Drivers license

I now have a drivers license.

The test went smoothly, and I passed with a 90%. The 10% that I got dinged for was because I apparently neglected to turn my head to look in the side view mirrors. I'd thought I was doing a good job of looking around. Oops.

But still, I passed! I'll just have to make sure that use the side mirrors. And I'll work on a few other things that I didn't get dinged for, but which I'm still not entirely happy with. Such as parking and making smooth turns.

So I still have more to learn, even though I can now take to the roads without adult supervision. Heck, I still haven't driven after dark or in the rain. As such, I'll continue tagging any posts about driving with "learning to drive" instead of making a new one just saying "cars/driving."

(Totally off topic, but when I got to the DMV the building was being vacated as part of an earthquake drill. When I figured out what was going on I held the door open for people leaving the building. (Not that I would stay near a glass door in a real earthquake. Oops.) A couple hours later I found out that there was the "Great Oregon Shakeout 2012" this morning with earthquake drills all across the state, and that it's historically the biggest drill in Oregon. I guess I helped make history by particpating?)

Back on topic, mom wants to take me to buy a this afternoon. Unfortunately neither of us have that sort of money at the moment. My paycheck is too small, and she just got herself that new Honda Fit. Dangit. So my own car will have to wait. Though I can borrow mom's car when she doesn't need it.

Before finishing this post, I do just want to mention the driving school I got driving lessons from: Oregon Driver Education Center. I couldn't have asked for a better instructor, and even though I don't think I actually have any readers in Oregon, I definitely recommend them to anyone who lives around Portland or Salem. My instructor was even able to help by talking as I was getting more nervous up to the final minutes approaching the test (I'd been perfectly fine earlier in the morning), and drove me home afterwards. It turns out that driving the students home is in their policy, whatever the outcome of the test.

...and I am still amazed to have my drivers license now. Wow.

Mom's new car

Earlier this week I learned how to buy a car. How did I learn? Mom got a new Honda Fit and I tagged along. I had no idea that so many pieces of paper had to be signed.

Funny thing with mom is, she'll talk about buying a car for ages, but then give very little warning before actually going out and doing the deed. Or anyways, that's how it was this time, and how it was about five years ago with the Honda Element.

Oh yes, the Element...it's one that I loved when I was a passenger. But once I started driving? I guess I still liked it, so long as I was a passenger. I became really resistant to the idea of it because of its blind spots. I guess those might not bother someone who is more experienced, but I liked it less and less the more I practiced in it. (Wait, what did I just say there...?)

After mom finished signing lots of paperwork we drove off in her new "blueberry" colored car. (I have never seen a blueberry that color, and I hope I never do.) Just blocks from the car dealer, mom commented, "I'm sure you're antsy to drive this. Well, you can't, because I have class this evening."

That probably sounded better in her head.

Driving lessons

I have had my final driving lesson. And it occurs to me that there are still certain conditions under which I still have not driven.

1) In rain
2) After dark
3) In snow/ice
4) In wind
5) Through a drive through

I'm nervous about the first four. In theory I think I know what to do, but it's one thing to know it and another thing to do it. And I guess I can get practice driving after dark easily enough, but I'll have to wait on the weather for the other three.

By the way, my instructor said he thought I was ready for the driving test on our second to last lesson. The big test is scheduled for the 18th, and although I'm not really worried about it (but ask me again on the day of the test) I want it over with. And I want my license. :)

Attn: Awesome Drivers

Dear Awesome Drivers:

Yesterday I published a letter to the Idiot Drivers, so I wanted to also write a letter to you. Your awesomeness has not been overlooked.

When you keep a decent following distance behind me, I notice it and am thankful.

When you use your blinkers, I appreciate it.

When you help others merge, or do anything else that helps us all share the road, that makes me happy.

You're awesome.

Thank you,

A Student Driver

Attn: Idiot Drivers

Dear Idiot Drivers:

I was frustrated enough with you as a pedestrian, but now that I am behind the wheel myself I have even less patience for your idiocy.

First of all, stop tailgating. It's not safe, and it frazzles my nerves. If I have to slow down or stop suddenly, we're both in trouble. I'm a student driver, and even I know that.

Second, I know that I do some stupid things as a student, such as entering parking spaces at totally the wrong angle. But when I try to remedy my mistake, please do not honk at me. I already feel bad enough for failing to squeeze my mom's SUV in between two cars, I don't need you reminding me that I don't quite know what I'm doing.

Anyways, you aren't supposed to use your horn just because you're just ticked off. It's only meant to be used when someone is driving dangerously. Which I wasn't. Believe me, I asked my mom, and she said I was fine. I'm inclined to believe her.

On a totally unrelated topic, I recently read that Portland ranked in the top 200 cities in the USA for unsafe drivers. After being on the road, I can't say that I was very surprised at that.

Sincerely,

A Student Driver

P.S. I would also appreciate it if you use your blinkers. I can't read minds.

Idiot tailgaters

"Idiot tailgater!"

It takes a lot for me to actually call someone an idiot. But if you want me to call you one, tailgate on me.

"Oh good, you're turning. Go bug someone else."

Suddenly I realized...I'm one those people.

Yep. I talk to the other drivers.

Bows and arrows!

A guy shooting an arrow

While studying the Oregon Driver's Manual I found this rather interesting bit on page 53 concerning weapons:

"Never discharge a firearm, bow and arrow, or other weapon across a highway. Only police officers in the line of duty are extempt from this law."

It seems pretty reasonable to me. What I find so funny is that they felt it necessary to mention bows and arrows. Whoever uses those outside of recreation? I wonder what happened to make them decide to mention anything other than guns under the discussion of what people aren't allowed to do with weapons.

By the way, on the topic of driving, I have discovered the joy in bringing the car to a perfect stop. Not too quickly, not too slowly, but just right so that I hardly even feel it. It's a real art. :)

Driving and pumping gas

I had my first driving lesson today. On Friday the 13th! Nothing bad happened, though I thank the gods that my teacher had a break pedal.

It started out with us in a quiet neighborhood, and me scared to go even 10mph. Soon I became relatively comfortable, and my teacher got me on a busy street. "Let's live dangerously! Drive 40 mph." I refused. Too frightening, I said. But before two hours were up he had me going full charge ahead on a freeway.

I'd say the lesson was a success. I didn't run into anything or anyone, and driving is no longer so scary. :)

Now I'm on a highway in Washington (mom's driving), on my way to a Highland Game with mom and Tall One. Mom insisted on teaching me to pump gas just a few minutes ago. Yes I grumbled about it. No one pumps their own gas in Oregon! It's actually a law, we have to have gas station employees pump it for us. Not sure why. It can make things interesting for Oregonians traveling out of state, but that's another story.

So: my first driving lesson is done, and I now know how to pump my own gas. Something which many native Oregonians don't know how to do, I think.

Another milestone

The last nine months have involved some major milestones for me. Here they are, in the order they occurred.

1) I'm in a serious relationship. WOW. And this is the first time I'm dating. Another WOW.

2) I got my first full time job. I want to say WOW again but I feel like I've already used up my WOWs...

3) I finally acknowledged that I'm bisexual. Funny, this only happened after falling in love.

4) I'm in my own apartment. WOW.

And now, milestone #5...

5) Today I got my learners permit. I'm finally going to learn to drive.

Yes I'm 23 and am only now learning to drive. Often I was asked why I never tried for my license, and I would sometimes try to explain. But finally I got tired of strangers telling me how to live my life ("You need to know how to drive! Your excuse is not valid!") and gave non-answers.

What it boiled down to, though, is that driving is a lot of responsibility and I didn't want that responsibility. Plus I didn't have the confidence.

But I'm finally living independently, and am sort of feeling like I can do anything right now. Plus my boyfriend encouraged me, and I'm not sure if I would have had the confidence to go to the DMV today without his support.

So here I come, I'm gonna learn to drive. :)