(no subject)

Riding a bicycle... it used to be fun, and nothing else. But, you know, that was back before you realized that riding it to get somewhere (and on the road, where you're legally required to be) means exposing yourself to many strangers, any one of whom might decide to do something stupid that can kill you.

I'm learning to ignore it, but if/when I'm in traffic, and have to be passed many times, I'm going to be nervous.

Do I sound paranoid? Maybe I am. I was coming up to a railroad crossing, and, just as I was coming even with the lights, they started flashing. I slammed on my brakes (so to speak, but they are cantilever brakes, and very good), and waited... about 20 seconds later, the gates came down, and I was sitting there for probably three minutes.

Okay, but, see, if Something Had Gone Wrong, I could end up knocked silly and on the tracks. One of my rules is that most safety guidelines aren't for 'normal' times, they're for emergencies, and you never know when an emergency will show up.

(I did decide that I should have run the lights, though... because if I'd been a bit closer, and hit the brakes too hard, *THAT* was more likely to throw me on the tracks, whereas even if I left the bike along the way, odds are momentum would teach me new definitions of pain, but also get me past the tracks.)

If you want an explanation of ADHD-style thinking, BTW, you've just had an example... you don't think I could really just stop at a train crossing, and never think about it again, did you?

Time to go home... hopefully, my internet access will be up by Saturday. *FINALLY*, they're sending out a tech, based upon a "failed installation". It only took them, what three weeks to say "wait, you've NEVER been up? That's a failed installation, then", even after I asked them to send someone out.

I suppose the level of stupidity shouldn't really surprise me at this point.

I'm still betting it's the DHCP server. I don't think the poor tech will be prepared for a spontaneous victory dance and a request that he take a CD of me saying "I TOLD YOU SO YOU MORON!" around to everyone I've dealt with in this matter.

(no subject)

Riding a bicycle... it used to be fun, and nothing else. But, you know, that was back before you realized that riding it to get somewhere (and on the road, where you're legally required to be) means exposing yourself to many strangers, any one of whom might decide to do something stupid that can kill you.

I'm learning to ignore it, but if/when I'm in traffic, and have to be passed many times, I'm going to be nervous.

Do I sound paranoid? Maybe I am. I was coming up to a railroad crossing, and, just as I was coming even with the lights, they started flashing. I slammed on my brakes (so to speak, but they are cantilever brakes, and very good), and waited... about 20 seconds later, the gates came down, and I was sitting there for probably three minutes.

Okay, but, see, if Something Had Gone Wrong, I could end up knocked silly and on the tracks. One of my rules is that most safety guidelines aren't for 'normal' times, they're for emergencies, and you never know when an emergency will show up.

(I did decide that I should have run the lights, though... because if I'd been a bit closer, and hit the brakes too hard, *THAT* was more likely to throw me on the tracks, whereas even if I left the bike along the way, odds are momentum would teach me new definitions of pain, but also get me past the tracks.)

If you want an explanation of ADHD-style thinking, BTW, you've just had an example... you don't think I could really just stop at a train crossing, and never think about it again, did you?

Time to go home... hopefully, my internet access will be up by Saturday. *FINALLY*, they're sending out a tech, based upon a "failed installation". It only took them, what three weeks to say "wait, you've NEVER been up? That's a failed installation, then", even after I asked them to send someone out.

I suppose the level of stupidity shouldn't really surprise me at this point.

I'm still betting it's the DHCP server. I don't think the poor tech will be prepared for a spontaneous victory dance and a request that he take a CD of me saying "I TOLD YOU SO YOU MORON!" around to everyone I've dealt with in this matter.