Getting in gear
If you know me, you probably know that I hate to drive.
I especially hate to drive a manual transmission. And, alas, I especially hate driving my household’s sole car, a manual with particularly fussy transmission.
Sorry, that’s a lot of hate for a Thursday morning, but really– driving that car is one of my least favorite everyday things. I would mow 20 lawns and do 50 loads of laundry and scrub 50 toilets if it meant I got out of driving.
On Saturday, my husband wanted to run to a charity run/walk we were doing in town together, so I agreed to drive the car there. As soon as I stalled coming out of our alley and had a four-car back-up behind me, I really regretted my decision.
Through the half-hour drive (which included getting lost and stalling once more at a stop light just off I-5), I fought a sense of panic. But I WON; despite the stalling, I got to the race on time, and I didn’t hurt anyone (or anything) in the process.
When the car stalled and people behind me honked, I turned on my flashers, tamped down the shame, took a deep breath, and remembered something my mom used to say to me when she first taught me to drive 20 years ago:
“They’re honking? That’s their problem. Your only problem is driving this car and driving it safely. You do what you have to do to make that happen, and let them pass you.”
I put on the parking brake, waved the honkers around me, took another deep breath, turned the ignition, and accomplished my brave thing of the day.
Do you have any driving stories to share?
Don’t feel badly T, I can’t drive a stick either and hate driving in general and I also cannot swim! I am sure you can swim!
The first time I drove a stick was early in our courtship with C’s antique Porsche (what was I thinking) and killed in right in front of the Harvard Exit and a long line of cinema go-ers. Never again! :-0
Your father and I will send you money for a used clunker with an automatic transmission or we can drive the van out to you which your dad highly recommends as a second vehicle if it makes it. Would that help?
Oh, Diane, I feel your pain! Particularly hard in a snazzy vehicle… I do a darn fine doggy paddle/frog kick, but if you ever want to try a swim lesson together at the local pool, let me know.
Nina, you’re such a sweetie! I have a zipcar membership for when I need a second car or just can’t face our car, and I really am getting better with stick… but I’d always rather walk or take the bus if I have the time. Our next car might be something a little more Tegan-friendly, but since I only have to drive once every few months anyway, I think I’ll be OK.
I’m so glad you live and work where you do, and avoid your “hated” task. I truly recommend avoidance at any chance for the things I “hate”.
Keith …your uncle… tried once to teach me to drive a stick…we ended up in a field and I vowed then and there to never , ever even try to drive a car with a manual transmission again!!! Maybe it is time to make learning to drive a stick my “one brave thing” one of these days.
I feel so much better after all your comments! It’s nice to know I’m not the only one left in America who can’t drive stick… Marge, if we master manuals, we could take a road trip in an AUTOMATIC convertible somewhere great to celebrate!!!