What the O!
This will hopefully be a weekly feature of random observations on the city and culture of Omaha from the perspective of a life-long Texan. Literature has many different genres, all of which must be understood to know the meaning and intent of said literature. You can classify these musings as being Hyper Criticism, meaning I will be railing against the many things I notice that I simply don't understand. Please feel free to enlighten me.The first set of observations will be focused on the transportation woes I have experienced around the fine city of Omaha.
1) Where are all the good radio stations in Omaha?
- I mean seriously, where are they located at on the dial, as in, what is their frequency? I have yet to find any, and no NPR doesn't count -- the 'N' stands for National, which means that everyone gets that station. I asked Walker yesterday this exact question, and he was happy to write down a few AM stations for me and only had one FM station to add to the list. I was leaving the office yesterday and decided to see what this ballyhooed FM location had to offer. I hit the tune button, located the correct frequency, and was immediately bombarded by the vocal soarings of Kelly Clarkson. Yea, thanks Walker!
2) What is the deal with all of the two lane exits?
- Do you really need more than one lane of a road in order to properly execute an exit from any given highway? This is a new phenomenon to me, and I just don't understand. It has caused some near collisions for me as I have anxiously tried to swerve left to avoid the "must exit" lane at the last second. Why have two, when one is really all you need?
3) Why is the middle octane at the gas station actually cheaper than the lower grade?
- This would be like charging more $ for a plain donut than one with cinnamon icing and multi-colored sprinkles. I mean who doesn't want multi-colored sprinkles? I noticed that this middle grade gas is comprised of 10% ethanol, which truthfully sounds quite alarming to me. Is ethanol safe for my car? This all just sounds like marketing 101 to me.
4) What is up with the middle lane on Dodge that goes both ways depending on what time of day it is?
- I have never heard of this, but it sounds just like a super idea: "Let's make a traffic lane that will create the possibility of 2 one-ton-piles-of-rolling-metal heading directly at each other at speeds that will produce enough force to kill all parties involved." Now that's critical thinking!
5) Who decided that it would be a good idea to create numbered streets right next to the same corresponding numbered avenue?
- And don't get me started on trying to find an address like 152nd Ave Cir. There can be only one suffix to a road name, period. This is just a flawed idea at its core, and I don't feel that any further explanation is needed.
1) Where are all the good radio stations in Omaha?
- I mean seriously, where are they located at on the dial, as in, what is their frequency? I have yet to find any, and no NPR doesn't count -- the 'N' stands for National, which means that everyone gets that station. I asked Walker yesterday this exact question, and he was happy to write down a few AM stations for me and only had one FM station to add to the list. I was leaving the office yesterday and decided to see what this ballyhooed FM location had to offer. I hit the tune button, located the correct frequency, and was immediately bombarded by the vocal soarings of Kelly Clarkson. Yea, thanks Walker!
2) What is the deal with all of the two lane exits?
- Do you really need more than one lane of a road in order to properly execute an exit from any given highway? This is a new phenomenon to me, and I just don't understand. It has caused some near collisions for me as I have anxiously tried to swerve left to avoid the "must exit" lane at the last second. Why have two, when one is really all you need?
3) Why is the middle octane at the gas station actually cheaper than the lower grade?
- This would be like charging more $ for a plain donut than one with cinnamon icing and multi-colored sprinkles. I mean who doesn't want multi-colored sprinkles? I noticed that this middle grade gas is comprised of 10% ethanol, which truthfully sounds quite alarming to me. Is ethanol safe for my car? This all just sounds like marketing 101 to me.
4) What is up with the middle lane on Dodge that goes both ways depending on what time of day it is?
- I have never heard of this, but it sounds just like a super idea: "Let's make a traffic lane that will create the possibility of 2 one-ton-piles-of-rolling-metal heading directly at each other at speeds that will produce enough force to kill all parties involved." Now that's critical thinking!
5) Who decided that it would be a good idea to create numbered streets right next to the same corresponding numbered avenue?
- And don't get me started on trying to find an address like 152nd Ave Cir. There can be only one suffix to a road name, period. This is just a flawed idea at its core, and I don't feel that any further explanation is needed.
posted by Kendal | 12:32 PM
18 Comments:
The only good radio station in Omaha is the one you can use for your iTrip. I prefer 91.9, but I look forward to the day when I have a new car with an iPod dock. Also, 1620 The Zone is good on the AM side.
Suzanne
To answer the question about the 2 exit lanes, if you head west on dodge at 5 in the afternoon, we really need 4 exit lanes at 144th street. it is simply ridiculous. also, etanol is fine for your car, as long as ya dont use the 85% stuff. it is s dang cheap because you are in nebraska and nebraska has a lot of corn. dont worry, you will eventually become a Cornhusker, once the team starts pulling their weight.
Kendal,
That middle lane is near and dear to my heart. When husband and I moved here in 1997, I would drive that road at 5:30 a.m. 4 mornings a week. I was scared to DEATH that I was in the wrong lane everytime I was either east or west bound. I had NO confidence in that system. So, all that to say, I hear you, Texican.
BTW, you have to agree that it's a pretty easy city to get around.
Leigh
Kendal,
I applaud your efforts to exegete Omaha culture. I can tell your missional spirit is strong within you.
As for the enlarged exit ramps - I guess everything's a little bigger in Nebraska. You'll adapt.
Kendal,
I grew up in Omaha . . . I've lived in about 3 other places, and the answer to your radio station question, is. . . . . .
They're aren't any. There's corporate radio everywhere. . .there's Christian radio everywhere. . .but, both are definitely worse in Omaha. (this is ironic, with Omaha being the new mecca of indie-hipster disaffectedness??????)
Aaron
Love it, Nick. That made me laugh. Thanks :-)
Suzanne
Kendal,
As far as the middle lane, a long time ago in the history of Omaha, the city wanted to make Dodge an expressway all the way from downtown to Elkhorn. They got started and only made it to 30th St (hence the random exits and freeway roads that go no where and have been eliminated). There was no money or support for an expressway all the way though. So the only thing they could come up with to help traffic was three lanes in each direction.Which they could only do by switching the middle one because there is no room for another lane or turn lanes.
One tip for you, don't turn left on Dodge between 30th and 67th. Don't do it!!! Even if you think no one will notice, or that you think it is legal into driveways and businesses (which it is) don't do it. There is no better way to piss off an Omaha driver than trying to turn left on Dodge.
Also, about the Ave next to Streets. I would ask you, where else would you put it?
- moseley
my brother had a friend in high school who called the middle lane the "Bad ass" lane, because thats what you feel like when you drive in it...a bad ass.
that or a terrified whiny texan.
Nice, the defenders are coming out of the woodworks, I love it! I am getting good advice and a history lesson.
Hey Kendall, great post! When I moved to Austin a few years ago I had a lot of questions about the cultural practices of Texas like the interstate exits where you exit onto a highway that requires you to crossover against oncoming traffic! Loved those!
Completely agree about Austin radio vs Omaha. Here's my theory: Maybe our radio station quality suffers because Omaha has the shortest commute time of any city with more than 500,000 people in the country. People just aren't in their cars for very long here and so I think that may be a reason why our radio is even more corporate and generic than most other cities. There's just not a good reason to invest in quality radio here. Just my theory.
As for ethanol, the reason it's cheaper is that it's subsidized by the U.S. government about 50 cents per gallon. It's actually more expensive to make than regular gasoline! The ag lobby is powerful. Fuel with 10% ethanol is safe for almost all cars, but you can check your owner's manual. E-85 is 85% ethanol and you would need to be sure before putting that in your car. I've heard that although ethanol is cheaper than regular gas it isn't as efficient of a fuel so you might have to fill up your car slightly more. Ethanol is cleaner burning though.
"that or a terrified whiny texan"
Patrick,
Ouch! That smacks of bitterness. Do we need to talk about your issues with Texans?
Leigh
"- This would be like charging more $ for a plain donut than one with cinnamon icing and multi-colored sprinkles. I mean who doesn't want multi-colored sprinkles? I noticed that this middle grade gas is comprised of 10% ethanol, which truthfully sounds quite alarming to me. Is ethanol safe for my car? This all just sounds like marketing 101 to me."
Kendal, don't assume that the more expensive higher octane fuel is better for your car. The higher octane is indicative of a slower burn and will actually net you less power and mileage compared to a lower octane rating. The higher octane fuel is meant for engines that have higher combustion chamber pressures (eg. higher compression ratio, or forced induction such as a turbo or supercharger). The higher pressures in those engines can cause an uncontrolled burn rate with too low of octane and will predetonate a.k.a. knock. Ideally, one should use the lowest octane fuel that does not cause knock, as this will allow for best mileage and power. Consult your owners manual to figure out what octane the manufacturer recomends.
As for the middle octane being the cheaper stuff, I think Brian nailed that one. Ethanol, has a higher octane rating (like 114 I think), so when it's mixed with 87, the average is the octane you see. SO that why the middle octane is the E10 stuff.
DO NOT use E85 in your vehicle unless you are absolutely positively sure that it is a flex fuel vehicle. The amount of ethanol in E85 will damage your fuel pump, fuel injectors, and it can eat up your rubber fuel lines, if your fuel system is not designed to take 85% ethanol. The 10% stuff shouldn't cause any problems, though theoretically, you should see a little less milage from that fuel since you need more ethanol to reach the correct air:fuel ratio than you do regular gasoline.
Does that help? :)
Travis,
congrats on dropping your HUGE O-town E-85 knowledge on all of us. . . .
Does anyone else feel schooled?
Aaron
The address system in Omaha proper is pretty much a perfect grid. Just know that everything is measured from the river and dodge street; odd addys on South and East sides of the street.
As for the radio, 97.7 is all I need.
Radio Lobo, vato.
micah
Leigh, i meant no offense against texans...just terified whiny texans
Patrick,
You are funny. I was just afraid Texans and coffee were on your bad list. Well, I know coffee is. :)
Leigh
kendal-
89.7 The River...good alternative-rock music
you will not be let down..at least most of the time
ryan
Let's not forget KVNO, 90.7, my alma mater's classical station. Get some culture, people.
Or at least, its good napping music.
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