Wineglass Marathon

     Well! I was able to get to the 32nd annual Wineglass marathon. I sat on the Bridge St. Bridge and I took over 2800 pictures. I had a great time. Hearing some runners asking how far, some moans, pain in their faces, breathlessness to getting sick.
      I was also blessed to get shots of families running or even walking together. Family members and friends that finished going back to help the ones still running. I was able to see some run I haven't seen in 30 years to friends and customers. Some stopped to pose for me,give me a thumbs up and smile as they run, walk or crawl by.
     All in all it was a great day. The weather was a little too warm and hard on the runners. One runner started wheezing as she ran by and stopped a few feet from me. She had a panic look on her face. She told me she has never felt that way before. To me it sounded like an Asthma attack. But, she could have been getting the cold that's going around that has the same affects. I talked her through it and she went on running.

     Some day I hope to run at least one half marathon. I walk many miles and carry a heavy pack. But my breathing sucks. I just need to get out there and start trotting. Even if it's just a little a day!

     Congratulations to all the runners. 

P.S.

Here is the link to the gallery of picture I have uploaded so far.

http://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-PTWNG

How did you know who I was??

Clock Tower Center-way  Park

A casual ride

     I do have a pretty good memory when it comes to the delivery of the mail. If I am delivering and have gotten a change of address, I remember the names of who moved. So, I don't put your mail in the box. If I see you every day and you reach into your box. I am assuming your the person I put mail in the box for( I am sometimes off on that one). I also get the customers that have their names on the boxes. I might get a letter that doesn't match the names on the box. If I have never seen the name before I would try it. If it shows up in the box the next day that person isn't there.

A pup and his owner

enjoying the sun

    Now, I also get  reminded daily by some customers of who they are. They tell me their name and that they live at this or that address.(almost weekly). Let's just call the person I am talking about today "Bob".(there are more like him but, he made me laugh!) Every time I would get to the box this gentleman would say " Hi my name is Bob and I live here. Do you have any mail for me?" Most of the time he didn't. So, this routine has been going on for about 6 months. 

posing for the camera

     Now I know "Bob", which box is his and also know not to put mail in his box that's not his.( Even though the boxes aren't labeled!) Today I am walking down "Bobs" street. He is waiting by his box as I come around. There is a package in my satchel with "Bobs" name on it. Now as I stated before. I now know "Bob"! I take the package, scan it and hand it to "Bob". He looks at the package to see the name on it, he then looks at me and says " How did you know who I was???" I just said "lucky guess" and smiled!

posing for another photographer

starting of Autumn

     It has been pretty nice weather this week and Fall is on it's way. You can probably tell by the leaves in my pictures.  I have a feeling we are in for a harsh winter. Mark my words and we will look back to this blog to see if I was right!(It's just a feeling!!)

Stopping the mail.

     Yes!!! I know it's been a while. And again between grandkids, work and taking pictures I have thinned my time out! I'm trying to get more organized and keep this blog going.
      The photos on this post are from my shoot I did at https://www.facebook.com/happyglass88?rf=169721426375315. I had the privilege to shoot the making of the Wineglass Marathon medallions for 2013.

     As for my funny of the day:

I was delivering to my last group of apartments and a woman was unlocking her door. I handed her a piece of mail addressed to her apartment. She looked at it and asked if she could give it back to me. I said it's just a current resident piece of mail. She then asked how she could stop getting this mail at her residence. I told her to either write to the sender or get the number. She then asked if there was a way to stop all her "junk" mail. I said there was an address or number to call to stop all advertisement mail but, I don't have it. She then asked if she called the post office if they would have the number. ( why would we have an address or number to stop delivery??) I said you could try. Then she asks if she could block her mail slot to stop me from putting mail in her apartment. ( she really doesn't want delivery does she??) She kept asking questions in ways to stop the mail and I told her. By this time I had gone to the end of the complex and was heading back to her, I was in full uniform and carrying my satchel and she asks. " Do you work for the post office here???" ( No I just wear a US Postal uniform carrying mail and put mail in boxes and slots for the fun!!)
     I had finally got past her and made it to the main office and I asked the manager who the person was I had been talking to. I find out that she is from Canada and comes down about once a month. Now I get all her questioning. Up there they are lucky to get mail 3 days a week, if at all!! Let alone see a mailman!! This is why when I am on Market Street and I run in to Canadians they want a picture of me with them. I am an extinct figure up there!!

     I am glad I have a job that is secure for now. Not sure for how long but, hoping till I retire!!













   

 

A few funny things this week.

     I was in one of my businesses the other day. I decided to take a comfort stop. I opened the bathroom door and I heard this strange vibrating noise over the sink. At first I didn't see anything, Then, I realized that the large 4ft x 4ft mirror was falling toward me. I caught it in time and pushed it back in place. If it didn't make the noise it did I would have had it on my head. I went back out in the hall and a man in the next room said it happened to him earlier. OK!!! He said maybe He should call someone to fix it." That would be great!" I said. What I wanted to say was "Don't you think it would have been wise to call someone before it happened again???" I could just picture the mirror landing on my head. It would be more then 7 years bad luck!!

     That same day I was farther down the street getting ready to cross. I notice this couple on the other side waiting to cross. She had a small camera in her hand. Which, I thought she was taking a picture of the clock tower. When we passed each other she yelled toward me and says " I take your picture!!!" It made me laugh out loud and took the memory of the large mirror falling toward me away. At least for a few minutes.

     Yesterday I was turning into the YMCA. It was changed to a one way a few months ago. So, I get upset when people are coming toward you the wrong way. This time I felt I should do something about it. As I entered that day a large truck was going out the wrong way. I decided to block her a little and point to the sign to show her she was in the wrong. I motioned her to turn around and showed her my index finger stating "ONE WAY" as I moved my lips. She proceeded to get by me and all I heard was " A_ _ H_ _ _!!. I figure I did the right thing and hoped she learned her lesson. I was feeling proud of my actions., giving my self a high five and smiling!!! Until, I got to the entrance of the building on the other side. There at the exit area the electric company was blocking the street!!! OOOPPPPSSS!!!!!!

 The race fans are headed into town this week. So, things should get interesting. I will keep you posted!!

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!