Traffic Tirades

Miles to Go?

2010-04-29T20:31:00.001-07:00

This is a mere follow-up on yesterday's post. Does anyone have any idea as to how long I need to drive in order to make sure that my check engine light doesn't come back on? I've heard 30 miles and 50 miles. I'm sincerely hoping it's the former so I hit it by the end of April...which happens to be tomorrow. Need to get that registration renewed!

On the Up and Up: Converting My Catalyst?

2010-04-28T16:09:00.000-07:00

OK, so I've mentioned my special car before, but today is the day that I'm finally getting it fixed. Or at least enough to pass smog testing. In California, you have to have a piece of equipment in your car that cleans the exhaust when it comes out. I'm not entirely sure how this happens or what that means, or why no other states have that, but either way, I'm not allowed to drive on the road legally without a working catalytic converter. So...as of May 1, hopefully I will be driving legally on the road! Hooray! Seriously, one of the biggest problems that I encounter with traffic is the lack of confidence I feel with my car. The windows don't roll down, the locks don't work, the trunk only opens if you try to do one of the previous two tasks, the car open alarm sounds for no apparent reason, the regular anti-theft alarm occasionally sounds for no reason, etc. etc. etc. So, let's start with the lack of current registration (I do have an extension, just so everyone knows that I do NOT drive against the law) and move on from there. Perhaps next we'll try to fix that damn door alarm from going off randomly and then get something shiny and new ;)

On a side note, as I was driving over from work to Wally the Muffler guy, I realized that I think I'm really the only person on the road who watches to see if there's anyone else coming into the lane I'm about to merge into. At least three times in 20 minutes, I checked my blind spot and looked over to see someone in the next lane over getting ready to merge into the spot that I was already motioning into. Why is it only MY responsibility to make sure that we don't bump sides in the middle of the center lane? Shouldn't anyone else have that responsibility too? Yesterday it happened with this lady on the way home from work and she moved her ginormous SUV into the spot that I was going to take whilst locking eye contact with me, as if to say 'oh, you didn't think you got to have this spot, did you? I had my people reserve it for me.' Oh get over yourself. We all have to share the road!

Oh well, I'll just be happy that we had zero collisions...from front, behind, or the side! Safe travels!

What's With That?!

2010-04-16T18:05:00.000-07:00

On "The Show" this morning, they were doing a skit called "What's with that?" Several callers made notes that I thought should be mentioned here.
1. When people start slowly rolling through the intersection instead of coming to a complete stop at a stop light...what's with that?
2. When a F1 truck that COULD be going mock 3 is instead traveling 10MPH under the speed limit...what's with that?
And here's my contribution:
3. When someone sees that you need to get over before you take an exit that you don't WANT to take because they just don't feel like slowing down for you to get over onto the "through" lane...what's with that?

Care to take a shot?

PS. HAppy FRIDAY!

Be Afraid. Be VERY Afraid.

2010-04-13T10:37:00.001-07:00

I love the title of this article: "Rain Wreaks Havoc on Morning Commute." It sounds like Godzilla or something has taken over the San Diego freeways, swiping at cars left and right. Other highlights of this fabulous example of serious journalism include:

Due to "rain-soaked highways and freeways," 178 crashes occurred throughout the county BEFORE 11a.m. Monday morning. (PS. what's the difference between a highway and a freeway?)
"When the current storm moves out, it will be replaced by night..." Glad we got that cleared up.
Early-morning clouds will follow due to a "strong marine layer." People of San Diego: it's called FOG!

Hope everyone survived the horrifying RAIN STORM and made it through the night and strong marine layer. I don't know about you, but it was a close one for me! ;)

Morning Talk Show Saviors

2010-04-12T14:12:00.000-07:00

On my way home from work today for lunch, I found myself searching for my usual companions on my daily commute--"The Show" with rock 105.3 FM--instead of jamming to the music. I'm not claiming that this is the best talk radio nor is it the best radio station. However, what I AM saying is that I realized on my way home today that I'd rather listen to a group of people (who I've never met) talk about their days (that I didn't live) than listen to music (in which I can participate).

And so I ask you...When did I become my father?! I used to hate listening to talk radio. I hated the interactions between the hosts and the lack of music. I waited until an admirable amount of time before asking him to PLEASE switch to something with music! Well, my friends, the times they have a'changed. I'm chalking this change in my morning mentality up to a few things. In no particular order these are: my age, today's pop music, and familiarity. I don't like most of today's pop. I don't want to hear K-e-money sign-h-a "rap" to the beat.

I am a working drone. I drive to work. I drive home. I sit in traffic. I merge. In these monotonous times, the only thing right now that eases my pain is the comfort of knowing that along with me ride Costa, Skye, Ashley, Boston Rob, and Eddie. Oh how I love my "friends!" But if you tell my father that I actually like talk radio now, I'll have to disown you.

Any favorite morning shows to share? Don't be ashamed of your "friends" :)

A Happy Ending

2010-04-08T14:09:00.000-07:00

You gotta love the Melbourne mates from down unda'. The precise amount of sarcasm and seriousness was used to get the point across that 30 seconds just is NOT enough time between parking and getting a parking ticket. Please read this hilarious letter to the DMV of the City of Melbourne from the aforementioned pissed off parker :)

Changing of the Seasons

2010-03-31T13:26:00.000-07:00

This morning I left a few minutes late (I really must work on that snooze alarm addiction) and cruised right into work on time. ON TIME! I thought it was because I missed the 8am rush to work, but after doing some more sleuthing I'm pretty sure it's because the schools out here are on Spring Break. (Side note: It's also Caesar Chavez day out here...East Coasters, say wha'?!) Conversely, this past weekend was the first weekend where people have started noticing traffic lined up to get to and from the beach. Yes, it's beautiful in San Diego almost 375 days out of the year. But there are definitely still seasons. To be honest, this past Sunday was the first time in a REALLY long time that I hit the beach, and oh how good it felt! So, I guess a big, fat "Thank you" should be sent out to the college gods for letting me get to work on time even after getting 15 more minutes of sleep. mmmmm..... And a big fat "crap" to the beach traffic. Luckily, I don't really go out on the weekends any more so an early morning wake up to get a parking spot on the coast is definitely a must do in my book! Happy Spring and safe driving, ya'll!

15 Minutes of Fame

2010-03-24T10:43:00.000-07:00

It is amazing to me how 10 minutes can make such a huge difference in rush hour driving time.

Usually I leave for work at 730a.m. to be at the office as close to 800a.m. as possible. Some days I'm a little late, some days I'm a little early. It usually just depends on the amount of traffic or any unforeseen WEATHER changes (you'd be surprised at the havoc rain can cause out here in SoCal).

This morning, we had a big All Hands meeting at 800a.m. so I left at 720a.m. A whopping 10 minutes earlier, and I'm at work in 15 minutes. Say wha'?!

I've heard that this is really only the case in bigger cities. (One of my mom's old coworkers lived in Illinois or Idaho or some other "I" state and said that he never understood when his underlings used traffic as an excuse to being late at work. I guess it was just never THAT BAD. But when he moved to D.C., oh how that point of view changed.)

Either way, here in San Diego, a 10 minute difference in departure time DOES equal a 15 minute difference in commute time. That's just crazy to me.

Do you know what I could be doing in those extra 15 minutes of my life?

1. Working out my abs x2.
2. Reading 2 chapters of my book.
3. Making and consuming an egg and cheese sandwich.
4. Bake a batch of chocolate cookies from the tube.
5. Paint my nails.
6. Straighten my hair.
7. Become FAMOUS!
Oh the list goes on and on.

You'd think that this would convince me to leave at 720a.m. every day, but, alas, you would be wrong. Yes, I am encouraged to try to leave that little bit earlier to save myself the hassle of sitting in on-ramp, lacking-in-zipper-abilities traffic. But, oh sleep, sleep how I adore thee. Knowing that I can sleep 10 minutes longer alone will make me sit in 15 more minutes of traffic. It's crazy how the mind of a chronic sleep-button-hitter works.

Give me some tunes, a good morning show, and a cup o' joe at the end of my drive and 15 minutes extra just doesn't seem that bad...

The Journey

2010-03-22T10:13:00.000-07:00

When I was a teenager, my family rented a little red convertible while visiting my grandparents at their retirement community in Florida. One day, while taking a spin around the enclosed neighborhood, we passed a lovely old couple taking their daily jaunt. "Slow down!" was all that we heard as we "sped" by them at a whopping 15 MPH. Well, I must be turning into that little old lady with nothing better to do than to meddle because yesterday while Justin and I were driving up the coast to meet his sister for dinner at a beach-side camp, all I could think was "Slow down!"

All I want to do on Sundays, on my last day of freedom, is to take it back a few notches and RELAX. Justin I know is right there with me. He's constantly uttering things like, "well I guess THEY'RE in a hurry." But everyone else in Southern California seems to be in such a rush to get moving! What's...the deal...with that? Is it really necessary to go 85 MPH at all, let alone on one of the laziest days of the week?

Take some time to enjoy the scenery. The flowers are blooming, the sun is setting, the rag tops are down. There's really no reason that I can think of that people need to be going that fast. I know we live in an iPod, cell phone, rushrushrush society, and like my dad I must be a dinosaur when it comes to the newest "social" technology. But really, It's quite a shame to think that the kids of the newer generations are missing the point of a Sunday drive. The point, dear friends, is in the journey...

News Updates

2010-03-15T13:53:00.000-07:00

There have been so many traffic/transportation stories in the news these days...from the Toyota trials to suicide reports (at least here in San Diego). Here are a few of our traffic stories for your reading pleasure.

"Toyota Says San Diego Driver's Story is Inconsistent"
"Man Struck and Killed on I-805 Near El Cajon Blvd"
"Suspected Car Thieves Arrested After Chase Ends in Crash"
"Farmers Insurance to Keep Sponsoring Torrey Pines' PGA Event" (it's a stretch, but top priority news around these parts)

To summarize: Beware of Toyota gas pedals, don't try to walk on freeways, and be careful where you leave your cars unattended. Above all: stay safe!

Driver ADD?

2010-02-23T15:56:00.001-08:00

On my drive home from work on Friday a hilarious incident ensued. At least, I thought it was hilarious ;)

I was driving on a two-lane ramp to go from a five-lane freeway to another five-lane freeway. It's a very busy ramp and a very curvy one at that. Well, I was in the left-hand lane and I watched as this little sedan jumped from the left-hand lane in front of me to the right-hand lane, effectively cutting off the guy in the next lane for no apparent reason. (It wasn't rush hour; there was no reason to cut him off.) OK. Whatever. And then a minute later he did the same thing to me. No apparent reason yet again. Apparently he just has driver's ADD. The best part about the whole thing was that right there sitting in his back window was a bright white, shiny book called "The Bible." I just find it so ironic when it's the people who feel the need to announce that they're good Christians are the one's who are doing the dirty deeds. Nothing against the Bible...it's the way people use it to forgive their rude behavior. As they say in Thailand, "Mai phen rai." Back to the road I go!

Motorcyclists Beware or Beware of Motorcyclists?

2010-02-19T10:50:00.001-08:00

This is an interesting article regarding the electronic signs on our San Diego freeways. After a motorcyclist was hit last week (I couldn't find the news story at the time, but heard from an eye-witness that it was a bad crash), CalTrans decided to take a proactive approach to the situation. The problem is: are car drivers responsible for watching for motorcyclists who weave throughout traffic in between lanes, or is it illegal for motorcyclists to not follow the same laws of the road that car drivers do? Apparently there are mixed messages here in San Diego. What's your take?

Ironic Plating

2010-02-16T09:49:00.001-08:00

Some lady was blocking the merge lane on a 5-lane freeway on Friday. Why she refused to move over to let us merge onto the freeway was beyond me, but either way she sat in the right hand lane while our merge lane turned into an exit only lane. The best part of her inconsiderateness...as she sped away off into the sunset we saw that her license plate read "Endear." Quality.

Inclement Weather? Nope. Just Rain.

2010-02-05T13:39:00.000-08:00

Most of the East Coast is concerned about the huge snow storm headed their way. The grocery stores are empty. The generators are full. Plans are postponed. Crafts are planned. Well, out here on the West Coast we're expecting some serious storms as well. And for those of you who know how San Diegan's drive when there's a little rain will realize what that means where there's a lot of rain. Drivers beware! I've been advised that we may leave early today from work to avoid the dangerous driving conditions. Heck, if you want me to leave work early so I don't have to drive in the rain, well paint me red and call me Rhonda. I'm made out of sugar just like the next girl, but I'd never expect to get out of work early to avoid rain. I guess, for West Coasters, a good ol' fashioned thunderstorm is just like the East Coaster's Nor'Easter. If this is the worst weather we get than I'm finally home.

Beauty is in the Eye. Literally.

2010-02-02T08:45:00.000-08:00

I'm a woman. I wear makeup. I have occasionally put lipstick or concealer on in the car while at a stop light. I'll admit that. I've eaten a burger behind the wheel. I've tied my shoes at stop lights. I've even texted, yes, texted on the freeway.

HOWEVER, I stop at the line with applying full-fledged makeup. This woman this morning was jerking around and having a hard time merging with us. It took me a while to figure it out, but in the passenger-side mirror I finally saw what the problem was: she was trying to apply her makeup while merging.

Come on, people. Haven't you heard the statistics about how many people die or are injured each year because of texting? Don't you think that putting MAKEUP on while driving is even WORSE? At least while you're texting you can look up at the road (assuming you know where every letter on your keyboard is by heart). But have you ever seen a woman put makeup on at HOME? How about we add to that your 12yo daughter in the passenger seat and a moving SUV? Let's add this up:

-1 point: You're staring into the small, poorly lit mirror hanging from the ceiling of your car's hood.
-1 point: You're leaning your head backwards to get full advantage of your lashes...a feat in and of itself.
-1 point: You're SUV is merging with other cars from two lanes into one, and then onto a freeway.
-2 points: You're using a tiny wand-like instrument to apply black goop near your very sensitive eye area.

She's practically driving blind. And she's doing it in front of her 12yo daughter, which is essentially teaching her that it's a good idea to apply makeup while behind the wheel of a moving 2-ton vehicle. That sounds like a good way to set an example, doesn't it? Teach the next generation how to drive while texting, eating, putting makeup on. Hell, whey not add the fax machine and the computer in the driver's lap, too, while we're at it?

Oh God. I just realized. I'm becoming my father!

Car Maintenance Bar Schmaintenance

2010-02-01T14:25:00.000-08:00

This whole car maintenance thing is really all very new to me, and I have to say, I sincerely, absolutely despise it. I'd much rather return in time to a few years ago when I was naive about it all. Being an adult is so over-rated.

My parents gave me my Jetta as a hand-me-down for my graduation, which means I had no car payments (still don't, thank the lord). It had very few problems, and the ones it did, I just ignored. And until about a year or two ago, they even paid for my insurance. Blessed, I know.

Well, no more, ladies and gents. Now, I am the PROUD owner of a 2002 Jetta with TONS of character.

To bring you up to speed, I've had a "check engine" light on since last September. Really not a big deal in my eyes. But I guess to California, they think this needs to be remedied before I can re-register my car. Boo on you, Cali. Frankly, I'm right there with Penny from The Big Bang Theory.

Beverly: Your Check Engine light is on.
Penny: Yeah, I gotta put a sticker over that.

My sentiments exactly, Penny.

So, now here's the deal. I have to get that eye-sore of a check engine light checked out by Feb 12th and get my car smogged in order to get re-registered. As the old credit card commercial goes:

$98 for diagnostics
$1050+ to fix it
$30 for a smog check
$109 to re-register

Being Broke in one of the most expensive states in the union? Priceless.

Man in the Mercedes on Tuesday, Jan 26 on I5South

2010-01-27T13:48:00.000-08:00

Just because you drive a Mercedes, doesn't mean that you can do whatever you want. Blinkers are necessary when changing lanes. Cutting people off is not acceptable. Being a jerk in general (though may be genetic, Mr. Mercedes Man) is not an excuse. Get it together.

Moving Road Block

2010-01-21T07:32:00.000-08:00

OK, so it's still raining out here in San Diego. Not like spitting rain where your hair gets frizzed. This is torrential downpour with 50MPH gusts of wind. Nothing new to the East Coast, but this is crazy talk out here! We've talked about this before, but with the rain comes even MORE difficult driving. Today, I just have one thing to say (and this goes for driving whether there's rain, sleet, snow, or sun):

If you don't want to let me into your lane BEFORE you, you can at LEAST let me in the lane behind you.

I was trying to change lanes today to move around the slower traffic (uber slow with the weather), and this white Honda sped up so I couldn't get in front of him. OK, fine. I get it. You don't want anyone having what you have. But then, THEN, he just sat there in the lane next to me. With my blinker on and everything. Waiting for...what? No effing clue. But because he refused to move forward, I couldn't get over. I mean, come on, Honda. Get your butt in gear. You can't just sit in the lane next to me for no reason. And while we're at it, you shouldn't be driving a white Honda!

Just saying.

From the Weather Guy

2010-01-19T14:39:00.001-08:00

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED TORNADO WARNING NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE SAN DIEGO CA235 PM PST TUE JAN 19 2010
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN SAN DIEGO HAS ISSUED A* TORNADO WARNING FOR...SOUTH CENTRAL SAN DIEGO COUNTY IN SOUTHWEST CALIFORNIA...THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF...SAN DIEGO...NATIONAL CITY...LEMON GROVE...LA MESA...IMPERIAL BEACH...EL CAJON...CORONADO...CHULA VISTA...* UNTIL 315 PM PST* AT 226 PM PST...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A LINE OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO BETWEEN ESCONDIDO AND IMPERIAL BEACH. THE STORMS WILL BE CAPABLE OF PRODUCING HAIL TO NEAR 1 INCH IN DIAMETER AND GUSTY WINDS TO NEAR 60MPH. THE STORMS WERE MOVING NORTHEAST AT ABOUT 30 MPH. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...THE SAFEST PLACE TO BE DURING A TORNADO IS IN A BASEMENT. GET UNDER A WORKBENCH OR OTHER PIECE OF STURDY FURNITURE. IF NO BASEMENT IS AVAILABLE...SEEK SHELTER ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF THE BUILDING IN AN INTERIOR HALLWAY OR ROOM SUCH AS A CLOSET. USE BLANKETS OR PILLOWS TO COVER YOUR BODY AND ALWAYS STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS. IF IN MOBILE HOMES OR VEHICLES...EVACUATE THEM AND GET INSIDE A SUBSTANTIAL SHELTER. IF NO SHELTER IS AVAILABLE...LIE FLAT IN THE NEAREST DITCH OR OTHER LOW SPOT AND COVER YOUR HEAD WITH YOUR HANDS.

Cats and Dogs

2010-01-19T13:43:00.000-08:00

It's raining like cats and dogs out here in sunny San Diego. I really have no idea what that phrase means, but for all intents and purposes, it's raining like whoa. We only get about 1-2 weeks worth of rain, which sounds fabulous (and it is, don't get me wrong). However, the lack of rain means a lack in the color green as well as water rationing, tickets for watering your lawn on off days, and judgement for taking showers that last longer than 5 minutes. Coming from a place where it rains almost every week throughout the year (I'm looking at you, Maryland), it's bizarre to now be in a place where we NEVER get enough water.

Of course, with the rain must come a little note about the traffic. That is, after all, what this blog is all about. And, oh boy, do San Diegans need some lessons in rainy driving.

Lesson 1: Don't slam on your breaks. You WILL hydroplane. I had to learn that the hard way when I was 16, but at least I learned that lesson. San Diegans, you too will learn this lesson albeit a bit later in life.

Lesson 2: Don't drive 30MPH on the freeway. Of course, going your usual 80MPH isn't going to be safe either. However, if you don't feel comfortable driving a normal speed while it's raining, STAY OFF THE ROADS.

Lesson 3: Turn on your headlights. This really should go without saying, but there are so many people here who still don't use them. When your windshield wipers go on, so should your lights.

Lesson 4: USE YOUR BLINKER. Really, you should be using this all the time, but it's even more important when it's raining. Slamming on the breaks when you're going 60MPH on a side road without using your headlights nor your blinker will ensure that you get into an accident.

Please remember, San Diegans...it's just water.

Drive safely!

New Year, New Resolutions

2010-01-13T14:17:00.001-08:00

Oh the blessings of another new year. I'm usually adverse to resolutions, but this year I'm wondering if maybe a driving-related one is necessary. I'm thinking something along the lines of "Be more patient while commuting" or "Carpool more often." Anyone have any good driving-related resolutions (or general ones that may relate to driving, aka patience)?

Also, I've been focusing a bit more on biking rather than driving, these days. I'm training for a 60-mile bike ride this spring. I'd like to put a formal request for submissions for guest bloggers on here. Please leave a comment on this post if you're interested in writing a guest blog. I'd love to hear how the traffic is, say, in L.A. or Texas :)

Safe travels!

Car Trauma

2009-12-17T08:36:00.000-08:00

My car has had quite the traumatic life lately. Amongst all of the "character" that Etta the Jetta already had, last week her side view mirror was hit (found dangling from a wire) and then over the weekend someone smashed my window to steal my GPS. Jerks. The amount of money that it cost me to replace the window (thanks, Justin, for figuring that out for me!) was the same amount that the GPS was probably worth. You could have just asked for it and saved me the extra fee.

Anyway, it has become quite apparent to me over the past few days just how important that tiny little side view mirror is to my driving abilities. Not only is it distracting when it flaps in the wind on freeways or shows the shadows on the pavement of passing cars instead of what's "closer than it may appear." But also, merging into the left lane is nearly impossible without turning around. Something just came to me: Maybe that's why my neck has been hurting for the past few days. Hmmm...

I don't recommend you try living without that side view mirror, but if you ever have to you will know just exactly what I mean. It's crazy. Whoever invented that little guy was a genius!

A Few of My Favorite Things

2009-12-01T10:50:00.000-08:00

1. Traffic cops who do their job.
2. Rush Hour that reaches the 25 MPH mark.
3. People who use their blinkers.
4. Slowing (rather than slamming) into a break.
5. The HOV lane when I'm carpooling (I hate it when I'm not).
6. When the radio listeners think they're supposed to be afraid of "black guys" rather than "black ice." Can we say Southern California weather? :)
7. My first car CD player. EVER. Changed my world last week.
8. Clean windows.
9. The gratuitous wave (rather than the pissed off finger).
10. The Zipper Effect!

Suggestions for more traffic Favorite Things this holiday season?

Traffic Joke

2009-11-24T08:38:00.001-08:00

This was forwarded to me by my father. Thought it was appropriate :)

Yesterday I had a flat tire on the interstate. So I eased my car over to the shoulder of the road, carefully get out of the car and open the trunk. I took out 2 cardboard men, unfolded them and stood them at the rear of my car facing oncoming traffic. They look so life like you wouldn't believe it! They are in trench coats exposing their nude bodies to the approaching drivers. To my surprise, cars start slowing down looking at my lifelike men which made it safer for me to work at the side of the road. And of course, traffic starts backing up. Everybody is tooting their horns and waving like crazy. It wasn't long before a state trooper pulls up behind me. He gets out of his car and starts walking towards me.. I could tell he was not a happy camper! 'What's going on here? ' 'My car has a flat tire', I said calmly. 'Well, what are those obscene cardboard men doing here by the road? ' I couldn't believe that he didn't know. So I told him, 'Helloooooo, those are my emergency flashers!'

Happy Thanksgiving!

2009-11-24T08:31:00.001-08:00

I know Thanksgiving is the most traveled day in the entire year, but man does it make for an easy commute to work. Apparently no one is at work this week, which is great for me! Smooth sailing ahead! Now, if only they'd stay off the road for the rest of the year...

Happy early Thanksgiving to me ;) (And you too of course.)

Mantras

2009-11-17T09:53:00.000-08:00

I was sitting in a car yesterday and the driver turns to look at the guy who won't let her merge into the straight only lane and says, "Did that make you feel better, honey?" Classic. I think that will be my new driving mantra.

Right Turn Only?

2009-11-10T14:10:00.000-08:00

What kind of hurry do you need to be in to screech out of the regular lane to go into the right-turn-only lane to pass me in an intersection? And then give me a look like I'M the one who's crazy? You just used the turn lane as your personal traffic hopper, Mac. Get back in line!

PS. Mac was what my grandpa used to call a driver who pissed him off, since he didn't swear. Cutest thing ever.

On Ramp Perp

2009-11-05T11:06:00.000-08:00

Where to begin...there were so many gaffes this morning, I'm just not sure which one to choose. Let's start with the one I observed from the safety of my own vehicle.

There's a point on a major freeway in San Diego where several smaller roads have to merge onto the road. Inevitably, this causes traffic to slow down since we're trying to work on that zipper effect as mentioned earlier on this blog. Of course not everyone chooses to partake in such a social norm. That's fairly status quo. However, this morning I watched a guy merge FROM the smaller road onto the on ramp by jumping over before everyone in front of him, THEN, once he had comfortably acclimated into the flow of traffic, he refused to let one of his compatriots from the smaller lane zipper in front of him. OK, I tried to draw a picture to show what happened. The guy in red is the perp. The two cars in front of him are merging onto the ramp, as they should. He, on the other hand, is going out of turn and out of the lane to get on the on ramp first. Now he's safely in the on ramp traffic, where (since he got over before the end of his ramp) he should now take his turn and let someone in from his side road. Does he do that? Of course not! He's in! That's all that matters to him. Screw the guy behind him who's turn it is to merge. I hope that makes sense. All that needs to come across is that some drivers are so selfish that they don't even realize they're screwing over the group of people they were just waiting in line with. UGH. And, I ended that sentence in a preposition. Good lord. This day is going GREAT! :)

Pass Go

2009-10-30T09:27:00.000-07:00

It is not OK with me when you speed up to pass me and then slam on the breaks once you're in front of me. If you can't pass me at your normal speed, then get in line behind me!

CalTran Qualms

2009-10-29T08:56:00.001-07:00

Someone broke down this morning in the left lane of a two-lane on ramp. As a seriously busy ramp, the traffic hurdle caused a delay all the way up through the freeway near my house. I definitely feel horrible for that person on the receiving end of all the that's-why-we're-stuck-in-traffic fingers, but the worst part was that there was a cop in the shoulder just sitting there watching it all happen.

And here, dear cohorts, is the crux of the problem: California transit police (called CalTran) clearly lack in helping traffic problems. There's an accident? Let's let the commuters fend for themselves around the debris. There's an event? Let's let the commuters fend for themselves through the intersection. There's a broken down car? Let's let the commuters fend for themselves around the car.

Maybe instead of just watching the traffic pile up around you, you could get off your cell phone and help direct traffic or help push the car safety to the shoulder with you. (I can tell you from first-hand experience that a Maryland highway patrol man helped me push my car from the left lane of 83 to the right shoulder three lanes later. It is possible, and since CaTran is so keen on stopping traffic with their crazy swerving action, you know they wouldn't mind doing it. So do it!)

Crazy CalTran. What do you get paid to do?

Call for Callout

2009-10-26T13:06:00.000-07:00

"Steph, a post completely devoted to motorcycles and their general douchebagginess is necessary, stat."

Well, I have a friend with a motorcycle, so I'm a bit biased here. I have to say that ever since he bought it, I started looking at their drivers a bit differently. I can't help seeing Sean when I see a motorcyclist when I'm in traffic, so I inevitably let them do whatever they want. Clearly, I am not the right person to write a post about the douchebagginess of motorcyclists. Anyone want to give it a go? I know there's someone out there with an opinion and a computer :) And be sure to add somewhere in that post how not wearing a helmet can be considered douchebagginess (or natural selection, as my father puts it).

Tirade Twitter

2009-10-23T18:14:00.000-07:00

If you haven't noticed already, Bree Brown has agreed to tweet about her traffic tirades. I must say, this type of writing was made for people like her: Precise, ironic, and honest. Follow Traffic Tirades tweets here!

Oh, and enjoy the weekend. Just think: Two full days of NO rush hour!

Double Schlameel

2009-10-22T08:39:00.000-07:00

Mood: Terrified!

This is going to be short and sweet this morning. I don't really need to vent. However, I do need to put out a public notice regarding missing tail lights. When one of your tail lights is out (called a schlameel in my family), you are forgiven. It takes most people a while to realize that this has happened, since, you know, you can't really see your butt (much like how I feel when I'm getting dressed in the morning...WHAT is going on back there?!). When you're missing two tail lights (referred to as a double schlameel), though, you need to get that sh*t handled asap.

I was behind a beat up truck this morning during rush hour traffic, merging (yes, I do it a lot) onto the freeway, and I found myself right up on his butt before realizing that he'd stopped. It took me at least two times of almost rear-ending him to figure out that it wasn't me (of course it's not ME). He didn't have lights to warn me that he was stopping. Oh, is THAT what those are for? I'm just glad I wasn't the one to rear end him and help him figure out why we have tail lights.

Housekeeping Items

2009-10-21T14:47:00.000-07:00

1. If you'd like to leave a comment on this blog (please do!), you'll need to click on the little icon that looks like a pencil or the word "comment." I'm not sure why the layout I chose doesn't have the normal box for you to fill out right from the get-go, but the option IS there. Feel free to email me if you have problems figuring it out.

2. I'd like to give a big ol' shout out to Bree Brown for helping me decide on the name "Traffic Tirades." As a fellow East Coaster, I knew she'd be the person with the most sympathy toward my plight. Thanks, Bree!

The Zipper Effect

2009-10-21T11:25:00.000-07:00

Here in California, before you can enter the freeway, you are first stopped at a red light at the on-ramp. The theory, apparently, is that by controlling the amount of people entering the freeway, they can control the traffic ON the freeway. It sounds like a great idea. However, this "great idea" creates tons of traffic on the side streets where people are lining up to get on the freeway. (Please excuse the rapid fire "freeway," but I have no other way to explain this other than a video, which I'm going out on a limb to say it's illegal to video tape while driving.)

Imagine tons of cars coming in from all different areas at one intersection, waiting turns to line up before the red light to get onto the freeway. Two lanes on the on ramp eventually go down to one, which means you're forced to merge with the other lane. Enter: The Zipper Effect. One car from the right lane goes, then one from the left lane, one from the right, one from the left, until we're all waiting in a single-file line.

If we could all hold hands and work together on this, my mornings would be so much easier. But is life that easy, you ask? Oh hell no. Instead of the group accepting that we all have to wait our turn, it's every man for himself. Granted, 99% of the people are willing to meld smoothly with the opposite lane. However, there's always that one jerk who decides he doesn't feel like waiting. He thinks that by not letting in the one car he's supposed to let in, he'll have won the morning's battle. Because, as you can imagine, getting to the red light one car length faster is sooo worth it.

Come on. I can see exactly how much time you've saved...ONE CAR LENGTH of time. Is it really worth pissing off your neighbors, your cohorts in this crazy thing we call "rush hour?" Does it make you feel that much better about your life that you're ONE CAR LENGTH AHEAD OF ME? Well you know what? If that's what you need to get you through the day, then so be it. Apparently you're time is more precious than mine, or your life is more atrocious than mine, and it feels good for me to be able to give you that one small victory in what you call your life. Good LORD.

[Deep breath.]

Thanks for listening.

Ready to Vent

2009-10-21T11:15:00.000-07:00

Dear Fellow Sane Drivers,

It has come to my attention that everyone but me drives like a crazy person (I'm sure you feel the same). Other drivers don't follow social norms, they make up their own rules, they ignore others. Other people's driving habits are slowly driving me to insanity.

And so, to let out some of my vehicular steam, I've decided to start a blog for those of us who need a nice and neat outlet for this _____ [enter term here...today, for instance, I would have put "utter disappointment in the human race" in the blank].

Let me know what grinds your gears!

Stephanie