Interestingly, trying to be a nice and courteous person seems to be the topic of conversations all over town.  I think it all started earlier this week when there was a story in our fine local newspaper about someone who tried obeying all the traffic laws for just one day.  Nope, he could not do it, and by the time he made it from his home to his office, he had racked up enough violations to spend the next several years in jail, or fines that would require nothing less than indentured servitude for several lifetimes.  Maybe it is just CAR-ma (get it?).

So, I thought I would give it a try, and I was probably even less successful than the acknowledged, professional author.  Not only was I breaking the law like a psycho-behind-the-wheel-maniac, I also found myself becoming audibly unkind to the common folk.  I have never been very good at “shooting the bird”, I just dont have the dexterity to do it.  Usually I use the wrong finger, and look really stupid.  I have always been more of a shouter (see becoming my mother), so I just go with what works best for me.

Anyway…since my daily commute is less than two miles, I was not arrested for any moving violations, but there was still time.  It is not unusual for me to rack up 40 or 50 miles daily going from one place to another.  I know, because I actually keep track of my mileage for tax purposes!  So, my offenses on the day in question included speeding (I actually got a speeding ticket in high school while I was taking my drivers education class), speeding and SPEEDING!  Did not use my turn signal (but I am getting better), failure to come to complete stops, driving with my knees down MoPac (I am not sure that is a crime, but it should be, right up there with putting on make up while driving), and I am sure I went through at least a couple red lights.

I am all for the red-light cameras.  I think if everyone else has to stop, I could do that.  As it is right now, if you actually stop at a red light, you run the risk (not the red light) of being rear-ended by someone behind you that is really not prepared for you to stop.  Defencive driving gone bad?  I think not.

So, needless to say, it is easier to be meaner, and that is really a sad commentary on our daily lives.  What we all need to learn from this is, if something is easy to obtain, it is really not that satisfying.  I appreciate what I have when I have to work for it, so I have not given up on becoming a better, more courteous and friendlier person behind the wheel.  After all, I do drive a rather politically correct vehicle, so I should be politically correct and be nice. 

We shall see.