If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above. You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. |
|
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
OT Story - Driving Test Follies
Hehehehe. Brings back memories!!! I failed the first time, because I
cannot parallel park. Still. -- Kandice Seeber Air & Earth Designs http://www.lampwork.net This morning, P/T D's sister (Let's call her Mary) had an appointment to take the test necessary to obtain her driver's license. In Massachusetts, every candidate for a driver's license has to have a sponsor ride along in the back seat for the test. The sponsor must be over 21 and have a license in good standing. Since Mary's mother had to work, I got tapped on the shoulder. It's been a loooooong time since I've had anything to do with driving tests, and I was actually looking forward to it. The test was scheduled for 10:30 a.m., so I met Mary at 9. She drove all over town, and over the route I remembered for my own driving test (yes, they had cars back then). I had her practice backing up and three point turns, and we went over the questions from the Mass. Driving Regulations Manual. What? You didn't think we have regulations? Well, smart guy, we do. Just because they're so antiquated that they refer to conduct when passing a streetcar doesn't mean anything. (No lie. The question I missed when I got my license was "What is the minimum distance necessary when passing a streetcar?" "Beats the Hell outta me" is _not_ the correct answer. The correct answer is that a driver may travel no closer than 6 feet from the running boards of a streetcar in operation when passing.) At about 9:30, Mary felt as if she was warmed up and ready, so we went to the testing site to spy and scope out the state troopers giving the tests. We were hoping that they were good guys and not too tough. Uh-oh, the route has changed from what it was a bazillion years ago when I took my driving test. Still, we watched to see what was going on. We quickly realized that one guy was not in a good mood, so we wanted to try and wrangle our way into getting the more easy going trooper. Still, we had boatloads of time before the 10:30 appointment. Out of nowhere, the nice trooper turned to me and asked, "Hey you, when is your appointment?" I laughed, told him the appointment was for Mary, not me, and that we still had about a half hour to wait. He said that they were running fast today, so let's go. Mary looked like she was hoping for a hole to open up in the pavement to swallow her up. But, having no choice, she got behind the wheel of the car. I climbed in the back seat and shut up. More about the shutting up part: it is strictly forbidden for the sponsor to speak during the test, and if the sponsor coaches the driver in any way, the examiner will halt the test and fail the candidate. Way back when, the examiner turned to my father and said, "Mr. Nicklas, if you don't shut up, I'm stopping the test here and now." (Mr. Nicklas shut up and I passed) The examiner ran my license and registration to make sure all was in order, took Mary's learner's permit, and started the test. She did perfectly, using her signal to pull away from the curb, taking the first corner like a pro, and not going over 25 mph. I took a breath, thinking this was going to be a slam dunk. Then the examiner had her take a turn onto a side street. Which she did. At 25 mph. Really, really wide, nearly hitting the curb on the opposite side of the road. The examiner and I held on and hoped she would pull out of it. (I still stayed silent, but now I added prayers to my silence) He lectured her a bit for taking the corner too fast, but she seemed to recover. He had her pull down another side street, then make a three point turn. She made the turn, but forgot to use her signals. (argh) I realize no one uses signals during a three point turn, but you are supposed to do so during your driver's exam. I was wincing inside, and Mary was now terrified. She's the kind of kid who, if she didn't pass the test the first time, wouldn't ever gather up the courage for a second shot. I checked my kleenex supply in my purse, absolutely sure I was going to need it. The examiner then told Mary to parallel park behind a white car at the side of the road. I was worried about this, because I cannot parallel park to save my life. But she nailed it. The first time, perfectly, ending up about two inches from the curb. "That parallel parking saved your ass, Mary." said the examiner. "I was going to fail you until I saw that. Then I realized the mistakes you made were just nerves." We all started breathing again, Mary rounded the corner, and the examiner handed her the signed learner's permit. Beaming, Mary headed for the Registry of Motor Vehicles to trade the learner's permit for a real license. The lady behnd the counter was very sweet, taking Mary's picture several times until she had one that Mary liked, and offered her congratulations to Mary, and wished her the best. All of a sudden Mary slumped. The tension had finally gotten ahold of her, and she asked me to drive. Good thing, too. There is a street fair going on in our town, and the traffic was horrendous. We drove to her mother's office, and then circled the parking lot for twenty minutes looking for a vacant spot. We finally found one in the handicapped area, and I pulled in. Immediately, some old hag pulled up behind me, screaming for me to get out of the spot, "since you don't look handicapped." Apparently, the pressure had gotten to me as well. I pulled the pass from the glove compartment, waved it at the other driver and got a whole attitude: "Is this freaking good enough for you? You got a problem with my handicapped pass? Find your own freakin' spot!" Poor Mary looked at me with huge eyes - I'm not usually so touchy. Must be that Massachusetts driver lurking below the surface. Now we have another driver on our crowded roads, and I couldn't be happier. I get to go through this again in two years with P/T D, and three years with DD. I'd best start practicing deep breathing right now. Kathy N-V |
Ads |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
"Kandice Seeber" wrote in message et...
| Hehehehe. Brings back memories!!! I failed the first time, because I | cannot parallel park. Still. | | -- | Kandice Seeber | Air & Earth Designs | http://www.lampwork.net Want help?? My dad (odd fellow he is) made me learn to drive backwards and parallel park before he let me drive forwards and park "normally". I have yet to find a vehicle that I can't parallel park (of course, Mike's CO (commanding officer) won't let me try it in a tank...). If you want, I'll teach you to parallel park in my truck...its a long bed, mid size (88 Dodge Dakota, 1988 was the second year those suckers were made), and only two inches shorter than my dad Chevy half-ton (but that is only cause of hood space...the beds are the same length), and by the time you are done learning on it, you will be able to parallel park ANY car (mainly cause they are smaller than my truck and after I get done with you, you'd be able to parallel park a tank too). I guarantee it. Driving and steering backwards is the key. The other key is knowing where your bumpers are at all times. Grins Karlee in Kansas -- Visit my web page! www.angelfire.com/ks3/karlee/index.html Our family page: http://groups.msn.com/brennanfamilypage -- |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
Parallel parking is easy. You just drive around until you find a space at
the end of a block. Actually, I parallel park so seldom up here, I don't trust myself to do it well in the city anymore. Tina "Kandice Seeber" wrote in message et... Hehehehe. Brings back memories!!! I failed the first time, because I cannot parallel park. Still. -- Kandice Seeber Air & Earth Designs http://www.lampwork.net This morning, P/T D's sister (Let's call her Mary) had an appointment to take the test necessary to obtain her driver's license. In Massachusetts, every candidate for a driver's license has to have a sponsor ride along in the back seat for the test. The sponsor must be over 21 and have a license in good standing. Since Mary's mother had to work, I got tapped on the shoulder. It's been a loooooong time since I've had anything to do with driving tests, and I was actually looking forward to it. The test was scheduled for 10:30 a.m., so I met Mary at 9. She drove all over town, and over the route I remembered for my own driving test (yes, they had cars back then). I had her practice backing up and three point turns, and we went over the questions from the Mass. Driving Regulations Manual. What? You didn't think we have regulations? Well, smart guy, we do. Just because they're so antiquated that they refer to conduct when passing a streetcar doesn't mean anything. (No lie. The question I missed when I got my license was "What is the minimum distance necessary when passing a streetcar?" "Beats the Hell outta me" is _not_ the correct answer. The correct answer is that a driver may travel no closer than 6 feet from the running boards of a streetcar in operation when passing.) At about 9:30, Mary felt as if she was warmed up and ready, so we went to the testing site to spy and scope out the state troopers giving the tests. We were hoping that they were good guys and not too tough. Uh-oh, the route has changed from what it was a bazillion years ago when I took my driving test. Still, we watched to see what was going on. We quickly realized that one guy was not in a good mood, so we wanted to try and wrangle our way into getting the more easy going trooper. Still, we had boatloads of time before the 10:30 appointment. Out of nowhere, the nice trooper turned to me and asked, "Hey you, when is your appointment?" I laughed, told him the appointment was for Mary, not me, and that we still had about a half hour to wait. He said that they were running fast today, so let's go. Mary looked like she was hoping for a hole to open up in the pavement to swallow her up. But, having no choice, she got behind the wheel of the car. I climbed in the back seat and shut up. More about the shutting up part: it is strictly forbidden for the sponsor to speak during the test, and if the sponsor coaches the driver in any way, the examiner will halt the test and fail the candidate. Way back when, the examiner turned to my father and said, "Mr. Nicklas, if you don't shut up, I'm stopping the test here and now." (Mr. Nicklas shut up and I passed) The examiner ran my license and registration to make sure all was in order, took Mary's learner's permit, and started the test. She did perfectly, using her signal to pull away from the curb, taking the first corner like a pro, and not going over 25 mph. I took a breath, thinking this was going to be a slam dunk. Then the examiner had her take a turn onto a side street. Which she did. At 25 mph. Really, really wide, nearly hitting the curb on the opposite side of the road. The examiner and I held on and hoped she would pull out of it. (I still stayed silent, but now I added prayers to my silence) He lectured her a bit for taking the corner too fast, but she seemed to recover. He had her pull down another side street, then make a three point turn. She made the turn, but forgot to use her signals. (argh) I realize no one uses signals during a three point turn, but you are supposed to do so during your driver's exam. I was wincing inside, and Mary was now terrified. She's the kind of kid who, if she didn't pass the test the first time, wouldn't ever gather up the courage for a second shot. I checked my kleenex supply in my purse, absolutely sure I was going to need it. The examiner then told Mary to parallel park behind a white car at the side of the road. I was worried about this, because I cannot parallel park to save my life. But she nailed it. The first time, perfectly, ending up about two inches from the curb. "That parallel parking saved your ass, Mary." said the examiner. "I was going to fail you until I saw that. Then I realized the mistakes you made were just nerves." We all started breathing again, Mary rounded the corner, and the examiner handed her the signed learner's permit. Beaming, Mary headed for the Registry of Motor Vehicles to trade the learner's permit for a real license. The lady behnd the counter was very sweet, taking Mary's picture several times until she had one that Mary liked, and offered her congratulations to Mary, and wished her the best. All of a sudden Mary slumped. The tension had finally gotten ahold of her, and she asked me to drive. Good thing, too. There is a street fair going on in our town, and the traffic was horrendous. We drove to her mother's office, and then circled the parking lot for twenty minutes looking for a vacant spot. We finally found one in the handicapped area, and I pulled in. Immediately, some old hag pulled up behind me, screaming for me to get out of the spot, "since you don't look handicapped." Apparently, the pressure had gotten to me as well. I pulled the pass from the glove compartment, waved it at the other driver and got a whole attitude: "Is this freaking good enough for you? You got a problem with my handicapped pass? Find your own freakin' spot!" Poor Mary looked at me with huge eyes - I'm not usually so touchy. Must be that Massachusetts driver lurking below the surface. Now we have another driver on our crowded roads, and I couldn't be happier. I get to go through this again in two years with P/T D, and three years with DD. I'd best start practicing deep breathing right now. Kathy N-V |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
In article ,
"Kandice Seeber" wrote: Hehehehe. Brings back memories!!! I failed the first time, because I cannot parallel park. Still. -- Kandice Seeber Air & Earth Designs http://www.lampwork.net Oh, the embarrassment... some days I get it spot on, and other days I keep pulling out, backing in... pulling out, backing in... until I just want to give up and drive away. Last week I was going to pick up my kids at pre-school and I COULD NOT get into the spot. It wasn't a really small spot, oh no... it was a perfectly accomodating spot, and I tried a number of times, but just couldn't do it. Meanwhile, other parents (some of whom wanted that spot) were watching me... people I see twice a week, who will now forever remember me as "The Mommy Who Could Not Park". Finally, the woman parked behind me pulled out, and I was able to sidle up to the curb and drag my humiliated ass up to get the kiddoes. I've never been so glad to get OUT of that place! -- -Kalera Mom of Juliet, 5, Sam, 3, and Ophelia, born 5/31/03 Wife of the incomparable Moxley of www.spaceplex.com See us at www.strattonhome.org |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
I know, I know, Kalera! I am usually a *genius* at parallel parking. But when
I'm very tired and hurting, I cannot do it. I was trying to park in front of my house (in the dark) in front of my in-laws a few months ago. I was exhausted, really drained and past my due date if I were a tub of dairy product.....just wasted. I hadn't had a single drink, but I was parking like a drunken fool. Back and forth, back and forth, up on the curb, etc. My MIL came out to ask if I needed help. Augh! I was so humiliated. (She was trying to help, but I just wanted to sink into the pavement and never come out.) Oh, the embarrassment... some days I get it spot on, and other days I keep pulling out, backing in... pulling out, backing in... until I just want to give up and drive away. Last week I was going to pick up my kids at pre-school and I COULD NOT get into the spot. It wasn't a really small spot, oh no... it was a perfectly accomodating spot, and I tried a number of times, but just couldn't do it. Meanwhile, other parents (some of whom wanted that spot) were watching me... people I see twice a week, who will now forever remember me as "The Mommy Who Could Not Park". Finally, the woman parked behind me pulled out, and I was able to sidle up to the curb and drag my humiliated ass up to get the kiddoes. I've never been so glad to get OUT of that place! -Kalera ~~ Sooz ------- ESBC ~ Dr. Sooz's Bead Links http://airandearth.netfirms.com/soozlinkslist.html ~ Bead Notes: Beading information A - Z http://www.lampwork.net/beadnotes.html |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
On Sun, 20 Jul 2003 05:46:39 GMT, Kalera Stratton
wrote: Oh, the embarrassment... some days I get it spot on, and other days I keep pulling out, backing in... pulling out, backing in... until I just want to give up and drive away. I know, what's up with that? It's like some days my sense of spatial relations is just gone. I either start out so far from the curb that I end up parked about two feet from it (not kosher) or I start out so close that I'm bumping the curb before I even get my butt in. Other days, it's whoosh-swish and a perfect 8 inches from the curb with parallel wheels. I don't get it! My current car isn't hard to park, either - 4-door compact sedan with your average small-car wheelbase and a fairly narrow chassis. I like to blame it on having to park behind SUV's. But I like to blame *everything* on SUV's. Heehee. |
#7
|
|||
|
|||
ROFLMAO - yeah, that would definitely teach me! I have a really long car
now (a dodge intrepid) and I really have to be careful how I park. -- Kandice Seeber Air & Earth Designs http://www.lampwork.net Want help?? My dad (odd fellow he is) made me learn to drive backwards and parallel park before he let me drive forwards and park "normally". I have yet to find a vehicle that I can't parallel park (of course, Mike's CO (commanding officer) won't let me try it in a tank...). If you want, I'll teach you to parallel park in my truck...its a long bed, mid size (88 Dodge Dakota, 1988 was the second year those suckers were made), and only two inches shorter than my dad Chevy half-ton (but that is only cause of hood space...the beds are the same length), and by the time you are done learning on it, you will be able to parallel park ANY car (mainly cause they are smaller than my truck and after I get done with you, you'd be able to parallel park a tank too). I guarantee it. Driving and steering backwards is the key. The other key is knowing where your bumpers are at all times. Grins Karlee in Kansas -- Visit my web page! www.angelfire.com/ks3/karlee/index.html Our family page: http://groups.msn.com/brennanfamilypage -- |
#8
|
|||
|
|||
Yeah!!!
-- Kandice Seeber Air & Earth Designs http://www.lampwork.net Parallel parking is easy. You just drive around until you find a space at the end of a block. Actually, I parallel park so seldom up here, I don't trust myself to do it well in the city anymore. Tina |
#9
|
|||
|
|||
LOL - yep, I have gotten out of the car many times red-faced because I am
either a mile away from the curb, crooked, or scraping the tires on the curb. That's even if there are no other cars around. -- Kandice Seeber Air & Earth Designs http://www.lampwork.net Hehehehe. Brings back memories!!! I failed the first time, because I cannot parallel park. Still. -- Kandice Seeber Air & Earth Designs http://www.lampwork.net Oh, the embarrassment... some days I get it spot on, and other days I keep pulling out, backing in... pulling out, backing in... until I just want to give up and drive away. Last week I was going to pick up my kids at pre-school and I COULD NOT get into the spot. It wasn't a really small spot, oh no... it was a perfectly accomodating spot, and I tried a number of times, but just couldn't do it. Meanwhile, other parents (some of whom wanted that spot) were watching me... people I see twice a week, who will now forever remember me as "The Mommy Who Could Not Park". Finally, the woman parked behind me pulled out, and I was able to sidle up to the curb and drag my humiliated ass up to get the kiddoes. I've never been so glad to get OUT of that place! -- -Kalera Mom of Juliet, 5, Sam, 3, and Ophelia, born 5/31/03 Wife of the incomparable Moxley of www.spaceplex.com See us at www.strattonhome.org |
#10
|
|||
|
|||
LOL! Sounds like something I'd do myself.
Deirdre On Sun, 20 Jul 2003 05:46:39 GMT, Kalera Stratton wrote: "The Mommy Who Could Not Park". |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
STORY - Flag Day and Independence Day | Kandice Seeber | Beads | 3 | July 7th 03 07:04 PM |