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December 20, 2005
MTA Strike: Day One
Well, this really sucks. I got up way before the sun came out to wait in the freezing cold for the NJ Transit bus to take me into Manhattan. And from the Port Authority bus terminal trekked on foot the rest of the way to work. All I have to say is "brrrrr". Walking around outside when it's 24 degrees out in the pitch-black dark = no fun.
Anyhoo, I slipped on my just finished Jaywalker socks and walking shoes, Dansko Mariels, and and went on my way this morning. Not as bad as I thought. The commute into town was relatively painless considering the circumstances and all. The commute back home. . .I feel is going to be a lot hairier. We shall see. . .
BTW, major props go out to my cameraphone. I was shocked how clear this pic came out. Go on, give it a click and see for yourself. Not bad, huh?
UPDATE: Made it back home in one piece. Again, not nearly as bad as I thought. I just wish it were a tad warmer. Even though I'm taking all of this in relative stride, it doesn't deter away from the fact that I feel zero sympathy for the union. This strike is illegal, irresponsible and completely uncalled for. And that's my two cents on the matter.
Anyhoo, I took a pic of my sock in progress with my cameraphone a little while ago (sorry, the battery in my digital camera is kaputt).
At first, I really hated the way the stripes were coming out. But after a while, the White Stripes-esque, peppermint motif kinda grew on me. It's different from any of the Jaywalkers I've seen so far. And I'm all for originality.
Posted by Sandra at December 20, 2005 10:42 AM
Comments
Glad I skipped out of town before this strike happened. Have you read how the international control of the local 100 Transport Workers Union is thinking of stepping in since the local workers are completely full of you-know-what for calling this strike? Here is a link to the story: http://wcbstv.com/topstories/local_story_354094519.html
The Transit Authority's contract offer is a genuine one and eminently fair. I would love to see the MTA simply break this union as punishment for illegally striking, fire the workers (or give them a 24 or 48 hour ultimatum to get back on the job) and then simply hire all new workers. Considering that the STARTING salary to clean (or pretend to as the evidence suggests) the subways is no less than 47,000 a year while firemen in the city start at 26K or so, I have no sympathy for these strikers.
Posted by: Brian at December 20, 2005 06:00 PM
Your Jaywalkers look fabulous! In fact, I'm twitching to order some Socks that Rock and make some.
You noted yesterday how different and yet great various sock yarns look with the Jaywalker pattern, and I completely agree. As I wander around knitting blogs, I've seen the pattern knit with so many different yarns... and every pair of socks is spectacular.
Good luck making it through the transit strike. At least your feet will be toasty warm!
Posted by: Chris at December 20, 2005 06:55 PM
pep-o-mint jaywalkers are so cute!!! i love them. a great combination :)
Posted by: gleek at December 20, 2005 10:09 PM
My commute was surprisingly easy as well, but it will grow old very fast. As a member of a union, I am trying hard to find some sympathy......but it's hard. Nice socks you got there, though!
Posted by: laurel Parrish at December 20, 2005 11:21 PM
I love your white stripes. I got the same yarn, but in white and yellow, and the yarn is dyed at really short intervals, so that I get maybe 5-10 st in each color, but never a whole row. Looks terrible. You lucked out!
Posted by: Veronique at December 20, 2005 11:25 PM
Glad to hear you made it back in one piece - my commute wasn't bad, just a looooong chilly walk. I cant wait to see how those peppermint jaywalkers turn out. I have some lorna's pinstripe I was thinking about for that pattern, and I think it would look pretty similar.
Posted by: MeBeth at December 21, 2005 12:35 AM
The candycane socks are great! It looks really good once you get into the chevron pattern. What's with that wonky yellow stipe on the ribbing? Distinctive, that is. You'll be able to tell right from left - I kind of like it!
Posted by: Sarah at December 21, 2005 09:09 AM
ooh LOVING the self-striping lorna's!!! maybe i should trade in my cashmere for 2 pairs... ^_^
Posted by: joy at December 21, 2005 10:32 AM
That is a damn good picture for a cell phone. I'm going to have to find that pattern. I cannot find a sock pattern that is "just right". I either finish one sock and can't bring myself to start the other one, or the pattern is beyond comprehension. Same thing for gloves, and I'm so not a mittens person-must be gloves. Alas. Good luck with the whole strike thing.
Posted by: Katy at December 21, 2005 03:26 PM
Oh, and we had some Fly Girls for Homey G. Funkerelli but we can't find them. Too much wine that night, I think. I'll be sure to put pictures up if they surface.
Posted by: Katy at December 21, 2005 03:28 PM
Your socks look wonderful! Excellent job! I hope you don't have to walk too long. I feel your pain, the Paris Metro system is always on strike.
Posted by: Aimee at December 22, 2005 03:34 PM
Aren't you so glad it's over? Yay! Back on the trains! I hope you didn't catch cold.
I'm just not into knitting my own socks (or bras or panties, etc.). Then again, it appears I just don't knit anything I actually use, and if I were to knit socks, I'd have to use them.
Are those shoes comfy? They are cute!
Posted by: Keridiana at December 22, 2005 03:46 PM
so cute! I love both color combinations! :D
Posted by: may at December 22, 2005 09:09 PM
Hey there!
Stopped by and WOW! Now that's a sock! And a phone.
I am looking to replace my phone which is pretty vintage now (a Sprint Touchpoint). Your camera is soo phat.
Please let me know what type of phone you have.
Thanks in advance.
Sahara
Posted by: Sahara at December 29, 2005 01:28 PM