Monday, February 09, 2009

On the Road


Some of our neighbourhood streets are reduced to one lane in the winter months due to parked cars and humongous mounds of snow. Ever the polite queue abiding Canadian, I take my turn to stop and wave others through those narrow spots.

But when the other driver doesn’t give me the customary wave of acknowledgment or nod of thanks? I’m rather hurt and disappointed – way out of proportion to the incident itself. (Yes, I can be somewhat oversensitive – even on the road.)

This is not to say I’m incapable of road rage. The air is occasionally blue within the confines of my car when I encounter the mind-numbing stupidity of other drivers. (One’s own driving skills are rarely viewed as stupid.)

And I often have a great time driving – singing my little heart out to my favourite tunes.

Driving is a microcosm of life itself. One experiences the highs, the lows and the in-betweens. And re-fueling is a must.

An occasional washing is good, too – although this is where my life differs from that microcosm thing. Many are appalled at how infrequently I have my car washed. I'm of the opinion nature does a great job. But I’m thinking the underside of my car is due to be cleaned of all that de-icing junk. And when I think it’s time, it’s way past due.

It’s also time to have all the dog hair inside the car vacuumed out.

And that’s called moving on…

15 comments:

Sherry said...

Were you at the same corner as me this morning...when the woman sped up at the 4 way stop sign to make her right turn..and it "wasn't" her turn?!? I had a few things to say...and why can't people simple "wave" a thank you when you've shown a courtesy? Do people feel they are in an invisible bubble when they are in their cars and they can do as they please?!?

Thanks for reminding me it's time to clean off the underside of my car (the poor old thing isn't getting any younger or less rusty).

And yes...moving on... ♥

Anonymous said...

lets see... symbolically, the car represents your life, and its full of dog hair?
i agree with you, sometimes i feel like i'm the only one who knows how to drive. half of the people on the road seem completely oblivious: who knows if they are drunk, grieving, inattentive, lost in thought, late for work or just plain rude? therefore, i leave as much space between my car and the next as possible. think of it being surrounded by an invisible moat while driving.
what does that say about my life?
dog hair isn't so bad. dogs love you no matter what.

oreneta said...

It is odd how attached we can get to dog hair. I find I do that in the summer.

Beth said...

Sherry Lee:
I cannot conceive of a cross word coming out of your mouth. (Hah!)

Seraphine:
If the car symbolizes my life, I'm screwed. I haven't a clue as to the inner workings of an engine - I'd hate to think the same thing could be said of my mind.

Oreneta:
That was a rough separation for both you and Chuck last summer. Can he come with you this year?

Patti said...

I'm afraid I need a new car...sigh

Beth said...

Patti:
Ouch. You have my heartfelt sympathy.
(A new car, a "new life" - both come with a cost.)

Anonymous said...

sometimes my body needs a fan, sometimes it has a squeaky belt. but yeah, i understand the concept of an engine, but mechanically i'm absurd.

PG said...

I must say, I was appauled when I moved to Ontario to see how rarely people did the thank you wave. I'm quite particular about it. Same goes with saying thank you if someone holds open the door for you.

NYD said...

When life gets hairy you don't have to move on. Just grab one of them three razors you psted about and give it a good shave. Then slather it with some conditioner and generally speaking, it will return to the silky richness that life ought to be.

How come there aren't more pictures of London???

Catching up with your posts makes the morning coffee taste sweeter.

Ed & Jeanne said...

Most of my car time is consumed with "why am I wasting time in a car?" discussions with myself. It is a good time to trim fingernails and listen to music though...

Angel said...

I always wave at the person who lets me in traffic...and I get MAD when someone doesn't wave back. How rude!!!

and I never wash the car...I figure the rain will do a good enough job!

Gladys said...

I love when I come up the drive to our condo only one car can go up the hill at a time. I had a lady pissed off because she had to back up and let me by. Um the hill is icy I'm on my way up you just turned onto the hill going down back up. She actually yelled at me.

JR's Thumbprints said...

I no longer give the right away to foreign cars;--they can wait. Only cars made in North America get special treatment.

bjkeefe said...

But when the other driver doesn’t give me the customary wave of acknowledgment or nod of thanks?

I getthat same irrational burst of irritation. It's the same as when I let a pedestrian cross the street in front of me, and there's not even a show of speeding up the pace. It's like, "Hey, Lama, how about a little something for the effort?"

(cf.)

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