The Driving Conundrum

South Dakota has some of the worst drivers of any state I have driven in. It's almost like drivers here are not aggressive enough and are just on the road for a Sunday drive. As a former parts runner, I spent hundreds of hours on the road during high school and in my first few years of college. This not only gives you a LOT of time to think and many opportunities to critique other people's driving skills. One of my duties was to train new people. Maybe this is where I get my stellar backseat driving skills (or maybe they come from my father...), but it absolutely amazes me how people do not get in wrecks almost every day. I've ridden with some pretty horrific drivers, and some pretty good ones, but don't be offended if I always offer to drive when we go out. It's not that I don't trust your skills, it's just that, well, I trust mine a lot more.
So, here are some random thoughts about driving....
My Baby
My pickup is one of the few possessions in my life that I don't mess around with. Now, it may not be the nicest one around, but it's part of me, it's mine, it's like my first child. Don't ask to drive it. If you need to go somewhere, I'd be more than happy to take you. If I REALLY feel like I can trust you or I'm just in a really caring mood, you might get the keys, but that only happens once a year, and, well, I've let a few people drive her already this year, so it might be a few years until I'm feeling generous again. 
Parking
If you ride with me, you have two choices - I will either drop you off at the door or you can walk from the absolute back of the parking lot with me, regardless of the weather. I have two very capable legs (some may argue with that) and don't really want to park next to the rusty Metro with two huge dents down the side and a missing headlight or the lady with a purse, diaper bag, and two screaming kids. There are way too many bad things that can happen. So, I am perfectly content taking up two parking spots (more if necessary) in the back of the lot. What really gets me is when some guy with a beater pulls up and parks right next to me. Uhhh...sorry sir, there are several other spots for that you can park in. Maybe he does it just to tick me off or maybe he's just not all there up top, but really? Don't mess with the Ford.
There are also some parking strategies known by few:

• Don't park close to entrances, especially during crappy weather because people will slide into the side of your vehicle. 
• Pulling all the way through so you have a quick exit plan is a good idea, until someone pulls up so close behind you the tailgate won't open, so park strategically.
• Park near shopping cart returns - there is less of a chance of a cart-car accident in these locations. 
• Parking where only one person can park next to you limits the chances of getting a door ding.

Waving
I usually have a thousand things on my mind when I am driving. It drives me crazy when you see someone you know and they walk up to you and say "Geez, didn't you see me at the (Insert name of place here), I was waving at you!" I really, REALLY want to respond with "No, I saw you" and just walk away. I apologize for not seeing you, but if I did, I surly would have waved to you. I had a voicemail on my phone one day that I still don't understand...."Hey, it's me. I just saw you sitting at the stoplight talking on the phone. I waved but you didn't wave back so I figured I'd call and say Hi since I haven't seen you in a while. Well, guess I'll talk to you later!" HHmmmmmmm...
Keys
I don't know exactly how it happens. I am right handed. The ignition switch is on the right side of the steering column. But whenever I am looking for my keys, they are in my left pocket. 
Four-Way Stops
Drivers in this town are not nearly aggressive enough, or they just aren't in a big enough hurry. I avoid four-way stop signs as much as I can because I usually wind up making someone mad. Is it really that hard to figure out who's turn it is to go? I'm all about the honor system, but really, if you are going straight north and the car headed the other way is going straight south, you have every right to go when they do, even if you just pulled up. If no one is going, don't get mad at me when I do, because I'm not going to sit there and wait for everyone else to make up their minds. Politeness gets you nowhere at four-ways...
Ice and Snow
I love driving in the winter. Partially because there are fewer cars on the road and partially because it's fun. I have four-wheel drive and my pickup loves the snow. A common fact is that you don't put it in four-wheel drive until you need it. If you get into trouble when you're in four-wheel drive, well then, someone's gonna have to come get you. But, if you have a reserve after you've gotten into trouble, you can usually get yourself out of it. I know how to get myself out of most winter driving situations, with only the occasional pucker factor. 
If you are only going 20 mph in a 45, I will pass you, probably at 35. Don't get mad. Don't assume I am overdriving conditions. Just assume I know what I am doing and don't want to get rear-ended by the semi that's doing 45 and coming up behind you. 


Happy Driving!