Driving Snow, Driving Heart Rates and Driving Me Crazy

I have joined the ranks of commuters, driving an average of 45 minutes each way on the weekdays. I haven’t really had to do this since I lived in Southern California over 15 years ago and feel lucky for that fact. I haven’t missed spending so much time in my car, but I don’t really mind it that much either. I have found myself surprised by a few things I have experienced since I started to commute.

1- People forget where they are.
Snowy days bring out all the drivers who have forgotten that we are in Colorado, a state that gets significant winter weather, every year I might add. These people develop a fear of driving and slow down right in the middle of the freeway for no apparent reason. I mean it, 10 minutes to go one mile, (that’s 6 miles an hour). I say if they have such a problem with inclement weather, stay home.

2- People forget they were here yesterday and so was everyone else.
I was under the impression that most of the people on the road in the morning were doing so each day about the same time and knew that other people were doing the same thing. Not so it seems, as most folks seem to be surprised and a bit irritated that other drivers showed up at the same time as them to get somewhere. Fingers are waving, horns are honking and a general mood of frustration seems to prevail. I think I have found the cause of hyper tension; the morning commute. Let’s alert the American Heart Association and see if we can campaign to get rid of rush hour. Anyone with me on this?

3- No one cares about the journey, only the destination.
Now I have to admit, I am keeping my eyes mostly on the road when I drive and may have missed all the happy drivers, but I haven’t personally witnessed very many people having a good time. What happened to the sentiment that the joy was in the journey? There are a lot of people in a big hurry to get somewhere they don’t really want to go. That sounds like it could be a definition for insanity if you ask me. Where’s the joy I ask? I have found some joy in watching people, (when my eyes aren’t on the road), doing the things they do. Nose-picking, singing, reaching for _________(small children, a purse, something in the back seat), eating, it’s amazing what goes on out there.

4- Everyone, including myself, forgets that windows are not just for seeing out of.
I was singing to myself the other day and forgot all the words to the song, so I started making up words to go with the tune. I amused myself and as amusement will do, it led to laughter. And as laughter all by yourself will do, it led to me to be more self aware, so I looked to see who might have seen my personal moment of hilarity. I had forgotten until that moment that my windows were transparent and the view into my car was clear. Then I remembered a wonderful fact. Cell phones have ear pieces! I don’t have one, but how would anyone who may have witnessed my outburst know whether I was amusing myself or someone on the other line? I can talk to myself all day long and no one will ever know if I am crazy or just on the phone. Now if I can just remember not to pick my nose, it’s all good.