Editor's Notebook: On the road

7:15 a.m. Friday, eastbound on West Terry Street.

You know, it's kind of peaceful in a way, this sitting in traffic. The sun slanting in from the east bathes everything in a soft glow. Dust mites dance in the sunbeams. A cool morning breeze wafts through the open window. Maybe this is a divine sign that we should all just take a moment to slow down, take a deep breath and concentrate on the things in life that are really important.

7:17 a.m.

We don't move soon I'm gonna kill someone!

7:19 a.m.

I don't mind the bicyclist passing me, but getting lapped by the pedestrian is downright humiliating.

7:20 a.m.

How come westbound traffic is moving so fast? How come I'm always in the slow lane and never in the fast lane? How come every time I go the bank I get behind the lady who wants to withdraw her life savings in dimes?

7:22 a.m.

Does the entire world own pickups and SUVs now? Doesn't anyone own a sedan anymore?

7:27 a.m.

OK, I'll grant everyone this: We're all stuck in traffic, it's getting hot and we're all late to wherever we were going. But no one's honking and I have yet to see any one-fingered salutes.

7:28 a.m.

I wonder if I honk if everyone will drive faster? Probably worth a try.

7:34 a.m.

Someone finally drove by the other way who wasn't talking on a cell phone. Battery was probably dead.

7:35 a.m.

I know West Terry Street is scheduled to be widened sometime in the next few years. If it were already widened, we could have twice as many people stuck on Terry!

7:38 a.m.

I can see the traffic light up ahead at Old 41!

7:40 a.m.

I can still see the light!

7:45 a.m.

I can still see the light!

7:50 a.m.

I can't help but notice I'm sitting on the railroad tracks with no way to go forward or backward if a train comes.

7:57 a.m.

Dear God, please let me be hit by a train.

7:59 a.m.

I've finally turned right on Old 41. Traffic is crawling, but at least it's moving.

8 a.m.

Traffic isn't moving.

8:03 a.m.

Crossing the Imperial River. Wonder if I pulled off the road and swam to the boat ramp if I could get to work quicker?

8:07 a.m.

Turning right on Pennsylvania. Traffic is heavier than normal but it's moving OK.

8:08 a.m.

25 mph! I ... I ... think I'm crying!

8:08 a.m.

Pennsylvania Avenue is kind of a handy back-road way through town. Probably helps that lots of the seasonal residents don't know about it. Better not mention it publicly ....

8:12 a.m.

To work, finally, 57 minutes after first grinding to a standstill. Sounds like traffic is going to be a mess all day, and possibly longer. No telling how much business, money and time will be lost today. I wonder how everyone else spent their time in traffic this morning.

I wrote a column. -- TODD PRATT

Contact Banner Editor Todd Pratt at 213-6030 or at tjpratt@naplesnews.com