Yesterday while coming up a ramp to merge onto a major highway I was stopped by a female flagger. Oh great, I thought, construction! Now I'm one to mind my manners and I learned young that staring is not polite. Yesterday I was not polite! At first I looked ahead as I sat there for what seemed forever. I started getting impatient, thinking when is this lady going to let me go, I've places to be. Then it happened! Out the corner of my eye I saw her light up. I look. No. I stare! She was really woofing it down. Puff after puff without coming up for air. I remember thinking what a bad fit she was having and how long it must have been since she had had her last. Yes, I could relate to that ugly image. I remembered the satisfaction of that first long drag. How it would bring instant relief to all my woes. What I didn't remember is just how ugly that feeling is. I thought back to the jitters, dizziness, feelings of anger, lack of concentration on anything other than getting my fix. I thought about how when my break time would come, how I would knock anyone over in my way as I headed for the nearest designated smoking area. I WAS sick! She (the flagger lady) IS sick! Not only is she sick but she's so very unattractive. I mean really! Why did no one ever tell me how unattractive I looked puffing away like that, killing myself! My stomach was in knots by the time she waved me past. I feel bad for her. She's killing herself in the most ugly manner.
Community
The tanning bed has always been a place to make people's skin leathery but those flaggers really have a problem. Very seldom do you even see them wearing a hat to protect their face. Great description. I know largely what you were thinking as you were in that situation.
Mark
EX Community Manager