The Pink Cloud refers to the Newcomer’s temporary state of euphoria as sobriety takes hold and the promise of a new, happy life begins to emerge. The key word is “temporary” because the newfound elation is often quashed by the reality of dealing with life on life’s terms as those terms become more exacting and harsh. A Pink Cloud can also evaporate when a deep resentment sets in, often quite unexpectedly. But Pink Clouds are not reserved for Newcomers. The rest of us hop on one from time to time and ride it through the sky until Aunt Sally throws a sharp barb our way across the dining room table, or we find out that our boss put someone else in the corner office, or our spouse had quite the shopping spree at the home entertainment store. There is nothing inherently wrong with Pink Clouds. They provide a welcome respite from the daily grind of trudging. It is only when we try to furnish and permanently occupy our Pink Cloud that reality throws a cold bucket of water our way. So breeze along in bliss, but make sure to jump off your Pink Cloud travels somewhere over the rainbow.
THIS24 
I have to go to Traffic Court, Tuesday which I choose to do because I think there were compelling extenuating circumstances in this occurrence.
I would really like to know what your verdict would be?
Harry
July 2016
I am a retired physician who practiced “General Practice” for 44 years in rural middle Georgia. I practiced and am familiar with the principles of honesty and integrity.
I practice a daily spiritual program which emphasizes rigorous honesty.
I am deeply offended and my feelings are hurt due to what I think was the inappropriate, discourteous and bordering on criminal action of another driver.
I feel I have a bona fide defense to the charges of speeding and improper passing which are brought against me.
If I didn’t feel this way I would have just paid my fine and moved on.
Here’s my defense as discovered on queering the World Wide Web;
“You were moving above the posted speed limit, but it was necessary in order to avoid serious injury in an emergency situation (such as to avoid a serious accident, or cope with sudden mechanical problems or sudden unanticipated illness)”
I offer my DMV driving record of the last 7 years and certify the same would be found if searched in the last several decades.
This traffic violation was far outside of my normal driving pattern as substantiated by this DMV record.
It never would have happened without extenuating circumstances.
I have traveled this highway literally thousands of times in the last 36 years of going back and forth to a lake cottage on Lake Sinclair.
I offer a photograph where the alleged violation occurred to give a better view of the highway conditions. It is marked to illustrate the safe passing zone and the further clear view of the highway ahead.
On May 30, a little after 10:00 AM as I was proceeding northward on Georgia Highway 44 I came upon traffic which was traveling at approximately 50 mph.
Knowing that a safe passing zone lay ahead I prepared for passing when it was deemed safe.
There were 2 cars to be passed and using the safe passing designation I proceeded to pass which would have been an “easy pass” without excessive speed were it not for the fact that the lead car of the two noticeably accelerated as I was drawing even with him and I had to make an immediate decision to accelerate more than desired in order to complete the pass.
Braking in order to drop back into the traffic flow in the right line was deemed to be more risky than the acceleration which was necessary to complete the pass within the designated safe passing zone so the safest thing in my opinion was to accelerate to the necessary speed.
After the pass was completed I decelerated immediately to the speed of the normal traffic flow.
Soon I sensed an impending encounter with the state patrolman.
He was very professional and courteous and at the moment I didn’t have any defense for my actions to offer him but I immediately started reviewing the whole episode and recognized the threat imposed by the discourteous driver.
As a lifetime responsible citizen I am deeply offended that due to the action of another to possibly be recognized according to Georgia law as a speeder and especially as a Super Speeder.
In my heart I know I would never have driven in this manner except being determined by necessity due to the driving action of the man or woman I was legally passing.
I regret it very deeply and certainly don’t intend for it ever to happen again.
Sounds like you have a good defense…sorry you have to deal with this and glad you’re safe.
I live in the Washington, DC area. In late 2009, I was surprised to receive a $50 ticket (apparently a camera issued the ticket) in the mail from the District of Columbia (DC) along with a $50 “late fee” because the ticket took a while to get to me because I had moved from Virginia to Maryland earlier that year. I think the ticket listed “failure to stop” as the infraction and strange because my Virginia license plate number was on the ticket. How could that be? I had moved to Maryland in June 2009 and the ticket was dated December 2009. In July 2009, I registered my car in Maryland and had new plates etc. On the date the ticket was issued, I had NEW Maryland license plates. As I mentioned, the ticket listed my OLD (“defunct”) Virginia license plate number and even the model of car listed on the ticket was incorrect. Anyway, I must have spent $50 going back and forth sending registered mail and had all the documents proving I had moved to Maryland so no way this could have been my car. It was a bureaucratic nightmare. Phone calls didn’t help because they wanted everything in writing and traffic court was not an option because that would have involved taking a day off work. I ended up just paying the ticket because I didn’t want to damage my credit report because I was getting ready to buy a house. I suppose this was a luxury problem compared to be stuck in, say, a detox! I later found out that a lot of drivers in the “DC suburbs” received phantom tickets and complained to the local news. Again, I am grateful to be sober today and, Doc, I can empathize with your situation. I still have a resentment 7 years later! LOL By the way, if I was drunk, it would be impossible for me to put this story in writing and even tough when sober!
Sorry for the third email, but these stories prove that, even when sober, life is just a long trudge and always something to deal with. But nothing will ever get better if I turn to alcohol.
speeding tickets, really?
one of my sponsee is working out of town for 2 weeks, is half way through now, has kept in contact and is doing well. he will try to find / get to a meeting today. i am confident that he is on the path.
“… nothing will so much insure your own immunity from drinking as intensive work with other alcoholics …”
Thank you Soto!!
King Baby?
?
Don’t pass in the first place, Doc!!
Been going to meetings in my hometown and thank god for AA meetings! For me, so important for grounding me! One day at a time!
Amen Maggs!!! One day at a time!! Thanks for stopping by!! Love you!!!
Hmm, love ya Doc but you got caught breaking the law. I’d never be able tod rive again had I got caught every time I broke the law driving, lol. I’m glad ya got out alive and that there wasn’t an accident. As hard and unfiar as life may seem at times, I sure can dwell on negative things that happened today. Coffee creamer disappeared as did the hand lotion and the chemicals at work really dry my hands out making them crack n hurt. My new shoes were a bit small and hurt my toes havning to push a broom around a gymnasium floor then walk behind an electric floor cleaner crimpin my toes all the while. had all my paperwork done for the day then another whole bunch of kids came in adding to and changing a half hours work as well as recleaning everything before leaving. ive got a whole lot more on unfairness to add but I’m just glad I’m outta the gutter and able to face life on life’s terms!
…you and me both, brother…