Spill It Session #4

I am a pretty mild-mannered woman. It takes a lot to get my panties in a knot. But I do have one big pet peeve that leaves me seething: tailgating. When I have a driver bearing down on my car, inches from my bumper, I have to work really hard not to get out and go postal in the middle of the road.

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I think it began when I was in my twenties, living in Utah. I was on my way to work, and it was still dark. I was the only car on the road except for the pickup behind me. We were both going the speed limit- 55. Suddenly, a herd of elk began crossing the road in front of my car. I slammed on my brakes to avoid the gigantic animals, and I somehow managed to miss them all. But, the driver of the truck was unable to keep himself from plowing into my car because he was following too closely.

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Fast forward to five years ago when I began to chauffeur my baby girl around. My fear of anything happening to her combined with my past experience to make me virtually intolerant of tailgaters. I have been known to call the police when confronted with a particularly aggressive driver. The world is a dangerous enough place, I just don't see how some people think it's ok to selfishly crank all of the odds up so many notches.

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Whew- my rant is over! We all have things that make our blood pressure rise a little, right? Please, share your pet peeve in the comments... let's vent!!!

Spill It Session #3

There I am: the skinny, pimply, awkward 9th grade new girl in town. Virginia Beach, Virginia. First week of high school. Dressed out for PE. Running the track. As far from the door to get back in the gym as it's possible to be. A seagull passing overhead takes aim, fires. Nails it. A giant, runny white splotch lands on my head. Not the back of my head. Or the side. Nope. Right in front.

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In a shocked stupor, I jog the rest of the way around the track with my hand on my head- looking like I'm in some sort of swoon, I'd imagine. Running inside without even asking permission, I tried my hardest to wash the gunk out of my hair in the bathroom sink before anyone could figure out what I was doing.

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I foresaw some kind of scene out of Carrie...all the kids pointing and shrieking as I walked down the hall. In actuality, there was only mild ribbing. To my shocked surprise, I did not come away from this incident with any permanent nickname or mental illness. Still, over 25 years later, I count it up there as one of my most embarrassing moments. We all have them, right? Please, oh please, leave a comment and share one of yours!