Road Woes and the King

I have a couple of things on my mind today:

Driving

Today was the first day of school 'round these parts. The mentality of the drivers has changed because of it. One would expect that they would be more careful - perhaps even more thoughtful with childeren about and such. Nope. The opposite is the case.

People are bustling around trying to get their kids to school and themselves to work. At one intersection, a lady tried to "cheat" the light by creeping up while it was still red to try to prevent me from turning when the light turned green. I didn't let her disuade me however; I turned in front of her anyway (there was still plenty of space). Why did I have the mindset to "challenge" this person? Because I was already victim of "The Exception".

The "Exception" is the lady that I let in front of me on the way to stated light who, for my courtesy, decided to proceed to the intersection at 18 mph - while the light was green! This is no ordinary intersection. If you miss this light, you might as well bring the newspaper because you are going to have time to at least read the obituaries - and hope you will someday see the slow woman on the page. Yep, missed the light. That is when the "cheater" entered the picture.

After making the turn, it isn't long before I come up on the "passing lane lolligagger". This was a guy in big pick-up truck who thinks that the rule is pick a lane and cruise (they always pick the wrong lane). I wanted pull him over and explain to him that staying in one lane is only the beginning of highway decorum. But, I didn't. I waited till I could get around him and went on my way.

I hate what driving makes me. I want to be patient, kind, etc. It is almost impossible to do that on the road. I don't know what it is about driving, but it brings out the worst in people. I certainly hate what it does to me.

Elvis

Twenty-nine years ago today Elvis passed away in Memphis. Elvis was always a big part of my life growing up. My mother and oldest sister are huge fans. I know the words of probably 85% of all songs he recorded. I have seen every movie he made and never minded that he played pretty much the same character in about 27 of the 33 he made. I liked THAT character. Besides, he came along in the final days of the "Golden Age of Hollywood" where most of the stars played pretty much the same character anyway. It worked.

For years, I was always in denial about the negatives about Elvis (at some level, anyway). I didn't like to admit he had a weight problem (he was swollen as the apologists put it) and of course the drug abuse (prescription - as though that makes it better). As I got older, I accepted that Elvis was just like the rest of us - flawed and struggling with life. As successful as he was by the world's standards, in many ways his flaws were magnified and ultimately caused his demise.

The King is dead. Long live the King!



3 comments:

Tawnya said...

My dad's birthday was the same as Elvis's.... Jan 8. I have seen all of his movies too and love his music.... Long live the King!!!

Charles said...

Will driving turn me into a monster this fall? LOL

Maybe that is why my co-worker says she hates driving now.

Laura said...

"I hate what driving makes me. I want to be patient, kind, etc. It is almost impossible to do that on the road. I don't know what it is about driving, but it brings out the worst in people. I certainly hate what it does to me."

I swear you are inside my mind!
sheesh! I was thinking that last night as I drove to work on a friggin' Saturday for pity's sake!

I remember the day Elvis died only because dee-jay Jack Bogut of KDKA in Pittsburgh staged an impromptu hour long tribute to the king with his music playing in the background after the breaking news report came through. I only recall the Elvis of the cheesy late night CBS movies when I was a kid staying up laet babysitting and yet I felt the sadness of his many fans as Mr. Bogut eulogized the King.