Over the River LXXII
December 23, 2023
Highlights and lowlights from my 72nd two-wheeled trek to the Great State of New York:
1. Despite the early hour, there was a long line of cars waiting to enter the U.S. at the Rainbow Bridge, most of which were from in and around Toronto. Christmas shopping, I suspect. Most times, it’s a mixed bag of Canadians and returning Americans. CBP officers weren’t just waving people through either as all the lines moved slowly. I got more scrutiny than normal and the car three spots ahead of me was directed into secondary.
2. The driver of the #40 bus that took me to Buffalo spent much of the ride chewing on sunflower seeds and spitting the shells into a paper bag she had next to her.
3. If you feel your civil rights have been violated, file a written “compliant” . . .
4. Message on the overhead signage on I-190 near Vulcan Street, “If you drive high, you’re out of your mind.”
5. Written in the washroom at the Metropolitan Transportation Center, “All good pens get stolen.”
6. The abandoned Buffalo Central Terminal. It last saw action in 1979 and after many failed attempts, there are still efforts to repurpose it.
7. Video walkthrough of the Broadway Market:
8. Whereas I could care less, there are apparently those who do want you to know who they are . . .
9. Pick up some “jewerly” for that special lady in your life . . .
10. Soon after taking a seat at the downtown library, I was nearly treated to a fight as two hot-headed black guys passed by.
“You can suck my dick, you faggot.”
“You’re a rat.”
“I’m not a rat.”
“Leave me the f--- alone.”
“I’m going to kill your ass.”
As they passed by, a DWAM sitting nearby said, “Yo goin’ to disturb everyone’s morning?”
11. As an Erie County deputy sheriff chatted with the would-be combatants, a couple of disheveled older dudes took a seat nearby. One guy, talking his friend Alex who spoke with a Polish accent, said it was a Code Blue at the mission and he could only spend the day there. He also lamented that the mission wouldn’t be open on Christmas. No place to spend the night, he said. Then he mentioned how another friend of his got a job at a cheese company.
12. I spotted way too many DWAMs on the day, both at the library and at the Metropolitan Transportation Center.
13. Outside the Family Dollar on Niagara Street, a black guy had set up a table on the sidewalk, where he was peddling shoes.
14. Whereas in past trips, most paid with cash, on the bus rides to and from Buffalo, nearly everyone paid with their phone. In fact, I was one of only two passengers who paid with cash. Not a good sign. Learn from your Canadian neighbors. The so-called “smartphone” is an Orwellian surveillance tool that Big Brother would’ve loved to have had in his arsenal.
14a. Unlike what would have happened in Winnipeg, at least everyone did pay.
15. At the Rainbow Bridge, it still galled me that I actually had to pay to return to Canada.
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