Driver Awareness Course

Driver Awareness Course

 

 

 

 

Well, today was the day I chose to account for my actions by attending the course rather than taking the points and paying the fine. The plus of this means I don't get the points and my insurance isn't affected.

 

That's the end of the positives.

 

Four hours cooped up in a small room with 17 others being spoken to like naughty children in a really condescending fashion (in  spite of the fact they kept reminding us we weren't at school and we were all adults so should  be nice to each other!) was not my idea of the best use of the time. Incidentally, the whole thing could have been covered in half the time.

 

 

What did I learn?

 

 

Using your handbrake whilst stationary could save your life/lessen your injuries if someone drives into your car.  Good.

 

Statistics show that fewer people speed nowadays (NO - that just means that everyone who speeds is not always caught doing it! When I mentioned this,  it was glossed over as they were rather proud of the fallen numbers.)

 

I also learned that in  today's driving test you may not have to perform an emergency stop. Only 1 in 3 drivers are asked to perform this test. Wow!

 

Everything else I knew already. (The faster you go the longer it takes to slow down. Never stay in your car on the hard shoulder. The only driving lane on a motorway is the inside one - all the others are overtaking lanes only. Maximum driving speeds in different areas, road signs, markings ... etc., etc., ... for four hours ...)

 



 

Of course it doesn't hurt to be reminded of all of these things which is why I think it would be good for everyone to have to do a similar course every few years. It is not necessary for it to be as long or as expensive. Maybe we should all even have to have a refresher mini test every 10 years?

 

We were shown a clip of a mother who had lost her 14 year old son describing how she felt and then shown how the accident happened in a re-enactment. In my opinion it was the fault of both the driver and the boy. The driver was driving too fast through a village and couldn't see what was around the bend. Likewise the boy was crossing the road where he didn't have a clear view of the road in both directions.

 

Playing Devil's Advocate I said I thought the boy was as much at fault as the driver because he didn't cross in a safe place. Wait for it ... I was asked at what age I thought someone could make a fair judgement  of when it was safe to cross the road - I said I knew about the Green Cross Road at primary school and that, before that, my parents had taught me pedestrian safety. No - apparently 17 years of age is the official age at which you are able to gauge when it is safe to cross the road !!!! Where do these people get their statistics from?

 

Public Information Guides used to be on TV all the time. Remember the Green Cross Code Green Giant, Learn to Swim, Clunk-Click? 

 

The lady sat next to me said it was all about common sense but, since that seems to be severely lacking in the general population today we obviously need these TV guides back!

 

We need them to remind people to put their lights on in poor visibility and that fog lights do exist for that very situation.

 

We need them to remind people that indicators are not there to make the car look pretty.

 



 

We need them to remind people who cycle to have lights and reflectors on their bikes. And that cycling along the pavement and through red lights is not an option.

 

We need them to tell pedestrians that they are not the only people in the world when they are walking along talking on their phones or listening to their music without paying attention to what's going on around them. 

 

We need them to remind everyone to have consideration for others.

 

We need them to remind us that CONCENTRATION  is key to being a safe driver. It was my lapse in concentration thinking about lists of things that had to be done which caused me to be doing 36 in a 30 zone.

 

Several people thought it would have been useful to have discussions about ...

 

... the possibility of EVERYONE having the opportunity to do a Driver Aware course every 3 years in return for  paying a lower insurance premium.

 

...  the insistence on foreigners coming into the country for more than  a month having to take a UK-standard upgrade test (including theory!).

 

... having a minimum amount of driving hours logged before gaining a full licence.

 

... making it  compulsory to show Provisional plates for a year after passing driving test.

 

... compulsory refresher test every x years.

 

 

I guess these courses have to be geared toward the lowest common denominator but  they should be able to gauge how to present themselves in such a way as not to alienate people.

 

Even today, the best advice I was ever given with regard to driving was from my father who told me to treat everyone else on the road as if they were all idiots. i.e.  that they could do anything unexpected at any moment. That certainly applies to any road user these days. If he were still alive today he would be shocked at how far driving standards had fallen.

 

This may actually spur me on to do my Institute of Advanced Motorists test which I have been thinking about for years. Watch this space ......

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Missed Opportunity....

 

 I recently had the opportunity to attend a showcase given by the Liverpool Theatre School at the Criterion Theatre in London.
Now, you might have thought this was an opportunity to showcase not only the talents of the students in their final year of studies but also for the School itself to use this as an advertising tool to show how well they are able to present their students.

To begin with I sent an email to the school enquiring about the showcase at the end of February ( the showcase being March 21st). There was very little information about it on the schools website (in fact that info is still there a week after the event!). Having had no reply I then telephoned them on the 7th March for the info needed (what time was the show? How did one get tickets?) and was told they would put me on the list and send a flyer snail mail (Apparently they were unable to send an electrionic version as they didn't have one???!!!)

So I am added to the agents list and duly turn up on the day and shown to the agents gathering area at the bar and offered a complimentary drink but the white wine is undrinkable so I opt for an orange juice instead. The agents pack consisted of a very badly put together bound A4 booklet of the various students and the running order.
My copier at home would have done a better printing job.

The paper was thin, the students' pictures badly produced (because not printed on glossy paper at a high enough resolution) and the CV's hadn't been checked for typos nor were they standardised. Some contained three methods of contact info whilst one contained none at all. Others were specific about vocal range whilst others just said Soprano or similar. Most of them were strong swimmers apparently! Not sure how much call there is for that in the West End....

Only one student was given a solo number but from what I could tell she wasn't the best singer. Very few of the songs really showed off the voices and some of the direction was lack-lustre at best. The sound engineer seemed to have some mics turned on and others not although I gather this was due to technicians from the Criterion Theatre itself.

I heard one agent ask another "was this a 1 or 3 year course?"
Two agents left before half way through.
Of those who stayed I know of one agent who was positively mobbed by several students all at once. They had obviously not been schooled in the etiquette of how to behave or how to best present themselves in this situation.

All in all, a very disappointing and unprofessional represention of how a Theatre School is run and a lost opportunity to showcase both the students and the School at their best.

Voice of Tomorrow

There seems to be a glut of talent shows around at the moment. We've had X-Factor, American Idol has just finished and Britain's Got Talent is currently on our screens and in our papers - you can't fail to miss it.

Last night I went to the Bloomsbury Theatre to see The Voice of Tomorrow. ttp://www.thebloomsbury.com/event/run/1260

Brainchild of Artisic Director Russell Scott, this is a similar X-Factor style evening of entertainment where the audience even get to vote via keypads.

Three judges including Claire Sweeney gave their thoughts after each group of three contestants and at the end of the evening the audience voted. The promised sing-off didn't happen; no doubt there have been some behind-the-scenes shenanigans which have meant a change in format but I feel we really missed out on that aspect and we were left feeling a little cheated on that score.

The same show will be on tonight and the final on Saturday.

I have to say the contestants were all very good and most have already had some sort of musical training but the outstanding star of the night goes by the name of Cerys Hine who is already a very polished, mature and utterly watchable performer.

This is a show designed to find our west-end stars of the future rather than a pop extravaganza and the prizes include a sign-up with a top west-end agency, a scholarship place for the Music Theatre course at the Royal Academy of Music and a recording opportunity.

Whoever wins, as in the TV programmes, it gives the contestants an opportunity to showcase their talents in front of movers and shakers in the industry and there were some wonderful performances to give some current west-end performers cause for concern.

Hopefully the technical issues and pregnant pauses between tracks will be ironed out by tonight and the show itself will present as more professional to match that of the artists.

For anyone reading who fancies there chances, should it happen again, go to http://www.voiceoftomorrow.com/ for more information

The Lipstick Effect

Well, it appears that the Lipstick Effect is in full swing!

I found this article in the Huffington Post and thought I would share it with you since I couldn't have put it better myself!

History and research has shown that when the economy goes into a recession or a depression, the sale of lipstick increases. "The Lipstick Effect"... A term coined after the Great Depression, which saw sales of cosmetics rise in the four years from 1929 to 1933.
As the theory goes, glum consumers continue to spend money on small luxuries during times of economic or emotional stress to buy their spirits, a point underscored in the months after the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the United States, which saw lipstick sales double.
It seems difficult for women to justify spending their hard earned money on the latest Louis Vuitton handbag or those Christian Louboutin pair of heels. At least they can still splurge on themselves with a small item like cosmetics or lipstick...to look good and hopefully feel better about themselves...
Humm...using the luxury of cosmetics to lift our spirits and feel pretty...well, that might have been the case in the Great Depression.... Ladies, times have changed...the current depression puts higher demands on everything...including our cosmetics.
Faced with news of increasing layoffs, straining economic pressure and the fact that competition out there is much greater than ever before...in all facets of life...we need to step it up. Let's face it; no one really knows when the next ball will drop. Everyone seems to be competing to get that client, keep that job or end up being one of the hundreds trying to get that one available new job. How do you get noticed, being one from so many...how can the fact that you have years of experience, knowledge and the ability to get the job done, not be overshadowed by the dark under eye circles you have from not sleeping. How can all the years you've put into your field be recognized as an asset when your self conscious about your uneven skin, rosacea or that nasty breakout? It does sound a bit silly, but is it? First impressions DO matter. Your appearance is a good investment even when times are very tough. People, who take care of themselves daily, seem to be able to get ahead of those who don't. Think about the time you spend getting your resume coiffed. The time you spend in finding the appropriate suit, all the hours spent hunting on search engines looking for jobs...
Time can give you the professional knowledge. But time can also take away the youthful sparkle of your appearance if you let it. When you look good, you feel confident. That gives you a Competitive Edge and something your colleagues and clients will certainly recognize, appreciate and come to expect.
The Lipstick Effect of 2009...cosmetics to help us feel pretty is not enough. Find multi function products that will treat your skin; to make you look good, feel good and that are good for you. Learn how to apply it properly for your field of business...and walk into a room confident that you have done everything to best represent yourself...with a Visual Competitive Edge!

So there you have it ladies and gentlemen. Don't hesitate to contact me at http://www.imageplusconsultandsee.co.uk/ if you would like my help!

Anyone for a free singing lesson?

Recently I was directed to Utube to witness this incredible video!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWt2YJCJleY

As a professional singer who also teaches this was both hilarious and shocking.
There are so many nutters out there, she could have been for real BUT....
turns out she is very clever.
"Amanda" is her alter ego. The real Colleen Ballinger can been seen here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4LxMzeWCXM and under psychosoprano on Utube.

I am such a fan! No doubt she can sing but I LOVE Miranda. Someone get her on the box!
I think her Caro Mio Ben is very special - and watch out for her rendition of the American national anthem. Just too awful!

Enjoy!

Priscilla, Queen of the Desert

Having decided to make the most of an evening in town, I decided to go and see Priscilla, Queen of the Desert which recently opened at the Palace Theatre in London.

I remember seeing the movie all those years ago and really enjoyed it.

However, the show is spectacular. In spite of being right up in the gods (it was sold out otherwise) I had a great time. This is a really great feel-good show guaranteed to put a smile on your face and have your toes tapping and what's more, the audience was extremely well-behaved!

Read more at http://www.viewlondon.co.uk/whatson/priscilla-queen-of-the-desert-tickets-article-7282.html

Go and see it!

Audience Etiquette

Recently I have been to the theatre twice as a punter. Quite a rare thing due to being too busy and also finding it difficult just to sit back and enjoy without being so critical as a professional.

Anyway..... first outing was to see the King's Singers http://www.kingssingers.com/ at the Wycombe Swan. They were, as always, superb. Very professional, well-rehearsed, relaxed and gave a really tight performance. However, I remembered why it is that I rarely go to classical concerts once the audience piped up with the coughing - once one starts, the herd mentality kicks in and everyone has to have a go!

Then we get the sweetie unwrapping and, rather than a quick rip and it's done, we have to put up with the "I'll try and do it really surreptitiously and quietly, over as long a period of time as possible and then maybe no-one will notice" WRONG!

In spite of requests to turn off mobile phones and beeping alarms on watches, it never fails that we get one such event during the course of an evening. What is the matter with people?

THEN..... we get the person who simply HAS to make a comment or clap IMMEDIATELY at the end of what should be a beautiful moment of quiet appreciation of a wonderfully soft ending, which completely ruins the moment. Not to mention those whose clap in the middle of a piece. Isn't it obvious that the performers haven't finished? They are in the middle of breathing for the next verse for Heaven's sake! AAArgh!

So I suppose it will be a while before I venture out again, unless it is for a rousing West End show where the music is loud enough to drown out the audience as in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert - to follow.....