A BLOG ABOUT CARS

I'm feeling torn.

On the one hand I want to be catty and bitchy about the San Jose Grand Pricks that are shutting down all of downtown so they can publicly measure their - well, you know. I work downtown. Getting there blows right now. I hate the whole car racing thing. I hate it more when it affects my access to my work and my commute for over a week. I just want to... complain! A LOT!

But I'm feeling really heavy with all of the tragic reportings lately. Holy crap. It really is my practice to find the bright side. To get to a solution before my friends kick my complaining ass to the curb. You know my motto: "Two arms? Two Legs? Then shut the hell up! No complaining for you!" But this week there is a lot of sadness and struggle in my line of sight and I am feeling dark and down.

I get the fragility of life. We only get to live this one life this one time. It is just so precious and quick and sweet. I feel guilty when I piss the day away. But that's where I am today. I'm moping. I'm also home with a recovering husband. And I'm a little tired. And I am a mopey, sad lady.

I'll feel better soon. Back to my normal self. That being said - please, if you can read these words, slow down. Drive safely. Remember what you are doing and where you are. Right now. Be where you are. Be in your body and in your mind. Where you were earlier today or last month, that moment is gone. Nothing you can do about it now. Where you are going will come even if you don't worry. So don't. Be thoughtful. Be safe. Be safe because it matters to so many people. It matters to me.

I'll thank you in advance. Thanks.

YOU DRIVE ME CRAZY...

I live in the mountains. I live in a lovely home. It is located on a mountain road. The mountains, themselves, are wonderful. My home is beautiful and warm. I couldn't be happier. But then there is the road.

Our road is lumpy and bumpy with lots of tight turns. It is 1 to 2 lanes wide, depending on where you are. No smooth, gentle curves for a fun Sunday drive. There are sections where cars can not pass one another. If the 2 cars approach these areas, someone is going to have to pull over. Standard operating procedure. These conditions are made so much more fun by all of the bike riders in the warm weather. It's like a carnival fun house - around every turn there could be horrible death and dismemberment! Super cool! More on the cool bikers another time.

It's not that bad, really. But there is a special code that you have to follow. I try my level best to be safe. I drive a speed just above "granny wearing a shawl" and below "paranoid car accident victim." I have my lights on during the day so other cars can see me, especially because of the shadowy dark stretches of road. The people driving in full sun light cannot see cars coming in the shadows. But they can see lights coming toward them. See how that works? Safe. Considerate. Neighborly.

So, a couple of days ago I'm driving my kids to a pool party. We're crawling along, playing music and having fun and I'm driving (slowly, mind you) toward a narrow stretch that is in shadows. I'm in the sunlight, see. With my lights on. Plus there is sunlight on my car so people can see it. You know what I can't see? The huge black Range Rover with no lights on, driven by the cell phone chatting mother of two. So she stops. And so do I. And she waves me past. But I can't pass, cause she's too far over. There is no room. So I signal to her that she will have to back up and let me pass. She is clearly pissed, cause she's gonna have to set down the cellphone, plus she can't see over her own shoulder as this fucking car is way to big for her and she doesn't know how to drive it. I mean, I'm inferring, but I think that's what her stink-eye is saying.

She finally backs up and over enough for me to pass. I roll down my window, good samaritan that I am.

"It's helpful if you turn on your lights. That way people can see you coming."

"I know how to drive these roads! I live up here in the mountains! And besides, some people just drive too fast!"

Uh, OK.

So I say, "If you'll just turn on your lights. People can see you coming when you are in the shadows. It's helpful. So we can see you."

"NO. I DON'T HAVE TO. I DON'T HAVE TO DO THAT."

Really? Seriously?

I hope, deep down in my heart of hearts, that her kids talk to her just like that.