Jan 11
24

Road Rage

11 Comments

Look, I have something to say to the truck driver who was behind me as we headed into the Lane Cove Tunnel the other day. Yes, I understand you were angry, because I should have moved into the left hand lane FASTER! MUCH FASTER! Because you were in a hurry! And I was only doing the speed limit! And you needed to go much faster than that! So I certainly did deserve to be punched continuously in the face (if I picked up on your message correctly?)

The thing is, we’d just driven by diggers! Diggers! Who knew they even existed? But now I have a son, I’ve come to realize that diggers are fine pieces of machinery. (Useful too, I guess, for digging.) Anyway, we were discussing diggers and so I didn’t move over as fast as I should have.

I’m truly sorry.

I’M NOT REALLY! I’M BEING PASSIVE AGGRESSIVE!

The only time I ever get road rage is in reaction to somebody else’s road rage. Apart from that I’m all gentle shrugs and friendly toots and oh-you-silly-person-in-the-blue-car-goodness-me-just-what-are-you-doing-you-silly-sausage?

I guess it’s because I’m possibly not the world’s best driver. When I first started driving I considered photocopying a standard letter to leave on the windscreens of all the people I bumped into when I tried to park.

Once my sister got a job working at the insurance company I used and she checked my records. She rang me up and said, “You do realize they record every word you say when you ring up to report an accident? Like, ‘The man was really mean to me’?”

Well he was. And I was only twenty. (OK, thirty.) I ran into him on the harbour bridge because I took my eyes off the road to try and find a coin for the toll. “It doesn’t seem like there’s much damage!” I said brightly as we examined the back of his car. The man frowned. He got down on his hands and knees. Then he pounced. “Look!” he cried triumphantly as he pointed out a teeny-tiny scratch I could have rubbed away with my sleeve. “You’re going to have to pay for that!”

Anyway, truck driver, I moved over. And I gave you a little wave of apology. But I still think your reaction was a touch excessive.

Unless, of course, you’d just got terrible news. And you were racing your truck to be by someone’s side. In which case, I really am sorry.

Otherwise, I hope you got a ticket.

***
In other news, I’ve finished my new book! More details to come.
Also, we saw more diggers today!

PS. Is it bad manners to post about a trivial incident without mentioning that it’s been six months since I was here? Or just sort of odd? Or perfectly acceptable?

This entry was posted on January 24, 2011 at 4:30 pm. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Posted in Uncategorized by Liane 11 Comments

11 Responses to "Road Rage"

  • Megan says:
    January 24, 2011 at 10:05 pm

    acceptable, if it means you’re back for good now!!!!

  • Arielle says:
    January 25, 2011 at 12:44 am

    I think it’s perfectly fine, because you actually did end up mentioning how long it has been since your last post.
    I liked the story, and I’m so excited to hear more about the book you just finished! I have 3 of your books sitting on different shelves in my bedroom, 2 of which are sitting very patiently, waiting for me to read them, and the other one sitting very proud and glowing that I read it first.

  • Kerrie says:
    January 29, 2011 at 11:54 pm

    I am so excited to hear you have finished your next book. I have read all three of your books and loved them. I hope I can keep myself busy until it is released. Soon I hope.

  • Jane says:
    January 30, 2011 at 8:09 pm

    Charming truck driver you met. Deserves the ticket, AND 3 flat tyres. I would have burst into tears (well I have in the past).
    I’m hanging out for the next book ……..

  • Rita says:
    January 31, 2011 at 4:01 pm

    Great to have you back. Cannot wait to read your next book.

  • Jo says:
    February 2, 2011 at 11:07 pm

    Greetings from London! I’ve just found your blog, and I’m so pleased that your new book is finished! I’m just re-reading Three Wishes, having re-read What Alice Forgot earlier in the week and wondered whether you had anything new in the pipeline. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed all three of your books and can’t wait to read number 4.

  • Liane says:
    February 7, 2011 at 1:06 pm

    Hi there Megan and happy new year! Yes, I’m back for good I hope – I made a New Year’s Resolution to be a better blogger. Although I’ve taken long enough to respond to these comments, so perhaps it’s going to go the way of most of my resolutions..

    Thank you Arielle! I like the thought of one of my books looking proud and glowing.Most books that I read end up looking like abuse victims after being dropped in the bath, chocolatey fingerprints etc.
    Oh, the trouble that I’ve got into from librarians…

    Hi Kerrie – thank you! My next book will be out in September, which seems like a long way away, but I blinked and January was gone. So I guess it’s just seven blinks.

    Jane: Actually my voice did get a bit wobbly. It’s a shock when you’re happily chatting away about diggers and suddenly somebody wants to kill you..

    Thank you Rita! I promise to be a better blogger in 2011 and not disappear again. And the new book will be out in spring.

    Hello there Jo in London and thank you so much for tracking me down and for your lovely comment. I’m not sure when the new book will be out in the UK, but as soon as I hear I will let you know.

    Lianexx

  • Eva Rainow says:
    June 9, 2011 at 10:23 am

    I don’t think it’s being aggressive to be concerned for your and your little one’s lives, it’s called FEAR and survival instinct. Debriefing after being threatened is good, keep it up. I have actually reported these loose cannon truckies tothe police. Even if you don’t have licence numbers, just descriptions of the truck and time and place often helps them to apprehend one who may end up destroying lives and property they (the police) tell me.
    Apparently the more complaints and sightings, the easier to get the scary ones off the road.
    Crikey!!! What a whinger. . . but aren’t we supposed to be facing up to the “bully’ culture that is growing in our communities? I’m glad that truckie did no damage, but opened up debate.
    May your road angels be with you in force. Best regards from Eva

  • Liane says:
    June 23, 2011 at 2:22 pm

    You’re right, Eva – it also works the other way, I’ve also decided to call up the nice Pest Control man who so very nicely waved me in to his lane the other day. He was so lovely, I’ve decided he can kill my cockroaches. Liane

  • Mirelle from Holland says:
    August 26, 2011 at 10:58 pm

    Hi Liane, It’s the second time I’m reading your books, and I really really love them ! You’ve ‘learned’ me to laugh again……… About the agressive trucker: they always think that because they’re bigger that they have the whole world, and they forget there are other people on the road. I can say for sure that I’m not the best driver, that’s true, and I understand that that will be annoying, but we share the same road and the ‘big’ drivers have to consider each. It’s the second time that I’m visiting your site, and what a surprise to see that you have a new novell. I really hope that it’s very soon in Holland, too. I can’t wait !! Greetz Mirelle from the little country The Netherlands. You’re really my favourite!!

  • arlington-texas-dentist.com says:
    March 23, 2013 at 11:09 pm

    Wow that was strange. I just wrote an very long comment but after I clicked submit
    my comment didn’t appear. Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over
    again. Anyhow, just wanted to say fantastic blog!

Leave a Comment