@charlesdjardin.bsky.social
Aspiring shepherd, occasional builder of electric guitar kits, financier…
The incumbent administration and leadership are just abhorrent. This behaviour has behaved in an unconscionable manner at every turn.
December 2, 2025 at 1:00 AM
The incumbent administration and leadership are just abhorrent. This behaviour has behaved in an unconscionable manner at every turn.
Sincere question (not cynical): One wonders how many eligible voter attendees turned out last November. And how many are center-to-conservative.
October 19, 2025 at 1:17 AM
Sincere question (not cynical): One wonders how many eligible voter attendees turned out last November. And how many are center-to-conservative.
I agree! My town (suburban NJ) has a top notch restaurant ecosystem, which developed from practically nothing in the late 80s.
September 10, 2025 at 7:05 PM
I agree! My town (suburban NJ) has a top notch restaurant ecosystem, which developed from practically nothing in the late 80s.
I actually agree with you on this. Mainly I get frustrated at how a generation ago it was so simple to enjoy everything NYC has to offer, but years of transportation “failures” (such as the oft-postponed gateway project) and added fees and tolls have really eaten away at the enjoyment.
September 9, 2025 at 6:45 PM
I actually agree with you on this. Mainly I get frustrated at how a generation ago it was so simple to enjoy everything NYC has to offer, but years of transportation “failures” (such as the oft-postponed gateway project) and added fees and tolls have really eaten away at the enjoyment.
NJT has managed to make the LIRR look good. If I get to Penn Station late at night, there is a good chance that there will be a service cancellation, which leaves me (and family) with pretty much one option.... to take a car service / ride share home. It's really not something we want to do.
September 9, 2025 at 6:23 PM
NJT has managed to make the LIRR look good. If I get to Penn Station late at night, there is a good chance that there will be a service cancellation, which leaves me (and family) with pretty much one option.... to take a car service / ride share home. It's really not something we want to do.
Ah! Funny you should ask... Mass transit in and out of The City is still nowhere near its capacity or frequency since the pandemic. If one is at a Broadway show or client dinner that extends towards 11PM, NJT is absolutely NOT reliable. For instance: www.bloomberg.com/graphics/202...
NJ Transit Is NYC’s Least Reliable Commuter Rail — By a Long Shot
An analysis of real-time train data shows its passengers face major service disruptions at six times the rate of riders on other NYC commuter railways.
www.bloomberg.com
September 9, 2025 at 6:21 PM
Ah! Funny you should ask... Mass transit in and out of The City is still nowhere near its capacity or frequency since the pandemic. If one is at a Broadway show or client dinner that extends towards 11PM, NJT is absolutely NOT reliable. For instance: www.bloomberg.com/graphics/202...
Incidentally- this is not about me hating cities, or apathy on pedestrian safety. It’s more of an expression that over the last forty years (including 7 of which when I was a Manhattan resident) everything has become steadily less fun, and more ways to get sandbagged by surprise fees. It all adds up
September 9, 2025 at 4:57 PM
Incidentally- this is not about me hating cities, or apathy on pedestrian safety. It’s more of an expression that over the last forty years (including 7 of which when I was a Manhattan resident) everything has become steadily less fun, and more ways to get sandbagged by surprise fees. It all adds up
As I implied - the $9 cost is at the margin. And wrt red light cams, twice now I've gotten tickets in which I was waved forward BY A COP to keep moving through an intersection in heavy traffic. In both situations, I couldn't make it all the way through the intersection. 3 days later, I got a tkt.
September 9, 2025 at 4:47 PM
As I implied - the $9 cost is at the margin. And wrt red light cams, twice now I've gotten tickets in which I was waved forward BY A COP to keep moving through an intersection in heavy traffic. In both situations, I couldn't make it all the way through the intersection. 3 days later, I got a tkt.
I’m happy that theaters and restaurants are doing well. I’m just not motivated to go for non-business. There are plenty of good restaurants in NJ, and I’ve enjoyed attending concerts in Philly or the Meadowlands, instead of seeing acts at MSG or Radio City. And they’re much cheaper!
September 9, 2025 at 4:04 PM
I’m happy that theaters and restaurants are doing well. I’m just not motivated to go for non-business. There are plenty of good restaurants in NJ, and I’ve enjoyed attending concerts in Philly or the Meadowlands, instead of seeing acts at MSG or Radio City. And they’re much cheaper!
Not irrational at all, and the $9 is just a cost at the margin that pushes the overall cost of commuting to over $100, generally. Hell, midtown parking (without a super early arrival) can be as high as $79. Lincoln Tunnel tolls just went up to the $16-18 range.
September 9, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Not irrational at all, and the $9 is just a cost at the margin that pushes the overall cost of commuting to over $100, generally. Hell, midtown parking (without a super early arrival) can be as high as $79. Lincoln Tunnel tolls just went up to the $16-18 range.
I live in the region. I’ve responded to congestion pricing (and also the speed cams and red light cams, and toll increases, and mass transit fare increases) by simply avoiding NYC entirely. I don’t see shows, visit clients there, take them out to dinner, etc. Of COURSE traffic is down.
September 9, 2025 at 3:11 PM
I live in the region. I’ve responded to congestion pricing (and also the speed cams and red light cams, and toll increases, and mass transit fare increases) by simply avoiding NYC entirely. I don’t see shows, visit clients there, take them out to dinner, etc. Of COURSE traffic is down.
And I’m pretty sure the “journalist” victims claims are fake, too.
August 14, 2025 at 3:18 PM
And I’m pretty sure the “journalist” victims claims are fake, too.
I support Israel because they are taking steps to keep their own citizens from being murdered by religious lunatics. And besides, the casualty counts are BS (source: hamas) and hamas is responsible because they co-locate military assets in sensitive buildings. (Schools, hospitals, etc.)
August 14, 2025 at 3:17 PM
I support Israel because they are taking steps to keep their own citizens from being murdered by religious lunatics. And besides, the casualty counts are BS (source: hamas) and hamas is responsible because they co-locate military assets in sensitive buildings. (Schools, hospitals, etc.)
Hamas absolutely are responsible. What was their plan to protect civilians when they attacked? Why do they forbid non-fighters from sheltering in tunnels?
August 14, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Hamas absolutely are responsible. What was their plan to protect civilians when they attacked? Why do they forbid non-fighters from sheltering in tunnels?
If it’s AlJaz, he’s a fucking tool of hamas. Did any AlJaz reporters actually keep any Israelis hostage? <ChecksNotes>…
…Yes. Fuck them and fuck hamas.
…Yes. Fuck them and fuck hamas.
August 10, 2025 at 10:13 PM
If it’s AlJaz, he’s a fucking tool of hamas. Did any AlJaz reporters actually keep any Israelis hostage? <ChecksNotes>…
…Yes. Fuck them and fuck hamas.
…Yes. Fuck them and fuck hamas.
Those children look really well-fed! But… the backdrop suggests they are in the middle of the war zone. Huh…
August 10, 2025 at 9:46 PM
Those children look really well-fed! But… the backdrop suggests they are in the middle of the war zone. Huh…
Not congress critters…
July 10, 2025 at 11:04 PM
Not congress critters…
I’m imagining these tweets being read out loud by Sacha Baron Cohen.
June 7, 2025 at 1:28 PM
I’m imagining these tweets being read out loud by Sacha Baron Cohen.