Fear is a four-letter word
Photo quote de jour
Last night I enjoyed myself a little too much: five goddess gals, one amazing resto, and three bottles of wine. I normally never drive if I've imbibed more than one drink, but we'd paced ourselves and I felt fine until I saw the flashing lights of a police cruiser behind me. I'd never been pulled over before and kept driving until I reached the red light at an intersection. I think it wise to turn off the blaring pop music and ruminate on a new sensation: frozen deer-in-the-headlights fear.
"Didn't you see me flash my lights?" said a young, very cute police officer. I played dumb and prayed to the DUI angels. "Do you have a driver's license?" So polite but firm. Easy does it. Stay calm, no fumbling, no blabbing. I've watched enough episodes of Cops to know what not to do. He goes to check if I'm wanted in thirty states, or worse. Visions of me walking a white line turn my palms damp. He returns, hands me back my license and says sweetly, "You've got a broken tail light. Get it fixed alright?"
"Thank-you, officer I will," I said as calm and poised as Bree Hodge of Desperate Housewives ( I'm far more like Susan). Two minutes later, I arrived home giddy with relief. I thanked my pantheon of gods and angels, and promised not to do a repeat performance. Fear is a double-edged sword. It can protect you in dangerous situations, or prevent you from going after your dreams. I say, feel the fear but move forward with courage, but not Dutch courage.
Fear can be a good motivator too. I found a handy dandy DUI calculator at DUI driving laws.org which calculates whether you've gone over the limit. Whew, it turns out I was under the .08 blood alcohol level, but good to know for next time.
Last night I enjoyed myself a little too much: five goddess gals, one amazing resto, and three bottles of wine. I normally never drive if I've imbibed more than one drink, but we'd paced ourselves and I felt fine until I saw the flashing lights of a police cruiser behind me. I'd never been pulled over before and kept driving until I reached the red light at an intersection. I think it wise to turn off the blaring pop music and ruminate on a new sensation: frozen deer-in-the-headlights fear.
"Didn't you see me flash my lights?" said a young, very cute police officer. I played dumb and prayed to the DUI angels. "Do you have a driver's license?" So polite but firm. Easy does it. Stay calm, no fumbling, no blabbing. I've watched enough episodes of Cops to know what not to do. He goes to check if I'm wanted in thirty states, or worse. Visions of me walking a white line turn my palms damp. He returns, hands me back my license and says sweetly, "You've got a broken tail light. Get it fixed alright?"
"Thank-you, officer I will," I said as calm and poised as Bree Hodge of Desperate Housewives ( I'm far more like Susan). Two minutes later, I arrived home giddy with relief. I thanked my pantheon of gods and angels, and promised not to do a repeat performance. Fear is a double-edged sword. It can protect you in dangerous situations, or prevent you from going after your dreams. I say, feel the fear but move forward with courage, but not Dutch courage.
Fear can be a good motivator too. I found a handy dandy DUI calculator at DUI driving laws.org which calculates whether you've gone over the limit. Whew, it turns out I was under the .08 blood alcohol level, but good to know for next time.
Posted by Layla Morgan Wilde at 5/7/2010 9:56 AM 
Categories: Nature, Photography, Spirituality
Tags: COPS iris fence DUI driving laws.org fear is four-letter word
Categories: Nature, Photography, Spirituality
Tags: COPS iris fence DUI driving laws.org fear is four-letter word
WEll I hate to tell you but I did laugh at you getting pulled over. I think I would have had a heart attack right there or more likely would have wet my britches. Sure am glad your tail light was busted. How lucky can you get. Good job.
Look at your Iris. They are gorgeous. Mine are about gone.
How is that Domino doing??? Did he ever have a meeting with the vet???
Have a great week end Layla.
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Marg, glad you got a chuckle. I'll blog about Domino tomorrow.
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Whew, you're lucky and I bet you'll be more careful next time! Pretty pics.
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Thanks, it was a wake-up call.
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“I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear... And when it is gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear is gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.” Frank Herbert, Dune
lol You have no idea how many times a week I'm reciting this in my head... and I don't even drive! :o) wishing you laughter, dearheart
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Do you have a fear of driving?
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Fear miscalculates so often, it's a wonder we ever listen to it. Glad this story had a happy ending.
Also: Isn't it wonderful that whatever happens, one can always write about it?
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True, but often the best stuff stays in the vault.
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Whew, you're lucky and I bet you'll be more careful next time! Pretty pics.
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Definitely!
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(...as you find spring in your step, here we are set for our fall
I'm not a fan of running that gauntlet when it comes to DUI - I'm not the best driver under sober conditions so for me it is a generally advisable course of action to avoid commanding a vehicle while tipsy.
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I agree. What's interesting is one can feel impaired while driving well under the legal limit. Everyone has to know their own threshold.
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