Winter is here.

As I write this, we here in Iowa are awaiting an ice storm, predicted to hit us sometime today. We can hope that our weather forecasters are wrong, which they often are, but I'm guessing we will get this one. I really don't mind when we get snow, the roads are cleared pretty fast and it looks so nice when all of the trees and bushes are covered in white. Ice, on the other hand, I could do without. I mentioned last winter that right outside my office window is a four way stop. When the roads get slick, the number of people who slide through this four way goes through the roof. Last year, we watched as two people blew the sign at the same time and missed each other by inches, causing one guy to get out of his car, fall and get back up several times, only to give the finger to the other diver who was long gone. I nearly pissed myself laughing so hard. Now, we waited in anticipation earlier this week for this guy, or his more angry brother, to show up. I'm so dedicated to the window watching activity that I ate my lunch standing up so I could watch the danger zone while I ate. I watched as car after car drove up to the sign way to fast, tried to stop on a dime, only to realize that 4 wheel drive doesn't mean 4 wheel stop. My lunch time was a bust, a bunch of near collisions, but no contact. Seeing as how I still needed to work, I could only look out the window when I got up from my desk or returned. On one occasion, I watched a stopped semi get rear ended by a Jeep, but little damage to the vehicles. I guess I should say that I'm not looking for anyone to get hurt, I just want to watch what I know is going to happen, and it finally did. I was walking back into my cube when I looked out my window to see a 4 wheel drive truck approaching the four way stop at a pretty good clip, a clip I knew wasn't going to allow him to stop at the stop sign. I had to walk forward a bit to see the actual intersection, so I did and saw 2 cars in said intersection. At this time, I made sounds that clued in my co-workers that show time was quickly approaching, and BAM! Dude in non-4-wheel stop, blows the sign and drills a car in the rear drivers side door, bounces off and hits another guy coming the other direction. First dudes car blew up like a piñata, but the preferable candy inside was replace with plastic car parts and assorted lens covers and trim. I felt sorry for the two unsuspecting bumper car participants, but no sympathy for mister four wheeler. Little tip for those of you who don't normally drive on ice, slow down. It's that simple. This ain't Indy and you aren't Mario Andretti (or Danica Patrick, if sex is important to your reference). I might suggest that you also concentrate on the task at hand and tell Betty Lou you'll call her when you get home. That way, both hands and your brain are involved in the task at hand. Just a thought.