The Wave

Oh the Bay Bridge. It is such a beautiful ride coming from Oakland into San Francisco. From the East Bay into S.F. you get to see the vast amounts of water, sailboats, and the Downtown area. Even if stuck in traffic, there are some positive aspects to it. Sadly, the same could not be said for the trip from S.F. to Oakland. Leaving S.F. provides the drivers with a minimal view and lots of construction work on the sides. I had to go to the San Francisco Italian Consulate to apply for my Visa and the office was only open from 1-3:30. I arrived at 2:30 thinking that nobody else would be there. As soon as I turned onto Webster St., I felt like I was back in line at AMC for Star Wars: Episode I. I didn't get to turn in my paper work until 4:45 (they took everyone still in line even if past 3:30) and by that time I was mentally preparing myself for rush hour traffic. I would have stayed in S.F. but I wanted to get home and watch the NBA Finals (HUGE MISTAKE).

I got on the Bay Bridge at 5:22. In the heart of Rush Hour. It was bumper to bumper getting home. I hadn't eaten lunch and was in a rather bad mood after the Visa process. While on the bridge it was clear that everyone was eager to get home. Everyone changing lanes, thinking that one is faster than the other. They go back and forth trying to get a leg up on everyone. There was this one car (there is always is that one guy) who refused to stay put. It's like going to a baseball game with a friend who doesn't really like the sport: they going 'wandering' or 'on an adventure' within the park but it turns out that everything is just the same but from different angles. ( Can anyone say Max Gibson?) I decided that this guy who was constantly changing lanes was on a mission to get home (or the early bird special at the strip club, who knows) and I was going to let him do his thing.

The guy went in and out of my lane three times and each time he refused to acknowledge my generosity. He didn't give me... The Wave. Y'all know what I'm talking bout. The nonchalant right hand thrown into the air after somebody else lets you in their lane or allows you to go before them. It's so easy and it does go a long way. Sure, I'm not overcome with happiness after receiving The Wave but damn, just like a husband coming home from a hard day's work looking for some sweet lovin', I am livid when I don't get it.

It really gets me riled up when everyone is waiting on the far right of the freeway to exit and there is that one prick who decides to cut everyone and get over at the last second. First off, one shouldn't be doing that and if they do, they should give The Wave and then some. Maybe they should have some candy or thank you notes to throw into people's window or something. I understand that sometimes people are lost and don't realize they should get off but most of the time it is some businessman jackass with a bluetooth headset and a pair of Tom Cruise 'Mission Impossible' sunglasses.

Look, all I am asking of all the drivers out there is this: if somebody allows you to go in front of them or lets you change lanes, just give them The Wave. It can go a long way. Trust me.