Don't stop now
Today I drove the MINI to work for the first time.
I remember when I first started driving--how I would avoid situations I didn't want to deal with, things like merging into traffic or changing lanes. And now it's like I'm 16 again. I find myself plotting my routes, taking the long way to work so I don't have to pull out in front of anyone or deal with stoplights. Stop signs have lost their meanings--especially 4-Way stops. If there's no one there, I just keep going, and I find myself cursing at anyone who tries to come to a complete stop for any reason--just go, losers!
I can't stop, because if I lose forward momentum I have to START again, and that is the problem. I either stall or squeal my tires like an ass. I have tried not to squeal, but I can't manage it, and it irritates me more than anyone. Just writing this is making me cranky.
Today I came home a particular way so I could hit most lights green, avoid traffic, park at a grocery story that I knew had pull-through spaces (so I don't have to reverse) and I made it home safely. I witnessed an accident (someone completely ran a redlight and hit someone else, spinning around in the intersection). For awhile, while our light was green, everyone just sat and looked at them. I jerked myself into first gear and went around the wreck, Squealing my tires and making everyone stare. I'm sure people were thinking "dear god, just stop showing off. People just had a serious collision."
But I wasn't showing off. I was just trying to get some forward motion while the getting was good. Now I should go to the gym, but if I go out to my car I'm pretty sure I'm going to have to put it in reverse, which when you're starting out with a big squealing jump, is pretty scary. I'm thinking about skipping the gym.
And I hate that. I hate being limited in my options because I'm scared or unable to do something. Just do it, and all that.
Does anyone know where there is a big, flat, empty space?
I remember when I first started driving--how I would avoid situations I didn't want to deal with, things like merging into traffic or changing lanes. And now it's like I'm 16 again. I find myself plotting my routes, taking the long way to work so I don't have to pull out in front of anyone or deal with stoplights. Stop signs have lost their meanings--especially 4-Way stops. If there's no one there, I just keep going, and I find myself cursing at anyone who tries to come to a complete stop for any reason--just go, losers!
I can't stop, because if I lose forward momentum I have to START again, and that is the problem. I either stall or squeal my tires like an ass. I have tried not to squeal, but I can't manage it, and it irritates me more than anyone. Just writing this is making me cranky.
Today I came home a particular way so I could hit most lights green, avoid traffic, park at a grocery story that I knew had pull-through spaces (so I don't have to reverse) and I made it home safely. I witnessed an accident (someone completely ran a redlight and hit someone else, spinning around in the intersection). For awhile, while our light was green, everyone just sat and looked at them. I jerked myself into first gear and went around the wreck, Squealing my tires and making everyone stare. I'm sure people were thinking "dear god, just stop showing off. People just had a serious collision."
But I wasn't showing off. I was just trying to get some forward motion while the getting was good. Now I should go to the gym, but if I go out to my car I'm pretty sure I'm going to have to put it in reverse, which when you're starting out with a big squealing jump, is pretty scary. I'm thinking about skipping the gym.
And I hate that. I hate being limited in my options because I'm scared or unable to do something. Just do it, and all that.
Does anyone know where there is a big, flat, empty space?
Labels: MINI Driving
posted by Melanie at 8:03 PM
