Friday, August 16, 2013
Things I did not know before I became a mom
Mikko James came into this world on April 19, 2013 at 8:16pm via an emergency c-section. I labored for 11 hours before the cord got wrapped around his little neck causing his heart rate to drop to 80bpm for 8 whole minutes. Everything went so fast and all of a sudden he was here. Not the birth experience I had expected but the outcome was pretty great. When I was pregnant, I didn’t think about actually having the baby. I mean I knew it was going to be a change and that babies require work but I didn’t think about it in depth. If I read ahead in my pregnancy books or about babies AFTER birth, I would get anxious. So I didn’t. I just went with the flow and it worked for me. I was not a ‘baby person’ prior to getting pregnant. I wasn’t around babies much and when I was, there was no way would you see me holding them. Once they were 6 months and on I would hold them but for the most part I had very limited access to babies. This kid amazes me every single day and now that he is almost 16 weeks I feel like more of a competent parent rather than a bumbling, fumbling, exhausted, stressed out person who now has a new name of ‘mommy’. There are some things I have learned that I never knew about being a parent.
1. The first 5 weeks are REALLY hard. You would think that because you carried this baby for 9 or more months that does not mean you are bonded and know what they need all the time. You are learning all about them and what they are like and what their needs are. You can Google the crap out of everything baby yet your baby is completely different. Not only are you learning but the baby is learning as well, it’s learning to be outside of you in the world. Therefore, they really don’t know what they want or what they need. It’s all trial and error, for both of you. They wake up every 2-4 hours (if not before sometimes) to eat and you are recovering from birth. All of that combined makes for one crazy stressful first month.
2. Sleep means something completely different. For the first month or so I walked around like a zombie. They say to ‘sleep when the baby sleeps’. But when you don’t have a moment to yourself…showering sounds much more appealing. Or just relaxing….or cleaning, or laundry…something always seemed to trump sleep. Luckily for me, Mikko was a good sleeper. But that is not the shock I am referring to. The shock is that you can be so damn tired and exhausted yet you are always ‘on’ and you hear that baby cry and you are up faster than lightning. You never really hit that ‘deep sleep’. You know the kind that you are out and oblivious to the outside world. Yeah, say goodbye to that. It’s replaced with eyes closed but ear to your baby. I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve woken up and laid and listened and 5 minutes later my baby cried. It’s like an innate mother thing or something. Even when daddy has the baby night duty, you are awake. Even when it’s your turn to sleep in a different room and daddy has baby somewhere else in the house and you hear that cry…you are awake. Just accept it. That is what other moms mean when they say ‘enjoy your sleep while you can’. It’s not because you won’t ever get it, you get it eventually, it’s just not deep meaningful sleep like it was before.
3. Newborn babies sleep a lot! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve Googled “my baby sleeps too much”. They take a lot of naps and sometimes sleep through when they are supposed to eat. Sometimes in the beginning, you have to wake them up to eat..they just sleep and sleep and sleep some more.
4. They don’t just fall asleep anywhere. I was pretty certain babies just napped wherever you put them. Yeah, no. Not Mikko anyway. He looked to me to take him somewhere where there were little distractions or stimulation. At home, that is his room.
5. Just when you have them all figured out, they change it up again. You have to go with the flow. One day they may nap 2-3 hours at a time and the next day take only 30 minute naps. One day they may seem insatiable…they may eat 6 oz at a time. The next day, they only eat 3 oz at a time. They may laugh at a silly face or voice one day and not seem very interested the next. One day mommy is everything and one day daddy is the best thing ever.Every day is a crap shoot, just accept and take each day and moment as it comes.
6. They change and grow every single day. If you aren’t paying attention you will miss it. All of a sudden they will be able to hold up their head, they will be able to start making ‘conversation’ with you, smiling when you go to pick them up, etc…it’s all pretty great.
7. That first real smile changes your life. You will do anything to get one and getting a smile is like winning the jackpot. But better.
8. Love songs take on a completely different meaning. Never have you felt such a love like this and until you have it; you don’t understand. Not saying you haven’t known love if you have never had a baby, that is just silly. It’s just a different KIND of love.
9. No matter what you feel like you can always be doing more and could always spend more time with your baby and teach them MORE. But relaxing and taking it day by day helps.
10. You go through soooo many diapers and formula. Like tons. You can hardly keep up at first but once you get your rhythm.
Saturday, January 28, 2012
The losing continues...
We are almost 4 weeks into our Biggest Loser challenge with the Paakkonen group. At work, we began a similar challenge. Each Tuesday, we will give our lbs lost or gained and the percentage. We've got some fierce competitors in this one so I am excited to see the actual results at the end. All in all, it is good for everyone involved and we are all doing it together. We will be starting week 3 on Tuesday. SO, with these two competitions, I am down almost 10 lbs! I have really been following Weight Watchers, however, we are given weekly points to use if we want and obviously, if we don't use them we lose more weight but I usually use them. Weekends are the WORST! But on the flip side of that, you can work out and gain points. I have been working out and averaging about 35-40 points each week so it all balances out. If I just reduced the eating more I would lose mega pounds. BUT I am really, really happy with the fact I am consistently losing each week. I lost 4lbs the first week and 2 lbs each week thereafter. I am so proud of myself!!! I honestly, attribute my success to Weight Watchers. I love it. I just get it and love the balance. With counting calories, I just never really followed it or would find it easier to cheat. When really, the only person I was cheating was myself. I have just switched my thinking and really feel like WW helped me do that. I am able to have beer, greasy foods, and high caloric things BUT the difference is in order to enjoy those things on the weekends, I work my BUTT off during the week with both working out and avoiding fatty meals. It's all about balance! Here's to more weight loss!!
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Biggest Loser...
Time for big changes. The weight battle continues. I am so done and sick of it. Over our Paakkonen Christmas celebration last weekend, a few cousins and I were talking about it. We are all in the same boat. All of us have lost some and put it back on, lost some, put it on, and so on. We all decided to do our own version of Biggest Loser. We each will put in $25.00 and the person with the biggest percentage of weight loss by April 3 will win the pot. The amount will be almost 200 bucks!! We have created a private group on Facebook and have all posted our starting weight. This was EXTREMELY tough for me to do because I have never told anyone my true weight; outside of doc offices of course. The act of telling, no, scratch that, POSTING this number to 8 other people was actually really freeing. I just laid it all out there. No going back now!! :) The feeling that everyone is in the same boat was a relief as well. Yes, we are competing but we are also very supportive to one another on the group board. That support and validation helps!!
I have re-signed up for Weight Watchers, which I absolutely love and forgot I did. The premise of the program, for those of your who are not familiar, is you get points to start with in the week (mine are 27), you get extra weekly points (mine are 49) to use on anything extra throughout the week. THEN, you get more points called Activity points when you exercise. Which you choose to use on food or drinks. The way the points are calculated are based on fat grams, protein grams, carbs and fiber. You plug those into the calculator online or the handheld one you can buy for 7.50 and alacazam you get a point value. You learn rather quickly what each foods are what value and what are the low point items to keep near you. There are so many zero point foods such as most veggies and fruits! It's exciting as I love both of those. Today, my lunch consisted of 2 cups of lettuce, an orange bell pepper, strawberries, grapes, dried cranberries and a little bit of dressing. My total was: 3 points. That is a lot of food! I was able to eat some WW friendly chips for a grand total of 6 points for my entire lunch. One half hour on the elliptical will wipe away that entire lunch. What happens then?! Hello, weight loss! See? No brainer. It's all a balancing act!
I have re-signed up for Weight Watchers, which I absolutely love and forgot I did. The premise of the program, for those of your who are not familiar, is you get points to start with in the week (mine are 27), you get extra weekly points (mine are 49) to use on anything extra throughout the week. THEN, you get more points called Activity points when you exercise. Which you choose to use on food or drinks. The way the points are calculated are based on fat grams, protein grams, carbs and fiber. You plug those into the calculator online or the handheld one you can buy for 7.50 and alacazam you get a point value. You learn rather quickly what each foods are what value and what are the low point items to keep near you. There are so many zero point foods such as most veggies and fruits! It's exciting as I love both of those. Today, my lunch consisted of 2 cups of lettuce, an orange bell pepper, strawberries, grapes, dried cranberries and a little bit of dressing. My total was: 3 points. That is a lot of food! I was able to eat some WW friendly chips for a grand total of 6 points for my entire lunch. One half hour on the elliptical will wipe away that entire lunch. What happens then?! Hello, weight loss! See? No brainer. It's all a balancing act!
I'm looking forward to it! I have extra motivation to lose...this is the dress I am wearing on Feb 25th to Jamie's work party. We also we are going to Vegas March 1-4...MORE motivation.
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Some of the most satisfying things....
It truly is the little things in life that make it satisfying. Things so small and insignificant to some are insanely satisfying to others. I take these moments in fully and recognize my love of them.
Here is my abbreviated list.
1. This may be a given but my number one is: warm sheets straight from the dryer to bed. Not just any sheets but the t-shirt ones.....warm, t-shirt material sheets. Mmmm...exquisiteness...
2. A fresh new notebook. There is something so extremely satisfying and exciting about using the first page in a new notebook. I think it reverts back to the first day of school...that excitement, the newness of the year, the knowledge that was about to be bestowed upon me....or maybe I am just a huge nerd.
3. Being the first to dig into a new jar of peanut butter. Seriously, to be the first to dip into the perfectness of that tan delight. Absolutely 100% satisfying.
4. Hitting every green light on the way home. This is a rare occasion but when it happens, extreme bliss occurs.
5. Being so, so, so cold and then entering extreme warmth. For example, getting out of warm bed, into cold room, straight into hot, hot shower. Or shoveling outside in the frigid cold and then entering the house and sitting in front of the fireplace.
6. The very moment you finish your workout DVD, minutes on the treadmill/elliptical, or final rep on weights. It's a joyful moment filled with released endorphins and self satisfaction for making it through it.
7. The moment you click "Submit Order" when online shopping. Absolutely love it.
8. The very first drink of a coffeehouse specialty drink. For me, it is a tall, non fat, vanilla latte from Starbucks...all of the drinks out of it are great, but the very first one is THE most satisfying.
9. Vacuuming the floor. This is one of the most satisfying acts I perform. I love the feeling of looking into the canister of the bagless vacuum and seeing all of the junk I just cleaned up. Take that gross junk on the floor.
10. When my husband reaches over and grabs my hand when we are in the car. HAPPINESS.
11. Being so utterly exhausted from your day and crawling into bed and stretching out. That stretch is the greatest thing. The stretch that lets your tired bones fall comfortably into bed....
12. The sound the furnace makes when kicking on. It's such a comforting sound....
13. Getting laughs from my niece and nephew. I love when they get my jokes and we can goof around. Their little minds are so fascinating to me.
14. A nice, big glass of warm, red wine on a chilly evening.
15. Taking off my work clothes at the end of the day. That feeling that the obligatory duty is done for the day and the rest of it is mine!
What are your satisfying moments?!
Here is my abbreviated list.
1. This may be a given but my number one is: warm sheets straight from the dryer to bed. Not just any sheets but the t-shirt ones.....warm, t-shirt material sheets. Mmmm...exquisiteness...
2. A fresh new notebook. There is something so extremely satisfying and exciting about using the first page in a new notebook. I think it reverts back to the first day of school...that excitement, the newness of the year, the knowledge that was about to be bestowed upon me....or maybe I am just a huge nerd.
3. Being the first to dig into a new jar of peanut butter. Seriously, to be the first to dip into the perfectness of that tan delight. Absolutely 100% satisfying.
4. Hitting every green light on the way home. This is a rare occasion but when it happens, extreme bliss occurs.
5. Being so, so, so cold and then entering extreme warmth. For example, getting out of warm bed, into cold room, straight into hot, hot shower. Or shoveling outside in the frigid cold and then entering the house and sitting in front of the fireplace.
6. The very moment you finish your workout DVD, minutes on the treadmill/elliptical, or final rep on weights. It's a joyful moment filled with released endorphins and self satisfaction for making it through it.
7. The moment you click "Submit Order" when online shopping. Absolutely love it.
8. The very first drink of a coffeehouse specialty drink. For me, it is a tall, non fat, vanilla latte from Starbucks...all of the drinks out of it are great, but the very first one is THE most satisfying.
9. Vacuuming the floor. This is one of the most satisfying acts I perform. I love the feeling of looking into the canister of the bagless vacuum and seeing all of the junk I just cleaned up. Take that gross junk on the floor.
10. When my husband reaches over and grabs my hand when we are in the car. HAPPINESS.
11. Being so utterly exhausted from your day and crawling into bed and stretching out. That stretch is the greatest thing. The stretch that lets your tired bones fall comfortably into bed....
12. The sound the furnace makes when kicking on. It's such a comforting sound....
13. Getting laughs from my niece and nephew. I love when they get my jokes and we can goof around. Their little minds are so fascinating to me.
14. A nice, big glass of warm, red wine on a chilly evening.
15. Taking off my work clothes at the end of the day. That feeling that the obligatory duty is done for the day and the rest of it is mine!
What are your satisfying moments?!
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Completely Inspired...
As an assignment for a couple of classes in school, my little sister was assigned to volunteer at Feed My Starving Children in Coon Rapids. She got bonus points if she brought someone with her. She asked me and I gladly accepted. The organization is centered around sending meals of rice, soy beans, dehydrated carrots and potatoes and chicken seasoning (think ramen noodle seasoning) to poverty stricken countries throughout the world. We showed up on Tuesday night at 8pm (which was mighty late for a girl who works at 630am) and to our surprise there were 125 volunteers there. 125!! I was floored. They gave us an orientation which included a video and pictures of what they have done. There was a story of a little 8 year old boy name Omar who was 19 pounds....you could see his ribs, his face was sunken in and his arms looked like tiny sticks. His eyes were so hollow and sad. The next picture was of him just 2 weeks later after eating FMSC packets. He gained weight and lookd better...then the picture of after 6months and he had gained 30 lbs and he looked happy! It just broke my heart to see that. The whole process was divided into 5 jobs and it takes about an hour and a half. It's fast paced and there is alot of commotion. Lindsey and I were on the task of putting labels on the bags the food goes in. Christmas music was played and people were singing and laughing and working. Together. It was pretty frickn cool. I was so impressed with the work at this place. They must pack a ton of food and meals for children each day. We packed 21,600 meals...this will feed about 60 kids for 1 year! Unbelievable! I absolutely highly recommend this charity and volunteer opportunity...it's pretty amazing.
Friday, November 18, 2011
10 things that annoy the piss out of me about Facebook
1. The Chronic Posters
Okay, so I am happy you are alive. But the 10 posts each day mapping out how you cleaned the house, are watching tv, working out, etc...is unnecessary. Do you do anything without first announcing it?!
2. The "Woe is me" Posters
These are the people who post things about how sucky their life is. Their posts usually contain "FML" (f*** my life) ALL the friggn time. This usually is a fish for some sort of compliment....i.e.
Sara Johnson says: "FML. Another guy breaks my heart. I will never get to get married. UGH"
Comments:
Betty Jo Baker: "Sara, OMG...you WILL find your person. You are smart beautiful and great, any guy would be lucky to have you"
Amanda Blow: "Keep your head up sweetie! You are so great! He's a loser!"
3. The "I am so awesome, me, me,me" Posters
This is the person who constantly posts their blog and website and talks about how cool and creative they are. This is not to be confused with those who do have blogs...good blogs, worthwhile blogs, or blogs that talk about issues or funny things. Not blogs that constantly talk about how great and creative they are. Self indulgent blogs. Borrring.
4. The Game Posters.
This is the person who sends you 54,546 game requests. "Fertilze my farm" "buy my brownies" "feed my fish". Seriously?! If I haven't fed your fish, fertilized your farm or bought your dumb brownies, I am NOT interested. Stop sending me requests....
5. The Cryptic Posters
These are the people who post cryptic messages meant for only one or two people to get. For example, "OMG....I can't believe he did that. You know who you are" or "You are an idiot". Seriously...we want to know what the F you are talking about.
6. The Drunken Posters.
These are my favorites. These are the people who post while intoxicated. Not only do they most mostly mumbo jumbo with a bunch of exclamation points and misspelled workds but also post stupid drunken pictures of girls kissing girls or girls grabbing boobs. Pictures of them pretending to hump someone or taking shots and dancing on bars. a) real classy b) you're gross.
7. The "I will repost every single post that tells me to repost" Poster.
Okay....I have a great dad, mom, sister, dog, husband, friend, cousin, aunt, uncle, brother, step dad, step mom, neice, nephews, etc...BUT I don't need to post every single post about it. If I don't post how my dad is my hero or my cat is amazing...it doesn't mean I don't think it.
8. The song Poster.
This person could also be lumped into the Drunk Poster one. This is the person who posts 45 songs in a row. Each with "I love this song" or "this goes out to someone special, I'm pretty sure she knows who she is" or "My favorite song EVER" Most of the time they are songs that have been overplayed on the radio and/or songs I never want to hear ever again.
9. The Pessimistic Poster.
This is the person who is like..."well....I had a job interview, but I probably won't get it anyways" "I had a date but he probably won't call" "I won the lottery but now I don't have anywhere to store all the stuff I buy" "I got a new car but now I have a friggn car payment I can't afford." Not saying that life is all sunshine and rainbows but honestly, a little positive thinking can go a long way.
10. Chronic "Liker"
This person Likes every single little thing you post. Good or bad. How can you like that fact that my dog just died? Or like the fact that I just got a flat tire. REALLY?! You do know what "like" means right?!
Okay, so I am happy you are alive. But the 10 posts each day mapping out how you cleaned the house, are watching tv, working out, etc...is unnecessary. Do you do anything without first announcing it?!
2. The "Woe is me" Posters
These are the people who post things about how sucky their life is. Their posts usually contain "FML" (f*** my life) ALL the friggn time. This usually is a fish for some sort of compliment....i.e.
Sara Johnson says: "FML. Another guy breaks my heart. I will never get to get married. UGH"
Comments:
Betty Jo Baker: "Sara, OMG...you WILL find your person. You are smart beautiful and great, any guy would be lucky to have you"
Amanda Blow: "Keep your head up sweetie! You are so great! He's a loser!"
3. The "I am so awesome, me, me,me" Posters
This is the person who constantly posts their blog and website and talks about how cool and creative they are. This is not to be confused with those who do have blogs...good blogs, worthwhile blogs, or blogs that talk about issues or funny things. Not blogs that constantly talk about how great and creative they are. Self indulgent blogs. Borrring.
4. The Game Posters.
This is the person who sends you 54,546 game requests. "Fertilze my farm" "buy my brownies" "feed my fish". Seriously?! If I haven't fed your fish, fertilized your farm or bought your dumb brownies, I am NOT interested. Stop sending me requests....
5. The Cryptic Posters
These are the people who post cryptic messages meant for only one or two people to get. For example, "OMG....I can't believe he did that. You know who you are" or "You are an idiot". Seriously...we want to know what the F you are talking about.
6. The Drunken Posters.
These are my favorites. These are the people who post while intoxicated. Not only do they most mostly mumbo jumbo with a bunch of exclamation points and misspelled workds but also post stupid drunken pictures of girls kissing girls or girls grabbing boobs. Pictures of them pretending to hump someone or taking shots and dancing on bars. a) real classy b) you're gross.
7. The "I will repost every single post that tells me to repost" Poster.
Okay....I have a great dad, mom, sister, dog, husband, friend, cousin, aunt, uncle, brother, step dad, step mom, neice, nephews, etc...BUT I don't need to post every single post about it. If I don't post how my dad is my hero or my cat is amazing...it doesn't mean I don't think it.
8. The song Poster.
This person could also be lumped into the Drunk Poster one. This is the person who posts 45 songs in a row. Each with "I love this song" or "this goes out to someone special, I'm pretty sure she knows who she is" or "My favorite song EVER" Most of the time they are songs that have been overplayed on the radio and/or songs I never want to hear ever again.
9. The Pessimistic Poster.
This is the person who is like..."well....I had a job interview, but I probably won't get it anyways" "I had a date but he probably won't call" "I won the lottery but now I don't have anywhere to store all the stuff I buy" "I got a new car but now I have a friggn car payment I can't afford." Not saying that life is all sunshine and rainbows but honestly, a little positive thinking can go a long way.
10. Chronic "Liker"
This person Likes every single little thing you post. Good or bad. How can you like that fact that my dog just died? Or like the fact that I just got a flat tire. REALLY?! You do know what "like" means right?!
Monday, November 14, 2011
Zero tolerance for A-holes...
In the last month I have hit my limit with people. People who are downright rude to me or others. I don't get them. I don't get what they get out of treating people like that. In the past, I have allowed myself to be the doormat for that kind of behavior. Inside, I was pissy about it but wouldn't say anything, mostly out of fear of how they would further react to my stepping up to them. I would always just accept it. I don't know what happened inside of me but a switch has been hit. It started two weeks ago, when a coworker was terrible to me AGAIN. He for some reason thinks it's appropriate to treat me like I am a naughty 7 year old child. Complete with condescending rhetorical questions. I am in a support type position so my job is to help people. He makes it impossible to do so. He will interrupt me rudely and not listen to my expertise on our programs. One time about 5 months back, I was waiting for a meeting with a lead and she was in the next room with said employee. He said to her: "I am not intimidated by your tears. My daughter cries to get her way so I am immune" Mind you this man is 60+ years old and he was talking to HIS lead. Can you imagine saying to that to a person of authority?? That just gives you a run down of how this guy works. Let's go back to two weeks ago, he called and was outright, absolutely rude to me. I literally was filled to the brim with his behavior and finally lashed back. I answered in the exact same manner he used with me. He stuttered and got off the phone. He then emailed my manager about how badly he felt that he "accidentally ruffled my feathers" and also talked to the above lead about how "terrible he felt about it". To this day I have not received an apology. :) However, I feel empowered that I stood up to him. I am not asking him to change but he now knows that he can be an asshole, but he is going to get it back. I had a recent run in this weekend with someone I've known for over 10 years. I have sat back and seen this person lash out. This weekend, I had had enough and gave it RIGHT back to him.
My point is: where do these people get off treating people like they do? Is it because we sit back and allow it to happen? I truly think it is. We enable them to be inappropriate. I'm not saying I will not allow people to be angry or pissy. Everyone has their moments (me included!) and it's an emotion everyone has. However, when it becomes a personality trait, that is when I will have an issue. If you can make a conscious decision to be an asshole then you can expect to get it back. I've made a decision...you treat me or my family like crap, you aren't going to get niceness back. (this is outside of my support role in my job and our customers). I'm setting major boundaries. I am so DONE. The older I get the more I want to surround myself with those that make me happy. Those that are mature enough to interact positively. For the ones that aren't, it doesn't mean that I don't love them or not like them...I just simply don't want them around me. I can love them from afar and wish the best for them but I choose NOT to have them in daily life. Case and point. The negativity can be suffocating and life is too short for that. As bitchy as that may seem, it's the truth. I don't have the tolerance to bear the assholes or the self serving of some any longer. Your world is what you make of it...by allowing people like that to continuously steal your time or energy, you are taking away from the people who want to be positive and happy and want the best for you. :)
I am thankful my husband is NOT like the above people. He just gets to hear it all :)
My point is: where do these people get off treating people like they do? Is it because we sit back and allow it to happen? I truly think it is. We enable them to be inappropriate. I'm not saying I will not allow people to be angry or pissy. Everyone has their moments (me included!) and it's an emotion everyone has. However, when it becomes a personality trait, that is when I will have an issue. If you can make a conscious decision to be an asshole then you can expect to get it back. I've made a decision...you treat me or my family like crap, you aren't going to get niceness back. (this is outside of my support role in my job and our customers). I'm setting major boundaries. I am so DONE. The older I get the more I want to surround myself with those that make me happy. Those that are mature enough to interact positively. For the ones that aren't, it doesn't mean that I don't love them or not like them...I just simply don't want them around me. I can love them from afar and wish the best for them but I choose NOT to have them in daily life. Case and point. The negativity can be suffocating and life is too short for that. As bitchy as that may seem, it's the truth. I don't have the tolerance to bear the assholes or the self serving of some any longer. Your world is what you make of it...by allowing people like that to continuously steal your time or energy, you are taking away from the people who want to be positive and happy and want the best for you. :)
I am thankful my husband is NOT like the above people. He just gets to hear it all :)
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Traffic rant...
I HATE traffic. Not that anyone loves it, persay, but I get irrationally mad when on the freeway we are at a dead stop. I don't get it?? If everyone goes the speed limit and follows behind one another what is the hold up?
Each day, I envision some dumbass driver in the passing lane tootling along going 10 mph below the speed limit more than 3 car lengths away from the car in front of them. And another yahoo in the right hand lane doing the exact same thing. That has GOT to be what it is. Because WTF? I just don't understand how traffic can be that backed up ESPECIALLY when there are 3 lanes. I know that there are a lot of morning and afternoon commuters all over the metro. I can definitely see traveling at speeds of about 25-30 mph...but dead stops?!!?!?!? Everyday, I swear my jaw drops and my horn blares (more times than I'd like to admit) due to alot of people in Minnesota SUCKY ability at driving. I've found there are 4 kinds of drivers that piss me off most. They are as follows:
1) The constant braker. This is the person in front of you that brakes every 20-25 seconds. It's not that they are necessarily tailgating the person in front of them which is causing them to brake; it's because they are so terrified of hitting the car in front of them which is 4 car lengths ahead of them anyway that they hit the brakes just to make sure or when they see brake lights 1 mile up the road. They don't just tap the brakes but full on hard brake hitting that causes them and those in the car with them to go forward a little bit. If you are brake happy like this....go to the slow lane. Be brake happy there and let people go around you.
2) The slow driver in the passing lane. Yes, we the people understand that the speed limit is 60 mph. BUT guess what if you go 65 mph it's still safe under most circumstances from getting pulled over. Furthermore, because you want to drive the exact speed limit doesn't mean that people want to follow your law abiding citizen ways. Some people don't mind speeding a little now and again. Get over. Now. So the rest of us can go around you. A-hole.
3) The speed changer. So here is the scenerio: you are going down the freeway going the speed limit (okay a few mph over) in either the left or right hand lane and come upon a person going slower. So you turn your signal on, check your blind spot (you're welcome Mr. Schultz) and go into (insert lane here) to pass them. That person speeds up and passes you. You say "okay, fine" and get back behind them. They tootle along and all of a sudden go slow again. So you follow all of the safe road rules and attempt to pass him/her/asshole and they speed up again. At this point, I usually go unnaturally fast and pull in front of them pissing them off. It's sort of satisfying.
4) The tailgater. There are two versions of this person. One is this is the person who gets thisclose to your bumper in the right hand lane but doesn't pass you. They speed right up to you and continue to ride your butt, you tap your brakes a little, it doesn't phase them. You tap a little more, still nothing. This is when I slam on my brakes causing them to get pissed and eventually pass me. This too is gratifying. The second version is you are going in the right hand lane and need to pass someone or a few slow cars...you do all of the safe stuff (blinker, b.s., etc..) are in the middle of passing one of the cars and this person gets right on your butt..their stupid impatient headlights in your mirror saying "hurry up, I want to go at ungodly speeds". You look to your right and see that you can't get over there are too many cars so you continue to pass while this asshole rides your butt the entire way. THEN you finally get over and they zoom super fast ahead of you and then have to slam on their brakes because someone else is not going 500 mph on the freeway and get stuck behind them riding their ass.
I know there are more obnoxious driving situations that frustrate me but these are just a few....stupid traffic.
Each day, I envision some dumbass driver in the passing lane tootling along going 10 mph below the speed limit more than 3 car lengths away from the car in front of them. And another yahoo in the right hand lane doing the exact same thing. That has GOT to be what it is. Because WTF? I just don't understand how traffic can be that backed up ESPECIALLY when there are 3 lanes. I know that there are a lot of morning and afternoon commuters all over the metro. I can definitely see traveling at speeds of about 25-30 mph...but dead stops?!!?!?!? Everyday, I swear my jaw drops and my horn blares (more times than I'd like to admit) due to alot of people in Minnesota SUCKY ability at driving. I've found there are 4 kinds of drivers that piss me off most. They are as follows:
1) The constant braker. This is the person in front of you that brakes every 20-25 seconds. It's not that they are necessarily tailgating the person in front of them which is causing them to brake; it's because they are so terrified of hitting the car in front of them which is 4 car lengths ahead of them anyway that they hit the brakes just to make sure or when they see brake lights 1 mile up the road. They don't just tap the brakes but full on hard brake hitting that causes them and those in the car with them to go forward a little bit. If you are brake happy like this....go to the slow lane. Be brake happy there and let people go around you.
2) The slow driver in the passing lane. Yes, we the people understand that the speed limit is 60 mph. BUT guess what if you go 65 mph it's still safe under most circumstances from getting pulled over. Furthermore, because you want to drive the exact speed limit doesn't mean that people want to follow your law abiding citizen ways. Some people don't mind speeding a little now and again. Get over. Now. So the rest of us can go around you. A-hole.
3) The speed changer. So here is the scenerio: you are going down the freeway going the speed limit (okay a few mph over) in either the left or right hand lane and come upon a person going slower. So you turn your signal on, check your blind spot (you're welcome Mr. Schultz) and go into (insert lane here) to pass them. That person speeds up and passes you. You say "okay, fine" and get back behind them. They tootle along and all of a sudden go slow again. So you follow all of the safe road rules and attempt to pass him/her/asshole and they speed up again. At this point, I usually go unnaturally fast and pull in front of them pissing them off. It's sort of satisfying.
4) The tailgater. There are two versions of this person. One is this is the person who gets thisclose to your bumper in the right hand lane but doesn't pass you. They speed right up to you and continue to ride your butt, you tap your brakes a little, it doesn't phase them. You tap a little more, still nothing. This is when I slam on my brakes causing them to get pissed and eventually pass me. This too is gratifying. The second version is you are going in the right hand lane and need to pass someone or a few slow cars...you do all of the safe stuff (blinker, b.s., etc..) are in the middle of passing one of the cars and this person gets right on your butt..their stupid impatient headlights in your mirror saying "hurry up, I want to go at ungodly speeds". You look to your right and see that you can't get over there are too many cars so you continue to pass while this asshole rides your butt the entire way. THEN you finally get over and they zoom super fast ahead of you and then have to slam on their brakes because someone else is not going 500 mph on the freeway and get stuck behind them riding their ass.
I know there are more obnoxious driving situations that frustrate me but these are just a few....stupid traffic.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Picnick
If you click on the picture it enlarges (best quality)
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