I feel the Need for Speed

It's not fair. Everyone else at my work, seems to be working on Need for Speed: Carbon for PS3 and XBox 360. And when I say "working," I mean playing the game, wheeling their souped-up cars around the hairpin turns while pounding music plays, squealing their tires and looking like they are having the time of their lives.
I, on the other hand, stare blankly at the NBA players who stare blankly back at me. And twiddle my thumbs. On the controller.

It's just that I think my talents would be better used on a game such as Need for Speed. I mean, do I play basketball? No. Do I speed through the city like an idiot? Yes.

So, it got me thinking about my driving skills. I've had a few "talking tos" from a number of people about my driving...I won't name names in case they don't wish to be singled out, but lets just say one of them is my mom.

She thinks I drive like an idiot. That may be so, but have I ever been in a car accident? No(someone knock on wood for me). Have I ever run over a person and/or animal? No. Have I ever gotten a speeding ticket? No. I've never gotten one. I've gotten many.

I can't help it if my father taught me how to drive. And my father is an ex-rally driver.
I can't help it if I like to be on time. And therefore must use the skill of speed in order to achieve that.
I can't help it if I no longer horseback ride. And racing against other cars is my only form of competition.
I can't help it if I have anger problems. And screaming at other drivers is my only way to safely vent them.
I can't help it that my car is fun to drive. And I like to pretend I'm Angelina Jolie in Gone in 60 Seconds.
I can't help it that all the lights turn yellow as I approach them. And I have no choice but zoom through.
I can't help it that Vancouver is full of stupid people who don't know how to drive. And speeding ahead of everyone is the only way to avoid them.

Anyway, I think you get the point. I've got a truckload of bad driving habits but I don't think that makes me a bad driver. I'm defensive and aggresive but always aware of everyone else on the road. Of course I'm aware of them. They are my competition!

That said, I have slowed down a lot lately as a result of one of these "talking tos." And though I am a little bit late for things now, I have found that my lack of speedyness has caused my anxiety and road rage to subside quite a bit. I'm trying not to run every yellow light, remembering to keep both hands on the wheel and doing a lot more shoulder-checking.

However, this new "safe" style hasn't stopped me from yelling at people, like when I screamed "MOVE IT!" to a slow-turning car in front of me, as I was driving Ross's parents to dinner.

Yeah Ross, sorry about that. Your mum looked scared.