Driving Etiquette

March 10, 2010

Those of you who know me know that I like to consider myself a lady. I say “please” and “thank you”; “bless you” when someone sneezes. I swear sparingly and cross my legs at my ankles when wearing a short skirt. I like to think these manners translate to my behavior when driving. Now, I’m not a braggart, but I have been driving since I was 15 years old. Not just because I’ve got skills- (Sure, you can call me the “Black” Danika Patrick), but in Texas, so long as you have an adult in the car you can get your license before 16.

So not only do I have time under my belt, I am I an excellent driver (said in my best Dustin Hoffman Rainman voice), but I possess what I like to think of as top notch driver’s etiquette. I use my blinker when I need to change lanes 97% of the time. If some kind soul let’s me cut in front of them I wave a thank you gesture. I even let other people in front of me especially if we’re in the same “car family”.

I’ve truly loved all the cars I’ve had and felt a personal bond with them that many may deem unnatural. My first car “Shelia” (Yes, I name all of my cars) was my girl! Sheila and I made countless trips back and forth to Missouri when I was in college. We made a 12-hour trip 10 hours many times over and only got one speeding ticket to show for it. She was my first and only sports car.

1989 Acura Integra

My second car “Jacqueline” who was a bit more sophisticated came with me to NYC, and although she spent most of her time in New Jersey she saw much of the East Coast from Virginia to Rhode Island and all the states in between as we spent A LOT of time driving to comedy gigs.

1989 Volvo

And my current baby, “Troyella” …or “Troy” as she goes by has also seen her fair share of Manhattan and the Eastern Seaboard too.

1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Like many Americans I can say that I sometimes live in my car. I even admit to doing some things in cars I probably shouldn’t have while driving and while parking (but that’s not for publication). I’ve eaten in my car, spoken on the phone and texted (bad Karith), I’ve even been one of those awful people who has applied make-up while behind the wheel. I am ALL about multi-tasking. But I think there comes a time in one’s life where they draw the line. And no matter how comfortable you feel in your car, how close you are to your car there are some things that should NEVER EVER be done while driving. At the top of that list should be at shaving your cooter.

lawnmower_shave

I would have never even thought to advise people against something like that- thinking that oh, it requires a certain amount of attention to detail. More detail than going 65 miles an hour down a highway allow- that and maybe a shower. But apparently not everyone in America has the sense that God gave them. A woman in Florida was recently arrested for uh-um “grooming downstairs” while driving to meet her boyfriend. Again, I’m all for multi-tasking but C’MON!!! If Oprah’s pissed about people talking on their cell phones while driving I can’t wait to see this campaign.

Oprah Winfrey

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My Tiger Beat (Down)

December 12, 2009

One of the best things about having your own website is you can issue statements or rebut claims that have been made about you that aren’t exactly true or that don’t tell the WHOLE story. This past week I was teamed up with a woman I worked with when I first moved to New York City. She was, and still is, a host on the popular television show “The View” and back then I was a production assistant. Fast forward 10 years to a successful comedy career- one that’s spanned national and international television and radio; we meet again. This time I was a guest commentator on her show—the Joy Behar Show.
Well, I said some [...]

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Viva Las Vegas

November 12, 2009

I just spent an entire week in Las Vegas, Nevada performing at the Comedy Stop in the Sahara Hotel & Casino.

I knew it was going to be a trip when this was the first sight I took in when I got off the plane.

Let me preface by saying, this was the longest time I have ever been in Vegas voluntarily. If it were up to me the kitschy slogan wouldn’t be “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.” But, “Las Vegas- where you can get more than just hope sucked out of you!” I think you’re already starting to catch my drift about how I feel re: “Sin City”. Now, I’ve been to [...]

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Bubble Girl

October 29, 2009

When I was a little girl I had many instances where I thought I was being wronged or getting the short end of the stick. I know, you’re probably thinking who would intentionally rob such a sweet little brown girl of her joie de vivre? Well, let me tell you, I promise the answer will shock and awe you.

When I was 4 years old I couldn’t blow a bubble to save my life. So it soon became the mission of all the neighborhood kids in our quaint close-knit suburb to help little Karith Foster blow her first bubble. We did everything—after pre-k tutorials, weekend workshops in the clubhouse – but nothing worked. My friends were [...]

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Hallo-will or Hallo-won’t for Halloween

October 28, 2009

I like to think I’m a pretty decisive individual. When I go out to dinner to one of my favorite restaurants it takes me around 10.7 seconds (yes I’ve clocked it) to decide what I’m going to have for dinner. When given the choice between chocolate or vanilla it’s always chocolate—unless we’re having cake and red velvet is an option. (I’m a Southern girl at heart- what do you want from me?)
That’s why it is so puzzling that I’m having such a tough time deciding what to be for Halloween this year. Several years back I sported this sexy nurse uniform with a stethoscope and Florence Nightingale hat and all. I was “Kinky Caretaker [...]

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Discover the Discovery Network

October 12, 2009

You ever have a bad day? Week? Year? Sure, we all have! But forget Paxil or Cymbalta or any of those other drugs whose side effects have progressively worsened over the years. Y’all remember when once upon a time the worst side effects from a prescription anti-depressant were possible headaches and explosive diarrhea. Now it’s paranoia, hallucinations and occasional thoughts of suicide—Really Pfizer?! Really Glaxo??!

I say screw that prescription crap and do what I do. When I’m feeling down I medicate the good ol’ fashioned Generation X way: ESCAPISM—via a mixture of voyeurism and technology. That’s right. I turn on the boob tube and let the magic healing happen. Don’t get me wrong I’m pro-active [...]

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F-I-D-E-L-I-T-Y

October 4, 2009

Lately, it seems like every time we turn on the news all we hear about are people gettin’ their freak on like adolescent bunny rabbits hopped up on “E”. And it’s not just some phenomena with our political leaders—everyday  people, are gettin’ in on the  “horn-dog” action. Being the feminist that I am, I wish I could say it was just a case of “have penis will travel”. But women are doing it too!  I call that “have vajayjay will vacation”. Although I do think a woman’s appetite for getting probed is a tad less adventurous than a man’s appetite for probing options. From melons to apple pies- nothing’s off-limit for y’all.
After much consideration I’ve [...]

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Crappy Dilemma

September 29, 2009

Yesterday, I received an e-mail from my Chihuahua’s vet saying that it was time for a parasite check-up. Which as it turns out means they need to inspect her cute little puppy poop. So being the good dog-mother that I am I called her vet immediately to make an appointment. To my surprise the receptionist said, “Oh, we don’t need to see her. All you have to do is just drop a sample off.” Well, that’s all fine and good and it wouldn’t be an issue if I lived IN Long Island where the vet is located. But I live in Manhattan about 50 miles, $11 worth of tolls and a quarter tank of gas [...]

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Teenage Wasteland

September 28, 2009

I hate admitting this but I have a secret that I just can’t keep to myself anymore. I realize that the time to come clean is now or never. Now, I like to think that I’m a mature, together, intellectual woman who knows right from wrong, but I too am human, at times weak, and sometimes when I give in to my demons BAM! before I know what hits me there’s a 14-year-old boy inside of me just having the time of his life. Um, okay wait! That SO doesn’t sound right. Before y’all call the cops or more traumatizing, Chris Hansen from NBC’s Dateline: “To Catch a Predator”, let me rephrase that. [...]

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Karaoke Beatdown

September 20, 2009

And the Beat Goes Down…And the Beat Goes Dooowwnn
The local Tri-State Area news never ceases to amaze, entertain and disturb me. A few nights ago it was local NYC anchor Ernie Anastos with the most unusual pass off to a weatherman I’d ever heard. For some reason unknown to man and probably God, Ernie felt the need to say, “Keep f*#king that chicken.” Um, okay.
Tonight though it wasn’t what any of the newscasters had to say that made my eyebrows raise but the news itself. The story of the night came out of Connecticut of all places. It was about a nurse’s aid, who as the anchor said in her anchorly way, “is nursing some [...]

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