Driving, 101

So, I have been thinking, trying to figure out the best way to educate the masses of drivers (who, presumably, have taken driver's education class prior to becoming licensed?) on HOW TO DRIVE. Some things that I honestly think should be basic human instinct, nothing that they teach you in driver's ed.

For example, when you have taken a right hand turn, and you are now driving along having taken the right hand turn, you no longer need the right turn signal - flashing away, warning people that you are reserving the right to turn right at some point in the future. Along the same lines, turn signals are NOT only for during the turn, they should be used PRIOR to the turn, to SIGNAL to the drivers around you that you will soon be turning.

Also, when there are multiple lanes, and you are in one of them, please, please, please, DO NOT cross into another lane (or straddle between them) without first looking to see if some other vehicle (I know, what other vehicles??) might just happen to be next to you at the time, ready and waiting for you to side swipe them if they don't drive off the road first.

Personally, I can drive (well, mind you) and talk on the phone (generally with a headset), or text, or turn the radio dial, or put on mascara, or whatever, AND drive first - DRIVE FIRST - meaning that I don't sit for 30 seconds once the light has changed, or weave lanes on the highway, or hit the person in front of me who has stopped suddenly (for no apparent reason), because I drive first. Drive first.

Last, but not least - the on ramps are NOT for stopping!!!!!! LOOK WHILE YOU MERGE... Try doing two things at the same time... Everyone behind you is speeding up, and looking over their left shoulder - they are NOT expecting you to be braking and preparing to look over your left shoulder ONCE YOU HAVE STOPPED. No one. They are all preparing to hit you, going eighty - and rightfully so.

I DO feel like a pompous ass saying so, but I think that they should require people over a certain age (not to be determined by me, mind you) to take annual driving tests... For EXACTLY the same reasons that they do not issue driver's licenses to five year olds. EXACTLY the same. And perhaps the rest of us should have to pass a driving test every 5-10 years to keep ourselves fresh...


That's all...

(PS. this one will be updated from time to time) - let me know if you have anything to add!

REALITY

The world seems to have become obsessed with reality... well, no. I guess that statement isn't absolutely accurate - it's more like the world seems to have become obsessed with watching reality, on tv. Nonscripted, cast and structured to induce high stakes drama and steamy sexual tension - just like real life.

Reality is defined by www.merriam-webster.com as a noun, meaning 1) the quality or state of being real, 2) A1: a real event, entity, or state of affairs A2: the totality of real things and events B: something that is neither derivative nor dependent but exists necessarily, 3) television programming that features videos of actual occurrences (as a police chase, stunt, or natural disaster) —often used attributively ; in reality = in actual fact.

How funny that Merriam Webster includes "reality television" as one definition of reality.

So, what is the draw that people have (honestly... myself included) to reality television? I think that for some people, watching people interact and seeing how human nature plays out in stressful situations and interactions can be a substitute for doing it themselves. A substitute that does not stress their own life, barely impacts their own life (with the exception of the occational water cooler discussion / gambling).

Often the shows are cast, even if not scripted - for example, the myriad dating reality shows that have started showing up, and having babies, and grandbabies - where will this go? If half of the contenstants on each current reality television show is interesting enough to have their own, eventually half of the free world will have their own show, and the other half will be contestants. I am looking forward to this, and hoping that the Alea Show is a brilliant success.

Will this interest that we have in watching other people living in reality on television, rather than living in it for ourselves, have an end? Or will humankind simply evolve into a race that required nothing but a cord plugged into the back of our skull to input everything our five senses could require or desire?

Could this be how The Matrix comes to be??

say what you mean, mean what you say.

Say what YOU mean, mean what YOU say... if you don't, who will? Why make people guess? What if they guess wrong? Communication is difficult enough as it is without having to try to "read" someone to "figure out" what they MEAN by what they are saying. It helps when people just say what they mean, and mean what they say.

So, this is the basis for a book that I am writing... I think that it would do people good to empower themselves enough to do this! say what you mean! what YOU have to say, and what you think, is valid, is ok. By saying what you mean, you will also empower others to mean what they say - when they don't, call them on it. Empower them, too...

I fail to understand why some people are so put off by a "yes/no" question, because they want to say no but are too worried about the inquirer's reaction that they simply say nothing. SAY NO. grow a pair, and say no. say what you mean.

How am I supposed to know if you don't say no? JUST SAY NO.

It can be incredibly difficult trying to guess what someone is thinking, unless perhaps you have a clue or two. But, isn't it just so much easier if they just tell you? efficient, effective, we can all get on with other things... When it comes down to it, "say what you mean, mean what you say" = be honest with yourself and others.

The same principle holds true for someone staying in a loveless relationship simply to 'avoid hurting the other person's feelings.' Isn't it going to hurt MORE when they find out that not only are you not in love with them anymore, but you've been PRETENDING!?! Especially if somewhere along the way children become involved. Grow a pair and break it off. the bandaid comes off with less pain if you do it quickly!

That is all... ;)