Life is a Highway (and I Can't Read a Map)

My search for a gently used car has finally come to an end with a good result. I did, however, give up one luxury gadget in the trade, a navigation system. I am, what is known as, "geotarded", which means that I could get lost in my own neighborhood, let alone an unfamiliar city. Sadly, I have even gotten lost WITH the navigation system before. Often times I could feel the frustration in the voice of navigation lady as she directed me on where to go, and one time I swear she said, "Please make a legal U-turn, damn it."

My most recent trip without navigation lady was to Birmingham a couple of weeks ago. My dad was in the hospital and my sister had given me directions over the phone. I was nervous about it, but I psyched myself up and headed out. Long story short, I got lost and finally hit rock bottom when I got directions from a one-armed man who was standing on the street, somewhere on the north side of Birmingham. He became a little exasperated with my follow up questions and finally pointed with his stump and instructed me to, "turn right where you see that homeless guy standing and...blah, blah, blah." It was hard to pay attention with him waving that stump around. His directions did, however, get me close enough to find the hospital and all's well that ends well.

I imagine the new car will result in one of two things. Either, I will see an improvement in my geotardation, or I will buy myself a Garmin. Either way, expect a lot of adventures. I'll keep you posted.