How I got Hooked on Driving!

It was this time last year when my husband excitedly handed me my birthday card. As I read the card, I have to be completely honest and tell you that my first thought was, “Really? Who is this gift really for?” You see, for my birthday present my husband gave me a day on the track at Thunderhill. He could hardly contain his enthusiasm and my lack of enthusiasm took all the energy out of him. I could visibly see his disappointment that I didn’t share in his excitement for my, according to him, ridiculously fabulous gift!

So, after a couple of days of thinking this gift wasn’t exactly what I would have picked I decided to embrace the attitude that at least I could spend an entire day with my husband away from our two small children. As a Mom, that’s a birthday present I can appreciate!

Our day on the track fell right in middle of the intense heat wave we had in July of 2008 when temperatures reached 115 degrees. That wasn’t the worst part. It also was during that crazy time when half of California was burning up in wildfires. So, not only was the temperature 100+ by noon but I couldn’t see much through the haze of the smoke smothering the central valley. But I was determined to keep up my “good attitude” and not let my husband down.

I sat through the introductory instruction and I noticed there was a little stirring of excitement from deep within. But I wrote it off. Of course I was nervous. I would be driving my husband’s Lotus Elise around the track and up to that day I had driven it maybe four times in my entire life!

During my first session I went so slowly everyone passed me, probably twice but I lost count. I didn’t quite get it. But that was fine by me. I considered it a great success to make it through the twenty minute session without any damage to myself or the car. Then I went out for my next session. I had a coach the second time that really took the time to help me improve in baby steps. First he had me focus on driving smoothly around the track. Then he had me work on picking up the pace and improve my breaking, always focusing on the line and keeping it smooth. Hmmm, things were starting to click.

Then it came time for a ride in a coach’s car to demonstrate how it’s done. I tell you this set me straight. My life changed with that five minute demo ride. I transformed from a reluctant wife of a fanatic track husband, to a proud-to-be-just-as-fanatic track wife. I was hooked!

I continued to improve throughout the day and by my fifth session I even passed others on the track! If Hooked On Driving handed out awards at the end of the day I’d like to think I would have received “Most Improved.” And the rest, as they say, is history. I love the Hooked On Driving Team. By the end of every track day my cheeks hurt from smiling all day. For me nothing matches the thrill of moving around a track with grace and speed and sharing the experience with my husband makes it that much sweeter.

I want to encourage you to consider spending one day on the track with the Hooked on Driving team to see if the same will happen for you. You might even find yourself dreaming about driving the line. I know I do and oh am I sad when I wake up from that dream.

Diane Hunter or as my husband calls me, Trixie!

A night out in San Francisco for a great cause!

I absolutely love Dana Carvey. He makes me laugh so hard my stomach hurts. When I received an email earlier this week promoting a fund raising event for Autism that included Dana Carvey as the entertainment, holy moly, I jumped at the opportunity to attend.

I also did a little research on the two beneficiaries of the event. One is a private school for children with Autism and was founded by families in response to a lack of available alternatives to serving their children. The Oak Hill School. The other is a non-profit organization called the Ryder Foundation, started by two mothers, both having children with Autism. The mission of The Ryder Foundation is to provide support to organizations that research the environmental causes of autism and effectively treat afflicted children. Definitely an area of interest for me.

So, I went to the event with three goals. At some point during the evening I would:
1. Met Dana Carvey and get a photo with him
2. Meet the women from the Ryder Foundation
3. Meet the leaders from Oakhill School

Before entering the event I found the calm, peaceful, leading energy within me and let go of any fear or attachment to the outcome. I was going to enjoy the process and remain open to the possibilities. This is what unfolded.

While enjoying the art on display for the silent auction, Dana walked right past me. I definitely was star struck and it took me a few moments to recover from my social self's response of feeling self conscience. By the time I recovered he had moved on and disappeared. Hmmm, I wondered, had I lost the opportunity? I let it go and brought myself back to the present. About ten minutes later I was in line for the food, chatting with my friend when I saw Dana enter the room again. He was probably twenty feet away from me with lots of people in between. My first inclination was to leave the line and go toward him but then I remembered, no, I'm not going to try to control this. I'm just going to let it happen and stay calm. The room contained about 600 people so it was crowded. Within the next minute he turned and I tell you truthfully he walked straight towards me. He practically bumped into me. This time I stayed calm and asked if I could take a photo with him. Then we had a nice chat about why he was involved with the event. He was very present and it was a very cool moment for me.

Now, I had no idea what the women from the Ryder Foundation looked like so I felt a little like I was looking for a four leaf clover in a huge field of clover. But I trusted I would meet them. After the show, magically I introduced myself to a woman because I experienced a strong feeling, like a pull when our paths crossed and we made eye contact. I just blurted out an introduction of my name and asked if she happened to know any of the women from the Ryder Foundation. Why yes, she did! As a matter of a fact, she was very good friends with one of the mothers. From that one connection, I ended up meeting all four women, chatted and exchanged contact information. I will definitely be following up with them.

Lastly, I introduced myself to the Chairwoman from the school (I did recognize her from the presentation) and she invited me to come tour the school any time.

Two things really stood out for me regarding this experience. One was that I was able to let go of the fear of what anyone would think of me if I introduced myself to a complete stranger. The second was that by the end of the night I accomplished all three of my goals! I was so full of energy at the end of the night and my friend and I giggled all the way home. She's been witnessing my transformation up close and personal and it was so cool to have her there with me. If I had attended this event prior to the Horse Whisper Workshop with Martha Beck and Koelle I most likely would have stood on the side of the room watching people and been too afraid to approach anyone, let alone Dana!! My social self would have interfered too much. Plus, I suspect Dana wouldn't have walked anywhere near me either. :)