We watched, in syndication. There were good moments, but he really was the heart of the ensemble.

Definitely. The commentary is just off without him.

If there's someone who will benefit from this, it's them.

DH and I were just saying, tonight's probably the highest rating's they'll get all year.

Aww, DJ, I'm sorry you won't make it to Alex's memorial. How long has it been? It's weird, because it seems like it was only yesterday, but also like it was a long time ago.

Three years on 12/13. Also the day Objects in Space aired.

I'm not sure what if anything I'll do. I need to pack for home, which means I also need to wash stuff from this past weekend. And I work late the rest of this week. Thursday until 8:00. Maybe if I get stuff done Wed. Jon and I can take a nice walk around the block or something. Actually they may have some of the sparkling juice up at Whole foods, so we can do a toast or something. We're not allowed fireworks this close in the city which would be most appropriate.

The union is lousy at public relations, but they have a point. The MTA had a billion dollar plus surplus which they rushed to commit so as not to have it on the table during negotiations. Fighting against cutbacks is not unreasonable.

I know you think the union should have accepted binding arbitration. I would be curious to know how the arbitrators would have been chosen and who they would have been.

Can someone who watched Waking The Dead tell me how the not-doctor managed to support his family? I'm almost all the way through, and I guess I must have missed it.

I can't find the contract to see what arbitral body is provided for. (The TWU website is difficult to access right now.) Generally that body accredits arbitrators, and will provide both parties a list from which an equal number of names may be stricken by each.

ETA: I think it's the AAA, they've negotiated with them before.

ETA2: the AAA's rules on labor negotiation arbitrator selection:

12. Appointment from Panel

If the parties have not appointed an arbitrator and have not provided any other method of appointment, the arbitrator shall be appointed in the following manner: immediately after the filing of the demand or submission, the AAA shall submit simultaneously to each party an identical list of names of persons chosen from the Panel of Labor Arbitrators. Each party shall have ten days from the mailing date in which to strike any name to which it objects, number the remaining names to indicate the order of preference, and return the list to the AAA.

If a party does not return the list within the time specified, all persons named therein shall be deemed acceptable.

From among the persons who have been approved on both lists, and in accordance with the designated order of mutual preference, the AAA shall invite the acceptance of an arbitrator to serve. If the parties fail to agree upon any of the persons named, if those named decline or are unable to act, or if for any other reason the appointment cannot be made from the submitted lists, the administrator shall have the power to make the appointment from among other members of the panel without the submission of any additional list.

So, aside from any pro or anti union or TA issues, I don't have to be anywhere until 6pm on Wednesday, but I'd really prefer not to have to walk. And I do have shit I'd like to do in the meantime. Eh.

So have we already shared the Tortoise-and-baby-Hippo love? [link]

So. Cute.

Oh, and Bobby Cuza, transit beat reporter, is my new BFF.

For Perkins, if she's still up: [link]

(And now I go find my tissues and curse my sinuses.)