A few years ago I was really tight on cash and staying in my budget was essential for my survival. So I shopped at the dollar store for groceries (bad), got my hair done at a student salon (double bad. it turned green), and drove slower to avoid getting a speeding ticket (worst. and to the irritation of most of my friends).
The driving bit made sense to me at the time. (I was once pulled over for speeding as a teen and I cried). Become a better driver (aka slower driver) to avoid ever getting a speeding ticket. Well, it seems that when you fully incorporate some habits into your life, they never leave. So much like texting while driving (v. bad, but most people still do it), I've developed the long lasting skill of driving slowly. Which means I arrive at most destinations last, friends argue over who has to ride with me, and old people love me because we're going the same speed.
That was really a side note to what I actually wanted to blog about. I was driving a friend home today and I slammed on the brakes about two inches from an ambulance. twice. (i think i might have an issue with depth perception) And then she informed me that there is a legal distance required between a car and the ambulance doors. I had no idea. Though I should have. Seems that fact is stated in most driving handbooks. Anyway, principle number one: you often forget things you have already learned. in life.
Learning the stuff about the ambulance happened right before I asked if I needed to turn left or right onto a road I had just exited. This was embarrassing and I whispered the question before being forced to ask it out loud because no one could hear me. I'm just directionally challenged. i usually need to google map things five or six times before I've committed to memory where I'm going. but I always end up where I need to go. I ask people for directions, I blackberry it, or I just drive around until I see a familiar landmark (highly annoying to all other drivers). Principle number two: try not to worry when you don't know where you're going. with a little bit of humility (re: willingness to ask questions, get lost and self-correct in front of everyone in the car. ugh.), you'll eventually, hopefully, finish where you intended on going when you first started out. if not, maybe everyone is in the mood for a prolonged road trip.
Finally, it makes me sad that people over 80 have to go for a road test every two years. Yes, I understand the legitimate argument of why they need to go for the testing, etc. etc. etc. I just feel that our society treats the aged with a lack of dignity. As they age, we seem to take away more and more of their freedom and sense of independence. Once their cars are gone, they're almost completely reliant on others to drive them around, public transit, cabs, or friends. You thought it took you long now to get around, imagine being 85 and trying to get from point A to point B when no one on the bus will give up their seat for you. I'm sure it's a whole lot of fun. Young people complain about ageism, but I think old people get it even worse. Principle number three: respect your elders and recognize the inherent dignity they have by virtue of being people/
No comments:
Post a Comment