I've been pulled over by traffic cops five times since July of 2004. This afternoon marks the latest incident.

Prior to July of 2004? Twice.

I guess this officially makes me a public menace.

Maybe I was asking for it, given that just yesterday I was bragging about scoring a rebate check for a traffic ticket in Eugene. Still, what is going on here? I will admit that I deserved two of these for speeding. The others musts amount to profiling. No if's, and's or but's. When do police officers pull over drivers for a California stops? Or for going through yellow lights (which isn't even against the law)? Only when they think a possible bust has jumped in their laps. What other explanation is there? Aside from mere bad luck? My driving skills can't be to blame. They're top notch! Ask anybody.

Earlier this week I was ranting about how my vehicle, an old import covered in bumperstickers (I know, I know), is a magnet for traffic cops and meter maids. This incident proves it, bar none. Earlier today I was pulled over for the none-crime of driving through a parking lot in order to access a side street and avoid a traffic jam. Since when is that a moving violation? I even signaled. Twice!

The officer let me go without a ticket but I was late to work as a result. Anyone out there willing to trade a cop magnet for an easy-to-miss sedan?