Model Citizenship

Walking is very much like the driving experience - similar courtesies, obvious right-of-way scenarios, merging etiquette, etc. While there are pedestrian laws that focus on jay-walking, trespassing and drunk-in-public there is virtually nothing we can do about the majority of walking decisions that fall into the category of bad form. I am convinced that many of these “goofy-footers” are the same shady drivers that we encounter on the road.

This story focuses on the abrupt re-direct walker. This is the kind of walker that, while walking slight ahead of you, decides to change directions without even a hint of their intentions. As I walked behind our man-of-the-moment (about 8 feet behind at the 5 o-clock position), I tried to anticipate his next move….

He knew I was behind him, for just 25-30 steps earlier, we both stepped onto the sidewalk from opposing directions. I even paused briefly curbside to allow the walker the right-of way (we were close enough to have collided had I not yielded). The trouble started with the “drift.” A slow encroachment on my path over a period of 15-20 steps – essentially forcing me to alter my path…I chose a little more distance instead.

There was no way I could have guessed what was coming – it defied perambulator logic, bordered on absurdity, was just plain silly. Without warning, Willy Walker slows (ever so slightly) looks off to the left (for reasons still unknown) and with the skill of an NFL running back, makes a 90-degree cut to the right – right in front of me. Forcing me to put on the breaks and cut to the left to avoid an embarrassing mid-sidewalk collision. Of course there was no acknowledgment of the near miss, no motioned apology for the misdirection, not even a word to indicate that he was aware that there were actually other people in the world (especially the one about 1 foot off his flank, struggling to maintain personal space). I wonder if this guy also drives a Mercedes… Inconsiderate pedestrians – hardly Model Citizenship…

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It was a cold, windy night - chilly by Southern California standards (about 45 F). Low clouds hung in the air - framing a faint sense of doom… My girlfriend was meeting her friend for a yoga class - so we went to the gym together. We pulled into the parking lot and searched out an easy space to get in and out of. We opted for a spot relatively near the center of the lot…

It was a routine night at the gym - nothing special or peculiar to discuss. There was an average crowd, easy access to the equipment, and a Lakers game to watch… The story occurred as we left the gym and made our way back to the truck…

The wind had picked up a bit since we entered the gym - probably 20-25 mph. It felt even colder now and we hurried to the truck to get out of the cold. As we arrived at the truck, Renee pointed out the first predator - lurking deviously in the dark. As we looked around, we noticed several more lot sharks although displaying much less threatening postures…

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So, I have three quick incidents to report to keep the “Land of Entitlement” trophy deeply seeded within the “O.C.”:

The Lexus Lady and Her Horn

During a recent walk to Fat Burger with a few colleagues from work, we were treated to yet another display of “my time is more important than yours.” There is a particularly dicey crosswalk at the intersection of Jamboree and Michelson in Irvine. Crossing the main part of Michelson is protected by a standard cross walk and light. The dicey part is the last small island that frames the right-turn lane to Jamboree - it has no light to regulate the turning traffic… As we crossed Michelson and arrived at the right-turn island, we noticed an approaching van slow to a stop to allow us to cross - while in itself not an act of model citizenship (there is a crosswalk there), it was much appreciated. As we got to the middle of the crosswalk, we were suddenly startled by a sharp blast of a horn. Apparently, a lady in a Lexus (and I use lady lightly), determined that the van stopped in front of her was holding her up - despite 4 people crossing in front of it….

The Bummer in the Hummer

I will first admit that I do not drive the smallest of vehicles - a Dodge 2500 truck. I do, however pay special attention to how I drive it. For instance, I make sure I leave room for others to park, pass, etc. I DO NOT drive it like I am ENTITLED to whatever road-space I want. With this in mind - let us take a short journey to the front of Fred’s in Laguna Niguel. There is a one-way lane in front of the restaurant to allow traffic leaving the parking lot to exit easily (note the use of “lane”). After backing out of our parking space, I turned left and proceeded to turn to the exit lane. What do you think we found? A Hummer heading the wrong direction in an effort to take the spot I just left behind. Of course there is hardly enough room for one car let alone a Hummer and Dodge truck. As I round the corner, this GM genius drives CLOSER to me - making it nearly impossible for me to get around him. (All because he was ENTITLED to the parking space, right?). As I inched my way around him, I happily pointed out that he was going the wrong direction on a one-way lane. Of course, he didn’t even acknowledge….Truly a display of Not-So-Model Citizenship!

And the final story….  Read the rest of this entry »

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Model-Log; January 15, 2008:

So the new year is well underway - and with it, the hundreds of wishful resolutions destined for obscurity…Now, far be it for me to dash the hopes of the would be “resolutionist” - but some personal promises just have no chance…

Now that the teaser is before you, humor me and answer a quick question: Where do New Year’s resolutions go to die? If you answered the refrigerator, you are almost correct. If you answered the gym, light up a cigar, sit in your favorite chair and relish in your correctness!

January is by far the worst month to go to the gym - Thousands of people somehow convince themselves that this year will be different - they are finally going to get into shape. Unfortunately, amidst their unbridled enthusiasm, they neglect to read-in on a few basic ground rules for gym attendance. Now, I am by no means any type of gym monger, but I do believe there are a few guidelines one should persevere to follow:

1. Choose activities within your means
   • Don’t attempt the 300 lb bench press when you’re only good for a buck twenty-five
   • Don’t use the pool if you can’t swim - you get the picture
2. Choose the proper attire - enough said
3. Leave the cell phone in the car
4. Bring a towel - and use it when you finish with a piece of equipment.

These are a few of the important ones, be that as it may - I have another that should be expanded on… Read the rest of this entry »

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