(no subject)

[turps]

It's the big airshow weekend here, so of course, after weeks of blazing sun, it's been raining constantly so most of the flights have been cancelled. Not that I was going anyway, but it sucks for everyone involved with organising.

It's also my brother's birthday. We're planning to meet up to go to dinner at some point this week, but nothing has been actually firmly arranged yet.

Other than that it's been getting through the days. I've been to the cinema three times recently and ended up crying twice. First we went to see Skyscraper, and coming out there was no text from mam -- I used to text her when I was going to the cinema in-case she needed to get in touch, and she'd reply, usually saying enjoy the film and she was off for a nanna nap -- so tears. Then we went to see Mamma Mia two, picking that because I was in the need of a feel-good film, and man, was that a bad choice. By the end I'd been sitting with silent, snotty tears for at least twenty minutes. The last film we saw was the latest Mission Impossible, which seemed to last for forty-eight hours, but at least I didn't cry, so, result I guess.

But nice things have happened too. On a whim I went on a ride at the funfair that had set up next to a grocery shop we went to. It was like a waltzer that tipped on its side and went in the air, and it was exhilarating. James didn't agree though and was begging to get off. And I drove our car. Okay, it was at about one mile an hour around our local, empty, Lidl carpark, but I drove it. The thing is, I've never had any desire to drive, and the thought of actually going on the roads makes me want to hide, but it's something I need to do. James' disability isn't going to get better, and will probably get worse, so it makes sense for me to be able to drive if needed. The only thing is I need to decide if I learn in an automatic or manual. It's cheaper in a manual, but James will always need an automatic car from the motability scheme, and I doubt we'll ever be a two-car family, so it makes sense to learn in an automatic. I don't know, it's something to think about anyway.

Comments

[sperrywink]

OMG, been there done that about crying through my grief at the theater. Duly noted about Mamma Mia Two, though!

Good luck with the driving!

[turps]

Mamma Mia two was the worse choice I could have made really. I didn't realise it was based around the death of a character's mam, and then they started to sing about the relationship between a mother and daughters. Shot to the heart.

Driving is scary! We have to pick our new car soon and I suggested to James we get a tiny car that would be easier to drive. But he doesn't seem down with that idea.

[sperrywink]

Oh, man. {{{Hugs}}}

Yeah, that sounds like it was designed to be your kryptonite.

My friend Johanna is learning to drive for the first time ever too. She is learning manual, but says it is hard at her age- it was easier to learn as a teenager, I think.

So I say stick with the automatic.

But lolol at James. He likes driving his little SUVs too much!

[turps]

Yeah, it was just bad timing. It did have some great catchy scenes and would have been feel-good a few months ago. Not so much now.

That's my thinking, too. I suspect learning is going to be a hard slog, especially as it's not something I've ever wanted to do. So the easier the better, really.

James does love his little SUVs. Though if it was up to him we'd have an even bigger car. But I keep telling him, no way do we need a seven seater.

[nopseud]

You should definitely learn in a manual if you can, and pass the test in one. You have much more flexible options that way. Once you have a license for a manual, you can drive either, but if you pass the test in an automatic then you can only drive automatics.

[turps]

That's what Kayleigh said too.

I'm just intimidated by the whole thing right now. But, the time is right, I just need to get on with it.

As always, your icon makes me smile. I love when you use it.

[frausorge]

*hugs* for the missing.

But it sounds cool to add driving to your skillset - good luck with the learning!

[turps]

Thank you.

And thank you for the good luck in terms of driving. I suspect I'll need all I can get.

[rikes]

Oh nooooo, I'm sorry you ended up at Mamma Mia with no warning. I started crying probably five minutes into it and didn't stop until well after. *hugs*

Good luck with driving! As for automatic or manual - go with whichever gives you the most flexibility in the future. Even though it feels huge at first, handling the car is only a part of learning to drive - the main thing is handling traffic. Switching between manual and automatic is not difficult once you get going!

[turps]

I was completely blindsided by Mamma Mia. As films go I couldn't have made a worse choice atm.

Automatics are very much in the minority here. Most people drive manual, and if it wasn't for always having to have an automatic car I'd go for manual lessons without a second thought. As it is, I'm still torn.

[brandywine28]

Omg, same! NO desire to drive whatsoever!

I have literally had nightmares about being forced at gunpoint to drive a car, and then one thing leads to another and I'm swerving around on some highway somewhere and I have no idea what I'm doing and it's awful. Awful.

[turps]

I have literally had nightmares about being forced at gunpoint to drive a car, and then one thing leads to another and I'm swerving around on some highway somewhere and I have no idea what I'm doing and it's awful. Awful.,

Yes. That! So many people learn to drive as soon as they're old enough. For me it was never a thought. Corey is the same, he keeps saying he lives in a big city with good transport links so doesn't need to drive.

Sadly I don't live in a place like that. So, facing the fear it is D:

[madam_beetroot]

So proud of you for being strong and lcarrying on with life ❤️

I wholeheartedly vote for driving an automatic, they are so much easier! Whether you learn in a manual or not, automatics are so much less stressful and easier. Much better if you end up in traffic jams as well. I don't drhave a car at the moment but my old automatic used to be so nippy, and if I ever did get another car there is no way I would go back to manual.

[turps]

Thank you ♥

It's not always easy, and I still get those gut hits on a daily basis when I think about mam. But I know staying in and wallowing wouldn't be a good thing.

That's good to know about the automatic. Learning to drive feels big enough, anything that makes it easier is a good thing imo.

[turlough]

I'm just like you, I've never felt the slightest urge to learn to drive. When I lived in Stockholm there was never any need for it of course and so far I'm managing pretty well here too. I REALLY don't want to do it! So lots of kudos to you for deciding to learn anyway! And lots of good luck!

[turps]

From what I've seen most people really like to drive, or really don't want to. I would have happily stayed in the don't want to camp except for practical reasons I need to.

Can't say I'm looking forward to learning, though.