Back to work

Off for the last 5 weeks - spending some fantastic time in both Minnesota and Maui. Chasing my kids, frogs, crawdads and geckos; layering on the sunblock, getting sand where it's not supposed to be; celebrating my 1st half-century on this planet with some select folks; while managing to get in a few nice bike rides; and mostly ignoring the cell phone and the computer.

Probably my favorite memory is that of my 3 youngsters sitting on our bed near midnight in Eau Claire, Wisconsin (half way into our 10-hour 2 day drive from Chicago to northern Minnesota) transfixed by the awesome power of Mother Nature unleashing bolt after bolt of lightning from huge thunderheads. I think that may be the first time they might have realized there is something bigger than Mom & Dad (and I'm not talking religion).

So after a day at home and trying to get life somewhat normalized catching up with bills, mail, phone calls, unpacking and introducing the kiddos to their knew Nanny - I was off to Orlando at O-to-early this morning getting in late afternoon East Coast time.

After settling in at the hotel I got out & was walking down to the local Whole Paycheck Market to get some eats. Then some moron in a maroon van ran a freeway exit stop light to make a right turn in front of me when I was already 10 feet off the curb in the crosswalk. So close was he that all I had to do was reach out slightly to give his right rear quarter panel a hard hit. Well that did it! Now Mr. I'm-in-such-a-hurry wasn't.

As he's pulling over and jumping out of his vehicle I'm probably making a big mistake as I walk back toward him with the cell phone open to my ear, ready to call 911 while memorizing his license plate. As he's screaming profanities and rushing toward me I resisted the urge to be drawn into the fray. He finally calmed down enough to put together a cohesive sentence and he had the gall to ask me what the hell I think I'm doing? Me? WTF?

I tell him I'm looking at a guy who's just committed several traffic violations including almost running down a pedestrian in an crosswalk and then has the time to stop and question the issue like it's my fault? Do you even have a driver's license? I continued that I thought he'd be embarrassed about his behavior like this in front of his family, and that if he didn't turn around and get back into his car that I'd call 911 right then & there and claim that I've been assaulted by you with intent to do bodily harm. What's your story going to be?? You've got no excuse - plain daylight, no sun in your eyes, no blind spots, nothing that would have prevented you from seeing both the stop light and me in the crosswalk. Obviously you knew I was there because you stopped to come back to yell at me.

It was such a clear moment - I wasn't backing down, I knew what he looked like, what his car description was, what his license number was, and never felt so empowered (luckily the jerk didn't have a gun or some other weapon at his disposal). The bluster in this guy deflated quicker than a sidewall blowout & he after a brief glare at me (probably with disdain) he silently did a 180 and waddled back to his van and sped away.

Then I'm thinking - hey where's my apology?

Don't try this at home boys and girls. I think I just got lucky today and responded appropriately to an individual who allowed me to have my say and ultimately was receptive to what I said. That's possibly not the case with the next testosterone infused idiot who believes you better just get out of his way - or else!

The fact that you or I may be in the right when things go badly on the road (either as a pedestrian or cyclist) is of little consolation to your loved ones who are looking at you in the hospital or worse. There's been a lot written lately about confronting the angry motorist - and even after today's near altercation I would recommend being as calm, non-aggressive, and as matter-of-fact that you possibly can. Or turn the other cheek. It's hard to do when emotions are at there highest but you'll be the better person for it. Don't let the bastards get you down.

So back to work - here at the center of the blogging universe as well as my real job (which is loving my wife and the other 3 grins).