2 hours, 03 minutes, Brooklyn, NY

It’s 29 degrees at 5:00 a.m. with snow in the forecast and I’m picking up a gal right down the street – going to 69th Street Terminal.

Two short rides – don’t wanta go into Philly – so I do 2 things – (1) set “Destination: Media” to head away from the city – (2) turn on Priority – as a Platinum Privilege driver – not to be confused with White Privilege driver – I get first dibs on rides.

Pick up guy in Aldan, 34 – going to a 16-hour shift at Congoleum in The Hook – gives us a lot to talk about – tell him how, back in the ‘50s and ‘60s – a horrific odor filled the air whenever you came within a mile of the plant.

I installed floor covering during the 1970s – installed miles of Congoleum vinyl flooring – good product – easy to work with – installed 2 bathroom floors for my mother during the ‘70s – just tore them out 2 months ago – held up for almost 50 years.

Tips me $10.

Pick up mother & teenager short distance away – dropping daughter at grannies – then going to work at nursing home across the street from Springfield Hospital.

Shut off Destination but leave Priority on – and rides keep popping.

Taking a guy all the way up to LaSalle College – drop him and get 4 more quick hits in the area – going on 9 o’clock and snow’s starting to fall – decide to hit “Destination Home” – but not quick enough.

Next pickup says “2 hours, 03 minutes, Brooklyn, NY” – text the Favorite Son – heading to Brooklyn – he texts back – you crazy? we’re getting 11 inches.

Ride to Brooklyn’s a chore – tons of trucks on the road – constantly kicking slurry on the windshield – lucky my wiper fluid’s full.

Woman in her 60s, doesn’t say a word the whole way.

Now I’m passing landmarks I haven’t seen in years – across Goethals Bridge connecting Elizabeth, NJ with Staten Island, NY – across Verrazzano Narrows Bridge – connecting Staten Island with Brooklyn – passing Coney Island Amusement Park.

Once had a girlfriend from Coney Island – what a firecracker – half Mexican – half Irish.

And here I am in Brooklyn – drop my gal and start heading back – but there goes Bus #2969 – and, damn, isn’t that Ralph Kramden driving?

Only pain in the ass comes now – hafta dead-head back to PA – takes an hour to get to Trenton.

Pass Arm and Hammer Stadium where the Trenton Thunder minor league baseball team plays – because I’m aiming for the Calhoun Street Bridge.

2-laner built by Phoenix Bridge Company (Phoenixville, PA) in 1884 – my favorite cause it’s TOLL FREE.

Pick up a gal in Levittown going to work at Dollar World.

Pick up a gal in Oxford Valley – traveling nurse from Rochester, NY – been here since Thanksgiving – flying home – take her to airport – 2 miles from home.

Pick up lunch at Taco Bell for the Favorite Son and myself – home a little before 2 p.m. – unexpected and interesting day.

Wonder how much snow we’ll get.

1069400cookie-checkRan into Ralph Kramden today in Brooklynyes