It was time for Phyliss to learn reverse parallel parking. His first attempt was a fail, and that was my fault as I failed to initially see the trailer behind the SUV. Pull out and try again. I gave no advice and he parked perfectly. Yeah, well, anyone can fluke a perfect parallel park. We moved on and jesus, he made a second perfect parallel park. I could not believe it. I think I was happier than he was for his achievement.
I rarely parallel park, and you do become rusty. The ladies who shop and lunch in High Street Armadale are experts at parallel parking their large black Beemers and Mercs.
Anyway, this is supposed to be about murals and as usual, I join with Sami and others. What can I find today. I took this photo in July 2024 and this is a street we/I often walked along and I had not noticed the mural painted in 2023. It's rather marvellous, even if it doesn't correctly represent the heavily built up area. Route 78 was the last tram route to see the old W class trams running in regular service, not so long ago really. It is now served by the more modern A class trams, which are quite old too now, dating back to the 20th century.
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About three weeks, the international artist Katy Perry performed at sold out concerts in Melbourne. I know nothing about her, not even her nationality, but no matter. One evening after performing, she turned up at Poof Doof and opened the bar for an hour to all the queens at the venue. Phyllis was very jealous.
The most successful female stars have always created a strong gay base, going back to Audrey Hepburn, Piaf and of course, July Garland, or even earlier. Later think Cher, Bette Midler, Dolly Parton, Madonna, the stars of my era, and a whole lot more since.
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Love that cheerful mural.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, female stars have always attracted a strong gay fan club - which I have never understood.
Congratulations to Phyllis.
A driving question which I hope you can answer. If you are in a must turn lane are you required to have your indicator on. I would think yes, but the cars here often do not.
Thanks EC.
DeleteI suggest yes and insist Phyllis does so until he passes his test. He has already asked the sensible question 'But why? I can only turn left and everybody else is turning left.'
In practice, it is very mixed. Some do, some don't but there is no harm in doing so. I tend to follow what most other people do, or don't. To clarify, I am generally talking about multi laned major roads. Small intersections where there might be an added left or right turn lane, yes, most definitely. Exiting a freeway using a dedicated lane, yes until you are in the dedicated lane.
Those are really bright rainbow coloured murals this week.
ReplyDeleteI am not so good at parallel parking. I tended to park miles away if I couldn't find a suitable space 🙄
JayCee, I am losing the ability to do so quickly and accurately, so avoid it if I can, which becomes a chicken and egg argument.
DeleteAs for parallel parking now I am old…Ugh!
ReplyDeleteSee my comment above.
DeleteGreat mural. I am so glad I rarely if ever need to parallel park!
ReplyDeleteBob, yes, and because you don't, it becomes harder when you have to.
DeleteKaty Perry's return concern was a flop. I never understood the hype. You are like a Dad figure to Phyllis now.
ReplyDeleteWas it Roentare. I didn't take much notice. I am the same age as his father but really I could easily be his grandfather.
DeleteI love the murals, great colors and content. Your new driver is knocking it out of the park! He's had a very good teacher.
ReplyDeleteDeb, I agree with you up to a point about me being a good teacher. I wonder if I am over controlling his driving. I think I might give him his own head next lesson by keeping quiet.
DeleteHaven't parallelled park since I did it to get my first driver's license 45 years ago.
ReplyDeleteI've always felt that it's a combination of glamour and eccentricity that makes a good female gay icon.
45 plus...hmmm 😉. I agree with your criteria for being a gay icon, but there needs to be that something extra, which isn't coming to my mind.
DeleteVery nice murals. Congrats to Phylliss on the parallel parking.
ReplyDeleteThanks River. I am quite proud of him and have told him so, and now he wants to take his driving test. I have suggested to him he is not ready yet.
DeleteHas he had pracrise driving through a storm? And at night?
DeleteParallel reverse parking must now be a lot easier with (as I'm sure your car has) reversing cameras, not to mention driver-assist stuff, though after a bit of a google I gather that some examiners require a conspicuous use of the of rear-view-mirrors to pass the test.
ReplyDeleteMy parents (chiefly my mother) taught me to drive, but it was the professional instructor who I had a few lessons with just before the test who passed on critical tricks on reverse parking for the test. It was all about lining up certain objects with certain spots on the car as seen in the mirror oe over your shoulder and probably vehicle specific to his car in which I took the test.
I reverse-parallel-park on the street as a matter of course. I do get self conscious/flustered if other drivers crowd up on me from behind when the spot is proving tight or tricky. Much as I hate to reward them for their impatience, I sometimes then just give up.
Actually, with power steering it is possible to get into incredibly tight spots if you are determined/persistent (and immune to embarrassment).
MC, I have dissuaded him from camera use, beyond how good his parking is once he has stopped.
DeleteI'v eseen plenty of drivers give up on a space, usually because it is obvious to me that it's too small, but then sometimes I've seen cars easily parked in spaces I've thought were too small.
As I've said, I think the ladies who lunch are the best at parallel parking, because they do it all the time. I'd be more embarrassed at giving up than persisting.
It is hard to remember how difficult driving was without power steering. Of course young people would not have a clue, and why should they. It won't disappear.
How good is that, first two goes at parking - perfect - congratulations.
ReplyDeleteThe murals are very nice and good on Katy for being so nice.
Margaret, I was super impressed by the parking. Maybe it was two flukes?
DeleteWhat a great find Andrew, beautiful and colourful mural. Congratulations to Phyliss and to you as the instructor. Good luck for his driving exam.
ReplyDeleteI like some of Katy Perry's songs, but not enough to go to her concerts. I just heard on the radio this morning while driving to work that Katy and her fiance Orland Bloom had just split up. He was previously married to Australian model Miranda Kerr... Thanks for participating in Monday Murals Andrew.
Thanks Sami, your comment from one of my younger generation readers. I think Bloom was quite hot when he was young.
DeleteThat's a really lovely mural.
ReplyDeleteWell done, Phyllis - you're a natural.
Katy Perry looks wrecked - too much surgical interference.
As for signalling, I signal all the time, wanting to ensure that there's no doubting which way I want to go, should someone be following me.
JB, I suppose I should take a look at MS Perry, but I can't be bothered.
DeleteCorrect signalling is good. If in doubt, signal your intention.
Nice rainbow. I hate parallel parking. For the parking part of my driving test, the examiner said, "get it in the lot and get it stopped without hitting anything and you passed." It was a very large empty car park.
ReplyDeleteTP, different times back then, hey.
DeleteThe A class trams might be a bit old fashioned now. But one look at the mural and everyone goes "ahhh that is Melbourne".
ReplyDeleteHels, they are called an icon of Melbourne for good reasons.
DeleteI knew what "poof" meant but not "doof," so thanks for that info! That was very generous of Katy Perry to bond with her gay fans. A nice mural!
ReplyDeleteThanks Steve.
DeleteI hate parallel parking and hadn't done it in a while until last week. It worked perfectly and I surprised myself.
ReplyDeletePat, I find the bigger the space, the harder it is for me.
DeleteSo true! Great list of Icons. Did you mention GaGa? Donna Summer, Gloria Gaynor, even Diana Ross: I'm coming out! Anita Ward, you can ring my bell! Exciting times!
ReplyDeleteBarbra Streisand and Liza Minnelli, the list is long, Cloudia.
DeleteBeautiful murals! I find it fascinating how many homosexual gentlemen adored watching the sitcom "Golden Girls". About the only thing I know regarding Katy Perry is that I'm sick of seeing her image everywhere and am almost certain she's a US citizen. lol Best wishes, Andrew.
ReplyDeleteThere's no doubt about that Darla.
DeleteOh, I just thought of something else to add as this post brought Madonna's song "Vogue" to mind. :D
ReplyDelete