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Malone is Miss Independent on her own two feet

I’m an independent woman… who has to catch buses. I can’t drive. Does that make me less of a person? Car drivers seem appalled at my apathy at wanting to drive. But how can you miss something you’ve never had?

I have two weeks to learn to drive or I’m probably never going to learn. It’s now two years since I took my theory test, its validity runs out at the end of the month, and there is no way I am ever going to take that test again! When you leave education it’s hard to start learning again 15 years later. I find it tricky trying to remember which front door key goes in which lock, never mind 100s of questions about aqua sliding. I’m annoyed at myself that two years has passed, and that period of time is the only thing that’s passed!

“Choosing a female driving instructor the same age as my mother wasn’t a good idea”

My dad was on his death bed when I took my last test, so of course I wasn’t as focused as I could have been. I failed. It took me ages to get back behind the wheel, and when I did, I think I was still grieving. At least that’s what the female instructor told me! Only a woman would blame the fact that I was a rubbish driver on an emotional problem! I’d thought a female driving instructor would be good for me; it took ages to track one down – I’m not sure why they seem to be such a rare breed in Brighton. It turned out choosing a female instructor the same age as my mother wasn’t a good idea. She just really annoyed me. Every time she told me what it was that I wasn’t doing right it was like being told off by my mum! I couldn’t help but respond in a other/daughter dynamic and before we knew it we were almost arguing. During one lesson I actually cried. She said perhaps I was still grieving… and maybe I should leave the lessons for a bit. Well, I did, and now it appears the window of opportunity to drive is over.

I don’t want to do my theory test again, so it’s now or never. Have you ever tried to book an intensive driving lesson package? They try to talk you out of it, like you’re considering jumping off Brighton Pier or something. I imagine it’s because either they don’t make as much profit out of you, or perhaps the pass rate is lower, ruining their rep.

I don’t know what to do. Should I drive or should I go… get the bus? My mum can’t drive. My dad ferried her everywhere. Now he’s gone, she’s just back walking everywhere. It sounds like an innovative way to keep fit: walking rather than using Wii Fit… crazy!

Am I not a truly independent woman if I rely on buses or my own legs? I don’t think I’m that bothered about being independent… but I won’t be able to go far.

This entry was posted on Monday, February 1st, 2010 at 3:18 pm and is filed under Mama Malone. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.