back to school

Tomorrow, Aug 31, is the back to school program for faculty and staff.
The long summer is over!

new starter

Here is a photo of the new starter installed and ready to go.

starter

Today, Thursday Aug 19, I went to turn the ignition key on the Honda CRV and nothing happened! 

I did the electrical test, and, thusly realized that a new starter was in order.  Okay, the starter lasted 10 years and 129,000 miles; not terrible.  I did the job in the 90 degree heat here in NJ, taking about two hours.  We're now Rockport bound on Friday!
The photo is after the bum starter has been removed. 

food choices at Seaside Heights

Jeez, can you imagine a boardwalk food place serving everything fried!!!!!!!!!!!!
Okay, what part of Elvis do they fry for the sandwich?  Ear, nose, finger...you figure it out!
Elvis has left the building fried!

another view

Seaside Heights NJ August 16 at 10:30 am

road trip

I awoke this morning in the mood to take a photo/road trip.  Since I was limited to the amount of time, I decided to head to the NJ Shore area, wincing at the decision.  The NJ Shore:  yechh!

Anyway, I made it as far as Seaside Heights, AKA "Sleazeside Heights."
Back in the days as EBHS Seniors, we would drive down there every so often to observe the boardwalk antics.  It was "low rent" back then, and not much has changed.  But then, the NJ Shore is not much to brag about, irrespective of the beach and the water.  Even then, the beach and the water are barely acceptable.
I stayed in Seaside Heights for an hour, then headed back.  It was enough.  I posted over 100 photos on my Facebook page. 
Hey, it "ain't" Rockport.  And when I'm back at Whale Cove and Loblolly Cove in a couple of days, any memories of Sleazeside Heights will be a dribble of spit.

A rarely seen automobile!

This is a low production vehicle, a 1967 American Motors Ambassador Convertible.  Not too many of 'em produced, few survived.  This one was seen at the Cape Ann Marina in Gloucester.

If I Could Turn Back The Hands of Time

Tyrone Davis in 1969 had a chart single with that title.  Coming across this photo, well, it HAS been 37 years since this photo was taken (Fall '73)!
What has happened?  Where has time gone?  What accomplishments got accomplished?  What went right?  What went wrong?  How did I wind up here in this time and place?  Why?
This is the first VW in the string of many, a '69 convertible.  Locale:  Rider College parking lot.  At this time I was the President of the Association of Commuting Students (ACS), starting my student government/student activities career at the college.  A "big shot."

Mass license plates for my cars

In the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, license plates are stickered, with the rear plate getting a year sticker.  I found out that you only have to turn in the rear stickered plate, so I kept the front plates for my collection. 

The "Right Whale" plate was issued in June 1998 for the 1998 Honda CRV. 
The "United We Stand" plate was issued in December 2002 for the 2000 Honda CRV.

license plates

Collecting license plates has been a passion since I was a kid, specifically NJ license plates.  I have many, dating back to 1908.  And I have all the plates that were issued to my vehicles since December 1972, including the famous "PEE" set issued in May 1983.  I had the "PEE" set made into the new reflectorized base.  When I left for Rockport, I had to let the registration lapse, so they can't be registered again.
The story with the "PEE" is that they got past the DMV censor, and only about 100 made it into the system, after the realization of the error.  They were issued at the Pemberton, Burlington County, DMV Agency on Rt 38.  Obviously I missed "123." 
I received a letter about a month after the issue from the DMV asking me to voluntarily return the plates, and I would receive a free year renewal.  Since it was voluntary, I never did and continued to use the plates until 1998, when I transferred everything over to Massachusetts.
I never had an issue with NJ DMV for 15 years of renewals.
I always got great comments about the plates!

highlight of the day

i was in the right place at the right time to see a 1954 Oldsmobile Ninety Eight Holiday Hardtop.  nice two tone blue and white.  1954 was the new body style that the rest of GM got in '55.  i always believe that '54 is the best looking next to the '57, my second favorite body style.

Sparkles the reader

After having spent the day doing physical activities outside, Sparkles takes time to relax with a good book!

one of those introspective days

pondering the meaning of life.  pondering, pandering, pontificating.  but not procreating!

Sparkles and another friend

As you can see, Sparkles makes all kinds of friends!

Sparkles and a friend

Sparkles is a very sociable, affable cat.  He makes friends wherever he goes, whether in Rockport or NJ.  He's now 10 years, 7 months old.  He's been with me since April 2005; before that his residence was in Berlin, Camden County NJ.   A true South Jersey native!

Another view of the bicycle--the gearing

Bicycle

After several years of riding bicycles found in the trash and restoring them, I broke down and got a brand new bicycle.  Of course, I did not pay the list price- it was on sale.  And even then, I got the price down even further, using the "nicks and scratches" routine.  Purchased at Dick's Sporting Goods on July 15, 2010.  Great customer service besides the great price!
It is a 2009 Diamondback Kalamar Hybrid with 7 speeds (Shimano), 27 inch wheels, and an aluminum frame.  Wow, does that aluminum frame make a difference! 
The first gear is an ultra low gear, amazing for easier riding on upgrades!
Now I can take the South Street incline towards points south in town with ease!

Memories

I'm going through stuff today and came across this:  an autographed photo of Uncle Floyd Vivino and Oogie, circa late '80s.  I have always been a fan of Uncle Floyd, a true NJ legend.  His creativity and talent are the best. 

for the birds--in Rockport

this photo was taken in the fall of '99 when T Wharf was being deconstructed and rebuilt.  notice the numbers spray painted on the granite blocks for re-fitting. 
the photo eventually became the month of september in the famous Rockport 2000 calendar, which happens to be a limited edition, extremely valuable item. 

Antiques Roadshow--the game--another view

The tin box is made in China, the contents for the game are made in USA.

Antiques Roadshow--the game

After having made my appearance on Antiques Roadshow, I have a strong interest in the program.  I did not know that a game was created and produced back in 2000.   This game was obtained for a inexpensive price, seven dollars, at an antique center in Salem, NJ last week.  Apparently it is also a collectible, worth quite a bit more than my investment.  Now I have to find someone to engage in play!

Collecting

Collecting stuff has been a passion of mine since I was a teenager.  Collections have come and gone, but several have remained through the years.  These include:  NJ License Plates, militaria, toy cars, and oddities.  I still have choice items from past collections:  radios, beer signs, old NJ history books, artifacts from South Jersey.

Now, I purchase to sell for the most part.  Buying and selling is a money making venture.  Cash is cool!

1940 Adam Scheidt Brewing Co, Sign

This is a sign from the Adam Scheidt Brewing Co, Norristown, PA, showing the US Army AEF Insignia from the first World War.  It is lithographed on heavy paperboard stock, measures 19 inches by 27 inches.  It was produced in 1940.  At the top is a scene of Washington's Headquarters, Valley Forge.  One of the brands of Scheidt was Valley Forge Beer.
The story behind this sign:  I had this sign as part of my beer sign collection started in the 1960s, and it was always one of my top five favorites.  When I decided to move to Rockport in '97, I had my famous Parking Lot/Estate Sale at Tide Cleaners to liquidate my collections of stuff.
Now, on August 1, 2010, I came across it in better condition than my previous sign, and it made my happy to purchase it, especially at a decent, negotiated price.

It is a rare piece!

Historical artifact, WWII Homefront collectible

This is a rare World War II collectible item, a game, Put The Yanks in Berlin, circa 1941-43.  The box is in excellent condition (looks new) and all the pieces (marbles) are within.  The idea is to use your skill and get the marbles in the spaces in the countries.  Directions are printed on the inside of the box cover.  Made in Cleveland, Ohio by Modern Novelties, Inc.  Good luck!
I have only been able to locate one other identical game, which is in storage at the US Air Force Museum, and is missing some of the marbles; it's condition is not as good as this one.

Anyway, it is a cool item!

Another view of the Ft Mott Jeep

Jeep at Ft Mott

There are several restored military vehicles at Ft Mott.  Here is the 1944 Ford GPW 1/4 ton truck, also known as the Jeep.  Ford and Willys had the contract to make Jeeps during WWII.  The Ford Jeep is not completely interchangeable with the Willys Jeep; there are differences.

Ft Mott

Fort Mott is a coastal artillery emplacement located on the Delaware River in Pennsville, Salem County, NJ, just across from the state of Delaware.  It is NJ State Park.  The Fort was constructed in 1895, used as an active military facility until 1944, then passed onto the state of NJ.  I have been visiting this place since the 1980s.  Great photography and scenery.  Great history in southern NJ.  Great military history of the USA.

famous speech!

beginning of august

well, the calendar has started the eighth month, august.  
that is delightful.
what to look forward to?
stay tuned for further fractured delightful details!