a flat

I had a flat tire the other day. It is times like these that I am so grateful for the way my dad raised me. Before I was allowed to get my driver's license, he insisted on teaching me a)how an engine works and b)how to change a flat tire. Of course, I thought he was the meanest dad on earth and clearly he hated me terribly to put me through such stupid hoops. I remember sitting at the dining room table as he sketched out the engine and explained it to me (it was actually pretty cool) and the repeated practices of changing tires.

Well, it's all more than paid off. When I take my car in (more specifically, when I used to take my sad volvo in), I can talk at least a little bit intelligently with the mechanics, which gains me some respect. And half the time I don't need to take it in because I can figure out pretty much what's going on (sometimes with a call to dad) and deal with it myself. I also have the confidence to learn about the problems that my dad's lessons didn't teach me, because I know the basics.

As for the flat tire business, I think this is one of the most important skills every driver and non-driver should learn. That and how to use jumper cables (also taught to me by my dad). Do you know how to change your tire? It's not that hard, but you have to know how to do it. Especially because when you get a flat, it's not in a situation where you're able to figure it out so well.

I moved down here to Southern California 3 years ago. I got a flat tire on my first day of work, halfway there. That sucked. But I sucked it up and made my dad proud. I pulled off the freeway into a parking lot and changed my tire in 6 minutes. While I was at it, some guy came up to me and offered to help. I can't tell you the pride I felt as I said "No thanks, I got it". I got to work on time and without a mark on my outfit. My hands were filthy, so I asked where the bathroom was and added that, ugh, I got a flat on my way to work and had to change it. Yeah, I was bragging. 

Anyway, I was thinking about all this a few days ago while I was changing my tire and thought I'd write about it. Everyone should know how to change a tire.