The Count is 2 and 0

The light flashed again.

There is a ridiculously over-wired intersection by my house— over-wired to take pictures and video of transgressing cars, that is. Special poles and overhanging beams were erected to hold all the camera equipment. There must be 30 or more individual cameras, lights, etc. Since the intersection went live a few months ago, I don't believe I've ever been through it without seeing one or more flashes while waiting for my turn.

If possible, I go out of my way to avoid this intersection because I hear the fees for getting caught at one of these intersections are astronomic. I can't afford astronomic. I can't even afford near-earth orbit. But, lately, I've been impatient and have chosen to drive through a few times when I could have gone around. Last week I saw the lights flash when I seemed to be the only person in the intersection, which made me very nervous. Tonight they flashed again when I saw lots of other cars lined up to cross the intersection— but mine was the only car inside. In both instances, I believe I did nothing wrong. The lights were clearly green in my favor both times. But, again, neither time did I see any other likely victims. I hope that I don't come back from my next vacation to find one or more tickets waiting for me.

I do have a theory about this particular intersection. As I said, I don't recall ever going through and not seeing the lights flash— sometimes as many as three or four different times. Yet, I've been through many other wired up intersections without seeing flashes. I wonder if this particularly intersection isn't flashing a lot as a sort of psychological deterrence. In other words, maybe they're just trying to scare us.

I had to turn in my rental car this afternoon.  *sigh*  I miss it already. It was wonderful to drive for the last four days without having to worry about whether or not the car was going to overheat or break down at some point. I was able to drive in a relaxed state of mind for the first time in months.

It sure was difficult renting the car in the first place, though! I always rent through Enterprise since they seem to have the cheapest rates. Although, Enterprise creeps me out because the employees all act like members of a giant cult. I can't put my finger on it precisely, but there's the air of desperation and cult-like intensity to these people at times. But, they'll rent me a car, so I put up with it. Since I don't have a major credit card— only my MasterCard-stamped bank card— it's a thoroughly humiliating process to get a car though. I had to fill out a form with all sorts of info about where I live and where I work. I also had to provide references. Then, because my card is somehow inferior to that mystical real major credit card, they have to pre-run my card and put a lock on $250, which lock is released once I return the car and the final tally is settled. (In the past, if the rental is long enough to exceed the $250, they lock another $250 when the line is crossed.) I also had to bring two utility bills to prove that I lived where I live. Like I said, it's humiliating. I didn't even get a great car out of it all— I got a PT Cruiser with a horrible turn radius and serious acceleration issues.

Still, it was nice to drive for a few days.

Until next time.

"Traffic signals in New York are just rough guidelines"— David Letterman