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17 June 2010

Of Tempers, Tickets and Tests


I think I'm a reasonably good driver. I've never had a car accident (er, apart from the odd bumper crunch and scrape...); I try to be considerate, I use my indicator and pull over well before turning to enable traffic behind me to keep flowing. Not everyone is as a good a driver as me though (oops, did I say that out loud?)
Almost every time I get in the car I seem to come across people who would be better off riding a bike, so poor is their command of a motor vehicle, so lacking in consideration for other drivers are they.

Which brings me to the beginning point of my story. It's a woeful tale. I'm almost ashamed to tell it. But I think I will, for the sake of transparency and perhaps for  bit of a wry laugh and shake of the head: "There but for the absence of a traffic cop go I..."


My Tale begins with a Task: Take the family car in for it's WOF (hubby usually does it but this time he asked me to).

It runs out tomorrow, so it must be done today... can you do that, wifey???
Affirmative.
Are you sure???
Why dost thou doubt me, good sir?

The plan was take the car to the Testing Station in the morning. Oh, but the morning was so cold!!! And then my little Scraggadag wanted a nap (and it was so warm and cosy in the house) and so I did what all dyed-in-the-wool procrastinators do when faced with a bleak task on a cold day: I procrastinated.

My txt message read: Scrag sleepng will do WOF 2moro

Forget it. Hubby gets on the phone and insists that the WOF must be done today. Must. Be. Done. Take the car in before school finishes, when Scrag wakes up.

But Scrag didn't wake up in time. So I head off to school thinking, "I'll pick up Miss Fab from the Walking Bus and take the car in for the WOF while Dash & Coach Dad are at soccer practise..."
Problem. Miss Fab is Not on the Walking Bus. Grrrrr. Inwardly I start to rumble.

Sure enough there she is at school on the monkey bars; she decided not to come on the walking bus but to hang around and play while daddy takes his team for training. Grrrrrr. There are a few sharp words as we drive off... and run smack bang into The Worst Driver I have ever had the displeasure to drive behind. Not literally of course. There was no actually smacking or crashing involved.

Just lots of frustration as the Worlds Worst Driver ambled along in the middle of the road... then STOPPED. In the middle of the road. No indication... then  turned right veeeeery slowly from the middle of the road. Did I mention no indication??
I flash my lights, toot my horn and shout, "Get a license!" (as if they can hear me)
I can feel the blood pressure rising. Calm, down girl, your daughter is watching your every move!

"Sorry, AbFab, " I say, "Mummy shouldn't have shouted like that..."

Don't speak too soon Simoney. Because you are about to meet a carload of the Worlds Worst Driver's Cousins. Oh yes. Driving along at 20km per hour. They pause in the middle of the road... then move ahead slowly... then pause... then move ahead slowly... then STOP!! What is it with people stopping in the middle of the road...? Finally they turn left (without indicating) and I plant my foot and accelerate at last, as I fling insults over my shoulder... "Where did you learnt to drive?? Useless, hopeless, idiots..."


Then as if in slow motion I see the man in blue, pointing something at me... its a...a... a speed camera??? Oh no - he's waving me over! A wave of shock hits me as I pull over and wind down the window.
Barely able to gasp out my address, my shaking fingers fumble for my license and I slump over my steering wheel as the Officer writes out my ticket. Did you know what speed you were travelling at? 61km. And you have children in the car...

As I begin to weep hot shameful tears, he says: "Don't cry, it's only a speeding ticket!"
At this my shoulders start to shake and heave and the Officer begins to doubt my ability to drive safely.
He suggests I forget the WOF and head back home. I follow his orders, sniffling all the way.

Back home, after growling at Miss Fab and making her cry too, we miserably head for our separate rooms to await Daddy's return. Guilt-ridden, I apologise for growling, and she forgives me. We snuggle on the sofa until the soccer boys return and I have to pour out my tale of woe and my failure to achieve my Task (and of course the dreaded traffic fine)


Thankfully Mr G does not recriminate, does not lecture or nag. He hugs me, and said, you tried, you're just terribly disorganised! I promise to take the car in first thing tomorrow.

Today I finally made it, the car passed its WOF and I managed to stay calm the whole way. Miss Fab had a doctors' appointment so she wasn't in school. As we drove she laid her hand gently on my shoulder and said, "Now mummy, this time if you meet any bad drivers, just take a deep breath and don't get upset, OK?"
OK.

Waiting for the paperwork at the Testing Station, my kids were singing and laughing together. The lady behind the desk remarked, "Lovely kids you have. Hearing their happy voices just made my day."
Ohhh, what a nice warm fuzzy! And that is where I should have left this post...


Except that we also popped in to a fruit shop where I came across the rudest meanest old lady I have ever laid eyes on. I was lined up in the wrong place but she saw me waiting there long before she stepped up, and just put her stuff on the counter ahead of me anyway.
WELL!

I said, "Excuse me but I was next, I just wasn't sure where to line up!"
"For your information you are meant to line up on this side!" she flung at me.
I couldn't help myself. I couldn't, gentle reader!
Before I knew what was happening, I had blurted sarcastically, "Oh thankyou! That's so kind of you to tell me! You are obviously a very kind person! Actually you saw me waiting here for ages, and you knew I was there and you just pushed in!"


Sigh. I guess I have a way to go with my temper.

PS: The Pictures of Miss Fab sleeping have absolutely nothing to do with the story. I just liked them. Doesn't she look peaceful??

18 comments:

  1. I despise days like that! Argh!!!

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  2. :) I had a bit of a giggle - but totally feeling you. Simply because I am the best driver in Auckland too.x

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  3. Ah, sounds like a frustrating day my dear. I'm assuming WOF is some kind of test? I've had my run in with officers myself and almost always break down at those moments too. Hang in there. We all have those days.

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  4. Oh dear - nice to know you are human Simone! I thought the pics of Miss Fab were of her sleeping at the WOF testing place.

    haha - 'those' people ALWAYS seem to turn up at the most inopportune of times!

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  5. WOF: Warrent of Fitness six-monthly vehicle safety inspection that all vehicles in NZ have to pass to be driven on the road here :) (I'll add it to the dictionary)

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  6. I just about ran into one of the kindy Mum's today because apparently she doesn't need to indicate before pulling onto the road. Poor Elijah had his lunchbox out at the time, the contents flew onto the floor as I pulled over and cursed "stupid woman not using her indicators grrr" Of course she couldn't hear me and probably thought it was my fault even though I was indicating. Oh well, I know to watch out for her next week and steer clear of her non-indicating car!
    I love watching Elijah sleep - he always looks so peaceful and I think you've captured that in your photos of Miss Fab.
    And yes you can add Elijah's blog to your KidsClick site :) thanks for asking

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  7. Good for you standing up for yourself against the bitter old fruit shop lady! I hope she felt ashamed of her behaviour! I too experience terrible driving as being a SAHM I now drive during the 'granny' hours...it can be terribly frustrating - especially as they almost always hit my car *shakes head* and why does it take them sooooo long to turn into a road???

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  8. Hehe, I can so relate. To the procrastination, the frustration, the yelling abuse at other drivers and the sarcastic comments. I guess I'm just human too :)

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  9. I like Fabs jacket :)

    Let me tell you Im just impressed you drive in Akl
    I come from Akl
    and I will never drive there again

    pleased you passed the WOF mines due soon

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  10. Oh, I feel your pain! I have so many days like yours. Focus on the good stuff:
    -your hubby is so good (or at least knows you well enough to pick his battles) ; )
    -your children are so sweet
    -your car passed!
    -and at least *some* people in the world are considerate
    SMILE!!

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  11. Oh Simoney...not sure wether to laugh or cry with you friend!!!
    Well, we are all a work in progress aren't we???!!!
    some days are just harder to be gracious than others...

    ps love the pics of Miss Fab adorable!

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  12. Love the pictures. Totally understand the rest (cuz I've been there and done that... not the ticket, but the procrastination, road rage and line rage... for sure!)

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  13. Very funny!! (yet I understand there was pain involved, sorry for the ticket...)
    I can totally relate with the mean old lady scenario, been there many-a-time! The latest involved me being heavily pregnant and a mean Ryanair staff member at Stansted Airport check-in who spoke very poor English and DARED to tell me I need to listen better... *sharp intake of breath*

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  14. LOVED your story! Sounds like you have a good, understanding hubby! :)

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  15. oh so honest! :) love it! Can't believe you actually said that to the old lady! You crack me up!

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  16. Ha ha, beautiful photos, love your honesty, hate days like that. xx

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  17. What a day!!!!

    I do love the sleeping pics, though. Very sweet.

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