February 12, 2002
This is the story of
This is the story of how I got lost in Northeast Philly.
This is also the story of how I had a schoolbus honk at me; an action, which I believe exemplifies how badly I was driving. It was a FREAKING school bus.
So I went out to my car with a friend on Sunday night. Our intention: to get some food. My car, a 1988 4-door Toyota Camry, with approximately 138,000 miles on it, would not start. I realize quickly whats wrong: it was left in the "ACC(essories on)" position for two weeks. My car also has a feature (read: bug) where it lets you remove the key in any position. The last people to use my car were a group of friends who borrowed it in a snowstorm (another long story...) to go to the mall (yes, the mall.) Unfortunately, they didn't realize that my car had this special "feature," and left it like it was.
Oh well, I figured, I'll just have to get a new battery.
Monday, 3:30PM: I get a jump from La Salle Security (yes, they didn't blow up my car as I feared they would. Scoreboard: La Salle Securtity: 1.) I let it run, and it charges up. Yay.
So then, I decide to follow the directions that I got from Mapquest.com to a Sears Automotive in NE Philly. The directions mentioned Roosevelt Boulevard/Route One, which I naively thought I could handle.
Oh, how wrong I was.
Roosevelt Boulevard requires foreknow where you're going to turn before you make the turn. This is fine for someone accustomed to Philadelphia; for me, a transplanted Marylander (where traffic laws seem to make far more sense, and seem to be better enforced) it was torture. (Of course, I know this will get better as time goes on, and as I learn Philadelphia more, but it was hard this time around.)
A half hour later, I was lost in Northeast Philly. I got as far as "Devreaux St." (it had an reaux in it, the other part I'm unclear of.) I hang a U-Turn and get back on the Boulevard. Tail between my legs, I return to La Salle, Northeast Philly and Roosevely Boulevard having beaten me. "I'll be back! I swear this! I WILL BE BACK!" 
(The school bus thing was this: I pulled into a crosswalk because my left side was blocked by houses and trees. Schoolbus comes along, tries to make right turn, can't, honks at me, and I back up. Still, picture: giant schoolbus honking at little mouse-like figure scurrying around under its nose.)
The car started fine today. I guess it recharged itself, as the security guy told me it would. (scoreboard: La Salle Security: 2)
To Sears, this weekend.
anyhow.
In other news, I was nominated for two Executive Board positions for the Masque today: VP Business and VP Tech. I have a lot of conflicting thoughts about doing either; however, I haven't completely figured them out yet. I want either one of them, yet I don't. This is tearing me up; it would be so much fun, and such a challenge, however...I don't know. I guess it's the time commitment involved.
Anyhow, I have an impossible physics problem to work out, and no time to do it in. Have a great day all.
"Just enjoy the Ozzy, and keep your mouth shut."
-matt
Posted by Matthew at February 12, 2002 10:44 PM