The surface of things

Today, during my usual morning commute, I was more aware of things -- which, I can assure you, is actually a bad idea while you're driving. Don't be aware of things. Mindlessly follow the tail lights in front of you, people! Do not stop to notice how there is only one person in nearly every car that passes you. Do not marvel at the bleached blonde in the sweet Eclipse spyder who actually has the top down in the freezing-ass cold. (Didn't she have to scrape the frost off her windows like I did this morning?) Do no stop to laugh when she proceeds to make a right-hand turn from the left lane. Do not notice how all the trees have taken on that gray, defeated, late fall look. Do not take this time to think. It can only lead to bad things.