Some people are like Slinkies ~ not really good for anything, but you can't help smiling when you see one tumble down the stairs.

The new season of Amazing Race has begun. I'm already yelling at the T.V.

There are two things I've learned from Amazing Race.

1. Always thoroughly read the directions.

2. Learn how to drive a manual transmission.

The only type of car I've ever owned, and by owned, I mean my dad gave me, or my bank owned, was a manual transmission. I get confused driving an automatic. My left foot always wants to clutch and my right hand always wants to shift. It's hard for me to judge slowing down to make a turn or come to a stop in an automatic. It's better for everyone if I continue to drive a manual.

I remember trying to teach my BFF Jules how to drive a manual in high school. We got stuck in the middle of main street. My friend T is just as bad. We didn't even make it out of the parking lot. How did I learn? I drove from Walnut to Treynor....alone....for the first time driving a manual. Did I stop? No. Could I drive it the next day? No. I couldn't even start it. I forgot, you have to push in the clutch. I think my "dad" thought I was the biggest idiot in the world. And I'm sure he got a good laugh out of it.

If I ever enter the Amazing Race, I think I'd win because I'd be the only woman who knew how to drive a manual transmission.