Port Authority Adventures!

Pooch stuffed in backpack by owner for ride home.

Pooch stuffed in backpack for ride home.

Tonight’s journey home made me realize the peculiarity of life at times.

I’m a people watcher for the most part, I don’t always key in on one person over another, but once in awhile, they draw you to them, whether they want the attention or not. I take the bus home from work most days/nights and as I was awaiting my bus’ arrival, I stood behind a man with a rather large backpack. Now some might wonder if this man was what we’d refer to as suspicious with the fear and paranoia we carry around with us on a daily basis, but in fact…this man was no threat to our security. In his backpack, he sported a medium sized canine which could not appear to be more content. I suppose he (or she) has taken this trip a time or two. Maybe they have an act they take on the road and he pays the dog in kibble…who knows?!

Now just seeing the dog with the man was not what was disturbing as I’ve seen pets transported on subways, buses, trains…and occasionally in a bagpack of some sort. But what bothered me was seeing this poor pooch actually being stuffed into the backpack before he went outside to enter the bus. This was no toy poodle. More like a golden retriever possibly or a mixed breed. But regardless, it just didn’t seem right forcing Fido into that bag…whether he/she accepted it or not. But I digress…there was more going on that just this gem.

Behind me, to my dismay, there was a man down on the ground and a convoy of police officers surrounding him. Now it seemed as if the patron had passed out. I would hope he was not beaten by the authorities, but I saw no blood, so I assumed otherwise.  I was waiting for a bus for approximately 15 minutes and as I waited, the crowd around this unfortunate traveler grew. I just hope things work out for him.

And last, but certainly not least, a crazy man was in the mix!

The man looked to be in his mid to late 40′s with glasses, a mix of dark hair with some grey…the dark prevailing and a thin frame. To my left, I see him wander aimlessly over to a man (turned out to be a driver for NJ Transit bus #32 to Nutley) and a woman just waiting like the rest of us. From the woman’s reports, he was prattling on, talking jibberish and  at one point said to the employee, “You think it’s okay, you think it’s okay?” And the driver replied, “It’ll be okay buddy.” The nut then said, “No it’s not okay, do you see my glasses, look at my glasses!” I don’t know what that means, but when dealing with irrational people, the meaning behind the words is difficult to translate.

I hope you have similar adventures in your travels…minus the sick guy of course. Be well all!!!

Robby Radio…signing off!!!

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RobbyRadio, October 27th 2009 | Posted in Main, Recent Posts

My Father

It has been a very tough time these last few months handling my father’s illnesses and frequent movement from one facility to the next. But I’m not the only one feeling the pain.

Aside from me, my sisters have also been watching my father deteriorate from a man that was once strong and in all of our eyes…nearly invincible. I’ve always felt that. Even as you’re growing into the adolescent world and learning new things, hitting college and becoming an adult and then starting families of your own, you want to believe that nothing can hurt them. You want to honestly tell yourself that they can handle anything that comes their way. But the sad truth is that they are mortal like the rest of us and while they can endure their own pain and even ours from an emotional standpoint as we’re growing up…it’s a tough realization to recognize that they are having to do that as well as manage their own pain, which at times appears to be crippling.

My mother has had a rough go of it. In the last few months since my father has been basically bed-ridden, she has found herself trying to make sense of his conditions while also making time to see him, work, and keep herself healthy, which more often than not is an arduous task. She has been drained physically, mentally and emotionally and I am astounded at how she continues to go on each and every day.

Late last week we found out that my father fell out of his bed at the facility caring for him now. This marks the third time over the last 4 months that he has had this happen. The most recent time was his last hospital stay almost 2 weeks to the day. The kicker is that there was no incident report filed. This of course allowed the hospital to temporarily sweep it under the rug. But believe you me, we are going to make certain that they face serious repercussions for their negligence.

When all is said and done, I really do hope that he will have the will and spirit to overcome all of this constant strife. I know I’ll be around to support him as will the rest of my family. I see how tough it’s been on him and I wish for him to keep fighting.

Thanks for reading,

Robby Radio

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RobbyRadio, October 25th 2009 | Posted in Main, Recent Posts

Can I just get PAST this?

Originally posted on Thursday, September 18th, 2008 on

http://robbyradio.blogspot.com/

The past is something we lament over from time to time. Well others may consider it just being nostalgic as lament has the undertones of regret seeded within it’s loins. I not only lament, but I also get nostalgic and fondly reminisce. This is, folks, the roller coaster that is Robby Radio’s brain. Many twists, turns, tailspins, loop-de-loops even before I level off and land at my next mental destination.

You ever look at yourself in the mirror, so disgusted with yourself that you want to just reach out and strangle you or just punch yourself in the face? I would advise against that since you’re in front of a mirror after all, but the sentiment is what matters. Frustration fills me to the brim on a near daily basis. I ask myself why I lament over things. I ask myself why I even become nostalgic or reminisce…fondly or otherwise and I can never answer my own question to my own satisfaction.

Truth be told, I’m my own worst enemy. I have been my entire life and while I know that I can do anything I put my mind to, (stole that from an after school special *wink wink*) it still maddens me how I don’t. It’s like a case of writer’s block that just won’t go away! But I digress.

I sit here typing out my emotions while I could be focusing on something more relevant. Something that relates to my field or just something I’m interested in knowing about. I suppose it’s helpful to have this catharsis of sorts from time-to-time, but I can’t help but wonder if it is helping or hurting me.

In the past, I used to have more motivation, more ambitions, more go get’em type gusto. Now I’m more subdued and seem to care less about things I once did. I realize that as you grow older, interests change or your level with regard to those interests lessen or you just find other things to occupy your time. But I seem to be more fair weather than I have ever been and it scares the ever-loving shit out of me! I don’t want to just settle, but this mental funk I’m in is so deep, I feel like I’ve been digging for years with little or no success.

While most know that I have a son now…aside from him, my motivation is sorely lacking. He gets me through most days. Looking at his smiling face makes me understand my purpose, but I KNOW that there is more out there for me to accomplish. It’s just a matter of me figuring it out.
The rant is done for now.

This is Robby Radio…signing OFF!!!

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RobbyRadio, October 23rd 2009 | Posted in Recent Posts

Seeing a cad makes me mad and even more sad

Originally posted on Wednesday, October 8th, 2008 on http://robbyradio.blogspot.com/

My buddy…we’ll call him JP, inspired me tonight. He gave me the motivation to write about something that has always ticked me off. Those of whom that can be considered cads. One definition of this word is as follows: A person whose behavior is unprincipled or dishonorable. It has come to my attention that my name has been sullied, soiled if you will. I like to think of myself as a pretty virtuous guy with a good personality and a work ethic that many would admire. Those reading this may believe I’m just tooting my own horn, but this couldn’t be farther from the truth. These qualities have been pointed out to me by countless friends and colleagues over the years.
But there are those that do not emulate this type of attitude, in fact they are simply cads. They are of the belief that they are exempt from blame in situations where things go array. Finger pointing is at a premium with these type of people. They never feel as if they have done wrong and will stop at nothing to point out the supposed flaws of others. They will step on toes, skirt around corners, get on the good side of the right people as long as it means that their record and reputation stay squeaky clean.

I’ve never been one to play games or go behind someone’s back whether we’ve had a disagreement or not. And this is with respect to my friends, family or anytime in my working life. I stand by that and I feel as if my loyalty and demeanor should be recognized, not overlooked as it consistently is where I work.

It seems to be the case that people don’t seem to speak up when things are going well, only when a problem surfaces. An old woman isn’t going to write to city hall to thank them for keeping the street smooth where she lives…instead she will contact them when a pothole is hindering her travel! She has no reason to make a stink otherwise.

Now the difference between this case and the cads I know and despise is that she has a legitimate gripe, while the others just enjoy the sound of their own voices. What boggles my mind more than anything else is how a person doing this can look at their reflection in the mirror without hanging their head. It astounds me how one can live comfortably knowing that they are unjustly ruining the life of someone else when their own inefficiencies are to blame for recent downfalls.

But in this man’s humble opinion…a person of this nature…a true CAD will never truly understand that a problem, ANY problem, could be the direct result of their failure to complete a task on their own. It is a deficiency in the personality that disables your understanding of right and wrong in the proper context. Responsibility is an afterthought!

I wish these people didn’t exist. Life is tough to begin with. I have a son and I am doing my best to raise him. He is only 4 and a half months old at this point, but I realize how arduous a task it will be in a world that is ever-changing. And to think that people like this unfortunately inhabit this planet, I shudder to think of what he may have to go through during his life dealing with those that live in their own delusional world of finger-pointing.

If I could rid the world of that mentality and teach people to own up to mistakes when they make them, I would feel good about my time here on earth. But the list is long my friends…the list is long.

Be well until next time all.

This is Robby Radio…signing OFF!!!

12 Comments

RobbyRadio, October 23rd 2009 | Posted in Recent Posts



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