So the inevitable finally happened and I lived to tell about it. Well, get back to me in twenty-four hours and I'll let you know about that last part.
The Reuther (or 696 for non-locals) was closed in a crucial spot this weekend making my trip to Lansing more scenic than I would have otherwise enjoyed. Still, it was not as bad as it could have been and cutting across M-59 was better than taking a detour with a lot of construction traffic. While it took a lot longer because of the traffic lights than the regular freeway does, things didn't turn interesting until the trip home.
First things first: I have a bit of a lead foot. I also tend to be an impatient driver, but that comes from living and driving in the city. I have a U-D alumni holder for my license plate and ghetto cruiser for a car. I am proud of all of these things. So sue me, right? Wrong. Apparently in Oakland County due to the nerve of local law officials, this is grounds for...
I drove the speed limit on the way home at least I almost did for most of the trip. Not a big deal and I was making fairly decent time. It is quite obvious that the closer one becomes to reaching civilization, the slower you have to drive. Do I know this? Yes. Do I know that I have to be careful in the immediate Pontiac area? Yes. Have I been warned about cops speedtrapping in that same area? Absolutely. In the back of my mind, I knew to be careful. On the bottom of my foot, I was not. I was speeding. Hands down. Then I saw the cop car turn the corner. It is everyone's reaction to slam the brakes and I did that, yes, but to no avail. By the time the cop was behind me I was still doing 10 over. I started to slow down to let the car in the right lane move by, and then got over. By that time the flashers were on and I was turning into the parking lot. I knew that he was going to get me. I just knew it. Some things can't be denied.
I was expecting, at the very least, some kind of conversation with the cop (as opposed to just a piece of paper). But they must not conduct business in that manner in Oakland County. By the time he made it up to my window, I already had my stuff ready to give him. He said that the speed limit there was 35 and I was doing 52 and "That's way too fast here." I didn't deny that I was going that fast. I knew I was going at least 50 (so much of M-59 is 45 MPH and I didn't notice the slower speed limit until after the cop was tailing me). He didn't ask me how I was, if I knew what I was getting pulled over for, or that whole game. So I couldn't use my witty charm and pretty smile to get out of it. I couldn't even tell him that I knew I was going that fast but I'd never been pulled over before (this would have been a lie). I didn't even get the chance to get a warning (albeit my second warning). I look out and there is a backup car in the parking lot next to me. I realize that is probably standard operating procedure, but honestly, like I am such a threat.
Meanwhile, all I could think is how great my blogger would be with this story in it. Hell, I might even deem this Myspace appropriate and worthy. I'm sure the officer didn't appreciate the fact that I was not fuming mad, crying hysterically, or any other typical behavior. Instead, I probably had this stupid little smirk on my face because I was in the middle of a great story to blog. Totally lame but at the same time, so totally funny.
I obviously have the wrong zip code and am too pro-Detroit to have gotten away with speeding in Oakland County tonight. Well, make that any night. Of all the places where I know they speed trap - three years of driving down Livernois to school; endless trips home across Hall Rd; near any school, etc etc - and I have to get pulled over and ticketed in Waterford. That sucks. That sucks bad.
And it will most likely suck even worse once I call the court and discover the damage. I am willing to pay because I am guilty of the crime, but I don't deserve the points. The cop didn't even talk to me. I couldn't even attempt to get off, which given the attitude of my Officer Grumyass, would have been unlikely. At least he could have given me an opportunity to try! At any rate, it is funny for the time being and I can shake it off as a learning experience and just take it one step at a time.
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