While spending many hours on interstate highways it is easy to imagine many different metaphors for what is going on around you. As everyone knows, there are times when there's only one lane of traffic and other times there are 6 or more. This should be an indication of how many people want to go where you're going. Depending on how you look at it, this can be either a good thing or a bad thing. If you want to feel like you're making a popular decision, the traffic is a good thing. You're normal, after all. Then again, given the volume of traffic, it may feel like your path as been determined for you. That road was built with you in mind. It's there because you're supposed to be there using it. That might be a little unsettling.

Even once you've decided you're on the right road, the observations don't cease. With all those lanes of traffic come a lot of choices. There are the perceived "fast" lanes and the perceived "slow" ones, then of course there's the lane you need to be in. Obviously, the human factor kicks in at some point. Everyone becomes "self aware" all of a sudden and decides if they're more "left lane" or "right lane". Then the real fun starts.

Once you're between exits and nobody is merging in or merging out, the lane-dancing begins. Everyone is jockeying for position and trying to get ahead or at least not fall behind. Everyone wants to get to their destination first, but the risks of driving dangerously and getting a speeding ticket, along with the limitations of your vehicle start to weigh in. Some cars are simply faster than others and some people are simply more willing to drive theirs faster than others. And there's life.

It becomes clear that not everyone can be in the fast lane at once. It quickly becomes the not-fast lane when everyone flocks to it. This is what happens with almost anything in life. The window of opportunity is only open for a limited time and the first-movers and quick-responders benefit, while those left trying to decide usually get left out. By the time they make the move, they've joined gridlock and have lots of company. Meanwhile, those who made the move first have either zoomed away or already moved to another lane. Either way, you're watching their taillights and they could care less about your situation.

So yeah, if this entry isn't evidence that a long commute is a dangerous thing, let it at least be another indication of how tough life can be. It seems like that's all this blog is about right now. That's no fun. Maybe it's time to change lanes. Hope it's not too late.