So, picture this. I am riding my bike on the wrong side of the road. On the left. The reason I am doing so is because the sidewalk is there and it looks inviting, so instead of crossing over as I should have, I just stick to the sidewalk. Less cars, more safety. Then, I see a runner heading my way. Naturally, I assume that it is easier for him to go around me than me around him. After all, I am biking (slightly) uphill, feeling awkward, and he is running (slightly) down hill and not awkward in the least. In fact, he looks quite confident. I have a very sweet, southern girl smile on my face--its obvious I'm not a real "biker", and to be quite honest--i probably look awkward. He keeps running straight for me...as if he doesn't see me. But I know he sees me. We keep moving towards each other and I can't figure out how to get off the sidewalk without moving into oncoming traffic. Me and my wobbly bike finally meet the runner and as I brush past him, I say "sorry!", but he doesn't even hear me because he's scolding me! "Wrong side of the road!" he yells. well, excuse me Mr. Runner man!
Like a good girl I quickly made my way over to the other side. As I continued to ride, though, I felt this pit in my stomach; like I was a little 5 year old girl who'd just been slapped on the wrist for talking when I wasn't supposed to. Then I started thinking of some friends of mine (who remain unnamed) who might have acted differently in the given situation. Those unnamed friends would probably think to themselves, "what a tight-wad! I can ride where I want to! It's a free country!" I, on the other hand, wonders if he just might call the bicycle direction police and I will get a knock on my door an hour later with a citation!!
Soooo, here's what I am thinking. I need to "ride on the wrong side of the road" more often; i.e. break the rules sometimes. And if for some reason, I get scolded...well, it is what it is....
Otherwise, I am going to end up like Mr. runner man, or even worse--trying so hard not to "mess up" for the rest of my life that I miss the fun of it altogether.
Cause life is fun. and these women are having fun.
I wish someone would have taken a picture of you riding your bike for that blog! I think I know who would have said something to that freak of nature! I'm sorry he was a jerk to you! Maybe you should try to go biking at the same time on the same day and then you will run into him again! Then, you can just follow him home and ride around in his front yard and make him really angry! Hahaha
ReplyDeleteThat's right, Annie!! Hahaha, this is funny. I don't know if we've ever talked about this, Bri, but what you're talking about is one of the things I feel I picked up from Dad and it might take some practice, but you might find you enjoy a new take on situations like this. Dad had this attitude of, "Well, I know those are the 'rules,' but are you sure they really apply to me?";-) (wink, wink, salesman suave) "Let's talk about this. Who will really be hurt if we don't do this 'exactly' like the book?" "Really?" And then if that person doesn't see eye-to-eye with you on it, you walk away and say something under your breath like, "Well, excusez-moi, Mr. Tight Pants. Didn't mean to ruin your life, there" and have a little laugh about it. Not that you would have stopped this man to have a conversation, but hypothetically speaking, of course. Or you could always go with making a U-ee, following him and singing, "You are my sunshine" in the loudest possible voice for about a mile.
ReplyDeleteI love both of those ideas, y'all!!! And I can totally see dad saying what you wrote, Les. "are you really sure they apply to me?" sooooo sauve...
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing Bri! I love that you are focused on keeping Dominica in your heart. Keep riding on the wrong side of the road and enjoy living life!
ReplyDeleteOh sister!! I love it!!! I wish I could have been with you to give him my two cents! I would have been like "excuse me sir, can I see the handbook that you're referring to that says bikes aren't allowed over here?!" (regardless of the fact that somewhere there probably is something that states this). Come on people! We're all outside to enjoy the same things! Losen up!! Go get 'em Bri!! Love you! Let's dominate the roads in Lopez!!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Bri, we miss you!
ReplyDeleteThe hard part about this is I know where you got your "rule keeping"----from your oc, ultra conservative raised mama!! PLEASE, YES, practice breaking those rules when it really doesn't matter, and KNOW, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that your rights and ideas are just as important or better than the other guys. Humility is a virtue, but slapping yourself around is NOT! Believe in yourself in Every way, Miss Daughter of the King!
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