It was midafternoon on Christmas Eve when I took this picture while idling in my car on the one-way street in front of the Navy Exchange. Since the right lane is where taxicabs wait for sailors who need help transporting purchases back to their barracks, the left lane is the only available route to the Navy Exchange parking lot. A drive-up bin for returning rented movies is situated on the left sidewalk directly opposite the taxi stand. A five-year old could suggest fifty better places to locate that bin.
But it was midafternoon on Christmas Eve when I took this picture and, in the spirit of the season, I vowed I would not lose my temper in the three blocks between my house and the Navy Exchange. When I turned into that one-way street and spotted a police van blocking the left lane, I waited patiently while the two officers opened and closed the back gate of their van. I knew I could probably squeeze between their vehicle and the taxis but the solid line down the center of the road means "Do Not Change Lanes" so I opted to wait for one of the genial officers to wave me across that line. They glanced in my direction, turned their backs, and marched to the entrance to the MWR (Morale, Welfare, and Recreation) office which was locked because - let's all sing in unison - it was midafternoon on Christmas Eve.
With nary a backward glance, they meandered toward Starbucks. I took a deep breath, crossed the solid line, and managed to squeeze between their vehicle and the taxis.
Bah, humbug.
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