Archive for April, 2007
One about the road
Posted on April 20, 2007, by soph, under It's a Girl's Life.
I’m busy, tired, and pleased as that it’s Friday once again. I’ve also decided Melburnian peak-hour drivers are definitely not befitting the city’s status as most livable city in the world (or second most livable city). People complain about Malaysian drivers/driving all the time, which is fair enough because Malaysians aren’t exactly known for their courteous manner towards anyone without ‘tourist’ stamped on their forehead. But I must say it’s been a rather rude shock to find Aussies behaving just as uncouthly on the roads.
First of all, let me say that I do not, in any way, provoke these people. In fact, half the time I’m not even the one doing the driving. I watch it happen to other people on the road all the time. Second of all, let me say that while I am prone to bend road rules about keep-clear spaces once in a while, I never get pounced on for that. Thirdly, I should also state that despite being the ‘Malaysian driver’, I always let someone pass me by, cut in front of me, even toot their horn and gesture rudely at me (more on that later) with nary a care in the world. I have never used my horn in Melbourne, except when there is a sign that says “horn before exiting” - from a carpark, for instance.
In the rude drivers’ defence - I don’t know why I’m defending them - these incidents almost always happen during peak hour, and while I understand they may be running late for valid or unacceptable reasons (I don’t really care which), I do not need to start my mornings in their unpleasant company.
Just yesterday morning, I was waiting to turn onto a super-busy main road at an intersection, and I was, well, waiting for a space to open up so I could get through. I saw a possible opening, but a car was coming at me so I waited for it to pass, and the rude-as bloke behind me in his big fancy four-wheel-drive - who couldn’t see the oncoming car by the way - beeped angrily and (I kid you not) yelled something at me in his car and gestured with both open palms.
When there was finally an opening, I turned and he accelerated and cut in front of me, wedging his fat front between my car and the car in front of me, which lucky for him was moving forward so he wasn’t caught across two opposite lanes of traffic. Idiot. Also lucky for him is the fact that I do not have road rage issues, and therefore do not feel the urge to toot my horn at him, or get down and kick his big fat four-wheel-drive’s sorry bum.
Then there was the time I was a passenger in a friend’s car, and said friend wanted to change lanes while cars were stopped at a traffic light. There were no cars in the left lane so he slowly nudged his way into it and checked to make sure nothing was barreling down on him. There was a pick-up (or ute, I can’t remember which is which) coming in the distance, so he figured he would go for it.
Little did he know (and again, I kid you not), the lady behind the wheel of the pick-up or ute accelerated and screeched to a stop inches from the half-out car, whereby she proceeded to scream obscenities and gesture and play her horn for all she was worth, which probably wasn’t much. She looked a little unwashed and disheveled, and her ute was really dirty and covered with painted flowers! Someone at the hippie wannabe club obviously forgot to tell her they were peace-loving, live and let live, carefree, fun people.
These are just two examples. I’ve got at least one more but I can’t be bothered to continue. I want a coffee.
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Too much text for a Friday
Posted on April 13, 2007, by soph, under God.
…but it’s a worth read. Interesting in more aspects than just the fact that it’s a Christianity vs Atheism debate, and it’s Rick Warren. And Sam Harris, if you know who he is, because I don’t. But I do now.
For The God Debate, click on, well, The God Debate.
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the big question
Posted on April 10, 2007, by soph, under Uncategorized.
In this season of Easter, I have been forced to ask: Why does chocolate make my world a better place?
I know all that talk about feel good chemical somethings in our brains, how dark chocolate can be good for you when eaten in moderation yada yada, but really, why does chocolate make my world a better place?
Don’t tell me those scientists were really on to something now…
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four whole days
Posted on April 7, 2007, by soph, under Uncategorized.
After being flat out for a good two weeks, it was bliss to fall asleep early on Thursday night, and wake up at a more than sufficient 9.30am the following morning. It was bliss knowing I would get to sleep in, not just on Friday, but also on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. And it was bliss knowing I had four full days ahead of me and not a shred of work.
Yes, that is how I am going to celebrate Easter. By allowing myself plenty of downtime and an opportunity to go back to pjs all day long in front of the telly. Between my full-time job and freelance writing commitments, I have been flat out for two weeks and I demand this break of (and for) myself. Plus, I haven’t even so much as glanced at a television serial in a fortnight.
We didn’t go to camp, after all. Pulled out at the last minute. And while a teeny part of me reckons I’m probably missing out on something great, I am, for the biggest part, glad for the rest and for the time I am steadfastly devoting to doing… nothing. You may not concur. But here I am, all tucked up and warm in bed, with Tommy purring in the crook of my arm and my eyes barely keeping open because it has been a rather long day of shopping and driving around with the guests.
Today marked the first time I’ve allowed myself to shop since I moved to Melbourne a very surprisingly quick eight months ago. I know I deserve a medal. I was never one for retail therapy (more on my indulgence of choice in later posts perhaps) but eight months is a very long time. I should pop by the neighbours’ to play the piano tomorrow. In a season that for many is about going to church and celebrating resurrection, it is almost apt (you definitely may not concur) that I am taking this time off to rediscover and resurrect (?) parts of myself that I have neglected in the daily rush. Music. Rest. Shopping. The fact that we’re getting a four-day weekend and everything everywhere is on sale is just divine. Not to detract anything from Jesus, of course.
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