Annoying
Driving to work today, I suddenly noticed a sea of flashing brake lights as the four lanes of traffic in front of me started slowing down. Since I was a good distance from most of these cars, I simply let up on the accelerator, but I started thinking: OH CRAP. What now? What horrible traffic nightmare lies ahead of me? An accident? A jack-knifed truck?
As my speedometer slowly inched downward—66, 65, 63, 62—I kept my eyes peeled for what was going on.
And then, I saw it.
Up ahead, a police officer had pulled over another driver. Both cars were well into the right-hand breakdown lane, the lights on the police car flashing continuously. By the time I reached them, I had caught up to the cars ahead of me and was doing just barely 55/mph (the speed limit is 65/mph on this particular road).
Good shit, why do people hit their brakes when they see this? People—Here is a tip: The cop already pulled someone over. He can't get you! He is busy. There may actually be no better time to speed and contrary to what you may think, you do not get extra credit for slowing down at this point.
Yes, I am really cranky today.
As my speedometer slowly inched downward—66, 65, 63, 62—I kept my eyes peeled for what was going on.
And then, I saw it.
Up ahead, a police officer had pulled over another driver. Both cars were well into the right-hand breakdown lane, the lights on the police car flashing continuously. By the time I reached them, I had caught up to the cars ahead of me and was doing just barely 55/mph (the speed limit is 65/mph on this particular road).
Good shit, why do people hit their brakes when they see this? People—Here is a tip: The cop already pulled someone over. He can't get you! He is busy. There may actually be no better time to speed and contrary to what you may think, you do not get extra credit for slowing down at this point.
Yes, I am really cranky today.
Labels: My soap box, NaBloPoMo, Venting
posted by Kimberly at
5:24 PM
11 Comments:
I've often thought that instead of the flashing lights on police cars, they should have message boards that state:
Keep moving...Police snipers on duty... The slow will be brought down...
I think I'm on the road too much.
I really like the name of your blog!
I find it odd, though, that you swear in this post, given that you have two children. I haven't read all of your posts, but it seems a little out of character. Perhaps this is just a stereotype, but I understand that you were cranky...
Keep the posts coming though!
Check out my blog if you get a chance: eight-thirty.blogspot.com.
Rocas - HA HA! That is excellent.
J. Wilson - thanks for stopping by. I have written about my views on swearing (during NaBloPoMo last year here: The Gav Menagerie: To swear or not to swear?. I do not swear in front of my children (except in those rare cases of total, 100%, accidental slippage) and I feel curse words are often valuable means of creative expression. Since my children are only 2 and 4, I feel quite confident they are not yet reading my blog. When they can, I'll have to reconsider. Obviously, I understand not everyone feels the same about the topic and that is OK.
Glad you liked the name of the blog though!
I just read the post about swearing, and really, I don't see the problem. I, like you, tend to censor myself in my everyday life. My blog is a place where I can say what I'm actually thinking. I don't see any reason to censor that. Hope you don't either.
Back to your post, I get annoyed as HELL (I said "hell"! Whoooo hooo!) when traffic slows down just for a pullover. Come ON now people!
Oh, and I have to say one more thing about swearing.
I find it odd when parents DON'T swear. It's as if they have decided that once they become parents they have to change themselves completely or someone will take away their license to parent.
Maybe I'm just stereotyping.
We give certain words waaay too much power. Words are useful to describe how we feel or what we think. We should strive always to use the best possible word to express our meaning. If that sometimes is what is known as a "swear" word, so what? And if your kids should happen to hear you use it, will this damage them for life? If you teach, by example, good clear, expressive language with a large and varied vocabulary, good grammar, your children will grow up to speak correctly --if a "swear" word sneaks in there occasionally because it best expresses what they feel at the moment - so what?
And what about when they slow down because of sun glare?! I have been in traffic that was caused by nothing more than the fact that the sun was shining down. People? Use your sunglasses!
Forgot to add:
Or they slow down after the see the cop in his hide-away spot on the highway. It's too late, he's already hit you with his radar gun so jamming on the breaks now won't help. Duh!
I agree (with you of course) on the swearing bit.
Especially after reading yesterday's post! Hilarious, you have a great sense of humour! Love it!
Hey all - thanks for your comments (and for backing me on the swearing deal). While I made my decision about language use on my blog a while ago, it does help to know I'm not the only one who thinks it's an occasional F-bomb is no big deal.
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