Rollerskate II: The Revenge
You would expect a lot of swerving and near collisions while roller skating. However, it is not so fun when near collisions happen on the way to roller skating. I was driving some kids in a 15 passenger van to Pittsburg to the skating rink. We were cruising on I-80, minding our own business when I noticed a blue pickup truck with a big fat mattress on top of it about 100 yards ahead. We were about 1 mile from our turnoff onto highway 4, so I made my way over to the right lane. The blue truck was now in the third lane from the right. Suddenly the truck slowed down and without signaling cut across one lane so it was in the lane next to me. But it didn't stop there. I was still moving at about 60 mph (obeying the speed limit like the good driver I am), and this truck continues on its path toward my lane. The driver seems oblivious to the fact that a 2 ton vehicle was rolling along at 60 mph to his right. So, the truck continues to slow down right in front of me. I swerve slightly right so I am now halfway out of my lane. I think the truck may have seen me because he moves back to the left about a foot but then figures what the heck and does a Marshall Faulk cutback all the way right to the shoulder. So here I am, halfway out of my lane on the right, going much faster, in a much larger vehicle, about to collide with a truck and a mattress. I remember one week at church, Nathan made us watch one of those Dateline reports about how dangerous 15 passenger vans are and how they tip over and explode and all kinds of good thoughts go through my mind. Thank God that there was no guard rail, cliff or mountain on the right side of the freeway. Using my Jeff Gordon skills, I actually had to drive over the shoulder on to the grass and gravel next to the freeway for a short distance. At this point all my passengers are screaming or cursing, one girl is telling everyone not to scream and I see the stupid truck finally came to a stop in the right lane next to where I stopped in the grass. I was mad at the truck and thought about sideswiping him, but one of our vans was already in the shop so I had no backup vehicles if this one got damaged. We continued on our trip with no further incidents. I can't wait for roller skating next week.

If you are driving anywhere in northern California, especially in the east bay, and want to suddenly cut in front of a 15 passenger van with the King's Club name and logo on the side, please use your turn signal.

Go Tampa Bay.