I have lived in North Carolina for some time now and have observed some rather disturbing driving habits. Since I have been nearly involved in several accidents and two near-death driving experiences-- courtesy of local drivers--I have devised this list of suggestions (gripes).
-Lanes. Pick one. ONE. When changing lanes, see below.
-Blinkers. That little stick thing on your steering column. When you push it up or down, an arrow flashes on your dashboard to signal left or right. Use blinkers to signal turning. PLEASE.
-Solid lines on road. Don't cross them.
-Broken lines on road. You may cross those.
-Merging. When merging on to the highway, try waiting to merge until the BROKEN lines. Jumping across 15 feet of not-road-just-extra-concrete to get to the blacktop in between the SOLID lines causes all kinds of traffic headaches. Don't do it. Also, when waiting to get on the highway--like let's say under an overpass, for example in Leland--if two lanes exist, use them both. It will be fine. You won't die.
-Speed limits. Driving UNDER the speed limit doesn't make you a safe driver. It makes you dangerous. If driving the ungodly fast speed limit of 35mph makes you uncomfortable, perhaps you should turn in your license for a bus pass.
-Traffic lights. Green means go. Checking to make sure no car is running a red light is one thing. Waiting for Jesus to come back while at a light is another.
-Texting and talking. Really? If any of the above are revelations, you probably can't drive. Why would you drive AND talk or text? Let's just focus on driving. Plus, texting gets people killed.
-Parking. If you can't park it, you shouldn't drive it. The lines in a parking lot, try to stay between just one set.
-Scooters. (Mopeds, whatever). I am sorry you got a DUI and lost your car and driving privileges. Not my problem. See above on speed limits. On a side note, wearing motorcycle gear, revving that .5 hp monster engine, leaning into your turns, etc., doesn't change the fact you're riding a scooter. Just sayin'.
Driving is a privilege folks, not a right. Try not to abuse it. Or get others killed because these new-fangled-automawhatchits are just too complex.
Friday, November 16, 2012
Friday, July 29, 2011
why is it so hard
WHY is it so hard for people to do the right thing? I am a veteran and after signing up for the Post 9/11 GI Bill I left a successful military career to pursue an undergraduate degree. After a year in school, Congress decided they would no longer fund out of state tuition for veteran students. Unfortunately, I am out of state since I go to school in North Carolina but am a resident of California. I must now either take out loans to finish my "free education" the government contractually promised me or leave school to support my family.
Of course some states' legislatures, seven I believe, immediately sprung into action to correct this tragedy. But NOT North Carolina. North Carolina can't seem to figure out the right thing to do and grant veterans residency for tuition purposes. My school keeps telling me and the 79 other vets affected by this disappearance of funding that the laws preclude them from granting immediate state residency but if we will work on the large checklist of residency "acts" we can be considered for residency. Many have tried and were not awarded residency for various "legal" reasons.
How can the state legislators, governor of North Carolina and president of the UNC system be in no great hurry to correct this problem? It boggles the mind that a state with such a large military presence would be so slow to help veterans who CHOSE to stay in North Carolina to go to school.
It is a shame but it leads me to think that it is all about the money the state would lose. At my particular institution the difference in in-state and non-resident tuitions is about $11,000. Just at my school alone the state would stand to lose $880,000 if residency for tuition purposes were granted to veterans.
Maybe I am wrong in assuming the right thing to do would be for North Carolina to rapidly adjust its tuition policies to accommodate those men and women who have risked their lives and sacrificed their liberties. Maybe it is unfair to think the state should have to fix a federal problem. I don't know. I only know that I owe an extra $11,000 that I did not plan on owing.
Perhaps, the biggest tragedy is Congress thinking this would be ok to make a deal with the men and women (and their families) and then bait and switch at their convenience. I swore an oath to support and defend the Constitution of this country from all enemies foreign and domestic. I imagined the foreign enemy part would be some Muslim extremist bent on destroying my counrty's way of life. I had no idea that a domestic enemy even existed or that it would be a nicely suited elected official.
Is it unfair or unreasonable that I and other veterans be given a little break to complete our educational goals? Americans are supposedly guaranteed the rights to "Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness." I guess that doesn't apply to veterans who took their government at its word and chose to go to schools that would fit their desires and needs.
Of course some states' legislatures, seven I believe, immediately sprung into action to correct this tragedy. But NOT North Carolina. North Carolina can't seem to figure out the right thing to do and grant veterans residency for tuition purposes. My school keeps telling me and the 79 other vets affected by this disappearance of funding that the laws preclude them from granting immediate state residency but if we will work on the large checklist of residency "acts" we can be considered for residency. Many have tried and were not awarded residency for various "legal" reasons.
How can the state legislators, governor of North Carolina and president of the UNC system be in no great hurry to correct this problem? It boggles the mind that a state with such a large military presence would be so slow to help veterans who CHOSE to stay in North Carolina to go to school.
It is a shame but it leads me to think that it is all about the money the state would lose. At my particular institution the difference in in-state and non-resident tuitions is about $11,000. Just at my school alone the state would stand to lose $880,000 if residency for tuition purposes were granted to veterans.
Maybe I am wrong in assuming the right thing to do would be for North Carolina to rapidly adjust its tuition policies to accommodate those men and women who have risked their lives and sacrificed their liberties. Maybe it is unfair to think the state should have to fix a federal problem. I don't know. I only know that I owe an extra $11,000 that I did not plan on owing.
Perhaps, the biggest tragedy is Congress thinking this would be ok to make a deal with the men and women (and their families) and then bait and switch at their convenience. I swore an oath to support and defend the Constitution of this country from all enemies foreign and domestic. I imagined the foreign enemy part would be some Muslim extremist bent on destroying my counrty's way of life. I had no idea that a domestic enemy even existed or that it would be a nicely suited elected official.
Is it unfair or unreasonable that I and other veterans be given a little break to complete our educational goals? Americans are supposedly guaranteed the rights to "Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness." I guess that doesn't apply to veterans who took their government at its word and chose to go to schools that would fit their desires and needs.
Monday, April 25, 2011
TOO MUCH TO ASK
I went to a coffee shop near my home. I had never been there and asked the young woman behind the counter ( I refuse to use the word "barrista" in my writing, for now) what was good at her establishment. She answered with a perky "Everything!" Terrific, I thought, now perhaps she can make a recommendation. My look must have communicated my thoughts. After a pause she suggested a drink for me to try. Was I wrong in assuming that my question would imply a suggestion?
Today, I got a phone call from a woman from the California Department of Child Services. She left a message that started in the middle of a thought. I have no idea what she meant. But she won't return my phone calls so I can ask her for clarification. She wasn't helpful.
Is it too much to ask for people to have their stuff together? If I have to talk to you please don't waste my time. Be prepared to start from the beginning. You know what you're talking about. I may not.
Today, I got a phone call from a woman from the California Department of Child Services. She left a message that started in the middle of a thought. I have no idea what she meant. But she won't return my phone calls so I can ask her for clarification. She wasn't helpful.
Is it too much to ask for people to have their stuff together? If I have to talk to you please don't waste my time. Be prepared to start from the beginning. You know what you're talking about. I may not.
Monday, March 14, 2011
MY FIRST TIME
So, I have a blog now. Look out world.
Why do I feel like every other pompous ass that has a blog now? Probably because I borderline am.
But I have been told to write some of the things I say down and now I can. God help you if you read this. Consider yourselves warned.
Why do I feel like every other pompous ass that has a blog now? Probably because I borderline am.
But I have been told to write some of the things I say down and now I can. God help you if you read this. Consider yourselves warned.
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