Standard Transmissions

It has come to my attention that it is sad that I don't know how to drive a standard vehicle.

I have had 3 standard transmission driving lessons in my life.

The first lesson I received was from my dad. He had a Ford F250 Diesel. It was a beast. I believe I was 13 years old and I drove that man around the farm all day. I mastered it that day...but I never did it again.

The second lesson was from my sister. This adventure was in Toyota Tacoma. This experience was not so successful.

The latest lesson came last night.
I returned home yesterday afternoon from a long day at work. All I wanted to do was crash. I was so exhausted but Jimmy was waiting on me. I walked through the door and was informed that we were having driving lessons. He loaded an ice chest with beer for himself...of course, he backed the truck in so I wouldn't have to begin my driving in reverse and he was ready to go.

So I hopped in the truck. He told me to start it up. So I pushed in the clutch and started the Truck...in case you were wondering it's a GMC Sierra K2500 HD...Jimmy forgot to tell me to push the brake...so the very first thing I did was hit him. I almost ran over him. Most people would call the driving lesson off right then and there...but not Jimmy!

So we get out of the driveway, (after I dumped the clutch a few times) and I make it to my first stop sign. Well of course there is a car behind me. Bless their hearts. They had to sit behind me why the truck kept dying. And of course this happened at every stop sign.

But finally we got to the farm and played the stop/go game for a while. I continued to dump the clutch and take my aggression out on the shifter.

After about 2 hours of driving around the country I was feeling pretty confident about my driving abilities. So we decided to head home. Of course we go to HWY 64 (this is the main hwy that runs through Augusta). In order to get on HWY 64 you have to go up a slight incline. Well there are big trucks flying by, a car behind me (of course) and I completely freak out. All of my lesson has left me. I completely forgot what to do. All I can envision is turning onto 64 and the truck dying and Jimmy and being smashed by oncoming traffic. I became a little hysterical.

Needless to say...we made it! He said that my next lesson will be learning to start on an incline. This should be interesting. I will definitely keep you posted!

Things I Don't Understand and Things That Annoy Me

Ok I have been thinking a lot about things that just don't make sense to me. I have started compiling a mental list and now I feel like I have a good enough list to share. So here it goes:

1. Why do people feel the need to forward you emails that say if you don't send this to 10 people you will: have bad luck, die, lose the love of your life, never find the love of your life, be miserable forever, not go to heaven, etc. Are you kidding me? Really?

2. Why do people feel it's necessary to sit at a yellow light?

3. Why does traffic get bottle necked when there is no apparent reason. Does someone just decide to stop in the middle of the road, hold up traffic for a little bit and then go? Just curious...

4. Why do people have to be one uppers. No one likes these people...they just irritate the hell out of everyone they are around...but the worst part is...no one ever tells them to stop! Why do we put up with it. We all have friends/acquaintances that do it. Why do we not point out their annoying habit and force them to stop.

5. Nuevo Riche people! What is their problem?

6. Waiting at the Doctor's office. Why do you even schedule an appointment? What's the point?

7. People who refuse to take the blame. Why? Everyone else knows it's your fault...it's time for you to admit it.

8. Why is it that when someone says they are afraid of something...such as a snake...the first time you are around a snake with a person who knows your fear do they feel the need to chase you with the snake? Who does that? What is wrong with people.

9. Middle aged men who think they are God's gift to women. The ones who have been divorced twice, had multiple ex girlfriends (who hate them by the way) and still believe that it is the women's fault. I believe that it's time to look in the mirror and realize that maybe, just maybe it's you.

10. Telemarketers...Really...Who wants that job?? Do you think that the telemarketer on the other end of the phone loves their job? Who decides to do that as a career? I don't get it.

11. Why is every customer service agency overseas? I always feel bad asking them to repeat what they are saying...but I can't understand them. It's so obnoxious!

12. Why don't men understand that gossiping is a necessity. Women can't help it...it is built in our DNA. We also don't consider it gossip...we consider it fact finding. And yes we realize that even though what someone says or does doesn't always directly effect our lives...we still feel the need to discuss and analyze. This is what we do! Deal with it!

13. Why is that sometimes you can drink a bottle of wine and feel the need for another, but there are other times when a glass will make all the difference in the world.

Just curious??