In Which A-Jock Learns To Drive

Aquajock

Aquajock

Cathlete
One of my few guilty, mortifying little secrets is the fact that I don't drive. At all. No driver's license, no skill with a car; DH has had to be my chauffeur for the past 14+ years and it was either that, the bus, or A-Jock Stays Home. I'll admit I had, and probably still have, a near-phobia about driving; it seems that as the years have gone by the driving scene has gotten more discourteous, distracted, drunk and dangerous. However, as I sidle up to age 47, I've finally come to now with the reality that NOT being able to drive is probably as dangerous - not to mention inconvenient for DH and my friends - as lack of any other adult life skill.

This past Friday I took the bus (natch) from my office right into the heart of south Minneapolis where there was a service center to take my driver's knowledge test. Folks, it almost killed me. I had studied that painfully boring little driver's manual for weeks, groaning all the way through 30 feet behind this and 200 feet behind that and no right turn on red except on Tuesdays and whatever-the-hell. At the testing center, I was the only adult female my age who wasn't wearing a Somali hijab, which did wonders for my self-esteem. And, after touching a monitor with my answers THIRTY-SEVEN FREAKIN' TIMES (it felt like a hundred) . . .

I PASSED!!!!! 86% of the answers right. Not bad for a Baldie.

Sooooooooooo . . . today being an absolutely glorious, rain-free day, DH selected the empty parking lot of a now-bankrupt car dealership and associated gas station (which is a tad Freudian, now that I think about it), got us there, and I had my first lesson in driving an actual, no-sh*t, rolling and braking car. Thankfully, car technology has progressed a bit in the 25+ years since I last drove a vehicle ( one that was one step up from a horse and trap) - we own a late 2007 Buick Lucerne that is one step down from a Star Trek shuttlecraft and practically drives itself. And you know what? I drove that little (big) bugger for 37 minutes and didn't make any mistakes!

*go me*

Wish me luck in this new ventures, my friends in fitness! Just don't ask me to parallel park. I'm waiting until we can afford one of those Lexuses (Lexi?) that does that automatically for you.

Thanks for reading!

A-Jock
 
I also had that dirty little secret--didn't drive. I grew up in NYC and then lived in Bombay for many years. When we moved back to the US we moved to upstate NY. I was totally dependent on my DH and friends. I totally embarrassed my two sons with not driving. Finally my DH had to go back to India for business and I had Little League, soccer etc. I learned to drive. My DH was very encouraging and taught me before he left--even bought me a car. But what I remember him say was "Can you cross the street?" Of course! "Well then you can drive!" For some reason that clinched it and I took my road test and passed. Good luck and you CAN do it. Truly this will change your life.
 
A-Jock-

WooHoo! 86% is very good. I know what you mean about being the only "adult" taking the exam. My parents just moved back to MN from FL and my 83yr old dad had to take the written exam to get a MN license and he FAILED! He's been driving for 60+ years and didn't think he needed to study the manual:eek: Anyway, he passed it the second time AFTER he studied. You forget the 30 feet behind this and 200 feet behind that (etc.) after you've been driving awhile.

Get this- DD failed the first time and one of the questions was "what is the capital of MN?" She said Mpls!!:-( She's had her license for over a year now and is a very good driver. Made it through winter without a scratch.

Happy driving!

JJ
 
Thanks to everyone for their warm wishes! Phyllis, thanks especially for your empathetic note. I'm encouraged by your experience, and your DH sounds a lot like my own.

JJ / NinjaMom, your daughter's AND your dad's individual experiences made me LOL. It should be noted that my own father, who has an international reputation in the field of English education, is the worst, and I mean THE WORST, driver south of the Mason-Dixon line, truckers and drug-runners included. If he ever moved from Florida he'd have to rely on the kindness of strangers to get around for the rest of his life, because he would never, EVER pass the written or the skills test.

Gotta hand it to your DD though - the capital of MN SHOULD be Minneapolis! (Take that, Mayor Coleman!)

A-Jock
 
Hey, A-Jock!! Good for you -- and I do send you wishes of good luck as you advance your skills! I'm confident you'll be great. And, after your test is behind you, I'm also confident that you can spend the rest of your driving career *not* having to parallel park. But...one thing at a time!

Go, A-Jock!
Allison
 
Way to go girl..shhhh..don't tell anyone okay? I cannot parellel park either! And I have been driving for over 20 years darlin'. :7
 
I am thrilled to find you live in Minneapolis, I live in Chaska! My biggest problem driving is I have this fear of getting lost in big cities and this is the seventh big city I've lived in and my favorite so far. But I still get very nervous when I have to navigate conjested highways and complicated routes to find a friend who all live either in South Minneapolis, Uptown or downtown. Each time you drive you'll gain more confidence and I absolutely agree about the dirtbags, they infuriate me with their dangerous moves and weaving in and out. I usually mountainbike, but I acquired a road bike last year and by far I think riding on the road is more dangerous. I've never seen so many pre-occupied drivers on cell phones, its really scary!

Good luck to you. :)
 
I give you alot of credit A-jock. Good for you, you'll be there in no time.

I have younger siblings, and step daughters that I have helped in their quest to obtain a license. Our favorite place to learn to drive is the local cemetary. No kidding...no traffic, lots of turns, and you can even practice parallel parking!!

Lexi, LOL;)
 
Yoo hoo & hooray! Good for you! Just so you know, I've been driving for 26 years and still can't be trusted to parallel park decently. I just try to avoid situations calling for that particular skill and will probably continue to since a Lexus isn't likely to be in my future.

You're going to love the freedom you have and will probably be amazed at how you ever got a kajillion little errands done before.

You go, girl!

Ginny
 
Go You!

It takes an enormous amount of gumption to face a fear, and you did it! 86% is great! I remember helping my girls study for their tests, thinking I would not do too well if I had to take it over again after all these years.

I can only parallel park on street with no traffic so I can go in and out about 5 times before I get it right - in other words I only parallel park about once a year. I usually drive further away to an easier spot and tell myself how good it is to walk a little.;-)

You will be so proud when you take that first solo drive! I wish you continued success in your new endeavor!
 
Good for you A-Jock! Your life is about to get a whole lot more convenient! And to all you peeps who say you can't parallel park, it's not that hard. I'm an expert parallel-parker, because I once lived in an apartment where it was necessary. Once you learn how and you practice a few times you got it. I love getting the chance to show off my skills--DH is always impressed!
 
Good for you A-Jock!

You will love the interdependency. Let us know when you get your license.

Janie

4760884_bodyshot_175x233.gif
[/url]

The idea is to die young as late as possible.
 
Congratulations A-jock! Way to go!

Just one question: what have you been using for identification all these years? I think I must pull out my driver's license at least once a week to prove who I am to various gatekeepers of the world. ;)
 
Hey Girlfriend,

GREAT JOB! You know what they say - better late than never. You will be a great driver.

Joanne
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Our Newsletter

Get awesome content delivered straight to your inbox.

Top