Fuzzy Roads and Fuzzy Heads

Except for a few months, it has been nine years since I gave up driving. I still have my license. I am still legal to drive, but I do not. I get lightheaded without much warning even though it has been years since I passed out. At first, it seems to have been a combination of a slow heart, low blood pressure, low blood sugar, and some sort of vestibular migraines. Some of those are under control now. My biggest risk is falling down, which I do well.

Why do I tell you this?

Facebook Memories.

They are like a journal helping me keep track of where I am and where I have been. They also provide lessons for my life.

Nine years is not a sexy number, but I am not a sexy guy. So that is cool.

I am also not risk-aversive. I sort of like risks. I know they are necessary for moving forward.

What I cannot tolerate in myself or others is risking other people's lives and safety or foolish, unproductive risks. There is no great payoff and there is a huge potential for damage.

I miss the independence of driving and the convenience of not being able to say, "I'll be there" without checking with someone else. I miss exploring new roads or getting from place to place quickly.

But, if I took up driving, I could hurt someone. That is not my right.

It is the one attitude of mine that I wish drinkers, sleepy people, and people who are over-medicated or self-medicated would adopt.

If a busy guy like me, who lives 8 miles from a bus stop, can find a way to live without driving, so can the rest of the people who ought to lay down their keys.

Don't drive impaired!