Spindle items
JESSICA FINCH Associate Editor

• RED MEANS WHAT? - "Doesn't anyone stop for red lights around here?" That is what my boyfriend asked me during a recent visit.

I took him on the grand tour of Western New York, walking down Elmwood, going to Eastern Hills Mall to play games at Dave and Busters, visiting the Albright Knox Art Gallery, going to HSBC Arena for a Bandits game and enjoying a dinner out with friends. While we were driving to and from these places he became a bit disgusted by our driving habits - not mine, thankfully, as I completely agree with him. He really hit the nail on the head and I said, "No, they don't stop."

Every morning I arrive at Cayuga Road and Main Street in Williamsville, and I know for certain that a green light showing my side means another two to three cars will pass through the intersection before it's safe to proceed. I can make the same assumption wherever I go in town, but these are among the worst I see.

It seems that around Western New York, drivers have adapted the "five-second rule." No longer is it the general rule for dropped food, but when a light turns red, drivers take those extra few moments to zip through and think nothing of it. Like dusting a piece of lint off the candy, drivers aren't fazed, as long as they don't see a police officer pulling up behind them.

It's become dangerous for those of us who stop and have one of these "nonstoppers" behind you. They get right up on your bumper and expect you to drive on through, and they are determined to make the light as well, no matter how long it has been red. In those cases, I just pray they stop in time, even though I know they are cursing me for not running a red light.

• REALITY SETS IN - Writing about training for a half-marathon is the easy part. Seeing the words come from someone else is a bit scary.

This past weekend I received an e-mail from a trainer who volunteers with Roswell Park Cancer Institute for Team Cure. While the e-mail was very energetic and supportive, I still became extremely nervous while reading it. I sat back on the couch, looking at the screen of my laptop and thinking "Well, here we go." The e-mail included a weekly schedule of how many miles to run, and I immediately started to stress about budgeting my time and finding enough daylight in which to run. I have my first group run this weekend, and I am already nervous. I have that same feeling you get on the first day of high school or at a new job. The question "Am I going to be able to do this?" keeps circling in my head.

I am even worried about what to wear. Laugh if you will, but I am seriously concerned about having too much or too little clothing. And something as simple as water is a conundrum. The e-mail said to bring water or Gatorade, and I have been debating how many ounces to take. I don't want to run out, but I don't want to be the person with an excessive amount, looking ready for a trek in the Syrian Desert. I never said I was easy-going.

• SPRING FORWARD - Daylight saving time will begin earlier this year, thanks to the Energy Policy Act of 2005. Residents are reminded to turn their clocks ahead one hour before retiring on Saturday night, March 8. Daylight saving time will begin at 2 a.m. Sunday, March 9 and end at 2 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 2.