July 26, 2009

  I won't be posting here in the usual way in coming days.
  I don't want to predict what will become of this weblog.
  It just won't be the same. Sorry for any disappointment.
  Meanwhile, here's an anecdote from my travels last night.

  I was pulled over for going 75 in a 60 zone, in my old
  Mercedes station wagon. I'm glad I spontaeneously told
  the truth about having one beer with lunch. The officer
  genuinely seems to have smelled alcohol on my breathe.
  He also seemed to genuinely want to determine if I was
  in some way impaired, regardless of the cause. I should
  mention that he also tagged me with "failing to signal"
  a lane change. He wanted to administer a test, while I
  remained there in the driver's seat, and said that this
  was optional. But I managed to let my eyes slip away
  from the pen he was moving across my field of vision.
  So he asked me to come out in front of the car, and I
  did. He asked me if I had medical conditions or if I
  was wearing contact lenses. He instructed me to put my
  feet together, and again watch the pen as he moved it
  and checked to see if I could keep my eyes on the pen.
  Perhaps "impairment" would make this task impossible.
  At some point I asked if this was indeed "optional".
  When he said yes I said I didn't want to do it anymore.
  His response was that I would not be arrested. I then
  agreed to continue. i was indeed worried that what he
  later called "procedure" would get me arrested. Fears
  alayed, I then passed this somewhat annoying test. As
  we walked back... he asked why I was speeding. I said
  "thoughts... memories... it got away from me... but i
  remember i felt something, i checked my speed right
  before I saw you, i was slowing down when (you turned
  your lights on)". He responded, "I'll give you a break,
  continue off this exit, you can get back on the highway"
  He handed me my temporary Oregon driver's license and
  insurance papers from previous residence in Washington,
  and then walked back to his patrol car... as I quickly
  thanked him and got into my car. I doubt if the officer
  was over 30 years of age.

  ~Ross