Multi-Tasking Driver

Ask Jeff who the worst driver he knows is, and I have no doubt my name will make into his answer one way or another. If we are talking about the general population, not many can argue that women and Chinese people are the worst drivers. Well, I am a woman, and sometimes, especially when I get tired, I look somewhat Chinese. I guess I fit the mold!

Thinking about it, there is barely anything that I haven't done while driving a car. I have become a real multi-tasker. Driving for me, is never just driving. I always have my hand in something else. Of course there is the normal talking on the phone and texting. With my iPhone capabilities, I often browse the internet, exchange emails, and play games. I have read the newspaper while driving. I eat finger foods like grapes, crackers, and pretzels while I drive. I browse through my cds, even though I have no need to listen to any of them. I dance in my seat. I put the seat back and do sit-ups. I use the steering wheel and do push-ups. I have even completely changed my clothes while driving.

Only once did my extra curricular driving activities nearly gotten me in trouble. It was a while back, I was driving along the curvy roads up near my parents home. I had just gotten my haircut and was on my way to a party. I thought I liked my new haircut, but I wasn't quite used to it yet. So, what's a girl to do? Play around with it in the mirror of course! As I was experimenting with my hair, an unsuspecting curve was ahead. With my eyes in the mirror looking at my lovely self, I did not know that I should be moving the wheel, so I didn't. When I finally glanced up, I was in the wrong lane going head on with a State Trooper. Go figure! It couldn't have just been a normal citizen, it had to be a Trooper!

The Trooper immediately did a U-turn and I pulled off the road before he even had to turn his lights on. Before even asking me for my license and registration, he asked me what the heck I was doing. He guessed that I was changing cds. I explained to him, "I was fixing my hair." Believe it or not, he accepted this answer with a smile. He then asked for the paper work, and I decided to act like I had never been pulled over before. The more innocent, the better! I asked him what a registration looked like and he accepted it kindly.

The gentleman let me go, reminding me to keep my eyes on the road. I thanked him profusely and convinced myself that I would be careful while driving from that point on. I can honestly say, I drove carefully that night. Anything beyond that, I cannot attest to. Actually, I have begun doing all of the aforementioned things after this incident.

The amazing thing is that while Jeff thinks I am a horrible driver, I don't dare attempt any of these things while he is in the car with me. I think he made up his mind a long time ago, judging solely on the fact that I failed my first driver's test! And, let me tell you, that was not my fault!