A Little R & R

I don't mean to imply the typical "rest and relaxation" that tends to crop up when using the moniker: "R & R". No, that would be too derivative for my purpose, which is, actually, much more subversive in its connotations. The "R&R" that I reference in the title to this blog actually concerns "Road Rage". I've been meaning to write about my recent experience with this phenomenon, but just haven't gotten around to it. Well--here I am! One thing that comes to mind is that it was quite a harrowing experience for me. Anyway, here's the scenario:

I was speeding up because my lane was ending and I was required to merge. The Toyota truck in the lane to the left of me didn't think that I should merge, so he (she?) speeded up to keep me from doing so. I went ahead and merged anyway, despite this car's aggressive gesture. As soon as I merged, however, I went ahead and merged again so that the truck behind me would be able to have room to navigate. In the eyes of the truck driver this was not enough consolation. S/he speeded up and tailed me...for about 70-80 miles. Tailing is such a common tactic that I thought nothing of it...until the manuever annoyingly persisted. Whenever I would change lanes, the truck would change lanes. At one point the driver pulled up alongside me, but I paid him or her no mind. Anyway, who would go so much out of their way to prove a point? A madman, I figured. Eventually I made my move and quickly cut off the freeway. The truck follwed suit. I came across a sherifff who simply told me that such a highway nuissance was out of her jurisdiction. Go figure.

Why is it that people feel so empowered by their vehicles that they can use them for such nefarious purposees? I think it's the relative anonymity and power that cars provide--in much the same way as the internet allows people to be d*cks, cars empower people to act out their fears and anger vis a vis their particular driving style.

Well I guess I just wanted to bitch about this recent situation in which a car was used for purposes other than travelling from point A to point B. This person was trying to use their vehicle as a means of intimidation. Whatever. This makes me miss the mass transit systems of DC and NYC. I like the freedom of being able to drive myself, but sometimes situations like the one described above just put me off driving. I'm a pretty even-tempered guy, but driving just...well...just drives me nuts!

Be safe, okay?