bad girl again

"Claire Petersky" wrote: (clip)I pull off my glove and write the word
"SMILE" on the damp dust on the back window. I start to draw multiple
smilies, and I can tell that I have both amused the kids in the car and
agitated the driver.(clip)
^^^^^^^^^^^
Great story. Not only did you have the pleasure of the actual
experience--you have entertained the rest of us as well. And that wasn't
the end. Realize that she got home and had to wash the smilies off that
window, which must have infuriated her even further.

So you've got hundreds of people smiling, and she's [censored]. What could be
better?

Leo Lichtman said:

"Claire Petersky" wrote: (clip)I pull off my glove and write the word
"SMILE" on the damp dust on the back window. I start to draw multiple
smilies, and I can tell that I have both amused the kids in the car and
agitated the driver.(clip)
^^^^^^^^^^^
Great story. Not only did you have the pleasure of the actual
experience--you have entertained the rest of us as well. And that wasn't
the end. Realize that she got home and had to wash the smilies off that
window, which must have infuriated her even further.

So you've got hundreds of people smiling, and she's [censored]. What could be
better?

And.. you know it's pissing her off even more when her kids remind her
of how much fun it was to be chased by that bicyclist.

Leo Lichtman said:

"Claire Petersky" wrote: (clip)I pull off my glove and write the word
"SMILE" on the damp dust on the back window. I start to draw multiple
smilies, and I can tell that I have both amused the kids in the car
and agitated the driver.(clip)
^^^^^^^^^^^
Great story. Not only did you have the pleasure of the actual
experience--you have entertained the rest of us as well. And that
wasn't the end. Realize that she got home and had to wash the
smilies off that window, which must have infuriated her even further.

So you've got hundreds of people smiling, and she's [censored]. What
could be better?

Not only that -- in such situations, you can force people to make a choice
between changing their attitude, or acting inappropriately in front of their
kids. Most sane people will choose the former, and learn something in the
process. Yoda would be proud!

Matt O.

"Claire Petersky" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...

You made me smile. Not for the first time...

"Claire Petersky" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

A block or two, and we're at the next light, waiting, and I'm right behind
it. I decide I'm going to do the grafitti thing again, [emotion now:
impudence] and I pull off my glove and write the word "SMILE" on the damp
dust on the back window. I start to draw multiple smilies, and I can tell
that I have both amused the kids in the car and agitated the driver.

Good for you, Claire. Too bad the driver didn't take a hint from the kid's
reaction.

Claire Petersky wrote:

[Eloquently written anecdote snipped]

Bravo, Claire!

Take heed, though. There will be a driver out there who draws no
distinction between the word that you chose and any other that you might
have written and and takes umbrage at the perceived affront.

Remember:
- your emotion was indignance; your mode of expression was relatively
benign.
- not every indignant Escalade driver, or (help me, Zoot: what're they
called? Scud ----'s) will be so temperate

Congrats on your upcoming publication, btw!

Neil

Claire Petersky said:

I was riding on a nice road that is slightly downhilly, 30 mph speed
limit,
and approaching the street's first stop light. Since I was getting close
to
the intersection, I am now firmly in the lane, and then a black Cadillac
Esclanade seems to think that it needs to be precisely where I was, and
muscles me out of my spot. I don't argue with large vehicles with drivers
bent on homicide. My emotional response: indignance.

A block or two, and we're at the next light, waiting, and I'm right
behind
it. I decide I'm going to do the grafitti thing again, [emotion now:
impudence] and I pull off my glove and write the word "SMILE" on the damp
dust on the back window. I start to draw multiple smilies, and I can tell
that I have both amused the kids in the car and agitated the driver. But
what the heck -- she intruded on my personal space, so I see nothing
wrong
with intruding on hers. And I'm being nice. I'm not writing, [ahem],
"*&%$
you", which could have been my sentiment. Instead, I'm writing "smile",
and
making happy faces.

As it so happens, since the road is sort of downhilly as I said, and
there's
various lights and traffic, I end up being behind the Caddy for a couple
of
miles. My average speed was probably about 26, and the car would start to
pull away from me, but I'd catch up pretty easily, and we'd be together
again, idling at the next light. I could tell my presence was really
bugging
the driver, and the kids were egging me on.

It was fun. I finally turned off to the right to climb Bel-Red Road, and
the
Caddy sped away.

Good response to a bad driver.

--
Bill (not always politically correct) Baka

Bill Baka wrote:
:: On Wed, 17 Nov 2004 05:17:25 GMT, Claire Petersky
:: <[email hidden]> wrote:
::
::: I was riding on a nice road that is slightly downhilly, 30 mph speed
::: limit,
::: and approaching the street's first stop light. Since I was getting
::: close to
::: the intersection, I am now firmly in the lane, and then a black
::: Cadillac Esclanade seems to think that it needs to be precisely
::: where I was, and muscles me out of my spot. I don't argue with
::: large vehicles with drivers bent on homicide. My emotional
::: response: indignance.
:::
::: A block or two, and we're at the next light, waiting, and I'm right
::: behind
::: it. I decide I'm going to do the grafitti thing again, [emotion now:
::: impudence] and I pull off my glove and write the word "SMILE" on
::: the damp dust on the back window. I start to draw multiple smilies,
::: and I can tell that I have both amused the kids in the car and
::: agitated the driver. But what the heck -- she intruded on my
::: personal space, so I see nothing wrong
::: with intruding on hers. And I'm being nice. I'm not writing, [ahem],
::: "*&%$
::: you", which could have been my sentiment. Instead, I'm writing
::: "smile", and
::: making happy faces.
:::
::: As it so happens, since the road is sort of downhilly as I said, and
::: there's
::: various lights and traffic, I end up being behind the Caddy for a
::: couple of
::: miles. My average speed was probably about 26, and the car would
::: start to pull away from me, but I'd catch up pretty easily, and
::: we'd be together again, idling at the next light. I could tell my
::: presence was really bugging
::: the driver, and the kids were egging me on.
:::
::: It was fun. I finally turned off to the right to climb Bel-Red
::: Road, and the
::: Caddy sped away.
:::
:::
:: Good response to a bad driver.

I disagree. She was lucky. A really bad driver could have acted in such a
way to hurt Claire. Playing with cars is a bad idea, imo.

On Wed, 17 Nov 2004 10:22:51 -0500, "Roger Zoul" <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

I decide I'm going to do the grafitti thing again, [emotion now:
::: impudence] and I pull off my glove and write the word "SMILE" on
::: the damp dust on the back window. I start to draw multiple smilies,
::: and I can tell that I have both amused the kids in the car and
::: agitated the driver. But what the heck -- she intruded on my
::: personal space, so I see nothing wrong
::: with intruding on hers. And I'm being nice. I'm not writing, [ahem],
::: "*&%$
::: you", which could have been my sentiment. Instead, I'm writing
::: "smile", and
::: making happy faces.
:::
::: As it so happens, since the road is sort of downhilly as I said, and
::: there's
::: various lights and traffic, I end up being behind the Caddy for a
::: couple of
::: miles. My average speed was probably about 26, and the car would
::: start to pull away from me, but I'd catch up pretty easily, and
::: we'd be together again, idling at the next light. I could tell my
::: presence was really bugging
::: the driver, and the kids were egging me on.
:::
::: It was fun. I finally turned off to the right to climb Bel-Red
::: Road, and the
::: Caddy sped away.
:::
:::
:: Good response to a bad driver.

I disagree. She was lucky. A really bad driver could have acted in such a
way to hurt Claire. Playing with cars is a bad idea, imo.

I have to agree with Rog. In fact, iirc, there's a law having to do with
'tampering' with a car that the driver could have invoked in defense for
doing something like throwing it into reverse and backing up, claiming 'a
panic reaction to the tampering with "my kids in the car"', or some a-hole
thing. I wouldn't put it past the cops to buy it, either. ;-<

It's just not a good idea.

On a similar note:
Today I got a message on my local boad that another rider was hit in town,
making that a total of six riders hit in the past three days.

<quote>
I would also like to add that 6 commuters have been hit within the last 3
weeks alone. everyone turned out fine, but bikes were destroyed. about 4 or
5 where within qualified saftey regulations (lights, helmets, safe) - some
were at night, some were not (even more interesting) - most moving, two
even stopped; tho, specifically, an interesting case happened last night
when a friend with lights and helmet was turning from fontaine rd. onto
summit st. managed to spie a fast approaching light on his shirtsleeve, so
he turned around and saw a big ol' car speeding his way (he was on the
yellow lines in the middle of the road, waiting to turn) - thus he jumped
off just in the nick of time, the bike went flying (literally) , and
luckily he was only grazed by a side-mirror. the guy never even slowed
down, even after hitting the bike.

Nevertheless the bike is destroyed, seeing this after he went to pick up
the thing some hundred feet away.
</quote>

Not trying to be alarmist, but just emphasizing the wish to stay safe out
there.

-B

On Wed, 17 Nov 2004 10:22:51 -0500, Roger Zoul <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

Bill Baka wrote:
:: On Wed, 17 Nov 2004 05:17:25 GMT, Claire Petersky
:: <[email hidden]> wrote:
::
::: I was riding on a nice road that is slightly downhilly, 30 mph speed
::: limit,
::: and approaching the street's first stop light. Since I was getting
::: close to
::: the intersection, I am now firmly in the lane, and then a black
::: Cadillac Esclanade seems to think that it needs to be precisely
::: where I was, and muscles me out of my spot. I don't argue with
::: large vehicles with drivers bent on homicide. My emotional
::: response: indignance.
:::
::: A block or two, and we're at the next light, waiting, and I'm right
::: behind
::: it. I decide I'm going to do the grafitti thing again, [emotion now:
::: impudence] and I pull off my glove and write the word "SMILE" on
::: the damp dust on the back window. I start to draw multiple smilies,
::: and I can tell that I have both amused the kids in the car and
::: agitated the driver. But what the heck -- she intruded on my
::: personal space, so I see nothing wrong
::: with intruding on hers. And I'm being nice. I'm not writing, [ahem],
::: "*&%$
::: you", which could have been my sentiment. Instead, I'm writing
::: "smile", and
::: making happy faces.
:::
::: As it so happens, since the road is sort of downhilly as I said, and
::: there's
::: various lights and traffic, I end up being behind the Caddy for a
::: couple of
::: miles. My average speed was probably about 26, and the car would
::: start to pull away from me, but I'd catch up pretty easily, and
::: we'd be together again, idling at the next light. I could tell my
::: presence was really bugging
::: the driver, and the kids were egging me on.
:::
::: It was fun. I finally turned off to the right to climb Bel-Red
::: Road, and the
::: Caddy sped away.
:::
:::
:: Good response to a bad driver.

I disagree. She was lucky. A really bad driver could have acted in
such a
way to hurt Claire. Playing with cars is a bad idea, imo.

I won't argue that Claire was playing it dangerous but then a seriously
[censored] soccer mom in a car would have to chase Claire over bicycle
territory which includes sidewalks, park paths, and other car unfriendly
places. As long as Claire had a way out I am with her, just as long as
she wasn't sandwiched between two cars with both drivers with bad
attitudes.

--
Bill (not always politically correct) Baka

Bill Baka said:

I won't argue that Claire was playing it dangerous but then a
seriously [censored] soccer mom in a car would have to chase Claire
over bicycle territory which includes sidewalks, park paths, and
other car unfriendly places. As long as Claire had a way out I am
with her, just as long as she wasn't sandwiched between two cars with
both drivers with bad attitudes.

Dear Bill,

While I do note that you said, "As long as Claire had a way out . . . "

In this case, though, she was "right behind it . . . writ[ing] the word
"SMILE" on the damp
dust on the back window"

If the /wrong SUV driver/ were picked on the wrong day, here's the math:

Escalade + gear shift selector moved to "R" + light tap on the accelerator
pedal = flattened Claire.

Though the intent might only be to scare her, the results could be
disastrous.

Total time required: about 3s

Neil

Neil Brooks said:

Bill Baka said:

I won't argue that Claire was playing it dangerous but then a
seriously [censored] soccer mom in a car would have to chase Claire
over bicycle territory which includes sidewalks, park paths, and
other car unfriendly places. As long as Claire had a way out I am
with her, just as long as she wasn't sandwiched between two cars with
both drivers with bad attitudes.

Dear Bill,

While I do note that you said, "As long as Claire had a way out . . . "

In this case, though, she was "right behind it . . . writ[ing] the word
"SMILE" on the damp
dust on the back window"

If the /wrong SUV driver/ were picked on the wrong day, here's the math:

Escalade + gear shift selector moved to "R" + light tap on the
accelerator
pedal = flattened Claire.

Though the intent might only be to scare her, the results could be
disastrous.

Total time required: about 3s

Neil

That is exactly why I try not to play vehicle except in left turn lanes.
On those you can easily keep up with the cars as they only get to about
10-15MPH turning. On a straight stretch I try to keep away.
Maybe Claire is just braver than I am.

--
Bill (not always politically correct) Baka

Wed, 17 Nov 2004 14:31:41 GMT,
<[email hidden]>,

Neil Brooks said:

- not every indignant Escalade driver, or (help me, Zoot: what're they
called? Scud ----'s) will be so temperate

Escalade drivers are a particularly vile sub-species of motorised
scumflake. I had one turn around to chase and menace me with their
slave cage simply because I told him his truck was ugly.

They're all stupid dangerous munglumps while smugly ensconced in their
weapon of choice for violently acting out their traffic tantrums.

Knowing that they're deadly stupid petty scum and after having been
backed into by a van, I'd not have put myself in Claire's position.
--
zk

Bill Baka said:

That is exactly why I try not to play vehicle except in left turn lanes.

"Play" vehicle? Bicycles are vehicles.

--

David L. Johnson

__o | Do not worry about your difficulties in mathematics, I can
_`\(,_ | assure you that mine are all greater. -- A. Einstein
(_)/ (_) |

Quoted message said:

Bill Baka

wrote

Quoted message said:

As long as Claire had a way out I am with her

So, what you're saying is that if you can get away with it, it's OK?

Odd bit of morality.

Bill, riding bent in Florida
(hence the screen name)

I may be old and fat, but by golly,

I'm Slow!

To e-mail, remove undies

On 17 Nov 2004 21:20:32 GMT, [email hidden] (FloridaBent)

wrote in message : said:

Quoted message said:

As long as Claire had a way out I am with her

Quoted message said:

So, what you're saying is that if you can get away with it, it's OK?
Odd bit of morality.

I may be missing something here, but since when was writing in the
dirt on the back of a mobile death greenhouse a moral issue?

Guy
--
May contain traces of irony. Contents liable to settle after posting.
http://www.chapmancentral.co.uk

88% of helmet statistics are made up, 65% of them at Washington University

FloridaBent said:

Quoted message said:

Bill Baka

wrote

Quoted message said:

As long as Claire had a way out I am with her

So, what you're saying is that if you can get away with it, it's OK?

Odd bit of morality.

Bill, riding bent in Florida
(hence the screen name)

I may be old and fat, but by golly,

I'm Slow!

To e-mail, remove undies

What morality? It sounds like the driver at least needed to be reminded to
wash the damn thing or Claire couldn't have drawn little smileys on it.

--
Bill (not always politically correct) Baka

Bill Baka said:

What morality? It sounds like the driver at least needed to be reminded to
wash the damn thing or Claire couldn't have drawn little smileys on it.

perhaps, but anytime you mess with someone else's property you're running
the risk of pissing them off. warranted or not. there was definitely
some risk involved. claire (probably knowingly) took that chance and
it was undoubtedly mitigated by there being kids.

to put it into perspective (for me anyway) .. if i did that to an annoyed
boise ford pickup driver i would run a good chance of having my ass handed
to me. but then again i'm male.
--
david reuteler
[email hidden]

David Reuteler said:

Bill Baka said:

What morality? It sounds like the driver at least needed to be reminded
to
wash the damn thing or Claire couldn't have drawn little smileys on it.

perhaps, but anytime you mess with someone else's property you're running
the risk of pissing them off. warranted or not. there was definitely
some risk involved. claire (probably knowingly) took that chance and
it was undoubtedly mitigated by there being kids.

to put it into perspective (for me anyway) .. if i did that to an annoyed
boise ford pickup driver i would run a good chance of having my ass
handed
to me. but then again i'm male.

Speaking as a male, I would probably just get off the bike and wait for
the guy to get out and justify me doing something. If I get whiffed by a
car it is an instant one finger salute and combat ready mode. One guy
almost took me up on it but figured I must be crazier than him so he
peeled out. When I am on the bike I take a dim view of those who risk MY
safety with their cage, also of dogs which I will turn around and chase
back into their yard. I haven't bitten a dog yet, but I haven't caught one
yet either.
My motorcycle rider handle was "Crazy Bill", go figure.

--
Bill (not always politically correct) Baka