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Nec Temere, Nec Timide
Feb. 19th, 2005 12:23 amThis is a saying (a Saxon device, actually) that is rather popular in our Kendô dôjô: Neither Reckless Nor Timid. (Although I have yet to understand why recently people have begun to write this Saxon device translated into Latin in Tengwar lettering onto their shinai.)
It is also a saying that applies unbelievably well to the situation on the streets tonight.
Look, people. If it's snowing as hard as this, even I understand that you have to drive carefully. Now I am arrogant, of course, because I have tried this on the roads of Switzerland in December 2003, so I know more or less how fast I can go relatively safe. But I don't expect of you to go as fast as I do. I understand that you wish to be more prudent.
BUT. If the fucking highway has THREE lanes, can everybody who wants to go no faster than 10 km/h PLEASE, PLEASE do that in ONE lane? Certainly NOT on the line BETWEEN two lanes, and even less NEXT TO EACH OTHER on TWO of these lines, so TWO cars manage to block the COMPLETE FUCKING HIGHWAY?
And if you decide that it's too dangerous to go on at all, which is a decision you are entitled to, of course, can you PLEASE not decide that IN THE FUCKING MIDDLE of a 90° bend? Because forcing others to break in a sloped bend? EVEN MORE FUCKING DANGEROUS.
And one last thing: If you live in Jerusalem, or Barcelona, or even Kiel, I might understand that you do not have winter tyres because you hardly ever need them. HOWEVER. Here we are in the Bergisches Land, which is also named Rhenanian Siberia for a reason. Said reason being: It can get cold. And snowy. ESPECIALLY in the winter. We have been having random snowfalls ever since 11/10, and there is a reason why in days of yore the definite beginning of spring was Beltane (which happens to be the day before my birthday, but I digress). So: Put on winter tyres in late October. Don't take them off until Mid-May. Really.
And: Drive carefully, but not over-cautious. Nec temere, nec timide.
All ye Valar.
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( Weder unbesonnen noch furchtsam )
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It is also a saying that applies unbelievably well to the situation on the streets tonight.
Look, people. If it's snowing as hard as this, even I understand that you have to drive carefully. Now I am arrogant, of course, because I have tried this on the roads of Switzerland in December 2003, so I know more or less how fast I can go relatively safe. But I don't expect of you to go as fast as I do. I understand that you wish to be more prudent.
BUT. If the fucking highway has THREE lanes, can everybody who wants to go no faster than 10 km/h PLEASE, PLEASE do that in ONE lane? Certainly NOT on the line BETWEEN two lanes, and even less NEXT TO EACH OTHER on TWO of these lines, so TWO cars manage to block the COMPLETE FUCKING HIGHWAY?
And if you decide that it's too dangerous to go on at all, which is a decision you are entitled to, of course, can you PLEASE not decide that IN THE FUCKING MIDDLE of a 90° bend? Because forcing others to break in a sloped bend? EVEN MORE FUCKING DANGEROUS.
And one last thing: If you live in Jerusalem, or Barcelona, or even Kiel, I might understand that you do not have winter tyres because you hardly ever need them. HOWEVER. Here we are in the Bergisches Land, which is also named Rhenanian Siberia for a reason. Said reason being: It can get cold. And snowy. ESPECIALLY in the winter. We have been having random snowfalls ever since 11/10, and there is a reason why in days of yore the definite beginning of spring was Beltane (which happens to be the day before my birthday, but I digress). So: Put on winter tyres in late October. Don't take them off until Mid-May. Really.
And: Drive carefully, but not over-cautious. Nec temere, nec timide.
All ye Valar.
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( Weder unbesonnen noch furchtsam )
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