How Was The Commute Today, or rather, How I Did Survive The Many Perils To Life And Limb During The Harrowing Four-Mile Journey:

Around the corner from my house, I ride along the edge of a long, narrow park. The street is narrow, not quite two lanes. I came up to a car that was going very slowly and not particularly straight. My first thought is that the driver is drunk. As I got up to his wheel to pass, I noticed that he was reading a paperback! I waited for him at the next stop sign and yelled through the window, "Hey, close the book and pay attention to driving!"

Sheesh.

Okay, about a mile from there, I hit 21st Street a straight, three lane shot across Midtown. I don't see it, but I can smell burning oil and hear a loud buzzing. It sounded like a poorly tuned chain saw engine. Which it was, attached to a scooter with a pimply-faced teenager on it. I pulled along side and said--in a friendly way--"Is that as fast as that thing goes?"

Unfortunately, I think I startled Pimply-Faced Scooter Teen and when he turned to look at me, he veered slightly. So, now I'm having to veer towards the center lane and traffic. I just shook my head, shifted into the big ring, and dropped PFST. And I was so hoping for a bit of a race to the office!

Oh, and then once in Midtown, I had to dodge an oblivious cell-phone talker.

But now I'm here, safe and intact.