Driving My Mini

I'm still in love with my little yellow baby. But we are taking our time getting to know each other. I learned to drive stick somewhere around 9 years ago on my dad's 1974 VW Beetle, then started driving an automatic and have never driven a stick again until now. My refresher driving lesson was on Tuesday night, and it is lucky for me that Greg developed a lot of patience while raising 8 kids, because that first driving attempt was a little, well... rough. I didn't stall it EVERY time I tried to go into first gear from a stop, but it was pretty darn close. Second and third are easier because they flow, but I got pretty frustrated trying to get into first or reverse from a stop. Finally, Greg figured out what I was doing wrong - I was letting the clutch out slowly and starting to add gas, but when I felt it start to shift I was getting excited and letting the clutch go all the way. That was a major breakthrough, but we had to go to the OSS football game, so I didn't get to do much more that night.

So last night, Mini and I spent some quality time together. We had some one-on-one conversation, and I think we understand each other a lot better now. We spent about an hour practicing mostly first and reverse, but eventually getting to second and third too. We're not perfect or even very smooth, but we are at least 200% better than the first night. As soon as I'm done writing this, I'm going back to get it for some more quality time. I told Jose that I had a date with Mini tonight, and he told me to have fun. I said I better, we're already married. ;-)

Work is great. I love the people in my flight and they make the time fun and interesting. I also briefed wing staff twice this week, which was a little intimidating at first but both times went very well. The vice commander was even joking around with me today. Next week I work the forecaster desk on day shift all week, which will be nice to log that time to practice after being certified this Monday. This is a three-day weekend, and although my house is not even close to unpacked, I can't sit still for that long. I am finally going to make the trip to Dover Castle and the White Cliffs on Monday, and I will probably go somewhere closer on Saturday or Sunday but haven't decided where yet. That will leave one day for house stuff. That's not too bad, is it? :)