Riding my bumper on the highway is extreme pet peeve of mine. I admit, it is really the only thing that gets to me while driving. I always start to slow down. The longer they are on my bumper, the slower I go. Sometimes I will eventually pull over onto the shoulder or another lane and let them pass. Usually they speed around me and I sometimes send them off with a little sign language salute.
Today however I came close to having a road rage incident. To put things in context, I had just finished a rather emotional therapy session, so my emotions and thoughts were, well, elsewhere. I was on my way to pick up my daughter when this lovely silver Kia flew up on my tail as I was traveling eastbound I-35. I decided to take the Steve Whalen exit and starting to slow down. The driver STILL stayed on my bumper.
I REALLLY don't like anyone on my ass. Period.
Since there was plenty of shoulder room I pulled over and salute the driver as they went by. I went to merge in behind them and they stopped. In the middle of the off ramp. I started to go around them. They turned to cut me off.
Great. Now I 'd done it. I pissed off a crazy person. In this part of town it was likely they could get out and confront me or I could get shot. I didn't think they'd ram into me or risk their vehicle though. It looked rather new and shiny; well taken care of.
Now, my lovely new vehicle, whom we have nicknamed the Battle Bunny, has 4 wheel drive. Off to the right hand was a large open area. So I shifted into the appropriate gear and started into the grass, off roading, to get around this driver. I guess seeing that I wasn't giving in to what I consider bully tactics (and the fact more traffic was coming down the off ramp) they continued on their way to the stop light. I proceeded to follow and managed to get this shot at the light. I tried to get one as I pulled up next to them but the windows were so tinted you couldn't see the driver. They did however see that I was taking pictures.
My first thoughts were to run through the possible scenarios and my possible actions and responses. I had my phone with the preprogrammed one button emergency call, which
should be my first response. I had at least two knives readily available within easy reach. And there was also the vehicle itself that could be used to escape or use as a weapon.
Reviewing the incident in my head though, I don't remember once getting scared, or worried, or any anxiety that some would be considered normal.No fear though. No apprehension. A calmness came over me. My mother calls it my work mode (says even my voice changes). One of my friends calls it my Valkyrie side or sometimes he refers to it as my ShieldMother (because I'm not a maiden anymore) coming out. Whatever it is, reconnecting and reintegrating Her into my spirit so that it functions in a healthy way and not the rampaging beserker She was before is slowly coming along. I didn't go for the violent challenging option. For that I am proud of myself.
Now I will have to remember to just let it go and keep my sign language to myself.
