signal

How does one navigate the streets (be it driving, cycling or hoofing it) when a fair number of folks seem to have forgotten their drivers-ed? If they ever even had any to start with. Signalling, that's what I am referring to.

My, my... these poor folks are under the delusion that there are no other cars on the road, that it's all just for them. Sure, they check their blind spots, but then they don't signal?!? I don't get it. Rules of the road, man. And ya don't see the police out there in force handing out tickets for this.

I've tried the little "reminder honk" (not when my husband is in the car mind you) to no avail. Like they haven't got a clue. I've tried my imaginary bazooka that pops out of my hood. I no longer attempt to drive around in front of them and wag my finger and point pointedly at their signal lights. It's too late by then and I look crazy. At least in my car, I have the security of several airbags and a ton of steel should anything really come of it, but as a cyclist or pedestrian, I wouldn't be so lucky.

So is this a broader kind of signal for all of us to pick up on? In this "me, me, me" society, can't we look out for each other just a little bit more? Maybe I should stop bitching and make sure at least I am signalling. Try to care about those on the road behind me and signal my intentions. Maybe that lack of a signal from those other cars means they are stressed, troubled, or depressed and I should give them a break. Fire my bazooka of compassion at them. Take my foot off the accelerator and coast (until someone behind me starts to honk.) Be a leaf in the river of traffic. Save gas. Signal... more... care.

biking

How sore do your knees have to get when you start biking to work before you realise you're too old to make this kind of commitment? How sweaty do you have to get? And how short of breath? It's only 20 minutes, I told myself... and back... later. But the hills that seemed inconsequential in a car, or even by foot, feel like Mount Everest (to me) on a bike. (ok, I exaggerate, Mount Kilimanjaro).

It started out innocuously enough. Just back from two weeks of vacation when I was active most days. Walking, swimming, cycling. It seemed easy to exercise when it was all you had to do in a day. (other than read good books, watch the Olympics, cook, eat, and sleep.) A trial run to work by bike revealed many tune-up needs that were swiftly dealt with at the local cycle shop. (everyone gets their bikes tuned in the spring, I discovered)  Then, the learning points. Too tired to get ready the night before. (error number 1). Alarm clock set in the dark. (error number 2) Missing bungee cord (did have one though), indecision about shoes (Teva sandals had to do double duty on the bike and at work), attaching my purse and bundle of clothes to the back of the bike before locking the door, (extra time to dig the keys back out that I didn't have) and not leaving enough time to cool down at work before having to get into a dress and head off to the first meeting (sweat dribbling down my back, double yuck). Error, error, error...

Or is that the point. It's hard to get things right the first time in lots of things in life. There's always tomorrow. Lots of work colleagues seemed impressed (?!?). Cheered me on. Little did they know how hard it was. Or was it? I am home now safe and sound. It's ok to to sweat and cool down while you're plunking away at your own computer. The weather tomorrow is forcast to be sunny and a high of 23 degrees. Perfect cycling weather. You just never know....Trial. Error. Repeat.