What keeps me up at night...

The fact that I drive a bus full of slightly to moderately drunk people around until at least 3am most Fridays and Saturdays is enough to keep me awake much longer than I should. However, that isn't the only thing that keeps me up at night. At 3:00am, when I get back into my own bed, one would think I could just fall asleep, but I can't. At first, I thought it was just my body telling me that I couldn't go to sleep, keep those eyes open it says, you have a job to do. But long after that job is over I still lie there. Last night reminded me of what else is always in the back of my mind during these late nights. Two pedestrians were struck and killed on a major highway right behind a popular bar at the lake. It was almost 2am when it happened. I haven't found any news stories on it yet, but being this is a small town, the news doesn't get reported as regularly. Based on what I know, it would seem the pedestrians had docked their boat and were crossing the street to go to or from Captain's Point, which is one of two bars that is open at that time. The road is dark, and on a curve, and I can easily see how it could have happened. It really scares me because I was on that road not 15 minutes before that happened.

It made me realize that while what I do can be fun, annoying, rewarding, tiring and downright exhausting all at the same time, it is an important job. Every time someone gets on my bus, they are putting their trust in me to get them where they need to go safely, otherwise they would've driven themselves. I know I am a good driver, but I have no idea who is on the road with me. The other hazards on the road include pedestrians walking on the side of a major highway in all black clothing, golf carts zipping in and out of driveways all over the lake, kids on bicycles in the campgrounds. These are all people whom I need to watch out for. While it is easy to just pass off the job as a bus driver who makes some extra cash on the weekends, I am helping to keep people off the road who shouldn't be driving, keeping an extra keen eye out for those who choose not to ride with me but should, and trying to keep all others who vacation at the lake safe so they don't end up like the poor people last night. I would like to say this is the first time I have seen something like this, but it happens every Summer. Someone leaves for the lake to have a good time and they never make it home. Its scary and I am thankful nothing has happened to me or the people on my bus yet. I am lucky for the people on my bus who are entertaining and keep me alert (as well as the major share of stock I should own in Red Bull for as much of their product as I drink).

Hopefully tomorrow's post is more lighthearted, but I needed to share these thoughts. BE SAFE OUT THERE!