7.20.2006

the unpredictability of pedestrians

flipping through a dept. of licensing vehicle operator manual -

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Locate hazards and potential conflicts.
  • Pedestrians and animals - are unpredictable, and make short, quick moves.

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ain't that the truth?

just the other day i was driving through town and noticed a few pedestrians standing near a little flower shop. it occurred to me that i had no idea what they were going to do next. run, dance, sit, cartwheel, spontaneously burst into flames? i had no idea. and sure enough, just as i was thinking that one of them did some sort of short, quick, kung-fu style hand swoosh at a bee or something that was flying around her head.

i totally didn't predict that.