driving and what not

Have you ever stopped doing something for a long time, and then upon resuming the activity, suddenly realize that you are just not so good at it anymore?

After not driving for a good 3-4 months while away in Pittsburgh and now returning back to Seattle with a car at my free disposal, I honestly feel as if I cannot maneuver my car as well as before. Not only has my parking skills gone bad, but stopping without the car choking and without freakin’ out my poor mother sitting besides me is a bit more difficult. In fact, some of the unconsciously natural driver’s common sense has deteriorated somewhat.

For example: parking in a no-parking zone.

I really wish that our public transportation here is as good as New York’s, or even as Pittsburgh’s. (Of course, if it was like Western Europe’s or Japan’s, it would be much better… but I suppose that would be wishing for the stars.) Although I must admit that it is nice to have a car, it would enhance the transportation experience if the city system would be more efficient and on-time. After being around several countries, I think that Japan has the best public transportation system. Who needs a car there, anyways? It’s much more easier to take the densha (electric train) and buses than driving and getting a headache about how to park your car in those highly compact parking spaces. In Taiwan, Mr. Worm drives, and I just sit in the passenger seat. If my wits hold up, I would take a scooter. Unfortunately, those darn Taiwanese drivers are horrifically fast and reckless road-ragers. This is quite evident from Mr. Worm’s own road rage. It is my personal experience of the king of all potty mouths when executing the worse of all curses to those damned drivers blocking traffic by driving 10 miles under the limit, or breaking for no reason. I swear, one of these days, Mr. Worm will die from a heart attack in the middle of swearing at the slow driver in front of him.

It can’t be helped.