Have you seen the new TV commercials for the Volkswagen Jetta? They show people driving along, talking about random stuff when, suddenly, WHAM! they are hit (usually from the side) by another vehicle. Unlike the image of crash-testing above, the ads feature quite realistic depictions of real-life wrecks. The drivers and passengers always walk away just fine, with the message being "Safe happens" and we should all be driving Jettas. While most of us won't be rushing out to buy Jettas, it is a reminder of the fragile nature of the balance between physics, driving, stupidity and objects colliding.
Wednesday evening after work, I was driving my normal route home when another reminder came crashing into my consciousness. After the light turned green I heard a pop behind me. The vehicle three cars back accelerated too quickly, smashing the car in front of it, which in turn bonked the car in front of it, which was the car directly behind me. Had the closest driver not left some space between me and him, I would have also gotten a bump from behind. Not my idea of a good time, I assure you.
The two cars affected most were smashed up pretty good. The instigator's hood was thrown up in a tangled mess. The car in front of him no longer had a usable trunk. The third driver just lost a little bit of paint off his bumper. I didn't see the accident until after the pop, so I drove home stirred but not shaken. Be careful out there, people! None of us are immune to the inattentativeness, stupidity, recklessness, high-speed motorized antics of idiots – and normal people like us – on the road. Accidents happen.
Part of the reason I wanted the car we bought was the safety equipment. There are six airbags in the car. I hope they are never tested.
Some other quick random thoughts:
• Have you heard "The Star-Spangled Banner" sung in Spanish yet? I don't know that I'm all that offended by it. Anyone singing it is less likely to be an illegal immigrant, but rather someone applying for or having received citizenship, or even a naturalized citizen of Hispanic descent. President Bush would like it sung only in English, but I think that's just silly (he may be from Texas, but he lived in a different world from mine). Officially, the National Anthem is sung in English and should be. Unofficially, isn't it beautiful to hear it in another language? I think so often, such as at sporting events, the song has lost its meaning. Someone who cares enough to translate it has analyzed every word for the appropriate corresponding word in their tongue (if only fleetingly). Your homework assignment: sing the anthem in Pig Latin.
• Though many of you are not or at least won't admit to being fans of the TV show "Survivor," I do enjoy it. My thinking is it's a game show with chicks in bikinis, and that is never bad. The only other place to see that regularly seems to be on Spanish-language TV stations (see paragraph above). Well, I thought it was quite hilarious that the last castaway voted off was valued for her annoyingness. Schemers were hoping to take her to the final two (with each schemer hoping to be the other member of the dynamic duo) because nobody could stand her. It was another's plan to foil their plans that sent her packing. The moral to the story has two sides: either be annoying so people will keep you around, or be annoying because you'll be allowed to leave sooner.
• April was a busy month full of family fun, trips aplenty, etc. etc. The Petite Filet is in Ohio (Longaberger Basket Country!) until Monday. Of course, that means it has rained a lot here and the dog is filthy and stinky (surpassing my own smell). Has happened every time she goes somewhere. It's my turn to take a trip, but I have no idea where to go. Figures.
Yeah, I've noticed those commercials too. I'll stick with my Acura thank you.
Those commercials are so disturbing. But they're like a car wreck ... I can't look away. I guess they aren't "like" a car wreck, they ARE a car wreck. How many times can I say car wreck in this comment?
I love Survivor too. I think Terry is hands-down the best Survivor contestent ever!
Car wreck. Sorry, I had to do it!
Sung in pig latin. Hmmm. That might even be worth trying and video taping.
Those commercials freak me out. I can't watch them.