A Fall in the Park

In light of Tuesday's incident, I was reminded today that there is - after all - a balance of good and evil in today's society.

I had just finished my morning route and was going to meet my roommate in Rittenhouse Square. Long story short, she didn't make it, but I still opted to enjoy lunch in the park anyway. It's an absolutely GORGEOUS day in the City of Brotherly Love, and folks were out in droves, none of which you can see in this pic (haha). I'm artsy like that:

Whilst mowing down a Chipotle burrito, an older woman wearing high heels got caught up in one of the spaces between the bricks (there has to be a word for that) and fell, landing glancing blows to her left elbow and hip as she hit the ground. Or so it seemed, anyway.

As soon as I saw it happen, I started to put my burrito down to go help her when I noticed that 4 or 5 other people had already rushed over to her. Several others near me also asked if she was OK. She assured everyone she was fine, and climbed to her feet under her own power. After checking to see if she had any bruises, she thanked everyone. The crowd dispersed and everyone went about their days. As she walked past me she said to herself "I guess shit happens...what're ya gonna do?"

We always like to believe people will do the decent thing when something goes wrong. Thanks for this, universe. I need reminders like this every now and then...

Y'aiiiight?!?!?

An innocent enough morning took a turn for the worse when a car took a turn into my trike:

I had just crossed the Girard Avenue bridge and was approaching the intersection with Brewery Hill Dr. I paused briefly, then began to ride into the crosswalk when the car to my left suddenly darted forward and into the rear section of my trike, striking the laundry bin and bending the rear axle:

I guess I owe him a debt of gratitude, because he stopped as soon as it happened. Pfft... He backed up a couple feet and I wrestled the mangled trike free from his car bumper, which was also noticeably dented. After I pulled the trike on to the sidewalk, I started to attempt to get my bearings.

He exclaimed "Y'aiiiiight?!?!? Y'okay?!?!?" I answered "Yea I just need a second. Watch where you're going next time!" as I paced around, not really feeling any ill effects other than some jitters, but definitely in mild shock.

The only injury I sustained was a cut on my knee, which I think was caused by the zip ties around the frame, not by the car. I guess it could be worse:

While I was still mentally getting my shit together, he hopped back in his car as he exclaimed again "Y'aiiiight?!?!?"

I said "Hey wait a minute!" as he drove off. He obviously ignored me, but not before I got his license plate number. ;-)

Seriously, thanks so much for your patience, asshole. /sarcasm.

I was in the crosswalk. What if I had been a mother pushing a stroller?

The irony (or self-fulfilling prophecy, or whatever) of this is, the security guard at the Mann Center (where I had just come from) always says "Be safe out there now." My reply is always "Hey man, I can only control what I do, not the other crazy people out there..." Hah.

Safe cycling, everyone, and if you hit someone, don't drive off like a douche. 

The Power of Equality

As most of you know, several weeks ago, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of same-sex marriage. Right around the same time, the intersection at 13th and Locust Streets was brightened up by rainbow-colored crosswalk designs. I used to deliver in this area regularly, but since March, I haven't spent much time there. I finally passed through the other day. With the mural contrasting (or complementing?) in the background, it creates a unique scene:

Add this to the list of beautiful and/or unique sights (or sites) in Philadelphia. Even though there's plenty of food and bar happenings in the Gayborhood, for the most part, this intersection was just your run-of-the-mill city storefronts and condos until a few weeks ago. Change is good.

This also makes you forget that 13th & Locust is the location of one of the most controversial murders in this city's history...in case you didn't know that...I'd rather think of it in the context of the picture above.

Changing Places

About 2 months ago, I posted an Instagram photo of this graffiti at the corner of Germantown Ave. and Cecil B. Moore:

Before you ask me what the hell I was doing in that neighborhood, I'll answer: I was working and decided to take a 2 minute photo break. At any rate, pay attention to the right side of the photo. There's a dollar-bill-esque mural on the far wall topped with barbed wire. You can check out some better photos of it here.

I've been Googling to find out exactly who, or what, the Elevated Barbarians are, with limited success. If anyone knows, please let me know. Nearest I could find is that it's some independent graphic design group, but I can't find a website, Facebook, Twitter account, nothin.'

The above photo is now curious to me, because I was biking up Germantown Ave. again yesterday, and something seemed different. Sure enough, look at the right of this photo:

I know, I know, I should have taken a closer photo for reference's sake, but again, I was working and this time I was actually in a bit of a hurry. If you look closely though, above the large "Dash" and "Rolen" block letters, it reads "Class of 2015 Happy Graduation Day."

So now I have a few NEW questions, such as:

"Are these school graduates, or did they 'graduate' by passing gang initiation?"

"Was this done by a graphic designer or professional?" Sure looks like it.

"Is this wall going to change again in a few months?"

I guess I'll have to keep you posted on that last one...

Goodbye, New Friend (For Now...)

People often call on wash & fold services when their washers or dryers break down, and Wash Cycle is no exception. I picked up ATI Physical Therapy in Northern Liberties as a client for the last couple months due to this very occurrence.

Much to my dismay, I found out yesterday that they finally fixed their washing machine, and today would be my last drop for them. That is, until their washer breaks again... ;)

Of course I'm sad to lose the biz, but more so that I won't get to see the wonderful women that work there, who have become my friends - like so many of my clients. It's become ingrained in my (and their) routine to see them every day. Tomorrow is going to be weird.

They said today that they're going to miss me, and one of them actually asked me if I would stop in to visit from time to time. D'awwwww... I hope that's not just "something you say." I think I can pat myself on the back because they were happy with the service while it lasted, and that's really what this is all about: making people happy.

Anyway, onward and upward...

Pole Dance

I was casually riding up the bike trail on Columbus Blvd. the other night. I'm glad I was paying attention:

The subject for debate: would hitting this pole hurt more or less than hitting a parked car? I'd vote more... Who planned this bike lane, anyway?

Rustcycles: 28th & Girard

Yesterday, I saw this colorful (and adorable) backdrop on this one courtesy of the Girard Veterinary Clinic. This is in Brewerytown, which is definitely not the nicest area, but if the revitalization continues, it has potential to be a neat little neighborhood again. There's something so old-school charming about trolley tracks:

And a distant view of Center City:

I'll be here awhile, so we'll see what happens...