Rant: The Carpool Lame

By writer 1

I drive a lot. A lot. I bought my car in January and have put almost 18,000 miles on it and I spend two hours at least commuting everyday.  Driving on the freeway this much really really blows. Generally I have to say that nothing is more irritating to me than the carpool lane.  The carpool lane should really be called “elitist driver lane”.  I don’t mind people who’ve gone through the effort to put together a carpool of people, who enter and exit the lane safely, legally and in a timely fashion. For you- bravo (I guess).  That is like 1 in 10 people that use the carpool lane. Here are some examples of the most heinous offenders that cause me to lift my arms in frustration and hate these people with a blinded passion.

• Last minute lane changers: with these people I just have to take a deep breath.  I cannot imagine as a commuter you don’t know when the freeway interchange or exit you need is coming up.  Prepare yourself and start to exit ahead of time.  You frequently have to cross 4-5 lanes of traffic from the carpool lane. When you try to cross them all at once you cut everyone off and slow everyone down hence the horrible jams that happen around every freaking interchange on the freeway. Your fault carpool lane.
• Hybrid Sticker People: I’m sorry but no.  I’m all for Hybrid technology and its really great and amazing that your car may reduce car pollution and everything and I’m sure your ugly Prius probably poops rainbows (I do love hybrids, I promise I do) but unless you are physically taking another car off the road by sharing your passenger seat you get no special privileges. Done.
• Illegal use of the lane: this comes in a few forms; assholes who just blatantly break the rules and drive alone in the lane, people who cross over the double yellow line whenever they please (HELLO I’M NOT EXPECTING THIS, also use a turn signal at least) and people who swerve in and out of the lane to cut you off in the fast lane.  All of these are so painfully annoying and the worst kind of carpool lane trash.  Today on my way to work a woman swerved around me, no signal, into the carpool lane and then abruptly cut me off.  Traffic was not even moving at 20mph.  Way to go annoying devil lady. I hate you.

Bottom line: laws are being pushed to make emission standards even higher for people to use these lanes (65mpg) and I think that a great incentive- go for it because that would be great technology. There are also even more ridiculous lane clogging ideas like allowing fire fighters, seniors, vets, and the disabled drive in the carpool lane.  I’m sorry but it sounds like we’re creating a slow drivers and smug people lane.  Honestly- lets just open the flow of traffic to everyone a bit more and abolish the carpool lane altogether. Please.

Our first opinion piece!

Below you will find our first op-ed. If you are man, read this and learn. If you are woman say "amen sistah" and add any thoughts you have.

My turn!

Thoughts by Writer number 2:

1. Sense of humor, sense of humor, sense of humor
2.  Because if you can make me laugh, that's half the battle
3. I like me a man who can cook
4. Ask me questions about who I am, what I like and where I come from.  You can't get to know me without knowing the people I love and why I love them.
5. If you can dish it out then you better get ready to take it right back.
6. It sounds good in a text message, e-mail or IM but it means NOTHING if you don't back it up.  Example; if only you were here, blablablablalalalalalaaaaa.  Give me something real--send me a card, take a damn day off work and visit or hell draw me a picture with some crayons for me to put on my fridge.  Whatever it is it shows effort.
7. Realizing and telling us you love us AFTER we're gone for a while (perhaps left the city and/or state) is not a compliment.
8. Surprises, surprises, surprises!!!
9. I hate assholes, but I do like a good challenge.  You don't have to always agree with me, but there are certain things you just have to leave alone---or I WILL cry.
10. I know you can't read my mind...but try
11. Pooping and farting will always be funny no matter how old I get.  Accept that.
12. You better be able to fix things cuz I break things all the time.
13. Sometimes I'll cry and you won't know why or how, but it'll pass.  Just make me some brownies...or nachos.
14. No matter how loud you yell at the TV... THEY CAN'T HEAR YOU!
15. Return the favor (any and all flavors).

I guess the point is...the best way to my heart is through my stomach...and laughter.

Be the Best

 Writer 1
For me these are suggestion for how to be a great boyfriend. I realize no one is perfect but if you're looking to please your lady these are some pretty good tips for the average lady

• When in doubt- flowers, jewelry and homemade cheesy gifts ALWAYS work
• Be a man, not a boy. Always defend your lady
  
• You have nothing if you don't have good communication and respect 
• Your girlfriend is for loving, not insulting or being mean to
• Make good with their friends/family, their opinion will always matter because they're the people that have always and will always be there (and they will always be on her side, sorry)
• Never ever ever call her a bitch or a cunt or make her the brunt of a sexist joke. Its degrading.
• Romance is important at every phase of the relationship, keep things fresh and exciting and it will pay off
• The gifts, cards, flowers and sweet things you do for no reason or no occasion are more memorable then the things you do on a birthday or valentines day (although we love those things too!)
• If you are always telling your girlfriend she's hot, try saying beautiful instead. Hot makes a girl feel cheap after a while.
• Be careful what you say in the heat of an argument: she will probably never forget it and it probably is not necessary.  Be the boyfriend who cares, not hurts.
  
• Girls love things like America's Next Top Model, painting their nails and Spice Girls the way you like Video Games, beer and Creed.  Let us stop acting so surprised when a girl does something girly or a man does something manly

Bottom Line: Remember what your girlfriend is for and what you are for your girlfriend. You should both be going the extra mile for each other, supporting each other, laughing with each other and getting through tough time with each other.  Think about your relationship; is it really one sided? Are you always giving her gifts and she never returns the favor? Does she always offer you a massage but you never offer her one? Balance in giving and receiving is key to both people feeling happy in a relationship.


Extra gooey brownie point tips (for when you want you girlfriend to call and gush about you to everyone she knows)

• If you get into a big fight, send of bring her flowers with a card that says something like "Sorry babe, I shouldn't talk like that" or whatever.  She will most likely forget the fight but remember the flowers (thats good!) and it shows you don't rely on excuses for bad behavior
• Make her dinner (bonus points if its a surprise, surprises are always good)
• Call her parents or friends just to say hello
• Write her a poem or a song or make her a picture if you're an artist
• Puppies, puppies, puppies
• Suck up how it makes you look sometimes and participate in what she likes
  

Perfect Boyfriend

 Thoughts written by writer 3

Happy

A kind/natural sense of humor

Actively pursues his curiosity for God

Always asking questions, challenging himself in thoughts, beliefs, pursuits

Loves trees/nature/outdoors/alternative sports

Open-minded

Great with his family, wants children

Lots of energy!!

Creative

Driven to grow professionally, personally, spiritually, mentally

Eclectic variety of friends.

Smart

Let us begin

So here is the basic information necessary to understand this amazing blog.

• This blog is being written by three ladies in their early twenties
• We've known each other for over a decade
• We all have a slightly different point of view
• One of us in a long distance, serious relationship (Writer 1)
  
• One of us is single in a new city and state for graduate school (Writer 2)
  
• One of us is single, moving to the mid-west and has a strong religious faith (Writer 3)
  
• We are all awesome

Actual introductions to come soon!

Welcome!

Welcome to our page.

Have fun!