It’s always Code Yellow in Philadelphia

This is going to be a stream of consciousness recap of my last 14 hours:

September 11 2008 -> having ‘almost’ nothing to do with the significance of that date.

I hop off the train, A train that was brimming with conversation about the election and was almost solidly Obama (I love the Northeast). My joy was quickly interrupted as I got to the bike rack where i’ve been parking my Scooter for the last 5 months. I’ve been parking on the other side of the station

30th street station

the 4 months prior to that. No Scooter just my lock (unbroken, damn that’s a good lock). I had an inkling that it was towed as I got a random ticket last week. but no more so I thought I was fine.

I called Amtrak police. This is where I met officer McBride. He gets my information and he then tells me it’s not stolen it was towed and gives me the information of where it is. If you look at the pic in the left. My scooter was parked next to those big columns at a bike rack, in the corner. The ticket says sidewalk. It’s not a sidewalk by any definition.

I want to be clear, I have no problem if 30th Street station makes a policy change on their Scooter parking. They don’t HAVE to let me park there. I know that. They could have towed me the first day. I only ever even started parking there because I saw 4 other scooters parking there. Back to McBride.

I asked the officer who was in charge of making the decision to tow the scooters that day. “It’s a motor-vehicle.”

“It is a motor vehicle, one that’s been parking in that spot without incident for nine months,” I said. “Who chose to enforce this rule at this time?”

“Cyclists were complaining.”

“O.K. But cyclists didn’t tow 3 scooters today. I just want to know who chose to enforce the policy. For me, I’m trying to understand why I wasn’t at least given a warning as someone who has been parked in the same spot for nine months.”

“I wrote you a ticket last week.”

“True. but the ticket said sidewalk, And there were no notes And I didn’t get another ticket for the next 5 days. So I assumed it was an error and plan on fighting the ticket.”

At this point I get stonewalled by officer McBride. I really just want to talk to someone who enforced this policy and didn’t decide to warn anyone. On September 11, I can see why this became an issue. It was obviously a show.

The Purple Orchid AKA The Bookstore

So I called some friends but no one was around. I had to get to 3101 S. 61st. (street view) (The ass of Philadelphia). When I get to the window of that building. The guy says “Meant to tell you on the Phone,Cash only”

“Where’s an ATM?”

“Down the road at the corner, The Purple Orchid.”

“Great”

I call my wife to let her know a few things. “Hi honey, still dealing with this. I thought you should know I have to walk down to the “Purple Orchid” to get money for the tow guy. So I’ll call you again once I’m leaving all this. It’s a far walk and I thought you should know when you look over the bank statement why I was at the Purlple Orchid and pulled out $250. I assume it’ll come out in all singles.”

I walk down the street in my business attire and leather briefcase (damn my high fashion ) with an uneasy feeling. I walk by an Asian towing place and they all stare me down. I get the sinking feeling that I’m gonna get robbed as soon as I leave the Purple Orchid with my $250.00.

I see a gas station and ask for another ATM. She points to the Purple Orchid and calls it the “Bookstore.”

“Where,” I say.

She points, embarrassed.

I walk across the street and I see a pool hall. I’d rather not go into the strip club. It’s just not my thing. I love naked women as much as anyone. But I like to be the only guy with them is my thing. Plus I’m married to a gorgeous woman.

As I approach the pool hall I see that it’s surrounded by all sorts of Porn industry shops. More clubs, dvd stores and book stores. I also notice that the place is called “Ball Busters.”

So now I’m wondering because of the name if I should just take m chances at the Orchid. I decide to press on and it turns out to be a normal Pool Hall. In fact, I might go back. They had cool internet terminals in the back too.

So I walk all the way back and get my scooter. oh, he hands me a parking ticket with my receipt.

The next day

I ride my bicycle to 30th street today, something that definitely won’t hurt my fitness regime. I get in and I see the friendly Amtrak officer I see everyday. Next to him is a tall Asian officer with an extra shiny hat and bunch of medals. His name is K.E. Lee. I walk over to him and basically start the line of questioning I had with McBride. He told me about how the gas was a risk and that they’re for bicycles. He also devulges that they had a “VIP” move yesterday. The truth at last!

Some schmuck needed a 9/11 tour. So Amtrak stepped up the fake security for 2 days. They had extra dogs there this morning too. I’m going to be following up with this nonsense. I dont’ care if there are rules and laws for Scooter parking. I just want them consistently enforced in the city. Every parking authority officer I talk to has a different take on what is and is not acceptable. I see a lot more scooters this year. It’s going to get ugly I think.

He slipped again about it possibly being McCain. One more reason to hate that guy. (I loved him back in 99, he’s a sellout now)

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