Own Time Own Target

Went for a 5+ km+ jog at Ulu Pandan canal last evening with T and then a 40 storey climb at one of Ghim Moh's point blocks. The original plan was a slow 9+ km but had to change because T was late, he had never gone above 6km and his pace was too fast for me. (we finished 5.2km in slightly less than 30min...)

On hindsight, it may not have been wise to train with T as he was a regular 5km runner, trying 10km at the SCSM 06 for the first time. But i wanted company, especially at the late evening hour and we did promise to train with each other. BUT he does not believe in rehydrating during the run/ climbing, thus delaying my purchase of 100+ till the end of the run and 40 storeys climb which probably caused a delay in my recovery after the exercise....

i thought "no matter...." and took a shower and quick bite before driving to pick up the kids.

and here's where the OH SHUCKS come in...

it was past 8pm, drizzling and dark as I drove on the slightly unfamiliar roads, i had a headache not helped by the strong glare of head lights from cars behind in my mirrors, and i must have been too tired to concentrate on the road properly, as I was horned at 3 times.

• the first for not checking blind spot when filtering into fast moving traffic on the right and a car that zoomed with horns blaring by on my right. well actually i did check, but didnt see the car, either he had beaten the red light at the junction before, or he didnt have his headlights on, or i was too slow, or i just didnt check properly. after that i was just a little paranoid about checking my blind spot on the right.

• the second for not moving off quickly as the lights turned green, but this was because i was allowing a car in front left lane to filter into my lane as he had encountered road works. On hind sight, i should have moved off anyways but at slower speed.

• the third for filtering left too slowly and a taxi came bearing down on me, but i managed to go in front, while he wanted to filter right. not totally my fault as he didnt signal right. almost immediately after i got into lane, a motorist was wobbling, probably a little shaken by the taxi's horn. kept a safe distance from him.

All in, quite a harrowing experience, certainly the worst driving trip i've had. After we picked up the kids, i still had the drive home to contend with, thankfully it went without incident as I kept mostly to the left or center lanes.

Reached home with a SPLITTING headache, and a small wish for days old where i didnt have a car, no responsibility! but it is too late to comtemplate all that, isnt it? :(

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So today is a brand new day.

Had to attend a meeting and a seminar, not driving is not an option. i just had to be thick-skinned and drive on, 硬着头皮 in a sense

Drove to office in town from home, and then from office to Revenue House, and then from there to office in Jurong.

At the start of each journey, i sat in the car to study the road maps for a good few minutes before driving off, luckily with no incidents, even in the heavy downpours throughout the day.

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My thoughts on driving.

if only everybody

• knew and kept to the rules,
• were mindful of their actions on other road users,
• were considerate and understand of other road users,
• did not rush unnecessarily to save a minute or 2

driving will be safer and a more pleasant experience for everyone.

but those are my thoughts today, ask me again about road idiots a year from now.... ;p

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it had only been 6 days since i collected my car, and in 4 days of driving on work days, i've clocked 300km+... i can only get better, right? :)

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