless you are a bus. Martz is out of Wilkes Barre, PA and I know they run daily commuter buses to and from NYC. A bus company out of Allentown, PA does the same thing. Easily 60-80 buses between them. That may be a conservative number. We would see them parked all day on Manhattan's west side waiting till time for the return trip.

It seemed like everyone carried a lap top or a back pack or pulled a wheeled case of varying styles. There were people dressed to the hilt. There were the casual dressed. There were the blue collar clothes. But all had some sort of extra baggage.

A bit about Mickey D's. I have not been in a fast food in NYC that is styled any different. This one was 20-25 feet wide but very deep at the street/serving level. Minimal seating at the street level. The restroom was in the basement of which I have never found it different. Additional seating is on the second level. I got a free newspaper from a street box. Went in Mickey D's and got my "senior" coffee. Took both upstairs and found a single table right by the window that looks out on Broadway. Alternating sips of coffee, reading the paper and watching a sea of humanity rushing here and there I occupied my time. After awhile my charges came out the the building across the street.

After the necessary in preparation for an auto ride we retrieved my van from the parking garage to the tune of $38 + Tx and were on our way out of "Dodge." I like New York and am eager for a return trip. I have this wild idea that I'd like to live there for 3-6 months or more so I could experience what it is like to live that way. Having said that NYC always looks good in the rear view mirror.

Whatever this lacks in quality it has in quantity. Enjoy the risky video that follows. Whatever you do "don't attemt it at home."

Thanks Prof for jacking me up!

Shortchange Gene