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Embracing Change and Constantly Learning

[ndnative]

Bully on 13th Ave (cont’d)

Camry driver proceeded on 13th Ave westbound.

I waited a beat of two and proceeded. Both of us obeying the law and turning into the nearest of the three westbound lanes.

Once headed west, I signaled a left and merged into the middle westbound lane. Camry driver, no signal, merged quickly to the left in front of me.

I waited a beat and signaled to the right and merged back into the furthest right westbound lane. Camry driver, no signal, attempted to merge but would have clipped my front fender. He, wisely, remained in the center lane.

The traffic light, immediately in front of us, turned red. We both rolled to a stop directly beside one another.

The Camry front passenger window lowered. The earlier diatribe continued.

One of the earlier comments had been of my 10 chins. I now tucked my real chin to my chest and verbally, and pointedly, displayed my three chins. I do believe the Camry driver, in camouflage, barely maintained control of his laughter.

The diatribe commenced again. I wished the man a ‘great day’

He verbally exxpressed his concern that I was not serious.

I assured him I was and proceeded thru the green traffic light.

As I observed the Camry in my driver’s side view mirror, the Camry reained unmoving with the male driver seated mobile phone firmly attached to his left ear.

Park It and Drive

[ndnative]

Bullying on 13th Avenue

Friday, September 15th I completed my a.m. school bus route and was headed home. Note: I am no longer in the big, yellow, school bus; but in my personal car. As I proceed south on Fiechtner Dr. to 13th Ave, a taupe, Toyota Camry exits the Firestone parking lot and slowly rolls across four lanes of traffic to come to a stop in the right turn lane of Fiechtner at 13th Ave. As I had been southbound on Fiechtner, approaching this intersection, I came to a complete stop just south of the Sickie’s driveway (I wanted to allow the Camry to go where it wanted to go, the male driver had a mobile phone attached to his left ear). Once the Camry was halted in the turn lane, with two other vehicles before it, I idled to a stop two car lengths behind it.

The Camry driver was still on the mobile phone.

The traffic light was red, but right turns are permitted when there is no oncoming traffic. The two vehicles between 13th Ave and the Camry have continued onto 13th Ave and are gone. It is now Camry and me.

Camry driver with mobile phone glued to left ear.

Traffic is light, at best, on 13th Ave westbound.

I tap, truly tap, my horn. Camry driver, a male in camouflaage (no judgment, a description) looks in his rearview mirror. And ignores my tapped horn while continuing his mobile phone conversation. (And I know I am unable to multi-task. He has yet to come to that same awareness.)

A second tap on my horn, Camry driver, with phone firmly attached to his left ear, opens his car door with his right hand. Left butt cheek still attached to the Camry’s driver’s seat, the driver swings his right foot out of the car and plants it on the street immediately outside the Camry. Male Camry driver is now facing me and delivering a blistering monologue about fat female drivers using words I have not heard in recent history.

Camry driver swings back into the driver’s seat, slams his car door and gives me the evil eye in his rear view mirror. The light is now green, all cross traffic stopped. The Camry does not proceed for the count of 5. I am sad to announce that as the Camry driver was staring at me in his rear view mirror, I made an angry motion with my right arm (shame on you! I motioned with the universal gesture of “talking on the phone” for him to park it and drive)

To be cont’d......

[ndnative]

Neurotic Ramblings

Again, it has been months since I last wrote. Let me assure you: nothing monumental has occurred since my last posting. Although, I am becoming more aware of just how neurotic I am!

[ndnative]

The Consciousness of Driving

Why is it that all your best thoughts come to you when your hands are at the 9 and 3 while your eyes are focused on the road ahead?

[ibmblr]

[ndnative]

How is this not true? It does seem to mimic the on my work wall clock!

[ndnative]

Frack-happy Oklahoma is the reigning earthquake capital of the U.S. Lindsay Abrams, salon.com

Move over, California

If you want to truly understand the extent to which Oklahoma’s fracking boom has transformed the state, look to California.

In 2014, the fault line-riddled West Coast state experienced 180 earthquakes of a magnitude 3 or…

North Dakota pay attention.

[ndnative]

baby2

There is really nothing so wonderful as a car whose parking brake releases when the human takes the transmission out of Park!

[ndnative]

Nutuyu

I haven't said much about my baby. And now I have a baby2.

I have owned a 1998 Chrysler Sebring JXi Convertible since the first 200 miles were put on its odometer. I know every single spa treatment that has been performed on my baby. I will be 80, with long white hair and driving down Main St with the top down. My baby has been a lemon since day one! The service file at both Corwin Chrysler and Dave's West Fargo Tire are each over two (2) inches thick.

Most recently Dave's determined my engine wasn't fixable. It spits oil between 1200 and 2300 rpm. Anything outside of that range all is well. So, traveling 58 mph and over is not a spitting occasion. Driving around town is about 1oz per 10 miles. I fill with fuel every 160 miles and add a quart. I'm an AmsOil woman who has currently moved to a cheaper brand of synthetic!

Back in 1998, before I met my baby, a friend had purchased a Lincoln Mark VIII LSC. The first time I rode with her I told her the car was mine when she was ready to let it go. It is now my baby2!

My baby is parked in my garage. It's a double car garage. Nothing fancy. No floor drains, no insulation or drywall. And, at this time, not even organized enough to fit my baby and baby2. Baby2 is parked in my driveway. Sorry baby2. I will organize my garage on Tuesday!

[liberalsarecool]

Remember this on election day 2014. #midtermsmatter #voteblue

[obama2016-blog]

today President Obama signs executive actions, with pending Senate legislation, aimed at closing a compensation gender gap that favors men, during an event marking Equal Pay Day. 

[afscme-deactivated20190129]

More than 50 years ago, the Equal Pay Act was signed into law. Yet today, women are still paid 77 cents to a man’s dollar, and the pay gap is even worse for women of color. There will be another vote on the Paycheck Fairness Act today, and your senators need to hear from you. Urge them to vote YES here:http://afsc.me/PYWXqT

[guardian]

Ava, Ruger and Ginger, photographed by Seth Casteel for Underwater Puppies, the follow up to his best-seller Underwater Dogs. 

More adorableness »

[ndnative]

Why didn't I think of this? Probably because I don't enjoy the smell of wet dog?? But they do look like they enjoy the water.

[ndnative]

Latest Adventures

At what point will people quit asking me 'when will you admit your car is junk?'

Do they not understand I will be driving my baby at age 80?

The latest saga:

Tuesday evening I drove to meet my friend Jane for a drink at Monk's.

Earlier in the day, while driving to work, my idiot light in the shape of a battery, lit up. As I was driving to Monk's, the ABS idiot light illuminated. I pulled into a parking space in the Monk's lot and my baby was idling rough. Including a short run on after the engine was turned off.

I entered Monk's to enjoy some time with a good friend. One who seems to understand my love of car! One who has bailed me out on several occasions when my baby has not been well! Have I told y'all I love Jane?

After a wonderful time spent in her company. And visiting with the Monk's Bar Manager, I broached the possibility of Jane following me to the mechanics'. And then providing transportation to my home. She agreed. Have I told you I love Jane?

We exited Monk's, after Tim paid the tab (thank you Tim). I poured a quart of Resolute synthetic oil, $3.30/qt, into my engine. I sat in the driver's seat of my baby, and turned the key....click click click click click. I tried again, why did I think the result would be different? Jane gave me a ride home. Have I mentioned I love Jane!

My baby spent the night in the Monk's parking lot!

Have I mentioned I am a AAA member?

End of day today, I am $613 poorer. But boy my car sounds fantastic! And I have no car payments!

[ndnative]

Speeding in a Work Zone

Back on July 18th I was stopped for speeding. The police officer claimed the Lidar had caught me doing 36 mph as I entered the 25 mph work zone. I had already handed him my ND driver's license and was also told the fine was $20. I replied that $20 wasn't enough for speeding in a work zone. The police officer was surprised by my response!

After 15 minutes had gone by, the officer returned to the side of my vehicle with ticket and mailing envelope in hand. Fargo tickets are printed on thermal paper!

The officer's comment to me as He attempted to hand me the ticket was "I reduced the ticket to 35 in a 25 to avoid the points." My response was to refuse the ticket and "if I was doing 36 you need to write the ticket for 36." He would not leave the side of my car until I had accepted the ticket as it was written. (Additional conversation was exchanged between these two things happening!) Suffice it to say I did remain calm and pleasant, although adamant.

Tuesday, August 19th I went to court to argue the legitimacy of my receiving the ticket. The following is the Reader's Digest version of events. Police officer quizzed by the city prosecutor. Police officer questioned by the defendant (me). Police officer replied in the affirmative when I reminded him that he had refused to write the ticket for the 36 mph which he had claimed to have clocked me. Defendant, me, explained my defense. I do not drive 36 in a 35, let alone 36 in a 25 which is a work zone. Judge asked if I was done. I asked if he had any questions for me. Judge said no. Judge said I wasn't charged with 36 in a 25. Guilty! Judge said "Have a good day." Defendant, me, said "I wish I could say thank you, but have a good day."

It has taken me 2 weeks to arrive at the point where I can relate the above story without becoming tense!

$80 lost!

[ndnative]

The End Is Near

....of my time at the lake!

The pooch and I have been counting down the number of 'sleeps' left before 'mom and dad' get home. Both of us for different reasons, obviously!

I, want to stay here longer. Almost to the point of hoping for a phone call asking if they can remain in San Diego for another week! But the pooch lover in me, would not wish the extended time away on my poor charge.

He has been looking at me with hopeful eyes each morning, until I give him the remaining number of 'sleeps.' I expect great jubilation when I announce their return is pending. I will convince myself that the joy and exuberance are for the walk we will soon be enjoying together!

Not to beg a mosquito bite, quickly knock on wood, but in the 5 'sleeps' I have enjoyed here in MN lake country; I have received but one mosquito bite!

[ndnative]

Just Another Day at the Lake

My day:

6:24a Get up and walk the dog. Simultaneously watching the sun rise while grabbing dog poop with my WalMart bag encased hand.

7:00a Returning to bed with a now fed and exercised pooch who curls right into the back of my legs for a nap.

8:13a Pooch departs my bed. Presumably for a less fidgety bed partner.

9:01a Commence bird watching with my pooch companion.

At some point during my eventful day I realized I am not quick enough on my camera's shutter button to capture a single one of these very beautiful MN birds.

Not to mention that I have no phone service (!$##$% Sprint) and it is serenely quiet. If you ignore the noise of blue jays cracking sunflower seeds with their beak!

Just another day in paradise!

[ndnative]

Robin Williams

Dagnabbit!

http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-robin-williams-dies-20140811-story.html#page=1

Gut busting laughter has taken a long pause!