Driving Miss Daisy (finally!!)
In a sudden - I-can't-possibly-live-in-a-small-town-with-no-transport - flash of panic *looks down* I have booked myself my driving theory test... to take place on the 18th May.
I am 27 years old and of (fairly) good intelligence and I really can't drive, In fact I admit to the following:
- I passed my theory test once before (and yes I got 100% in it but then have you seen some of the thickos on the road??) but it has now expired and I will be too lazy to relearn everything so will probably fail.
- I have had over 150 PAID driving lessons and am still considered 'a danger to myself and others'
- I am lacking a fifth sense (never mind the sixth) and as such I do not see people (see point above) or indeed traffic lights... or signs actually.... or bends....
- My last driving instructor told me that 'no sane man would ever put you forward for your test because there is a possibility you may actually pass it'
I do have a car to drive... it's very pretty and lives alone in my parents garage... it also has a very flat battery because as yet I have no license... It does not have a name though, nor will it ever. This is because it is a CAR... not a child.
Anyway I have realised that logically with a car it will take me 25 minutes to get to college next September, and without one maybe 1.5 hours... Plus, there's that 3 mile walk back from the pub to consider.... That's a lot of my life wasted....
Oh London London, I didn't know we had a it so good.... Local late night shops, easy travel, pubs next to my house... don't make me go... and don't make me drive... please... I might have to start wearing sensible shoes....
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(5.5.04 14:01) I know. I can't drive either. Just thinking about my tests (yes - note the plural) brings me out in a cold sweat. I'm beginning to think I may have to live in london forever. |
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(5.5.04 14:04) I've never even had a lesson. I know there is no point. My MarioKart skills count for naught in the real world. |
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(5.5.04 14:08) I know. Trying to get a boost going round the corner onto new malden high street didn't really work out. |
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Daisy / Website (5.5.04 14:12) When your plate painting empire goes global you could get a chauffeur driven limo... A PAINTED chauffeur driven limo... |
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(5.5.04 14:17) eee! Like his. |
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sillylad (5.5.04 14:22) London Bad. North Good. Repeat 10 times on the hour. |
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(5.5.04 14:24) Derby is not in The North you know, silly. |
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sillylad (5.5.04 14:42) Is to me. Right up there. Wind. Coal. Bitter. its got it all.. |
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Daisy / Website (5.5.04 14:46) Anyway - it depends how you look at it... I have spent 18 years there and 9 years here... so really, I'm just going home. |
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(5.5.04 15:28) god i hate driving! i will laugh if they pass me. really, it will be a comic occasion.. |
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(5.5.04 15:37) oh my gosh i love ur love letters section! i was thinking of doing something like that, but thought that too many ppl i know read my blog, and it wud be all over the place sooner or later and id have old boyfriends calling me up wanting to sue me for defamation of character or something... i like the one who threw stones at ur window - thats gotta have bin hard to get over, but its good to know that life goes on - am in the middle of big pooey breakup myself at the moment, and am wading thru the 'end of the world' thoughts that seem so frequent..ahh well, im only 17, plenty of time methinks..xXx |
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(5.5.04 15:43) What? Are you suggesting you might drive the 3 miles home from the pub? Shame on you Daisy ...... And please don't drive in London - you're scaring me ................... |
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Daisy / Website (5.5.04 16:00) I'm scaring me too... *sob* |
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(5.5.04 16:06) *hands over tissues* *pats Daisy on head* |
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Daisy / Website (5.5.04 16:17) *sobs some more and blows nose on pogs jacket* *sniff* |
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(5.5.04 16:20) .... awwwwwww ...... *whispers* This isn't my jacket. |
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Daisy / Website (5.5.04 16:21) Really? Oh bugger. *Runs from blog* |
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(5.5.04 17:39) It took me three attempts to pass, but you know, it was worth all the tears, failed tests etc. (I'm not saying it was worth the money because learning to drive is incredibly expensive these days); but just try and picture yourself bombing along country lanes, windows down, music playing... it's liberating, I tell you! |
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(5.5.04 18:00) Driving is fantastic - it's so liberating. Once you pass you'll wonder how you ever managed with such restrictive public transport, that only goes every so often, takes ages and means you can't sing out loud. It's also more expensive than driving (certainly a return journey to and from Cheshire is). It also means you can get to places that you just can't on public transport - there's so much of Britain that's worth seeing. |
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Daisy / Website (5.5.04 18:02) That's why I have a sister and friends who can drive Nick!! That way I get to sleep and be in charge of the radio.... Oh dear... scared. |
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(5.5.04 18:03) Oy Nick - I take you're including the purchase of the car, insurance, tax, servicing, fuel, new tyres etc etc in the 'driving is so cheap' calculation? |
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(5.5.04 21:23) I, too, swapped the rural for the urban when I was a wobbly-legged 18 and, as such, was never forced to learn to drive. Cabs and busses, all the way. I've feared your pain, to one day have to leave the little enviro-bubble I've created for myself and have to return to rolling landscapes and field after bus stop-less field...*vomits nervously*...it's a brave thing you do, heading back so you may move ahead. kudos! ...a sweetie to calm your nerves, and one to swap for a quid in the NW (I hear they are legal tender there)... |
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(6.5.04 00:16) Pog - Daisy already has a car! Naturally, there is some 'initial outlay', but as with all things in life it's hard to put a price on the flexibility and freedom a car offers (once you get outside London, natch). |
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(6.5.04 11:26) Okay - but you can't deny that there are ongoing costs NickyD. And I'm presuming the car wasn't actually free initially to whoever bought it - so that cost can't be discounted either. Not denying the freedom a car affords - but have my doubts as to its cheapness these days. |
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Daisy / Website (6.5.04 11:33) Bless you Downtown... I shall repeat *heading back so I may move ahead* in my head whenever I feel the need to also vomit nervously!! ...and Nick and Pog I think the insurance on an old sports car for a first time driver is going to be considerably more than a bus pass.... |
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(6.5.04 11:44) I can't drive either, and I am thinking of relocating out of the capital, I am scared of learning how to use something that if not used correctly can kill you and other innocent people, but I feel more optimistic that it's less dangerous in a rural town than road rage central londres. Good luck Daisy my fair maiden. Chiccy x |
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Daisy / Website (6.5.04 11:48) Chiccy - I feel better as ever that I am not alone! Practice makes perfect I guess.... Makes you realised how spoilt we London people actually are with public transport... |
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(6.5.04 11:50) Ooooohh oooooh ooooooh! An old sports car? What is it? Can I play? I'll drive you .....!!!!!! Ahem. Sorry. |
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Daisy / Website (6.5.04 11:56) Ah - just 'old' I'm afraid Pog (rather than 'classic')... It's a british racing green Mazda MX5 with cream leather seats.... It is very yummy and apparently very easy to drive (yeah right). It also sits alone in the garage waiting for me to play with it.... |
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(6.5.04 12:00) Oh - that would do at a pinch, Daise ...... I mean, I could ... erm ... give you hand ..... show you the ropes .... Purely out of the goodness of my own heart of course. Wouldn't enjoy it a bit. Oh no no no ... *sighs* |
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(6.5.04 22:40) i passed my driving test last thursday! |
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Daisy / Website (7.5.04 10:00) Oh well done... ...and grrr... |
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Mark (3.11.04 14:43) I have owned my car for 6 years and have crashed it every year, in January?!! Its still going strong though, my appologies to the 3 cars that never survived. Damn the North Circular!! |