I still get missed!

     When I go on vacations or take a few days off I do get missed. Yes, I know it's hard to believe. I deliver this route almost 95% of the time and seeing a new carrier in my place throws you guys a curve ball. Just the other day I was delivering to one of my new customers after I got back from vacation and when I walked in I was talking to her and sorting out her letters. She in turn says "you are missed when your gone" I asked her why and she says that anyone else that delivered while I was off didn't say a word when they came in. I told her after being on the street so long you don't hesitate to say something as long as I'm working and moving. Where the subs are more concerned with getting the mail right. I also have my shortcuts and what the customer expects of me, my subs don't. So, the next time I am off don't hesitate to say something to the sub first.

     I have been delivering mail in the Gaffer District( Market and Bridge street businesses) for over 10 yrs. now. When I first started I delivered by address# and business name. As time went by I learned your first and last names. But, still after 10 yrs I don't know every one's name and to me I am "Mailman"," Postman" "Mail guy"  Etc. Which, I don't mind at all. A lot of you have let me into your lives, not afraid to tell a life story, happy, sad or funny. I have cried with you, laughed with you. We have jokingly swore at each other and called each other names out of fun, as long as customers aren't around to here us.

 
          To some of you have become my friends not my customers and that's the way I like it.
    

Relaxing Day!

      I have been busy the last few weeks with my  new grandson  I couldn't ask for a better baby. He eats, pees, poops and sleeps all night. I also have a granddaughter due in July. So, life is going to get busier. I will on the other hand get more baby picture practice. Because these photos will be priceless.

      I also have been busy taking pictures at a barrel race rodeo on the River Road in Corning. My great niece is a rider and I told her I would come out to take a "few" pictures. The few pictures turned out to be over a 1,000 and I was able to get 600 good to great shots. I have more shows to go to so that will keep me busy over the summer

   Today  I decided to skip eating lunch . I brought my camera and sat down on one of the benches on the street. I call them the   " Husband Benches" because, most of the time the husbands, boyfriends Etc. are sitting at them outside the major stores waiting for the spouses to shop.
     

I got quite a few photos of people going by and there were a lot due to the weather. As I sat down one of my friends I see daily wheeled up in his chair and chatted with me as I shot pictures.





We talked about daily stuff and happenings.











The approaching Glass Fest (more pictures)

 Tourists( I think I saw 4 different busses today) to how nice the weather was.





















 Finally my time was up to go back to work and finish my day.















Tomorrow is another day!

    


    

I was hit by a bus!!!

     Gotcha!! It wasn't a bus!! But, got you to look. I did though get hit by a teenager on a bicycle!!
     I was delivering my last house of the day, when I walked out onto the sidewalk and as I did a teen on his mountain bike slammed into me. He had to of been going at least 15- 20 mph. I was able to turn just in time to miss my special parts between my legs. His brake scraped my right thigh and his tire hit my  inside left thigh. I got knocked back onto to my bottom and he then finished by running over my right ankle and left shin.
     when I hit the concrete I was already yelling at the kid " ARE YOU THAT F_ING STUPID RIDING YOUR BIKE THAT FAST ON THE SIDE WALK!!!"" GET ON THE STREET!!" He then asks if I am all right. I looked at him and say "NO!! YOU HIT ME WITH YOUR BIKE!!" At that moment he decides to leave me there on the street. The barber from the shop comes out to see if I'm OK, a few seconds later another customer pulls up and a few seconds later three police cars pull up coming from another call.  I gave the police my statement as another officer went to find the kid. Turns out the "kid" was only 14. No charges! I ended up finishing my route and was sore for a few days.It just shows some kids have no common sense or respect.
     A few days later my wife and I were driving through Arbys' and a group of people were on the cross walk. I stopped to let them pass. Two boys were wrestling with each other with their backs to us. To get their attention that I was there I honked my horn, since they were throwing each other around. I didn't want them to fall in front of me as I started to move. I got by them to pull up to the drive thru and as I looked into my mirror the boys both shot double birds at me. Again, no respect!

    

 

What are you doing??

     It has been nice the last few days. Temps in the high 60's to 70's. I was able to don the shorts and sun hat. I still get asked " what are you doing with a camera? Shouldn't you be working?" But, I am getting more smiles at the camera. Now that it is nicer, I will be in Center way Square for my lunch break, "Working" with my camera.

     As for being asked what I am doing?! I have been asked that by many people even when it is obvious. I had a neighbor come out one day while I was on the roof . I had a hammer in one hand and a shingle in the other. He looks up and says" what are you doing? "  I looked down and say with a smile " I am about to paint the ceiling! Do you want to help? " Since he didn't like my answer, he proceeded to ask how long it would take to get rid of the debris around my house from the old shingles. I looked down and said with a smile " if you start loading it into the truck while I finish the ceiling it would get done quickly!" Apparently not a good answer. He went inside his home and I finished painting the ceiling. .

     Well, short and sweet today! I figured my short story was good enough for today. Enjoy the day and be safe.







    

Happy Easter!!

     Well, spring weather was around for a day. I was able to get out and enjoy my lunch break yesterday, walking around and  taking pictures.

 The bridge is getting done and people are out and about getting ready for Easter Sunday. Some of the pictures are from last weeks nice weather also.

It's good to see Dewey Storm getting around. There is a big benefit for him at the end of April to cover hospital and travel costs for his cancer treatment.  I hope everyone can make it. Check out the posters on Market Street for date and times. I will be donating some pictures for the silent auctions.

     As for Kathleen Richardson not seeing any robins yet, I did!! There were a dozen or so out on my walk to work the other day. Chirpping like crazy as if spring is out there somewhere or saying "who's  idea was it to come back here??!!"
     I will be getting some pictures around for Glass Fest here in Corning. I was meaning to do it last year but, had no time. I might not put a lot out only to have them not sell. But, I also have a site on Smugmug.com to purchase other prints I have done. The page needs some work so bare with me.
 <a href="http://choicephoto.smugmug.com/Photography/Choicephotos/27320324_m3dqgx#!i=2296329752&k=Q7gcLTN&lb=1&s=A" title=""><img src="http://choicephoto.smugmug.com/Photography/Choicephotos/i-Q7gcLTN/0/M/5-M.jpg" title="" alt=""></a>

     I hope everyone has a Happy Easter and enjoy some time with family and friends!!!

Spring Fever!!

     Well, I'm back. I don't like to take pictures on my breaks in the winter. Too harsh on me and the camera. I got a chance to take some Market Steet pics the last couple days. I am finding out how camera shy people are. Even, if it is the mailman taking their picture.
     I also have noticed how weird some people get in general. I was delivering to the Social Security office the other day. A young man around 20 was talking to the guard when I walked in. He was saying he wanted to sign up to the military and since this was a government office he was ready to enlist. He wanted to talk to someone so he could sign up and that they would take him. He said he really wanted to go in the service. I had walked past him to the door I go to to be let in and I got to be part of the conversation. He says " let me talk to him. He has a uniform on, he can sign me up. The guard asked him what he wanted and if it had to do with Social Security. If he didn't he needed to leave. He says "OK! I understand and  I'm sorry. You guys have a nice day." As he was walking out the door he says " Hale Hitler"   Nice!!!!

     The other night I was taking my sons friend home and there were police just a few houses down. I found out today that a man had walked into a residence and started yelling at the man inside. The stranger then left and went to the next house pounding on the door and threatened that person. By the time police came he tried to break in four houses. They finally catch the guy and the judge releases him and he does it again the next day.

     There has to be something in the air. Must be spring fever!!
    

Common sense.

     Some people just don't have any common sense. I was delivering to city hall the other day and they have been remodeling the whole building to make more office space. At the bottom of the stairs there is a sign that says the elevators are out of service. If you need assistance please contact someone. Common sense right??? Wrong!! As I was coming out of the the courts temporary office upstairs I have to pass by the elevator that has a "LARGE"  yellow strip of safety tape across it.( and you know there is one downstairs too) An elderly woman comes out of the elevator and ducks under the tape like it was a normal thing to do. I just keep going and laughing to myself.

     I always remembered growing up that if I thought something was going to hurt me, my common sense would stop me or if I needed to do something a safe way as not to get hurt my common sense would tell me how to do it safer.Apparently some people don't think before they do!! I also did learn some things the hard way. But, common sense told me not to do it again. One of my nephews who was around 5 yrs old at the time decided to urinate behind his house. I here him scream several different times. I come running to him and he is crying at the time. He said every time he would pee in the bushes he got a big shock. I looked around expecting bees or something, instead he was urinating on the electric fence. Me on the other hand one shock would have been enough common sense to tell me not to do it again!!!!