On Commuting

With the new job comes a new commute to work. Instead of five minutes on back streets, I now spend 35 minutes (each way) on the freeway to get to work. I don't mind spending the time in my car. It gives me a chance to sing along with the radio without torturing anyone else with my tone-deafness and to plan out my day or reflect on my day. I don't mind the drive in the least because it's a gorgeous drive, with Rainier towering in the distance and the beautiful Seattle skyline, Space Needle and all, beside me most of the way. I don't even mind being stuck in traffic, because it gives me more time with my thoughts, and I so rarely get time all to myself. In fact, I wouldn't mind commuting in the least, if it weren't for one thing.

People are jerks. Heaven forbid anyone yield to let anyone else merge onto the freeway. And don't even attempt to change lanes during rush hour--you're stuck in the lane you're in, whether you want to be there or not; no one will let you in to another lane. Never mind that traffic is moving at 5 miles an hour, and one more person going in front of you will delay you by approximately three seconds. It also appears to be imperative to follow the car in front of you so closely that the driver of the car in front of you cannot see your headlights, and indeed might not even know you're there--and to continue this whether traffic is moving at 5 miles an hour or 60. I was almost rear-ended tonight when traffic momentarily sped up to 40 then abruptly slowed to 15, and the moron behind me, who I hardly knew was there because he/she was following so closely, had to drive onto the median to avoid smacking into me. (When I learned to drive, Mom told be to imagine a pole four car-lengths, separating me from the car in front of me. The pole is unbendable. If someone cuts between me and the car in front of me, a new pole automatically appears, and I adjust. That way I always have enough space to stop, and no one needs to cut me off. Not that this stops people from cutting me off--oh no. Even though they don't need to, they seem to enjoy cutting as close to my bumper as they can, perhaps to show their driving skill.) People are selfish when it comes to freeway driving. Yes, we all want to get where we're going. That's why we're on the freeway in the first place. Still, behaving like we're the only ones on the road isn't going to get us where we're going any more quickly or safely. I'd rather be delayed by two minutes than cause an accident. I only wish other people felt the same way. I'd enjoy my commute thoroughly were this the case. I'm not going to hold my breath though.