I got the nod...

I’m getting onto the 101 freeway going to SFO - it’s midday on a Thursday - my view of the lanes ahead is painfully bright but with the sun at noon height there’s less glare than usual so I can see well enough. I’d just come off the exchange from 85 when, as I merge left into the empty lane next to me, the car in the other lane merges right without looking and it’s a quick reaction on my side to reverse my movement that keeps us from a sideswipe accident. My car rocks back and forth a little out of control because I’ve probably over corrected - but it’s okay, I’m safely back in my own lane. As I look over she puts her hand up to her mouth in embarrassment and drives quickly away.

My heart is pounding. I drive straight and a little slower. A car comes up behind her in the same lane, hanging at my left for a moment. The car is a little beatup, the guy in the passenger seat, arm hanging elbow out on the open window, looks over at me, eyes hooded half closed and nods his approval.

I’ve had some brutal bay area commutes, many hours and miles on the roads between San Jose, Palo Alto, Oakland, Berkeley, Walnut Creek. There’s no avoiding accidents when you spend that much time on the road, either you’ll be in one or you’ll see one. Sometimes, though, you’ll see a close call and it’s either luck or skill or both and you have to give respect where it’s due.

Today I got the nod.