rubykatewriting (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
rubykatewriting) wrote2006-12-17 08:51 pm
rubykatewriting) wrote2006-12-17 08:51 pm
A veritable hodgepodge, yo.
I went up to Comanche to pick up the grandmother yesterday, and we drove back this morning. I always enjoy those first few hours with my grandmother because it’s easier to shrug off her less than appealing qualities. She's staying through the New Year, and I'm still on the fence as to whether this is a good thing. To put it bluntly, she makes me fucking BATTY. I usually find myself alternating between wanting to plug my ears with my fingers whilst screaming "Lalalalalala!" at the top of my lungs, or telling her, at last, STFU already. Yes, I realize this sounds harsh, but she is one of those people that wear their ignorance like a badge of honor.
But there is one thing to be said for road trips and that is it gives you time to think. So I’ve put together a list, a How To for surviving here should you ever find yourself wandering the back road highways of Texas.
1. A strong stomach. This is BIG. You must be able to withstand all sorts of roadkill. I'm talking every thing you could imagine in varying manners that even I, veteran, find HORRIFYING.
2. Music. CDs, mp3 player. Whatever. The only thing you get out there besides static is country. BAD country.
3. How to pass and how to allow others to pass. On the Little Highways of Texas, more often than not, you have two lanes. And curves. So when you find yourself stuck behind Mr. Slow McSlowpoke and he politely pulls to the shoulder so you can pass? You hit the gas and get passed ASAP. Do not leave them hanging out there. Then once you've passed and they're in the rear view, you wave like the dickens. This is the rule of driving in Texas. Well, that and the two finger wave, but that mainly applies when you're small-town livin'. This also applies when you are Mr. Slow McSlowpoke.
4. Lead-footing it in moderation. When you drive, say, old Highway 36, you find yourself passing through many a small town. You pay attention to that speed limit sign, or you will find yourself getting yanked over by the small town PoPo (or State Trooper as Mom recently found herself in Bellville) faster than you can say, "Well, hoooowdy." But when you hit the open highway again and it says 70? You go 80 at the very least. If you're feeling fine and fancy free, or really fucking cocky, then you go 90. I have done this before, and oh how the miles pass.
5. When driving in the dark, use your brights. This will save you scares, almost misses, or outright car meets small/large animal. For instance, this morning, on Highway 590, I saw NINE DEER. That's a ten mile stretch of road from my grandparents' ranch to Highway 16, and more deer than I’ve seen in all the years I’ve been going up there.
Now for a bit of bitching that I MUST post for the betterment of all.
Dear Construction of Temple, Texas,
You have been "working" on Highway 36 in Temple for the past – oh, I don't know – FIVE THOUSAND MILLION YEARS. This has led to many a headache during my brief pass-through on the way to or from my grandparents' place over the years, but this last time, with the lovely combination of holiday shoppers and no exits on the northbound side anywhere close to the lone Starbucks in town? Oh, that took the fucking cake.
Please fall off the face of the earth and die.
No love,
Me
Ahem. Whoo. SO MUCH BETTER NOW. Thanks.
Among other things, I finally got to watch The Office and The O.C. today and OMG, LOVE. Ridiculously so. I won’t go into specifics as I really need to go wash off my honey mask and toss my washer load into the dryer and do other little things before I can go to bed, but TWO HOURS OF AWESOME MUST BE COMMENTED ON.
Oh, and![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
halfway2home, I adore the holiday mix. It had me grinning from about Brenham to Temple. It’s a toss-up as to which track is my favorite, but right now Snow Patrol’s When I get Home for Christmas and the Jason Mraz and Tristan Prettyman duet All I Want for Christmas are tied for the lead. Seriously. There is not one skipper, and I never would have thought I’d like a cover of Last Christmas, which rates up there among my favorite Christmas songs as well as in the top five of my favorite George Michael songs.
Now, I really need to go wash off my honey mask, put the gunk in my hair that makes it somewhat tamable in lovely Houston, Texas, and go to bed.
But there is one thing to be said for road trips and that is it gives you time to think. So I’ve put together a list, a How To for surviving here should you ever find yourself wandering the back road highways of Texas.
1. A strong stomach. This is BIG. You must be able to withstand all sorts of roadkill. I'm talking every thing you could imagine in varying manners that even I, veteran, find HORRIFYING.
2. Music. CDs, mp3 player. Whatever. The only thing you get out there besides static is country. BAD country.
3. How to pass and how to allow others to pass. On the Little Highways of Texas, more often than not, you have two lanes. And curves. So when you find yourself stuck behind Mr. Slow McSlowpoke and he politely pulls to the shoulder so you can pass? You hit the gas and get passed ASAP. Do not leave them hanging out there. Then once you've passed and they're in the rear view, you wave like the dickens. This is the rule of driving in Texas. Well, that and the two finger wave, but that mainly applies when you're small-town livin'. This also applies when you are Mr. Slow McSlowpoke.
4. Lead-footing it in moderation. When you drive, say, old Highway 36, you find yourself passing through many a small town. You pay attention to that speed limit sign, or you will find yourself getting yanked over by the small town PoPo (or State Trooper as Mom recently found herself in Bellville) faster than you can say, "Well, hoooowdy." But when you hit the open highway again and it says 70? You go 80 at the very least. If you're feeling fine and fancy free, or really fucking cocky, then you go 90. I have done this before, and oh how the miles pass.
5. When driving in the dark, use your brights. This will save you scares, almost misses, or outright car meets small/large animal. For instance, this morning, on Highway 590, I saw NINE DEER. That's a ten mile stretch of road from my grandparents' ranch to Highway 16, and more deer than I’ve seen in all the years I’ve been going up there.
Now for a bit of bitching that I MUST post for the betterment of all.
Dear Construction of Temple, Texas,
You have been "working" on Highway 36 in Temple for the past – oh, I don't know – FIVE THOUSAND MILLION YEARS. This has led to many a headache during my brief pass-through on the way to or from my grandparents' place over the years, but this last time, with the lovely combination of holiday shoppers and no exits on the northbound side anywhere close to the lone Starbucks in town? Oh, that took the fucking cake.
Please fall off the face of the earth and die.
No love,
Me
Ahem. Whoo. SO MUCH BETTER NOW. Thanks.
Among other things, I finally got to watch The Office and The O.C. today and OMG, LOVE. Ridiculously so. I won’t go into specifics as I really need to go wash off my honey mask and toss my washer load into the dryer and do other little things before I can go to bed, but TWO HOURS OF AWESOME MUST BE COMMENTED ON.
Oh, and
halfway2home, I adore the holiday mix. It had me grinning from about Brenham to Temple. It’s a toss-up as to which track is my favorite, but right now Snow Patrol’s When I get Home for Christmas and the Jason Mraz and Tristan Prettyman duet All I Want for Christmas are tied for the lead. Seriously. There is not one skipper, and I never would have thought I’d like a cover of Last Christmas, which rates up there among my favorite Christmas songs as well as in the top five of my favorite George Michael songs.Now, I really need to go wash off my honey mask, put the gunk in my hair that makes it somewhat tamable in lovely Houston, Texas, and go to bed.
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Yes! I have never been all that keen on them musically, and then they made some derogatory comments about pop. I found this amusing if only because they proved what morons they are and that they should really just stick to the singing. So, yeah. Not a fan, but I REALLY love that cover. They give it the right amount of wistfulness, and I was bopping my head right along with them.
I also love the Snow Patrol song. There's a part, when it's sort of quiet and he's singing really softly before it gets louder and he sings, "It's funny how you misunderstand. I only want to hold your hand." I love that part.
Me, too! I was reading a review at some lyrics website, and she mentioned the quiet desperation running along just under the surface, which I think is a pretty apt description of the song. Plus I love Gary Lightbody's voice and it fits the moodily romantic lyrics perfectly.
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*ahem* - you may now return to your regularly scheduled conversation. *g*
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When I Get Home For Christmas
Enjoy!
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YAY for new music!
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Annnnd.... Here is the other one I mentioned. It's Jason Mraz and Tristan Prettyman performing live on some radioshow, and oh man, I love this song.
All I Want for Christmas is Us