I had issues with learning to drive a manual, when I was taught at the age of 16... then I needed to borrow someone's car for a college interview in Vermont, and the only one I could find was standard. When I don't have much of a choice, I tend to learn right quick.

I drive stick. I learned on my dad's 82 Ford pickup (manual everything), and every other car with manual transmission has been a breeze in comparison. My car in grad school had an automatic transmission, but the three after it were all stick. It's cheaper, usually lasts longer than a slush box, and is nice for mountain driving. You can downshift on the down slopes and keep some stress off the brakes.

I drove a friend's Beetle once. The seat had rusted to the floor, so I couldn't move it back. I had to move my knee sideways as I lifted the clutch or else my knee would hit the dash.

It was fun, but underpowered.

Where to find milk in glass bottles

That website mooed at me. Loudly. At work. Could you put a warning on the link, Msbelle?

Devices for storing your baby

From the 1920s, a box that hangs out the window for you to put your baby in....

Hah! Tommyrot, that totally reminds me, I've been reading all these medical records for my current job, about vaccinating babies, and they all have reminders for the new parents about "Don't shake the baby!" and I keep wanting to giggle every time I see it, because of htat thing that was linked here....

Manual transmission rentals are the norm in the UK, that's for sure.

Is true. Automatic transmission is considered unusual here. I drive an automatic (although I can drive a manual) - it irritates the hell out of The Girl, who likes to be in control. I just like not having to do handbrake starts on hills, which are evil.

I don't remember what the deposit is, but I bring the empties back so it's moot at this point.

Oh, I would bring them back, but since I walk to the grocery store, often on the way home from work, empties aren't really workable (whereas I always have my tote when I go to the farmers' market).

It might actually be easier since the whole driving thing isn't new. Just learn someplace where there is plenty of space in front of you (behind you in reverse), especially in a car with a lot of power.

I'm thinking San Francisco is not the place to be learning how to drive stick.

I'm thinking San Francisco is not the place to be learning how to drive stick.

Yeah, it can be a bitch to finesse the handbrake thing.

My first car (that I bought with my own money from my first job) was a VW Squareback. We had a big side yard so I could go first and reverse until I mastered them. Also, NSM with the hills in Florida.

I'd kinda like the baby box for my cat. Then again, I live on the first floor, so if it fell Leifur would probably be displeased, but unharmed.