pwlk blog » Cincinnati

White Death Fail

Jason — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 14:28:56 +0000

Fail!

For those keeping up, I wrote last night about my 1996 Honda Civic which has over 250K miles on it not starting. Well I am happy to report that the fail in this post is not the car’s fault. It is quite the opposite, really. The car gave me hope, showed me that sometimes you just need a little loving. But let’s start back at the beginning…

7:15am
Making my way outside, determination fills my mind. I will make it to work! After opening the driver door, the dome light is on. It fills my heart with hope. The key is in the engine… turn… click… silence. A wave of disappointment overwhelms me.

7:25am
Still sitting in a cold, silent, and still car, I take out my phone to email my boss.

“Boss, so far I have my car unburied and tires dug out… but only to find it won’t start. Rough week. I’m going to keep working at it.”

I had tried everything I could think of to get my little red baby to make her engine purr. I got out of the car and slammed the back door once… twice… three times… four… five times in a row; all testing my theory which I wrote about last night, that slamming the door was like a crank, and the more I did it, the better the battery would do. The silence was deafening.

7:30am
I’m talking to my Civic. “Come on baby… do the locomotion with me…” A few other cars slide past on the road; I can tell my car is embarrassed. “You can do it! I know you can!” Leaving all doors shut, I reach into the back seat and open the door from the inside and give it a good, but loving, slam. I was losing hope, but I didn’t want my Civic to see it. I kept a strong face and turned the key, VrOooom… stutter… Gave it gas and let it cough a little. We have a working car! I let out a few cheers, gave my car some love, and let it run for a few minutes.

7:35am – 8:20am
Apparently my wheels were not as “dug out” as I had originally thought. With my car’s engine running beautifully, and after a few unsuccessful attempts to roll my car out of its spot on the street, I told her “don’t worry, you did your part, I’ll do mine, I won’t let you down.” I lied. During this 45 minutes, I must’ve gotten in and out of my car over a dozen times, rocking it, getting out to see where I was getting stuck, hacking away at the ice with my hand held windshield scraper. Rinse and repeat, yeah? I was getting no where real quick. This is also after I heard on the radio during my shower this morning that 71 North was shut down at 275 for an accident, so that doubles/triples/quadruples(?) my commute. I was getting frustrated.

After I had been outside for an hour, I decided it might be time to bite the bullet. Picking up my lunch box and water bottle, I reluctantly turned the key backwards and silenced my baby that had treated me so well. “Sorry” I whispered to it.

“Boss, Fail. I got the car started about 10 minutes after that last email… but what I thought was my tires dug out, well not so much. Apparently there is a 1/2 inch of ice coating the road underneath the other snow and ice that’s making it very difficult. I spent the next 45 minutes shoveling and rocking the car.

It’s a bit frustrating. I doubt I’ll be coming into work today. I’ll get on Kroger mail here in a few and respond to any emails that have reached me there.”

On the brighter side, in response to my post a few days ago about people being silent when its cold out, today was different. The kids that walked by, going to class, were all very friendly in wishing me luck. One guy even told me he saw a shovel a ways down the street leaning up against a telephone poll.

I’ll end this post with a letter to my car.

My dear little Civic, I am truly sorry that I failed you. After you pulled through for me, showing me that it just takes a little loving (and possibly ridicule from others), you can succeed. You did not let me down. It was me that let you down. I did not hold up my end of the morning. For that, I am deeply sorry. I know you may not trust me next time I turn the key, thinking I am just teasing you with dreams of the open road. But I hope to regain your trust soon. ~Jason

The Strangest Car Troubles

Jason — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 04:59:11 +0000

Just so you know… I have the strangest car troubles right now.

This has been going on for a few weeks now. I am pretty sure it has to do with the cold weather, but not completely sure. I have a 1996 Honda Civic with over 250K miles on it. Great car, I love it. But lately the battery (as far as I can tell) is going all funky monkey on me. The skinny of it is, my car won’t start. On the special occasions that the car wants to be difficult, I will go out to the car, put the key in the ignition, push the clutch to the floor and turn the key. For a normal car you’d hear VROOM! But for me… click… nothing… silence. If I turn the key again, not even a click. I think I used all the juice my battery had to offer making that click.

But are you ready for the tidbit that really puts the funk in that monk? After the car won’t start, all I have to do is open one of the backdoors and slam it shut. As long as I have the driver side door open, the dome light will come on and a little bit of juice will have returned to the car. Most of the time I will then be able to turn the key, hear the VROOM and be on my way. But sadly, not tonight.

You see, Cincinnati just got hit by what is apparently being called by a Facebook ad, ‘White Death’ (see image at end of post). We got covered by 11 inches of snow with a few inches of ice somewhere in the middle. And I being one who thinks ahead …ehem… realized that tomorrow morning at 7am would not be fun timing to scrape all that off my car. So I attempted to do this tonight (at 11pm). The car got cleaned off pretty easily, but when I went to start it, nothing. I slammed each of the front doors to find that the dome light did nothing. I slammed each of the back doors, the dome light turning on after each door slam. But it must not have been enough juice to get the cold engine running. I’m wondering, now that I’m back up in the nice warm and dry apartment, if slamming the door is like turning a crank. If I slam the door 5 times, maybe that’ll generate enough juice to get the car up and running?

Who knows…

I decided it would be best to let the car rest tonight, out from under the ice and snow. But again, thinking about it, maybe I should have left the ice and snow covering the car, isn’t that how igloos provide warmth? I probably just made the car even colder. Oh well, here’s to hoping I can make it to work tomorrow!

Cheers

White Death according to WCPO

What is wrong with people?

Jason — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 16:50:11 +0000

== Update – 12/22/2008 ==
My car was broken into last night. They busted out the back right window. They made a mess looking around the glove compartment, but looks like they only got away with my change drawer. They made $1.50 and further proves my point that Clifton sucks.
== end update ==

I have been thinking about writing a post like this for some time, but with recent events, I decided now is the time.

Let me ask you a question… what is wrong with people? Why do people think that they can be more important than you and take things that don’t belong to them. What am I talking about? I am talking about the quality and safety of living in Clifton, OH near the University of Cincinnati campus.

As I have stated in a previous post, we as students at the University of Cincinnati receive periodic (about one per week) emails telling about the crime around the campus area. They mention what the crime was, any description of suspects involved, and other such information. Let me give you a quick summary of the last few “Safety Notice” emails…

November 15, 2008 @ 3:00am :: In one of the campus dorms, a girl was raped
November 11, 2008 @ 11:30pm :: A girl was sitting in her car when two guys with a gun got in her car and demanded her property
November 8, 2008 @ 7:00pm :: A girl was sitting on the back porch of her house when two guys came up and told her they had a gun and demanded her property
November 3, 2008 @ 7:50pm :: A guy was approached on the street by 2 men with a gun. The guy tried to run away but was shot in the leg

And that’s just a taste of some of the recent emails we have received. You wanna know something real awful though, the descriptions of the suspects about half the time are said to be around 16 years of age… just the right age where they are stupid enough to think that shooting someone over a wallet that isn’t theirs to begin with is fine. Now let’s run down a few things that have happened to either myself or family/friends while attending the University of Cincinnati

Brother’s apartment was broken into and they stole items such as computer/game system/movies
Roommate’s car was broken into, bashing the back window where his server’s apron with some cash was stolen
Yesterday my driver side mirror was either stolen or used as a baseball
This morning our down stairs neighbor’s car was broken into, bashing in the back window. I don’t know if anything was stolen or not

Thankfully the worst that has happened to me personally has been a car mirror gone missing. But it is the culmination of everything that happens down here. Email after email after email about these robberies. What is wrong with people?!? Why do they think they are all powerful when they have a gun in their hands, taking whatever they want.

So what can be done about all this crime on and near the University of Cincinnati? First and foremost, the University needs to purchase the surrounding houses and properties. Much of the surrounding apartments and houses are occupied by who we like to refer to as ‘locals’. Many of the locals in this area tend to be low income and apparently not helping the ‘quality of life’ here at UC. The University shoud purchase these houses and rent them as they are rented now to students. I believe there needs to be more security around campus as well. There is rarely an incident on the campus itself, but in the surrounding streets that is a different story. Whether this means cameras on street corners, or that more police officers have a more dense route to patrol, something needs to change.

I honestly have never been a fan of the Cincinnati Police. Too many times have I been waiting at a red light when a CPD car is almost behind me, slowing down… and they flip on their sirens and lights going through the red light only to turn them off again on the other side of the intersection. But lately, I have been welcoming the sight of the CPD near campus.

With all this nonsense, I really have to wonder, if there is this much crime being reported… how much crime is being caught?

Fire at St. George

Jason — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 02:30:07 +0000

We could see the flames and smoke from our back lot some 4 or 5 blocks away. After throwing on jackets, scarves, and gloves, we ran down the street with cell phone cameras in hand. By the time we got there, many other people had gathered in the blockbuster parking lot, just looking up. Smoke filled the already dark night air and a gentle mist of water frosted our faces from the fire hoses doing their best to contain the flames. Everyone was looking at the same sight, the two tall steeples of a historic Cincinnati landmark, St. George were engulfed in bright flames. It was an eery sight to look up at tall steep roofs of shingles completely covered with fire, and to see two crosses, rising just above, the flames giving light to, but not touching. As we stood there, the wind blowing smoke, ash, and water in our faces on an already cold night, the firemen near a fire hydrant chased away spectators that tried to get a little too close with their cameras. Dozens of flashing lights covered the streets so that no one that wasn’t in uniform could get anywhere near the danger. After not all too long, the western roof started to creak, and in slow motion tumbled down, falling back onto the rest of the church. If you looked close enough you could, however, see water overflowing from the top of the church, so that steeple bathed, causing no danger. Only about 10 minutes later while watching in awe, the eastern steeple, in repeat of the first, creaked and crashed to the ground. The sound of wood breaking along with a dense cloud of hot embers filled the air. Before the second steeple had fallen, pieces had fallen off the front of the church onto power lines, making the storefronts at our backs fall dark. With the light from the church, it wasn’t really noticeable. We stood around for a little while longer. A WCPO Channel 9 guy with camera came over by us, and after exchanging a few words, asked if any of us would mind an interview. I volunteered and told what I had seen. Soon after, the three alarm fire appeared to be completely under control, and we started our walk back to the house. The mist from the hoses was freezing over the sidewalks, and the air smelled of smoke. On the way back, a number of people stopped us asking what was going on. One older lady out in her front yard with her dog, just hung her head with the news.

Below I have included pictures taken with my iPhone.

notice in picture img_01251.JPG all the embers flying in the air after the first steeple fell.

I live in one big free garage sale

Jason — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 01:32:00 +0000

I live in a nasty crime infested dirty neighborhood. Yes, I live in Clifton.

Now the area I live in does have a good number of college kids, but there is an extremely large ‘local’ population. And the local population tends to be low income families. Walking to and from class I have noticed something. These locals seem to throw out an extremely large amount of furniture. Yeah, furniture. I’m talking everything from mattresses to recliners to couches to bathroom vanities. What’s up with this?

My question is how can such low income families afford to throw out so much furniture. Is it somehow soiled where they can’t even sell it? What about donating to Goodwill? What about asking your neighbors if they can use an extra bathroom sink?

If you don’t know what I’m talking about, go to your local neighborhood that is always under crime-watch, and just drive around for a little bit. Maybe you’ll strike gold and it’ll be garbage collection night, but really it doesn’t matter, when a piece of furniture has been labeled as curb trash, it goes there regardless what night of the week it is.

Yes, I know, I didn’t grow up in a neighborhood like this. Even though I have lived here for going on three years, I still don’t feel completely comfortable on my own front porch. But someone please explain to me why so much furniture is being thrown out. Even beyond the fact that they are throwing out furniture, what do these people replace the missing couch with? If they are able to buy this much furniture… why are they living here?

Some things I fear will never make much sense. I don’t act like I know anything, I just question… hah, later days!

Rubber Duck Regatta – Ernie’s day out!

Jason — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 17:02:00 +0000

Are you from Cincinnati? Have you ever heard of the Rubber Duck Regatta? I hadn’t until this year. While driving up I-71 North a few nights ago I look up at one of the office buildings on the west side of the highway and notice something different. I see the largest, yellow, inflatable duck EVER! This duck is the ultimate ducky… I am scared to think what our orange friend Ernie would do if he ever laid eyes on this duck.

You remember Ernie, right? He’s the little orange guy from the shorts of ‘Bert & Ernie’ from Sesame Street? Of course you do. Ernie is the one who sang ‘Rubber ducky, you’re the one… you make bath times so much fun!…’ Everyone knows and loves the song.

Anyway… I saw the big duck on top of an office building, and also received a number of emails at work about purchasing ducks. So my roommate, Sean, and I decided to go ahead and purchase some.

Before I get too much further I guess I should probably explain what the Rubber Duck Regatta is, to those unfortunate enough to be out of the Cincinnati area this time of year. The Rubber Duck Regatta is a fundraiser for the Free store Food bank. 100% of the money raised from the Rubber Duck Regatta goes to feeding the hungry. The ducks cost one for $5, or six for $25 (Sean and I now have six lucky ducks!). On Sunday, September 2nd at 2pm, all the ducks will be released over the side of the Purple People Bridge for the race of their lives. The first duck to cross the finish line gets a brand new, 2007 Honda Civic! I think the next 4 or 5 ducks to cross each get $1,000. Not too bad… unfortunately for my chances (but fortunately for the free store food bank) there are thousands of ducks that will race.

There is also one National City Million Dollar Duck that will race. I think the duck is randomly selected for a random person that has a duck. And if that person is one lucky duck (yes, they have beat that pun into the ground)… they get $1,000,000. But don’t get your hopes up, first you have to be lucky enough to be selected… then you have to be lucky enough to win… yes, I know, I’m not holding my breath.

Overall this seems like it will be a fun and entertaining way to help some people out. I enjoy running races that give proceeds to charities, but this is something different that will be fun as well.

If you are interested, I am sure they won’t limit your participation to living in the Cincinnati area, you can order online, or by phone I believe… here’s some info below.

http://www.rubberduckregatta.org
Phone: 513.929.DUCK (3825)
http://www.freestorefoodbank.org

Have a good weekend! I’ll be out on the lake tomorrow with my Dad, time for nice long morning fishing!

Billy Currington is my conscience

Jason — Tue, 29 May 2007 19:25:00 +0000

So Saturday night at Taste we I was standing around, waiting for Sean to get some food at a booth. I wasn’t paying attention to much of anything, just looking around, watching the people pass. If you don’t know what the crowd at Taste is at let me try an paint a picture. Take a street of your local downtown (this one is 5th street, so pretty far downtown) crowd booths on both sides of the road and then crowd thousands of people on the street in between the booths, all trying to get to their next beer booth without much concern of those around them… but anyway… So I was standing there, watching the crowd and I looked into the wave heading my way and caught the look of this very cute girl walking past, just looking at me. My first reaction was huh? do I know her? But I didn’t. I followed her look for two seconds before she seemed to realize I was returning her gaze. She smiled a very cute smile. My brain at that point was very confused… why is this girl looking at me? wait she smiled, what am I suppose to do? hah, so you get the drift of my confusion. I think I might have tried to return a smile… but I’m not quite sure how that turned out. And then as quick as MC Hammer’s career was over, so was she gone. I was just excited that ‘cute taste of cincinnati girl’ smiled at me… hah. And as we walked away in the other direction, Billy Currington’s voice popped in my head… “you fool, that coulda been love”…

Haha, thought I would amuse you with my little romance this weekend

Weekend of Taste

Jason — Tue, 29 May 2007 03:33:00 +0000

This weekend was a very nice extended weekend. Saturday and Sunday were mostly spent downtown on 5th street with friends at Taste of Cincinnati. For those that don’t know what Taste of Cincinnati is, it is where many of the Cincinnati Restaurants get judged for ‘best dishes’ and all the such, and then they take up a street downtown for a weekend and sell their most famous dishes from their tents. All in All its a great time to get some food, hang with friends, and hear some good concerts.

Me being rather poor at the moment, I didn’t buy any food but a 2 dollar ear of corn which was probably the best ear of corn I have ever tasted in my life. I also spent a dozen dollars or so on some fine beer for the weekend. I tried a dark Worsteiner, which I enjoyed extremely, and I’ll have to see how their prices are in the stores.

Today, Monday, Memorial Day, I went home to Mason to celebrate my Grandma’s birthday. 39 and still holding (as she says). It was a good time. Time with the family is always enjoyable.

The long extended weekend turned out to be as relaxing and fun as expected. I got to hang out with a few people I have really met before and also with good friends. While at Taste on Sunday night it pored down rain. We stood over a sewer grate playing the thumbs game while the rain was blown up past us and our close dried from the (I’m sure so clean) sewer warm air.

I hope your long weekend was as enjoyable as mine. A short 4-day work week ahead… unfortunately a work week at all…

Later!

The Homeless Union

Jason — Sun, 18 Mar 2007 20:39:00 +0000

This morning, on the way into church, a man with nasty teeth, a need for a shave, and an even greater need for a shower was standing outside the entrance asking those coming in if they could spare a dollar so he could get lunch. Usually, I’ll give a dollar to those who ask, if I do indeed (and it is rare) have cash on me. This time I thought I’d try something different.

(Reaches hand out for a hand shake)
“You spare a few dollars for food?”
(I acknowledge and return the hand shake)
“Well how about I meet you after the service and we can go get lunch together?”
“That would be very fine… I’ll see you here after the service.”

I was actually kind of surprised he accepted my offer. Most of the time you just think they say its for food, but then go buy some Colt45 to wash their minds away. The entire service I was thinking about him, trying to decide if he was really going to be there for our ‘lunch date’. The service ended and I was quick to get outside, and sure enough he was there. We made way to Jersey Mike’s and ordered some food (to go on his request) We talked a lot, he asked lots of questions about my life, my family, and actually seemed throughly interested. I in return asked him about his family and life, he was raised with 16 foster kids and loved to cook/bake and paint/draw. Quite an interesting character.

I am, however, convinced that the homeless are all part of a union. I am sure they have meetings to argue over who gets what corner at what times of day… also of course to hand out the latest cardboard sign. ‘Homeless… Hungry… God Bless’ ‘Vietnam War Veteran – Homeless – Please Help – God Bless’
And its true, all their signs do say God Bless… but I’ve never seen a homeless looking person in a church service.
I think next week, if I see my homeless friend again (I wish I could remember his name) I’ll take him to lunch again, but first invited him in for the service. Have a good rest of weekend, GO OSU!