Evening All,
Following last week's final adventures in my little Vivienne, she is awaiting her final journey to Car heaven as is still on my driveway. The 2011-plate little orange Ford Fiesta, with her five-door hatchback body and a 1.4L engine she certainly was everything I had ever hoped for in my first car. Viv's multi-functional steering wheel, automatic headlights and rain sensors I was please that I had experienced my first real taste of the open road in her. But alas all good things must come to an end and this week and I will hopefully be welcoming in a new car to my driveway, other than the swanky black Vauxhall Corsa I have had the pleasure of driving for the last few days.
After a heavy night of drinking, dancing and laughing with Miss Hackney and Miss Sugar-Coat, I was not sure I could even look at a car, let alone drive one. But nevertheless, taking time out on Saturday to have a race day with my fiance, Mr Warehouse, at the Bruntingthorpe track in the Harborough district of Leicestershire was certainly one way to get over a fragile head. The best way though, Im not so sure!? A Christmas present from last year from Mr. Warehouse, he had certainly been listening to me when I was banging on about driving a fast car round a race-track. And so I drove the hired Vauxhall Corsa through the country lanes and even avoided a few horses on the road not to mention the sheep crossing too.
I had a fantastic day driving a Mazda MX5 race car. Complete with full roll cage, race suspension and mechanical backup, this was the perfect car for Bruntingthorpe Airbase circuit and has left me wanting more. And so I booked the Bae and me to experience a Ariel Atom Passenger ride where Mr. Warehouse and I hit the tarmac for a supercharged Ariel Atom. The Atom houses a Jacskson Racing Supercharged Honda i-VTEC engine. Stripped to it's bare essentials, a chassis, wheels, engine, gearbox and suspension gives the Atom a better power to weight ratio than the mighty Bugati Veyron. Experiencing one of the quickest cars with a 0.60 in less than 3 seconds was exciting and a great day out and was sure to get our adrenaline pumping.
And after waiting patiently for the last few days I finally had the call I was expecting from the insurance company. Answering all the relevant security questions I prepared myself for the inevitable conversation of being paid barely enough to pay of my finance deal, let alone buy another car.
"Sorry can I just get you to clarify that again for me?" I asked, desperately trying to process exactly what the call handler has just told me.
"Yes certainly madam. So the car's total value is £8,500.00 give or take. Now obviously we have the insurance excess and a few admin charge that we need to take off before we pay the finance company. Although once the insurance company has paid off the finance deal and taken the relevant fees we will be transferring the remainder £4,200.00 over to yourself. Is this OK?" the call handler explained. I was shocked to say the least! Considering I had already bought and financed the car at quite a high rate of interest I was not expecting a single penny back to me at all. As long as the finance deal was settled in full be it partly an insurance pay-out and partly my asset protection insurance to cover the rest, I considered walking away from the situation washing my hands and starting afresh.
"Hello? Miss? Are you there?" the friendly young gentleman said on the other line. Confirming some further details the the call ended and I expected to receive a email or phone call shortly after explaining that there had been a mistake in the finance settlement.
However, less than a few hours later I received an email confirming exactly what I was told over the phone and that I should be expecting payment within the next forty-eight hours. Still in shock, I thought of didn't really believe it until I saw my bank account the next day which read a full four digits on my screen. Excited I started looking for my new car right away, all in the knowledge that I could receive a phone call any second telling me that I would need to hand my hire car back. This would probably have not been such a big deal had I been living in Bedford town center as before, however as I am now a country bumpkin living out in the sticks of Cranfield I have no choice but to need a car. Although I was certainly not going to be making the same mistake as I did last week when I eagerly called the insurance company so I could get the ball rolling following a message from the estimator's garage.
Mostly over the last few days I have been spent looking online at car dealerships websites for any car that tickles my fancy. Obviously I am not looking for much in my next car however I would like some specifications I have since become accustomed to. Firstly on my shopping list is the price as I would like to keep it under the same value that I am already paying on a monthly basis. Secondly, I need the car to be at least a 1.4 engine as anything smaller would be taking a back step from my previous vehicle. Ideally I would like the car to be newer with less mileage on the clock. If I can continue with a petrol engine then that would be fantastic but it must be a manual, only for the fear that if I was to get an automatic with my lazy brain I would forget how to drive stick. Mod-Cons that I would be looking for may include a heated windscreen to save time in the wintery months, a heated steering wheel for exactly the same reason and even a touch screen navigation system.
However that being said, I think I may have already met my new car. Scrolling online I found a cute little Fiat 500L in red. The 1.3 liter, 5-door multijet needs to be moved closer for me to have a proper look around the car and even have a whizz around town but with just over thirty-thousand miles on it 2013 plate clock, it was certainly a steal at £140 per month on a Hire Purchase finance deal.
Now I know what your thinking, walking away from this unscathed and essentially up n an investment, why didn't I consider a brand spanking new motor? The fact is that it would depreciate by over a third just by driving it off the forecourt which is and always has been a huge factor in why I chose second-hand over new not just the first time buying a car but also the second time too. With no noticeable damage or scratches to the paintwork and it's almighty diesel engine I am certainly looking forward to receiving my new car and hopefully having this one for good!
'Til next time, Love A.Lou xx
Showing posts with label Fast and Furious. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fast and Furious. Show all posts
Monday, 1 April 2019
Monday, 11 April 2016
An Uphill Struggle!
Hello Dears!
So last week was a bit of a bummer and after a few more straws being added to the already dead horse, most of them being today, I am feeling more and more distanced from some of my work colleagues. With most of the office now in the knowledge that I was considering applying, not taking the role I might add - Just considering, I feel slightly talked about. Nevertheless, there are bigger, better and more important things in my life than them and their silly lives that I should focus my time and attention on. Ergo, not another breath or character shall be wasted.
Alas, this time last week I was still naive to the fact that my Driving Theory Test was going to be harder than expected. A strange mix of nerves and confidence simmered away all day in a consistent revision marathon combining quick-fire questions over a cuppa to hardcore hazard perception and knowledgeable facts of the road, all before it came time to face the music (or lack of shall I say).
Building myself up, my Work-Dad dropped me off in Milton Keynes before going off to see some friends for dinner. Going into the pub for a quick coffee to stimulate me I went over some last revision questions on my App. Walking round the corner and into the Pearson Test Centre was nerve-shattering. Placing my items into a locker and registering was scary. The women behind the desk had a kind face but looked very unforgiving. Handing over my provisional licence and confirming some details I could feel the nerves trying to take over. It was a struggle just to stay still. Finally going through to the holding room I was greeted by an older lady, although very much kinder and sweeter, complimenting me on my weight loss since the photo on my driving licence was over four years old and was taken when I weighed close to twenty-stone, about two-hundred and eighty pounds. reassuring me and instilling some confidence in me lost through the nerves she ushered me into a very quiet room with lots of computers and explained I should be seated and continue through the questions.
Cautiously clicking my way through the fifty questions I had discovered a few I was unfamiliar with but pushed whatever negative thoughts away to the back of my head and concentrated harder than I have ever done in my whole entire life. This was a big deal. I could not walk back into the office tomorrow (despite how much I was hating on the inhabitants at the time) only to report that I had failed. I needed to win! Finishing the questions, next up was the hazard perception videos and sure enough, fourteen clips later I was ready to leave.
Collecting my things and heading straight into Milton Keynes City Centre I was excited to see my results. Practically running all the way to meet The Tweedles for dinner I thought of all the possibilities this letter could bring. I could go away on shopping trips by myself and explore places no-one else would find fascinating but me. Mr. Warehouse, Puppy and I could go on long weekends camping in Yurts and Teepee's. My Tweedles and I could go for day trips to fun places and explore summery canals and countrysides. Not peaking at all until I was with Miss Tweedle-Dumb and Miss Tweedle-Dee in a car park opposite Jamies Italian and, with Mr. Warehouse on speaker-phone I opened the envelope. Heart pounding, my palms still sweating and my mouth still as dry as the Sahara my eyes flicked to one word on the piece of paper. Failed.
Gutted I read out the reasonings as to my failed test results. I had scrapped by on my fifty questions, but it was my hazard perception that has let me down - The one thing I felt in the test confident about! By only one mark I had failed. What made it worse is that because it was hazard perception had flunked on I had only missed passing by maybe a second or two. You see the hazard perception is a combination of fourteen video clips where a road scene is depicted. Throughout the course of the minute or so clip a hazard will appear and you have five seconds to spot it. When there is a hazard that may alter how you would need to react as the driver, that's when you are supposed to click and you are scored five to zero on your reaction time to the hazard, five being the highest per clip. So when I know that the only reason I failed was because I was not fast enough it was certainly a sore point and like a bear with a sore head I was in a foul mood for the rest of the evening.
Feeling aweful following my failed attempt at my Driving Theory Test, I booked it again for this coming Saturday and I am preparing for a battle against nerves for I know I can do it this time, I just need to take back the wheel from the anxiety and apprehension, tackling the questions and the hazard perception head on! My failure left me feeling pretty crap to be honest but after a comfy morning with Mr. Warehouse and some Puppy cuddles in bed I was flustered and on edge for my first driving lesson. Finally settling on the company Bill Plant I was pleasantly surprised with my instructor as he was older as I expected and very dry in humour. With an odd smell about him but a comforting back story and firm but fair teaching ethic I was very happy with my choice of instructor and can easily see myself passing with him.
Sitting in the driving seat of a brand spanking new shiny Black BMW 3 series estate I was more than comfortable. I felt relaxed and at ease. Setting off from where we had be stationary I learnt quickly the biting point of the clutch and how to change gears quickly and efficiently. Pulling off, braking and checking my mirrors (Oh Jesus Christ, checking those mirrors) I need improvements on but all in all it was a very good lesson. I enjoyed it one hell of a lot more than I expected. I only stalled once and by the end of the two hour lesson I was getting better still at clutch control and changing gears which, in my head at least, made me something along the lines of that Spanish chick from The Fast and Furious Collection - Rodriguez someone?! Yeah her! Totally not her though, especially when I take corners too wide and nearly put my instructor through the window when I brake! Nevertheless I went on real roads and tackled real cars. Am I ready for F1, I doubt it ... But I cannot wait for my next lesson! Just gotta pass that Driving Theory Test!
Wish me luck!
'Til next time, Love A.Lou xx
So last week was a bit of a bummer and after a few more straws being added to the already dead horse, most of them being today, I am feeling more and more distanced from some of my work colleagues. With most of the office now in the knowledge that I was considering applying, not taking the role I might add - Just considering, I feel slightly talked about. Nevertheless, there are bigger, better and more important things in my life than them and their silly lives that I should focus my time and attention on. Ergo, not another breath or character shall be wasted.
Alas, this time last week I was still naive to the fact that my Driving Theory Test was going to be harder than expected. A strange mix of nerves and confidence simmered away all day in a consistent revision marathon combining quick-fire questions over a cuppa to hardcore hazard perception and knowledgeable facts of the road, all before it came time to face the music (or lack of shall I say).
Building myself up, my Work-Dad dropped me off in Milton Keynes before going off to see some friends for dinner. Going into the pub for a quick coffee to stimulate me I went over some last revision questions on my App. Walking round the corner and into the Pearson Test Centre was nerve-shattering. Placing my items into a locker and registering was scary. The women behind the desk had a kind face but looked very unforgiving. Handing over my provisional licence and confirming some details I could feel the nerves trying to take over. It was a struggle just to stay still. Finally going through to the holding room I was greeted by an older lady, although very much kinder and sweeter, complimenting me on my weight loss since the photo on my driving licence was over four years old and was taken when I weighed close to twenty-stone, about two-hundred and eighty pounds. reassuring me and instilling some confidence in me lost through the nerves she ushered me into a very quiet room with lots of computers and explained I should be seated and continue through the questions.
Cautiously clicking my way through the fifty questions I had discovered a few I was unfamiliar with but pushed whatever negative thoughts away to the back of my head and concentrated harder than I have ever done in my whole entire life. This was a big deal. I could not walk back into the office tomorrow (despite how much I was hating on the inhabitants at the time) only to report that I had failed. I needed to win! Finishing the questions, next up was the hazard perception videos and sure enough, fourteen clips later I was ready to leave.
Collecting my things and heading straight into Milton Keynes City Centre I was excited to see my results. Practically running all the way to meet The Tweedles for dinner I thought of all the possibilities this letter could bring. I could go away on shopping trips by myself and explore places no-one else would find fascinating but me. Mr. Warehouse, Puppy and I could go on long weekends camping in Yurts and Teepee's. My Tweedles and I could go for day trips to fun places and explore summery canals and countrysides. Not peaking at all until I was with Miss Tweedle-Dumb and Miss Tweedle-Dee in a car park opposite Jamies Italian and, with Mr. Warehouse on speaker-phone I opened the envelope. Heart pounding, my palms still sweating and my mouth still as dry as the Sahara my eyes flicked to one word on the piece of paper. Failed.
Gutted I read out the reasonings as to my failed test results. I had scrapped by on my fifty questions, but it was my hazard perception that has let me down - The one thing I felt in the test confident about! By only one mark I had failed. What made it worse is that because it was hazard perception had flunked on I had only missed passing by maybe a second or two. You see the hazard perception is a combination of fourteen video clips where a road scene is depicted. Throughout the course of the minute or so clip a hazard will appear and you have five seconds to spot it. When there is a hazard that may alter how you would need to react as the driver, that's when you are supposed to click and you are scored five to zero on your reaction time to the hazard, five being the highest per clip. So when I know that the only reason I failed was because I was not fast enough it was certainly a sore point and like a bear with a sore head I was in a foul mood for the rest of the evening.
Feeling aweful following my failed attempt at my Driving Theory Test, I booked it again for this coming Saturday and I am preparing for a battle against nerves for I know I can do it this time, I just need to take back the wheel from the anxiety and apprehension, tackling the questions and the hazard perception head on! My failure left me feeling pretty crap to be honest but after a comfy morning with Mr. Warehouse and some Puppy cuddles in bed I was flustered and on edge for my first driving lesson. Finally settling on the company Bill Plant I was pleasantly surprised with my instructor as he was older as I expected and very dry in humour. With an odd smell about him but a comforting back story and firm but fair teaching ethic I was very happy with my choice of instructor and can easily see myself passing with him.
Sitting in the driving seat of a brand spanking new shiny Black BMW 3 series estate I was more than comfortable. I felt relaxed and at ease. Setting off from where we had be stationary I learnt quickly the biting point of the clutch and how to change gears quickly and efficiently. Pulling off, braking and checking my mirrors (Oh Jesus Christ, checking those mirrors) I need improvements on but all in all it was a very good lesson. I enjoyed it one hell of a lot more than I expected. I only stalled once and by the end of the two hour lesson I was getting better still at clutch control and changing gears which, in my head at least, made me something along the lines of that Spanish chick from The Fast and Furious Collection - Rodriguez someone?! Yeah her! Totally not her though, especially when I take corners too wide and nearly put my instructor through the window when I brake! Nevertheless I went on real roads and tackled real cars. Am I ready for F1, I doubt it ... But I cannot wait for my next lesson! Just gotta pass that Driving Theory Test!
Wish me luck!
'Til next time, Love A.Lou xx
Monday, 30 November 2015
A Lazy Weekend Of Not Doing Much At All!
Hello Dears!
Last week was a very productive, very forward planning weekend and despite having spent little or no money (well ... maybe a few pennies) I felt as though Miss Tweedle-Dumb and I had a good shopping trip all round. And as I write this she is probably soaking up the warm-er weather of Rome with her boyfriend. So Jealous!
But you would think that after finding out I had new boobs, or at least the rediscovery of boobs that were there but not cared for, I would have an equally planned out weekend including Christmas preparation and wrapping and present buying all tied up in one. and truth be told I did have that planned although after being told that I was no longer working my second job on Saturday morning I sought no need to get up early and head out the door and so therefore spent the entire day in bed. I only braved the chill of outside the duvet a handful of times, either for food or the bathroom.
Soon enough though my alone time was over as Mr. Warehouse crashed through the door from work, soaking wet from the torrential down pour outside and chillier than a penguins freezer. And so after making mozzarella filled meatballs with spaghetti, my lovely Mr. Warehouse came and joined me in my bed. Snuggling up under my duvet watching rubbish TV made me realise that I do really care for him and as I began to get a headache I saw just how much he cared for me also as he swaddled me in a cosy blanket and made me melted chocolate buttons (which is my fave!) Such a sweetie! We finally finished watching the Fast and Furious box-set we had been lent several weeks ago and after much deliberation I had come to the conclusion that The Fast and The Furious: Tokyo Drift makes absolutely no sense and as a female, watching along with a male, I am still incredibly confused as to what exactly it's point in the saga is. I just don't get it. Some South-American Hill-billy guy goes to Tokyo, makes friends with Bow-Wow and drives a significant number of cars less than Vin Diesel, whom I might add, like the rest of the Fast and Furious cast including Paul Walker (RIP), Michelle Rodriguez and Samantha Vincent are seemingly missing in action on this film? Albeit it was an OK film, but I will be honest, the only reason I watched it was for the sequence of events that lead up to Fast and Furious 7.
In fact, thinking about it now I would like to think that my baby brother would be proud of me for asking, if not begging for those films to be played. Sometimes I wish that it was him I was sharing a moment with, drinking a beer or two and enjoying a film we used to secretly watch as kids even if we weren't old enough. I wonder all the time what he is up to and where he is. I know roughly where him and the mother lives although I wouldn't dare try to hunt them down. Whilst I see my mother as a poisonous plant that needs to be stamped out, I know my brother should be left like a wild animal to become tame and discover himself before coming to find me, rather than me hunting for him and pushing a relationship onto him that he is not comfortable with. I hear through the grape-vine that he has passed his driving licence and whilst slightly miffed that he passed before I did, I am proud of my Little Bro' and all he has and will achieve.
I enjoyed my relaxing weekend but this week ahead of me will be chocka to say the least. Tonight is standard Monday night blues as I mourn the weekend, remember how poor I am and rush something cardboard-y and horrible tasting for dinner. Tuesday and Thursday I am working at my second job this week if they don't decide to cancel it (the bastards). Wednesday you ask? Ahh yes. Wednesday I will be returning back to my Home-Town to visit some family coming over from Southern Ireland in which we shall share a Chinese and drink probably a few glasses in order to numb the drone of the bickering over something that doesn't wholly matter. But by the time my hangover has ended it will be weekend and after booking Friday off from work and reserving a hotel in London I will be thoroughly looking forward to my weekend away with Mr. Warehouse, especially Hyde Park's Winter Wonderland with The Tweedles and Friends!
'Til next time, Love A.Lou xx
Last week was a very productive, very forward planning weekend and despite having spent little or no money (well ... maybe a few pennies) I felt as though Miss Tweedle-Dumb and I had a good shopping trip all round. And as I write this she is probably soaking up the warm-er weather of Rome with her boyfriend. So Jealous!
But you would think that after finding out I had new boobs, or at least the rediscovery of boobs that were there but not cared for, I would have an equally planned out weekend including Christmas preparation and wrapping and present buying all tied up in one. and truth be told I did have that planned although after being told that I was no longer working my second job on Saturday morning I sought no need to get up early and head out the door and so therefore spent the entire day in bed. I only braved the chill of outside the duvet a handful of times, either for food or the bathroom.
Soon enough though my alone time was over as Mr. Warehouse crashed through the door from work, soaking wet from the torrential down pour outside and chillier than a penguins freezer. And so after making mozzarella filled meatballs with spaghetti, my lovely Mr. Warehouse came and joined me in my bed. Snuggling up under my duvet watching rubbish TV made me realise that I do really care for him and as I began to get a headache I saw just how much he cared for me also as he swaddled me in a cosy blanket and made me melted chocolate buttons (which is my fave!) Such a sweetie! We finally finished watching the Fast and Furious box-set we had been lent several weeks ago and after much deliberation I had come to the conclusion that The Fast and The Furious: Tokyo Drift makes absolutely no sense and as a female, watching along with a male, I am still incredibly confused as to what exactly it's point in the saga is. I just don't get it. Some South-American Hill-billy guy goes to Tokyo, makes friends with Bow-Wow and drives a significant number of cars less than Vin Diesel, whom I might add, like the rest of the Fast and Furious cast including Paul Walker (RIP), Michelle Rodriguez and Samantha Vincent are seemingly missing in action on this film? Albeit it was an OK film, but I will be honest, the only reason I watched it was for the sequence of events that lead up to Fast and Furious 7.
In fact, thinking about it now I would like to think that my baby brother would be proud of me for asking, if not begging for those films to be played. Sometimes I wish that it was him I was sharing a moment with, drinking a beer or two and enjoying a film we used to secretly watch as kids even if we weren't old enough. I wonder all the time what he is up to and where he is. I know roughly where him and the mother lives although I wouldn't dare try to hunt them down. Whilst I see my mother as a poisonous plant that needs to be stamped out, I know my brother should be left like a wild animal to become tame and discover himself before coming to find me, rather than me hunting for him and pushing a relationship onto him that he is not comfortable with. I hear through the grape-vine that he has passed his driving licence and whilst slightly miffed that he passed before I did, I am proud of my Little Bro' and all he has and will achieve.
I enjoyed my relaxing weekend but this week ahead of me will be chocka to say the least. Tonight is standard Monday night blues as I mourn the weekend, remember how poor I am and rush something cardboard-y and horrible tasting for dinner. Tuesday and Thursday I am working at my second job this week if they don't decide to cancel it (the bastards). Wednesday you ask? Ahh yes. Wednesday I will be returning back to my Home-Town to visit some family coming over from Southern Ireland in which we shall share a Chinese and drink probably a few glasses in order to numb the drone of the bickering over something that doesn't wholly matter. But by the time my hangover has ended it will be weekend and after booking Friday off from work and reserving a hotel in London I will be thoroughly looking forward to my weekend away with Mr. Warehouse, especially Hyde Park's Winter Wonderland with The Tweedles and Friends!
'Til next time, Love A.Lou xx
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