Yet Another Blog

So people in Philly can no longer light up in most bars and restaurants and the owners of these establishments can face fines for allowing smoking… not a totally bad idea, but why have it when enforcement is so hypocritical?  SEPTA has had signs in the subway system stating that Smoking is Not Allowed and that a smoker faces some jail time and $300 large if caught smoking… y’think anyone has ever been fined or done some jail time for lighting up in the subway?  Doubt it. 

Its contradictions like this one that frustrate me about city life.  I don’t go into many bars and restaurants and I don’t really smoke, though I know I’ll probably light up a cig at some future point in my life.  Nonetheless, I get that there are bar/restaurant workers who would rather not be exposed to second hand smoke.  Makes sense.  And there are potential patrons that don’t want to inhale someone elses exhalation.  These are people usually over the age of 21 who have made a decision to visit an establishment and get jiggy, have Miller lite, or eat some hotwings at the bar.  They could decide not to go into a smoke filled bar or restaurant, but does a child waiting for the number 11 trolley underground at 15th and Market St. have much of a choice when smokers decide to light up?  Nope.  Y’think Septa workers or transit cops give a shit?  Nope.

Y’know I’ve been in the NYC subway system and in the last few years I have yet to see or smell a nicotine addict doing their thing while waiting for the Uptown train.  Does it happen. Probably, but I doubt that it is as frequent as what you’ll find any given day, at any given time underground in Philadelphia.

Above ground though, you take your life into your own hands as well.  Take the corner of 15th and JFK… the light turns green and every soccer mom in an SUV, every cab driver, every trucker, every jackass lawyer is trying to make a right turn in the middle of pedestrian traffic.  The light system is so counter human at that crossing… and there is never a cop around to almost vehicular homicide suspects trying to get from A-Z with little regard for the people crossing the street. 

Maybe I expect too much from people in this city.  Maybe I should lighten up and expect less.  Nahhhh….

That’s why I am only gonna vote for the candidates who decide that the little things in our city matter as much as the big things.  Litter… smoking in the subway… SEPTA drivers who drive too damn fast and brake too damn hard… these things are mutually important to me as is crime… rising homicide rates… corruption… etc.

Yeah.. the road is long and winding… at least we should be able to enjoy the ride.

My life has been a mixed bag of late.  Meeting people and learning new things… the roller coaster ride of relationships… children growing and work being both rewarding and taxing.

Through it all, I have discerned that God, Allah, the Creator/Creatress is a DJ who sends us songs performed by the Roots, Bonnie Raite, Jethro Tull and/or the Bee Gees, etc, just when we need them.  Sometimes even when we think otherwise.

My life ain’t easy, but having travelled just a little bit, I know others have it harder.  Nonetheless, it is a very challenging existence I live and the Great DJ in the sky is always helpful.