Traffic

You may have heard the story about two local brothers who were gored while running with the bulls in Pamplona. They were portrayed as slightly heroic, but I can't help but think they are slightly moronic. Who would go running with the bulls on Friday the 13th? How did they figure that was going to turn out well?

Being out in city traffic is harrowing enough these days without adding even more dangerous angry animals to the mix. Last week there was a cover story in the Philadelphia weekly about traffic from the perspective of car drivers, walkers and bicyclists. They left out scooters and motorcycles for some reason, but we also have different problems and complaints. I have a unique perspective on all of this because I drive a scooter, I walk, I bike and I sometimes drive around the city and I like to complain. I always notice that I am annoyed about what one group is doing when I am in the other group. When I ride my scooter I am shocked at how many chances bike riders take- they run red lights and go the wrong way down streets- some of the new messenger bikes don't even have brakes (I am not kidding). I notice this more on my scooter because a collision with a bicycle could be very serious for me- obviously for them too, but I'm more concerned about me because I'm actually signaling and stopping at lights. Its not like a bike hitting you when you're in a car and they bounce off your hood and you can get out all concerned and help them pick up their wheels and pedals from the street. A scooter v. bike accident could be very serious and I've been very lucky so far. Please wear helmets bike people- you are very vulnerable cause many of you take wild risks and many cars don't like you. I always hated it when I was riding a bike and a nervous driver would creep along behind me, deathly afraid of passing me and then sometimes honking- just speed up and get out of my way, dammit.

Get out of my way is probably the active phrase whether I am on foot, pedaling, driving or scooting. If I am walking I am annoyed at cars not letting me cross the street when I have a light because they have to turn. Why are they in such a hurry? They will probably get where they're going faster than me anyway- just calm down and let me walk. Also, please don't hit me on my scooter or on foot because you are talking on your cell phone while driving. Some people may be good enough drivers to talk on a phone and drive at the same time, but you're not one of them. Yes, I'm talking to you.

Of course when I'm actually driving a car (more on this soon) I hate when pedestrians walk across the street too slowly for my taste- or when they cross against the light and just wander out into the street as if no one could be coming. Of course I also hate cars and delivery vehicles double parked taking up one lane like they own the street. You are slowing down traffic people- don't sit there in your car waiting -streets are for driving-benches are for sitting. Oh, and when I'm on the highway anyone going slower than me is an idiot and anyone going faster than me is a maniac.

All Together Now

So it has finally happened, the exciting news I've been mentioning for a while: my niece Rebecca is now a Philadelphia resident. My niece's mother and father moved here too, which is good. We were trying to figure it out the other day, how long has it been since the three Horn children have all lived in the same city? If you don't count a few summers during college then it was 1984 - probably about September '84 when older brother Alex went off to school. That's nearly 23 years ago- now that makes me feel old. Since 1984 Abby has lived in New York city, New Haven, Washington DC, Chile, Argentina, Paraguay and Cleveland (I'm sure she'll let me know a few places I forgot) So, as you can see we are very lucky to have her here. Alex and I have been back in Philadelphia for a while, so that's not so momentous.

Abby, Chip and Rebecca haven't quite totally moved into their new apartment yet. Some of their furniture is in limbo somewhere and they still have some business to take care of in Cleveland (they have a nice house to sell, if you're interested) It will take a few months for them to get into the rhythm and routine of Philadelphia. Abby will be rediscovering things she forgot about and noticing all the changes. Chip has a whole new city to explore and coffeehouses to discover. It will take a while to get used to having them around all the time now, in the past it has been a two or three times a year event.

My parents are probably the most excited to have all their children back together, back to the nest of Philadelphia. OK, so that's pushing it a bit. Of course they like to have us here, but they are most excited about having their grandchild around and they are anxiously awaiting a few more of them. People keep telling me that I'll probably be asked to babysit for my niece, personally I think it will be a while before her Grandparents get tired of the job.

One of the first things I told my sister do when she came back was to check out one of my favorite hoagie spots, Sarcones. It happens to be a few blocks from her new place. She got a turkey hoagie with spinach, peppers, and sharp provolone- I think that's the "Uncle Louie" She had planned to save some for her husband, but she ended up almost finishing it herself! Now that's my sister- getting back to her sandwich roots. It goes to show, you can take the girl out of Philadelphia.....