I find the whole thing interesting; when you study planning, you're used to the issues of LULU's (locally unwanted land uses). But compared to most LULUs/light industry (eg warehouses, sewage plants), data centers are quite low impact locally. Evidence again that all political is now national.

It turns out that the equivalent of "Live, Laugh, Love" decor has been with us for a long, long time.

*pulls suspenders* "Now I'm just a small-time country lawyer, but..."

::spits out coffee:: I knew about the cost overruns, but I hadn't realized they'd hit *that*.

Somewhat-warmer take: non-UES/UWS NYers don't take enough advantage of Central Park. "Oh, we're not close enough." "Oh, it's too touristy." etc I fall prey. But man, every time I'm there, it's pretty amazing.

I can't believe this is still happening. Fare inspectors should *never* be looking into someone's bank records for transactions. They are *supposed* to have handheld readers that can verify even if transactions haven't been processed yet. Treating riders like criminals is unfathomable.

The subway is America's largest and greatest socio-economic particle collider, and in this essay I will

Honestly this is surely almost more about weakened cross-border demand weakened further by fuel costs than anything else. AC only serves JFK to maximize their NY market share. But when you are not entirely on CRJs LGA-YYZ/YUL, these are harder to justify. Very few mainline turns nowadays.

Them: "So, what do you do for a living?" Me: "I've been competency maxxing so I can expert mog all over those rubes."

No longer do you need to wonder “where exactly was the Great Molasses Flood?” one of my fave Boston maps from @awoodruff.bsky.social

Bluesky, please, dear god no, I can't be forced to just work without distractions, this isn't fair!

great nj domestic politics

Confirmed: Great Britain is not a "Pleasure Island®"

I'm calling for a total and complete shutdown of all beans until we can figure out what is going on.

Hey Coney, why donchu have a dance?

*we run into what looks like a politician filming a video on the subway stairs* My partner: "Politicians are just socially acceptable influencers"

ETA will be at the 2026 North Jersey Transit Forum, hosted by our friends at Hudson County Complete Streets (@hudcostreets.org)! Join us and other transit leaders on April 25 to help shape a new vision for regional mobility in NJ and across the region! Register here: www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticket...

When your sartorial game is so strong, you emit your own theme music. (I did not add this, he had a Bluetooth speaker going)

I've had long debates with people over the effect air conditioning has had in street life. Long story short: I think it's part of the picture but not determinative (especially as it's only hot enough to make a difference in many places part of the year).

In an Uber driving up Central Park Ave in Westchester for the first time in a long time. Travelling in heavy traffic past endless suburban strip mall hellscape on 6+ lane stroad and this is all I can think:

Man, how does a central banker have so much (incredibly dry) charisma?

::spits our coffee:: What on God's green earth are we doing here!? When did major events suddenly turn into a chance for agencies to fleece people? Peak rates for an unusual event, sure, but this (like Boston) is ridiculous.

I often cite the original 'Escape From New York' as a piece of cultural ephemera showing how far the general perception of cities had fallen in the US by the early 80s. This is fascinating as US cities are safer & richer than they've ever been. Does this play to the Fox News version of reality?

I'll Wait For You David Wilson 2025

Yonkers mentioned?

*having a rough evening* *picks up phone for some distraction* *blinks repeatedly* *puts down phone*

::whistles innocently::

TIL that the man who discovered the work of outsider artist Henry Darger—his landlord, Nathan Lerner—was an industrial designer who invented the bear-shaped honey bottle. The world can be a small and weird place sometimes.

Never get into a land war in Asia, and never discuss macroeconomic indicators on social media, apparently.

Fun find this afternoon: In 1957, the Port Authority did the engineering work to link the downtown PATH to the Lexington Avenue subway local tracks.

Here’s one that’s really important to understand and remember, especially if you work in a city hall — the best transportation plan is a great land-use plan. #UrbanTruth

Okay CTA. This is a good sign.

My brain: "We should give the original Acelas a Viking funeral"

This man is a communications genius. Also... can I please pet the red panda, too?

"I pity the fool who don't ride his bike!"

Well, I'll say this: Eric Adams continues to provide the most baffling headlines possible.

If you don't actually build in-system connections, you don't have to bother to harmonize the names.

Bizarro version of Indy's Monument Circle where there's at least some care for the public realm.

On the one hand, I am not surprised I am neither German nor autistic. On the other hand, I haven't been called "normal" in so long that this almost feels like a vague insult...

Free publicity idea for the international shipping industry: pastel colors + giant hearts on your containers. And then you can make cartoons and comics about them. Call them the Care Containers.

Had Seattle accepted federal transit money instead of Atlanta, would we have had SORTA? (Sound Regional Transit Agency)

5AM flights (especially 5AM AT) should be illegal.

Work rule differences between the LIRR and tje Metro-North unions (both railroads run the same trains on the same power systems at about the same speeds serving the same metro area) cost the MTA $200 million a year -- nypost.com/2023/01/16/m...

Bulk carrier Federal Bristol unloading in Charlottetown Harbo(u)r. Shocked to see it came all the way from Alexandria! Looks to be unloading fertilizer for the potato season. Interesting given the war's potential effect on fertilizer cost.

There's a lot that's unclear about this project yet, but it doesn't look good. If this is all the $1M pilot paid for, that would be a disaster—are there more in the works? And while I understand the plumbing logistics, a facility like this without a restroom?

Today truly is a day of evil.

Transit is not a toy. It's not something you can just shut down to make special events easier. It's fundamentally how people get around a region—especially greater New York. It's vital. This plan seems to have been created by people who don't view transit as a vital service, just an optional extra.

I am so jealous. Given the news of late, I wish I could firmly implant my head in the ground.

Live look at the Bluesky data center today:

Oh no, I accidentally ordered a bagel on PEI...