chill out, philly!

without fail, at least once every day an annoyed driver honks at me. it doesn't matter if i am walking or driving. someone will undoubtedly toot. it's usually because i'm in their way, or i waited 1 nanosecond after the light turned green to cross the intersection. i've grown used to it. i like to think that they are just being friendly and saying 'hello there!', or maybe they think that i look like someone they know, since i have many asian look-alikes. i like to pretend that philadelphians are really laid-back and don't have anger management issues.

today within the span of five hours i've encountered the epitome of uptight east coaster. so i had some comp time this afternoon because i worked last saturday. it turned out great because i needed a break. and alex was in town visiting with his cousins, luke and kevin. i caught up with them at independence hall. apparently this is the only block in the entire city where jaywalkers are reprimanded. i was thinking i could cross the cobblestone road in the middle of the block, and the moment i stepped off the curve i heard a whistle. naturally it caught my attention, i looked up and across the street was a PPD officer, dressed up as a park ranger waving his finger at me. i gave him a pouty look, turned around and walked the other way.

after getting a cheesesteak at jim's and water ice at rita's i went home. then shortly thereafter went to the art museum w/ nancy. currently there is a renoir exhibit. very inspiring! however, i was a little flabbergasted in the beginning because as nancy and i were chatting, this woman behind me shushed us - "sssh!!!" meanwhile there was really loud live jazz music coming from the atrium. i didn't know that there was no talking allowed in an art museum. or maybe this lady had dreams of becoming a librarian but never got to live them out. or maybe this lady is constantly on edge, like lives with 20 grandchildren and developed a compulsive shushing reflex to any type of chatter.

the end.