Drive into the Danger Zone

Today was momentous. The spirit of Maverick from Top Gun possessed me.

I am not the speedy car type fella. All my (Matt) adult life I drove second hand or basic cars...by choice. When Aimee and I moved to Maryland, my mother offered her 1990 Volvo Station Wagon with busted air conditioning and heating to my youngest sister. Sister declined. Since I didn't have a car at the time, I jumped at the chance. Before that, there was the first new car I ever purchased: a 1998 Hyundai Elantra. I purchased the Elantra after I read a newspaper article how these cars were the best economic choice. Before that I drove a 1986 VW with duct tape on it.

When I was in high school and driving with friends, some times we'd be at a RED light, next to a Ferrari or Lotus or some fast car. Whoever was driving almost instinctually did the following:

1.) Rev engine on ridiculously slow station wagon.
2.) Look over to driver of fast car
3.) Point to Red light.
4.) Dramatically turn thumbs down to other driver.

It would never fail that we'd laugh when the light would turn green and the parental vehicle would cough out to a top speed of 37 miles per hour while the fast car was already nearing the Pennsylvania State line.

What I am saying is that I never drove fast and still do not. When it comes to cars, I am more like Jerry Lewis than Carl Lewis...except for today. I drove a car over 100 miles per hour.

I don't recommend or advocate speeding. Part of this can be attributed to the kind of car that Aimee has: a G35. This car is a bullet. One hundred miles an hour for this car is like a lion yawning. For me, it's fast.

So anyway, the situation presented itself:

1.) An open highway with no cars ahead.

2.) Maverick from Top Gun giving me the thumbs up.

3.) This song blaring on the stereo.

I think I felt the presence of Maverick, Goose, and Ice Man. And ever so faintly, I heard them say: I like your moves. I am not sure, but I think I responded with the requisite coded answer: I like your style.

So I pushed down on the gas. Any cars behind me became tiny little dots in the matter of seconds. And it felt kinda good.