Posts Tagged ‘The T’
Ritmo
Tuesday
– photo by Mitch Waxman
Your humble narrator always attempts to follow a certain rhythm to his life, a staccato beat that was interrupted by the ankle injury last year.
Despite my servicing of the ultramundanities of daily existence, the rythyms of the walking schedule are increasing in frequency somehow. For much of the last six months, I’ve been hampered by physical constraints and limitations, but that’s mostly behind me. The ankle still hurts, pretty much all the time, but pain (like fear) is the mind killer. Best to just tough it out and get on with things.
Launching myself up the steep hill I dwell at the bottom of and towards the T light rail has become a bit of a ritual for me. Heart rate gets noticeably quicker by the time I reach the next corner, after climbing up that steep elevation, and after a ‘catch my breath’ moment, it’s a quick and easy push up to get to the Patomac Station on the T. I try to keep my ticker ticking at an elevated rate for the length of these endeavors, but not racing or pounding.
Along the way, this scene caught my eye for some reason.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
It was a misty and foggy day in Pittsburgh, with temperatures in the 50’s. Despite all the atmospherics, rain was not forecast, and one decided that at the end of this day’s effort a pint or two of beer and a set of locomotive photos would be on my list of things to do.
This was one of the walks where I was working on ‘speeding up’ my gait. As mentioned previously, one finds himself casually striding again, but I’m moving a lot slower than formerly, before the injury. I’m concerned at the moment with regaining ‘burst speed,’ aka the ability to ‘maximum boogie’ if needed. I’m hoping to get to being able to manifest about 100 feet worth of ‘boogie’ by the end of the winter.
Maximum boogie? Yeah, that’s when you sprint across an intersection or bust a move while trying to catch a train or a bus.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
Pictured is a T moving away from Pittsburgh towards the South Hills section. It’s a better shot than the one of the actual T which I rode into the city on, as I dig all of those catenary wires forming into the background.
On the platform, I was chatting with some dude that was a recently retired Army Drill Sergeant, while we were mutually waiting for the train, and he was a surprisingly nice guy for someone whose entire career was based around telling people they’re not good enough and calling them weaklings or sister lovers.
I should have asked him what he’d charge to follow me around, and yell at me to move faster, while questioning my ancestry and telling me how much I suck. It would be like my Jewish mother had come back to life.
It’s just over a half hour’s journey from Dormont to the end of the line on Pittsburgh’s ‘North Shore.’ That’s the part of Pittsburgh nearby the stadiums, and a mass of entertainment and night life businesses. I wasn’t going there, though.
On this occasion, I was going to be debarking the T in Allentown, at a temporary stop which the T people have established while they rebuild a transit tunnel that the service normally uses.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
Stepping off the T actually triggered the PTSD I’ve been experiencing regarding steps, but such moments of existential panic have become common. This walk was focused on exercising the calfs and the top and frontage of the thighs, so the City Steps of Pittsburgh would once again be utilized as my gymnasium.
The camera bag and camera strap were adjusted and set into a comfortable manner against the decay of my pre-corpse, and then off I scuttled. I was ‘wearing’ the camera under the filthy black raincoat, just in case it started raining. It didn’t.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
This time around, I was listening to music on the headphones, specifically a ‘mix tape’ playlist on my phone. I don’t do Spotify or any of the streaming services for music, instead I buy and download from the Apple Store. I’m told that I’m old fashioned, which cracks me up.
My problem with streaming is the same one that I have with those little air buds which everyone uses – doesn’t fit my lifestyle.
When I go out, it can be all day. I cannot run the battery down on my phone for something frivolous like streaming music. The audio files on my phone have virtually zero impact on the battery when they’re playing through wired headphones. I use the white Apple wired headphones, which pop out of my ears on their own accord all the time, and then dangle on their wires until I place them back in my ear holes.
The only piece of gear which ever gotten away from me and was lost, in all these years. was a ‘rocket blower’ which ended up splashing into Newtown Creek (nearby the Metropolitan Avenue Bridge).
Those super expensive air buds which are the current ‘de rigueur’ use Bluetooth to connect wirelessly to the phone and thereby eat a lot of battery juice. I really don’t want to have to carry a power bank and a cable around with me, too. I do so when traveling, but for day to day? Bluetooth headphones just create a problem that needs additional gear for me to solve.
Best to use the wired headphones, for me.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
I can’t help but take advantage of serendipity and crack out a shot when a vista just appears like this.
This section I was scuttling through, dubbed the ‘South Side Slopes,’ is carved onto a very steep elevation. Multiple posts over the last few months have explored several of the many, many pathways from ‘up here’ to ‘down there.’
Back tomorrow with more.
“follow” me on Twitter- @newtownpentacle
Buy a book!
“In the Shadows at Newtown Creek,” an 88 page softcover 8.5×11 magazine format photo book by Mitch Waxman, is now on sale at blurb.com for $30.
BAH! to the sixth power
Monday
– photo by Mitch Waxman
After an afternoon of shlepping about on a misty and then rainy walk of about three hours duration here in Pittsburgh, it was time to return back home to HQ, over in the Dormont section. I sloshed over to a nearby light rail station for a ride.
Unfortunately, upon arriving at the ‘T’ Light Rail’s service’s First Avenue station, it became apparent that – for the ‘Red Line’ at least – the transit agency that operates the service was in the midst of shitting the bed. Ended up standing around for about forty minutes, while a succession of ‘Blue Line’ and ‘Silver Line’ units cycled through the station. Bah!
What do you do to pass time while transiting? Me? I take pictures of trains, and other stuff which catches the eye.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
An office building alongside the station is apparently the HQ of PNC Bank, and is pictured above. Some poor schmuck was at his desk and working late, in the top left window. Back in my advertising days, that would have been me, working after everybody else went home, trying to hit some important but completely fabricated deadline. Bah!
You really stand out in Pittsburgh when you’re waving a DSLR around, I’d mention. Catch lots of glances, I do, but nobody confronts – at least so far.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
In a way, I miss the pregnant lunacy of the NYC Subway system. I’m interested in the trains, tracks, and tunnels – and specifically not the human infestation – I should mention. People are messy.
Inevitably, some ‘icehole’ on the platform would walk over to me and announce that I was taking pictures of them without permission (you don’t need permission in public, and longtime NP readers may have noticed over the years that I prefer my urban vistas depopulated so… definitely wasn’t photographing ‘you’) and demand that I delete an image or let them inspect the camera or usually it was to ‘pay them something.’
If confrontation was brewing, I’d let them know exactly who the madman was in the exchange, and then they’d run away. It was always ‘people’ back home, and seldom the cops, with a couple of notable exceptions. Seriously, most NYPD cops have other problems that keep them up nights and worry about far worse things than middle aged photographers taking pictures of sewers.
Once on the 7, at Hunters Point, one of the cops they station in that little security booth at the end of the platform as a punishment accused me of taking flash photos of an approaching train (MTA rules state that handheld cameras are kosher, but no lights/camera supports like tripods/flashes). I assured him I didn’t, but he claimed he saw a flash.
I offered to go back to the station house with him so that he and his Sergeant could look through my camera bag and discover that I wasn’t carrying a flash unit with me at all. We argued. Towards the end of the encounter, I again volunteered to go to the precinct with him, so as to let his commanding officer (whom I knew from various encounters and events) know that Mitch Waxman had been caught taking photos in Long Island City.
The cop then recognized my name, and then backed down when he realized that I could push back – but I didn’t. I lectured him about former Police Commissioner Kelly’s standing order regarding photography in post 9/11 NYC and a policy to leave photographers alone, and then offered a quick refresher on the first, second, and fourth amendments.
I soon boarded the next Flushing bound train. Bah!
– photo by Mitch Waxman
The Panhandle Bridge provides egress over the Monongahela River for the T Light Rail service. There’s two tracks on this trestle, a former freight rail bridge, but the ramp leading to it on the southern side is singular. This creates a choke point. Normally operations aren’t quite so hampered, but ‘normally’ they have access to a dedicated transit tunnel that’s punched through Mount Washington which offers light rail two tracks, a vital chunk of infrastructure that’s still under renovation due to construction delays. Bah!
At any rate, at least I could pass the time taking pics of passing trains.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
Another cop encounter occurred during the height of Covid, when I was out wandering around the deserted streets of NYC at night with the camera.
I’m standing there on a the sidewalk of Review Avenue, alongside Calvary Cemetery and across from the Kosciuszcko Bridge at about ten at night, with the camera sitting on top of the tripod. I’ve got a cable release going and everything.
Two ‘DT’s’ roll up on me and ask ‘what are you doing?’ I answer with ‘orthodonture’ and then gesture towards the camera with a smile. They ask ‘why,’ which they soon regretted as that was my opening.
Newtown Creek Alliance, the Kosciuszcko Bridge Stakeholders Committee, and my role as Chair of the Transportation Committee for Community Board 1 (this location was actually in CB2) were brought up and discussed at length. The Cops’ eyes glazed over, and then they just drove away without wanting to see my ID.
I bored them into not caring. Bah!
This is right about the time that I started wearing reflective safety vests when out and about, the kind that the Union guys favor. The ‘high visibility’ gear just allowed me to blend into the background at Newtown Creek. High-Visibility is excellent camouflage, as I’ve discovered.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
Finally, a Red Line light rail unit arrived and then after a short ride, I was back in Dormont and walking down the steep hill that HQ is found at the base of. It was proper dark.
There’s a little laundromat along the way, one which just caught my eye on the way home. Bah?
Back tomorrow with something different – at this – your Newtown Pentacle.
“follow” me on Twitter- @newtownpentacle
Buy a book!
“In the Shadows at Newtown Creek,” an 88 page softcover 8.5×11 magazine format photo book by Mitch Waxman, is now on sale at blurb.com for $30.
Many, many, ramps
Tuesday
– photo by Mitch Waxman
This particular scuttle, here in Pittsburgh, began with a ride on the T light rail. The plan, as it were, was simple – and involved a walk of about three to five miles. Your humble narrator was fully ‘kitted out’ camera wise, and the weather was somewhat chilly and rain was threatening.
Misty, it was, misty.
The T light rail was ridden all the way to its terminal stop on Pittsburgh’s North Shore. There’s a shot I wanted, one which hadn’t coalesced the last time that my presence was noticed in this area. Pictured is what it looks like when riding the service. The area that the rail unit was moving through in this shot was one of the busways, one which also has rails and catenary wires.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
The T soon deposited me on the North Shore elevated platform that functions as a terminal stop, and after a quick adjust of all the straps and whatnot involving the camera and bag, one leaned into it. I was ‘wearing’ the camera under the filthy black raincoat in case it started raining, a long standing habit which started back on the deck of vessels in New York Harbor, all those years ago.
One descended down to the street, where he belongs.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
This area directly touches the football stadium where the Steelers dwell, and it’s sacred ground in Pittsburgh. Said holy spot is to the right.
A maelstrom of black fabric whipping about in the breeze, wrapping itself about a decaying human husk, wherein my brain inhabits, one began his fitful imposture of human locomotion and attempted to blend into the background.
This isn’t always possible, given how children point and cry when I’m passing by. Old Ladies clutch at their purses, men start forming violent posses, dogs howl. Cats are indifferent. Always, an outsider.
Thump, drag, thump, drag… that’s my walking rythym these days.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
One cannot complain. Last year, it was questionable how much mobility I might have after the shattering of my left ankle. It has been an act of pure will (along with the attention and the expertise of a team of medical professionals) to get back to ‘doing my thing.’
What is ‘my thing’? Why is it ‘my thing’? Where do I go to do ‘my thing’? Is it just wandering aimlessly, or…? How is…
Best not to ponder such esoteric concepts and motivations, as the only ideation that really matters is to remain in constant motion, and enjoy the consequent unstoppability. Juggernaut, that’s the word you’re looking for.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
One feels like a corner has been turned quite recently, and aspirational thoughts have been blossoming. Ambitions, goals, all that crap.
A Jedi craves not these things.
Thump, drag, thump, drag…
– photo by Mitch Waxman
That’s the Merchant Street Bridge, which was described in a prior post.
Thump, drag, thump, drag…
The mists then began to slightly precipitate. Wasn’t ‘umbrella rain,’ instead it was just a fine layer of droplets suspended above ground level. Very atmospheric, but had to clean the lens of moisture often.
Back tomorrow.
“follow” me on Twitter- @newtownpentacle
Buy a book!
“In the Shadows at Newtown Creek,” an 88 page softcover 8.5×11 magazine format photo book by Mitch Waxman, is now on sale at blurb.com for $30.
Ala dextra divisa
Friday
– photo by Mitch Waxman
The last steps of a fun scuttle, as detailed in prior posts, saw your humble narrator shambling towards mass transit for his ride back to HQ. A swirling confusion of black fabrics wearing an orange ball cap, adorned with a camera, one picked his loathsome way towards the Monongahela River, where egress to that light rail chariot which would carry him back to the vault in which he dwells could be attained.
The humans were avoided, while moving through their infestation.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
The Smithfield Street Bridge bore my bulk, and provided a path over the waters. Lament and regrets stained my thoughts, with past sleights and insults bubbling up and begging for renewed attention. I was in a mood, suddenly. Hatred and loathing. I think it’s because I scanned through one of several alerts on my phone, regarding the National position.
Everything political is busted, riddled with tumors, and the country on the whole seems to be metastasizing.
What can I do about it? Nothing. All I could and did do was continue on the way, after burning out a couple of hours worth of walking time. Bah!
– photo by Mitch Waxman
I had hoped that another train might approach, and hung around on Smithfield Street Bridge for a few minutes, in vainglory. Just after I gave up and started heading across the river, however…
…and of course…
– photo by Mitch Waxman
CSX appeared again, this time it was CSX #4766. I’ve noticed that freight trains seem to have been getting shorter in recent months, which is a ‘tell’ for how the macro/non Financial Industry side of the national economy is doing. Back in NYC, my barometer for ‘good or bad’ was always based on activity at Port Elizabeth Newark, rather than the booms and busts on Wall Street.
I asked Google’s AI for some detail on Port Elizabeth Newark:
Port Newark/Elizabeth Specifics
- Economic Engine: The Port of New York and New Jersey, which includes the facilities in Newark and Elizabeth, is a major economic engine. A study released in October 2025 highlights the port industry’s role in supporting over 580,000 jobs and generating substantial tax revenue.
- Infrastructure Investment: The Port Authority has made significant capital investments in the area, including the $3.6 billion 2025 Capital Spending Budget which funds projects like the Port Newark Port Street Corridor roadway network project. These investments are intended to accommodate future growth and maintain the port’s status as a leading maritime gateway.
- Cargo Activity: The port has shown strong cargo activity, recording strong growth in April 2025 (latest data available in search results). In May 2025, it was the nation’s busiest cargo gateway.
- Challenges: The port may face some operational challenges in Q4 2025, including potentially elevated dwell times in Newark and mild congestion, which could slow cargo movement. Low water levels in the St. Lawrence River might also affect inland irregular flows.
In summary, while the regional economy is facing headwinds with slower overall growth and a softer job market, the port operations themselves are stable, seeing continued cargo volume and benefitting from ongoing strategic infrastructure improvements.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
On the other side of the river, one began picking his loathsome path towards the T light rail station a few blocks away. There’s a series of not exactly pedestrian friendly crossings one must negotiate to get to the relative safety of one of the waterfront trails, which then leads right to it.
I was keeping my eyes open for Day Vampires, Drug Enthusiasts, Pickup Trucks, Canada Gooses, Packs of Teenagers, and all the other perceived threats to my happiness which might light my amygdala afire.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
Along this path, I noticed a right wing which had been dislocated from its owner. Odd.
Back next week with something different – at this – your Newtown Pentacle.
“follow” me on Twitter- @newtownpentacle
Buy a book!
“In the Shadows at Newtown Creek,” an 88 page softcover 8.5×11 magazine format photo book by Mitch Waxman, is now on sale at blurb.com for $30.
Ambulare vel mori
Wednesday
– photo by Mitch Waxman
Exercise day was once more exigent, a schedule which I try to approach with a certain amount of religiosity. The goal set for my day involved working on speed, as in consciously quickening my steps while moving about. One of the things, regarding the ankle situation, that I’m still dealing with, involves ‘pace.’ Walking speed, as it were.
My stride is back, but I often find myself standing at street intersections staring at the ‘walk/dont walk’ sign while reminding myself that ‘you can’t run, Mitch.’ I won’t be jogging, probably ever, but I do need to regain some ‘burst speed’ capability.
One thereby dragged his derrière up the hill in Dormont to the T light rail station at Potomac Avenue, and the train was soon depositing me in Pittsburgh’s Allentown, at a temporary stop which I’ve been using all summer as a springboard for similar pursuits.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
This was a downhill course for me, which would follow ‘Brosville Street,’ down to the flat land along the Monongahela River. Not as steep as a few of the other branching paths leading from Allentown’s temporary T stop, but still a cool walk that I hadn’t taken yet. I have driven it several times, as this is a local streets ‘shortcut’ I’ll use when the bridges and tunnels are highly congested, in order to get from one side of Mount Washington to the other. Every time I’ve driven through here, I keep on saying ‘gotta walk that sometime.’
Sometime is today! There is no tomorrow, only the tyranny of the now. Yesterday has already happened, so don’t worry about it as there’s nothing you can do to change what happened. Start today!
– photo by Mitch Waxman
A deer was encountered, but I screwed the shot up while trying to photograph him. Take a look, if you want. Focus was off, and so was the exposure. I have a pretty good batting average when it comes to random stuff encountered, but this particular deer didn’t want to stand there and pose for me. As soon as I pointed the camera at him, he shot off into the woods. Bah!
A long, hot, and fairly dry summer has delayed the autumnal displays, up in the verge, until the very end of October and the beginning of November this year. There was about two weeks worth of orange up in the hills, until it suddenly grew very cold and windy at the start of November. The leaves just browned, and then blew away or dropped. Bah!
– photo by Mitch Waxman
‘Disturbingly heterogeneous’ is how I’d describe the building stock up here. Every plot of land is different in size, shape, and verticality. Each building seems to have unique adaptations to the terrain it squats upon built in. Fascinating.
As I say every time, it must be a real challenge to live in the South aside Slopes area due to this crazy terrain. Particularly so during the snowy months. Yikes.
– photo by Mitch Waxman
Brosville Street intersects with Pius Street at its terminus, nearby a Catholic Church which has been converted into Condominium Apartments.
Y’know, if I was born rich, instead of just good looking…
Behind that former church building is where you can find a cool pathway along Pittsburgh’s ‘City Steps,’ dubbed ‘the Church Route Steps.’
– photo by Mitch Waxman
This time around, I wasn’t quaking with fear from the vestigial PTSD left over from the broken ankle. In fact, and in accordance with my stated goal of increasing walking speed – I positively hurtled down the stairs here, or at least comparatively so to other recent scuttles.
Back tomorrow with more.
“follow” me on Twitter- @newtownpentacle
Buy a book!
“In the Shadows at Newtown Creek,” an 88 page softcover 8.5×11 magazine format photo book by Mitch Waxman, is now on sale at blurb.com for $30.
The Newtown Pentacle 