Steep learning curves or, my first bicycle commute

Hello everyone. I am back from my first bicycle commute. I recently bought a Gary Fisher Monona at Wheel&Sprocket in Hales Corners, WI.

I've been wanting to buy a good bike and start commuting for a long time. It wasn't until I started freaking out about peoples' road rage that I actually did it. Drivers are absolutely insane and I can barely tolerate local driving anymore. I'm not sure what changed or when it did because I used to love driving. I find that I have little remaining tolerance for aggressive driving and hostile road behavior. My vehicle was rear-ended about a month ago, my asshole neighbor reported my parked car abandon and they tagged for tow, and there was a bad accident right outside the building the other day in which we thought my parked car was struck. People seem to be right on the edge--gas prices, insurance prices, financial crises, inept political leaders, etc...

So, of course, bicycle commuting is amazing. I feel completely great (a little sore in key places) and very accomplished. Unfortunately, as I already knew, people in cars hate bicyclists. I made the grave mistake of flipping off a redneck in a truck when he almost took out me and another cyclist in the bike lane. He pulled a u-turn and came after us in his truck. Fortunately a news van was right next to us and saw the whole thing. The dude in the truck was absolutely screaming his head off but knew, I think, that the news van was staying close to us. He pulled another u-turn in the middle of the road and took off the other way. The news guy drove next to me as I pedaled and offered to call the cops. He made sure I was okay (the other bicyclist turned down a side street) and I said I was fine. What an ordeal. People are totally on the edge.

I feel lucky to have the opportunity to go by bike. I've been wanting to do it for a long time and finally made it happen. It's a good day!