There are two seasons in Minnesota...Winter and Road Construction. I heard that little bit of wit many years ago. It seems to be true. I have also heard it as two seasons...winter and mosquitoes. I am not sure which one of those is worse in Minnesota...mosquitoes, road construction, or winter. They each have their own unique outcomes. Mosquitoes can lead to itchiness, irritability, and possibly West Nile Virus. While West Nile Virus is a serious problem, I am already prone to itchiness and irritability, mostly due to the fact that I am a middle school teacher. Winter can lead to the dreaded ailment known as cabin fever, but it can also lead to frostbite, frozen pipes, and a general feeling of coldness (which dressing warmer often cures) that lasts for far too many months. Road construction leads to travel delays, tardiness for work , and road rage.
Road rage is a relatively new term. The term first appeared in the late 1980's after some highway shootings occurred in California. It is usually caused by a perceived slight from another driver that creates a desire to "get that guy" for doing that. It can also be caused by the notion that a road construction crew is not working their hardest or is deliberately trying to keep you from moving in your desired location. There are other causes too, but the thought for today is to remind you that highway construction is no reason to lose your cool. They are just people working on making the roads better. They have a job to do just like the rest of us. It would be a great stretch to come to the conclusion that road crews are not doing their best to earn a living while making better roads. So give them a break! Or a brake!
Lately there has been strategies shared to deal with road rage. As we head into construction and travel season it is a good idea to look at some ways to deal with the angries while driving. Just click here or here for some ideas.
On this day in history:
1184 BC...Troy is burned and sacked. It is rumored that the war started after some guy named Paris swerved to close to a guy named Menelaus while driving their chariots down I-70 West. If only they had checked out some of the strategies at the links above!
1517 AD...Sir Thomas Pert reaches Hudson Bay. He would have gotten there sooner but...you know...road construction.
1776 AD...The Continental Congress commissions the writing of the Declaration of Independence. Would have been done earlier in the year but the ink was frozen in a warehouse in Minnesota.
That is it for today. Slow down, enjoy the ride, and use some bug spray. It will make for a much more enjoyable summer!
Road rage is a relatively new term. The term first appeared in the late 1980's after some highway shootings occurred in California. It is usually caused by a perceived slight from another driver that creates a desire to "get that guy" for doing that. It can also be caused by the notion that a road construction crew is not working their hardest or is deliberately trying to keep you from moving in your desired location. There are other causes too, but the thought for today is to remind you that highway construction is no reason to lose your cool. They are just people working on making the roads better. They have a job to do just like the rest of us. It would be a great stretch to come to the conclusion that road crews are not doing their best to earn a living while making better roads. So give them a break! Or a brake!
Lately there has been strategies shared to deal with road rage. As we head into construction and travel season it is a good idea to look at some ways to deal with the angries while driving. Just click here or here for some ideas.
On this day in history:
1184 BC...Troy is burned and sacked. It is rumored that the war started after some guy named Paris swerved to close to a guy named Menelaus while driving their chariots down I-70 West. If only they had checked out some of the strategies at the links above!
1517 AD...Sir Thomas Pert reaches Hudson Bay. He would have gotten there sooner but...you know...road construction.
1776 AD...The Continental Congress commissions the writing of the Declaration of Independence. Would have been done earlier in the year but the ink was frozen in a warehouse in Minnesota.
That is it for today. Slow down, enjoy the ride, and use some bug spray. It will make for a much more enjoyable summer!
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