Slip-slidin' Away

The first winter "storm" of the season came yesterday -- and with it arrived my first official view of the two types of drivers that inhabit the Dallas/Ft. Worth Metroplex -- I'll get to them in a moment.

First, about the "storm"...this "icy anomaly", which was miniscule on my scale of storms (you have to consider that I've lived in both Minnesota and Illinois before, so this was really not much of a storm), became a big deal because of two primary factors, which will follow with commentary:

• Factor#1 -- Sand v. Salt. In the south, all the roads are made of concrete, which expands and contracts differently than the asphalt commonly used in the northern states. As a result, salt is not used to "de-ice" roadways. Instead, sand -- yes, sand -- is used to "de-ice" and provide traction. It is my contention that this only causes dirty cars and 'road-grit' and actually does little to effect the overall driving conditions of the roadways. *sigh*
  
• Factor #2 -- Idiots. They're everywhere down here...especially when it's raining, snowing or sleeting. I'm not referring to your average, everyday driving fools, but the folks that seem to think that because they're in a 2-ton SUV that they are impervious to the conditions and drive as such. Unfortunately, they couldn't be further from that notion and are more than likely the first to end up in the ditch, smushed into the guardrail or sideswiping your car as they slide across all lanes of traffic when they hit their brakes and the invisible layer of ice beneath their tires...grrrrr.

Nevertheless, I made it to play rehearsal last night although it took me 35 minutes to go 10 miles. Why? Because I was cautious and drove as the conditions called for. And, I made it to work this afternoon (because the office was closed in the morning to wait for a thaw of sorts) just fine...

Living here is different, and it's only December...