Friday the 13th

I am not a superstitious person. Friday the 13th used to even be a lucky day for me. This last Friday, September 13th, I had planned to work from home. That is, until I realized that a vendor conference call was to be an in-person meeting. But, driving the 6 miles to get to work was no big deal. Besides, I figured I now could pick up chocolate chip muffins for the weekend baked fresh every morning in the cafe at work. These muffins are worth the drive.

I had driven barely a mile down the road before I had to pull over, shut off my ignition, get my license out and turn the blaring radio off. I've often wondered why drivers can't somehow get credit for driving within the speed limit 98% of the time. It doesn't seem fair that the "only" time I speed I would get pulled over. These are the silly thoughts that run through my head as I wait for the police officer to approach my vehicle.

Others have described to me how they were able to get out of a ticket by the story they tell or the explanation they give. I don't know how they do it because all I managed to say in the five minutes it took to issue the citation was "Yes, sir. No, sir, and thank you, sir." 

I mourned my lack of second thoughts over speeding that morning. Second thoughts are often our best friend. Just not this morning. After I carefully signaled to get back onto the road, it was then that I realized it was Friday the 13th. For some silly reason this fact raised my spirits, as if I somehow had less responsibility for speeding.

So even though I figured my two chocolate chip muffins were now $100 a piece, I still know I got off easy. I'm guessing my idea of having a rewards card for good driving probably won't catch on. It only takes one time for something truly bad to happen and the true reward for good driving is really to be left alone and with a little luck, left alive.

Or, better yet. Next Friday the 13th I'll just work from home like I had planned.