old story new

When I was 16, and shortly after I received my driver's license, I took my sister and my cousin Leon out for a spin. It was one of the first times I was driving and Leon wasn't. Now, believe me, I was not the speed racer I am now. I was cautious and slow and grammy like. So, I cautiously, slowly, and grammishly drove down the street, stopped at a stop sign, and made the turn. Unfortunately, I either clipped a guy in a wheel chair (Leon and Side Salad's story) OR I more likely clipped the curb since I probably stopped about 3 feet too soon.

Fast forward 22 years later .. I am less cautious, speedy, and Andretti like in my driving. I left work about 7pm, was listening to some tunes, responding to a text message, and MFing everyone on Sisson Avenue. Now, I saw some blinking yellow and orange lights but attributed those to my poor eye sight and ignored them. FINALLY, I get around the cautious, slow, grammy, drivers and cut a left onto the highway. And to what to my wondering eyes should appear???? Two people crossing the highway entrance in their appropriately lighted and safetyfied motorized wheelchairs. I had to slam on my breaks (what, taking a turn at 45 mph is normal) - which caused significant locking of my brakes, smoke, and all my shit to go flying. The wheelchair bound were unphased by my reactions - I am certain they are used to it. Luckily the empathetic portion of my brain still functions, and I apologized profusely - which instead of the tearful its ok that I was expecting, I got the finger, which I certainly deserved.