Thursday, July 31, 2008

Things I've Learned Along The Way

I've learned a lot of things over the years. I went to kindergarten, elementary, junior high, high school, junior college, and finally, a four-year university. I have had lots of book learning.

I have held many jobs over the years and learned many different skills and abilities that were helpful in that particular situation. I can serve you a glass of wine and sell you a stamp without breaking a sweat.

But, there are things that I have learned in my life that I don't remember being taught. One matter that got my attention was seeing state troopers parked together along the highway waiting on the next unlucky speeder heading in that direction. I'm all for law enforcement slowing the public down. Americans drive too fast and it uses quite a bit more fuel when you exceed the posted limits.

When I passed the troopers, my first thought was to tap the brake and slow down. (After all, I drive a red mustang) I glanced at my speedometer and I was going 72 in a 65 mph zone. True, I was speeding, but, not by much. (They didn't pursue me.)

I watched the officers fade in my rear view mirror and I continued on my journey. But, as cars began to approach from the opposite direction, I started flashing my headlights. I was signaling oncoming traffic, letting them know that there were cops up ahead. Where did I learn this? I don't think it was a question on the driver's licensing test. I didn't take a class for it. I never learned that at any job that I have had.

People will say that you learned that from watching your parents drive when you were young, and they learned from their parents, and so forth. Okay, I can agree with that, but, automobiles only go back for a hundred years or so, which would be my great grandparents. I learned that trick somewhere along the way, but, who taught them?

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Necessity is the mother of invention. My guess is that it was invented by about the third guy to get a speeding ticket.

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