"I'm doing research"

Today, something weird happened as I was driving home from my mom's.  As I was going up a big hill, traffic slowed to a crawl because a large 18 wheeler was laboring up the hill.  All the cars sort of bunched up as we struggled behind this truck.  As we drove on I noticed the car behind me was not exactly paying attention and had crawled up on my back fast.  No hit, but close enough to get a good look at the driver.

And that's what was weird.  The driver was a woman between 40-50 in a non-descript white domestic car.  She had a camera in her hand.  She looked like she was filming me!  Her camera was pointed towards the back of my car, or perhaps to the yellow line of the highway, it was a little hard to say.

I thought, well it's strange, but whatever.  I've filmed while driving.  No big, but then it persisted and it started to bug me.  Since I am naturally paranoid, I decided to take evasive measures.  I pulled over at a business and sat for while in the parking lot.  Then I got back on the road and noticed that she was far ahead since the 18 wheeler had finally gotten back to road speed and there was no longer the traffic clog.

So we carried on for a bit, but then I caught up to her, and frankly, I was going to take a picture of the back of her car.  See how she liked it, and really, also, just in case, I'd like to know her license plate.

This was not to be.  Now, she never saw my camera come out, but she suddenly pulled over and let me pass.

SHE DELIBERATELY PULLED OVER SO SHE COULD GET BEHIND MY CAR!

Yeh, time to insert:


She's still filming me.  Really?  You're gonna go there with me?

So, we are all slowing down for the light and I stop, put it in park, get out in the middle of Route 20 and walk right up to her car.  She rolls down the window all calm like.  She's calm.  I don't know, but if someone stops in the middle of the road and approaches me, I ain't rolling down the window!  I wasn't aggressive, I simply asked:  "What are you doing?"  That's when she replies:

"I'm doing research."

That's all she said.  I responded: "Well, if you're looking to see if your actions make someone stop in the middle of the road, it worked."  At this point the light was green and other cars were coming.  I got back into my car and drove off.  Again I pulled off at a business and she passed.  This time she went another way and thankfully she was gone!

I was left flooded by adrenaline and wondering what the heck had just happened!

Still wondering and paranoid hours later.  I think the weird thing was that she seemed purposely bent on being behind me!!!!!  And she was so calm.

Getting Wet

Question Prompt from 10,000 Questions
Where were you when you got a whole lot wetter than you had planned on?

Funny thing!  Last summer I went to Great Escape with the Dornburghs.  The day started out really gloomy and drizzling, but as I arrived in Lake George it cleared up and the sun came out.  By noon, it was warm; so we changed into our swimsuits and went on the water rides.  Now I love all kinds of amusement park rides, but I adore the water ones!

During our water park outing we decided to go on the lazy river.  Sounds easy enough.  You grab a tube, crawl in, and float around a shallow pool.  Well, for some reason, I couldn't get into the tube!  I've done the Lazy River before, it was nothing new, but I could not get in!  I tried going over to the wall, tried going under it, over it, around it!  But I COULD NOT GET ON IT!  

Eventually I heave myself upon and begin to float.  But even that's not easy!  My butt starts slipping through the hole, I wiggle around, trying to stay up.  I wiggle some more and then-----

-----I flip over backwards and totally dunk myself.  I find the surface and then start laughing so hard.  And you know when you are laughing, getting into a tube is even more difficult!  

Meanwhile, all sorts of "normal" people are floating by wondering what the hell is wrong with that woman.  One woman, who is casually floating along with her hair both dry and tidy and with her make-up in tack also, asks me if I meant to flip over!  I was glad I could be so entertaining.  

So I'm walking the Lazy River with my tube and trying to find the right spot to attempt to get back on.  Finally I do and then I get stuck in  this current that refuses to propel me forward.  

Only me!

I do eventually get free, float joyously for all of 5 minutes and then blessedly, it's done!

This picture being the exact opposite of what I looked like that day!  

LOL!

And here I thought we were all naturally mean

It can seem at times like people are naturally cruel, just watch the news and see what humans are capable of doing to one another. But, according to this linked article, it may not be so true.

Are humans naturally nasty?

The article basically state that humans, at out animal level, maintain a level of moral composure in order to interact peacefully enough to mate and procreate. Of course this is compared to primates and other animals. The article also states that science shows it's most likely to happen within a social sub group; so it is more challenging to be peaceful in a globally engaged world.

I don't know. As I was writing this, my older cat attacked the younger one so he could have the chair. He does this via physical intimidation and also by humiliating the smaller cat. The older cat has damaged the younger's self-esteem over the years to the point that the little guy acts like an abused feline. Now, I don't know how that applies to humans, but let me say I think it can and does.

I don't know why humans are cruel, but I do know that I have a lot of personal moments where I think mean things about people. I don't want to and it's not me at my best, but I think we all do it. I think it takes more effort to be kind than mean.

But I also think it is an ideal worth inspiring to, because when we send out love and bring joy to others it spreads. Being happy for others, giving to others, and finding the best becomes a habit.