On Thursday of this week I was running late. I left my house at 7:10. The first twenty miles were uneventful. The sun was hovering on the horizon and excellent tunes were popping up on my I-Pod. Then it happened. I veered into the left lane to make room for the hordes of vehicles that merge onto to the highway at Exit 8. As Coldplay entertained me with Viva la Vida, I peeked into my rear view mirror and saw her--a road shark. Lead Foot Lucy was charging toward me and within seconds was right on my tail. Maybe you've seen her before--bulging eyes, one hand flailing, the other hand gripping the steering wheel like it's the safety bar on a roller coaster. She looks a little like this:
 |
| Beware! Road Shark! |
I looked to my right. No room to switch to the middle lane. Lead Foot Lucy was going to devour me. Several yards separated me from the car ahead and I thought about accelerating, but decided not to. I like being a dolphin and didn't want to catch the shark virus. I refused to be intimidated into causing an accident or getting a speeding ticket. Lead Foot Lucy didn't like my decision and inched closer. Why was she in such a rush anyway? Was she on her way to save the global economy? And if she was, maybe she should have left home earlier. She was really starting to annoy me so I took a kick back moment. Relax and enjoy the show. I cruised along a touch above the speed limit. After all, I was in the passing lane. (Sidebar question: Does the speed limit increase to whatever you want it to be in the passing lane, or is the speed limit the speed limit?)
I looked in the rear view mirror again. Lead Foot Lucy's chin was almost touching the steering wheel and her teeth were clenched. I chuckled, but it really wasn't funny. She could have easily caused a multi-car pile-up and I'd be the first victim. Just then free space opened up in the middle lane. Within two notes of the song playing on my I-Pod, Lucy sped past, then darted in front of me.
The highway ended and I sat in my car waiting at a traffic light right behind Lead Foot Lucy. We ended up in the exact same spot at the exact same time. If I had succumbed to her pressure to speed up, we might have gotten through that traffic light a little sooner, maybe by three minutes, at the most. Is three minutes worth a blood pressure spike, heartbeat acceleration and an overall crazed feeling? When the green arrow appeared, Lead Foot Lucy zipped around the corner. I smiled and waved, but she didn't even notice.
So how do you drive when you're in a rush to get somewhere. Are you a cruising dolphin or a vicious shark?
KICK BACK SONG OF THE WEEK:
Keith Urban's Days Go By reminds us to slow down as we journey through life. No road rage here.
KICK BACK BOOK OF THE WEEK:
The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating by Elisabeth Tova Bailey. In this poetic memoir, a snail takes up residence on the author's nightstand while she recovers from an illness. It is beautifully written. A great addition to the, I need to calm down, section of your book shelf. Take a couple of minutes to watch at least part of this video. I could actually feel my blood pressure decelerate.
A LITTLE SOMETHING EXTRA:
Hello, I'm over from Book Blogs. I’m glad I called in because I really enjoyed reading about Lead foot Lucy! I've met that lady on the M25 on more than one occasion! When I got here I realised I was already following you with GFC, but I must add you to my 'favourites' so that I remember to call in again.
ReplyDeleteBarbara
http://marchhousebookscom.blogspot.com/
Hi Barbara ~ Glad you stopped in.I checked out your blog. I love children's books and enjoyed browsing.
DeleteI like to think that these sharks are good cop bait and have the potential to draw attention away from those of us cruising 5 or 10 miles over the limit.
ReplyDeleteReno ~ So true. I feel somewhat vindicated when I see the Lead Foot Lucy's of the world pulled over on the side of the highway getting their speeding ticket. ~ Peggy
DeletePeggy, I'm with you as you drive that highway! I'm one of those dolphins who consider it an impudence for other drivers to expect me to break the law for their sakes. I usually tap my brake - not enough to slow the car, but just long enough to let them know I don't like them attempting to climb into my trunk. I wonder if they ever stop to think what the consequences could be if...as in, the car behind them crashes into them. They would be pushed into the car ahead and would be sandwiched between the two and may not walk out of it alive. Or, what if the car ahead has to suddenly stop. It's obvious they couldn't do so and just as obvious what the consequences would be. Most tragedies could be avoided if people would just think a little, slow down more and drive safely. I have observed the same thing as you - you arrive at the same place at the same time. I figure the extra speed, unless it is a trip of many hours, may get people to their destination about 30-60 seconds earlier. And often that destination is the next coffee shop. That's what really amazes me. Is coffee a matter of life or death?
ReplyDeleteI love that video! Sounds like an intriguing book.
It's so true, Diane. I really don't get why some drivers have to be so aggressive when it serves no purpose. I'm not a psychologist, but their anger about something else must be coming out in their foot.
DeletePeggy,
ReplyDeleteyou should livw in staten island, which is only 17 X 14 miles, has over 600,000 people with 2-4 cars among them. The road raqe is so bad that I actually stopped driving. Being an offensive driver I just can't watch that many idiots trying to kill me at the same time. I have better ways to raise my blood pressure. great post!
Micki
Hey Micki ~ The Staten Island traffic must be insane. I'm with you. I probably would have stopped driving too. ~ Peggy
DeletePeggy, I loved this post. I make choices so I can avoid these types of situations. I honestly don't know how people do this every day, get into their cars to do battle with the likes of Lead Foot Lucy. We have come a very long way, since I started driving, and I don't want to play that game. I'll take the long way and arrive a bit later but with a little more serenity.
ReplyDeleteHi Peggy,
ReplyDeleteToday is my blog reading day and I have just read your blog Beware of Road Sharks and loved it. Unfortunately, I could not hear the song because it is forbidden here due to the GEMA who have immense power over here to stop songs that are not registered with them but I will look up the song on iTunes.
Here in Germany we have road sharks everywhere. They drive like crazy even in winter, which explains why they have so many deadly accidents here in winter.
I have learned to take my time and let them rant and rave.
I also really enjoyed the story from E.T. Bailey. Maybe we should all slow down and start enjoying life.
Great article Peggy.
Ciao,
Patricia
Hi Patricia,
DeleteI've heard the Autobon (forgive the spelling) in Germany can be crazy. Thanks for stopping by.
Peggy
Hey Peggy,
ReplyDeleteI just nominated you for a Liebster Award. See the details here: http://bit.ly/zGHktI
Book Girl :)
Thanks Book Girl I'm going to check in and see what I'm nominated for :0)
DeleteI loved, loved, loved the video you included with the book portion of your post today. I couldn't help but smile, listening to that snail, watching it... this was great.
ReplyDeleteI've officially nominated you. Come to this post to see what for... http://kickingcorners.blogspot.com/2012/03/normal-0-false-false-false-en-us-x-none_13.html
I love compliments so thanks!!! I agree with you about the video. I loved it too. I'm going to check out your blog now. Peggy
DeleteHi just popped over from dbstevens blog and glad I did, new follower ;-)
ReplyDeleteI am definately a cruising dolphin, I'd rather get there in one piece and 30 seconds behind than join the sharks. I do however occassionally end up in the passenger seat with a shark and that is an experience I would prefer to pass on!!!