Saturday, February 18, 2006

This is just to say...

...I'm back.

On my trip I noticed two things:

1. No one in Florida uses their turn signal. Seriously. NO ONE.

Oh, wait, except for the old people. But they put their signal on three miles in advance, so it doesn't really count.

and

2. Florida Turnpike tollbooth operators are extremely nice. To the point that it's utterly disconcerting.

37 comments:

Anonymous said...

I love u grrl! You are funny!

Raj said...

hey you are bck...

ramblingmuse said...

Yay! Welcome back!

How was grandma?

Anonymous said...

You'd be surprised to know that you got mentioned in a "Strange But True" portion of Toronto's CP24.com news website.

Love the blog. I was in NYC last week and was lucky to get caught up in the blizzard [even Toronto doesn't see blizzards like that!]. Anyway, went to a party sometime in the evening when the roads were shit and let me tell you, it was the first time I've put a seatbelt on while in a cab. You guys need better tires!

Anonymous said...

Welcome back. Wasn't sure how I was going to make it 'til Sunday without your stories. lol. Hope your grandma's doing fine.

Anonymous said...

Glad your back. How was grandma?

If you really want to feel like you're not driving around NYC anymore, come to Kansas. We mostly use our signals for lane changes, and even let someone in who is waiting to turn into traffic from, say, a gas station, for example.

Our school superintendant moved here from NYC. An early quote in the paper from him was about how he knew he wasn't in NYC anymore: apparently he'd paused at a stoplight to read through some paperwork and happened to glance up and see a green light he didn't realize had changed. Because no one waiting behind him had honked.

Anonymous said...

Welcome back! Your blog is very addictive!

Anonymous said...

does anyone remember the "candyman", a nyc cab driver who cab interior was decorated with candy?

Anonymous said...

Hi! I'm in Florida- you are so right about the drivers here- especially the old folks who drive us young'uns crazy! My pet peeve is at intersections where you can't hear your own music cuz others are playing just a bit louder than you...Hehehe

Anonymous said...

I love the way you see the best in people...
Plug

Paradise Driver said...

You are so refreshing to read.:)

Aloha from the Island of Mau'i, from a local cabbie.

As your life progresses, please do not abandon this blog. You are so articulate, intelligent, upbeat, and pretty too.

I visit here every day after my shift of driving (6p-6a).

Anonymous said...

hey girl. old people leave their turn signals on ALL the time in FLorida.

Anonymous said...

Haha Konrad, i saw that "Strange But True" portion of Toronto's CP24.com as well.
U gotta keep doing this site, its hard to find unique, quality sites, good job.:)

mackleysmom said...

I hope you had a nice trip

Anonymous said...

Yea, I'm from south FL and I really rarely ever use my turn signal. You just make sure theres enough room--- then you merge. I use my blinker when I can't merge and I need to announce that I'm trying to merge. However... most of my driving is on highways, not NYC style gridlock

Anonymous said...

If I was trapped in a little booth taking stranger's money, not knowing if they are suffering from road rage or if they were armed, I would be extremely nice too.

Anonymous said...

Good to see you're back. Love your blogs

Anonymous said...

Glad to see your back. How right you are about the old people. I lived in Fla. several years and they drove me nuts. When I first started reading your blog, 3 mo. ago, I thought you sucked. But, I kept reading and now I look forward to your posts. Keep up the good blogging.

Anonymous said...

Miss you when you're not writing - your blog is brilliant and entertaining. Please keep writing even when you tire of being a Hack!

Anonymous said...

Ha, you're so right about drivers in Florida. God, they're TERRIBLE! Whereabouts in Florida were you, anyway?

Anonymous said...

canot wait to you people get to the age of 73 plus. have a good old age.

Anonymous said...

i like your blog,and especially the pictures of new york.just wondering what type of camera your using?

Anonymous said...

been enjoying your blog, Im a taxi driver hear in Panama City, and yes drivers are bad here, not only with turn signals, but they like to speed up to stopped traffic then switch lanes at the last second. Add the old fogies and it makes for pretty stressful driving. Nothing like nyc though....

Anonymous said...

Hiya, Yes it's true, in Florida turn signals should only be used when no turn is forthcoming. Also when a light turns red it means only 2 or 3 more cars should go through. Oh, and only drive 1/2 the posted speed limit in the left lane. There, now everyones a qualified Florida driver.
BTW- Welcome back

Anonymous said...

You know what they say about who lives in Florida? Half-deads and Newlyweds! Glad u're back!

Anonymous said...

So true about no one in Florida using their blinker! When I was down visiting I swore they must have made cars without installing the bulb for the blinker.

Anonymous said...

HA! You were in Florida! Now you see what we have to put up with. Blue hairs are the WORST! They all drive tanks and can't see over the steering wheel!

Theresa

Anonymous said...

Hay, I'm in Gainesville FL and I do use turn signals, but I'm not old or half-dead.I found driving down here is a pleasure, for I am from Taiwan, where the traffic is as heavy as in NYC, I guess.

Anonymous said...

WELCOME BACK. MISSED THE STORIES. HOW WAS GRANDMA?

Anonymous said...

i see tons of flordia ppl here in the mountains of NC. every time i see one, i try to avoid them bc they never use the signal nor do they kno where the heck they are going at the same time....

Anonymous said...

Great to see you back.
I don't think it's the old peoplw in Florida who are the problem, advance turnsignals not withstanding - it's the guys in pickups who think they are driving sports cars.
The most dangerous part of the no signal folks come at off ramps - I'm a tried and true NYC driver and have never seen so many people make right hand exits from far, far left hand lanes!

Anonymous said...

They drive so slow it just seems like three miles. I'm never in a hurry anyway so God bless their little hearts

Unknown said...

You get so many comments I doubt you'll read this, but I read you! haha, Anyway, i'm a recent transplant from Florida to NY for acting. Woohoo, i'm poor. Anyway, Florida is like the land where the Village of the damned moved to when they retired. They are freakishly nice and the old people....need not be behind the wheel off cars.

That being said, hope you have a good trip and safe driving!

Pablo said...

Aren't toll booth operators nice everywhere?

Iris said...

I went to Florida this week, and after reading this I had to ask my friend in Ft. Lauderdale why it is that people never use their turn signals -- because it's true!! Her answer: "Because even if we did use them, we'd just cut someone off anyway so there's no point." No joke. Love the blog, keep it up!

Anonymous said...

They drive so bad in Florida because the streets are poorly marked... Jacksonville is the worst, but Orlando isn't much better.

Welcome back to civilization...

Anonymous said...

In the old days, people actually moved to FL. because they thought is was cool to be able to turn right at a stop light after a complete stop. Was FL. a pioneer state?