the commute

since starting voice lessons a few weeks ago, i've taken up practicing in the car. it's the only "private" place - where i can't bothering anyone for more than a few seconds. the drive to & from work is so routine, it's a perfect time for vocal exercise.

i decided to fit in a little extra practice yesterday morning as i drove to a meeting in annapolis. at some point, i changed lanes a few blocks before the highway. next thing i know, some crazy f**k is honking incessantly, tailgating me, flicking me off, pointing at me in the mirror w/ both hands, yelling at me in the mirror, trying to run me off the road... it was a great way to start the work week. at first i dismissed the fool. why get so bent out of shape? i'm 99% sure i checked before changing lanes (though i was singing scales so it is possible that i wasn't paying as much attention as i should). after a few minutes of this honking-flickingoff-tailgating crap, i got a little freaked out. the guy looked INSANE - just filled with rage! i felt like he wanted to kill me. he cut in front of me at his first opportunity & attempted to slow down & get next to me. with morning rush hour traffic, it didn't pan out that way so he was in the lead as we got on the highway. he couldn't let it go... so he slowed waaaaaay down to a ridiculous speed. but i maintained the rear & after 5 or 6 miles of super slow driving, i merged onto another highway & was finally rid of him.

in retrospect, it's a little odd that i felt so vulnerable in this situation. i was in a car - a minivan. a big piece of metal that was going pretty fast. he wasn't able to touch me. but i was definitely afraid.

it's strange to me that some people flip out so completely over the stupidest shit. seriously. i mean, i get annoyed w/ other drivers sometimes & i might talk to them in my car in a sarcastic tone. but that's it.

i miss being able to walk to work. i thought doing vocal exercise in the car would make the drive seem worthwhile. & some days, it does. but most days, it's just not worth the frustration. only 5 more weeks until my work moves 20 minutes further away.................