Car Attention Deficit Disorder
Car Attention Deficit Disorder
(Part 1)
Several years ago, our car inspection expired. I didn't notice, because I have Car Attention Deficit Disorder. That means that I have trouble paying attention to information about cars. (This is usually comorbid with logging in and out deficiency.)
Learning to drive is an important skill for American teens. Unfortunately, Isha Yiras Hashem was extremely delayed in hitting this milestone. I didn't have a driver's license when I got married. (Or a smartphone, but that's for another post.) (We did have a marriage license.)
In fact, I began to drive only after my second child was born. Everyone is supposed to be interested in cars, at least a little bit, and sometimes my disinterest annoys people.
Like, for example, when I'm trying to join a carpool.
Person: So Ava will be waiting for you at 8:30 at the corner. What does your car look like?
IYH: It's gray, it's big, and has a BE NICE TO ME sticker. Because I really want people to be nice to me.
Person: You need to be more specific.
IYH: We got the license plate PO11CE. I think it scares off criminals, because it looks like the word police. Do you think it looks like the word "POLICE"?
Person: I just want to know what TYPE of car you have. So I can tell Ava.
IYH: The big gray type. It has four doors and four wheels and mirrors on each side. It's very messy.
Person: No, I mean, like, is it a Ford or a Lexus? Honda? Toyota? Subaru? Tesla?
IYH: I have no idea. Come see.
Person: How do you drive without knowing what type of car you have?
IYH: There is no legal requirement to know that. I checked.
Person: Legal Shmeagle. What if it gets stolen, and the police ask you for a description?
IYH: I'm sure my husband knows. Maybe some of the neighbors know. My kids might even know.
Person: Forget about it. I don't want Ava in your carpool. By the way, when are you going to fix that expired inspection?
That reminded me that we had an expired inspection. Like the car itself, the inspection was of little interest to me. Driving was overwhelming by itself.
We started getting tickets for an expired inspection. But having a car inspection sounds very much like something a person who likes cars would do, and I am NOT that kind of person. So I waited to see what would happen. I waited two whole years. (Don't worry. I got a lot done while I was waiting.)
To Be Continued in Part 2: The Inspection (link to be added when posted)
WHY are there so many little stickers your car needs? Inspection, insurance, resident parking... I'm sure I'm forgetting some. And they ALL EXPIRE AT DIFFERENT TIMES. I think it's some kind of conspiracy against us big picture people (aka ADHDers).
I can testify that the Minnesota State driving tests do _not_ require one to be able what kind of car you are driving. Mine is a silver one.