Outing to Starved Rock

[impulsereader]

So, before we get to the woods, I have to tell you guys that last Sunday you were all perilously close to being denied the end of this story we're all working on, unless, of course, one of you guys decided to take over in my absence. I think I need to make out a will which states everything in my google docs should be posted in case I die.

In one of those odd coincidences which life tends to dish out, the same morning I'd taken a quick pic of these new signs they've just put up in my neighborhood.



I wasn't sure I was going to ramble about them, but if I said anything at all it was going to be along the lines of, 'As a walker, I try to be responsible. I'll wait for a break in traffic or cross at a stop sign. But being cautious doesn't mean I expect to be plowed down if I simply step off the curb - as long as I'm using a cross walk. If I am in a crosswalk I have the right of way; legally, cars have to not run me over. These signs are sort of ridiculous.'

Well, a little later that day I was about to step off the curb into a crosswalk - at a light - with a clear 'walk' signal, not even blinking orange - 'walk'. And a car made a right-hand turn which very nearly took me out. If I'd been walking any faster, or if the extremely close proximity of said car hadn't caused me to glance to my left and come to a completely instinctive stop, I really think I would be dead, because she wasn't driving slowly and she never even glanced at the people on the sidewalk, she was staring straight ahead as she passed me.

This is twice now I've almost been taken out by automobile - the last time I was crossing legally as well. A city bus went through a red light and I literally had to jump back onto the sidewalk to avoid dying. So, perhaps I'm feeling a little more charitable toward the ridiculous signs, though I'm not sure if they're actually going to change anyone's driving habits.

Right, on with the pictures. There actually aren't as many good ones as I'd thought there were. Hm.

When the monks are out for the day, you know you're in the right place.



Please note - not to scale! This thing was at least a foot long - huge.



Actual scale - note the penny. I don't know why, this just amused the heck out of me so I'm subjecting you guys to it as well.



So, I didn't want to tell you guys because I didn't want to share him, but I'd arranged a meet-up with Benedict.



And a relative of Molly Hamster asked me to send her regards - there can be no other reason for the sitting still.



Birds!





Mushrooms!



Bugs!











Weird leafy things!



Which seem to sprout into this...which is even weirder.



Lemons!



So on the way home, I tipped my seat back and was generally taking it easy, when KR cranes over and is looking back out my window. I'm all, 'what's up?' as this generally indicates there's something up. Well, the back bumper corner was flapping in the breeze. This led to a quick exchange of, 'whoa' 'we didn't hit anything.' 'who closed that door' 'did you notice anything' before we pulled over and he got out for a look. Not really sure what actually happened, but in any case we're stuck with a flapping bumper. He knocked it back into place, but when we started driving again it started flapping again.

So I'm all, 'hee! well I still have...'

Comments

[chloris.livejournal.com]

EEK! I'm glad you noticed her before she flattened you! It's so much fun being a pedestrian sometimes. And I love the Hello Kitty tape. I want some Hello Kitty tape.

[impulsereader.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I'm glad too. Though the bus incident was the closest I've ever come to making some easy money. Afterwards I was thinking, 'well, if I'd survived...'

I was really pleased to finally have a reason to buy the Hello Kitty tape. Previously I'd passed because I didn't have any real use for it. But when you need to stick your lemon to the wall you might as well do it with Hello Kitty tape as with boring old regular duct tape.

I'm glad you had a nice trip! Seeing lots of plays while on vacation is a very good idea, so I've made a not to check out the area for future trips.

[f-m-r-l.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you're o.k. (With an expectation that cars stop at red lights when there are people in crosswalks, you should probably be very careful to never cross the street in Boston.)

And the Hello Kitty duct tape is cute.

[impulsereader.livejournal.com]

I'm really getting the feeling that you didn't like Boston...so far the general rule I follow when on vacation and crossing streets is - if the locals are crossing, signal be damned, make sure you're not following an idiot, then cross.

[f-m-r-l.livejournal.com]

My theory? Look for someone in a very expensive suit. Cross with them. The motorists will sense the threat of very expensive lawyers. :-)

[impulsereader.livejournal.com]

Oh, well played. Well played indeed.