Winter Driving in the City

I just completed the first stage of another winter drive to the Big Smoke.  My mission is to see my doctor and get a physical and ask some questions; maybe get a quick cursory search for melanoma.  One of the dangers of a single life is that I only know the part of my body I can see.  

The drive took a about two and a half podcasts.  I cleared out my Skeptically Speaking and started my AstronomyCast.  The drive took a little longer with the snow.  I had been a little worried as the weather forecast had a storm that was going to start overnight and last through the morning.  So I was a bit anxious.  Anxiety meant that when I went to bed before 10pm I could not actually get any sleep despite being tired.  I usually always worry when I have a trip to Big Smoke because I am not a good driver.  That perception might actually make me a better driver than some of the people on the road.  

Being a poor driver means that I do not take many risks and I watch the road more and check my mirrors all they time; I do not get complacent.  Complacency leads to accidents for me, rather it leads nearly to accidents as I still have a completely clean record.  I am actually a Worse driver with other people in the car.  To near accidents with GardenerGuru in the car.  She alerted me to what she thought was a squirrel trying to cross the highway once and once I got distracted talking with her and did not comprehend that an aggressive driver was about to commit suicide by trying to squeeze his car between me and a transport.

Today the highways were not bone dry and I had to keep the wipers on more.  There was light traffic until within one hundred kilometers, but that is normal, still I am not used to driving in Big Smoke bound rush hour traffic, I thought it was all light, but there were a few slow downs and complete stops, mostly when trying to get on the 401.  I did have one laugh though, at the expense of one driver.  Typical aggressive male driver trying to weave and bob to get on place ahead in the line of cars.  Eventually he settled down and chose a lane, mine all his trying to get ahead earned him no better than he started with.  Later he changed lanes to get two car lengths ahead, and I passed him a minute later.  Patience is always the best policy.  

When driving in poor weather in the city, it is best to plan ahead, I left an hour early for example.  When I was in the supper highway I chose the left most lane, knowing that when the exit came I would be in the best place and when we merged, I would not have to change lanes for almost two kilometers.  Giving yourself a chance to relax in crappy stressful driving is a chance most people don't get.  Another benefit is that when you are early you can let people in a head of you and that gives you a good feeling as well, contributing to your now good feelings.  Good feelings while driving in the city in a snow storm, take advantage of that when ever you can.

I arrived early, despite the hassle of parking, which I planned ahead of time but had to change because the parking lot changed.  Oh well not a big deal, something had to go wrong.

Now I get to start my return trip, could be worse, all the people will be tired!