(Re)Learning the rules

In my effort to move more than Shakira in her "My hips don't Lie" video I have uprooted the family yet again. I don't think there's any surpise in this so I won't try to beat around the bush. I hated my job so I found another and moved. Incidentally, I have worked for the new employer before. It was during the dot com (dot bomb) days. It was a good job and I was a database administrator. I enjoyd the work but I saw the end of the dot com before it actually ended. There were some poor decisions made and I tried to get them to change their ways to no avail. I've had about 5 years to ponder it and at this point I pretty much just see it as a stock pump and dump routine. I know a lot of people made a lot of money but I just made my pacheck. My options never matured before the crash so I was left without the Mercedes, the houseboat, the house on the golf course. I learned a lesson though and that's what counts. This time around we're not dealing with publicly traded companies so I at least don't have to worry about that. I just have to worry about the rules.

I moved to a very rural part of America. They have their own customs and ways, and I'm ok with that. I think during the time I was away I sort of romanticized the area. I forgot the odd or bad things and exaggerated the good things. I'm like that most of the time, I prefer to accentuate the positive. Sometimes maybe too much. I know, you wouldn't think that would be the case from reading my rantings on here but hey, I promise its true. One rule that I remember clearly is when there is a funeral procession you don't only give them the right of way... you pull over. And remove your hat. And wait until it is fully passed before continuing on your merry way. I feel like I've already told you that. I feel like I know you so well. Perhaps we should skip the formalities and get down to what we came here for... Oh wait, my mind was wandering. Another rule is that seatbelts, and children riding in carseats, while still the law, are both optional. Just yesterday I saw a minivan with captain's chairs in the front. In the driver seat was ...well... the driver. In the passenger seat was a woman and a toddler. Not the first time I've seen that around here. I'm old enough to remember riding in the front seat as a youngin', riding all over without seat belts, and all that. I've decided my children will remain buckled into their 5 point harnesses in the back seat where they're out of my hair. ...and, well, safer. Another generally accepted rule dealing with driving is the optionalization of turn signals. Typically around here if a turn signal is used it gets the opportunity to blink but one time. There doesn't seem to be any sense in turning it on too soon because they might wear out or something.

So how am I doing? Well I'm getting noticed. People are starting to be able to recognize me.
them: "Who are you again?"
me: "I'm the guy who wears the seatbelt.
them: "I kindly know a few people like that."
me: "I'm the guy that uses his turn signal."
them: "OHHHHH, yeah, I've seen you."