Driving in L.A.

Moving to L.A. has been an adjustment to say the least. Overall it has been pretty good. One of the biggest adjustments is driving here. If you know me at all then you probably know that I do not enjoy driving. If someone else is willing to drive than I always let them. Even at 16, I put off getting my drivers license for a few months just because I didn't want the responsibility of driving. If my brother or sister could drive me, or my parents, then I would let them. I know this is unusual for teenagers. But, I always enjoy being the passenger. Sitting, relaxing, talking, enjoying the drive without having to think of where I'm going or what is going on around me. I know this sounds lame. Obviously I do not have this option anymore since I have no chauffeur to drive me and the kiddos to and from our adventures here in the city. One of the biggest reasons I loved New York was I didn't have to rely on driving anywhere. I could just grab a cab or ride the subway, and it was fantastic!!

When we moved here to L.A. we bought a Honda Odyssey. I know, I am 27 years old and I drive a minivan. The thing is, I absolutely love it. I know many of my friends prefer the SUV but the minivan is quite fantastic:) I am sold, but maybe that is because we did buy the loaded version of the minivan - GPS and DVD player. First off, the GPS is a lifesaver in this city. Although, last week's Office where Michael drives his car into the lake because his GPS told him to take a right is sometimes an accurate description of how the thing works. Thankfully, I am a little smarter than Michael and know when the GPS is leading me astray:) The DVD player is actually a lifesaver as well. To drive 3 miles in this city takes at least 20 minutes. And in those 20 minutes I can be flipped off at least twice if not more. I never flip anyone off. I mean personally it doesn't do me any good. Instead of flipping people off I yell and use profound language. And I mean profound:) Never swearing but you know the other type of swearing. What the! You Idiot! I hate this City! and other things that I probably should not repeat. I honestly don't use swear words very often so none of it is vulgar in that sense. (Only when I drop my big gulp in the parking lot at 7-11 while strapping Lucas in to his seat belt is when a "real" swear word is allowed). So you might be wondering how the DVD player comes in hand? By the simple fact that my children are not paying attention to me or what I am saying because they are too focused on Mickey Mouse or Blue's Clues. This saves me a lot by not having to explain to them why I am yelling at other drivers. The DVD player also helps because Micah does not fall asleep in the car thus making it so I get the full benefit of his nap at home.

Two things to know while driving in L.A. is that you can never take a left turn on a green light. It's like this unwritten rule that two cars are allowed to run the yellow/red light when turning left. Because of this you never want to run a yellow light when going straight.

The thing I get honked on or flipped off the most would be because I am not far enough out in the intersection so that the car behind me is able to be in the intersection at the same time, so that when the light turns yellow we both are allowed to turn left. I find this amusing. The other thing is I sometimes ride the white line because dumb people who park on the street open their car doors wide open and get out without looking to see if cars are driving by. Thus making the driver hug the white line and sometimes go into the other lane. Most drivers understand this and stagger cars so it's not a problem. But you always get the high school driver who drives right next to you and is clueless about what is going on.

Well, I do have to say I think driving is getting a little better in this city. I mean, I only got honked at once this week and no fingers flying. Truly Amazing!!