This Slashdot Article got me thinking. It refers to a University of Utah report on cell phone usage while driving. It turns out that a 20 year old with a cell phone has the reaction time of someone 50 years older. Wow, that really makes sense.

I was heading south on Wasatch Drive earlier this week with a hundred or so of my fellow commuters. I was traveling in the farthest left of three lanes, minding my own business. That was fortunate. I noticed that drivers started diving from the middle lane both right and left. I barely avoided metal to metal contact with a couple of cars. We were all going along at a brisk 35 MPH. The reason for our defensive actions?

There was a compact car with a 70 year old teenager crawling along at around 20 MPH. As I got along side I noticed she was holding a cell phone to her ear and laughing. Hey, why worry about the rest of us? Just go ahead and have your fun.

I completely support laws that get cell phones out of our hands while we are behind the wheel. I wouldn't go so far as to ban them completely. At least we should all be using a headset or hands free attachment. The only problem with that is the study shows there isn't much difference between holding a cell phone to your head or going handsfree. At any rate, something needs to change...........
9:35:07 PM    comment []

Monday morning we gathered with our son, Bob, and 120 other soldiers, their friends and family to bid farewell. We don't know much right now. The 115th is headed for Ft. Bliss and then on to the Middle East. The last month has been filled with family gatherings, long goodbyes, serious conversations and some light-hearted moments. Mostly we've all just been wondering.

Bob has taken a practical approach. Just about every day I asked him how he was doing. And every time I asked he would express the desire to just get on with his deployment. He doesn't want to be a full-time soldier, but if he has to go he'd just as soon get on with it. Well, now he's gone.

Last night he called from Texas. He's living in a 500 man tent. Sounds cozy in that not-so-fun sort of way. He asked if anything new had happened since his departure. Um..... no, nothing new in the last 36 hours. When I told his youngest sister her reaction was, "he's homesick already."

Monday morning we heard from a few of the Utah National Guard leaders. They said all of the right things. They intend to bring the entire company back safely. One General said, "Remember, you're not safe until you're back in this room." It sounded a bit corny and yet it was completely sincere and appreciated.

One soldier standing close to me talked about how this was his second tour. Seven months ago he returned from Afghanistan. His oldest son is in the guard and is stationed in Afghanistan now. I wonder what it takes for a 40something guy to leave his family yet again. He told me that the only regret he had is that the real story of what is going on and how we are doing is not getting out. Media bias was on his mind on this day when he was saying goodbye and leaving his friends and family behind. I just can't find the words to express how I felt standing in this crowd of 500+ people. For sure this affects the lives of far more than the 120 who shipped out.

So, the 115th is gone. We are left behind to wonder, worry and wait..........
9:18:35 PM    comment []

Where did January go? It passed by so quickly. I've enjoyed not feeling any pressure to post on a regular basis. I've also enjoyed thinking about all of the blogs I wanted to write but didn't get around to it. Now it's time to get back into the blogging habit.......
8:52:34 PM    comment []