Chad gave me a ride home tonight. He has done that so many times. Not only Chad. I realized just more than half of the people from our workshop have given me at least one ride on the way home. And some more from other classes. Such nice people! Really. I so appreciate them. I even feel bad sometimes.
I often get frustrated with my own immobility. It's so true you can't live in Los Angelse without a car. Where are those good old trains I used to commute on in Japan? No, the city is too big for them. One of my New Year's resolustions was to finally get a driver's license and be able to offer rides to people. I know I couldn't do that without a car, but I will think about it after the license.
Even though I feel bad sometimes, and feel like I'm so useless without a car, I kind of like getting rides from people. Not because it saves me walking from the bus stop to my place late at night, though it's certainly something I really appreciate, but because I get to talk with them. People I've met here, they all are cool people with interesting stories and I always want to listen and talk and get to know them better but the thing is there hardly is time between tons of things to get done. I can't believe how I used to plan something fun for almost every weekend when I was in Santa Cruz as an undergrad exchange student. Well I even went out drinking on weekdays in Japan. Now with so much to do even on weekends I hardly have time to be social.
So those little times I can spend in the passenger's seat of my friends' cars are precious to me. And I love to see how different people's driving styles are. I think your driving reflects your personality. Really. Mine will be slow and distracted.
I thank all the people who've given me rides and who are willing to give me one. There are things I will certainly miss once I get my own license, and car.
Maybe I shouldn't get a license after all. Or maybe I should, but not buy a car.
4 comments:
I think you should get a license, but not tell any of us and keep getting rides.
Great post, by the way. I never thought about it, but you're right, some of my best grad school conversations have happened in the getting-or-giving of rides.
That's a great idea, Sarah. Don't tell anybody if I get a license. Yes, rides are nice. I miss spending a bit of your time on the way home with friends like I used to do on the train in Japan. Maybe we should all car-pool to school sometime.
I love getting rides from people, but you're right. You feel a little guilty or something. Like you're putting upon them by needing a ride. And I never know how to feel when people offer a ride to me without my asking. Awkward. Sometimes I just want to walk, you know, for the exercise and the night air. But I take the ride because they offered. I'd hate to look a gift horse in the mouth (I love that ridiculous phrase. I really do).
Jon, You made me look up that horse phrase on google. You've got lots of funny sayings here. I know what you mean, though I'm usually grateful whenever people offer me a ride maybe because I don't have many chances to be in a car in my everyday life. It's a special treat :)
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