Or is that just me?

After partially driving cross country this holiday season, I began to keep track of all the confederate flags I encountered.

The tally so far is seven.

One was flown in front of a home in northern Maryland. By the way, how is the town of Havre De Grace pronounced locally?
The other six were all either bumper-stickers/window decals (3), novelty plates (3), or actual flags (2) one car had all three. All of the vehicles were larger than standard pickup trucks, seen mostly on the back-roads of Pennsylvania's Laurel Highlands, in the vicinity of Falling Water, and a Western NJ Gas Station ($1.75 for regular).

Observations - one of the drivers was racially ambiguous. Though I didn't travel on many back-roads, except to find less-expensive gas and that trek to visit Falling Water (whose website stated they were open for business, but the entry gate was locked) that's where I found them. Which might be the reason for my surprise of not identifying any in VA, OH, KY, or IN. I had a single interaction with one nouveau confederates--a polite nod with a slight smile and a courtesy pass at a 4 way stop sign.

I might edit...

based on car model and driving style.


Or i'd just tail a fast driver. Not so much of a game in and of itself but sometimes it felt like one if i fell too far behind and was trying to catch up.

I remember now that i also use to drive side by side cars and 'stare' at the driver and try to predict how long it would take for them to look over. I'd usually look away as I felt them about to look....unless they was cute obvi.

The main presenter, of the non-diverse panel, shared an anecdote about her husband playing a version of that game. It seems the same as you describe, except he would only play it if someone was driving poorly, and his guess about who the driver was had a lone category--if they were Asian.

Off topic, I found out later, after seeing an invoice not meant for me to see, that the woman was paid nearly $30K + 1st class travel expenses, for that week long conference.

I rarely ever equate race, unless its based on style of car...but its never on actual driving. Its basically age/gender.

consulting just like that presenter did. i know the job inside & out and i know what companies that pay for shit like that are looking to get. and the audience that attends them? i know exactly what they wanna hear.

i bet for those last 5 years i can make $150k while working less than half the hours i woulda worked in a full time gig...


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I'm tryna be better off, not better than...

but we pronounce it "hick town you speed through on your way to or from nyc/jersey/philly"


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I'm tryna be better off, not better than...

"Klan Country." I've been all throughout Baltimore/county and parts of Carroll and Harford County, but never did more than drive thru Havre de Grace and Cecil County. I wouldn't mind checking out the Cal Ripken minor league stadium sometime though.

It’s usually a mix of podcasts, audiobooks, standup comedy, and movies/ tv shows, but I try to stick to things that are familiar aside from audiobooks, but I only go that route if it’s something I’ve already started and I’m deeply engaged in.

I save music for when I start to get really tired and I head straight to something high energy that I can sing along to and get my blood pumping. Lately my go to for this is Killswitch Engage’s Disarm The Descent. Foo Fighters In Your Honor A side is good for that as well. If it’s rap it’s Pac, BoneThugs, Dre.

Basically I don’t use that time to listen to new shit. I keep it familiar.

Road trips are a little tougher if I’ve got the family in toe. The kids tend to sleep a lot but my wife stays awake and she’s strictly music. She doesn’t listen to podcasts or audiobooks and doesn’t do movies or tv in audio form and she’s not a big talker so that makes road trips a bit of a grind when she’s around lol.