Adrian's Revenge

For years I was able to pride myself on a Perfect Driving Record^TM. I had never been pulled over or given a warning. Not even a parking ticket was on my record. Last October, after 12 years, I fixed that. Speeding through a speed trap on the way to work is never recommended. Twenty minutes later, with my first ticket in hand, I was on my way.

There’s no interesting story to go with the ticket. The cop didn’t lecture me and I didn’t argue. It was cut and dry. What was interesting was people's reaction. Most of them were surprise I didn’t cry or use my “womanly assets” to get out of the ticket. I’m not an advocate of same sex rights, but I found this offensive. I sucked it up and took the ticket like a man. The speed trap was lousy, but the ticket was deserved.

Others told me to plead no contest to reduce my points. Pleading no contest is worse than weaseling out of a ticket. If I had gone to court, I would have pleaded guilty. For the record? I paid my ticket in full the next day.

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Travelling Oldies Style

Since I started working fulltime, the seasons aren’t as crucial. When you were in school, you had large breaks to enjoy. My years now have three seasons: Vacation, Waiting for Vacation, and Returning from Vacation. Obviously, vacation season is the best (but most brief). The longest (both figuratively and literally) is the waiting season. The returning season is painful.

I mention this because in the last month, I have gone through all three seasons twice. I hate readjusting. Eight (work) days after returning from our California trip, we packed up and headed out on our wedding/road trip extravaganza. In seven days, we went to two weddings, two rehearsal dinners, four drinking excursions, three states, and two provinces. Did I mention we drove? We covered 3,000+ miles in 61 hours and spent over $400 in gas.

It was different. Highlights include: the radioactive scan at the boarder, driving through Prince Albert and Drinkwater SK, the cheese humping mouse, and driving in kilometres.

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The Day The Car (Almost) Died

I dislike pumping gas. It’s included in my disdain for cars. See also: driving, repairing, and paying for. Unfortunately, Racine has lousy public transportation. Contrary to popular belief, I can and do drive. I just don’t fill the car up with gas. I get other people to do it (don’t judge). I have a phobia about it and I choose to avoid it when possible.

Having said that, we have an older car I like to drive. The gas gauge doesn’t work spectacularly. I last drove it at 2 a.m. and didn’t want to get gas then. I vowed I would the next time. Before anyone gets uppity, I realise it’s important to the car's maintenance.

Problem: The car barely started. Insert expletives here. Once it did, gas was direly needed. I went to the station on Spring St. Let it be known, I was glad to be going downhill. The car died at the stoplights before the gas station and I had to coast to the gas pump (while sweet talking the car). This was the first time I was happy to be there. I think the car agreed.

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Cars Suck; Home Edition

It was bound to happen. I decided to drive the nice car yesterday. By nice I mean, nicer then our other car. Three blocks from my mom’s house the power steering cuts out. Or, as I look it, a reminder of how little upper arm strength I have. I managed to make it to my mom’s house, but that's it. All things considered, I was lucky. I didn’t get hurt, I could safety pull over, and I have free towing. Before you mention it, driving a car after the power steering goes out is bad.

For nine years, I’ve had AAA. I’ve used them four times. Once I picked up a giant bolt in my tire and needed it repaired. Another time I locked the keys in the car while it was running (this should not be possible!). The other two times? I needed a tow because my power steering cut out. What are the odds of that? I might be wrong, but I get the impression this isn’t common. It’s all timing and coincidence. I wish I knew what caused it, but I have a feeling both times it was a fluke. We all know I excel at those.

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