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as w . OPINION Don’t judge drivers on paper And she's every bit as non/nus. as. l. Wc're both tossing and turn- ing nightly an; our double date with destiny dram near. However. there are always m'ck queries that can throw one for a loop. This happened during my last two tests. I made chang- cs. But not for the better. The book I'm cur- rently "heating" is called Senior Driwr ~ Group Education. The reason? I'm preparing myself for another written fest. my third in five years. OI! doesn't become any easier. But I'm not alone. Wife Ican's beating the same book as. well. Being a few years younger. iI's her first go-around. While I'm not about to debate the current process with ()ntarâ€" iu's Ministry of Transportation. I feel it unfair to base one's right to drive on a twcrhour written test when it's one’s ability behind the wheel that should indicate whether this privilege should be approved or withdrawn. Why? Because driving [or most seniors is automatic. meaning me. respond routinon to rules of the road, usually with- out thinking. But ask us, mean. mg me. to place an 'x' within a circle and our brains. meaning mine. can turn to m‘ush. Fortunately. the questions are all multiple choice. If one's able to maintain his power of ('(inccnlraiia’n. the answers in most are obvious. " 7 ’lm‘s face ll. .snmv nf lht‘ sanw folks who are able to maneuver an aummubile through rush- hout traffic will fold under the pressure of directing a stubby pencil across a piece of paper. “Always go with your initial hath 1’s in the book. LVE ON YOUR NEXT UP To GROCERY BILL.| '.n'w" sun 'M ‘ z u; 0"“ gflyerlandsa' The occurrencex that both- cred me must were the half don-n applicants. who brvewd through the tesl in no time flat Before I was (‘nmfonahlv walod While I can't speak fur asses- sun at uthcr check statiuns. the young woman at Unionville when- I attended. was extremely fair. She left the Imprcssmn she wanted everyone to pass. even to the point at divulging answers to a couple of expected questions during pro-test discussions Mighty nhliging I thought. instincts." the examiner lold me later. I feel i! unfilir m lmsr onc's right to Jr"? on a two-hour written test whm it's ability behind the wheel that Should indimte whmhc‘r this privilege should be approval or withdrawn. with hm Thomas At the same time. it balances these with several negatives”. including reduced vision. loss of hearing. movement restrictions. inadequate co-ordination and "sluwer responses. 80 where do I fit? (‘hme May. if you see me rid- S‘ing my ageuld (ICM up and dawn Rupert Avenue. y‘uu'll be right to conclude l “crashed”. on my stool. they were up and nm the door. “That was simple." one guy whispered. "a test any kinder- garten kid could do." I wanted to stick uul' my {not and send him on his sneezbr. While the saying “three times and out" could apply. I won't be hung out w dryshould I lose my licence. I can still walk to work and k‘an’es rvady. willing and able to chauffeur me to and from Tim llnrtons. Also. my m'o-whcelor's available when the wealhvr's right. However. my ego will be hurt. [X‘rhapgbcyund repair 1'0 be forced (u admit to friends that my wife's a better driver, (at least on paper). will be more than I ran stand. A total embarrass‘ mem. Completing the first test took two huurs. l was 15 minutes faster the second time around. Those. questions prompting doubts I left until last. And I apprvciate its empha' sis 0n positives like judgment. experience. vitality and respon- sibility. hnnaomassasmmmm hasmnentrmmbrnm thanGOyears To avoid this. I've read the ministry's scnims' handbouk several times. Backing the home team about more than just sport ' Gaming up outside of Quebec when their M’R’ only six teams in the NI [L â€" yes. I‘m also ancient - it was hard not to be a 'lhmnto Maple leafs' fan in this country. But when the leagueexpanded to Minan and then Winnipeg. a kid in nonhwestem Ontario had WW1umformsandd1e finestyflayersdidn'lswayme. (mamm- ltwaallatmutme‘MM’ aquadordwckmavaflabk. Flash forward totodayinthe (.‘IAandttwtwulauptan teammamebe thcfirsttixncmabngtirm. The Blue Jays launched their seawn this wart with the strongest lineup in Major lmguc Ham-hall. 'l‘hey'm favourites m a! 1 least make the playoffs for the first time since (have giory and chmnp‘umstups of 1992 and ‘93. All but a late-51mm colhpse will see those leafs make their first [m-seasxmappcammcinnim maimeenddnmmomh. (Pleasctdlmewhydidmeym g6 ridof Pat Quinn?) Sam'smishavetodo Mthlifitinaoommutertowma 45-minutedrM1fmm the swipes andhig-n-pritnedpatkingatdlemr (hnadaandflognsoenm? ll won'l do amyflu'ng for gun control or guarantee the. end of Rob Ford's scandals. If a Toronto team challenges for a big-league championship. it won't solve our traffic troubles or smgle-handedly kickstan our still sluggish economy ‘ t n Din-v vryvu \ulll" Illuwsu I; will sci! fast food and bever- ages on game nights. And those who can't find those F" “350" '5 WW"! 5mm m a homer. It's no! a gameâ€"changer. just a diversion. You saw it years ago when folks with ch'OUR and CLARK on their backs packed tables at the old Royal Canadian Legiun on the Ninth Line. A chance to gather and cel- ebrate. A ram opportunity indeed. When limos picked up 3835' fans from Fullerton's (now the site of the Pastaggio Italian Eat- ery) for me ride down the 404 to SkyDome. When we gatheted around the big screen in the baseman! for the big gamethen broke down its nuanca‘. the next day at Tim's or armnd the company photocopier. It’s no different than feeling the buzz after the Slouffville Spirit won its first Ontario junior Hockey League Championship 3 year ago. ' moth-ballet! blue and while car flags will have m pony up again. More imponandy. it will bring people together again. with Jim Mawn OfflheTop