Just a few words for Seattle area drivers...

Do not stop two inches from my bumper when I am stopped at a red light travelling up hill. I drive a standard-shift vehicle (yes, they still exist!), which means that I will roll back slightly before I accellerate. To date, I have never rolled into anyone, but have seriously considered doing it on purpose, just because you piss me off.

Please, for the love of whatever deity in which you place your faith, learn how to merge. The logistics of operating efficiently on the interstate aren't that difficult to comprehend--in a nutshell (for mergers): don't. slow. down. Simple, huh? For mergees: don't hang out in the right-most lane, as it makes not slowing down more difficult for mergers. If we can all remember these rules, Rayna will be very happy because she won't get stuck in rush-hour traffic heading down to Tacoma.

Don't gawk at car accidents. Though I've never been in one, I think it's safe to assume that the persons involved don't want the extra attention. This is especially significant if you are on northbound I-5 and the accident is on the other side of the freeway, in southbound traffic. In this case, you have absolutely no reason to slow down except to try to stick your nose in other's peoples' business. And if you're really just that morbid, you can read the body count in the paper the next day (you sickos). STOP MAKING ME LATE FOR WORK.

Okay. Time to go to the first of many Independence Day Festivals, The Taste of Tacoma. Tomorrow, we'll probably go to the Bite of Seattle and then Freedom Fair on Monday. Oh, how full the schedule is!