Driving Limits

As I was driving home from work yesterday, I thought about limits in terms of speed limits. Somehow my brain was able to dig up in the random school file hidden somewhere deep in the recess of my brain the mathematical concept of upper and lower limits. At that moment, I finally realized why people have a difficult time with speed limits on the freeway. Too many think of the speed limit as the upper limit. Whereas others—myself included—view it as the lower limit. If you aren't going at least the speed limit, you aren't in an acceptable range. Of course, I recognize an upper limit does exist and I find that to be 10-15 mph above the lower limit. My understanding of freeway speeds has taken me to a much higher dimension (or is it actually lower?) than I should ever admit. Oh well. Now you get an idea of what I think about while driving.

My New Car

I told Krystal I would update on Paris next but I haven't had time. I'll do that on the plane tomorrow. Yes traveling again!

I bought my Honda Acoord soon after I got my first job. I loved that car! Black, manual, nice stereo (Happy Valentine's Day to me!), and a great ride. I drove that thing everywhere: Northern California, Southern California, Phoenix and back, Phoenix to Utah and back again, Vegas multiple times, Lake Powell multiple times, 5 years commuting, and so much more! It never broke down on me. Never had any major problems. Granted the paint was chipping, the hubcaps were missing, the belts were squeaky, but it was a reliable car.

Alas, the good times came to an end. The transmission started to go out. I had the mechanic look at it and the cost was more than I wanted to pay. In May, I sold my car. Yes, I was completely honest to the buyer. He knew it was the transmission. He had a mechanic drive it and he confirmed it was the transmission. I was sad to see my car drive away.

What am I driving now? My sweet new ride is my sister's old Honda Civic, which happened to be a car I drove while in college. My car was 11 years old with 190,000+ miles. The Civic has 211,000+ miles, is 14 years old, AND has no air conditioning. Gratefully it has been a mild summer. Only a few more weeks left to endure!

The Civic. It looks similar but it isn't the same. I miss my car. On the bright side, I have been able to save money instead of paying interest. I just need to make this thing last one more year and I'll be able to buy something nice and new/used.

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow...

...because I did not drive home! So happy to have an aunt who will let me crash at her house so I don't crash on the roads trying to make it home. Plus I have to be at work early tomorrow, so an added bonus for only having a fifteen minute drive in the morning.

Racing Through Life

I have so many stories to write about and all I can think about is sleep. Why? Because I know the next 72 hours of my life. It was supposed to be a relaxing week but that doesn't seem to be a theme for me recently. Honestly, working hard and being busy has been a blessing (Think Elder Christofferson). Now if I can just remember to follow the advice of President Uchtdorf.

Good-night! Good-luck! Pray I drive safely and stay alert as I travel back forth to meetings, to interviews, and to appointments (and yes they are all separate events).

*Kath - I'm finding myself singing your alternate lyrics to "The Role You Know So Well" as I commute each day.

My Number Is Up

My brother-in-law taunts me relentlessly about never receiving a speeding ticket. He’s right to do so. Many, many times I should have gotten a ticket. Only once did the highway patrolman actually give me a written warning. Every other time, luck, fate, grace, the tender mercy of the Lord, whatever you want to call it, stepped in and I drove off with only a verbal warning.

Also, commuting doesn’t bother me. I seem to turn on autopilot and cruise along the freeway, always making sure I’m not the fastest car on the road. As you read above, my number is up! I have to be careful. All of this background leads me to two Fridays ago after a very long week at work. That day I just wanted to get home. Cars sped past me so I just zoomed along with them not really watching the speedometer. One exit from mine, I realized I was leading the pack. I slowed down because I knew I would be an easy target.

Then the unthinkable happened. A highway patrolman zipped along in beside of me. He slowed for a second in FRONT of me, turned on his lights (remember he is in front of me!), then continued on his way. I took that as a “Slow Down!” sign and immediately decreased my speed. How grateful I was that I was only given a warning. My hard week didn’t seem so bad after the kindness of the highway patrolman.

When I got home, I realized how generous the patrolman had been to me. First, I was going 70 in a 55mph construction zone. Unbelievable! I should have been slammed! But it gets better. I was driving my sister’s car with California license plates! Easy target! At least the car was still insured even though the registration was probably in my parents’ names by that time. Such an utter nightmare it would have been trying to explain my sister’s insurance card, my parents’ name on the title, and me speeding in a construction zone. What have I learned from all of this? Even when you have a bad week, the Lord still provides blessings. Also…slow down!!!

Snowpocalypse

Last week a snow storm hit the state and created complete havoc. Two hours before the first snow fall, the roads were clear and dry. I knew a storm was coming but figured it wouldn’t be that much of a hassle. Turns out, this storm generated quite the adventure for all those stuck in its path. My usual forty-five minute drive turned into a two hour battle with the elements. To keep myself calm instead of white-knuckled, I distracted myself by devising a list of DOs and DON’Ts for driving in snowy weather.


DON'T...
* Slam on your breaks! You will only spin out. Tap them repeatedly. First, you are more likely to stay in control. Second, the car behind you will notice the flashing lights and be prepared to slow down too.
* Try to change lanes just because you are slower than the car to your right, particularly when said car is only a few feet behind you. One of the few times I have honked at someone.
* Ever cut in front of a diesel especially when the roads are icy. They will jack-knife and shut down the freeway. Gratefully the backup was far enough I could get off the freeway at a different exist; however, the icy roads in town were much more treacherous than the interstate.
* Stay behind a diesel. The spray makes it difficult to see. Gather your courage and pass him. Better to increase your speed for a few seconds than travel between a concrete barrier and a slush, spraying semi.

DO...
* Make sure you can see out your windshield which means have plenty of washer fluid and good wiper blades. Time to change the wiper blades.
* Go slower than you normally would, even if you have snow tires or 4WD. Traveling 35mph sure seemed too fast at times that night.
* Recognize how snowplows work. They work left to right so the “fast” lane is usually clearer than the “slow” lanes. Thankfully most people haven’t figured that out which makes a nice, safe driving radius for me.
* Leave later in the morning so the snow plows have time to clear the roads. It also makes for a nicer commute.
* Plan to stay at your aunt’s home next time. Check!

Ol' Reliable

In the movie Lady and the Tramp, Trusty always mentions his grandpappy Ol' Reliable. He would question all who would listen to his stories: "I don't recollect that I've ever mentioned Ol' Reliable before?" Unfortunately for Trusty, his audience frequently heard about Ol' Reliable and Trusty would forget his story.

Just like Trusty, many of you have heard about my Ol' Reliable. I bought my first car, a used Honda Accord, almost eight years ago. I was so nervous! My aunt helped me transport the car from the downtown dealership to her place. I took another few days before a friend was able to drive me to my aunt's house so I could drive it to my place in Provo. I didn't dare speed or make any sudden lane changes! I even left my car in my apartment complex's parking lot and continued to drive my parents' car for another week. I know! Lame!

Fortunately, I got over that initial fear. This car has really been my Ol' Reliable. I've commuted for over five years with four of those being at least a 35-40 minute one way drive. Other places I've driven are Las Vegas, Southern California, Idaho, our cabin, Phoenix and back many times, Northern California, and all around the state of Utah. The paint is chipping away, the transmission is rickety, the knobs are loose or coming off, and the odometer reads over 180,000 miles. However, this week my car still managed over 34 mpg! For a car that is 11 years old that is impressive. Here's hoping my Ol' Reliable lasts a few more years.


I couldn't find a picture of my car but felt my blog needed some pictures. This is my favorite freeway sign located outside of Sacramento, California. I think my car could make it. :)

Yes, I was a Trucker

I'm taking a break from the Charleston updates because I haven't been in town to go through pictures and organize them. I have only been in town one week of the past five. Week 1 and 2 I was in Charleston then at our family's cabin. The third week I was doing statistics. Yes it was as boring as it sounds but completing the class made my acceptance to MBA school official. And yes that is as scary as it sounds. Week 4 was Lake Powell which I will post when I get back to home. Where am I week 5? I have been driving. Yes folks driving. Monday we drove to Bryce Canyon and hiked down into the canyon. I have hiked this before, but Annette has no memory of it and she wanted (?) to do it before she moved. Tuesday we (Annette, my mom, Kathrine, and I in two different cars) drove for 12 hours to Sacramento. Wednesday we drove to Palo Alto and moved Nettie into her new place. I am actually a bit jealous of her. I have tried over and over again to move to that area. I love it there but my life doesn't seem to be moving in that direction. If you are reading this, you probably know that back story. After we moved Nettie into her house, we drove back to Sacramento. Today we actually get a break, but do you know what I am doing tomorrow? That's right folks, driving back to Utah. I drove all but two hours out to Sacramento. I drove to Palo Alto and back. And tomorrow I will do most of the driving. What can I say...I was a trucker in my former life.