My grandmother learned to drive when she was 65 (after her husband passed away). She is now 101 and continues to live independently in her detached home. She is my hero!
Really enjoyed reading this. I always used to think that I should enjoy the destination more than the journey. It’s taken a long time realize the need to unbrainwash that mindset out, but I’ve started the process and its definitely benefitted me.
That was inspiring! I’ve read “if” many times. But I feel a personal reminder to be most inspiring. I truly love Trifgermometry, I’ll have to check out your podcast.
Don’t be too hard on yourself because learning to drive is challenging. I came to the UK from the US and had been driving there for over 50 years. I had owned many cars, trucks, and motorcycles. I thought it would be easy to adapt to driving in the UK. It wasn’t. It is much, much more difficult driving here compared to the US. It’s also harder to acquire a complex skill like driving when you’re no longer a teenager or young person. Press on mate, you’ll crack it.
Well done on the driving Francis! I passed my test only recently, determined after covid to finally get it. I think it will be great for you. It will teach you to be in the moment if nothing else! :)
So right, Francis - your failures leave valuable, indelible lessons with you, if you are inclined to take them. When I interviewed candidates for jobs, it was easy to elicit rich responses to the request ‘tell me about your successes’. If, when I asked for details of failures, a candidate said ‘none’, I would regard them as either bullshitters or people who had never pushed themselves.
Francis thank you for your words. I feel such a fucking failure lately and, just like you, I am putting all my focus on all that I am getting wrong and ignoring everything that I am getting right, as just not good enough. Rosey is my Triggernometry and my husband is equalivant to your audience. I stand in front of him hoping he notices me, that he finds me interesting, that I am what he wants, that I am even there and not a ghost. I fail everytime. I feel like monkey trained to dance. It is starting to not mean anything anymore. I am just doing it because I do not know what else to do. I love my husband but the failure to get his attention tears at me like a cat sharping it's claws on the most expensive furniture. The only attention I get from my husband is his irritation of me or his antagonistic words to upset me from which he takes great enjoyment. I feel that is all I am to him, a bunching bag to get his frustrations out. Your audience do the same to you. Your failure is someone else's therapy. Their tears/offence/anger/laughter/heckling from your preformance is punching that proverbial bag. God knows, I have used you as my therapy and to escape from my self inflicted pain. The Woke say a comedian either punches up or punches down but it is the audience that are using the comedian as a pushing bag.
Life has knocked me to my knees again. All I see is my failure and that I am going to lose everything. I don't know how to stop failuring. That is the only on thing I do not fail at.
I was 28 when I got my licence to drive. It took me well over two years to pass a driving test. The worse part for me was when I passed and was driving on my own. I went around about the wrong way twice. Once just before a motorway which I then took the wrong exit onto the motorway, facing on coming traffic, going the wrong way yet again. The second time I nearly had a head on collision with a man that became inflamed with such road rage that I thought he was going to kill me. I don't blame him. I drove my car in a ditch and recovery breakdown had to tow my car out. Round abouts confuse me still today after 15 years of driving. For a nero divergent normal life is like a sore thumb; it is never going to be comfortable. We must realise that but it must not stop us from trying. Pain, failure and everything else that comes with it is well known friend of mine. I just walk beside it trying gain as much wisdom I can. However, I still feel like a fool.
It was lovely seeing you on Tuesday. You still make me feel like a zit faced teenager trying to talk to her crush. However, for some who is over hill, it is awesome to feel like that again.
I failed my driving test four times and was about to give up for good. But when a guy at work remarked that I obviously couldn’t do it, “luv,” well I was motivated to pass fifth time. At the risk of sounding all New Age, failure is part of learning - all your favourite bands started out rubbish. Good for you, Francis, and good luck with the book.
I randomly stumbled upon Kipling House the last time I was in London and listened to that poem on Youtube (recited by Sir Michael Caine, nonetheless) while I admired the building. I absolutely love the snippets of history that are shared by the blue plaques. Someone should write a book about them ;)
My grandmother learned to drive when she was 65 (after her husband passed away). She is now 101 and continues to live independently in her detached home. She is my hero!
Stiff upper lip!
You're one of my favorite Englishmen. Your gloomy and depressing island needs more laughs these days.
Oi! Bring back Gammon Cam!
Well done, Francis. You have helped more people than you will ever know. And if that isn’t success, I don’t know what is.
A good read that resonated with me, thanks FF.
I enjoyed this. Continue walking your path and keep rising.
Really enjoyed reading this. I always used to think that I should enjoy the destination more than the journey. It’s taken a long time realize the need to unbrainwash that mindset out, but I’ve started the process and its definitely benefitted me.
Francis
That was inspiring! I’ve read “if” many times. But I feel a personal reminder to be most inspiring. I truly love Trifgermometry, I’ll have to check out your podcast.
So happy to run across this Substack today
God Bless
Susan Moser
Don’t be too hard on yourself because learning to drive is challenging. I came to the UK from the US and had been driving there for over 50 years. I had owned many cars, trucks, and motorcycles. I thought it would be easy to adapt to driving in the UK. It wasn’t. It is much, much more difficult driving here compared to the US. It’s also harder to acquire a complex skill like driving when you’re no longer a teenager or young person. Press on mate, you’ll crack it.
Well done on the driving Francis! I passed my test only recently, determined after covid to finally get it. I think it will be great for you. It will teach you to be in the moment if nothing else! :)
So right, Francis - your failures leave valuable, indelible lessons with you, if you are inclined to take them. When I interviewed candidates for jobs, it was easy to elicit rich responses to the request ‘tell me about your successes’. If, when I asked for details of failures, a candidate said ‘none’, I would regard them as either bullshitters or people who had never pushed themselves.
Francis thank you for your words. I feel such a fucking failure lately and, just like you, I am putting all my focus on all that I am getting wrong and ignoring everything that I am getting right, as just not good enough. Rosey is my Triggernometry and my husband is equalivant to your audience. I stand in front of him hoping he notices me, that he finds me interesting, that I am what he wants, that I am even there and not a ghost. I fail everytime. I feel like monkey trained to dance. It is starting to not mean anything anymore. I am just doing it because I do not know what else to do. I love my husband but the failure to get his attention tears at me like a cat sharping it's claws on the most expensive furniture. The only attention I get from my husband is his irritation of me or his antagonistic words to upset me from which he takes great enjoyment. I feel that is all I am to him, a bunching bag to get his frustrations out. Your audience do the same to you. Your failure is someone else's therapy. Their tears/offence/anger/laughter/heckling from your preformance is punching that proverbial bag. God knows, I have used you as my therapy and to escape from my self inflicted pain. The Woke say a comedian either punches up or punches down but it is the audience that are using the comedian as a pushing bag.
Life has knocked me to my knees again. All I see is my failure and that I am going to lose everything. I don't know how to stop failuring. That is the only on thing I do not fail at.
I was 28 when I got my licence to drive. It took me well over two years to pass a driving test. The worse part for me was when I passed and was driving on my own. I went around about the wrong way twice. Once just before a motorway which I then took the wrong exit onto the motorway, facing on coming traffic, going the wrong way yet again. The second time I nearly had a head on collision with a man that became inflamed with such road rage that I thought he was going to kill me. I don't blame him. I drove my car in a ditch and recovery breakdown had to tow my car out. Round abouts confuse me still today after 15 years of driving. For a nero divergent normal life is like a sore thumb; it is never going to be comfortable. We must realise that but it must not stop us from trying. Pain, failure and everything else that comes with it is well known friend of mine. I just walk beside it trying gain as much wisdom I can. However, I still feel like a fool.
It was lovely seeing you on Tuesday. You still make me feel like a zit faced teenager trying to talk to her crush. However, for some who is over hill, it is awesome to feel like that again.
I failed my driving test four times and was about to give up for good. But when a guy at work remarked that I obviously couldn’t do it, “luv,” well I was motivated to pass fifth time. At the risk of sounding all New Age, failure is part of learning - all your favourite bands started out rubbish. Good for you, Francis, and good luck with the book.
I randomly stumbled upon Kipling House the last time I was in London and listened to that poem on Youtube (recited by Sir Michael Caine, nonetheless) while I admired the building. I absolutely love the snippets of history that are shared by the blue plaques. Someone should write a book about them ;)
My mother’s favorite poem. She would approve Francis.
With you 100%!!! Great piece!
My favorite piece so far.