Drive safely, friends.

James and I almost died the other day.  I exaggerate not.

We were on our way to meet some friends in the city Friday night, when, as we neared the toll booth for the Bay Bridge intending to go straight through on the Fastrack lane, the car in the next lane suddenly decided to switch into our lane.  James slammed on the brakes, but given how fast we were going and how close we were to the toll plaza, there was no way.

Your life does not flash before your eyes.  It's a lie.  It's not even fear, but helplessness.  For approximately 3-5 seconds as we neared the car, your mind freezes and your body, I suppose, somehow instinctually braces you for the impact.

Bam!

Bastards.  Learn to drive.

The airbags popped out, and the car is smoky.  The front of James' car is...totaled.  Me and James sat there for a few seconds, bewildered, amazed, speechless. 

"You okay?" James asks me.  I nod.  The area on my spine below my neck is hurting.  Whiplash.  I hoped it was nothing serious (it wasn't, because when I went to the hospital to get x-rayed yesterday, they wanted to use my spine as a model).

We. Could. Have. Died.  Thank god for seatbelts and airbags.

Bastards.  We almost crashed into them a second time afterwards, too. They didn't even apologize.  Fools.


So lucky to be alive.  It's strange; I've heard of people getting into accidents before, and it sounds so cliche to say that having a near-death experience makes one reevaluate things...but obviously, it does.

Experiencing life.  Hah.

So.  Some general reflections post-accident:

1. I am lucky to be alive.  Me and James both.  There were so many factors that night that, had something been a little bit different, we might have ended up...very differently.  How we all survived and are in one piece, with no injuries, not even a scratch, amazes me.

2. Life is really too short.  We all think that we are invincible, or that nothing will happen, but it's not true.  Things can happen, and they do.  So live life, stop planning so damn much, and try to enjoy what's in front of you.  Have no regrets. Seek out the things and people you care about, and don't dwell on the trivial things.  Think big picture.

3. When things are well in life, be extra cautious.  Don't let your guard down.

My friends: be safe, live life, and love each other.  I appreciate you all.