You want to see me sweat? Talk to me during a time when I think we are supposed to be quiet. That makes me more nervous than you can imagine. Apparently, quite a few people out there don't mind talking during presentations or outside a classroom door or any of the other thousands of places I think I need to be quiet. I can truly feel my heart start to beat faster.
My new worst nightmare? These red light cameras. Do you all have these where you live? They are installed at intersections to take photos of cars that are still in the intersection when the light turns red. You are then mailed a ticket a few weeks later since they can track you by your license plate that has been photographed. They are very controversial and also quite the little money making device for localities.
Now I am not in the practice of running red lights. Oh no. That would go far against my practice of following the rules. But, you know how you barely get into the intersection and then the light changes? And how some intersections are wide enough that you don't truly have time to follow the speed limit and make it all the way through if the light does change? That is what unnerves me.So, I find myself slowing to a crawl as I approach these intersections. I'm willing the light to change so I can stop and then go when it turns green. I'm getting so slow I'll never make it through now. Or I'll have to gun it to get through.
It must be quite the comedy to watch me driving near these places. What with all the slowing down and speeding up and sweat pouring off my face. It's all about the timing. Reminds me of trying to run into the jump rope when other people were turning it when I was a child. I never could get the timing right on that either. I'm an uncoordinated rule follower.
Oh well. If you see some poor middle-aged woman trying to figure out how to get through the intersection, that would be me. You can laugh. Just don't talk to me if it looks like we need to be quiet.
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110 comments:
Haha, I am the same way! I used to get SO nervous during "Quiet hours" at college...man, my friends probably thought I was nuts! haha!!
please don't become like my grandfather. he completely stops at green lights sometimes.
I am the same way about bicyclists--they make me so nervous I do really stupid things, like almost cut them off. I just shudder when one gets too close to me. It makes me want to yell out the window--Get a car, buddy!
One of my pet peeves, and I have a LOT, is people talking to me in church when somebody is in front speaking or trying to give a lesson...etc. Number 1..it's very rude...and Number 2...I know who you are and number 3 ... I try not to sit by you when I go to church.
Raising my hand--me, did you call on me? Want to make sure before I comment. Could be someone else's turn to talk. Yes, I too am a rule follower! Those new lights will be the death of me! I am even worried about how to do make a right turn on red in the presence of the camera! Though I am fairly certain it is not watching. What if I my stop isn't long enough?
I mostly follow the rules. The speed limit is hard for me.
My husband hates the bike...they have their own lane here, and are never in it.
Rules are okay to follow at times..
My little one yells stop sign when we see one..
Happy Monday.
Oh, the whole talking when you shouldn't be talking thing gets to me too! I can totally relate to what you said about your heart racing and stuff. I hate thinking that I might get "in trouble."
I hope you will still be my friend..I am not a rule follower..I make my own rules..in many instances..but I do follow the law..especially on the road..the lights, the speed, the turning..funny thing is..I get along so well with rule followers..I think its the yin and the yang of it all..!
I don't like when people talk to me in those places either. But then-what if the person trying to talk to me gets angry? Or think I'm a snob? Should I try and talk to them to prevent that? It's a serious quandry.
I loved reading this post. My husband calls me the safety patrol (you know, the kids who stood in the middle of the halls making sure everyone followed the rules) and as an adult I am petrified of rule-breaking. My husband was asked to stop taking pictures in a museum exhibit (with clear markers all around that photographs were not permitted). I barely talked to him the rest of the time I was so upset about "getting in trouble."
I am a total rule follower too; however, when I got divorced...I broke a few :) and it was fun. But back to rule following now.
I am not really a rule follower. I see rules as guidelines. Maybe we could learn a thing or two from each other!
I'll watch for you> most likely as I blow through...even as a teacher, I tend to be a rule...BENDER.
Those cameras make me nervous too...don't like 'em they make me kind of paranoid although I rarely speed and never go thru red lights which I guess really does make me paranoid :)
I am a rule follower also. I get mad when other drivers don't follow the traffic rules. For example, there is a "no left turn" sign in front of my daughter's school, but some parents turn left anyway. Makes me want to roll my window down and shout at them! GRRR!
I am a rule follower.
I think it's so stressful most of the time. I can relate.
love how you tied this post together.
I have never been a risk taker. I'm always afraid I will go to jail. I probably will someday.
I have to admit I don't always follow the rules! Speeding a little bit is one of my vices. But when it comes to being quiet at a presentation or a movie, it really irks me when people do not do that! Why are you there if you have no interest in listening?
I was caught by one of those photo enforced cameras at a traffic light before. It stinks! You receive your surprise traffic ticket in the mail that says, "Hey, you're a loser. Driver slower next time." Or something to that effect. You even have a video of your violation. Oh yesss indeed, my husband had a grand time sending out my video of me running a red light to all of our family members to see. Just don't do it Debbie!
niiice. thanks for the morning smile--
i think we may be related.
You totally made me laugh out loud. I could just imagine you trying to get through the intersection.
I am a rule bender for sure...I can get you through that intersection...I will even push you!! LOL!!
Hugs
SueAnn
Rules are okay to follow. Sometimes ;-)
My wife is a big rule follower, and the green light thing must happen to a lot of people. She slows down every time she approaches one.
I kind of bury my head and say, "Do you know how many people behind us you are making mad right now?"
You never fail to make me laugh! I'm exactly the opposite - always have thought rules were meant to be broken. Except traffic laws, and other laws - I am a LAW follower, just not a rule follower!
Do you fold your hands when you sit?
Then it's Catholic School syndrome....
I am a rule foller most of the time. But I toss aside the rules when it suits me--like if I get a blog award. I refuse to try to think up 25 interesting things about me that no one else knows; and I hate having to single out bloggers to pass the awrds on to--most of the blogs I follow are deserving!
Thank heavens we do not have those where I live!
This is so hysterical because
A) I actually got mad at the people in front of me on the flight from Chicago to Lexington for talking through the flight attendant's demonstration of the safety devices...even though said flight attendant seemed pretty unfazed and
B) I believe that yellow means "go faster". My husband believes that yellow means "come to a complete halt wherever you are." Every time he does it, I look in the rear view mirror to see if we are about to get rear-ended (which would actually be fine because he's wrecked my car twice in the front, resulting in new front bumpers. Mama needs a new back bumper now). In a city where everyone guns it through the yellow lights (even though we are also on camera), screeching to a halt on a yellow light is a dangerous practice. But congrats on never changing lanes in the middle of an intersection...also illegal and unknown (at least in KY).
Add me to the list of rule followers here, it can be sooo stressful to be us lol
I am a rule follower, too. It is either black or white. There are no gray areas.
A little late, but stopping by via Follow Friday. I'm your newest follower! Hope you decide to visit me also at http://sincerelyjenni.com
I hear you, my husband and esp. my mom in law are major rule followers. Go live in a place like NYC for awhile and you learn that certain rules are meant to be broken (ie: jay walking) Or you'd NEVER get anywhere :).
But, at least you are a respectable person, much better than the obnoxious rule breakers!!!
Cameron
www.conquerthemonkey.com
I follow the law especially on the road.That's for sure.
But there are some other rules where I am not good at following.
Happy Monday/week
Betty xx
Oh god, I laughed so hard reading the redlight camera part, because I just got a perfect mental picture!
Uh-oh! I would be in SO much trouble if we had these stop light thingys in KY. Good luck to you!
Ha Ha!
It's a good thing you don't live up north because of the whole rule thing. I tend to make my own rules when there is snow or ice on the streets. I try not to stop. ever. I know that if my little car stops, it may get moving again without assistance. I dread approaching a stop sign when another car is coming because, of course, I MUST stop. This is why I carry a shovel in my trunk.
My Grandmother got a ticket once, for going too slow! And at traffic school when they were asked to talk about things that other drivers do that makes them upset, she said she gets upset when everyone honks and yells at her...for going toooo slow! :)
Hang in there. I'll wait patiently behind you if you slow up for the camera lights.
Alex aka Ma What's For Dinner
www.mawhats4dinner.com
i am with you. i get way too nervous about being "in trouble."
Don't ever sit next to me in a class, or presentation, or at church... because I will giggle... and then laugh... and maybe not even be able to stop! LOL! I am a rule follower 50% of the time...I break rules sometimes ... I don't mean to... I just do! =) I hate those intersections too!! Fun post!
Thanks for visiting my blog today?!
Just Jenn~
Hi Debbie - just wanted to let you know that I'm officially back on my blog! Yay I've missed everyone.
I don't get nervous at 'quiet times' but get soooooooooo peed off when other people talk...cinemas, speeches, memorials etc - grrrr!
lol rules are made to be broken but sometimes we just have to stick to them :)
I'm totally with you on the rules. And I don't think I've EVER broken a law, not even a teeny one...
OMG, I can relate! Yes, we have those horrible red light camera thingies. UGHHHH!!!! Sometimes I'll go out of my way to avoid those areas so that I don't have to worry. It's funny because when I get to a "red light" at those red light camers, I'm actually happy because I'm at a stop. How silly is that? And when I see the "flash, flash, flash" of the camera on the other side of the road as cars zoom by, makes me nervous just thinking about it!!
Totally hate those lights!!
ME TOO. I get all nervous and sweaty when people talk when they're supposed to be quiet. And thankfully, these cameras at lights have been banned here. That's how I got my money back :)
LOL Debbie...it's like big brother is always watching us huh! What if you just play chicken with the red light cameras and not actually break the rules? I promise to be looking around on my way home:)
I think a lot of women are like this with rules. Don't go running any red lights, but you know, what do they say in "Risky Business?" Sometimes you've gotta say, what the F??
Yup, that's me! Rule follower. And, you know what, that one time I mistakenly go over the speed limit, ONE TIME, I get stopped! Ironic!
Oh, well, er...I'm the polar opposite :)
We could talk, just not when the police officer is there to write the ticket. Oh that's right, where you live there are those fancy cameras! So Smile when you're on candid camera.
I got a ticket mailed to me caused by one of the toll booth ones a few years ago.
Have you ever studied personality types? You're a Classic "Meloncholy". Love it!!
I'm a "Meloncholy/Phlegmatic" so I recognize you.
Same same!! And you know what....in Iceland they have these timers that count down until the light turns green and they all STOMP the gas before it turns green!!! Made me crazy.
I get nervous when I'm between two trucks. Especially semi's. For some odd reason, I always worry I'll get squished.
I get nervous when I'm between two trucks. Especially semi's. For some odd reason, I always worry I'll get squished.
YUP, I get it. I am pretty much a rule follower too.
I got my FIRST ticket ever (and only ticket mind you) in what the OFFICER said was turning left on a red light. What--ev--er.
Shhh, probably a Quiet Zone somewhere.
We have those red light cameras everywhere but rumour has it they don't really operate!
my husband has been know to freak out and obsess endless about these things.
me? i walk on the wild side.
Thankfully, to my knowledge, we don't have any traffic cams such as this type here. One benefit about living out in the boondocks is there are very few traffic lights to begin with.
I'm very old school about the "no talking in church" unless it is done in a very discreet, very low, soft whisper prior to the service. Once the service begins -quiet should reign supreme. Try telling my grandchildren that though! Fortunately I think everyone in our congregation knows my grandkids both have issues (autism) and that they comprehend things often in a very different manner than do other kids. But to their credit, they both usually do fairly well in church so I don't have to cringe through the entire service.
Oh, I'm the same way!!!
My niece bought me a necklace with the 'Well behaved women...' quote on it two years ago for Christmas and it just cracked my stuff up. I guess she sees me as a rebel. So - inaccurate.
I am SO like that. Rules were not made to be broken, but made to be followed. And I really do hate not knowing if the light's going to change on me - so nerve wracking! Yikes!
I quit going to the movies with a friend because she talked TOO MUCH and I just couldn't deal with it. I am just like you with those crazy red light cameras.
We don't have these cameras yet by me. That's good because I might do what you do!
We do have those cameras and I, too, am a rule follower. It's a pet peeve of mine! lol...glad to meet a fellow non-history making woman. lol...thanks for dropping by my place today. I would love to have your pizza crust recipe.
Hi Debbie, Thanks for stopping by today.
I am sometimes a rule follower and sometimes I break them. (that's the baby in me) I am the baby in my family but there is such an age difference between my Sis and I that I also have first born tendencies. :) The best of both worlds I say. LOL
I see you are in Tenn, What part? I am in GA
Stopping by from SITS! This is hilarious!
I know a couple who got a red-light camera ticket while they were racing to the hospital to deliver their second baby. The husband later took the ticket (with it's time-stamp) and the birth certificate (with the time of birth only a little while after the ticket time-stamp) to court to contest it. The judge waived the ticket. :-)
I am such a rule follower it is sad and I am probably in need of professional help over it lol. Thank you for missing me over at my blog I had a work convention but I should be posting soon (I feel so loved :)
texting during movies, talking in church, I can't even cross a street if there's not a pedestrian crosswalk. Thank you for stopping by my blog and letting me know I am not alone!
Oh I feel that sweat and nervousness. I think rule following is just another part of my growing OCD!
***Ally
With the exception of the speed limit, I am a pretty good rule follower myself. As for the camera's: don't worry too much about them. They do work, but only go off when you actually run a red light. Not if you get caught in the intersection. They are mighty popular in Holland, too. Great source of revenue, evidently...
I am such a crap driver, I got over my nervousness years ago, it's all the other motorists who pour with sweat when I go by.. but I do still have the good grace to blush!
My autistic son calls my car "Oopsie" (need I say any more??)!
The red light cams are pretty controversial here in L.A. right now. From what I hear is that if you contest your ticket it usually gets dismissed, but most people don't bother and just pay. The city has been making a bundle.
Lee
I would never have pictured you as a rule follower, since your insight into the world is so intelligent and....insightful. Hmmm, since when does intelligence mean breaking the rules?
Anyhoo, I completely relate to the quiet thing. I can't stand people being overly loud, not only in quiet places like libraries or romantic restaurants, but in general. I often run the thought through my head "I'm 2 feet from you, I can hear you. The doorman can hear you. Hush!"
I know! I hate those lights especially when I see it go off and I STILL get paranoid that somehow it photographed me who did NOT run the red light.
I hate those, and if you're turning left, it's legal to enter the intersection when it's green to wait your turn but if the idiot going the other way runs the light then you're stuck!
Those things drive me nuts. Whenever I drive to the city for work I constantly forget about them. Simply because in the small town I'm from they don't have them.
You're like me...if I hear a siren I think it's for me even though I know I haven't broken any traffic laws....I always think that I inadvertently did something wrong!
Those stupid cameras are EVERYWHERE near where I live. Never been caught by one, thank goodness!
I don't like those cameras, either. I'm afraid that I'll get photographed picking my nose or something!
My husband recently received one of those red-light tickets. He tried to tell me it wasn't his fault. Hard to get me to believe that when I can see him entering the intersection on a full red.
PS. I NEVER talk when I'm supposed to be quiet. I just mime out what I need to say.
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I'm so with you there, Debbie. I (and Mister Man) am a huuuuge rule follower. They put a red light cam near us (first SL closest to our house), and I started warning my husband that he needed to actually stop at the red light before turning right. Annnd he got a ticket two weeks later. He's more careful now.
Me? I get there. I stop on the line - or where I think the line is. I count to three. I move forward a foot or two and stop again. I repeat this FOUR times to ensure that I stopped in the right place. Then I'll do my right on red. Some people refuse to turn right on red at ALL there now. And some people start honking immediately for others to get moving. *sigh*
On the plus side, IL legislature has introduced a bill to repeal legislation allowing them. In this economic climate, I don't see it passing though.
There have been a few times when i thought I was "flashed" by the camera and my heart started pounding...thankfully, I haven't gotten any thing from the city or county in the mail.
Oh my gosh...I am the SAME exact way!!
I'm a chronic rule follower too.
I'm working on it.
Some rules are definitely good, but I think I need to learn to bend a little more.
(I love your blog.)
I'm the worst kind of rule follower...I follow the rules, but I complain and moan about them while doing it. So, I hate the red light cameras, too!
I can't claim to be the rule-follower you are in every area, but I have come close to strangling people who talk in theaters, especially in theaters with live performers.
Hahah! Me too! And that whole jump rope analogy is hilarious! And perfect!
I'm not so sure you're not a rule breaker. I don't think you find success in this venue as you have without coloring outside the lines at least most of of the time.
But I understand. Perhaps the rules we don't want to break are those that are easier to define.
If the intersection has a crosswalk, watch the sign- if the "walk" signal is flashing, the "don't walk" always comes about 15 seconds before the yellow light on the traffic light. Give or take.
It's saved me from a few sweaty palms myself :)
I follow rules, too, so I UNDERSTAND!
:-)
Traci
It's funny you should mention the red light cameras. I took a picture of a guy today who's running for City Council in a near by town. His reason for running is to vote to eliminate the cameras. He looked like a nut in a sandwich board campaigning at the intersection but I hope he gets elected and removes the cameras :-)
Safe travels. xo
Take out a shotgun and shoot the damn things down! (And yes, I break into a cold sweat if anyone talks when they shouldn't be too...)
the cameras were ruled illegal where I live and had to be removed- perhaps you can institute some legal action?? They used to scare the crap outta me..
That is hilarious! I hate those red-light cameras. I have yet to be caught by one, but I know I will someday. Don't get me wrong. I am not a red-light runner intentionally, but sometimes it happens!
Ha! Great post! Me too! I used to complain to my mom that I was such a goodey two shoes & she just said that I was more "sensible" than my friends! Did not make me feel better! I am a rule follower too. My Hubs congratulates me on being able to jaywalk once in a while!
i'm a rule follower. most of the time. though someone did tell me once that rules are really just strong suggestions...
thanks for visiting my blog!
omg, I HATE those cameras! We don't even have the ones that take the pics to send you tickets, but you can SEE there are cameras up there. WHY are they there. That's what I sit there wondering, the whole time the light is red. WHAT ARE THEY WATCHING and of course WHO IS WATCHING! LOL
Thank you for visiting & commenting!
"Just don't talk to me if it looks like we need to be quiet." You crack me up! Just gun it. Better to speed a bit than to run a red light, right? (See how easily I can justify breaking the rules a bit?) :-)
I got one of those stupid red light tickets last week!! :(
My daughter is a rule follower... and it follows her too! Well actually it follows me... but she's kept me from getting parking tickets so its all good!
I'm the same way - destined never to make history, sigh...ah well, I guess the world needs some well-behaved women after all!
Thanks for stopping by my blog. If you have a fanpage you can link directly to that. What a great site you have! I will be following you as well.
I think I found a kindred spirit-I am a rule follower, too, and breaking the rules makes me feel very nervous and panicky!
Count me in too as a rule follower here... The whole talking when you are supposed to be quiet irks the heck out of me and I will tell them to be quiet.
Oh dear I was just telling my SIL that this is what I do at intersections too! I freak out. is the light going to change on me..will I get through..will I run the light. eh.
My heart does this kind of flop when I'm driving up and the light turn orange and knowing I have enough speed to get through still makes me panic.
It's like being in an airplane and the altitude drops suddenly.
I loved this post. I too get so nervous approaching intersections and trying to divine whether the light has been green a long time and if it's about to turn orange or red. I meticulously follow the speed limit too to the frustration of most of my passengers--not to mention fellow drivers.
Once my husband left his cell phone on during a short flight. His rationale: I want to be able to call the kids as our plane goes down.
My reaction: Now I'm completely freaked out! I'm already claustrophobic and nervous about taking off and now you're breaking the rules! They have rules for a REASON!!
As an obsessive rule follower myself, I find much comfort in reading your words. *sigh*
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