The Steelers just won the Superbowl, which means parties are over, the bars are emptying, people are going home, and there are countless idiots driving around the city honking like it's going out of style. Making matters worse are the groups of drunken college students staggering in and out of the streets with less appreciation for the fragility of life than usual. The icing on the cake, though, is the snow. There's a thin layer of icy snow on every road in Oakland and Squirrel Hill (and probably elsewhere) making driving a rather hazardous endeavor. Don't tell that to the heros in the SUVs, though. They're invincible. (They're loonies.)
My apartment building is off of one of the steepest roads in the city, Forward Avenue. Every time there's snow, freezing rain, or sleet it becomes a skating rink. That doesn't stop General Patton in his almighty SUV tank. No siree. There ain't no mountain high enough to stop him.
Right.
Most of them end up sliding back down. Just tonight, for instance, there was a fender bender caused by fools who thought they could tackle Mount Forward. Idiots. I hope nobody was hurt.
Of course, the drivers aren't the only ones to blame. The city takes a big chunk of that. You'd like to think the ridiculous taxes we pay would buy us decent snow and ice removal. As if. I doubt there'll be any salt on my road before sunrise. We're not on a major city artery, so we're chopped liver. I thought the new 61D bus route would mean better road maintenance. I suppose on weekdays before 10PM it might. It's Sunday, though, and the 61D doesn't run on weekends. So the ice capades continue as folks try to get home.
I don't think Forward will be taken better care of until a major accident happens. Even then, it'll probably take a law suit to overcome political inertia and get something done. Why give a damn about your electorate when your party has effortlessly controlled the city for decades?
*sigh* I should stop ranting and go to bed. I hope everyone, especially my readers, got home safe and sound from their Superbowl parties. Goodnight.
Funky Dung
Comments 5
aww…c'mon, Funky - it was fun driving home yesterday amidst the celebrating city of Pittsburgh! It's been 10 years since they even made a Superbowl appearance and I was only a little over a month old the last time they won a ring. This city has earned the opportunity to go a little crazy in celebration!
Although I did wonder how much people were paying attention their driving. And, admittedly, I have an easier journey to Squirrel Hill than you do.
Go Steelers!
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Posted 06 Feb 2006 at 2:30 pm ¶It could be Rialto street y'know!
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Posted 07 Feb 2006 at 8:57 pm ¶When was the last time you tried driving on ice, hmm, Eric?
When was that?
Never?
Oh, okay.
Most SUVs are rear-wheel drive. Rear-wheel drive, coupled with a big engine, is always hard in the snow; it doesn't matter what the body style is.
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Anyway, on a less smart-assed note, I thought the all-night honking was pretty cool. I went out to our corner, cigar in one hand, IC in the other, and cheered with the other Bloomfielders outside. Once every couple of years, it's not so bad.
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Posted 08 Feb 2006 at 5:28 am ¶Seeing the look on my wife's face while driving was enough for me to know what the conditions were like. As for the honking, I'm sure it's fine if you're drinking and smoking a cigar. It's not cool for fellow drivers who can't tell when people are honking to celebrate vs. honking to indicate something relevant to safely driving an automobile.
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Posted 08 Feb 2006 at 5:41 am ¶BTW, nice to see you commenting again, Tom.
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Posted 08 Feb 2006 at 5:42 am ¶Post a Comment