Tuesday, March 09, 2010

Eye–Hand Coordination

Eye-hand coordination involves how effective we are at translating what our eyes see into appropriate physical response, such as anticipating the motion of a ball thrown our way so that we can catch it.

As a grown up you may not have time to practice catching a ball, instead come to New York City. New Yorkers have a unique way of practicing this activity without even realizing it. All you need is a traffic light and a car in front of you. The moment that light turns green, place your hand on your car horn if the person in front of you does not proceed forward the instant the light changes.

I believe you have to be able to accomplish this skill set in order to get a driver’s license. Whether you have a car behind you or you are behind a car, you must be able to honk that horn or step on the gas the instant the light changes to green or be subject to lots of honking.

Today when my hand hit the horn when the car in front of me didn’t move quickly enough, I realized - it’s official. I’m a New Yorker once again.

© Nadine Zawacki 2010

17 comments:

Dawn said...

I love it!

Ginnie said...

hahahahahah! welcome home. beeeeeep!

j said...

Home again home again jiggity jig!

:)

Dawn said...

I'd fail miserably as a New Yorker... not so good in the eye-hand department! Haha

Susan said...

Oh no!!!! We hardly ever use horns in Oklahoma.

Cherrye at My Bella Vita said...

Ha! Must be all of the Italians who moved over. ;-) This sounds like "us" here in Calabria.

Brenda said...

That's great, Nadine!
But since it's a little slower paced out west in Colorado you'd, unfortunately, probably get the eye/middle finger coordination if someone honked that fast.
BUT you wouldn't get that from me...nosiree! Just not that type of gal!
;)
btw, I received the UnChristian book and look forward to reading it. Thank you.

Shionge said...

I knew what you mean the 'robotic' movement in NYC :D I love it too

Cindy Campbell said...

The funny part for me is, although I've lived on Long Island my whole life- I have honked my horn less than 50 times! I just can't do that! I was an extremely timid driver when I started out and always assume that person is in driver's ed or something. But, welcome home, Nadine! That is the New Yorker reflex for sure! <3 Cindy

Reva said...

I don't think of the horn as a rude thing the way we use it here. I use it mainly to let people know that they are stepping out in front of my 1 ton
Ford Expedition and that they should do the math (quickly) and realize that I will always win. I do think that is my polite way of saving them from a disasterous mistake. :)

Christina said...

Definitely a part of driving in NY.

redeemed diva said...

Beep! Beep!

Shionge said...

Hope all is well Nadine, hugs!!

Kate said...

This cracked me up. Around here they use their hands. ;) My horn doesn't work...I'm guessing I would not make it in NY.

Ileana said...

Ha! Your last paragraph is priceless! :)

Happy Easter, my friend!!

Dawn said...

Missing your posts!

Reva said...

Uh, oh, where are you? Hope all is well in your famous New York City.