Jeans - Hai Ra Hai Ra Hai Rabba (Enakkae Enakka)

Another beautiful song from the movie Jeans.

Jeans - Poovukkul

Absolutely beautiful Tamil song from the awesome movie Jeans (Originally Tamil, remade/dubbed into Hindi)

My First Storm

I experienced my first storm today. And no, I wasn't born today. It was my first time DRIVING in a storm. As you guys know, I'm a learner driver... Well, I've been driving for over a year now, but I still consider myself a learner driver. Its just safer that way, okay. And I don't envision myself getting rid of the learner sign any time soon (or ever) *covers face with left hand*. For some of my "quirky" learner driver tales do check out: "Diary of a learner driver" and "Taxi Drivers vs Learner Drivers".

Anyhoo, to get back on point - my first time driving in a storm!

I was expecting a lovely warm day with blue skies and sunshine through to the late afternoon today (sounds like a weather report hey... Haha). I was really looking forward to one of those after all the dreariness of late and had planned a walk and everything! My phone weather app said today was to be 27 degrees Celsius and the radio said 32 (and kept saying it after every news report on the head of every hour!)

So, we're sitting in the office busy getting along with our work. Sun is shining brightly and I'm optimistic about going for that walk later on. Then, gradually the weather starts to change. The bright sunlight is no more. The sky is dull. The office is dark. I'm so glued to the computer screen that I don't realize just how dramatically the outside environment has become until the other lady mentions it to me and I look out... It looks like the middle of the night! And this is at about one 'o clock in the afternoon.

I'm like, "yoh!" and get back to work. The other lady leaves about 13:20ish pm to run some errands. About 13:30 pm the boss comes to reception and is like, "yoh its pretty scary hey". Then asks me how far along I am with the work (tomorrow is the deadline for submission). So I tell him about half way. He looks outside... Then tells me I'd rather leave now, "it looks like its going to storm badly".

I look outside, it looks like night, but with an eerie orange tint to it - freaky.

So I'm like sure, "okay, thanks", close up the office and get my stuff. By the time I do all of this its about 13:35 pm. Just as I step out of the office the rain comes down. I dart to the car and it starts to come down heavier. I get into the car, start it and leave. As I come to the first robot a few paces away from the office it starts to POUR!

I reach the mall and the rain is just flooding down. I can barely see so I drive super slow. At this point I realize that, "Hey! All these cars have their lights on! I need to put my lights ON!" And so I do, except, it doesn't seem to make a difference to me! So I'm not sure if they're really on even though the panel thing with the speedometer and what not has lit up. So I start moving the "stick" around to see if the lights really are on. I messed with the indicators and bright lights until deciding that this was far more dangerous than driving without lights. And decided to go on faith that the lights were on. 

As you drive pass the mall there are a series of little roundabouts/traffic circles (whatever those evil contraptions are called). You've got to yield to oncoming traffic already in the circle and only when the way is clear can you go on your way. At one of these I have to come to a stop. There's a long line of cars queued up to get into the mall on the left. I inch forward trying to get a gap in to go pass. I even put my right indicator on so that people can see I do NOT wish to turn left into the mall, but rather go on out of the little traffic jam. I'm inching slightly forward trying to get a gap and after one car moves there is a bit of a gap so I think I can get through. But, alas, a driver, in their huge SUV zooms by, blocking the road! I just do NOT understand selfish drivers! They still had to join the queue and wait behind a few other cars before entering. What harm would have been done if they just gave me a gap to go through? *angry face*

Eventually I make a gap for myself and go through. Get pass the mall and what not and as I head onto the highway I start to hear sounds that sound more like little bangs than the hard gush of heavy rain against the car. I realize its now hailing. Thank goodness nothing major, just little hailstones. But its enough to make me more scared. It becomes even more difficult to see anything beyond my dashboard. I drove at a speed of 80 on the highway! Off the highway I was driving about 40/50 - battling to see. Praying the whole time that I get home safe and don't knock anything or anyone.

Going up the Mountain Rise stretch I begin to contemplate puling over somewhere. Maybe at Northway Mall, to just sit out the storm 'cause I was really terrified about being unable to see a thing. But I think about having to find the turn off to get off the road... And then maneuvering through the narrow spaces of the parking lot and the crowd of cars to get through and even park when I can barely see and decide against it. Also, if I just keep at it I should be home soon. 

I regret the decision when I continue on and the car in front of me, whose hazards I'd been using to keep me on track, start to disappear. But, there's no point in changing my mind now. Rather journey on and get home. I probably ended up on either end of my lane a good few times. I just went super slow so that if there were any cars in front of me that I failed to see I'd have enough time to brake. I followed the cars lights in front of me when I could, especially when turning, as I couldn't see the turn offs! When there were no cars in front of me I had to just go on wild guesses, random judging and memory... I miss located a speed bump, but luckily I was driving so slowly it didn't do any harm. Going down another road I didn't see a car parked off on the side of the road (which I really wish people wouldn't do!) and I had to swerve out of the way at the last minute (and I'm more than grateful for that last minute!)

When I enter the road just before the final road that leads to my house, I realize that the main reason I can't see so well, is not because of the bad weather (well not entirely because of the weather), but because the car is misted! I felt like such an idiot! I'd been suffering all this time when I could have seen at least 40% better if I'd had the demister on! I was so terrified about driving in the rain I didn't think to think about mist. 

I got home, parked the car and watched the hail continue to come down from the safety of shelter. I was still shaking from the whole experience. But, once I got over that, I was pretty chuffed with myself for making it through my first storm. *smiles all around*

A few minutes later... It stopped storming... If I'd left work at the usual time I would have missed the storm on either end (it started storming again later. Actually stormed like two or three more times and stopped - maybe even four times...). But, I can't really complain, how many bosses would let their employees off early so that they could miss a storm and not have to drive in it...

And, seen as that didn't work out, I did get the experience of driving in a storm/bad weather... And I now know to check the demister! 

How I felt while IN the car

How I felt after I got OUT of the car

You Can't Hurry Love

I watched "Runaway Bride" (Julia Roberts - sigh) last night, so I now have this song (You Can't Hurry Love) stuck in my head. And as it seems to go with many old songs today, there are multiple covers of the song. I can't choose a favourite. But there are three that I've heard and quite like so I'll just share them all and leave it up to you decide which you like best.

This is the Dixie Chicks version (which is apparently the Runaway Bride version).

... Phil Collins...

And... The Supremes (the original version of the song, written and produced by the Mowtown production team)

Just my luck

First I get a pasta with a strand of hair baked into the cheese! NOW, I get a burger with a strand of hair on the bun! Seriously, HOW lucky am I?! *annoyed look*

Earlier this year I posted a piece: "One hairy pasta coming up" - basically, I was enjoying a meal at Panarottis when I happened upon a strand of long hair BAKED INTO the cheese topping of my pasta. I've mostly gotten over this incident - needless to say though, I haven't had a pasta dish at the local Panarottis since...

Then today, I get a hair on my bun! (Ha ha - yeah laugh). So I go to McDonald's and order the Grand Chicken Spicy Hot burger medium meal. I eventually get my meal. I open the burger box and look inside (I

have a thing of having to look at and sniff my food before eating it - may seem gross, but good thing hey!)And what do I find - a hair on the bun! So, I'm pretty grossed out and am like sooooo... what should I do... Knowing full well that I do NOT plan to feed that vile meal into my constitution!

So I go up to the counter. I try to get someone's attention. This proves a difficult task. Eventually I'm like, "HI! Sorreeeee" to the cashier in front of me. And she finally pays me attention. I show her the burger. She's kind of lost. Looks to a lady shouting around behind her and is like "customer complaint" and shows her the burger. The shouting lady just shakes her head (while still shouting) and says something quick and soft and is back to shouting. The cashier puts the burger back down onto the counter next to her and goes about her business. Guaranteed, they were extremely busy, but a manager or someone could have made it a little quicker and seen to me. But, I had to instead stand there and wait. And wait. And WAIT!

I was pretty starving, so I was really NOT in the mood for this and was losing patience. So I slid the burger in front of me and started taking pics of it (thinking, WHY THE HELL did I NOT do this first?!) (the pics are unidentifiable - I blame the BlackBerry camera and the bun). But, this clearly was the right thing to do. The cashier looked at me from the side of her eye while taking orders. Then she slipped away with the burger to the back. Next thing another lady appears and the cashier shows her the burger and hands it over to her. This lady looks at it. Moves the offending hair around. Then goes to the back and shows it to everyone. I see them all looking at it. Trying to figure out what the hell that is and how the hell it got there.

She's in the back for a bit... I'm busy straining my already strained eyesight to see what's going on back there. She eventually notices me "watching" and so asks "is this yours?" I nod yes. She calls me to the side. She then goes on to tell me that this "hair" is actually wheat germ. And not in fact hair. She goes on to show this to me. Moving it around and what not, showing me how the bun is a wheat germ bun and so the wheat germ looks like that, and see when you turn it you can see it looks the same... Its wheat germ not hair. That bit of wheat germ was just longer than the rest.... I looked at her skeptically...

It is possible that it really was wheat germ and she was telling the truth... But, I just don't buy the story. They seemed to all be speculating in the back there and in shock until it was noticed that I was watching everything. She made it clear to me (more than once) that it was NOT hair, but wheat germ... (pretty much explained it to me like I was a child that was having difficulty understanding something as simple as 'A B C') But she would give me another burger...

Not so sure if I was really given another burger... Or if they just replaced the top bun or just swiped off the offending "wheat germ" - I tried to see, but couldn't get a good view this time. So one of those things hey...

Just to note -  it is my right as a customer to complain about unsatisfactory food. I wasn't complaining because there wasn't enough sauce in my burger, or it wasn't juicy enough, or the bun just didn't look perfect to me... No. I was not just being "fussy". I was complaining because there was something that looked very much like hair in my meal, and it definitely was NOT mine!

Guys, just be cautious when eating out. You never know what you're gonna get... And always exercise your right as a customer!

Sharks win ABSA Currie Cup final




© Gallo Images



Sharks win the Currie Cup whipping Western Province with a score of 33 - 19! Suffice to say, all us KZN folk are more than thrilled, especially so having beaten the lads in their own back yard! Western Province may have beaten us at home 3 weeks ago, robbing us of the chance of a home final, but alas, we won the game that mattered!

So I may be a little late on this in the online world (and the world of Sunday papers') but I'm still ahead of the week day papers right? SO that counts for something, ne? (I hope).

I'm not going to get into the nitty gritty because quite frankly, as much as I love the game of rugby, and our guys in black and white, I simply do not understand all the technicalities of the game. And whenever I think I might just be catching on, the rules of the game change (yet again).

So I'm just going to go into the basics (which is basically stating the obvious) and for more info there's a gazillion articles already published, and more to come this week...

The Sharks went into this game as underdogs and with everything counting against them. The fans were min with Western Province coming out in full force and ready to boo our boys in black and white at every chance. They were below Province in points... Basically, unless you were a Sharks fan, you had it pinned that Province was going to win this one. And even as a Shark's fan it was more just blind loyalty and hope that we would bring the cup home.

Patrick Lambie put the first points on the score board with a penalty. And Charl McLeod scored a beautiful try which was converted by Lambie to bring the score further along. However, Western Province made a comeback with their own converted try by Damien de Allende. They managed to pull another 2 penalties bringing their half time score to 13 with the Sharks at 19 thanks to a few more penalties by Lambie and a drop goal.

All in all  Province managed to pull in a couple more penalties that brought them up to 19. McLeod scored 2 tries. Lambie scored 5 penalties, 2 drop goals and 1 conversion. Lambie did manage to get us on our feet quite a bit by missing 3 penalties and a conversion. It was really annoying that he missed those, but seen as we won I'll give him some grace - he did manage to score when it mattered most and he redeemed himself with the 2 drop goals. so we forgive you Lambie, but please work harder so this doesn't happen again.

For some history...

Picture taken from the Sharks website of the Sharks after the 1990 Currie Cup win with the trophy.

The Sharks won their first Currie Cup in 1990 beating Northern Transvaal (I'm thinking these are the Blue Bulls) 18 - 12. This was their first win in years of strife and toil at Currie Cup level rugby - finally building their team and bringing it up to A-level. "That 1990 victory was the catalyst for further Currie Cup success, as McIntosh set about ensuring continuity that culminated in Natal being labelled the “team of the ‘90s” a decade later" - according to the Sharks website (which you can check out for more interesting info on the Sharks Currie Cup history: http://www.sharksrugby.co.za/general/content/currie-cup-history)

The Currie Cup itself is named after a dear bloke from Glasgow, Donald Currie. Strangely enough the first Currie Cup trophy was given to a cricket team! Who would have ever thought! I found this piece of info on the SA Rugby Stats website: "When the first foreign cricket team came to South Africa the following year, Sir Donald gave the captain, Major Warton, a cup to present to the team that played best against the tourists, with the intention that it become a floating trophy for inter-provincial competitions. This was the first Currie Cup."

"When the first overseas team to tour South Africa stepped ashore in 1891 they carried with them a particularly precious bit of cargo. Among the bags, boots and balls was a golden cup given to the British Isles squad by Sir Donald Currie, owner of Union-Castle Lines, the shipping company that transported them to the southern tip of Africa.

The gold trophy was donated by Sir Donald Currie in 1891 before the arrival of the touring British Isles team. Sir Donald was clear with his instructions — “hand this trophy over to the team in South Africa that gives you the best game” and after a spirited display, Griqualand West became the first ever holders of the Currie Cup.

The Currie Cup trophy was donated to the rugby board and it became the prize for the Currie Cup competition. To this day the trophy remains the holy grail of South African rugby." (Courtesy of SA Rugby Stats).

For more info on the history of the Currie Cup: http://sarugbystats.co.za/currie-cup-history/

Its all rather strange and super interesting info, I will be sure to read up more on it at some point. But for now -  THE SHARKS WON!!!! SHARKS FOREVER! BLACK & WHITE - NOTHING ELSE MATTERS! WOOHOOO!!! :D

                                                          

Icona Pop - I Love It (feat. Charli XCX) [OFFICIAL VIDEO]

Little coffee shops in obscure alley's

Lavender - the lower level dining area

I've lived in Pietermaritzburg all my life and there are so many awesome places here and nearby that I've NEVER been to and others that I never knew even existed! Lavender is one such place.

We went to Lavender for the first (and only time) a few weeks ago. A lady from church had been asking us to go out for coffee for ages and we could just never find the time, so we finally just made some time and did it. And it was awesome. She's an absolute treasure of a lady and may the good Lord bless her kind soul for treating us that rainy, but lovely, Saturday mid-morning. Anyhoo, this is not a post about the awesome lady from church, its about the coffee shop she introduced me to!

Lavender is just on this little street called Gough Road which is just off Wembley Road (not far from entrance 2 of the Royal Agricultural Show Grounds) (in Pietermaritzburg obviously). If you don't know the place, you will NOT be able to find it. I found that out the hard way. I'd taken hapdash directions to the place and had an idea of its surrounding whereabouts, however, I ended up at the banking complex as I could find no signs. The lady we were meeting had to come find us at the banks and take us to the place. 

We entered through the back, so I didn't exactly get the most picturesque first impression of the place. And it was super cold and rainy. The lady pushed a wooden rolling gate open and let us into the yard. The first thing you see is a plastic sheeted room with a tin (or aluminium) roof. You've got to push through a slit in the plastic to get inside. The inside is a small little room with dainty tables and chairs and just enough room to maneuver around. There is however an upstairs room (or rooms) which I did not get to see as we remained on the "ground floor" at which we entered. 

I love obscure, little known about places but, these places tend to have a set clientele... And when you're a new face (especially when its two Indians coming in with a Coloured lady) people are bound to stare (as we experienced, I bring it up because it happened, not as a speculation). 

However, once you settle in and get a bit used to the place (and ignore the stares from other patrons) its quite a comfy place. And a good place to get away from the crowds - which is something I ALWAYS strive to do. 

I had the "house" cappuccino and my sister and I shared a slice of cheesecake. The cappuccino was pretty much as a cappuccino usually is, nothing super amazing about it or anything, though it was pretty neat that they had chocolate chips in it. I sure did enjoy that. 

A Lavender cappuccino with chocolate chips - yum

The cheesecake was so-so. It was neither the worst, nor the best that I'd had. Though the base had a bit too much coconut than I could handle (I hate desiccated coconut) and I think it was lemon rind that was used as a sort of garnish on the top and just added a not so grand taste to the cheesecake.

All in all, this quaint little place may seem rustic at first, but you warm up to it and I certainly wouldn't mind going there again. I will definitely not be having the cheesecake again though - been there, done that... I would love to try out the other stuff on the menu though, and maybe a go at a meal...

Another reason to go back  - the staff are extremely friendly and welcoming (might be 'cause we went with a "regular", who knows... *shoulder shrug*, will have to see) and the service is pretty good too - a rare thing to come by these days.

(Photos taken from the "Just Lavender" website)
PS: Not too sure on the name, the website says :Just Lavender" but I know it as "Lavender" so I retained the name I was given. Also from the website, it seems that they are more than just a coffee shop... For more check out their website: http://www.just-lavender.co.za/index.html 

Drained (does that suffice for a title/post?)

I'm hoping the picture will say it all and thus save me from having to really say much. But, we know how I am, once I start there's no stopping me... But, my eyes can barely make it so I'll make it short.

It's been a long day, but not overly so, yet I am feeling extremely drained. 

I haven't blogged in a while, and its not for a lack of anything to blog about. I keep getting ideas and they keep piling on top of each other. I first didn't have any internet, then computer issues, then time... And I'm still using this ancient desktop of mine as I have yet to get a charger for my laptop - using this desktop is pure torture! (But I guess I should be glad I have something, what would I do if I were completely computer-less *horrified look*)And now I'm super tired for some strange reason. I'll definitely try and get round to putting forth something more worthy some time this week...

For now, I hope you have all had a lovely, well that's kind of pushing it for a Monday hey so lets make it good, Monday and start to the week. 

Hope you have a splendid and productive week :)

Confessions of a Bookaholic - 11

What gives you the right?!

"Give me your phone or I'll kill you."

Sounds a bit violent hey... But, if you're a South African these words come as no shock to you. It's something you fear every time you step out your front door. Or sometimes even in your own home... Maybe not those EXACT words, but you get my drift... Sure, you think it happens to 'other' people, but not me... But you still live in fear... You walk around with caution... You tell everyone else to be careful and you're always on the look out... The sad fact is that this IS a reality for us. Its something you have to carry with you every moment of the way. And if you forget, you're gonna be reminded...

My sister was held up yesterday. In the middle of town, right at the City Hall. Surrounded by people. She was waiting for her boss to pick her up and a black guy stuck a gun to her side and a knife to her stomach and told her to "GIVE ME YOUR PHONE OR I'LL KILL YOU!" She gave him her phone. He then walked away. She started to walk across the road. I'm assuming it was to get as far away from the guy as possible. He turned around and came back to her. She continued to walk across the road with oncoming traffic. He goes up to her and asks her to give him her laptop too. (She was holding a folder in her hand containing documents - its a big folder about just larger than A 4 size and is sort of synthetic leather. So I guess it could have been mistaken for a laptop). She continued to walk across the road and told him that its just documents she does not have a laptop. And for whatever reason, he decided to believe her and leave her be...

There were crowds of people all around, and no one did a thing. They just watched it happen. I know its not their fault that it happened. And there wasn't much that they COULD do. I know, I myself am a complete scaredy cat and a coward, I would never jump into a situation like that, and obviously don't expect anyone else to. They would just put themselves in the line of fire too instead of really helping much. Its a guy with a gun AND a knife, WHAT CAN you do?! But, someone could have maybe screamed and distracted the guy, or called someone, or maybe taken a photo of him to at least identify him later on... But no one did a single thing?!

Okay, so, I know, that might be asking a bit much. There's a reason why I didn't write this post last night when I found out - I was too angry. I needed to calm down. Yesterday I was livid at every person who just stood there and watched and did nothing! Today, I can understand it. And see that they can't really be blamed for their actions (or inaction). I would very likely do the same. There is no point in getting involved if you're only going to make the situation worse. (And you're most likely just praying the bloke gets it over with fast and doesn't notice you!) BUT, not even one person thought to at least go to my sister afterwards and check if she was okay! After the guy had left and it was obvious he wasn't going to come back, just go to her, gently and visibly (you obviously do NOT want to catch her off guard or sneak up on her or anything after what she's just been through), and be like, hey I saw what just happened I'm sorry, are you okay? Do you need anything? Is there anything I can do or anyway that I can help? Do you maybe want to report it... or SOMETHING!

But yeah...

This guy was brave enough to do what he did in public... And knew full well that he could get away with it...

This just makes me so sick! The fact that there are so many people out there just like him who feel that they can do as they please and take what they what! As if they have a RIGHT to it! As if they're entitled to it! Even though they didn't put in all the time and effort to earn it! (unless the time and effort it took to plan out the theft and then carry it out counts...)

I am so completely angry about this whole situation! Just this year alone so much has happened! A few months ago Sahil's brother was held up just outside his campus by two black guys with a knife and gun. They took his phone and all his cash. A couple weeks later his cousin had her earrings ripped off her ears just outside her place of work (she works for the police in Durban). A few weeks later their house was broken into and wiped clean. A few weeks ago my sister's boyfriend was held up at a garage in Johannesburg when he went to fill petrol. A guy tried to steal his cell phone and refused to let it go and started screaming for help. The people standing nearby heard and came at his screams and looted his boot. All in all he lost over R 12 000 worth of stuff.

WHAT is this world coming to?! I know that it's not just our country. (Sahil had this talk with me trying to calm me down in my rant about crime in South Africa, telling me that its pretty much world wide. America has serial killers and rapists and people who go on killing sprees. Other countries have bombings and terrorist attacks and a wave of other stuff...) So, yes, I know, its not just South Africa. As much as my rage is towards South Africa at the moment. But, for now, given the recent incident(s), I think I can be forgiven for keeping my discussion to South Africa...

The thing I will never understand is WHY. WHY do people do this?! HOW can you just go out and take something that does not belong to you?! Something that someone else worked hard for?!  Why can they not just go out and work for themselves?! Do an honest day's worth of work and live a decent life. HOW the hell can people be so selfish?!

I am just so sick of people taking what they don't deserve and doing as they please! I have to live in fear because of these selfish pricks! I've got to drive with my windows rolled up. I can't wear jewelry if I'm going into town - oh you don't want to 'tempt' them! I've got to be fully aware of my surrounding at all times. If I go to get take out food I feel guilty that I actually have something to eat. I also have to hold on tight to that food if I actually want to eat it.

Its all just too much!!! I can't take this anymore! And, what gives them the right to do this to me, or to anyone. What gives them the right to make us feel this way... To basically have us living as prisoners in our so called free country?! (And yes, I used 'them'. I'm othering them and I do NOT care!)

WHAT GIVES THEM THE RIGHT?!

"Hall of Fame" - Glee

On a lighter note (since the previous post), this is the Glee version of "Hall of Fame" originally by The Script featuring will.i.am. I ABSOLUTELY love this song and the Glee version. And the outfits, both guys and girls, are superbly stunning! Simply awesome! Love love LOVE!

Taxi Drivers vs Learner Drivers

Taxi drivers go to hell!

Well they should!

Okay, maybe they shouldn't, I'm just really angry. Taxi Drivers are probably really good people, nice family guys, do their bit for society and what not... when they are not driving taxis of course (I'm not being sarcastic by the way. No, seriously, I'm not. Hey, for all we know it could all be true okay... *shoulder shrug*). But, on the road, they truly are demons. So, maybe I shouldn't say 'demons' 'cause that may be 'politically incorrect', but can you honestly disagree with me here? And I'm not trying to bring religion into things (though I can see how that might be thought what with my hell references and now the whole demon thing...)

Anyhoo, I digress. To get back on point, taxi drivers simply make driving for everyone else TORTURE! We basically put our lives at risk every time we go out onto the roads with taxi drivers.

Okay, so I may be completely angry at the moment, which is why all these rants are just flowing out, but I'm pretty sure most people (if not all people, excluding taxi drivers themselves) feel the same way.
To put you guys in that frame of mind where you just want to sit on your hooter, scream your lungs out in your car, even use 'languages' that normally make your ears burn or even reach the point where you want to just stop your car in the middle of the road, pull out a cricket bat and 'go at' the offending party... let me share my story with you...

The reason why I'm in such a dandy mood... 

So, I'm driving to work this morning. Around 7:00 AM. (And, just to make sure its known, I've got a big red "L" learner sign at the top left hand corner of the back window of the car,  clearly visible.) I reach a robot. Its red, so I stop. I intend to turn right at the robot, so I have my right indicator on. This specific robot has a filter arrow for motorists turning right. I know this. And I'm ready to go the moment it turns green. The opposing robot has turned red so I'm ready to go. I've got my foot off my brake and am slowly inching forward but the robot is still red and as  I do not want to break any laws I wait. The taxi driver behind me, who has been sitting right on my tail, suddenly HOOTS! Startling me. I jerk the car and lose my balance and have to regain it and then go on. (As mentioned, I'm a learner driver, so don't class my driving skills okay, I'm learning, and I'm not so bad anymore, its just awkward situations that still 'challenge' me). Also, the sign is there so people should be cautious and patient! Not make the learner driver more anxious.

Anyhoo, I'm still getting over that situation as I turn right into the next road when another taxi driver SUDDENLY pulls into the road from a driveway on the left. I had to swing to the right and around to avoid being smashed! My sister, sitting in the front passenger seat (which is on the left in South Africa), saw her life flash before her eyes! (I might have caught a glimpse of it too). Thank goodness there were no cars near to me on the right hand lane *swhew*. I am now livid. This is so NOT what I need before getting to work in the morning. But I get back onto the left lane and journey on...

As you continue down the road there is a taxi stop on the left. So you're aware that taxis will be making a stop here so you slacken your speed and drive by slowly and with more caution as taxis will be turning in here... However, the taxis will NOT turn in there and stop to let passengers off or on. NOOOO! They angle the taxi slightly into the space leaving the rest on the taxi pretty much full on on the left obstructing the lane completely. So in peak traffic, you now have to try and get a gap in the non ending line of cars on the right lane to get around the taxi. You've basically got to come to a complete stop and wait to get a gap, make a gap or wait for someone to feel bad enough for you that they create a gap for you or just wait till the taxi finally decides to be done and move! Seriously annoying! A whole space designated FOR them just to stop off and STILL they REFUSE to use it and make everyone else's life difficult!

After somehow making my way out of and around that situation I then find myself behind another two taxis. An extra lane opens out on the left. I need to get onto that lane for where I need to go, and I need to do it quick before there are too many cars on that lane and traffic gets hectically intense. But these two taxis decide to cruise. Huge gaps in front of them, but they're not even crawling! And so I miss my chance to get onto the left lane!

If the common driver were to do these things around a taxi driver you can bet on it that the taxi driver is gonna be sitting on his hooter, swearing you, and might even get out to swear you and wouldn't think twice about knocking your car. But we've got to just shut our mouths and take all their nonsense! Extremely frustrating! And something everyone knows, a dozen traffic cops will be sitting around waiting to catch you and give you a speeding ticket for going 61 in a 60 zone at every corner, but you'll never find one around when a taxi is awol.

So that's pretty much why I'm in such a mood about taxi drivers. Just put me in such a bad mood before I even got to work.

Making the title of this post seem less pointless

BUT, to tie this in with the title of this post (seen as all I've done up until this point is rant and rave and not mention anything related to the post title)... I previously wrote a post "Diary of a Learner Driver" and basically listed a bunch of things that should be gotten rid of in order to make driving life easier. Taxi drivers/taxis were first on that list and I said that they should simply be banned. I'm obviously going to stick to that view. Out of everything on that list, taxi drivers have got to be the most hazardous.

Learner drivers are bad. I know. I'm bad. Not as bad as I used to be, so I now understand more why people hate learner drivers so much. We can be a bit much to deal with. Stalling anywhere and everywhere without warning. Taking FOREVER to take off. Rolling. Cruising on an incline thus making my poor car with its little engine suffer. Keeping to speed limits. Parking poorly. And the list probably goes on (and on). However, no one can say that none of the above does not still happen to them on the rare occasion, even the most experienced of drivers I'm sure. And learner drivers do come with a warning. Also, you were all learner drivers at some stage so you can give us guys a little lee way and be understanding to our situation, unless of course the learner driver is being a COMPLETE idiot, like busy looking at and talking to the passenger on the left instead of focusing on the road (happened to me, stuck behind a tool of a learner driver). If you're learning how to drive, then pay attention and learn! But, yeah, other than that, learner drivers aren't completely bad... right?

On the whole

Learner drivers may be seriously annoying and frustrating, and maybe also a little dangerous on roads, but they are nowhere near as dangerous as taxi drivers. Taxi drivers are also rather obnoxious, and selfish, thinking they own the road and are entitled to do as they please. And, I don't know the stats, but I'd definitely say that more accidents are caused due to taxi drivers/taxis than learner drivers. 

I cannot wait for the day when taxis (the kombies) are done away. A taxi free world... Ah *sigh* (looks off into the distance).

I told you not to laugh...

 Warning: this is a BBM forwarded message.

So yeah I am anti forwarded messages, but hey this one's funny. And also kind of shows just how bad the crime in South Africa really is. But I have way too much to say about that, and this is meant to be a "hahahaha" post lol. So I'll leave that there. Anyhoo here it is:

Don't laugh please its not a joke". In Japan they invented a machine that catches thieves.They took it to different countries for a test. In the USA, in 30 mins it caught 20 thieves. In the UK, in 30 mins it caught 500 thieves. In Spain, in 20 mins it caught 25 thieve. In Ghana, in 10 mins it caught 6000 thieves. In Uganda, in 7 mins it caught 20 000 thieves. In Kenya, in 8 mins it caught 30 000 thieves. In South Africa, in 5 mins, the machine was stolen. I thought I told you not to laugh!!!

Smile - Its fun :)

When I was in school we had this poem that someone had given to us on display. It was on a laminated piece of cardboard with a yellow background and a bright and shiny sun smiling at you.

I used to read it every time I went pass it and it just made me smile every time. I liked it so much that I wrote it down on a piece of paper and put it in my file to just keep with me forever. I reached a point where I'd read it so often that without realising it or intending, I'd managed to remember the poem and would just say it to myself from memory.

When I moved to university I had it up in my room and it would just encourage me to be more cheerful and positive (and we all know I'm not the most positive person around, I need all the good vibes I can get hehe). Over time though I forgot about it. Moved back home. The poem had been long since gone (no idea where to). And I just didn't think about it anymore. Until the other day I was walking around with a stupid smile on my face and it just popped into my head. And made me smile even more. I was so surprised that I still remembered it! I was one or two words off, but on the whole I was pretty spot on.

So anyhoo, just though it would be nice to share. And maybe give you a reason to smile today.

Smiling Is Infectious
Author Unknown

Smiling is infectious,
you catch it like the flu,
When someone smiled at me today,
I started smiling too.

I passed around the corner
and someone saw my grin.
When he smiled I realized
I'd passed it on to him.

I thought about that smile,
then I realized its worth.
A single smile, just like mine
could travel round the earth.

So, if you feel a smile begin,
don't leave it undetected.
Let's start an epidemic quick,
and get the world infected!

Snow White and the Huntsman vs. Mirror Mirror

                        VS

Surprise surprise, Snow White and the Huntsman AND Mirror Mirror are both adaptations of the classic fairy-tale Snow White/Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. So, you've pretty much got to have the usual suspects... You've got Snow White, the evil step mother/queen, the father who dies/disappears, a prince/hero (or both), the guy who's supposed to kill Snow White, and lets not forget the dwarfs!

Snow White and the Huntsman

The oh so amazing Kristen Stewart plays Snow in this rendition (yes, that IS sarcasm you read there). There was so much of hype surrounding this movie that I thought, maybe, just MAYBE, Kristen Stewart might have pulled this one off and managed to do a good job... BUT, the hype was just hype. Or maybe it was Chris Hemsworth (the huntsman) hype. He was by far thee best thing in and about the entire movie. Firstly, he's gorgeous! Whether he's holding a hammer or an ax, he is superbly awesome! And he can ACT. Stewart yet again showed us all ONE of her facial expressions. Snow is meant to be the "fairest in the land" and have a beauty and presence that is entirely pure and enchants everyone and thing around her. Stewart doesn't even as much as capture a bleh. She's far too bland and mundane and just plain abrupt and awkward, in the bad kind of way, not the weird cool kind of awkward.

Charlize Theron  as the evil queen/step-mother wasn't too bad I guess. But, I certainly wasn't blown away by the performance or anything of the sort. I preferred Julia Roberts in Mirror Mirror as the queen, but that just might be my personal bias (more on that later).

Sam Clafin as William (I think he's meant to be the prince here, he's okay I guess. We don't really see much of him at all, but I guess that's more to do with the direction of the story... However, when he is on screen he doesn't seem to have much of a presence (that might have something to do with the presence of Hemsworth which is pretty much impossible to compete with). Or to really do much. William seems to just BE there for the mere need of having to be... He floats around the background of scenes and even when he tries to stand up he lets his father strong arm him. When it comes to this role I'm not really sure if Clafin made the character small or if the character was just too little for him to work with...

The dwarfs were kind of ragged and scruffy. I didn't think very much of them, but I guess they weren't horrible... *shoulder shrug*

Mirror Mirror

This is my first encounter with Lily Collins and I quite like her. She's cute as well as pretty. She has an innocence about her which makes seeing her as a pure creature and the 'saviour of the land' as well as 'fairest in the land' as a very real and highly possible possibility. COLLINS has that charm and essence to captivate the people and her surroundings. She is also witty and fun loving and more than able to defend herself. She looks like a princess and future queen and shows the character of someone I would trust to rule over the nation. The only flaw, to me, were her eyebrows. They are just so THICK! Okay, so my eyebrows aren't perfect or anything, but if I were to make it onto a movie that millions of people worldwide were to see, I'd certainly want to get my eyebrows done (just saying).It distracted me throughout the movie (but fear not, my observations and opinions are all sound). 

Julia Roberts as the queen was simply superb. She had such grace and poise and carried of the role so well. Apparently the director's intention was for the queen to be more insecure than evil, and I think she pulled this off well. We see it in her need to be beautiful and the lengths to which she goes to to look good and young (not just the actual stealing of youth and the magic, but with the baths and insane looking insect type things... Urgh! (shivers). Also Roberts is just so beautiful! *sigh*

Armie Hammer as the prince is quite charming and also rather comical. Its entertaining to see a prince in a comic role instead of as the "knight in shining armour" (though this has become common lately, its still fun to watch - every time). A prince who is captured by dwarfs, goes before the queen in mud strewn tattered and torn fragments of clothing, and also gets into sword fights with the princess... - Nothing short of a "charming" watch.

The DWARFS! Are super awesome. They are funny, cute and quirky. The dwarfs of Mirror Mirror bring quite a presence to the movie and are more than entertaining. Half Pint (one of the dwarfs) certainly adds some flavour to the soup with his little crush on Snow and his complete denial of her feelings towards the prince.

All in all...

When it comes down to it, is it even really a contest? Is there really even a question in your mind about it?

Lily Collins is a better Snow White than Kristen Stewart (seriously, was there ever even an inkling of a doubt?) Julia Roberts is a better queen/step-mother than Charlize Theron, but to be honest it could just be that Julia Roberts had the better role in a better movie, plain and simple. OR, it could just be my bias 'cause I'd pretty much ALWAYS choose Julia Roberts...Armie Hammer was an awesome prince. Sam Clafin was... average. And the Mirror Mirror dwarfs just rocked! Whereas the Snow White and the Huntsman dwarfs were more... I cannot even think of a word to describe them... 

The only redeeming qualities of Snow White and the Huntsman is Chris Hemsworth, who is amazing as usual, and the fact that Snow ends up with the Huntsman and NOT William, which is completely predictable in this movie, but I still liked it. (Though Sahil expected Snow to awaken after being kissed by William! Gosh, guys just don't get the whole "true love" and only "true love's kiss" thing hey...) Other than this the actors weren't too great, the movie was a bit awkward and abrupt. The scenes didn't seem to have a natural flow. And the movie was just lacking on the whole. What else would you expect from a Kristen Stewart movie?

Mirror Mirror had a good story line and wonderful performances by the actors (apart from Lily Collins eyebrows). Mirror Mirror was also quite a humouress movie which had me laughing quite a bit. (Yeah, I know I use "quite" a bit too often, I'm trying not to, its not so easy!) Humour always wins it for me. Unless the drama and action are top notch. 

So on the whole, if you still have a doubt in your mind as to which is the better movie you should just stick to Dumb and Dumber... 'Cause obviously Mirror Mirror is the superior movie by far, and therefore wins. 

THE END.

FULL OF SHIP - A Dingalings production

This past Saturday, on an almost spur of the moment invitation, we headed off to Golden Horse to see the Dingalings "Full of Ship" (I only found out the name of the show when I got there). 

"Full of Ship" was my first Dingalings show so I didn't entirely know what to expect, but I was nervous that it might be a bit too "rude" based on what I have heard of past Dingaling productions. However, it was actually decent enough. It is an adult comedy after all, but nothing a 16-year-old can't handle.

This is the Dingalings 5th production and features Koobeshen Naidoo (far right), Pamela Naidoo,(the ONLY lady) Senzo Mthethwa (its the black dude, seriously), Henry Ramkissoon (the bald one), Melvyn David (sort of in between Senzo and Pamela)and Ravi Subramoney (the only one not yet mentioned). The 5 guys are off to do a gig on the luxury cruise ship. We meet them as they are waiting to board, and follow their shenanigans from thereon out. Trouble and drama are inevitable with these guys. From Melvyn having hysterics about drowning and insisting on wearing a bright orange life vest (which I would do too) because even the "titinic" hit an "ice cube" and sank. To Henry smuggling booze on board in shampoo bottles. And things only get 'worse' when they bump into the sassy Pamela.  

I won't give any more away for those who may plan on seeing the show or getting the DVD and don't want the fun to be spoiled. However, I will say this, Koobeshen may be considered the 'main star' of the show, but for me it was Melvyn who stole the show. His antics were just hilarious and I saw the character as one I could pull off well too. And he's sooo cute! You just wanna pick him up and snuggle him and tell him everything's gonna be okay... Unless someone mentions his ma, then I'm outta there...


On the whole, "Full of Ship" is HILARIOUS! I laughed from beginning to end, and still had a smile on my face when I got home. Some good old classic music was also featured which really just enhanced the show even further. My personal favourite was the old Tamil song "wada mapula" which just makes my heart cry and smile at the same time.

"Full of Ship" is South African comedy at its best and definitely a show worth watching if you get the chance. 

"Guide to understanding the introverted"

As an introverted person I must say that this is so true! I was actually trying to explain the whole 'personal space bubble" to someone the other day and then a friend happened to share this with me! Coincidence or what?!
Anyhoo for all those who do not quite get us introverts, this should help... :)
Courtesy of +Chipo Hamukoma and 9GAG :)

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? IS it a JOB?! NO! Its a rejection email.

How awesome is life? So I post my "unemployment" piece a few days ago and today I receive a rejection email. But, I guess this is a step up. Most of the time I don't even get a rejection response. I just get nothing and just know that my application has been unsuccessful, if it was even viewed at all. So, YAY! I got a response! And even a negative one is better than no response at all, right?

So this should be pretty embarrassing and I should be ashamed... Not parading it around for the world to see, right? Well I think I'm pretty much at rock bottom. So I might as well make some use of my situation... And also, if there are other people facing similar situations like me, they can know that they are not alone...

Well, guess it's time to check those sites again and apply for some more jobs ey... *SIGH*

Confessions of a Bookaholic - 10

Unemployed and so happy - NOT

Technically, I do have a job, but I don't think it really counts... So this is a piece I wrote for someone a short while ago, and it still applies. I'm not going to say any more because I think I say it all in the piece.

So here it is:

I’m 23 years old and I’m sitting at home warming the furniture. I completed my degree in 2011 with a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Journalism & Media Studies and English from Rhodes University.

It’s now 2013, and I have yet to find a job. Okay, technically, I do have a job. But, it’s a part time one. I've been working as a secretary for an accountant since July 2012. It started off as being a three month temporary position while his usual secretary went on maternity leave. She then extended the leave and thereafter I was asked to stay on to just ‘help her ease back into the working process’. As of January this year I am called in for just two weeks a month to help out during the VAT period. All I basically do is pretty much run around the office helping out with odds and ends that the secretary cannot get to… I answer the phone, take messages, and mostly just do filing. Now and then I may get to do something really exciting – data capturing! Most of the time though I have to find work to do or create work for myself. As of May 2013 I now have a 'full time' job as a secretary - EXCITING stuff.

So, yes, I got an expensive piece of paper stating that I have this ‘awesome’ degree to be a secretary’s assistant. Makes me feel real good about myself…

When I first completed my degree, I was nervous about entering the working world. I didn't really know what to expect or if I’d make it… But, I was excited to do so, to have a job. I guess I should have started looking for a job while I was still studying, but I didn't think. So I only started looking for one in January the following year. I thought I’d just look around for a few weeks and be working in no time.

How ignorant I was. Despite knowing all about the high unemployment rates in South Africa and hearing all the stories about how difficult it is to get a job; I thought because I had a degree and that too from Rhodes University (oooooo), that I would get a job with ease.

So I started applying for jobs. I initially started with just writing jobs, then moved on to editing as well as I realized I’d prefer a job as a sub-editor and could keep writing on my own. I applied for jobs in newspapers, and online, for jobs in Pietermaritzburg, Durban, Cape Town, Johannesburg – pretty much anywhere and everywhere. The main problem is, when searching for jobs, most places ask for a minimum of five years’ experience. If they’re not asking for five years, its two… If a job position asked for two years or less experience, I would still apply for it, because I’m that desperate. So I’d just send my CV and in my cover letter I would state that all the vacation work, volunteer work and work at student publications that I’d done during my studies adds up to quite a bit of experience and hope for the best.

The first response that I received was for a junior reporter post at a local newspaper, I was to be called in for an interview, but I had yet to have my licence, which was a must. So that fell through. My mum still goes around telling everyone that I would have had that job if not for the licence issue – it’s her way of feeling better, that it wasn't any fault of mine… If only I had had my licence the job would have been mine, despite the fact that I was just one of many being called in for the interview.

Thereafter I had only being called in for two interviews, and had one interview over the phone. My first interview was at an online motivational publication. I royally messed up the interview. I’m very bad at the verbal and face-to-face interactions, which is why the whole system screws me over even more. If only everything were based from a dark room where no one could see me and I could just be judged on my writing (or editing) I might stand a better chance. But either way, the job wasn't suited to me, I’m not very big on motivational nonsense, life is was it is, the end. The next interview came months later. It was for a junior position as a sub-editor. I really got my hopes up for this. The interview wasn't the greatest, but I thought I managed to stumble through okay… I had to also do an aptitude test and an editing test. I eventually heard back from them over a month later, after I’d already assumed that I hadn't gotten the position. I was politely told that the position was given to someone with more experience, but that they were very impressed with me and my application and I should keep an eye out for any future positions at the company and keep applying. I realized that was all probably utter hogwash that they just tell people to let them off gently.

After these failings I’d just given up. I stopped applying for jobs or even looking. I resigned myself to the fact that I’m just not good enough and that’s that. I’d applied for SO many jobs, and only heard back from a few, and that too to be turned down. Most places didn't even give me a rejection response. I wasn't even good enough to be rejected.

I know that you have to keep trying, you cannot give up. But I've been trying for over a year now and I’m just depressed. When people ask what I’m doing I just jokingly say I’m unemployed or sitting at home or on sabbatical or something, but every time I’m asked that question and forced to face it, I just get depressed. I spend days just crying about it. I think of everyone I know, they've all got awesome jobs and are out there moving on and living their lives, even the people who didn't study! That’s what hurts the most, I studied and cannot get a job, yet someone who barely passed matric is living it up with a top notch job. It’s extremely embarrassing that I still live with my parents and have to rely on my dad for everything. I’m at the age where I should be doing everything for myself and helping out my parents… not living off them.

I keep applying for jobs hoping that THIS will be the one! Finally I’ll get a call back. But, nothing. It’s just me. I’m just not job material. I keep applying, but I have no hope. I've reached the point where I will do anything! If I find any job paying more than my 'part time' 'secretary' job, I’ll take it, whether it’s as a secretary, a PA or a waitress, I’ll do it. What more can I do? 

Strange, but fitting

Someone sent this to me this morning. Its so completely strange because it speaks directly to my life at the moment and what I'm going through. So I thought I'd just share it... And maybe somehow I can use this miracle to help me overcome...

"John 21v3....that night they caught nothing. V6 Jesus said“Cast your net on the other side of the boat and YOU WILL find some”

Have you been toiling all night? Your life has been all about running all over to find answers,cause everything you have tried has yielded no results,the burden seems too much to bear. The disciples being men had to produce they had to bring home the food. They probably were so frustrated when just on time the Master of the sea showed up!He had an answer like He always does. Psalm 55v22“Cast your burdens on the Lord,and He shall sustain you.”

Jesus now says you tried and tried now try casting on the other side where YOU WILL find answers,not maybe or I think you will,He was sure therefore He said ,“YOU WILL” FIND ANSWERS!Give up whatever it is you have been doing and just lean on Him,He is a friend that sticks closer than a brother,Proverbs 19v8. He will provide in abundance not just for yourself but for your entire family as well. Romans 15v13“Now may the God of Hope fill you with all Joy and Peace in Believing.” God is our only source of Hope, give up running all over where there are no answers Run to Him,He has arms wide open to embrace YOU!"

No More Internet - New Phone

This is going to come across as a bit lame, but its just tester... I've got a new phone, so just checking if blogger will fully function on it. I must say that typing is seriously tedious with this thing. Don't know if its this keypad (which is crap) or if its just THIS (trying to blog). I'm desperate enough to suffer through it 'cause I don't have internet access any longer :( *sniff sniff*

So, here goes! *fingers crossed*
PS- BlackBerry 9360, not a worthwhile phone.

10 Reasons Introverts and Books are BFF'S

This is SO true! It's like whoever created was in my mind!

Passenger - Let Her Go

Absolutely loving this song right now!

The Lyrics:

Well you only need the light when it's burning low
Only miss the sun when it starts to snow
Only know you love her when you let her go

Only know you've been high when you're feeling low
Only hate the road when you’re missin' home
Only know you love her when you let her go
And you let her go

Staring at the bottom of your glass
Hoping one day you'll make a dream last
But dreams come slow and they go so fast

You see her when you close your eyes
Maybe one day you'll understand why
Everything you touch surely dies

But you only need the light when it's burning low
Only miss the sun when it starts to snow
Only know you love her when you let her go

Only know you've been high when you're feeling low
Only hate the road when you're missin' home
Only know you love her when you let her go

Staring at the ceiling in the dark
Same old empty feeling in your heart
'Cause love comes slow and it goes so fast

Well you see her when you fall asleep
But never to touch and never to keep
'Cause you loved her too much
And you dived too deep

Well you only need the light when it's burning low
Only miss the sun when it starts to snow
Only know you love her when you let her go

Only know you've been high when you're feeling low
Only hate the road when you're missin' home
Only know you love her when you let her go

And you let her go
And you let her go
Well you let her go

'Cause you only need the light when it's burning low
Only miss the sun when it starts to snow
Only know you love her when you let her go

Only know you've been high when you're feeling low
Only hate the road when you're missin' home
Only know you love her when you let her go

'Cause you only need the light when it's burning low
Only miss the sun when it starts to snow
Only know you love her when you let her go

Only know you've been high when you're feeling low
Only hate the road when you're missin' home
Only know you love her when you let her go

And you let her go

Confessions of a Bookaholic - 9

Diary of a learner driver

When you're learning to drive you're nervous as hell with just the thought of going out onto the road and actually staying between the white lines and not smashing any curbs or anything. And you have to know where all the gadgets in the car are and when and how to appropriately use them. THEN you have to deal with the added pressure of OTHER CARS on the roads! And basically being able to drive properly without meeting in any accidents or endangering the lives of anyone on the road, AND most especially NOT PISSING OFF OTHER DRIVERS.

Come on, you've all been a learner driver at some stage in your life. And most of you were nervous and took some getting used to it... (not including those random freaks of nature to whom driving just comes naturally *insert rolling eyes face*).

So you know what it's like to get onto the road and face all the other cars, drivers, pedestrians, robots, road signs, yield signs, parking... and so on and so forth... Its SCARY!(And you also know the feeling of setting off on your journey and making it to your destination hassle free :) - there is something to look forward to).
So basically, as a driver who's still learning how to deal with, um, well, everything... Here's a few things that just really make life difficult, and sorting these things out would just be oh so helpful and would certainly make life so much easier...

• Taxi drivers - need to be banned! They are just about the worst things on the road (and in life in general). They DO NOT follow ANY rules whatsoever. They live in a land of their own where they are the rulers and everyone bows to them or suffers. EXPERIENCED drivers find them hell to deal with, so imagine how learner drivers feel?! When I was driving once, a taxi driver up front just suddenly started reversing! I panicked like death and was seriously shaken up a while afterwards. He could have killed me! So seriously, taxi drivers are just pure evil and need to go (unless they're going to start following the laws of the land and stop making up their own).
• Pedestrians are DUMB! Seriously! The bane of existence. I actually don't know if they're AS bad as taxi drivers or WORSE! 'The walking man has turned red and the big thing with lights on it (what we call a robot) has turned green, so of course it means we must walk across the road AND do so as slowly as possible!' Idiots! 'Ag, do I REALLY have to look left and right and then left again?! Screw this shit, I'm just running across the road and everything will be fine 'cause I'm superman!' Complete and utter morons! (PS: I know I am also a pedestrian too, but I know how to follow the rules, I don't think I'm immortal, and I think a car is way scarier than I am!)
• Potholes. Really, its hard enough having to not go too close to the curb or too far to the opposing lane, but now we've got to dodge potholes  Just great. Especially that feeling when you hit one! The government has money to waste on a whole ton of junk (not including the high scale parties). So is it so much to ask that they put the taxpayers money to good use by fixing the roads we use thus making driving more pleasant and less of a risk...
• Speed bumps! One of the stupidest inventions ever. I already hate having to change gears, speed bumps make me change more! And no matter how slow you go you still feel that lil boop, and it does NOT feel nice. Speed bumps also damage your car (or so I've heard) and really it's expensive enough owning a car and just paying for the daily running of it, we don't need any additional expenses. 
• Off ramps leading onto highways. It's seriously hard! Having to turn and check for a gap and enter the highway from the off ramp. Its just really terrifying and difficult! What if its super busy and trucks just keep coming one after the other and you're so scared you won't make it, so you just wait there and a ton of cars pile up behind you and they're all getting impatient and pissed off so they're honking and flashing and you just don't know WHAT to do?! (yes, it happened to me the other day). There should seriously be a lane that just goes on down straight from the off ramp entering onto the highway, so you can just stay on that lane and not be of any hindrance to anyone else. Doesn't that make sense? Doesn't it?!
• Yield signs. I really don't know whether to stop or go or what to really do here. I know the theory behind it, you slow down... check the road... if there's a car you stop, if no cars you go... But it just confuses the shizz outta me!
• All roads should be flat! I know this sounds insane, but think about it... It makes life with gear changing just so much simpler, you won't have to change as much! And the whole, when should I change, when shouldn't I problem is gone. When I'm going up on a bit of an incline I think I've got to stay in second gear, but then the car starts revving and the speedometer hits just over 40 and my mother's like "you can hear the car is suffering, you should change to third" and I'm like but I thought you go up a hill on second... Its just confusing! Also, you wouldn't have to worry about rolling... 
• And finally, all other drivers should just get off the road! I'm sorry, but I think I'm a pretty decent driver, until another car gets on the road with me... Then I just start panicking and freaking out and just lose it on the road. I am getting better, but these drivers just seriously don't help. I'll be driving along nicely, but keeping the speed limit 'cause I'm still learning how to properly control the car... And traffic cops just happen to be ANYWHERE at any time and I really do not want to get a ticket or be stopped by a traffic cop, that is seriously the LAST thing I need to help my confidence as a driver. And then you get some impatient jerk behind me who just overtakes with an attitude and makes me so nervous! I'm sticking to the speed limit you douche! Shouldn't you be doing that too?! (Seriously, having a speed limit does absolutely NOTHING! I don't know of anyone, other than learner drivers, who keep to the limit...) Then you get those drivers who don't stop at stop streets, they dart across lanes without any warning... They drive too close to you... They don't use indicators... Don't know how a four way stop works... The list is ENDLESS! Simply put, drivers are completely selfish and think they're the only one's on the road! So they need to be gotten rid off. 

Basically, if all the above mentioned are seen to, I just might make it to be a good driver...

11 Things You Should Stop Saying To Introverts | Thought Catalog

11 Things You Should Stop Saying To Introverts | Thought Catalog
This is taken directly from the site and I have not altered it in any way (everything within the inverted commas).

"1. Why are you so quiet? Oh yeah? Well why are you always rolling around yapping your pie hole and acting like gorilla all the time. Getting asked why introverts are “so quiet” is really annoying, but it just underscores how much value people place on talking and filling up the air with meaningless sound.

2. You must not but that smart — I mean, you never say anything in class. Introverts are quiet because we don’t find value in idle conversation, talking for the sake of talking. We may not raise our hands right away, but it doesn’t mean we’re not processing ideas in our own way. We have lots to say about stuff because we are always thinking.

3. You need to get out more. Extroverts think that introversion is something that can be fixed by simply throwing yourself out there, like maybe if you had three more Appletini’s than everybody else you’ll be cured once and for all. But going out more isn’t always the answer, especially when you can enjoy a nice quiet evening at home with your books or video games or Netflix or porn or whatever it is you like to enjoy.

4. Don’t worry about her/him. She/he’s just really shy. But being shy and being an introvert aren’t the same thing. Some introverts love going out and being social, but then we need some time to ourselves to regroup and to “come down” from the experience, so to speak. Getting out more isn’t the answer. You just need to accept the fact that sometimes we feel like being out and sometimes we don’t. No explanation needed.

5. SPEAK UP. No, you lean in and listen carefully to what we are saying.

6. Are you OK? Because introverts are often quiet and drawn into our own thoughts, extroverts think that we are always mad or upset or sad about something. But we are FINE!

7. Why do you hate people so much?

8. Do you have any friends? You’re always alone.

9. Are you mad at me? This one is slippery, because people do deal with being mad at someone in a variety of ways, including not talking to them. But in general, we’re not mad or upset, unless you’re feeling guilty because you know you did something wrong.

10. You’re going home already? We just got here!

11. You are so boring. Look, people enjoy different kinds of stimulation. If you want to be friends with or date someone who you think is “boring” because their lifestyle doesn’t match yours, then you should probably try harder to understand them or compromise with them at the very least. That or find somebody who matches your constantly riveting rhythm."

PS: Thanks for this Lesh :)
I usually just roll my eyes inwardly at people who do this to me and call them morons (as well as many other colourful names) in my mind. Seen as I'm not much of a talker (lol), its nice to have this all put into words for me...
Hopefully people will read this and become better people (or at least more understanding)... HOPEFULLY lol

PPS: There's just 11 on this list, I have much MUCH more on mine (which I'll just keep to myself, for the time being at least).