Sunday, March 16, 2008

driving log / 上路手札

在駕照過期數年之後,我又再度回到路上,說實在,我對於速度並不能感到任何快感,其實是有些驚恐,不過想到很多有關將來的考量,還是硬著頭皮上路去。我盯著俐落的儀表板,試著說服自己,駕駛的技術一定能讓我的生活便利性更灑落,但是我的決心在無意間走上單向道、而且幾乎就要擦撞到名貴的賓士時,化成一攤水。

Years after the expiration of my driver's license, I am back on the road again. Well, the truth is, I am not at all excited about speed. On the contrary, "fright" is how I feel about it. Still, I muster up the little courage I have, taking into account many factors, especially those concerning the unknown future. I stare at the neatly designed dashboard, attempting to convince myself that the ability to drive will lead to a better life. However, my determination melts when I find myself on a one-lane road, about to hit an expensive Benz, or in other similar situations.
世界上應該沒有教練能忍受我這種少數根筋的駕駛,但是認命的John發揮他積極樂觀的精神,在我想偷懶的時候,忽視我想逃避的慾望,認真地設計課程、不厭其煩地講解、碎碎唸的時候還被瘋狂的駕駛頂回去,過了而立之年,還有和父親單獨相處的機會,再可貴不過,而且每次都有意料外的小插曲,我們的路上時光就是兩人的冒險故事集。
There wouldn't be any coach who can tolerate such a daydreaming driver like me. Yet, John never fails to look on the bright side. Whenever laziness gets hold of me, John'd always ignore my desire to run away. Instead, he prepares lessons for every weekend, explains traffic rules again and again. When he grumbles, he would be shouted at by the crazy driver. It's actually a rare opportunity to spend time with one's father past the age of thirty. There are always unexpected stories awaiting us on the roads, so our driving log is full of adventures belonging to us two.

可惜的是,我們戴著小丑帽的教練車就在我要大顯身手倒車入庫之際,決定漏油罷工,於是我們在炙熱的豔陽下,空曠的路邊試圖把車修好,最後,深怕同樣的事件發生在高架橋上,我們落寞地留下車,搭計程車離開。原本John對我恐怖的停車技術還無奈地抱怨,不過因為我們共同經歷了戲劇化的情節,回程上我們心有靈犀地保持沉默。
Sadly, while I was about to back our car with two clown hats on the front for parking, it decided to go on a strike by leaking oil. We tried to fix the car under the hot sun at the empty roadside. At last, in case that the same incident might happen on the viaduct, we left in a taxi with our Cefiro there on the spot. One moment ago, John couldn't help sigh and complain about my parking skills. Nonetheless, because of our dramatic experience, we remained silent, glad that we had been there for each other.
不管我有沒有成功,起碼我知道,不會再有人更愛我了。

Whether I make it or not in the end, at least I've been reminded again--no one loves me more than John.

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

time lag:看起來有點悲情呢,其實在台北大家都嘛亂開的,不要太傷心啦,有時候車子停在那裡也會被莫明奇妙的撞到,像我一次我練車,因為會車靠路邊停,後來忘記開到路中間就往前開,就一路擦撞停在旁邊的卡車,工地裡的工人都看到傻眼,結局也是沒有人敢在我面前心疼地摸摸掉漆的痕跡,大家都很鎮定的假裝沒事事繼續開,所以,我現在覺得還是坐別人的車比較安全,不過妳可要爭氣,慢慢加油,我可是等著妳來接機的啊!

Weichuen You said...

還好啦!只是有點落寞,因為我從這個星期就沒有車可以開,車子可能會直接拋售給車行,John還撂下狠話,叫我去練道路駕駛,我看他昨天有好幾次心臟都要跳出來了!

我是有想過去接機的可能性,但是John很篤定地說,大概要半年才上得了路,有人這麼肉腳嗎?

只能說,你碰到的人實在太好了!如果真的擦到賓士,除非對方是富豪,不然應該不會饒了我吧?想到我半年的薪水就這樣沒了,還真得小心呢!

Liang-hui said...

卡車根本壯得像什麼,根本動不到一根汗毛,是我們家的掉漆啦,沒關係,其實我們也可以坐計程車或客運啦,可能我們就是那種註定有別人會幫我們開車的人.

Weichuen You said...

是喔!那你家人應該很想哭吧!不知道為什麼,我現在就是想要把開車學好,我的好勝心又開始作祟了!

Anonymous said...

妳要好好加油喔
我們等妳開車來看我們ㄋㄟ

Fliss and Mike Adventures said...

I never knew how to drive in Australia but once moving to the US I had to learn... sometimes I like it and sometimes not... I too worry about hitting an expensive car and I too like to 'daydream'... I try hard to not get into that habit while driving... I try to be a cautious driver though sometimes I feel impatience creeping in... with gas prices high... I don't drive when I don't really need to... take care...

Weichuen You said...

Felicity: I don't think driving is that necessary for me since I have all kinds of public transportation in the city. Somehow I think it's a symbol of independence. Since I've started, I feel like working for it, though I am not a natural for driving...

Kay: 好啦,我會去找道路駕駛練習啦!我阿爸可是如釋重負呢!

Callipygia said...

Spending many years in a city I can attest to the challenges of driving with a lot of speed and intensity. I have a few friends who are debating whether to learn or not. I am glad you have the caring patience of John. And take care practicing!

Le-1502 said...

又来坐坐了,我爱开车,尤其是那种和几个朋友开车到处去游玩的时候,我会开心得很~
你也可以,别怕,车其实没那么可怕~加油~

Anonymous said...

呵!在台北開車真是難為你了啊!
我在這鄉下地方只要會前進和後退就行了,
連路邊停車都已經忘得一乾二淨了哩!:]
祝福妳能早日享受"掌控"駕駛盤的樂趣~~

Anonymous said...

hi,I'm Lingkai.I can't sned messages on postcrossing now.So I could thank u here~Thanx a lot!:)
my email:llk1987@hotmail.com

BTW,what kind of postcards do u like?

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Weichuen You said...

calli: Well, so far, the car has been sold, and I am taking a break. I don't know when my resolution will harden and push me to take action again...

le-1502: 我也是很喜歡啦,只要開車的不是我,我都很開心:〉但是反過來說,老依靠別人也不是辦法!

spookie: 可是我程度差喔!就是在鄉下我也沒甚麼信心!

lingkai: I'll send an email to your email address.