Monday, January 14, 2013

Adventure is relative

Oh the adrenaline: my first-ever solo drive, following a long accompanied drive this morning, which included Route 1 as well as what would have to be New Jersey's narrowest road intended for cars. Which went fine, but I'd avoid that road in the future. Anyway, this was a short loop, yes, but with a jogger, some other cars, and an emeritus professor and his wife strolling around all relaxed, not knowing the full significance of the car passing them by, being driven by an adult woman who by all accounts ought to have been driving for more than a decade. 15 mph, but no lane line, almost no sidewalk: challenge met.

It seems unreal that I'd be capable of actually getting myself to town/the supermarket on my own, whenever I damn well please. Like getting around in a city, only worse for the environment. Until I get to town, park (in the lot, obvs), get a coffee at Small World, get back in the car, and return, I don't believe I count as knowing how to drive, but I think that ought to happen soon. I might just make it after all.

6 comments:

Shybiker said...

The hardest, but most valuable thing to learn is confidence. It comes from experience. Be brave and keep practicing. Once you acquire it, the freedom you'll have will intoxicate you. Good luck!

Phoebe Maltz Bovy said...

Thanks for the encouragement!

Petey said...

"It seems unreal that I'd be capable of actually getting myself to town/the supermarket on my own, whenever I damn well please. "

You think that's good? Just wait. In two years, you'll get to head off to college and acquire oodles more freedom.

Also, on the WWPD Industries front, Emily Yoffe beat you to the punch...

Phoebe Maltz Bovy said...

Petey,

Don't think I hadn't just found that. Clearly whoever writes the "letters" reads WWPD.

caryatis said...

Phoebe, congratulations! You seem to be in the Atlantic. I hope you got money out of it.

Petey said...

"Phoebe, congratulations! You seem to be in the Atlantic."

I'll second the congrats.

But I'm unclear on the mechanism. Does this mean that the Church of Scientology has taken an equity stake in WWPD Industries, or did you just have to convert?

"I hope you got money out of it."

I'll second this emotion as well. But even if you didn't, it's still a better form of internship...