I’m a pretty laid-back person.

I don’t easily get angry or annoyed, but there are some things that just get drive me insane. Most involving drivers. I can definitely see where road rage comes from!

1. Drivers who cut me off when I’m in the HOV (carpool) lane
   This happens all the time when the regular lanes are backed up. They rarely have another passenger. They usually don’t signal. They always cause me to slam on my breaks. One time recently, the guy pulled in front of me slowly, causing me to slow down, but did not speed up. We went about 40mph for a few miles … in a 65mph zone. When he finally went back into the regular lanes, I could see he was chatting on his cell phone. And alone.
2. Drivers who wait until the last minute to merge
   They have plenty of warning. I hang back to let them in, but they refuse. Then traffic stops when the lane finally ends.
3. Drivers who take too much time in the “kiss and ride” lot
   I drop my husband off at the Metro every day. The “kiss and ride” lot is intended for just that — I kiss my hubby goodbye as he heads to work in the morning. We only pause for a few seconds as he gets out. Some drivers, however, have to get out of the car, open the trunk, people change seats, etc. — all while blocking or partially blocking traffic through the lot. There are plenty of parking spaces they can use for this!
4. Also in the “kiss and ride lot” — people that park in the crosswalk
   That just makes it that difficult and dangerous to go around them, for both drivers and pedestrians.

And finally, to get off the driving issues:

5. Intentionally visible bra straps
   I’m not irritated by an accidental slip or an intentional peak of a funky strap. I see people far too often wearing plain white bras with tube tops, racerback or halter tops with regular bras, or even racerback bras with non-racerback tops. Yes, they’re usually younger women and girls, but it still bugs me. How can they think it looks good?

Oh, I’m sure there are more things that drive me crazy. These are just the ones that immediately come to mind!

Things I wish I could do:

1. Play guitar
   I’ve attempted to teach myself quite a few times, and do own a guitar. I just give up when I get stuck on the hard chords or aren’t immediately successful!
2. Sew
   I have a sewing machine, I’m just not very good with it. I recently bought a book with instructions on making skirts without patterns. It seems fairly simple, and I even picked up some fabric. Now, just need to make some time to actually sit down with it!
3. Crochet or knit
   Though, I don’t think that’s a good hobby to have with cats.
4. Make jewelry
   I’ve made some repairs to some of my beaded necklaces. Why not make my own?
5. Sing properly
   Sure, I sing in a choir. I must be halfway decent since I’m also in a smaller sub-group. But I’m not formally trained and I know I’m not using the right techniques. I think I’d have more confidence in myself if I took some lessons!
6. Learn how to use my DSLR
   Sure, it takes great photos in “Auto” mode. But I need to read the book and learn to use the manual settings. Even if I remembered my photography classes from high school, the controls are a lot different on my (broken) film SLR!

I could probably do most if not all of these things if I endless free time. Unfortunately, I have very little free time.

I just keep wishing instead.

So far for 2008, I’m looking forward to the following:

1. Jamaica
   Soon! In April! We got a good deal on an all-inclusive, the only way to go.
2. Outer Banks, NC
   Late July. We’re staying in a different town this year a little further down on the island, but the house looks awesome. Right on the sound. I love looking out at the water!
3. Virginia Beach
   Labor Day weekend, for the Rock ‘n’ Roll 1/2 Marathon. It’ll be my fourth year running this race. We take a couple extra days and hang out on the beach.
4. Lake George, NY
   My cousin is getting married on a boat cruise. It will be nice to get the family back together again for a happy occasion!
5. ?
   I entered the drawing for the Nike Women’s Marathon (for the half) and will find out April 1 if I got in. If so, we’re going to San Francisco in October. If not, I’ll probably run the Rock ‘n’ Roll half marathon in San Antonio in November. Too bad the rates go up March 31!

The family went to dinner last night after the wake. My husband and I had discussed a toast to Pop. My brother and his wife had the same idea. And we got my cousin and his fiancee to join us.

Pop loved his Manhattans. He made them every night around dinnertime. It just might be his secret to living well into his 90s!

My cousin told us that they had to take Pop’s liquor away (or, ration it so he had enough for just his evening drinks) when he was caught drinking one at 9 a.m. about a year ago. He was probably home alone at the time — Nan has spent time in the hospital or rehab. They had an aide visit a couple times a day to help, but he was essentially alone.

We got a laugh out of that story.

Yes, it was a sad couple of days, but it was also good to see family, and share our stories.