Thursday, January 18, 2007
Ice Rage
Posted by: John Flick
Pardon me while I vent. Despite our freezing temperatures, my blood is boiling. The roads are terrible... some of them are solid ice. So, why is it everywhere I go, the car behind me is madly in love with my bumper? SLOW DOWN and give some space.
Earlier this week, our fearless producer Derek picked Tierney and me up (her car was dead, mine was stuck in my driveway). On the way to work a car tailgated us and, obviously angry that our 27 mph speed didn't meet his racetrack expectations, passed us on what had become a one-lane road. As he slid by, spewing slush in his wake, we motioned for him to slow down. So, he stopped his car in the middle of the road and actually got out (mind you it was 3:20 am, 12 degrees, with a windchill of 5). He obviously wanted to fight. Derek calmly maneuvered around him and we moved on.
Tuesday night, a car was stuck in the intersection at 30th and Penn. I got out, along with another driver, to push him out of his rut. It was apparently too much for the driver behind us. In all his wisdom, he drove into oncoming traffic to pass and got stuck himself... causing even more trouble. Despite my disgust at his actions, I helped push him along. The young man drove off without even a smile or wave of thanks.
Wednesday night, a truck was stuck in a grocery store parking lot. I joined another guy to help him. We must have put on a good show, because at least 5 grown men walked by and just watched. We finally pushed the driver out, and he was very appreciative. (Ironically, his bumper sticker read "Got Ice?"... yes, plenty.)
And now we're expecting snow this weekend. Folks, I'm not saying I'm a saint but I hope patience, common courtesy and common sense are also in the forecast.
Please, be careful.
Pardon me while I vent. Despite our freezing temperatures, my blood is boiling. The roads are terrible... some of them are solid ice. So, why is it everywhere I go, the car behind me is madly in love with my bumper? SLOW DOWN and give some space.
Earlier this week, our fearless producer Derek picked Tierney and me up (her car was dead, mine was stuck in my driveway). On the way to work a car tailgated us and, obviously angry that our 27 mph speed didn't meet his racetrack expectations, passed us on what had become a one-lane road. As he slid by, spewing slush in his wake, we motioned for him to slow down. So, he stopped his car in the middle of the road and actually got out (mind you it was 3:20 am, 12 degrees, with a windchill of 5). He obviously wanted to fight. Derek calmly maneuvered around him and we moved on.
Tuesday night, a car was stuck in the intersection at 30th and Penn. I got out, along with another driver, to push him out of his rut. It was apparently too much for the driver behind us. In all his wisdom, he drove into oncoming traffic to pass and got stuck himself... causing even more trouble. Despite my disgust at his actions, I helped push him along. The young man drove off without even a smile or wave of thanks.
Wednesday night, a truck was stuck in a grocery store parking lot. I joined another guy to help him. We must have put on a good show, because at least 5 grown men walked by and just watched. We finally pushed the driver out, and he was very appreciative. (Ironically, his bumper sticker read "Got Ice?"... yes, plenty.)
And now we're expecting snow this weekend. Folks, I'm not saying I'm a saint but I hope patience, common courtesy and common sense are also in the forecast.
Please, be careful.
posted by John Flick at 8:12 AM
10 Comments:
Wait.. I think i was driving behind you the other day. Were you driving a green minivan (complete with racing stripes) with a bumper sticker that read "Love ME, not my Bumper!" Now I TOTALLY get it!
Seriously, I understand your frustration, but keep in mind, we are one of the Top 15 cities in the U.S. to get the most hours of sunshine each year. So, I think this tells us why we all just seem to continue on our merry way as if there isn't 4" of ice beneath us.
This does not, of course, give these individuals permission to be rageful, rude, and down right nutty when the weather turns foul.
So, I agree with Mr. Flick, when in doubt--slow it down, meditate and reflect back on that helpless feeling we have all had of our back tire becoming stuck in the muck.
John - you deserve the "patron of the year award!" Love hearing your stories! And feel much safer with people like you in the world!
Wait..was that YOU in the green minivan with the bumper sticker that read "Love ME, not my BUMPER!". That TOTALLY makes sense now.
Seriously, how can you expect those of us who are accustomed to sunshine (Okla City lands in the Top 15 U.S. cities with the most hours of sunshine per year) to know what to do on 4" of ice? We simply are not used to having to worry about it.
However, Mr. Flick makes a good point. Let us all learn a little patience and practice random acts of kindness as we look back on our New Year's resolutions to treat others as we would expect to be treated AND repeat the old saying "if you think your grandmother drives slowly--wait til you see your anchorman behind the wheel."
Kidding. We LOVE you, John Flick!The mornings simply would not be the same without you!
It greatly saddens me to think that the world is becoming such a sterile society that we can't take a few moments to help out another human being. My running partner and I were jogging in town and when a female driver’s minivan (with her children inside) died in the middle of traffic…it was us (two women) pushing her vehicle off the road. No one else offered to help. What happened to the Golden Rule…Do unto others, as you would like them to do unto you…? It seems that we are only reminded of kindness towards others in the times of national/local crisis rather than being thoughtful on a daily basis.
Enjoy your morning show, especially this morning early about healthy eating keep it up. you'all need a segment every morning about better eating in general.
It is good to see that there are still good people on this earth that care and are willing to help others. Thank you I wish others would follow suit and this would be such a better place. Don't they realize that in the end haste makes waste? They may pay for that haste in the end?
John,
You have every right to vent. We are from the northeast orginally and have lived here for 30 years. In the course of our 30 years we have seen how people drive in the winter. It's not a pretty picture. We have watched them speed, or slam on the breaks. They really don't understand the ice. Part of it is we don't get enough of it to get our practice in. But as you said they just need to slow down and have some patience. It's been good that the schools have been closed this week... could you see how many accidents we would have had they been open.
Today is a good example..there's probably more accidents today due to people speeding or just driving too fast for conditions. What happened to old theory that if you need to be someplace at a certain time you give yourself plenty of time to get there. You don't leave at your regular time because you will definitely be late.
Let's all try to use good judgement when driving and leave enough space from your vehicle to the vehicle in front of you. One of the virtue's is "Patience". Now use the virtue!
Love the morning team. You all are the greatest!
Well I agree with John on this, I am from San Diego and to tell the truth there isnt any ice on the roads there EVER, so I do drive slow in this weather, I like haveing my life and car,mostly my life. I see people driving like a bat out of....well the cave let's say. People think that just because they have 4 wheel drive they can do what ever they please, it is 4 wheel drive not 4 wheel stop, so please get off my bumper.
John, I have a suggestion for you. Keep your slow driving butt off the streets till this all clears up. I dont like tailgating you but I have places to go and people to see. What do you expect? I'm an important person with a busy schedule. Jeez..why is it always about John Flick and what he wants?
To the person who posted the comment referring to "it always being about John Flick"...I say please refer him to an anger management course & a sensitivity course! Where is your conscience?? Apparently, you are missing the humanistic gene!!! Or maybe his life is simply unhappy...but I hope it was just a bad week for him.
Post a Comment
<< Home