Whasblog

As always I’m struggling with a name for my blog but maybe I’m not approaching it correctly…maybe it’s best to think of a name once I’ve actually written it…

Anyway, I thought it was about time that I blogged not only because it’s been a while since my last blog but also because much has happened to me recently (well enough to make a fairly interesting post, I hope).

Let’s start with my main news: Yesterday, the 7th November, at approximately 15:27, I passed my driving test! Woot! It was a bit of a strange day altogether, in fact, as I will go on to explain. As usual, I made a few mistakes in the pre-test lesson that were pretty unforgivable especially since I’ve had my own car for a while now. That made me even less hopeful than I was at the start of the day. (I should first tell you that I had a ‘refresher’ lesson last Friday with my Instructor, the first since my last test at the beginning of October. It was pretty disastrous, not least because I really struggled with the controls. I had/have got so used to me car (s-reg) and its really stiff pedals that I totally over-revved my Instructor’s car several times and almost stalled because his car is only a few years old. Then, I had to practise all my manoeuvres in turn (each of them taking several attempts with me getting increasingly stressed). Once we’d reached the test centre, I had developed a surprisingly nonchalent attitude. Nobody expected me to pass this time as I felt even more nervous and less prepared that the first time leading up to the test.

I had just decided that there was nothing more I could do now except keep calm when, who should pull up beside me? TIM!! I, of course, was fairly excited (if a bit freaked out) that we had both booked the same date and time for our tests (although mine was second time round). (Btw Tim, you didn’t reply to my text and I also tried to ring you…how did you do?). To cut a long story short (er), my examiner (Barry) was a lot more laid back than the woman I had before and made me feel much more at ease from the start. I think he was a little more forgiving than she was and I picked up just 4 minors despite stalling at a junction that was on a bit of a hill. Needless to say, I am very relieved.

So, I drove to work this morning alone! However, I do have to park about 13 minutes walk away as I work so close to the station and, as a consequence, all the roads within a sensible walking distance have double yellow lines all around them and the car park is stupidly expensive (it would cost me nearly £20 a week).

Everybody was very pleased (if not a little surprised) that I passed but I received some great cards and pressies: flowers from my mum, wine from Sammie, Lavender smellies and Krispy Kreme donuts from Weedy, chocolates from Damian’s mum and champagne from Damian (Adele of course, bought my car!). So all that was very lovely and unexpected.

On to more news. I have recently been to see productions of both ‘Private Peaceful’ and ‘Carmen’. I’ll start with ‘Private Pearceful’. It was done in a way I was totally not expecting (although my mum guessed what it would be like as soon as I told her the plot!). It was basically just one actor on the stage for the whole time as, if any of you haven’t read it, it’s a story narrated by one person remembering his childhood and the fun and japes shared by his brother and friend. It was very entertaining as he was very animated throughout. He did lots of different voices which was at times amusing and the energy that he had was certainly admirable. I was slightly put out that he changed a crucial part of the plot though, but nonetheless, a very enjoyable performance.

‘Carmen’ was also brilliant. It was the first time I had ever seen an opera and I was extremely grateful for the subtitles! Even though it was in French and I could pick up the odd word, they tended to elongate the sounds (particularly the vowells) so much so as to make the words barely recognisable. And they put emphasis on every syllable. So it was mèrrr-re instead of mère which confused me. Also confusing was the fact that it was set in Spain but sung in French…It was extremely enjoyable nonetheless and on the whole very well sung, although the girl who played Carmen had a voice that I didn’t particularly like. I thought the plot was a bit naff as well as the leading man couldn’t stand up for himself at all!! (until the end) and I didn’t see what everyone (the characters) loved about Carmen.

All in all, a fairly eventful (if exhausting) week for me.