Undertaking the artform

OK, now this is going to be a rant. On Aussie roads the art of undertaking is so finely developed that having been here almost three years I'm starting to think it is me that is at fault. Happily changing between lanes, thinking about the road ahead, checking over my shoulder etc. Wow if I didn't I'd have been in hospital numerous times by now.

Up ahead I see my turn, moving with caution across to the middle lane, checking as I go, but wait I'm not breaking the speed limit, the car behind me can't get past cos the guy in the outside lane isn't either. What to do, oh I know says the stupid idiot behind me, "I'll undertake". At speeds that test my ageing reflexes the supercharged Commodore zips into the inside lane, despite my blinker flashing my intent, over my left shoulder I check, "hey, what was that, that lurid orange thing, looked like metal, could it be a car?"

Well yes it was, no surprises there, and an accident narrowly avoided, thank the lord I learned to drive in the UK. Seriously what happened to defensive driving, if you want to get past me think ahead, look at the roads conditions and the drivers around you and plan your course.

A friend of mine who works at the RTA has a theory about Aussie drivers. She thinks that because most cars are automatic, they can do little else but point and press the gas. Anything more challenging on the intellect they treat like an arcade game. I have to say I think that's a reasonable deduction but other suggestions are welcome!

a foot in both camps

The simple issue is that I am terribly proud of being British (will have to work out why and explain this to you I know) but am delighted that I am a resident of Australia. An ex once said to me "now you'll always have a foot in both camps"... I'm wondering still whether to believe her? In its harsh reality does this mean I'll never been home again? Or does this mean that'll have the best of both worlds?

She spent 12 years in London and we came to Australia for her to return home and for us to start a new life. We all live predicatable lives or lives of routine far too quickly. Did anyone ever see the film "About Last Night" with Rob Lowe and Demi Moore, I'm telling you you'll need to brush up on your Gen X references for this to be remotely relevant. Anyway, in it this couple get together and after a while have a routine, which is articulated in beautiful naffness when they explain to a friend that Tuesday night is "sandwich night", the night when neither of them cook! See routine.

Anyway, I realise that now I'm on my own and living in Sydney that I've not delved into its recesses the way I did in London. Sydney is now my home, so this blog will be sharing some of my exploits as I try and make sense of it all. Tonight another single friend and I are going to a gallery opening in Waterloo, shall I drive and not drink or drink and not drive. It'll be about how lazy I am come 6pm! And you know what's different about that decision in Sydney over London? I'd be getting p1ssed in London cos no one drives to work!