The Joys of Commuting

Jon and I work less than a mile apart from each other, so we carpool.

Most of our drive is on the highway which I am leery of, because all the other drivers constantly feel the need to show me up by switching lanes and merging.

But Jon usually drives, while I kick around my purse on the floor and wish I’d remembered to put it in the back seat. So, this is not an issue.

The really fun part doesn’t start until we get to Jon’s work and I drop him off. Between his work and mine (and remember, this is just under a mile) there are 6 traffic lights. Yes, that is correct. 6.

Each Light is a Treasure

I turn left at the first one, so I usually wait through one light. The next one takes longer, because it gets backed up to just beyond where I made my left turn. It’s okay, though, because I should have to sit through this one as a perpetual reminder of back when it was a pedestrian-only light, and I was surprised one morning when a pedestrian used it, and almost ran her over in front of a policeman.

After that, I go over a bridge, and wait at another light. I don’t ever actually go through this light, but I need to turn right, and there’s no right turn only lane (I mean, it’s a bridge, there’s not that much space) so I usually wait through it once or twice.

Then, I drive about a block, and wait through another light at a T intersection. They just added this one.

After turning right, I drive 2 blocks and wait in another intersection. This one has the added fun of commuter pedestrians, who generally cross with the walk light, but sometimes get frisky and decide it’s a good idea to face down oncoming traffic.

Finally, I reach the last light. I like this light, because when I leave work, it enables me to turn left. I will call this light “Harry.”

This is Divine Justice

I’m not sure why there are so many lights in this stretch. I like to think it is God, challenging me to rise above my base urges of screaming out the window at fellow drivers. It is a repeated challenge in my life because I so often fail at it.

They are contemplating adding a 7th light, after the one where I almost killed that girl and before the one on the bridge. I’m not upset, because it gives me a reasonable excuse to snap and finally carry out that jihad I’ve been contemplating.

Have Some Divine Justice Back

Hear that, city planners? Their blood will be on your hands. ON YOUR HANDS I SAY.

Image credit: traffic lights.