# Birthdays and Memories, A Bittersweet MMP **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Tags:** mmp\ **Created:** [July 9, 2007, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/birthdays-and-memories-a-bittersweet-mmp/411014 "2007-07-09T03:25:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 13
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2007, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/birthdays-and-memories-a-bittersweet-mmp/411014/241 "2007-07-11T14:20:17Z")
I’ll 'fess up - I failed my driver’s test, drastically, the first time. Lemme explain why. I learned to parallel park, do 3-point turns, and all the ordinary stuff. I learned it well, it wasn’t any of that that failed me, but a simple mis-reading of the signs. Where I took the test, there was a street behind the DMV that I parked on. Well, we got into the car and went to the end of the block, at which point he told me to “turn left”. Straight ahead of me, on the perpendicular intersection, the one I was turning on, was a one-way sign. Meaning the street was one-way, right? So I make a left turn. I miss the sign that says from this intersection, it is no longer a one-way. So basically half the street, to my right, was a one-way only, and the other half, to my left, was a two-way. However I was dreadfully nervous and missed the sign. Went to the end of the block and the instructor told me to make a left turn, so I pulled to the left, as you’re supposed to do when making a left turn from a one-way, and the instructor shouted “What are you doing?” And I immediately _knew_ I had failed. I said, meekly, “Making a left-turn, isn’t this a one-way?” And the instructor just pursued his lips and said nothing. Well, I executed the whole rest of the test perfectly, and at the end he said, not unkindly, “You did fine, but I’m going to have to fail you. Try again next time.” I got all the way home and managed to tell my mother once what happened before I started crying. She laughed of course. I did take the test again 3 months later - next chance you got - and passed it with flying colors. The lessons sank in well, too. I parallel-parked last night with perfect pin-point accuracy, between a little jeep and a huge boat of a Chevy. I just have never forgot that stupid mistake I made. ---
**Author:** ![Ellen\_Cherry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellen_cherry/32/3600_2.png) [@Ellen\_Cherry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellen_Cherry)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2007, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/birthdays-and-memories-a-bittersweet-mmp/411014/242 "2007-07-11T14:23:39Z")
I’m in the bragging camp. Got my permit right after I turned 16, practiced a month, took the test, and BOOM. New driver. ---
**Author:** ![Lissla\_Lissar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8491ac/32.png) [@Lissla\_Lissar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lissla_Lissar)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2007, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/birthdays-and-memories-a-bittersweet-mmp/411014/243 "2007-07-11T14:36:24Z")
I think there’s a wait between the learner’s permit time, the first road test, and the second road test. Very damn annoying. The only real restriction on the first-degree license is no drinking at all. The extra test is a money grab. I have boxes. I wonder where I should start packing? ---
**Author:** ![gardentraveler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gardentraveler/32/3576_2.png) [@gardentraveler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gardentraveler)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2007, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/birthdays-and-memories-a-bittersweet-mmp/411014/244 "2007-07-11T14:37:04Z")
Good morning! I’ve had a leisurely breakfast and accomplished pretty much nothing so far. Well, I sent an e-mail for a field trip a group of us are going on next week, but that’s not enormous. We don’t seem to have the Helllooo ice cream trucks of evil, thank goodness. I’ve listened for ice cream trucks this year (thanks, **Mork** ) and all appears to be normal so far. Good luck to Mr. Lissar, of course! **swampy** I read safteyed as saft-eyed and wondered what saft was in English. (It’s juice in German.) Happy day 3! Really liked that video you linked to yesterday, **Meeks**. I’m seeing Harry Potter at 1:15…will read **Drae’s** review and post my own after that. (FTR, **rigs** , our local reviewer, who’s quite good, gave it 3 (out of 4) stars. He very seldom gives out more than that, so I’m guessing it’s pretty good…) There’s more, but I really need more caffeine… Back later. GT ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Tiger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6de8d8/32.png) [@Mama\_Tiger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Tiger)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2007, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/birthdays-and-memories-a-bittersweet-mmp/411014/245 "2007-07-11T14:59:20Z")
Morning, all. I am up and caffeinated (somewhat), and still affected with a case of Teh Lazy, but not as badly as yesterday. Any time you guys get that bazooka or C4, I’m right there with you on the ice cream truck. That thing is truly the spawn of the devil. Good luck to Mr. Lissar on the driving test! I initially got my license in Connecticut, where they didn’t even do a parallel parking test, but when we moved to Ohio three months later they made me retest and so I failed the parallel parking part. ☹ But I think I only had to wait a week to retest and then passed it, after much diligent practice. I had a truly scary driver’s ed teacher, though, who pounded many things into our unwilling heads. To this day I still don’t feel safe moving left or right without actually turning my head far enough to see my blind spot out of my own two eyes, not in mirrors; I’m afraid if I don’t, he’ll come back from the grave (or wherever) to haunt me! Gee, **FCM** is sure blasé about her baby coming to visit. I bet the kid will be oh so disappointed at her mom’s lack of enthusiasm. 😃 😃 Welcome, **McOne**! Clearly you will fit in well around here. I got nuttin’ today except work, so I shall return to it. If I missed any hugs, boos, etc., please consider them done. And here’s more crabcakes for all! ---
**Author:** ![Man\_With\_a\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cab0a1/32.png) [@Man\_With\_a\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Man_With_a_Cat)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2007, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/birthdays-and-memories-a-bittersweet-mmp/411014/246 "2007-07-11T15:48:11Z")
We got our permits in school, in the Drivers Ed class. I had mine for 4 months, and on my 16th birthday, went and passed with flying colors the first time. Then, 9 days later, slid my dad’s old Caddy on a patch of ice into the back of a Snap-On Tools truck. :smack: ---
**Author:** ![Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2007, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/birthdays-and-memories-a-bittersweet-mmp/411014/247 "2007-07-11T15:57:05Z")
An old girlfriend of mine said that her drivers’ test consisted of three left turns. Damn rich, suburban kids… ---
**Author:** ![HazelNutCoffee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ac91a4/32.png) [@HazelNutCoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HazelNutCoffee)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2007, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/birthdays-and-memories-a-bittersweet-mmp/411014/248 "2007-07-11T16:01:10Z")
[QUOTE=Draelin] I seriously love you (in a purely hetero, you’re-awesome kind of way) because I was thinking the _same thing_. [/QUOTE] Great minds and all that. 😉 I almost failed my driver’s test because I ran a yellow light and I didn’t notice my emergency break was up until the dude pointed it out to me. :eek: I still can’t park to save my life. An Asian woman who can’t drive well. I am a walking stereotype. Argh. DEAR GOD I WISH MY STUDENTS WOULD SHOW UP TO CLASS AND TURN IN THEIR GODDAMN HOMEWORK!!!111!1!1!!!111 That is all. ---
**Author:** ![Noone\_Special](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/noone_special/32/2863_2.png) [@Noone\_Special](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Noone_Special)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2007, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/birthdays-and-memories-a-bittersweet-mmp/411014/249 "2007-07-11T16:02:39Z")
[QUOTE=HazelNutCoffee] I almost failed my driver’s test because I ran a yellow light and I didn’t notice my emergency break was up until the dude pointed it out to me. :eek: I still can’t park to save my life. An Asian woman who can’t drive well. **I am a walking stereotype**. [/QUOTE] Doesn’t this make you a **driving** stereotype? :eek: (d&r) ---
**Author:** ![Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2007, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/birthdays-and-memories-a-bittersweet-mmp/411014/250 "2007-07-11T16:03:11Z")
[QUOTE=HazelNutCoffee] Great minds and all that. 😉 I almost failed my driver’s test because I ran a yellow light and I didn’t notice my emergency break was up until the dude pointed it out to me. :eek: I still can’t park to save my life. An Asian woman who can’t drive well. I am a walking stereotype. Argh. DEAR GOD I WISH MY STUDENTS WOULD SHOW UP TO CLASS AND TURN IN THEIR GODDAMN HOMEWORK!!!111!1!1!!!111 That is all. [/QUOTE] One of my really good friends is an Asian female. She also is afflicted with the same thing. It’s funny. She’ll drive around, miss a turn or something, slap her forhead and say “God dammit, I’m so Asian.” ---
**Author:** ![amelioration](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e9c0ed/32.png) [@amelioration](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amelioration)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2007, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/birthdays-and-memories-a-bittersweet-mmp/411014/251 "2007-07-11T16:05:39Z")
Okay, how am I supposed to keep up with the MMP when y’all are so incredibly chatty this week? 😛 It’s only Wednesday and you’ve already exceeded 5 pages! **Special1** , I am now incredibly jealous of Special Teen. Nightwish happens to be one of my favorite bands as well. Ah, if only they would tour Michigan sometime. Probably a bit much to hope for. Best of luck to Mr. Lissar! He shouldn’t worry. I accidentally went 15 mph over the speed limit, during the test, and still passed. 😉 (Also, during the “pre-test” [to obtain the permit] I locked the keys inside the car and the instructor had to call for a locksmith. Somehow I still passed that test, too.) Mmm… _yawns_ G’morning (afternoon?), Cool Kids. Today I’m sitting around and waiting for a phone call from the employment agency I visited yesterday, in hopes that they have a temporary job position available for me to interview for. They sounded promising yesterday, and I was told I’d be guaranteed a call, so here’s hoping that pans out well (and results in a job that is _not_ telemarketing)! ---
**Author:** ![Lissla\_Lissar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8491ac/32.png) [@Lissla\_Lissar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lissla_Lissar)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2007, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/birthdays-and-memories-a-bittersweet-mmp/411014/252 "2007-07-11T16:06:49Z")
My Dad (75 year old Japanese man, born in Canada, pretends he doesn’t speak English sometimes while on holiday) drives, but we’re pretty sure he doesn’t know how to, exactly. He also complains vociferously about every other driver on the road while he’s driving. Makes Mr. Lissar nuts. He drives veeerrryyy slowly, in the wrong lane (a lot of the time), in the Old Person Slouch (staring directly at the center of the steering wheel). ---
**Author:** ![gardentraveler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gardentraveler/32/3576_2.png) [@gardentraveler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gardentraveler)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2007, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/birthdays-and-memories-a-bittersweet-mmp/411014/253 "2007-07-11T16:15:13Z")
So has Driving Husband made himself useful by teaching Mr. Lissar how to drive? And does he feel threatened? Cuz if Mr. Lissar learns to drive well enough, he might take DH’s title and all… ::Waves at **meli** :: I’m eating lunch (salad, yogurt with blueberries and granola, something else to be named later). And then I’ll get additional caffeine, I think. And then go to the movies!!! Yay! GT ---
**Author:** ![Noone\_Special](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/noone_special/32/2863_2.png) [@Noone\_Special](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Noone_Special)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2007, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/birthdays-and-memories-a-bittersweet-mmp/411014/254 "2007-07-11T16:18:33Z")
[QUOTE=amelioration] **Special1** , I am now incredibly jealous of Special Teen. Nightwish happens to be one of my favorite bands as well. Ah, if only they would tour Michigan sometime. Probably a bit much to hope for. [/QUOTE] Mine too… hence my original comment about wanting to go myself. We have a few MP3’s of sneak-previews from their new album (scheduled for release in September) – PM or email me if you’re interested! Oh, and they **are** playing in Michigan – the Harpos Concert Theatre in Detroit, to be exact – on October 26. If you’re closer to Chicago, they’re playing the House of Blues the very next evening (Oct. 27). And Minneapolis the next (Oct. 28). Just take your pick! 🙂 It’s all on their website, [right here](http://www.nightwish.com/en/band/tour#) ---
**Author:** ![Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e480ec/32.png) [@Least\_Original\_User\_Name\_Ever](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Least_Original_User_Name_Ever)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2007, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/birthdays-and-memories-a-bittersweet-mmp/411014/255 "2007-07-11T16:34:05Z")
Hm…Harpos…that’s more or less down the street… ---
**Author:** ![Lissla\_Lissar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8491ac/32.png) [@Lissla\_Lissar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lissla_Lissar)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2007, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/birthdays-and-memories-a-bittersweet-mmp/411014/256 "2007-07-11T16:34:22Z")
I think it’s time for lunch. **gt** , one of the Fun Ontario Driver’s Laws specifies that you can’t teach someone else to drive until you’ve had your _full_ license (usually takes a year and a half to get) for five years. So DH can’t, because he’s only had his G2 for three and a half. I think. It’s too bad. DH is a fantastic driver. Hence the title. Lunch. ---
**Author:** ![Sean\_Factotum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/50afbb/32.png) [@Sean\_Factotum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sean_Factotum)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2007, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/birthdays-and-memories-a-bittersweet-mmp/411014/257 "2007-07-11T16:53:23Z")
[QUOTE=HazelNutCoffee] How can a fantasy involving an ice cream truck and a bazooka NOT be sexual? :dubious: [/QUOTE] Well, like Freud said, “sometimes a bazooka is just a bazooka.” Can’t keep up with y’all today. I’ll catch up when I can. ---
**Author:** ![anyrose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/54ee81/32.png) [@anyrose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anyrose)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2007, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/birthdays-and-memories-a-bittersweet-mmp/411014/258 "2007-07-11T16:54:20Z")
so let me ask you all I’ve come across a few errors on accounts by a team member involved in a special project. Normally she is very consciencious _(sp?)_ so I chalk it up to working to fast because of the volume of accounts she had to get thru. I am not her supervisor, let alone a supervisor at all, and have been told in no uncertain terms in the past that it is not my place to bring errors to cow-orkers attention. My very Own Annoying CowOrker overheard my discussion with the supervisor and commented quietly to me that she thought I should nicely present the errors to the rep who made them so she can be more watchful. I didn;t want to get into a whole argument with MVOAC because her views on company politics are just wrong. Really wrong. I’ll go into it some other time. But what do you all think? Lunch is my favorite - tuna salad fromthe bagel deli with crushed up Frito chips. I’ve had it every day this week and lost 3 lbs so far - so I guess it’s good for me. ---
**Author:** ![Sean\_Factotum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/50afbb/32.png) [@Sean\_Factotum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sean_Factotum)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2007, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/birthdays-and-memories-a-bittersweet-mmp/411014/259 "2007-07-11T16:54:45Z")
[QUOTE=HazelNutCoffee] How can a fantasy involving an ice cream truck and a bazooka NOT be sexual? :dubious: [/QUOTE] Well, like Freud said, “sometimes a bazooka is just a bazooka.” Can’t keep up with y’all today. I’ll catch up when I can. Oh, and if you thought that my Monday post about Mandy looking like she’s going to audition as a Gaijin Blonde Hooker was TMI, maybe I should tell you about Big Fat Paulie’s morning tirade about his prostrate medication. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2007, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/birthdays-and-memories-a-bittersweet-mmp/411014/260 "2007-07-11T16:57:20Z")
Oh, I guess I can say in my defense that I’ve never been in an accident since. And I pride myself, Haze, on not driving like an Asian. 😛 I yell at Asians who drive badly. Eating lunch. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/birthdays-and-memories-a-bittersweet-mmp/411014.md?page=12) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/birthdays-and-memories-a-bittersweet-mmp/411014.md?page=14)