Decadent Monday Commute

 I thought I was running late this morning because I didn't make it out the door until past seven. I have no fixed time for my job hours, and need go in only two days a week, but I try to go in every day if I can. The real time constraint in the commute. If I go early, I can whiz right into Tempe and avoid the slowdowns in the construction areas. Best is to get to the ramp before the ramp stoplights get turned on. The one where I get on is two lanes, alternating lights. Often times I wait for my turn lawfully only to have a scofflaw blow through the other one at full speed. In any case, if I wait too long in the morning, the commute can become a hazardous nightmare, even without slowdowns.  So I try to get on the road early.

Even running a little late this morning, I must have hit the sweet spot. I got on the 101 immediately and soon was zipping along without any white knuckle merging into the center lane to avoid being forced off immediately at the next exit. It was so calm that soon my mind began to wander into pleasant thoughts of people and places, and even composing this very blog entry. In no time I realized I was nearing the Salt River bridge which meant I needed to switch over to the far right lane, which itself sometimes feels hazardous, but went smoothly today. I still have an instinctual mistrust of using the little side mirrors that show the blind spots.

Now I was actually a bit too early. Since classes and finals are over, the businesses in the Student Union have reduced hours. My bagelry will not be open yet. I had been thinking about Toblerone bars that I used to take snowshoeing years ago. Feeling adventurous I decided to finally indulge in stopping at the Dunkin Donuts along Broadway Road, after getting off in Tempe. I had been passing every morning, and thinking about the chocolate glazed donuts which were my favorite when I was a kid. So I pulled into the parking lot and went indoors, ordering a large coffee with cream and, more importantly, two of the aforementioned chocolate glazed donuts. The donuts were presented to me immediately in a sack and it was all I could do not to devour them before my coffee arrived, duly with plenty of cream. The donuts made it as far as the Gammage Auditorium parking lot where I found my usual spot. I am sitting alone in the lab with my coffee, avoiding the start of the work day. No one is keeping track but me. I have no explicit urgent tasks. Like I said, decadence.