spotlight on...
Welcome to the second in the 'Spotlight on....' series of articles, this time featuring the webmaster himself
I'm Graeme. I've been a member of SAM for more years than I first realised, but having worked it out I must have joined in 2003. I first joined the IAM to take my bike test, being a keen bike rider, and enjoyed my first summers membership riding throughout the northeast sunshine getting ready for my test. For me this quickly dispelled the myth that the IAM was all about trundling around slowly, as I soon learned how to make progress where appropriate and certainly now get a lot more enjoyment from my riding knowing I am a safer and better rider. Due to a miscalculation on my part, I took my test in December in the pouring rain but managed to get a thumbs up from the examiner. Little did I know that was going to be the first step on what has turned out so far to be a long and fun journey.
Having done the bike test I was asked to train as an observer however wanted to sit my car test first as a lot of the skills I had learned transfered to driving a car. As soon as I passed my advanced car test I was invited to train as an Observer for SAM, and decided to do this rather than the bike group as I'm a fair weather rider and didnt want to have to conduct sessions when I would rather not be riding. I use Observing as a way of keeping my skills up to date and ensuring I don't develop too many bad habits, and its a good way of meeting lots of interesting people and helping them to become safer drivers.
A recent SAM newsletter carried an article about 'detailing', which is one of my hobbies. It's very difficult to define detailing as it is very subjective, however for me it is about thoroughly cleaning and maintaining the appearance of my car, both inside and out. I take a pride in my driving and like my car to look its best. I also find the process theraputic, as when I am concentrating on detailing I forget about work/the wonky drainpipe/the lawn that needs cutting etc. A lot of the principles of detailing are common sense and use of the correct product for the task, but it often surprises me how many people will spend a lot of money on a nice car and then ruin the finish by washing it with rags and dirty water, or more recently removing the snow with a yard brush!
My other hobby is music. In my office at home I have 6 acoustic guitairs of various styles (12string, classical, dreadnought etc) one electic guitar, an acoustic bass and an acoustic fretless bass. Im self taught, and whilst Im never going to make it to top of the pops I enjoy playing with a small group of friends when we get the chance to get together. Ive had to move the guitars into the corner for now to make room for my latest aquisition.....an electronic drum kit. The neighbours panicked slightly when I told them I was getting a drum kit but this is almost silent when played through headphones, which is just as well as I really am just an enthusiastic beginner and make more noise than music. Any drummers out there that fancy giving me a few lessons, please contact me using the form here and send it to the webmaster or speak to me at a monthly SAM meeting. My neighbours will be eternally grateful!
I think that's about all I should say, other than for anyone reading this and considering whether to join SAM or take an advanced driving test I would heartily recommend it. I joined due to a friend nagging me to do it, and thanks to him I'm now a safer, quicker, smoother driver with a large circle of friends and social activities that I wouldn't otherwise have.