learn how to drive stick-shift

I wonder what kind of car I will get when I move back to Texas. Hmm, this could be interesting.

Wow, I really should’ve done this before he had his knee surgery. I couldn’t drive him home from the hospital, and now there are even more doctor’s appointments and physiotherapy, plus regular errands to pick things up for him… don’t I feel like a jerk!

I mean seriously, the part that kills me is getting the car started and then getting it in motion. What pedals need to be pushed in while I turn the key? ACK.

I’m getting scary flashbacks to failing the CPR portion of the lifeguarding test (in 1997?) because I couldn’t remember how many breaths went with which number of chest compressions.

I understand the delicate balance between the gas and clutch, but I also don’t really get downshifting vs. putting the car in neutral to stop debate, and what happens if you think you’re stopping but then you don’t need to come to a full and complete stop? I’m not ready for that yet!!

I’ve been really bad about this. Coming up with excuses and panicking. Researching my options. Asking if there’s any way I can drive a different car on Tuesday or anything.

I know I want to learn but I don’t think the deadline is helping. I need to do this on my own, and on my own time frame, and if I’m going to take the car out by myself, then I’m going to have to schedule it around when the car is not in use and when I’ve got free time, and when it’s actually daylight.

Sigh. I’ve been driving for 10 years! This is so lame. But it’s just not like second nature to me, and it’s not going to get that way in the next three days, either.

I’ve only got 2 weeks left and I haven’t gotten any practice in months! I should’ve insisted on practicing last weekend when we drove to Vermont.

Yikes! I only have 26 days left to learn!

I have about 6-8 weeks before my partner gets surgery on his leg, and in order to drive him home from the hospital, I need to be able to drive our car.

So far I’ve only practiced about four times in the past five years. I know I need to practice more, but I start getting panicky and our current neighborhood is too urban and congested. (Plus he stresses me out, so maybe I need to go alone.)