I am a terrible driver. I'm impatient, fixated on time, and focused on efficiency.
It makes me complain when people drive like maniacs and while I'm complaining I forget to realize that sometimes I'm no gem.
I was heading home one day when the freeway was jam packed with a road closure. Being the incredibly gifted male that I am, I decided that I would exit and navigate around the road closure. I'm looking for a road that I'm familiar with and all of a sudden I start descending down a hill in a residential area. A man starts waving his arms and induces my car to a complete stop. I look at his attire from the bottom up. Black boots, black slacks, a belt, a holster, and then yes, a badge. Well, well, well looks like someone is going to turn on the excuse faucet. Should I go with, I'm sorry officer I really have to use the bathroom? I'm sorry officer I am completely lost. I'm sorry officer I was late for an appointment. Or just...I'm sorry.
Well this aviator mustache toting officer wasn't having any of that (totally did not look like that, but come on this is my story and you're going to like it). License and registration. Residents have been complaining about speeders coming down this hill. You were going 38 in a 25 and here is your ticket. To his credit he was actually a very polite and helpful officer, but when you're being issued a ticket you could care less.
Well what does this mean? A hefty fine and the two most dreaded words next to jury duty, TRAFFIC SCHOOL.
I was dragged to the class on a Sunday morning for eight hours, but for the first two hours I was actually learning a few things that I didn't know. I was just nodding my head and saying to myself, "wow that's so true." While the other students in the class were strangely looking at me as if the teacher had said, "garbage goes in the garbage can." Oh really? Do you think you know all of the laws of the road? Well see if you can answer some of the most interesting questions:
If you are being tailgated, you should...
A) Increase your following distance
B) Brake Quickly
C) Signal the tailgater when it is safe to pass you
You want to merge onto a freeway. You should drive...
A) At or near the same speed as the freeway traffic
B) At the posted freeway speed limit
C) 10 mph slower than the freeway traffic
When making a left or right turn, you are required to signal for the last ____ feet prior to turning.
A) 50 feet
B) 75 feet
C) 100 feet
D) 125 feet
What blood alcohol content allows a driver to be convicted of driving under the influence?
A) .01
B) .04
C) .08
D) .10
Who processes alcohol faster, men or women?
Who processes marijuana faster, men or women?
The answers are:
A
A
C
B
Men
Women
Other interesting facts:
-Just because there is no "Do not turn sign" doesn't make it legal
-same goes for U-turns
-you must be 18 in from the curb
-you should be 6 in from red lane
-red arrow = no right on red
-when merging on freeway, you should always check 2 lanes over, not just 1
-do not stare at an aggressive driver even if they are honking at you and driving like an idiot
-pedestrians always have the right of way
-you must park at least 15 feet away from a fire hydrant
-you can have 3 points per 12 months, the 4th would result in a suspension
-you can make a left turn into a driveway or road, unless a sign is posted
Bottom line:
Be a less aggressive driver, drive slower, and be more cautious.
If you don't the consequence could be a traffic ticket, the worst consequence is losing your life, or attending another 8-hour traffic school.
Happy trails to you.
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Loyalty and Business
Loyalty and business
Some people think loyalty is essential to running a business . Others counter that it's as useful as a pregnant woman using birth control. Older generations will give you a lecture on values and how loyalty is one of the benchmarks of a great company while others' modus operandi is a "what have you done for me lately" mindset.
Jim Buss is the son of the Los Angeles Lakers owner Jerry Buss. the previous off season he has made it a point to clean house and fire employees that have been with the Lakers for over 25 years. Loyal employees like Ronnie Lester, other longtime staffers like Brian Shaw and equipment manager Rudy Garciduenas. He came under heavy scrutiny and many questioned the direction and authority of the younger Buss.
What followed after he fired longtime staff members was a "what have you done for me lately" and bottom line mindset. Basically, he really started to focus on decisions from a financial standpoint. Lamar Odom had been a 2-time champion with the Lakers and was a vital part of chemistry and the offensive scoring punch, but before the season started he was determined to be a liability that the Lakers couldn't afford. (Yes, we know the Lakers signed a $2 billion dollar television contract, but with the new collective bargaining agreement the luxury tax fines become monstrous for repeat luxury tax offenders like the Lakers.) Consequently, he was dropped to the curb as a sheer salary dump.
Lakers fans were outraged at the continued lack of loyalty and complained that the window for championships was closing. It appeared that the team was retreating and wasting the rest of Kobe Bryant's elite years.
Jim Buss refuses to wear suits and is constantly wearing jeans, a hat, and a God-awful pony tail. He's stubborn and could care less about what others say about him. After coming under heat for the previous front office moves he said nothing and explained his rationale to no one.
It is this stubbornness that has developed the wherewithal to make the right but unpopular business choice.
He just continued his logical but unpopular choice as he decided to trade part of the heart and soul of the team, Derek Fisher. Fisher is loyal to no end. He knew his abilities had diminished, yet he was adamant that as long as he could contribute his leadership and ability to step into big moments he still belonged.
Management knew he was owed $3 million next year and that his salary just wasn't justifiable anymore if they could find a better option.
Well, they found a better option in Ramon Sessions, leaving Fisher in limbo... Or so Laker fans would hope. We hoped that we could reward Fisher for his years of service by letting him stay on the team and serve mostly as a practice player and valuable locker presence. Then once his contract had expired we could hire him to be a part of our coaching staff. Finally, we could send him off in a blaze of glory (retire his jersey in the rafters). Allowing him to retire to a loud standing ovation with the 0.4 shot, the Boston coast-to-coast, and the 3 in Orlando playing while the Staples Center would be rocking, you know what? Take a look at them yourself. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwu-TQ-6AtE&feature=share
But us fans are sentimental, only hall of famers have their jerseys sent up to the rafters, and only productive players should stay on elite teams.
Was that what every Laker fan wanted? I'm almost certain we all would have wanted a version close to that, but the truth of the matter was that moving on from Fisher was the RIGHT business move! Sometimes loyalty and business don't go together and the world can be cold. Players always say that basketball is a business, and Jim Buss continues to show just that.
The Lakers are currently in 3rd place in the west division and are now considered serious contenders. We'll always miss and remember that high arching 3-point shot in the corner. Thanks for everything Fish.
Some people think loyalty is essential to running a business . Others counter that it's as useful as a pregnant woman using birth control. Older generations will give you a lecture on values and how loyalty is one of the benchmarks of a great company while others' modus operandi is a "what have you done for me lately" mindset.
Jim Buss is the son of the Los Angeles Lakers owner Jerry Buss. the previous off season he has made it a point to clean house and fire employees that have been with the Lakers for over 25 years. Loyal employees like Ronnie Lester, other longtime staffers like Brian Shaw and equipment manager Rudy Garciduenas. He came under heavy scrutiny and many questioned the direction and authority of the younger Buss.
What followed after he fired longtime staff members was a "what have you done for me lately" and bottom line mindset. Basically, he really started to focus on decisions from a financial standpoint. Lamar Odom had been a 2-time champion with the Lakers and was a vital part of chemistry and the offensive scoring punch, but before the season started he was determined to be a liability that the Lakers couldn't afford. (Yes, we know the Lakers signed a $2 billion dollar television contract, but with the new collective bargaining agreement the luxury tax fines become monstrous for repeat luxury tax offenders like the Lakers.) Consequently, he was dropped to the curb as a sheer salary dump.
Lakers fans were outraged at the continued lack of loyalty and complained that the window for championships was closing. It appeared that the team was retreating and wasting the rest of Kobe Bryant's elite years.
Jim Buss refuses to wear suits and is constantly wearing jeans, a hat, and a God-awful pony tail. He's stubborn and could care less about what others say about him. After coming under heat for the previous front office moves he said nothing and explained his rationale to no one.
It is this stubbornness that has developed the wherewithal to make the right but unpopular business choice.
He just continued his logical but unpopular choice as he decided to trade part of the heart and soul of the team, Derek Fisher. Fisher is loyal to no end. He knew his abilities had diminished, yet he was adamant that as long as he could contribute his leadership and ability to step into big moments he still belonged.
Management knew he was owed $3 million next year and that his salary just wasn't justifiable anymore if they could find a better option.
Well, they found a better option in Ramon Sessions, leaving Fisher in limbo... Or so Laker fans would hope. We hoped that we could reward Fisher for his years of service by letting him stay on the team and serve mostly as a practice player and valuable locker presence. Then once his contract had expired we could hire him to be a part of our coaching staff. Finally, we could send him off in a blaze of glory (retire his jersey in the rafters). Allowing him to retire to a loud standing ovation with the 0.4 shot, the Boston coast-to-coast, and the 3 in Orlando playing while the Staples Center would be rocking, you know what? Take a look at them yourself. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwu-TQ-6AtE&feature=share
But us fans are sentimental, only hall of famers have their jerseys sent up to the rafters, and only productive players should stay on elite teams.
Was that what every Laker fan wanted? I'm almost certain we all would have wanted a version close to that, but the truth of the matter was that moving on from Fisher was the RIGHT business move! Sometimes loyalty and business don't go together and the world can be cold. Players always say that basketball is a business, and Jim Buss continues to show just that.
The Lakers are currently in 3rd place in the west division and are now considered serious contenders. We'll always miss and remember that high arching 3-point shot in the corner. Thanks for everything Fish.
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