An Open Letter to the Driver In the Car Behind Me

Dear driver in the car behind me;

As we both sit here in the long line of cars waiting at the road construction, I have to wonder:

Do you really believe that consistantly edging, inch by inch, closer to my bumper is somehow going to encourage the flag person to turn his stop/slow sign around and allow our lane to proceed?  Because I personally doubt it.  I believe he could care less if you end up sitting in my backseat, although it might add a bit of excitement to his otherwise monotonous routine. 

photo credit: waveweekly.ju.edu

Is being those few feet closer to me... and by default the beginning of the line... somehow going to get you to your destination faster once we are allowed to move forward? 

The only other possible explanation I can come with for this need you have to get your car as close as humanly possible to my car is that there is something wrong with both the rear view and vanity mirrors in your vehicle causing you to attempt to use my rear view mirror to apply a fresh coat of lipstick or check for leftover salad in your teeth.  Is that it?

Whatever your reasoning... you are invading my personal road space.  And it's making me uncomfortable.  So please... back off!

Sincerely;
Me

A Change of Perspective

It's so simple to focus on the negativity around you.  To get frustrated by the little stuff that drives you crazy.  To be annoyed by the things other people do.  But finding something to focus on other than that negative trigger, can turn it into a different story.

Today I found myself sitting in traffic.  I don't know why it should surprise me.  It's leaf season around here.  And that particular area of town is a tourist hot spot.  As I sat through the red light for the second time, it would be very easy to get frustrated and impatient. 

Instead I found myself admiring the way the sunlight reflected off the yellow and red leaves of the trees by the road.  And watching the ladybugs fluttering about.  (yes, I know they are Japanese beetles, but to me they are still "ladybugs")  And something amazing happened.

I wasn't tense, or frustrated, or annoyed.  I would even go so far as to say I was actually enjoying my time sitting there waiting for the light.  In fact, I was a bit disappointed when we started moving again.

It's all a matter of perspective.  Enjoy the view.