snakes on the road and one mean finger

Driving has really become a frustration for me.  Since taking the vow of "bike everywhere possible" I rarely find it necessary to use the Camry.  Today however, with the kid, the mail, working at Sweet Peas, bringing sewing to get done while at Sweet Peas and stopping for groceries on the way home, I didn't think the 10 speed + trailer could do it.

On the way home though, I realized that perhaps only here in Minnesota do we have snakes all over the roads.  If you already know what I'm talking about here, just nod your head...if not, you clearly drive less than I do and I will explain.

Without knowing much of the road laying process, I can only assume the following to be true.  Between sheets of concrete, sometimes on a bridge or busy intersection, they must place some sort of rubber tubing (correct me if I'm wrong).  When the road heats up, I assume it expands and the rubber is to prevent cracking or buckling.  Well, sometimes the rubber just jumps out of the pavement, leaving a "snake" coming out of the road.

I have had my license for over a decade now, and still I swerve the car to avoid these critters.  Not because I am a snake lover, but because each and every time it scares the c*ap out of me!  My brain may never catch up with my cat like reflexes.

A few snake swerves later on my way home this evening, I was at an intersection just blocks from my house.  One of those roads that is across from a high school, a dangerous road where people think they are on a Nascar speedway, and load that with tons of senior citizens (no offense).  This is the intersection that I deal with on a regular basis.  It can take an hour to turn left if the person in front of you is texting or just not paying attention in general.

Today, such an individual found herself in front of my car.  With my all-knowing brain I could tell what was going on in her car:

"OMG...I am like texting like 10 people right now to see what they are all doing because like I really care...
"LOL, I can't belive Lois is like going out with Omar tonight, I must tell everyone I know about this...
OH YEAH...I'M DRIVING
"Ok, so like I really need a smoke right now...(light)"Is this song REALLY on the radio again....(change the dial)
WOW THIS IS A BUSY ROAD
"I can't find my lipstick (digging through purse...2 incoming texts) ...but I did find this stray skittle from last week...skittles are like SOOO good.

HONK

Yes, I honked at this RUDE girl who was obviously too busy to turn left.  I wasn't surprised however that with all that multitasking, she found one loose finger to show me.  You can guess which one that was.  I didn't care though, all I wanted to do was get home with my groceries and go for a walk with my guys.

Driving sucks, I'm sticking with my 10 speed.  I have yet to find snakes on the sidewalk...yes, I ride my bike on the sidewalk; laugh all you want.