RSS Atom
Sometimes the world needs a punch in the junk.
You know….those days when every coupon clipper and chatty Cathy is in front of you in the supermarket. When every file that’s needed ASAP ends up on your desk. When you’re late to work, need gas and get a flat tire all in the one hour before you get to the job. We’ve all had one. Hell, some of us have had more than our fair share.
The worst of all those days for me, is when one of those days (weeksmonths) happen to someone that I love.
Son2 has always had the worst luck. Just as he is about to get insurance, he gets laid off. The next week, he gets sick. He has been in the wrong place at the wrong time. He will get excited about something that he wants so much only to have his plans fall through. Not horrible, earthshattering, bad luck, but shitty all the same.
He got his driver’s permit at the ripe age of 25 (due to the “wrong place at the wrong time” episode) His girlfriend had a car and allowed him to drive as often as possible. He is quite good, attentive and obedient to all the rules of the road. Only one thing…….he can’t parallel park.
He started his exam at Point A. This was a spot that was under extreme scrutiny of the department of transportation. Very few people passed their tests there because the instructors were always afraid that it was an incognito DOT agent. Three times he failed. Once for touching a line while doing a stop sign, once for parking too far away from the curb, and once for parallel parking and taking too many attempts to get it right.
Then his girlfriend broke up with him. Not because of driving, it was other stuff, but still, now he was practicing with various friends here and there. There is no “regular” car for him to practice with, and he is intimidated by Hub’s jag. All the cars are sedans, and relatively small. I would assume that would be easy for him. But what do I know?
Every month I watch him head out the door with a look of trepidation. I pray for this to be the time that he passes.
Every month I watch him return with his head hung and a look of defeat in his eyes.
His one employer hired him back as business is picking up again. His pay is lower than it ever was before. When he asked the boss why, he was told that as soon as he gets his license, he will be able to get his own truck and a raise. There was alot on the line this time.
Today we did it again, this time at Point B. Everybody passes at Point B.
First, his friend’s car didn’t have the right insurance papers with him. (Strike one- ineligible car) He was told to get another car and they would let him test today anyway. He got his cousin’s car and got ready again. As they went over his paperwork, it was noticed that he needs his physical updated. (Strike two-but the instructor made that “go away”.) He did the test and did a great job even though he had never driven that car before. HOWEVER….He failed parallel parking….again. (Cousin’s car is higher in the back and he couldn’t judge how much room he had. Instructor said “sorry dude. All cars drive the same.”)
Strike three and he was out……once again.
How many times do I have to see that look in his eyes? It is so hard. What do I say? No matter what I say, he hears “loser”. His younger sister and cousins are driving around. They are in school still and I know it stings for him to be asking for rides when he needs one.
I’m not even sure I am conveying what I feel. I’m so disappointed FOR him. He tries so hard to get his life to a better place. As soon as he gets a foothold, the world throws him a curve.
Sometimes the world needs a punch in the junk.
6 Comments »
{ RSS feed for comments on this post} · { TrackBack URI }
Sybil Law said:
on February 22, 2012 at 11:36 PMI’m definitely going to agree that it does suck, but I REALLY admire him for trying again and again. That takes a great mix of determination and a lack of asshole ego to just dust off and try again – traits that many young dudes are missing nowadays. He will get it!
I didn’t even have to parallel park when I took my driving test. What the hell? It’s kind of weird that he has to – must be a state thing, although my instructor also didn’t dock me for one hand on the steering wheel.
Seriously. I know it has to be hard for you and for him, but he will get it. I love his determination, so he’s bound to.
Metalmom said:
on February 23, 2012 at 10:12 AMSybilLaw-It makes me want to cry. I know he is determined to do this. It is so frustrating to know that he CAN do it, but it takes more than one time. I’ve seen old ladies take F-o-r-e-v-e-r to parallel part and others who park a foot from the curb. It sucks that he gets called on that shit. *sigh*
Megan said:
on February 23, 2012 at 12:51 PMI can’t parallel park for shit, but I live in Florida where it’s not an issue (which is probably why I can’t do it – because I don’t do it, you know?).
Anyway, I know how you feel. With Mack, it’s one thing after another with his health issues. Kid can’t catch a break. It tears me up inside.
Can you take up a collection to get him driving lessons – to just work on parallel parking intensly for a short period of time? They will also take you to get the license, so at least he’d be used to the car and know that it has all the right paperwork. Just a thought.
Grant said:
on February 23, 2012 at 5:36 PMParallel parking is best done by approaching the parking position at full speed from the opposite direction, then cutting the wheel while applying the gas and brake so you do a 180 bootleg turn. Have him practice that with your car. In the meantime, he can ride a pogo stick like the rest of us.
Metalmom said:
on February 23, 2012 at 9:50 PMMegan-We never even considered driving school strictly for the parallel parking and test. That certainly is something worth looking into… Thanks!!
Metalmom said:
on February 23, 2012 at 9:51 PMGrant-I’d like to see a park job done just like that….just once in person! No pogo stickin’ going on over here. Have skateboard-will travel has always been his motto…..