Rancho Cordova, California - Sunday, September 30, 2001:
It's 6:20 AM, and I'm plotting. Plotting what I've got to do to meet up with the Livermore crew on time at the designated spot in San Leandro. I had decided much earlier that if we left at 6:30 and I averaged 79.5 MPH, everything would be cool. Hmm... I've run these calculations through my head a hundred times in the past few days... 103 miles from here to the HOT, three more miles to the assembly point, uh... 106 miles, uh, 90 minutes... that's uh.... well, I better drive pretty fast and keep a good average going.
6:25 - I discretely check on Mrs Sac D's progress again "I just have to do my hair" she says. Great. It's dark, were gonna travel over a hundred miles and then sit out in the hot sun all day... yeah, go for it. Good idea.
6:30 - Well, I guess I could check the car one more time, no wait... I spent all night packing everything already.
6:35 - Shit! No, wait... I'm NOT stressed. Not at all...
6:40 - (Pacing in the driveway)... whistling... uh, 106 miles, uh... how many minutes?
6:43 - HERE SHE COMES! I start the car, throw it in reverse, making sure that she has lifted the trail foot before I mash the gas pedal... ah good, she didn't realize how close that was. Must be all the hair spray inhaled, or the fact that the sun isn't up. Come on, I've got a game to get to!
6:45 - I finish screeching around corners and hit the Highway 50 ramp. Now let's see what this baby can do! In what seems like moments we're in downtown Sacramento passing the office.
It's 6:55 and realize I have made my usual 25 to 45 minute commute in a fraction of that time. Seems promising. We cross the big bridge into Yolo County and there isn't a cop in sight. I've got the cruise control on but never take my foot off the gas.
7:00 - It's amazing how slow cars going 80 to 85 appear when one is going 90 to 95. I make this observation as I weave through a couple of vehicular slackers on the causeway and continue across the valley.
7:05 - I realize that headlights and foglights are handy when bearing down on people since they seem to get out of my way... hey, there's some Raider fans already...
7:10 - It's amazing how slow EVERYONE seems when one is going over 100 MPH! I notice that the wife is taking a peek at the speedometer every now and then, so I strike a conversation. She isn't falling for it. "You better slow down! she says as the needle hits 105 on both the speedometer and the WDM (Wife Disapproval Meter). Hmm... I'm doing GOOD! 110.... 115... 120... hmmm....
7:15 - I back off on the speed and remark what a smooth ride it is. It should be, it's a new vehicle and this is the first time out of town with it. It's fast, it's mean, and it is slathered in Raider decals that John Vella sent us two days ago. It's also a Hyundai so no one expects it to be able to go that fast. I pass a few more cars and decide to let it sit on cruise while I recalculate how to make up the lost time. I'm fighting to refrain from telling her how good her hair looks. Not gonna do it! Too easy. And too much is at stake, this is the SEASON OPENER for chrissake!