No matter when you get your license, you’ll be happy to have it! **Driving is a life skill**, in many people’s opinion.

![white porshce in blue night](/posts/are-you-embarrassed-by-your-car-skills/white-porsche-in-night.jpg)

Some might even say it’s one of the most important skills that a person can possess. Not only does having a license make many life tasks easier—like running errands, getting to work, and traveling—it also gives you freedom and agency.

![behind the white porsche](/posts/are-you-embarrassed-by-your-car-skills/behind-white-porsche.jpg)

Here are some other **ways that driving could be considered a life skill**:

- You’ll continue honing your abilities as you gain experience and age
- Driving allows you to be self-reliant
- Driving can inspire confidence
- Driving can be a vehicle (no pun intended!) for personal growth and professional success

With all those perks in mind, perhaps you’ll feel inspired to take the wheel for the first time! And when you’re ready to buy a car of your own, be sure to get great **[car insurance](https://getjerry.com/car-insurance)**. Thanks to Jerry, the process is easier than ever.

![a blue porshce](/posts/are-you-embarrassed-by-your-car-skills/a-blue-porsche-911-gt3.jpg)

Jerry scans quotes from **more than 50** top insurance companies and delivers the best deals straight to you. The average user **saves $887** per year.

**MORE**: [How to get cheap car insurance for young drivers](https://getjerry.com/questions/is-driving-a-life-skill)

Are you embarrassed by your car skills? Here is what to do

**Can't decide on which web hosting you should choose for your blog? If you want to start a successful blog, it's important to choose the best blog hosting.**

Choosing the wrong web hosting can slow down your website, cause security issues, and even crash your whole blog! Plus, switching web hosts can be a hassle. That’s why it’s so important to make the right choice to begin with when you’re starting a new blog.

It doesn’t matter if you’re starting a blog for the first time, or if you’re a seasoned blogger looking for the best blog hosting. Either way, you’ve come to the best resource for best web hosting comparison!

### What to Look for in Blog Hosting

When choosing a web host for your blog, you need to keep in mind 3 important factors:

1. **Uptime** – If your website goes down, it hurts your traffic and your reputation. Uptime should be a minimum of 99.94%.
2. **Speed** – You need hosting for your blog that loads quickly, or you’ll lose readers and search engine rankings.
3. **Customer Support** – The hosting company you choose should have expert support that responds quickly when you need help.

![software engineer standing beside server racks](/posts/best-blog-hosting-services-detailed-comparison/person-beside-servers.jpg)

We’ve tested over 30 web hosting companies over a period of 6 months, but we’ve shortlisted the top 9 web hosting companies for this guide. Still, there’s quite a variety here! Whether you’re looking for cheap hosting, managed hosting, shared hosting or WordPress hosting, we’ve got you covered.

![server racks](/posts/best-blog-hosting-services-detailed-comparison/row-of-servers.jpg)

Best blog hosting services, detailed comparison

Driver’s Ed teaches students how to drive, but there are plenty of other important lessons that still need to be taught. Here are 7 helpful things to discuss with a new driver:

1. What to do if you get a flat tire?

   Pull completely off the road, even if it means destroying the tire. Call roadside assistance and let that person change the tire. If you have a spare and know how to change the tire, make sure you are out of traffic and in plain sight of oncoming traffic before changing it yourself. If you are in need of a new tire, we’ve got you covered! Visit [tiers in wiygul.com](http://wiygul.com/tires/) to shop for tires by vehicle, size and brand.

2. What to do when the "Check Engine" light comes on?

   If there is any change in the car's performance, or you notice any noises or smells, stop the car immediately? If there are no symptoms except the “Check Engine” light is illuminated, take the car to your trusted mechanic (Wiygul Automotive Clinic, we hope!) and let them diagnose the problem.

   **Important tip**: If you just bought gas, the “Check Engine” light might just be indicating that the gas cap is loose. Tighten the cap and continue driving. The light should go off on its own. If it doesn’t then we recommend bringing it to your trusted mechanic.

3. How to drive safely while talking on a cell phone?

   Most states ban all cell phone use by rookie drivers, so be sure you know the laws in your area. If it is permissible to use a cell, always use a hands-free device/bluetooth so you can keep your hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road. Don't even think about texting while driving (no, not even at stoplights)!

4. How to get an honest quote for an automotive repair shop?

   If you know what is wrong with your car, use the internet to estimate how much the repair should cost. Then use online review platforms to find an auto shop with high customer ratings. It is always best to have your vehicle inspected at an auto shop to receive the most accurate quote for the repair.

5. How to drive in rain and snow?

   Reduce your speed and leave more room between your vehicle and those in front of you. Understand that a car might hydroplane on a rain puddle on the road and learn how to react to driving with reduced traction and visibility. If possible, practice driving off the main road (like an empty parking lot, for example) after snow or heavy rain to get some experience without risking your safety around other vehicles.

6. How to avoid road rage situations?

   As an inexperienced driver, you may drive more slowly, more cautiously, or make a mistake. If you inadvertently anger another driver, don't get drawn into interacting with them. Ignore them or, if necessary, change your route. If someone offends you, take a deep breath and know that your anger will dissolve in minutes.

7. How to keep your vehicle running smoothly?

   Follow your vehicle’s maintenance recommendations stated in your owner's manual - this includes things like oil changes and tire rotations. Also, keep in mind, if you own a vehicle in Virginia you will be to a Virginia State Inspection every year and a Virginia Emissions Inspection every two years.

![a yellow audi car](/posts/the-next-7-things-to-immediately-do-about-car/a-yellow-audi-car.jpg)

We understand that as a new driver, there’s a lot to keep in mind. Start good driving habits now by following these tips:

Always buckle up - Make sure you and your passengers are wearing seatbelts. More than half (52%-59%) of teens (13-19 years) and adults aged 20-44 years who died in crashes in 2015 were unrestrained at the time of the crash.\*

Keep your distance - Maintain a safe following distance so you have time to react. Remember this three-second rule: When the car in front of you passes a fixed object on the road, it should be three seconds before your car passes that same object. We know that in heavily congested traffic areas like Washington DC, this isn’t always do-able. However, we recommend that you do your best to keep a safe distance. Along with this, look ahead so you have time to react to any sudden changes.

Use your turn signals - Not only is using a turn signal important to letting other drivers know where you want to go, but it’s a courtesy that makes driving easier for everyone. Be sure to check blind spots before changing lanes!

We hope these tips help you feel safe and prepared to drive and operate your vehicle. If you ever have any questions we welcome you to call or stop by one of our many DC Metro locations.

The next 7 things to immediately do about car

Creating a smashing interior takes more than just wit and instinct, you’ll need to follow certain rules to satisfy both the aesthetic and functionality of a space.

Although there’s no such thing as a perfect formula in creating a faultless design, interior design rules are established to help enhance a space that can meet the needs of its end-users.

Sprucing up your home or place of business can be an exciting endeavour, where you’ve probably spent hours googling through dozens of gorgeous interiors online. But, before embarking on your project, here are 7 interior design rules you must know:

1. **_Follows Function_**

   Start the design process with functionality. This means the elements in your design should be primarily related to the space’s intended purpose.

2. **_Design with the Site in Mind_**

   Interior designing with the site and climate conditions in mind is probably a rule that’s frequently overlooked. But considering these factors is essential when choosing an arrangement, colour, furniture, and even your embellishments. Conditions such as orientation, ambient sound, humidity, and adjacent rooms or buildings should be taken to account.

   If you live near a busy street, for instance, you can dampen the noise with blackout curtains that can lessen the ambient noise. There are also sound-absorbing draperies in the market which usually comes with a pleated structure.

3. **_Know the 2:3 Rule_**

   Scale and proportion are fundamentals that are applied not only to interior design but to all visual arts as well.

   Otherwise known as the golden ratio, the 2:3 rule is used to create a more naturally pleasing aesthetic and a guide when choosing the sizes of your furniture.

   Start from the largest elements and work your way through from there. For example, when choosing your sofa, it should measure 2:3 of the area. So as with the center table which should be sized at 2:3 against the sofa furniture, and so on.

4. **_Layer Lighting_**

   Bad lighting can be detrimental to an interior, damaging even the most balanced and proportioned of spaces. Instead, let light both natural and artificial to enhance your interior space.

   When you are able to determine your light sources with their qualities and intensities, you’ll have a better picture of their placement and positioning into your interior design.

5. **_Know the 60-30-10 Rule_**

   Colour is a powerful element in the design, as it can affect the look and feel of your interior. To create colour harmony among your elements, use the 60-30-10 rule. It is where 60% should be the dominant colour, 30% will be your secondary colour, and lastly, the 10% goes to your accent colours.

6. **_Harmonize with the Existing Architecture_**

   One of the best rules to follow, which can save you a lot of time and money, in the long run, is by designing the space aligned with the existing architecture.

   When you have a great room with high ceilings, for instance, you can add a large cascading luminaire cascading down below to fill in the void.

7. **_Follow Your Style_**

   Designing your own space based on your own preference is as important to any rule or guidelines out there. Whether you love a vintage vibe or prefer the coral blue shades, it is imperative that you are comfortable, contented, happy, and feel safe in your personal space.

   ![office interior with table and chairs near window
](/posts/5-must-haves-before-embarking-on-interior/office-interior-with-table.jpg)

---

### _Takeaway:_

Rules are meant to be bent, if not broken, that’s from time to time of course. But when you’re still starting your venture in interior design, it is best to follow the rules first. Even the most seasoned interior designers love to break a rule or two, but usually, exceptional quality is at stake.

Be inspired and indulge in the aesthetically moving and unforgettable creations of KOJA DESIGN. An international Interior Design Studio that creates sophisticated spaces and of the best luxury interior design firms in London.

5 Must-haves before embarking on interior

NASA Television coverage of today’s spacewalk with cosmonauts Anton Shkaplerov and Pyotr Dubrov of the Russian space agency Roscosmos is now underway and is also available on the NASA app and the agency’s website.

The crew members of Expedition 66 are preparing to exit the International Space Station‘s Poisk module on the space-facing side of the station’s Russian segment for a spacewalk expected to begin at approximately 7 a.m. EST and last approximately seven hours.

![far satellite](/posts/cosmonauts-prep-for-spacewalk/far-satellite.jpg)

During the spacewalk, the cosmonauts will install handrails, rendezvous antennas, a television camera, and docking targets on Prichal, which automatically docked to the Nauka multipurpose laboratory module in November.

A Soyuz spacecraft carrying three cosmonauts, who will be part of the Expedition 67 crew, is the first scheduled docking to Prichal, planned for March.

![man in satellite](/posts/cosmonauts-prep-for-spacewalk/man-in-satellite.jpg)

![satellite in space](/posts/cosmonauts-prep-for-spacewalk/satellite-in-space.jpg)

Shkaplerov will serve as extravehicular crew member 1 (EV1) and will wear a Russian Orlan spacesuit with red stripes. Dubrov will wear a spacesuit with blue stripes as extravehicular crew member 2 (EV2). This will be the third spacewalk in Shkaplerov’s career and the fourth for Dubrov. The first spacewalk at the station in 2022 also will be 246th spacewalk for space station assembly, maintenance, and upgrades.

Cosmonauts prep for spacewalk

In keeping myself motivated as a photographer, I love to look for inspiration from all across the creative spectrum. Today I want to share some ideas with you from the painter Van Gogh that I hope will bring some exciting new ideas for your photography.

I love who I am when I am taking photos. It is one of my favourite things, and I would imagine it’s the same for you.

To have my camera in my hand, exploring, finding beautiful light, and capturing interesting people I meet along the way, is immensely satisfying and massively fun.

However, life often gets in the way (who’d have thought it!), and I get distracted and lose my creative energy.

For example, I have too many conversations with my accountant, or I am doing a lot of admin or rushing around doing the tasks that are super important to make my life function but aren’t conducive to creativity.

1. **“I am always doing what I cannot do yet, in order to learn how to do it.” Vincent Van Gogh**

One thing I regularly hear from people when they arrive on my photography workshops is how they can’t do things.

It could be: I can’t be creative! Or I can’t shoot on manual, it’s impossible for me!

To me, this is just a habitual way of thinking that is not based on facts. Just because we can’t do something now, does not mean we will never be able to.

2. **“Seek only light and freedom and do not immerse yourself too deeply in the worldly mire.” Vincent Van Gogh**

This talks about how much we need to detach ourselves from normal life, and the endless tasks of our lives in order to create. Being creative connects us to the world in a completely different way to how we normally live.

In ‘normal’ life, we are living on the surface. We are doing a lot, we are being busy, we are jumping from task to task. We are responding. And that’s all totally necessary to take care of our lives.

3. **“If you hear a voice within you say ‘you cannot paint,’ then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced.” Vincent Van Gogh**

Photography is an inner game.

Taking good photos has nothing to do with your current skills or your ability to nail sharpness or your exposure. It’s everything to do with what you believe about yourself and what you believe is possible for you.

4. **“Be clearly aware of the stars and infinity on high. Then life seems almost enchanted after all.” Vincent Van Gogh**

It’s really easy to get so familiar with our world that we stop seeing what is beautiful and awe-inspiring in the world around us. It’s normal to see your everyday environment and not be inspired by what’s there. Our eyes get dulled to the familiar world around us.

5. **“Painting is a faith, and it imposes the duty to disregard public opinion.” Vincent Van Gogh**

In many ways, I think learning photography now is harder than in the past. And that’s not because there are so many photographers, or because of smartphones, etc. Instead, it’s because of the amount of information out there, and the multitude of opinions.

6. **“It is looking at things for a long time that ripens you and gives you a deeper meaning.” Vincent Van Gogh**

Photography often becomes viewed as a series of technical tasks that need to be learned. To learn the way of the camera is to unlock all the gifts of photography.

For me that couldn’t be further from the truth.

7. **“If you truly love nature, you will find beauty everywhere.” Vincent Van Gogh**

Completely.

I don’t just mean nature in a traditional sense – the beautiful flowers, people, or landscapes. It’s when we bring the idea of beauty into our photography that we see that we can capture what is beautiful to us, in any guise.

Photographs

How 7 things will change the way you approach photographs