Sunday, March 30, 2008

Apparently...

...I have forgotten how to drive.


This weekend:


I think I scared a friend riding in the car with me...twice...maybe more.


I almost ran over some kids rollerblading across the street.

Someone called me a dumb "person" (okay, person wasn't really the word he used but I'm not typing that word...use your imagination) as they were driving by because I almost didn't stop at a stop sign and would have hit them if I hadn't.


I drove right by my mother's house today and didn't realize it until I was about halfway down her street.


It's just that when I get in the car (especially with other people), I start thinking of other things. I have become the kind of driver that gets on my nerves. So this week, my goal is to focus and try to be a better driver.

And my apologies to anyone that I might have frightened with my lack of concentration recently...or in the past...or in the future...hopefully not in the future, but I'm not perfect so it's possible. :)


14 comments:

Alison said...

I'm what you would call an "aggressive driver," (AKA a Dallas driver). I'm sure I scare the crap out of anyone that is not use to my driving or who is not an "aggressive driver" themselves. Poor Aibi. Distraction does have some to do with making it worse, however. sigh.

R Matthew Ware said...

I think I'm a pretty good driver. Until someone else enters the car. Especially if it's someone I don't normally drive with. I think I have this subconscious tendency to try to show off. I don't know why, but it's been called to my attention.

With my work schedule I tend to avoid most rush hour type traffic, so that helps, but I can be a little aggressive, and, as Emily has pointed out, hypocrytical. I get upset when someone tailgates me, but if I get cutoff or someone is too slow in the left lane, I tailgate them. It's a failing I'm trying to correct.

Sometimes, Rhia, I have a day or two like your weekend where I just realize I'm not driving well. I think to myself, "I know better than that".

Today's word verification word is "wushohwi". I don't know what it means, but it's fun to say. Try it. Wushohwi!

Anonymous said...

There is no other encounter in the world quite like the terror of a friend in the passenger seat. I have on occasion seen rosary beads, signs of the cross, short mumbled prayers to Allah, and the occasional exclamation of profanity mingled with heartfelt fear and relief.

In the begining I used take this behavior personally. Now I view them as my own interpersonal prayer encouragement/ emotional awareness program.

WhiteEyebrows said...

You're not alone. T-Dawg always tries to hit the imaginary brake pedal on the passenger side when I am driving.

But I still insist I'm not a bad driver...

Amber said...

Uh Oh! Road Rage Rhia is on the road - WATCH OUT!

Amber said...

r matthew ware, I think I have a better word verification.

Gumbnu
definition: new gumbo instead of old gumbo.

Emily Anne said...

Matt scares the crap out of me when he drives. I try not to tailgate and usually let off on the gas as soon as I see break lights. Matt keeps at the same speed until the last second. Then he hits his breaks. It scares me every time. At least once Matt actually was not paying attention and my scream of fear woke him up so we didn't have an accident. I don't remember you being a bad driver Rhia. But I am old and my memory is going.

Tamara said...

I'm maintain that I'm an AWESOME driver but my mother still feels compelled to tell me what the speed limit we pass a speed limit sign, to pound the floor incessantly when she's riding shotgun as if there are brakes down there she just hasn't found yet AND to tell me where to turn to get my parents house...THE SAME HOUSE THEY BROUGHT ME HOME FROM THE HOSPITAL TO BE RAISED IN!!! Sigh.

R Matthew Ware said...

I've noticed that thing about the passenger side brake as well. There's no brake over there, people. You'll just have to trust me. Or the airbags. But I've never wrecked with someone else in the car.

Rhia Jean said...

I have decided to create a meaning for the word verification word wushohwi.

Wushohwi (n.): A person who sits in the passenger seat and tries to use invisible brakes.

R Matthew Ware said...

I love it!

Emily Anne said...

Rhi, you crack me up. I'm glad some of my friends are funny.
Can you think of one for my verification: desppk

Rhia Jean said...

Yes. Desppk is a word for teachers who come into your office and pick things up off of your desk and then don't return them. Things like your scissors, or your staple remover. Important things. They are desppk-ers.

Matthew Ware said...

I have to say I've been a little aggressive lately. I get tired of trying to get onto the highway, only to have the person in the close lane refuse to get out of the way. I speed up, they speed up, I slow down, they slow down. I jerk my wheel towards them, they still don't move. I swear I need an old redneck pickup truck to just ram people off the road. I couldn't ram people in my Versa. It's sensitive.