GET IT TOGETHER, KARRI!

A funny thing happened on the way to the ICC National Convention this upcoming June. A few Yuenbert children received invitations to go! I considered this good news on many fronts!

Attending ANY ICC function is always a treat. We learn so much in training and encouragement and connect with friends we otherwise don't get to see very often. The National Convention also hosts a short tournament and the kids all benefit from being able to hone their speeches some more before they take them out to the community again. But, there is one more thing that makes it so enticing to me!

Since several Yuens and Berts will be attending...I am thinking, "Yay! We can room together again....just like at MASTERS in NC in January!" Apparently, Karri was kind of thinking the same thing, because I started hearing rumors at our tournament this week that, in fact, what Karri was thinking, "Oh PLEASE! Not again!" And that she was seeking other roommate options for June!

Karri is a very nice person, though. She tried to assure me that what I had heard was just a rumor. Even if that is true.....I am not sure she is going to want to be driving around Olney, Maryland with me this summer.

Know why?

Let me see if this gives you a good guess. Here is what one of their state civil engineers said when asked why the state is considering instituting roundabouts at every opportunity..... “because we owe it to our residents. We believe that all public officials are so obligated. We are not suggesting that roundabouts are the solution to every traffic problem, but we would suggest that for public officials and the media to dismiss roundabouts out-of-hand, without bothering to learn how and when they can work to the public benefit is an absolute abdication of responsibility."

WHAT?! OWE IT TO THEIR RESIDENTS???? Why???? Annapolis is considered the Sailing Capitol of the WORLD and the first successful manned hot air balloon launch occurred in 1784 when 13 year old Edward Warren went airborne in Baltimore. Perhaps the state is trying to encourage other forms of transportation by highlighting hot air ballooning and sailing and making driving nearly impossible! In 1774, one of the first calls to freedom from British rule rang forth from Hungerford's Tavern in Maryland. But, perhaps the attendants were all drunk in the tavern and didn't mean it, since they are still embracing the wiles of British subjugation in 2010! Curse you, Roundabout!

Not only did the site, Institute for Community Preservation list the above quote, they also listed NINE reasons that roundabouts are supposedly beneficial. (Notice they couldn't even come up with an even TEN! for their list!!). Here is their list (see my comments in bold italics after them)

1. Roundabouts are among the safest intersection designs available. REALLY? I know six people who would disagree! Not only can you practically kill yourself trying to get off a roundabout, but you are most likely having a hard time keeping your eyes on the road because by the 5th time around, you are throwing up due to dizziness!

2. Roundabouts reduce serious injury and fatal accidents. This may actually be true. It is because you have to go so slow....because you are trying to FIND your exit, MERGE over to the exit lane, and THROW UP all at once. We are nothing if we are not cautious on those terrible traffic circles.

3. Roundabouts increase pedestrian safety and mobility. This is partially true. While I do not agree with the safety issue, I can see how it increases mobility. Pedestrians probably travel much faster hanging on to the hood of the car that hit them and is now driving them around in circles. It is hard to see pedestrians on a roundabout because you are so busy trying to merge and exit and follow all the fingers that are pointing out five different places to try to get off!

4. Roundabouts reduce traffic congestion. Okay....I concede this is true as well. BUT...it is because once you get on a roundabout, you stay on the roundabout and that keeps everyone moving (though, not going anywhere!).

5. Roundabouts increase road capacity. Wow. Alright. This one is true. But it isn't what you think. It increases road capacity because less people drive...because they don't ever want to get stuck on a roundabout again!

6. Roundabouts reduce air and noise pollution. While I am sure it reduces air pollution due to the drop in drivers (see my response to point 5), I can guarantee it does NOT reduce noise pollution! SIX of us were screaming at the top of our lungs when we went round and round on the roundabout in North Carolina! And that doesn't even count, "Lee", our Aussie GPS guide, who actually had a program to say, "Just get off the stupid roundabout, Mate!" Multiply that by every other idiot and his passengers stuck on a roundabout. THAT seems like noise pollution to me!

7. Roundabouts are economic and aesthetic. Me? I am a square kind of gal, so a traffic circle is not more pleasingly aesthetic than say, a normal traffic grid. Again....it is an economic attribute because no one will drive on them...thereby saving on gas, insurance, and road wear and tear.

8. Roundabouts take up the same or less space than a traditional signalized intersection. (Surprised? You’d be amazed how small most are.) And yet, you can still go around them 8 or 10 times before you manage an escape!

9. Roundabouts have an enormously positive cost/benefit ratio. Cheaters! This is just a restatement of point 7 (so, my same answer applies here!). So, not only could they not even come up with a tenth reason....they really don't even have NINE! Well, Karri....in the off chance that you may still consider rooming and carpooling with me, I just want to give you a little list. It is of the things you need to get together. Things like: 1. Your driver's license 2. Your insurance info 3. Your passport (in case you lose your license) 4. Your SANITY Because me. Well, I AIN'T DRIVING!