It had been a happy, busy day, July 11, 2013, Seven/eleven day, and I had successfully touched up, fine-tuned the art for 3 or 4 embroidery projects. I had 3 screen printing jobs lined up, so I had gone to pick up the shirts at Golden State T shirt warehouse. An old friend had dropped by to say hello, and Cameron got a phone call from his cousin Aaron just to chat. It was around 5:07 when I asked Cam if he needed any help, and if not, I’d head for home. At 5 PM there is usually a line of traffic on Stockton Avenue, as it is a good route to the main highway 87. I backed out of my parking space in our lot, and drove up to the exit. Two 30ish Asian girls pulled forward in front of me, waiting for the light. They were happily chatting away, with no concern that I would like to make a left past them. I thought they would see me, but I had to lean out my window, and say “Can you pull up?” The driver with a look of surprise pulled up as there was a car length between her and an orange car also waiting for the light. I was amazed when the car behind, a black Mercedes sedan with a long dark haired driver pulled forward to essentially block me. I put up my hand palm to stop her, and she looked surprised. These are probably city-county employees who are not used to displays of empathy. I squeezed between these impatient ladies, and just as I could see the left side traffic, a bright red, beautifully painted pickup was turning from Lenzen onto Stockton, about 4 car lengths away. I hit the gas, as I was in an awkward situation, and Mr Red Pickup didn’t like my trespass on his road. He was suddenly 6 inches from my back bumper. This annoyed me because everyone knows that Stockton Avenue is my street. I pulled off the gas and dropped to 20 MPH. He was infuriated. As soon as we were past the cars on the other lane, he roared around me as close as he could get on a no left lane, and cut back as close as he could. At the light on Taylor street, he was making a right, and had to wait for the light and a black GMC to get out of his way. I honked a few times and yelled in my strongest baritone “Your Grandma needs to teach you how to drive..” His yellow shirt sleeve came out the window with a gesture so I know he heard me.
Posted on: Fri, 12 Jul 2013 12:55:02 +0000