Have you ever noticed how people do many embarrassing things in their cars, surrounded by windows, yet don't think anyone can see them? I've pondered (and been caught doing some crazy things) this phenomenon for years, and have dubbed it "The Car Effect."
On my way home from work today, I was stopped at a stop light, and happened to look over at the driver next to me. I caught them just as they were going to town picking their nose. Gross, right? Well, I was horrified and disgusted, yet managed to laugh a little at the driver, when they looked over and saw that I had caught them. Yeah, that's right, you're surrounded by windows. I CAN SEE YOU!!
I usually get caught rockin' out in my car. Once, I was again at a stop light, singing along to "Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen. Now, thanks to "Wayne's World", I don't think anyone can hear this song in their car without dancing along, and I am no exception. Sure enough, when I got to the big crescendo at the end, I looked at the car next to me, and received a round of applause. Oh well, at least they enjoyed it.
On another occasion, I was riding in a friend's car, when a particularly poigniant Chicago song from the 80's came on the radio. How can you resist the warblings of a Peter Cetera lead Chicago when there is such angst within the song? Naturally, I chose to sing to the other passengers, only to see that a car passing us on the freeway was full of people laughing their asses off at my emotional rendition of the song. They were probably just jealous they were listening to some other crap.
So, what have you seen or done in a car when you think no one's looking? Hey, guess what? I guarantee you someone's watching.
Showing posts with label embarassing moments. Show all posts
Showing posts with label embarassing moments. Show all posts
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Friday, August 1, 2008
Tips for the clumsy in nature
For those who know me, this will come as no surprise. I am clumsy. I came into this world that way, so I've had lots of practice in refining my technique, especially when it comes to falling.
As a kid, I seemingly always had a skinned knee. If you look closely at my legs now, they are an assortment of scars from previous falls. In fact, I have very little nerve remaining in my right knee, because I skinned it once before it healed from a previous skinning. What can I say, when you're talented, you're talented!
Earlier this week, a colleague of mine came into work with bandages on his hands and knees. Not only did he proceed to show me his wounds (gross), he felt the need to tell me what happened. Apparently, he was out for a morning run (ew), and bit it. As he fell, he used his hands to catch himself, and scraped them up, along with his knee.
After the story, I proceeded to critique his falling technique. One thing I've learned in my years of gracelessness is just how to fall so I have minimal impact. There are ways to fall where you only scrape one area, not 2 or 3. It's all a matter of leaning this way or that. Sort of like when you are driving and start to skid on the ice. If you turn into the skid, it actually helps you straighten out. It's a matter of scientific fact.
Also, when falling in front of an audience (and really, when isn't there an audience when you fall?), it is important to take a final bow once it's established you have survived your fall. Not only does that prove to the looky-lou's that you are okay, it shows that you have taken ownership over the situation, and can laugh at yourself.
Today I had the opportunity to utilize some of my Clumsy Skills. It rained for the first time in awhile, and I had flip flops on while walking to lunch. I had to climb some stairs (stairs are very tricksy when you are clumsy), and slid on some bricks. I was able to prevent myself from falling (ha! Score 1 for the tall clumsy lady), and was able to get back down the stairs again after lunch without issue. I didn't have to use any of my more refined skills, but rest assured, I was prepared in the event they were needed.
So, if you find yourself to be a smidge on the clumsy side, I hope some of the tips I've provided will be of service to you in your future falls, because there will definitely be other falls.
As a kid, I seemingly always had a skinned knee. If you look closely at my legs now, they are an assortment of scars from previous falls. In fact, I have very little nerve remaining in my right knee, because I skinned it once before it healed from a previous skinning. What can I say, when you're talented, you're talented!
Earlier this week, a colleague of mine came into work with bandages on his hands and knees. Not only did he proceed to show me his wounds (gross), he felt the need to tell me what happened. Apparently, he was out for a morning run (ew), and bit it. As he fell, he used his hands to catch himself, and scraped them up, along with his knee.
After the story, I proceeded to critique his falling technique. One thing I've learned in my years of gracelessness is just how to fall so I have minimal impact. There are ways to fall where you only scrape one area, not 2 or 3. It's all a matter of leaning this way or that. Sort of like when you are driving and start to skid on the ice. If you turn into the skid, it actually helps you straighten out. It's a matter of scientific fact.
Also, when falling in front of an audience (and really, when isn't there an audience when you fall?), it is important to take a final bow once it's established you have survived your fall. Not only does that prove to the looky-lou's that you are okay, it shows that you have taken ownership over the situation, and can laugh at yourself.
Today I had the opportunity to utilize some of my Clumsy Skills. It rained for the first time in awhile, and I had flip flops on while walking to lunch. I had to climb some stairs (stairs are very tricksy when you are clumsy), and slid on some bricks. I was able to prevent myself from falling (ha! Score 1 for the tall clumsy lady), and was able to get back down the stairs again after lunch without issue. I didn't have to use any of my more refined skills, but rest assured, I was prepared in the event they were needed.
So, if you find yourself to be a smidge on the clumsy side, I hope some of the tips I've provided will be of service to you in your future falls, because there will definitely be other falls.
Friday, July 25, 2008
Reason #2 to Love the Oregon State Police
This week heralded in the last of our summer orientation events. Monday evening, I was driving to the dinner section of the event across campus, and was distracted by the car in front of me almost turning into (and smooshing) a man crossing the street in the wheelchair. Concern for the close call is the only explanation I have for what happened next.
When I got to the stop sign after the near accident, I noticed an Oregon State Police (OSP) officer car across the street at the stop sign. I tried to see if the driver was one of the officers I knew before turning. Soon after I turned, I had a brief concern that either my blinker had gone off too soon, or I hadn't actually used it. Whoops.
I didn't think about this again until later at dinner, when one of my friendly OSP officers comes into the dining center, and asks me to read a page of his rule book. I was more than mortified when I saw he was pointing out that the fine for not using your blinker at a stop sign is $94.00. Looks like I forgot to use my blinker after all.
The officer laughed at me, and told me I was lucky that he liked me and chose not to notice my blatant disregard for the law right in front of him. I tried to humbly laugh off the event, and graciously thank my new BFF for letting this slide. One thing you should know is that people not using their blinkers is one of my biggest pet peeves in driving. Seriously, how hard is it to indicate to others which direction you are going? I always use my blinker, so I really have no idea how I forgot this time. Naturally the time I forget is when law enforcement is there to witness the whole thing.
Thankfully, I have a good rapport with OSP. If I didn't, I would currently be $94.00 poorer.
When I got to the stop sign after the near accident, I noticed an Oregon State Police (OSP) officer car across the street at the stop sign. I tried to see if the driver was one of the officers I knew before turning. Soon after I turned, I had a brief concern that either my blinker had gone off too soon, or I hadn't actually used it. Whoops.
I didn't think about this again until later at dinner, when one of my friendly OSP officers comes into the dining center, and asks me to read a page of his rule book. I was more than mortified when I saw he was pointing out that the fine for not using your blinker at a stop sign is $94.00. Looks like I forgot to use my blinker after all.
The officer laughed at me, and told me I was lucky that he liked me and chose not to notice my blatant disregard for the law right in front of him. I tried to humbly laugh off the event, and graciously thank my new BFF for letting this slide. One thing you should know is that people not using their blinkers is one of my biggest pet peeves in driving. Seriously, how hard is it to indicate to others which direction you are going? I always use my blinker, so I really have no idea how I forgot this time. Naturally the time I forget is when law enforcement is there to witness the whole thing.
Thankfully, I have a good rapport with OSP. If I didn't, I would currently be $94.00 poorer.
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