Drivers

I don't drive.  I admit that might make me unsuited to comment on the driving skill of others, but as a non-driver I would wonder why I know more than some people who have not only learned to drive, but have actually passed a test.  I'll start with indicators.  As a pedestrian, I rely on drivers to indicate so I know whether or not it's safe to cross the road.  This is even more useful when I'm with my daughter.  Yet these days I am sorry to say it is no exaggeration to say that most drivers don't seem to bother with indicating.  A serious pet hate of mine.  I've been known to make rude gestures at such people.  I've also been known to make such gestures at people who run red lights and nearly run my daughter and myself over.  I'm pretty sure it's worse now than it used to be. But I don't have the most reliable memory at times so I could be wrong.  My boyfriend agrees though.  And he is a driver.  He uses a method of driving he calls defensive driving.  By assuming everyone else on the road is a brainless idiot who won't look where they're going etc, he says he has avoided more than one accident.  But then no one walking around town seems to look where they're going anymore either.  And it's not just because they've got their eyes glued to a phone either.  When did everyone lose the ability to be aware of their surroundings?  And is that even what's going on?  I have no idea.  I'm still capable of noticing the world going on around me.  For now it seems my survival depends on it.  And scarily enough, that's not an exaggeration.

What A Year So Far

I've been avoiding making any kind of statement regarding all the celebrity deaths so far this year.  It's not that I don't care.  I do.  I just felt that everyone else had kind of said it all for me.  And in some cases, perhaps I wasn't that bothered.  I was genuinely gutted about Bowie.  More so by Alan Rickman.  I just loved his voice.  And he was a bloody good actor.  And of course there was Victoria Wood as well.  But Prince is the one that has really got to me.  The Diamonds and Pearls album was one of the first tapes I ever owned.  I remember being a kid, maybe nine years old, and being thrilled to get it.  I can't remember whether it was a birthday present or Christmas present, but I remember it was on the desperately want list.  So yes, I've loved Prince's music ever since I first started to love music.  And hearing of his death saddened me.  Genuinely so.  Which I why I have felt the need to say my piece.  I would of course appreciate it if no one else amazing dies this year.  Surely we've lost enough already.

Almost Done Now

So the big move is over and done with.  All my benefits have been cancelled.  It's a nice feeling actually.  Though I still feel a bit strange about the fact I'm now mostly living off my boyfriend's wages, given I make a pittance compared to him.  Not that he's on a vast wage or anything.  He's just earning a fair bit more.  But I'm contributing to the household budget.  I'm still financially independent, which is important to me after everything with The Ex.  I'm feeling a lot better now.  Still stressed, but to a much lesser degree.  And all that's left to do is inform the odd person here and there.  And a bit more unpacking.  We're getting there though.

My daughter seems to have adjusted to the move very quickly.  She had her bedroom sorted before long before my boyfriend or I had even managed to put our stuff into more organised piles.  She hasn't done her holiday homework yet though.  Despite my constant nagging.  She has to design and make a model of a food making machine.  She's done the design, but has yet to build the model.  She'll get help with that of course.  Joy.