commuting – Tales of an Introvert

Blinking Yellow Traffic Light = Stay Home. In Bed. It’s Safer.

I was hoping for more varied responses to the previous post. I think the winner is my dad’s comment with the Floridian’s response to certain traffic signals. Beautiful.

Now to the lovely story. I was driving down Church Street (just writing Church St. has me longing for the Black Mountain Bakery and their Mountain Mystique coffee brew on a lovely cool morning . . . sigh . . .) on my way to work and came upon the blinking yellow light as Church goes over 65. I should have proceeded with caution considering I just saw two cars fly through the blinking red-light of which they are supposed to stop, look for any on-coming traffic and then proceed through the intersection. But, no. It’s early, it’s Saturday and there aren’t many cars out. All of a sudden a small white car comes barrelling down on me. Feet on brake. A little fishtailing. Speedy heart rate. But no awful sound of front of white car smashing into side of my car. No deployment of airbags. Whew. After laying down some lovely words directed toward the errant driver I proceed on. As I look back in my rear view mirror at the next red light I watch another car just fly through the intersection.

I’ve always been a firm believer that drivers in Nashville were bad. This just adds more proof. Ugh. I find myself driving more offensively than defensively. I’m sure there are bad drivers everywhere but give me a break.

Well, Men’s Health has a list of cities that has the worst and best drivers. I think I’ll look over the top ten cities with the best drivers and move there.

Traffic Rules Poll

This is just an informal poll but I wanted to know how many people really know what to do when confronted by a certain traffic opportunity.

When you come upon a blinking red traffic light what is one supposed to do? Same goes for a blinking yellow traffic light.

After a sufficient number of comments about what you think you should do in this situation I’ll post about my lovely experience as I drove into work this fine Saturday morning at 5:30AM.

Southern ‘Urban’ Living and Pet Peeves

At the moment I am trying to make a move up the corporate ladder. Yup, I am climbing up ‘The Man’s’ damn ladder. Hey, it looks good on the resume and it means more money while the Elder Extroverted Holy One is in school.

I work for Presentation Services or PSAV which holds the audio visual services contract in many properties across the states. I found that a director of event technologies (which used to be director of av) position is open at the Marriott at Vanderbilt University. This is a very cool opportunity because not only is it advancement but it’s also closer to EEHO’s school and the Young Extroverted One’s school. Plus, the hours are a little more flexible and no real late night rigging hours.

Now on to the peeves: With this new property I am very close to downtown and have to drive through downtown. So, not only do I have to get familiar with new traffic patterns I also have to watch out for more pedestrians. And this is where you have to listen to this song while reading the next paragraph (if you can): In the Middle, In the Middle, In the Middle – by They Might Be Giants.

I began noticing the awful practice of crossing a busy, wide street in the middle of the block when I spent a short time living in Memphis with the then fiance EEHO (although she was just the Extroverted One at the time). We would be driving down Union to Idlewild Presbyterian Church (where she and I worked) and these people would be crossing the street at random times and spots along the block. On top of that they were going slow!?! As if daring us to run them over. Well, I am seeing the same thing here in Nashville. It’s not like it’s miles to the next corner to cross appropriately and safely. The corner and a traffic light are right nearby! I feel like I’m playing Frogger but I’m one of the cars and the not-so-smart pedestrian is the not-so-smart frog. I just don’t understand it. Does this happen everywhere? Is it just a southern ‘thang’? I just don’t get it.

My next pet peeve is probably a lot of people’s. The lack of turn signal use which really pushes my buttons. It really is the only thing that makes me yell out loud when I am driving. With this new commute I have been doing I’ve been seeing it more and it drives (ha!) me nuts.

Last, but not least, is rampant cell phone use while driving. I feel like I’m the only one that’s not using the phone. Am I somewhat indaquate that I don’t have conversations to carry on while I’m driving home? Am I not important enough? I just don’t see what is so important that it can’t wait until you get out of your car or before you even get in the car.

Heck, those are the folks that aren’t using turn signals I bet . . .