Meghan Learns To Drive A Stick

Yup, we picked up the car on Saturday. She is absolutely beautiful. And I hated her. Got her home and within minutes I was nagging my hubby to take me out for my first lessen. As I'm sure you've guessed, it didn't go well. We took it to the parking lot up the street. I couldn't even get it into gear. I just kept stalling. Any of you who know how to drive stick know exactly what I'm talking about. I tried about a dozen times, but never got her going.

I got so frustrated that I started to cry. Yes, I cry. Comes with being a manic/depressive. Could have gone the other way. I could have gotten so pumped that I put my fist through the windshield, but thankfully that didn't happen. So I went into "woe as me" mode. This infuriated my husband, who after almost 10 years of knowing me, still can't get used to the swings. So he started yelling, which made things worse. I just ended up giving up and screaming at him to take me home. I hated that car. I wanted to take it back, to exchange it for an automatic. I was pissed at my husband for forcing me how to learn to drive a stick. I told him it was his car, enjoy it, merry Christmas, because I would not get back in it. Yeah, I can be a real pain in the ass.

So upon complaining to my father, he suggested I just give it one more try the next day and to let him teach me. Fran (my hubby) as much as I love him, has 0 patience with me. He probably wasn't the best teacher. So Sunday morning, after being up till 3:30 partying (more on the Halloween party later) my dad took me back to the lot. First shot, I got her in gear. I continued to get her in gear and got up to second gear. I was quite pleased with myself. But the parking lot was too small to go any faster, so we went across town to a bigger one. There I got her up to third and practiced reverse. I stalled a few times and lurched as I got her into gear, but all in all, a MUCH more successful day. I was quite proud.

So I toddled around town on Monday night. Stalled out at stop signs and hip hopped along the road like a teenager who had never been behind the wheel before. But I can say in an absolute emergency, I can get that car around town. The highway is another story, I'll be trying that out this weekend. So...do I love stick? Am I dancing up and down because I'm learning how to drive it? No. Given my way, I'd much prefer an automatic. Less to think about, less stressful. I'm lazy and I like to daydream. Tough to do when you're doing three things at once to keep a car going. Ah well. I have no choice now. I'm stuck with this car for 6 years. I'll be sure to report back on my highway experience.

On to the party. It was a success, I believe. There were only a few party poopers who didn't dress up, but most of them let us dress them upon arrival. There was WAY too much food and my refrigerator still looks like it belongs in a bar, but we had a good time. A lot of the writers pooped out on me, but such is the case in October. It's a busy month for us horror writers. But special thanks to Kelly Laymon and Matt Warner who came all the way from Baltimore and DC (respectively). Kelly won the prize for best costume...she was the skeleton cheerleader from the cover of Jack Ketchum's "The Girl Next Door." It was a GREAT costume. I got a picture with me, Kelly, and the famous book. As soon as I have it developed, I'll put it up on the site.

So the party wound down at about 3 AM and I crashed. I was quite tired the next day and vowed never to have another party again. The same thing I said after the last 4. What can I say? I'm a glutton for punishment. I believe the next one will be in the spring. :)

Well, I've wasted enough work time. Almost time for me to head out of here. Until next time...