Religion and Politics

It’s another church sign blog…

Except this time I don’t have a picture because, well, it was dark and by the time I noticed it, it was long gone.  Bad reporting and timing on my part, nevertheless, something to comment on.

Anyway, the sign is located on Rt. 934 and talked about voting (which everyone should do on Tuesday).  It made me think, should the church be involved in politics?  I know at my church they try to put different ideas in our heads and preach about abortion, stem cell research and other controversial issues every once in awhile.  However, I never understood why.  The church is about religion and religion only.  It’s important to vote and everyone who belongs to the church should do so but what does religion have to do with our government?

I don’t really have much to say on this subject, but I’m not sure that church signs that try and get our attention as we drive past should have any political connotation.  That’s just me.

[If I am able to get the picture I will post it so you can all see]

Rivalry on the Road

The race is on.

Driving on the turnpike is a competition.  It’s weird to think of driving to a destination as a competitive sport unless it’s drag racing or NASCAR.  However, it is and we’re all to blame.  We may not be able to help it, but we contribute to this aggressive nature of the highway.

Two cars in two lanes heading in the same direction.  One tries to go faster than the other as it moves into the right lane in front of the other car.  Then the original right-lane-car moves into the left to try to pass the one who dared to pass them in the first place and so on and so on.

This can continue for miles.

Every time I’m on a highway, I always have that one car that we just battle it out on the road.  He (not that I’m sexist, but usually it’s a he) passes me, then I pass him, then he passes me and then I pass him, etc.  We always end up at the same spot and if one gets ahead, the other usually catches up.  The trend I have been noticing is that Infiniti Coupes are usually the ones that try to compete with me… no offense to anyone who drives an Infiniti.  It’s just an observation.

But it does seem pointless, doesn’t it?

Why is everyone in such a hurry?  We must pass one another, not consider the other person and get upset when someone isn’t going as fast as we want.  I admit I’m one of those who will yell if someone is in my way and going under the speed limit (for the most part) however, I know it’s wrong.  My father always tells me that we should never be in a rush.  It’s better to be late than to rush and be on time.  This is a true statement as it is more dangerous if we rush than take our time, even if the thing we’re rushing to is a job or some important event.  Driving is a privilege  and shouldn’t be turned into something where we would rather barrel down someone than dare to be late.

Even with the competitive nature of the highway as one car tries to beat the other car to the unknown finish line, I also can’t help but think how the highway is like a brotherhood (or sisterhood).  Cars do look out for each other, well, at least when there is a radar gun involved…

Didn’t your mother ever teach you proper posture?

Proper posture.

I know in the past, parents would yell at their kids for slouching and push on their backs to sit up straight.  That was just how the generation was back then.  Now a days, everyone slouches and posture isn’t a huge issue anymore.   except we all have back problems.

Anyway, I have a point to this.  Lately whenever I take a sneak peek at my fellow drivers, I see them drive in the weirdest ways.  I’m not talking about the lady who is late for work and is doing their make-up in the car (which is dangerous and I’m not saying that that’s not a topic on its own).  However, the issue I’m discussing is the people who drive with their feet out the window (well, at least one foot) or laying down or anything along those lines.

I was seriously stunned when I saw the gentleman with his foot hanging out the window while he was driving.  I was taught to have one foot on the gas pedal and the other on the ground.  I was taught well.

I don’t care who you are or how far of a drive it is… please keep proper posture on the road.  Please and thank you.

Expression?!

I understand that everyone needs to express themselves through their clothes, attitude, even their car.  The look and type of someone’s car can tell a lot about a person’s personality.  For example, a practical person may drive a Toyota Camry while someone who needs speed may drive a Ferrari (if they can afford one).  The typical “businessman” may drive a black BMW while the typical “soccer mom” will drive a mini van.  People can also express themselves through the decals and design of  their car of choice.  My point is, all these details result in one expressing themselves through their car.

With all this said, today I saw three cars that were covered in bright, neon colors.  I was not aware that hot orange hubcaps were the “in” thing, and please correct me if that is the case.  I felt like I was thrown into the 80’s with the hot pink, yellows and oranges on these cars that definitely wasn’t created to support the 80’s look.

Seriously, is this the cool thing?  Do I have bad taste in thinking that this just looks ugly?  It really does stand out, I mean it caught my eye, but is this what the car owners want?  Does this reflect a bold personality?

If this is the case, I’m not sure I want to know who owns those cars.

Well, unless they’re driving this:

But, it’s a Bugatti Veyron Super Sport which is not only sweet but it also shows wealth and good taste in sports.  Let’s go Flyers!

 

New Rule!

The turnpike now has a new rule!  If this is actually true or not, I’m not sure, but you better listen to it.  I would have taken a picture of the sign that flashed the new rule, however, I was on the turnpike and could not really slow down for it.  The hazard sign flashed:

Keep thumbs on wheel

Text free turnpike

It’s a problem now, and I think it’s interesting that even the turnpike commission or someone who works for the turnpike has taken notice.  Whether they are being serious or not, it’s still true.  Now, I’m pretty sure that the state troopers are not going to pull you over for texting and driving and giving you a “Driving while texting” citation (alright, it’s a lame name, but just bear with me).  However, drivers must be aware.

Please, I value life.  Listen to the sign.

History can never be erased

And why would you want to?  Graffiti can be painted over, but I was really glad this one wasn’t.

Can we do it again?  I think so.  Let’s go Phillies!

Road trip?

Road trip!

Well, the road trip, unfortunately, did not happen like I planned last Saturday.  I was supposed to accompany my friend’s parents on a trip to Maine for the weekend and then report all the wonderful scenes I would see on the way.  However, due to certain circumstances, it didn’t happen.  Can’t always get what you want I suppose…

Instead, I went to NYC, The Big Apple, The City of Cities, The City of Golden Dreams (you get the point).  I rode by train to see the sights, view Times Square and see Nathan Lane on stage playing Gomez and being in favor of the dead, dying and undecided.  Yes, I saw the Addams Family Musical.  I know it’s not really a “Drive By” thought, but it’s still a trip nonetheless.

It still amazes me the people you see when traveling by train.  The last train ride I took, before this one to NYC, I rode with my boss at my summer internship to Baltimore.  While waiting for the train, my boss took “people-watching” to a whole new level.  From watching an older gentleman pacing in the waiting area with a raggedy suit and a Princeton button to a young woman who’s high heels were an inch too big, it really opened my eyes.  She noticed every little detail and could analyze that person just through their mannerisms and dress.

I didn’t say my boss “judged” the stranger, but analyzed them.  So on Saturday, this is all I did.  On the train, I saw the student, the business man, the tourist, the loner and the family all travel on the same worn down NJ Transit train to NYC.  I remember one student in particular.  She was a younger girl of Asian ethnicity who was either a student in high school or early college.  She was wearing a worn hoodie, jeans and sneakers, carrying a backpack on her back and had earphones in her ears from an iPod.  Instead of sitting in a seat, she stood near the door for an hour.  She just minded her own business listening to her music.  This is what I do when I travel by myself, but she didn’t look at anyone…something that I don’t think I could do, as much as I try.  I’ve traveled a lot by myself, and every time I do, I end up talking to one person or another or just look around at the different people.  I don’t stare, but I like people-watching (if it wasn’t obvious after this posting).  I became curious of this girl, where she was heading, why she was alone, where she came from, what thoughts were running through her head, etc.  However, I lost her in the masses while we exited the train at Penn Station.

When we left the train, that’s when the fun of people-watching really began.  I’m not going to go into details about what I saw (just that I saw a pink limo ride by our window during dinner and an older gentleman walking by himself with a Mickey Mouse purse) but have you ever just sat back and watched the world go by?  It’s good practice for the future when trying to read people, especially future employers for interviews.  Not really a driving thought, but some advice.  So, go out to a public area and just look around.  You’ll be surprised on what you see.

Trying new things?

This sign is courtesy of a church near my hometown.  When I first passed it, I had no idea what it meant.  I know the saying means trying something new, but how?  Do they mean through Baptism?  Get your feet wet with religion?  If their goal was for me to attend mass  and find out what new things I can do, then I sort of get it (won’t do it, but I get it).  It’s interesting.  Very interesting… or should I say manipulative?

If you have any ideas, feel free to comment.  I’m sure we can sort this out.

Pet Peeve 1-I’m sure more will come

Traffic.

I don’t understand a lot of things in life, but traffic is a concept I will NEVER grasp.

Sure, I understand when there’s an accident or some construction.  However, when there’s “congestion,” I just don’t follow.

Who cares how many cars are on the road.  As long as everyone is moving, why should there be a slow down?  There’s a speed limit for a reason.  Go the speed limit, others will follow, no traffic.

I know I can’t control traffic and there are certain hours I will avoid a highway like the plague.  Heading home from Philly around 4 or 5 p.m.?  Forget it.

9 a.m. traffic?  I would head to work at 7 a.m. to avoid it (alright, this is an exaggeration because I HATE waking up in the morning, but you get the point).

When I head home from campus, I know there are certain areas where everyone just slows down.  Why?  Who knows.  There’s no construction or anything.  However, for a good 40 minutes everyone drives around 30 mph.  Then like clockwork, everyone speeds up to the speed limit again.  Every time it happens I can never figure out the reason.  It drives me crazy.

Look, everyone go the speed limit and we can all get to our destination with no delays.  It’s as simple as that.

Well, it’s true

I passed this billboard on the turnpike while heading back to LVC.  The first time I ever saw it last week, I read the “Watch the road” part.  It made me laugh and then for a second I saw the burger only as a passing glance.  I actually had to pass it again a week later to see it was a Sonic billboard.  Clever.  Very clever Sonic.

These type of advertisements are great, yet, dangerous at the same time.  If a billboard has to tell someone to watch the road and not the “juicy” burger, then it means they want them to look at the burger to see what the hype is about.  It says not to look, so, naturally, you look.  I can admire the business side of this billboard, I really can.  However, I do like my fellow turnpike drivers to watch the road as well with as few distractions as possible.  Sorry Sonic, I’m impressed and amused however, I like life.