Thursday, February 19, 2009

New Things in my Town

I live in a busy area. Lots of new buildings going up while entire strip malls sit vacant. Roads being widened while the potholes on other roads swallow entire towns. New cars running me off the road even as the Big 3 claim low sales.
But all those things are old news. Anything really new around here? Well, of course!

Roundabouts!


This is our road commission's answer to traffic congestion. "Just go around and around until you can get out," is what I believe their working theory is. It seems to work well for Checkered who charges full-speed into and around and out of the roundabouts. But someday he is going to meet a driver like me who just can't seem to get in the right lane and is befuddled. It won't be pretty when it happens.

Sonic!

It is the first in our area ever and we are entirely grateful. For years we've watched their ads on cable late at night (in this house: 9:30) and craved an intimate acquaintance with Sonic. Then we went to Myrtle Beach and my family took it upon ourselves to make that franchise a fiscal giant in one week. Now Sonic has moved in about 15 minutes from my house. Sonic gives us 3 ordering options.
  • The drive-in: which we finally managed to execute today after several attempts. Imagine a line of 20 cars waiting for that next empty spot. We were quite excited when I managed to snag one of those slots today, but then I realized that we had to pay a tip. The fun factor deflated immediately for me.
  • The walk-up: which would leave us battling for our lives in a sure-to-lose encounter with hypothermia. Nevertheless, every teen-ager in the county has claimed the walk-up as his or her own domain.
  • The drive-thru: which takes only 30-43 minutes to navigate. The line just doesn't move. Such a winner in my book. What's an hour's investment when it results in a Sonic slush?
My fear? That the traffic crisis Sonic has now created will result in a roundabout.

13 comments:

Julie said...

I was scared of round abouts when I first moved to Europe, but I LOVE them... so practical and you don't have to wait for a light...but there is one that scares me... so I am not a fan of all of them. I actually drive out of my way to avoid that particular one.

And the Sonic restaurant story reminded me of the time Krispy Kreme opened in MN, it had miles and miles of traffic trying to get to it. Crazy!

Unknown said...

I don't think I would like those round about things at all. Just one more thing to befuddle my mind.

We are Sonic lovers too. Chili Cheese Wrap...yummo.

Pleasing Procrasinator said...

Oh Sonic, I know what you mean by the traffic jam and having to wait for that drive-in spot.
We went when it first opened here last year and they totally messed up our order. So that next person waiting in line was pretty mad when I wasn't moving because they had to re-do my order. My ex (Divas dad) had the same problem TWICE. Haven't been back since. Traffic sends me into panic mode:)

Laura ~Peach~ said...

we have ummm 5 sonic's that Ican think of in the 10 mile radius around us... we LOVE sonic... super sonic with mustard, onion rings and peach tea!
we also have our first round about which is funny because it is off the main track not in a heavy traffic area, the however are talking abotu putting one at a busy intersection in Augusta as a trial to see how people handle it... I see many many wrecks in the future.

love the chicken strip dinner at sonic too... and the popcorn chicken and bacon cheeseburger LOL... try everything at least once... and I can not imagine the long wait happening here...ever.

mom x 2 said...

We just got a sonic!! It just opened about a week ago. I'm waiting for them to work out there kinks before I go! I love their slushies :)

Mental P Mama said...

I hate roundabouts...and we don't have a Sonic. Boo.

Noe Noe Girl...A Queen of all Trades. said...

I love Sonic too~I would runabout to get there!

MsTypo said...

The wait for sonic sounds as bad as the one for Steak adn Shake in Illinois! I used to hate it when i drove by on my way the mall and there was no line up and then as soon as i drove by with a craving? Bang! 30 people in line!

Keeper Of All Things said...

And when your on the roundabouts.......don't all the streets look the same .....then I can't which direction I need to be going.

And why do they have to drive so fast on it?
Like its a mini,Indy 500 track?

Laura ~Peach~ said...

my darling caution ... the storms passed... it is bright sunshiney warm and springy here... come on down the storms are so worth the sunny day today!

joanne said...

Roundabouts scare the heck out of me. I'm scared I'll be stuck in one going round and round and round...

No Sonic here but it sounds crazy...not worth the slush?? I hear so much about the slush...I'm rather disappointed now ;)

Betty said...

We have roundabouts here too. I don´t mind them because our traffic is never that congested, that you can´t get in.
Sonic? Never been to one of those....

Jeannelle said...

We have a new roundabout in our area. Its cool.

I don't know much about Sonic....I'm wondering what its claim to fame is, its most outstanding menu item.