I am Invincible

I have never driven a stick, and I really don't get the attraction. Why do all that work, when you can drive an automatic and not have to worry about a thing?! So, I admit I've never really cared to learn. Until, recently.

You might remember my friend, that got a DUI, a couple months ago. If you don't remember, It's all fun and games until or didn't read it the first time around, (which I would understand, because I don't know if anyone read it then) check it out now. I'll wait...

Okay, so Jess (picture Jessica Rabbit, she grabs every one's attention with her curves, keeps them with her fun personality) got a DUI and is going through the process which means that she can't drive for awhile. Since, she'll be relying on friends to get her where she needs to go, she thought it would be a good idea to let me drive her car while she's not using it. Great idea! except it's a stick!

She assures me it's not a problem, she can teach me, and throws around some "you are a strong woman, you can do anything" crap, which, I naturally fall right into with every woman's anthem by Helen Reddy in my head ♪I am strong, I am invincible♪

This is not my first rodeo ride with this learning the stick thing. When I was 16, my father took me to an empty parking lot, and said "You're driving." I proceeded to stall the car no less than 20 times just trying to get it into 1st, while good ol' dad laughed hysterically at my frustration, which just served to increase my frustration, and in turn increased laughter from him (apparently, I was the clown in this rodeo.) Needless to say, it was not a successful ride, and it was one that was never repeated.

So, here we go, almost 20 years later, and I finally dust off the dirt to get back on the horse, and learn to drive this thing. I start off trying to get into gear, and it stalls, and Jess giggles, and reassures me. I try it again and it jerks and stalls, and again she giggles. Again, the same thing, and again, and again. I'm getting frustrated, and have a deep desire to bang my head on the steering wheel to, what else, but the rhythm of Quiet Riot's ♪Bang Your Head♪. Jess is now rolling with laughter, and I am about to scream "Woman, or not, I can't do this!" when she points down between the seats to the lever in the up position.

"The emergency brake is on!" "Are you kidding me?!" "No wonder it won't go anywhere!"

At this, we're both laughing, and I am once again thinking ♪I am invincible, I am Woman♪


With the emergency brake off, I gently slide it into 1st and off we drive. (okay, so it wasn't really gentle, and it still stalled a few more times before I was actually going anywhere, but I did drive, and even got into 4th gear.)

Now to get out of the neighborhood.