I know it's really another Hallmark holiday, but it is nice to take a moment to appreciate our dads. I had a wonderful dad and can't imagine growing up without him, but I know that's not the case for everyone.
And my years spent working in a hotel restaurant demonstrated the contrast between Mother's Day and Father's Day. Mother's Day brunch was a huge affair while Father's Day consisted of our manager saying "Happy Father's Day!" over the PA system, then handing out cigars to the guys quietly drinking coffee. So a shout out to good dads!
On another note, y'all know I've been teaching Meego to drive, and we got a gently used manual transmission civic for that purpose a couple of months ago. He's been doing well, and yesterday, he completed the Master Drive skills course.
This is really a great program, and I recommend it or something like it to anyone who has a new driver in the family. Chaco and Wolfgang also completed it, and I immediately noticed improvements in their skills and confidence behind the wheel.
The skills course teaches how to deal with unexpected conditions - obstacles, accidents, bad road conditions, etc. They learn responsive techniques for steering, braking, and getting out of slides. They experience what it feels like to lose control of the car during hydroplaning or sliding on ice, and what it feels like when the ABS engages, all under the watchful eyes of knowledgeable, friendly coaches.
The class lasts all day - most of it spent behind the wheel - and culminates in an afternoon "graduation". Just prior to receiving their certificates, the new drivers take parents for a demo drive.
I made a short video to summarize our ride with Meego. You can't really see them in the video, but there are lights along the course that flash suddenly and randomly to simulate some sort of unexpected situation, and the drivers are to respond accordingly. As a passenger, it feels a lot like a carnival ride.
On a side note, Wolfgang and Meego commented that my video editing resembles "an elementary school video project". Well, I reminded them that I didn't have video projects in elementary school, so I'm making up for lost time.
All aboard!
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19 comments:
It's a better video than I could make! Plus, you're braver than me too, getting in the car with a teenaged driver. Wishing him a long life without any dents!
I wasn't able to drive with my children in the safest of conditions, so kudos to you and Magnum. (Great video by the way)
I love the idea of that Master Drive course. Especially in your neck of the woods where conditions tend to be kinda slippery. I wonder if that would make Amp more comfortable behind the wheel. He much prefer to be chauffeured around.
To me, teaching kids to drive is right up there with potty training on the enjoyment scale. But similarly, we shouldn't really let them go on with out it!
The slippery-slidies around here are a big marketing tool for Master Drive :)
I bet Amp would like the course. My own preference for being chauffeured around helps motivate me to get these guys driving.
Liked your vid! The point of view shot through the windshield was really fun. My younger one has his learner's permit, but is not that interested in practicing. He's 18 already. Maybe a class like the one you mentioned would help move him along.
I think, in general, driving isn't as big of a deal as it was when we were getting our licenses. Teens - guys anyway - seem more into "souped up" computers and gaming systems than in cars like they were back in the day. I think this class does help light the fire though, is that a good thing?
Weeeeell, guess what? I have never edited video. So kudos to you!
I think I'm almost up to middle school quality!
I was looking forward yesterday to doing some of the things I used to do with my computers (from 8 years ago) only to find out this Vista can't handle my instructions. Kudos, hot legs.
Just when I get used to one video editor, the software updates to a new one. And I'm too lazy and cheap to get something more snazzy - all those videos I (don't) make.
I failed my first driving test spectacularly... And i blamed the car I was using because of many technical faults. After the failure, it took me two years to retake the test, in a new car and I did great.
(I actually cried when I failed and ran home. I don't take failures well when I was younger, hahaha)
I was trying to figure out who videographer was. (I think that's a new word, right?)
Anyway, seeing Meego reminds me that I have to get back in the car with my daughter to continue her lessons. It's been almost impossible to find time for it over the last month. And now she's going to camp in a couple days! *sigh*
Or maybe, "yippee!"
I like your title! :)
Well, I guess you couldn't cry and drive home... bahahaha! Oh, sorry ;)
Yes, the videographer, that would be me.
And I hear ya about trying to find time for driving lessons. Meego works pretty much full-time during the summer. Luckily, the place is close enough for him to ride his bike there since he can't really drive there solo yet!
I think camp gets both a *sigh* and a "yipee!"
the shots of yourself... selfie stick, or long arms?
Heck no on the selfie stick. I guess long arms and an accommodating lens!
Good for you and your kids! I never got my license, due to a combination of cowardice and circumstances (first I had no car to practice in, and then the only car available was a manual transmission which was way too much for me to grok in the chaos of Toronto traffic). At this point I figure I'd rather pay the occasional cab fare and take public transit rather than go through the agony of more lessons. (I've had my learner's permit three times and never took the road test.)
I have a couple of grown friends who never got licenses, and they seem to get around okay. I learned when I was a teen, but we lived in a small town and traffic moved really slow!
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