Stairs

I volunteered at an event at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ�(survived without gunshot wounds or a stripped car!). I was on the floor, and had to quickly go to the upper level 9 times during the event. That's 50-75 steps one way, and 9 round trips. I was breathing very slightly harder than normal throughout.

180 pounds ago, I would have had to take 2 breaks just to get up the flight once, and my knees would have been too bad for further attempts.

Congratulations. Great feeling, isn't it? I used to have to crawl up steps on all fours because of my weight and sore knees.

Over the years I count 3 big "fart" moments in my life.  One of those was being able to go up a flight of stairs two at a time...like a kid.  This is about getting so much of your life back!!  You're like a kid in a candy store with a wad of $20s.  So much you can and want to do!!  Enjoy the ride. 

Congratulations.  I just don't understand the State of NJ moving popular facilities to Newark especially since they are puttin a tie- in to light rail in N Jersey in the meadowlands.  I lived in Kearny for 5 years and my in-lawss still live there.  Granted, I never liked being on Rt 20 following any event, but that sounds far better than being in Newark.

When I moved to S Jersey, the arenas are in S Philly but they're in a relatively safe area--as safe as you can get with 20,000 fans with many having had a beer or 2.

All I can say is at least it wasn't Camden.

I've actually been to events in Camden.  You're about as safe as being at a church picnic when you go to an event there.  I've been to free jazz concerts along the Delaware, shows at the Susquehanna Bank Center--formerly the Tweeters Center, and fireworks displays.  The place is crawling with uniformed and undercover police.

I wouldn't want to walk in many parts of Camden during the day if there wasn't anything going on.  I recently had to go for an angiogram at Cooper Hosp in Camden.  My wife came with me and didn't dare leave the building.  there are gutted buildings accross the street.  The whole area looks scary.  Personnel told us that they have armed guards take them to their cars in an area of the parking garage not accessible to the public.  Inside the hosp was safe and they did check passes.  Unfortunately, you used to be able to just walk into several hosps in Philly without even checking in at the front desk.  I haven't been over there in 20 years so i don't know there current policy.