Random Sputterings: 12/18/2001

[elSicomoro]

Originally posted by dhamsaic
And there really isn't much to get started on about Fairfax. It's just a nice place to live. At least, where I live, it is.

Either way, you're a booger.

Oh, there is plenty for me to get started on about Fairfax, and Northern Virginia as a whole. The closest equivalent we have to it here in Philadelphia is probably the King of Prussia area. And I hate KOP with all my heart and soul. But that's a story for another topic I will post later tonight.

Take yer time. I'll be finishing up and installing my dual processor box tonight, so I probably won't get back to the Cellar until Saturday evening...

[MaggieL]

Originally posted by sycamore

The closest equivalent we have to it here in Philadelphia is probably the King of Prussia area. And I hate KOP with all my heart and soul.

Well, you're *certainly* welcome to go back to *koff* St. Louis. You won't even have to worry about us gun nuts, since St. Louis all by itself killed Second Amendment rights for the rest of the state. :-)

I lived in KoP for about twenty years, and I'm just across the river from it now. There are a number of things that you need to understand about KoP to appreciate it:

1) The Malls are not the town. The nicest parts of KoP are on the *other* side of the Turnpike. Including most of the residential space, and Valley Forge Park. There are other nice sections, but I'm keeping those secret. :-)

2) The Malls (and their attendant satellite stores like SamAsh Music or Home Depot) are a pain in the ass for *everybody*. *Especially* at Christmas time. If you want to hit the KoP malls during the holidays, I suggest taking a native guide who knows the back roads, because US 202 is a Federally funded parking lot from Thanksgiving to New Year's. I'm available this year...:-)

3) The *good* part about The Malls is: they help pay for the school system. The Upper Merion school system is *excellent*, and both my daughters grew up in it. Families move into Upper Merion just to get access to the school system, especially families with handicapped kids.

Municipal Services in Upper Merion Township are in general very, very good. Don't miss the open-air folk music concerts in the park behind the township building (which also houses the excellent public library) summer Sunday evenings at 7pm: bring a blanket and maybe a picnic dinner. On your way there, stop at Michael's Deli on Town Center road: best hoagies on the planet.

4) The layout and connectivity of the major highways in KoP cannot be understood by non-natives, and no signage known to man will help. The problem is the confluence of the PA Turnpike, the Schyulkyl Expressway, US 202 and US 422, aided and abetted by a near-miss by US 30.

Those of you who think it's unfair that only natives understand US 202 will be comforted by the existance of the US 202 rebuilding project. Once the project is complete, natives will be as lost as everybody else, and it won't help to stop at Dunkins Donuts (one each on US 202 N and US 202 S) to ask directions.

And HPUX sucks. :-)

[elSicomoro]

Originally posted by MaggieL
Well, you're *certainly* welcome to go back to *koff* St. Louis. You won't even have to worry about us gun nuts, since St. Louis all by itself killed Second Amendment rights for the rest of the state. :-)

No thanks, I like Philadelphia.

Okay Maggie, let's try again. The second amendment is alive and well, contrary to the notions of some. The state of Missouri voted against repealing the ban on concealed weapons in early 1999. As a whole, the ban was upheld by about 10% or so. The reason it was upheld is primarily thanks to residents in St. Louis City and St. Louis County, where the voting ranged from 4-1 to 9-1 in favor of upholding the ban.

Now then, someone in that state had to take the lead. With the exception of a few spots, that state lacks solid intelligence outside St. Louis (and maybe...MAYBE Kansas City). I don't trust Missourians to carry concealed weapons...period. If St. Louis City and County didn't take steps, then who?

That being said, I had no problem with Marylanders carrying concealed weapons. *shrugs*

Now...back to the topic at hand.

I know several lovely people who have lived in the KOP area for longer than you have. And I'm sure you and others that have lived out there for 20-30 years moved out there for whatever reason...possibly b/c it was near the sticks and more peaceful and offered what you were looking for in an area to live. The mall is nice, the area has lots of jobs in it, etc. If you love living there, hey, more power to you. As I stated, I hate KOP. To me it represents all that is wrong with suburbia. Of course, I am not a fan of suburbia at all, but that is just me. Lots of people hate the city. *shrugs* We all live and coexist peacefully.

The layout and connectivity of the major highways in KoP cannot be understood by non-natives, and no signage known to man will help. The problem is the confluence of the PA Turnpike, the Schyulkyl Expressway, US 202 and US 422, aided and abetted by a near-miss by US 30.

The week before I left, they opened the new 76 ramps from NB 202. In turn, they closed off the entrance to our building (on S. Warner Rd.) and moved it over to Devon Park Dr. It was much easier to get onto 76 using the new system (although the ramp makes you feel that you're driving to the middle of nowhere), although it didn't help me much. I took the Tpk, and since they closed the NB 202 onramp at Warner Rd., I had to drive over by the mall to catch the Tpk. Although, in the morning, I could avoid 202 altogether by quickly getting off at N. Gulph Rd. and going up Guthrie Rd.

I feel for the folks that take the 124 bus to my old job, especially when the Warner Rd. overpass closes early next year.

[MaggieL]

Originally posted by sycamore
...they closed off the entrance to our building (on S. Warner Rd.) and moved it over to Devon Park Dr.

No kidding--I used to work just down the street from there at 500 E Sweedesford. Of course that's in *Wayne*...not even in Montgomery County, much less Upper Merion Township.

It *is* in the midst of the Great US 202 restructuring though.

I'm sure the folks in St. Loius are currently "taking the lead", too. I'd recommend body armor.

[elSicomoro]

Originally posted by MaggieL
No kidding--I used to work just down the street from there at 500 E Sweedesford. Of course that's in *Wayne*...not even in Montgomery County, much less Upper Merion Township.

While we did use a Wayne address, we were still in Upper Merion Twp and Montgomery County (County Line Rd. was about a few hundred feet behind our building). Upper Merion took a one-time $10 "tax" out of my first paycheck.

[MaggieL]

Originally posted by sycamore


While we did use a Wayne address, we were still in Upper Merion Twp and Montgomery County (County Line Rd. was about a few hundred feet behind our building). Upper Merion took a one-time $10 "tax" out of my first paycheck.

&lt thinks&gt Ah...I see. Devon Park is on the *south* side of 202. OK...not far, execpt in political-subdivision terms. My first house in King of Prussia was on Shoemaker Lane, off Weadley. (one of those secretly nice areas) We were only a hundred yards or so from the Chester/Montgomery county line, and also only about 3/4 mile from a point where Delaware, Chester and Montgomery Counties come togther....naturally three different municipalities also: Radnor, Upper Merion and Tredyffryn Townships.