Mark

“Driving is America and how there’s a fundamental idea of what it is to be an American that’s bound up in every on –the-road song and movie and story that I have ever loved, like it’s waitin’ out there like a killer in the sun, just one more chance we can make it if we run.” Driving to me is a sense of freedom, but also a huge responsibility. Moving to Chicago, I saw no point in bringing my car because of all the public transportation, the price of gas, and traffic, along with the ridiculous parking prices and fear of towing. Personally, I hate driving in Chicago, unless I’m driving on Lake Shore Drive, or 55. 90/94 is so nerve wrecking to drive on, along with downtown, and busy neighborhoods. Driving is one of the main things I miss about living in Ottawa, just because whenever I was anxious, sad, or just bored, I could go and drive however far I wanted to, depending on the amount of gas I had.

When I first started driving, I wasn’t the best driver. I received three speeding tickets by my fourth month of having my license, but one of them was dropped. I never got into any wrecks, but whenever I would drive out in the country, or on the express way, I would drive too fast. Eventually I learned from this after realizing speeding didn’t give me the “relaxation” driving gives me now.

In the book “Take The Cannoli”, Sarah didn’t have any motivation to get her license because she was afraid of driving herself. She obtained a license at 28 after fearing it for so long. Ira Glass helped her learn how to drive, because her father refused to after numerous occasions of scratches and dents. She drove for two hours her first time with Ira and the instructor, but the next day she refused to get in the car. Eventually, she dealt with it and had a realization that driving is self-fulfilling and beautiful, especially on Lake Shore Drive, which Sarah claims to be the most beautiful street in America. I’d have to agree, unless you’re not the passenger. Lake Shore Drive has so many beautiful sights to see, especially when coming from 55 and then going north on Lake Shore Drive.