The busiest intersection in my suburb is under construction. It's easily the craziest shit-show you've ever seen.
All because somebody decided to build a giant godforsaken roundabout – a friggin traffic circle. The City was apparently awarded 2.5 million bucks to build this beast, which apparently marks “the beginning of a series of tangible measures to improve the four-kilometre stretch” of the busiest street near my house.
Well that’s just great.
When I heard there was a roundabout website, I just had to take a look. I learned a few interesting tidbits.
First, a roundabout is apparently different than a traffic circle. Who knew? Apparently a modern roundabout (I like that they call it “modern”) is an un-signalized (is “un-signalized” a word?) circular intersection engineered to maximize safety and minimize traffic delay. Unlike a traffic circle, traffic entering the roundabout must yield to traffic already within the roundabout. (I’m pretty sure traffic in any intersection must yield – otherwise the consequences are pretty drastic).
And I especially like the “maximize safety and minimize delay” part. The below list of pedestrian instructions seems to contradict that claim.
- Use the sidewalks and crosswalks around the outside of the roundabout. Do not cut across the middle of the roundabout. (i.e., avoid running through the constant stream of moving vehicles)
- Point your finger across the crosswalk to say to drivers you intend to cross. (kidding, right?) Look and listen for a safe gap in traffic. (oh my god)
- Step up to the curb. (don’t run or jump) Look at the drivers. (OH MY GOD) You decide when to step out and go. (translation: it’s your fault if you get hit)
- Start to cross as soon as you are sure the driver intends to slow or stop to yield the crosswalk to you. (how do you suppose I make “sure” of that, Mr website?)
- Watch for a driver coming in the next lane. (yeah, ok, I’ll just watch ALL the lanes) Make sure that the driver sees you. (hold a sign that says “honk if you see me”)
- Keep watching all the way across. (make sure you don’t blink)
- Wait on the splitter island for a safe (“safe” is a relative term) gap in traffic before crossing to the other side of the road. (so, what you really mean is: do it all again)
- Step up to the curb. (no running or jumping, I said!) Keep pointing your finger across the crosswalk (I guess they’re not kidding, after all) to say to drivers that you intend to cross. (or wave your sign)
So, let’s summarize: As a pedestrian crossing a roundabout, you have to walk like a zombie with your arms out-stretched and your eyes wide - just cross your fingers (while pointing, of course) that you don’t get run over.
This sounds like a splendid idea.
You should check out the little demo on the website. It’s pretty hilarious.
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Someone recently asked me what I would, if given the opportunity, tell my 14-year-old self. My first thought was that my 14-year-old-self would never listen to what I had to say - my 14-year-old self would have absolutely no interest in any advice herself from the future would have to offer.
But here goes.
Don't date the same person more than once. If it didn't work out the first time, it is unlikely to work out the second, third, or fourth time.
Date whomever you have a connection with, if that person treats you well. Make the decision to date a person based on what you think, not what others might think (or what you think others might think).
Believe in yourself. Have confidence. But don't be surprised if you fake it more than you mean it. Don't worry about what others are thinking or saying about you. If you knew how seldom they thought about you (or how little it mattered), you wouldn't care.
Try to avoid doing anything that you will truly regret in hindsight. Not necessarily getting into mischief (you should get into some mild mischief), but more to do with being less than kind to someone. Maybe you made fun of them behind their back, or worse, to their face. Or maybe you simply ignored them or judged them in some way. Avoid that stuff. You won't like yourself later - and neither will other people.
Don't eat cafeteria crap. It's bad for you, and you have no idea how many gross hairs or skin cells have found their way into your fries.
Make memories. Take pictures and cause a minor ruckus. Skip class occasionally and have brunch with your friends. Go to dances. Participate. Come up with new ideas and implement them. Play cards in the hallway during your spare period. Memorize at least 20 lines of your favourite Shakespearean play. Go on a ski trip. Try everything at least once.
Study. Even if you can still get 90s without it. Someday you'll wish you had studied more. Do your best, but do it on your terms. Don't push yourself too hard, and don't let others push you. Achieve things, but achieve them at a pace that works for you. Set your own goals and be your own reward.
Buy a yearbook every year and get everyone in school to sign it.
Trust your teachers. Most of them. Some won't be perfect, but some will be there to help you. Remind them what it was like to be a student. Be reliable and hard-working, and when you need a break they'll be happy to provide it.
Finally, at my university graduation ceremony I heard something that made a lot of sense. It's a famous quote by Winston Churchill, that has since been misquoted so many times that it's probably been taken totally out of context. ...But the story goes that Churchill went to a school to give a speech. He stood up, looked at the students and said: "Never, never, never, give up. Never give up." and then sat down. It doesn't matter if the story isn't quite true, the sentiment remains the same.
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