Shifting Gears

After driving the T.R.U.C.K. all weekend, the first thing I did upon sitting in the Hyundai this morning was to mash my foot down where the clutch should have been. I found myself doing that (and reaching for the shift level) a couple of times during the commute.

I'm not sure if it's just a slightly addled mind or muscle memories taking over, but I don't remember having such frequent lapses when switching between automatic and manual transmission cars in the past.

Over the years, I've tended to alternate between standards and automatics:

• '78 Volkswagon Super Beetle — manual


• '86 Mitsubishi Mirage — automatic


• '97 Honda Civic — manual


• '90 Madza 626 — manual (Evelin's car that I took over after the Honda was totaled)


• '03 Hyundai Elanta — automatic


• '99 Honda CR-V — manual (Evelin's car, but I'm driving it some)

For the most part the transmission on the car was simply what was available (either because it was a used car or, as was the case with the Hyundai, it was what was on the lot), but I tend to enjoy driving the manual more even though the automatic makes going through traffic in the city easier.

I guess it's all a matter of adjusting.