Where is my auto pilot?

From the eyes of a newbie where is my auto pilot

When I drive long distances, take a shower, bake chocolate chip cookies, or fold my clean clothes my mind switches into auto pilot and my thoughts don't have to think.

Just a couple months ago I used to serve at a restaurant for three years and auto pilot was used quite a bit. Now having this new job where is my auto pilot? Sometimes I just want someone else to do the listening, the decision making and the thinking. I wish someone could climb into my brain and take the wheel, just for a little while.

Being new at a job you learn many things everyday. My ears always need to be opened and my mind sharp. Unlike college, where I could tune out in class and figure out my homework later, there is no book or internet site to look up questions for what I do. I can't pull my studious classmates over and have them outline the last hour, or look at their notes. There are no notes, no books nor reference, just me and my tired brain waiting for the day auto pilot will surprise me.

Hailey

one of thooooose days...

From the eyes of a newbie one of thooooose days....


I love when I wake up Saturday morning around 8:30am well rested and with a list of things to do and a productive attitude. This was me this morning, but things did not go as planned...


After talking to everyone I know on the phone I was an hour behind schedule as I walked out my front door. With lunch plans two hours away I had time for only one quick run to Macy's. I rushed into the department store on a mission to buy some make-up, but after waiting 20 minutes without being helped I locked eyes with a worker, snarled, and walked out to the parking lot empty handed, uhhhh. Late to lunch, my terrible sense of direction flipped me around so I was driving towards Cincinnati. Now behind schedule, now late, now another annoying event this morning to start my day.


Ok, so lunch is now crossed off my list, time to relax and regroup, just as soon as I remember how to get home....Finally I make my way home after a detour, a couple U-turns, and running one red light, I walk through my door, stub my toe, drop my coat on the hairy carpet I was suppose to vacuum this morning, let my dog loose in the lobby as I grip my throbbing toe and slam the door behind me. I go to get a glass of orange juice when it comes to my attention there are no clean glasses, nor any orange juice. This would call for a stress relieving work out, so I grab my comforter to throw in the wash before I head to the gym when I realize I don't have any quarters I throw it back on the bed angrily and look for my tennis shoes. Of course I can only find one shoe, and at this point my hear rate is so high I want to scream at the top of my lungs when I remember on the third noise complaint you get a fine so I bit my tongue until it bleeds and I collapse on my dirty hairy comforter.


Now, sitting in Starbucks with a chocolate chip cookie, green tea, my hairy workout clothes and two different tennis shoes I have realized that everything in life is ridiculously annoying and hard and I should expect that. When things work out smoothly I should be surprised and thankful.


As I try to let the most annoying day ever roll off my back I hope his is one step closer to that thing call patience-maybe a glass of wine can help relax my nerves tonight.


Hailey

Dear Auto Insurance,

From the eyes of a newbie and my letter to auto insurance.


I have never received a ticket, I have never been in a crash, I have only been pulled over by a cop once for my license plate light being out, I now own a hatchback, oh why do you triple my premium?


Don't waste your breathe to explain insurance company, apparently if you miss a payment on your student loans because of financial distress you are not trusted on the roads. I need no explanation because there is no linking these two, what a waste of $150 a month. If it wasn't illegal I would take my chances and never have auto insurance again, they steal my hard earned cash that could have been used to buy Christmas presents for my four brothers, instead I will reluctantly hand it to the auto insurance dictators.


What a waste.


Hailey 

A double trailer UPS semi passed me

From the eyes of a newbie a double trailer UPS semi passed me.

I was one of those lucky teenagers who got a car for my 16th birthday. I loved my white 96' ford contour, I would wax it, vacuum it, buy air fresheners & new interior rugs...it was my little baby. That is until it got its first flat tire, and then the battery died, then someone spray painted my hubcaps white, and then the alternator when out and my savings depleted to zero...then I sold it to a friend for $500 and moved to the city (Chicago) so I wouldn't need a car.


Now that I have a car after three years without one, I am starting to remember the little quirks of driving, such as "the flow of traffic" is actually 15mph above the speed limit, getting gas sucks in the winter, and semi drivers rule the interstates. I also have found out that the crazy drivers that speed 25mph over the speed limit, have the most road rage and flash their brights at you are early 90's doge caravans. Those are the crazy drivers and if you own one, you know you are! 


The best thing about driving for me is the feeling of pulling into a familiar place. The landmark right now that hits me the most is the US Bank building on the south side of Chicago, when I pass that I know I am at the edge of my favorite city. 


Hailey