Bay Area Bridge toll takers to be phased out

I was saddened to hear that the Golden Gate Bridge will be phasing out toll takers.

Progress yes. But also the dehumanization of a tradition (and the loss of jobs).

1. Although I must say, it's nice to breeze though the toll booths electronically, with my FasTrak, it's also sort of sad to know that the human toll taker will someday become extinct.

2. I remember growing up, taking many weekend trips with family out to the Central Valley to visit my Grandmother, asking myself, "Who will be the toll taker this time? The same person? The nice one, that chatted briefly, as my dad handed them the money? Will he/she remember us? Sometimes they did!

3. Sometimes the toll takers would be smiling and singing, and dancing to a song, playing in their head, or playing on their radio. Funny, but a great thing to add to the trip.

4. Radiating good feelings to the car passengers driving through.

5. And what of the daily commuter? Almost a ritual, seeing the same toll takers, day after day. One could almost chat with the taker briefly, only to continue the conversation, at the next go around the next day.

6. Can't do that with a FasTrak.

7. Over 20 years ago, when doing the annual drive up to Roseville for family Christmas, I drove up to the toll booth at the Carquinez Bridge, only to hear the nice toll taker woman say, "Go on, no toll. The car ahead paid for you, and said Merry Christmas!"

8. So impressed, I drove fast to catch up with the driver, to wave a "Thank you" to him and his family.

9. So impressed, the next year, I began my Christmas tradition, of paying double for toll. One for my car, and one for the car behind, telling the toll person, to wish them a Merry Christmas. Can't do that with FasTrak.

10. Even though I have had a FasTrak for years, enabling me to pay electronically, and breeze by the toll booths. I always tried to make a point of paying a toll taker once a year, at Christmas. For me, and the car behind.

11. In a few years from now. I won't be able to do that :(

12. Progress as good as it can be, can sometimes erase the genuine human touch.

Writer's Block: A La Mode

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I've been using the exact same one for years :)

The Week so far

1. It seems, the app, "My Fitness Pal", is helping me loose the weight. I am really eating the same foods as before, but by monitoring my daily, weekly intake, the weight seems to be coming off. Slowly.

2. Two weeks ago, I was 196lbs. This morning, I was 189lbs.

3. I have increased my cardio however (which I also input into the "Pal System"), to more days per week.

4. My friend Ho (who is not going to the gym as much) said he has lost 5 lbs already using this motoring system.

5. The past 3 nights, the muscular bald guy who I met, a few months ago, is back in town on business. Nice guy. I had some vibes about him before. This time, I don't really know what his story is.

6. Last night, and the night before however, he kept coming over, and talking to me during my 2 minute rest between sets. Hummm. He is anxious to get back home to his wife and new baby in Austin. Or was it Arizona?

7. For a 50 yr old, he as a great body. Great traps and biceps. Lifts big and hard. But he shaves! Not only his head, but it seems his arms, legs, chest, and pits! Eww. At least leave a bit of sexy fur somewhere! At least under the pits! LOL

8. I think he makes gym his life, not part of his life. He told me he goes to sleep every night at 9:30, up at 2am. Runs 5K. Then comes back home (or to the hotel if he is on business). Sleeps from 4-6am (or 7am). Then at the gym that morning or that night. Uh. OK. Well his body shows it. Looks good! But shaves!

9 He also told me to spend a few weeks doing the 8x8 Vince Gironda workout. He does it at least once a month. Best all around training ever, he says. So next week, after I finish my 6-10 week bicep peak workout (I am finally developing more of a peak. Yay), I start building up a big sweat, doing the 8x8.

10. In other news, since our weekend gal's last day is Sunday, I am now in the process of interviewing someone to work every other weekend. I had a list of friends to notify of an opening, but corporate, wants us to hire someone familiar, or has been exposed somewhat with property management (seeing I am the one training, it would also make it easier), and someone who lives close by (for lock outs, and other weekend emergencies).

11. Signs the sad job market, is the fact that I received over 25 applications in just 2 days. Many from some that are not even remotely connected or familiar with Real Estate what so ever. Applicants had jobs histories ranging from banquet servers, retail, event coordinators, Limo drivers, bar backs, health care, home health care, stylists, to a multi-channel systems operator maintainer.

12. And some live close, or fairly close by, to as far away as Brentwood, CA, and Texas.

13. Out of the stack of applications, I narrowed it down to 3 or 4. Maybe 5. I just finished an interview with the second applicant. And I think this prospect might be a good fit.

14. One more interview tomorrow. I will scan the other applications in the stack, and check on line for new ones. I hope to wrap things up next week.

15. Tonight is the Lenny Broberg Roast in SF. Should be fun.

16. Well back to work!