Unfortunately the free bird I am talking about is not the “Free Bird” by rock legends Lynyrd Skynyrd: http://www.lynyrdskynyrd.com/
No, this bird had a sound like a car horn and flew by me wrapped in a SUV. The bird even chirped, “as#h@le” as he flew by on my left. I’m a bicycle messenger, so being on the receiving end of the bird, or name calling is a daily occurrence. Sad, but true.
If I had to stereotype, which I will, it’s almost always the same guy that flies me the bird and cusses me out. He drives a truck, usually lifted SUV or pickup, has a beer gut, and brown hair worn slightly over the ears.
I’ve learned these are birds you don’t want to feed. And by feed, I mean rebut or interact with. So, I close my mouth, squeeze my handlebars tightly so as to not let any of my birds lose, and roll right on past them at the next intersection.
I can’t control my surroundings, only how I react within them. And when that mantra brings me no peace, I just stare at the beautiful wheels rolling under me and laugh because I can hear the birds as I ride and the beer belly, bird flipping man cannot.
Tags: anger, Birds, cars, messengers, passivity, peace, traffic
