Congested New Jersey??

The recent US census shows New Jersey ranks top on traffic congestion.

My experience tells me otherwise. I commute daily between interchanges 24 and 52 on I-78 and then interchanges 142 and 148 on the Garden State Parkway.

It takes me about 45 to 53 minutes to travel these exits to go to work.

Traffic flows smoothly unless there is an accident...then your day is gone.

We may be congested, whatever it meant, but we make things move swiftly, here.

Some post about being in New Jersey

It seems like New Jersey has "flat" job opportunities, but it is the opposite I see them all the place. It is a matter of looking for them, professional, high tech, or blue collar jobs. As an entrepreneur, New Jersey is small business friendly. It is the small business that keeps a strong middle class and keeps the economically disadvantaged out of welfare.

It is my penny's thought.

Some serious thought I am not good at it.

Bon Jovi Unplugged

It was a great show on VH1 channel.

It was an hour of good music.

An encore on CMT channel Sunday at 9 PM will feature an hour and a half of Bon Jovi Unplugged.

Check it out... a wholesome TV show to watch on a Sunday night.

Matt's Out-of-Town Friends

It is almost 1 o'clock am in New Jersey. Matt's out-of-town friends will be visiting the City tomorrow.

They are in the pool at this moment... about 80 degrees. It looks cold to me.

For them, they are having a good time!

Karen and I are a little bit worried about our neighbors... voices echoes well at night.

It is only for a night.

I would do the same at their age!

Let them have some fun in Tewksbury, New Jersey!

Our Regional High School in New Jersey

It was Matt's graduation day. We are proud of him.

Bon Jovi in Newark

Bon Jovi will perform in October at the Prudential Arena in Newark, the home of the New Jersey ice hockey team, Devils.

It is time to show to the world that Newark can provide a wholesome entertainment.

I look forward to it.

My Favorite Billboard Icon in Times Square

I had a CME dinner conference Ruth's Chris Steak House on W 51st St in NYC. The conference was informative and clinically relevant to practice. Food was excellent. A choice of entree, consisted of fillet Mignon, lamb chop or grilled salmon. I chose lamb chop, rare and an Argentinian red wine to wash it down. For dessert, chocolate sinner cake was served.

After the conference, I decided to walk to 42nd St (Times Square) to catch the downtown R train to 34th St instead of at 50th St. There was a cool breeze despite a recorded temperature of 84 degrees Fahrenheit. I looked up and the LCD graphic display on the building seemed gets fancier every time I visit the City. But I noticed something was missing on these billboards. My old fashioned "Ramen Noodle" icon was gone, replaced by a glitzy Budweiser LCD billboard.

The streets were teeming with humanity on a weekday at 10 o'clock at night.

The City has truly changed.

Kayaking along the Hudson River

I have noticed an increased human activity lately kayaking along the Hudson River in spring and summer.

My observation was confirmed by today's local newspaper.

It is a unique way to view the skyline.

It was rare sight in the late 80's and early 90's.

The Hudson River is becoming green and fit for a wholesome human activity.

First Sight of Firefly on a Sunday Afternoon

It was cooler today in contrast from yesterday temperature, brought by a high pressure from the west. But it was cloudy due the the low pressure from north of us in the Canadian border.

I do sound like a weather person.

It was great afternoon to tend my backyard, trees and everything else without getting much sweat.

I grilled homemade burgers topped with cheddar cheese and my wife sauteed mushroom and onion for the burgers, a fine simple dinner.

At dusk, firefly flickered over the trees and bushes and a sight to enjoy. Summer is on its way for sure.

It was my simple pleasure for the day.

Someone Visiting the City

A classmate is visiting the area. He claims to be in Manhattan before, that will put my colleague in the region in a defensive mode.

But, we will be a good host.

There is more than just visiting the City.

The Sopranos

This Sunday will be the last episode of "The Sopranos". There are many comments and predictions about the fate of Tony. I have not seen any of the episodes the movie since I do not subscribe to HBO. I think I posted this similar predicament some months ago.

At any rate, I can finally rent the whole series via Netflix, Blockbuster, or my local video store and watch each of the episode without a hurry.

In my opinion, Tony will go, fade away, vanished or ended up in a mental institution.

I will watch these episodes over and over, in a similar way as I have watched my favorite movie "The Legend of Sleepy Hallow".

Vulture Culture in New Jersey

I am a naturist short of being a member of a nudist camp in nearby Somerset county.

There has been a come back of black vulture to New Jersey. They are called that way because of the dark gray featherless head in contrast to the turkey vulture whose head has that bright red color similar to a turkey head.

I have noticed this event in my daily commute.

Road kill is a common occurrence and these raptors are the natural undertakers of these carrion.

At first sight, these birds looks ugly. But, they are elegant and mellow birds.

At least in Tewksbury, a balanced ecology is coming back.

The Other Side and Most Likely the Real Side of New Jersey

We do have trees in New Jersey...indigenous trees.

My Limited View of Politics

The presidential election is still far away but GOP and Democrat debates have aired on CNN. It seems like we are in a political emergency.

I think we are in the right tract. We need to debate, discuss and brain storm our policy for this nation and our relationship with the world with more time than previous election.

In these debates, Hiliary and Rudy seems to stand out.

I am not surprised.

A penny of my Jersey thought.

By the way, I had a lively discussion of the above with my son.

A Jersey Attitude

There have been threat to the tristate area.

But, this will not hinder my freedom to travel and visit the greatest city in the world. I trust the responsible citizens in the region and the regional enforcement agencies. And my gut instinct!

Fear is not an option.

Have a nice a day!

An Execellent Dinner Recipe from Bon Appetit

My wife prepared dinner made of salmon fillet rubbed with sesame oil, spiced with finely chopped garlic and ground black pepper, drizzled with cooking soy sauce. Several baby bok choys covered the fish.

Wrapped the above on aluminum foil.

I fired up the grill to high heat. Transfer the wrapped fish from a flat baking sheet onto the grill. Cook for 25 minutes.

She boiled jasmine rice (milagrosa rice) with grated lemon skin, finely chopped garlic and scallion.

Dinner was served with red wine and sparkling cider for the kids.

It was fine dining at home on a Sunday afternoon.

(Bon Appetit June 2007, page 109)

A Visit to the City Today

It is nice to be back into the ethernet. I had some issues with my wireless pc card adaptor and my Microsoft.net framework. I am hardwired via LAN now. I will figure it out later which wireless brand to choose from.

I had a conference in Times Square this morning. It ended about noon time. It was sunny and a little bit humid but the streets were filled up with visitors from out of town.

What stands out in this crowd on 45th st and Broadway was this infamous transvestite enjoying his/her popularity from passers-by taking pictures. I wish I had the camera with me.

So now, Times Square has the "naked" cowboy and the "beautiful" transvestite.

There is always something interesting in Times Square!