Above-Average Drivers

"The one thing that unites all human beings, regardless of age, gender, religion or ethnic background, is that we all believe we are above-average drivers." (Dave Barry) 

I thought it was time to warn people that I am learning to drive. I've been at it for a while but am starting to think I should send out an advanced notification to people before I hit the road. Just in case I hit them. 

Driving is fun. It's also logical and flows well so it isn't as hard as I thought. It's still hard though. The absolute worst part is driving theory. Theory isn't really that difficult but it's as boring as watching paint dry. I have a whole book on it but just can't really get into it. I like reading, yet somehow the Highway Code isn't top of my list of books to read before I die. I have my theory test next Wednesday though, so I should probably get to it.

I enjoy driving a lot but it frustrates me. I dislike being unable or slow to learn how to do things. I know all new drivers stall when they're starting out and it's generally just practice that is needed but it is still painful. I stalled in front of a bus during my first lesson. I practically died then and there of embarrassment. The bus driver just gave me a friendly wave. If he'd been a nasty driver I may have cried.

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My instructor is a women and my male friends thought that was quite funny. The volume of women driver jokes wasn't as high as I expected though. They're supportive in their own way - or rather they listen and laugh at me when I tell them I have done badly in a lesson. They assure me this is their way of spurring me on to improve. 

One issue is the cost of driving. My lessons are expensive and insurance is a joke. I could buy several cars for the price it costs me to insure one. It's not really fair. 

I hope I can pass before I go to university. As I said, this driving lark costs a fortune and take up a lot of time. It's a useful skill to have. I think it will be worth it in the long run. As long as I don't end up stuck as the designated driver in the future.

     

Battle of the Sexes

"Nobody will ever win the Battle of the Sexes.  There's just too much fraternizing with the enemy."  (Henry Kissinger)

My 'sermon' for today is going to be on sexism.  

I'm surprised it has taken me so long to rant about this particular issue. It gets discussed practically once a day in my friendship group and it's one of those important ones. Naturally, I've got a lot to say on it. I like a good argument.  

I would consider myself a feminist. I believe firmly in equality of the sexes and so on. I think a person is odd not to. That is what a feminist is - someone who thinks women are equal to men and should not be discriminated against in any aspect of life. That's it. They don't think men suck and should die. Nor are they all 'butch lesbians'..

There's a lot of hate for feminism now. Girls think it's outdated and not cool. It is still highly relevant. This year is the first where there's been a female athlete representing every country featured in the Olympics. How bad is that? 

Times have changed a little though. There's a difference between being equal and being annoying. It gets on my nerves when women are sexists against guys and moan about sexism against them. It shouldn't work like that.  

I want to exercise a bit of logic. At work, if we need to lug a whole load of boxes around, I tend to delegate to the lad I work with who does kickboxing and works out, rather than struggle with it myself out of a misplaced sense of equality. I like it when a guy offers to walk me home or buys me dinner. It is a nice (and apparently rare) gesture. Equally I will make my boyfriend a sandwich -  sometimes just because I love him, sometimes as it's one of those gestures I can use to trade for stuff I want. Sexism can be used to your advantage.

30 Things About Me

My friend Claire, another blogger, is celebrating her 30th birthday soon! To mark it she's shared 30 facts about herself and challenged her friends to do that too. Being a fairly average person, this is harder than you would think... I hope she doesn't mind but I've decided to express my 30 facts as 15 things I like, then 15 things I don't. In no particular order.

Likes:

1) Kittens

2) History

3) Words

4) Turquoise

5) Chocolate of any sort

6) Fantasy

7) The sound and smell of the sea

8) Unexpected texts

9) Family holidays

10) The necklace my boyfriend got me for my birthday

11) Rose wine

12) Going out with friends

13) Hugs

14) Old Disney films

15) My bed

 Dislikes:

16) Woodlice

17) Hypocrites

18) Badly written romance

19) Arguing with people close to me

20) Mushrooms

21) Narrow minded people

22) Too much make-up

23) The colour mustard

24) Holes in my tights

25) Zombies

26) Body hair

27) Being alone in the dark

28) Writer's block

29) Goodbyes

30) Sparkly vampires

....

So, there you go. Happy Birthday, Claire! I hope you have a very special day. :)