AUDIOBOOK
Just One More Drive
The true story of a stuttering homosexual and his race car
Robert James O'Brien4.5
(2)
About
A story for every misfit who ever thought they were the only ones without all the answers.
Robert O'Brien loves cars. Growing up in Dublin, they provided a welcome refuge from the human interaction he found so difficult. His father's race car, a BMW E30 M3 Sport Evolution he named the Beast, became his alter ego-powerful, admired, confident-and Robert began a quest to become a worthy owner. He completed a university degree, took courses to conquer his stutter and tried to come to terms with his sexuality. But still he remained more comfortable in the fantasy worlds of video games and television.
Escaping Ireland to pursue acting in Vancouver, Robert quickly realized there was one thing he could not run from. Himself. Refusing to give up, he delved into self-help courses and counselling and began journaling to pinpoint where things went wrong but continued to struggle with self-worth. During a particularly difficult trip home, it was the Beast that saved his life.
Just One More Drive explores dark themes-bullying, depression, suicide, loneliness, anxiety-with honesty, self-deprecating humour and hope. After years of struggle, Robert is proud of the man he is, no longer believes he needs to be fixed and is passionate about normalizing frank discussions of men's mental health.
"An emotionally honest and moving account of the author's quest to shake off stuttering, embrace his sexuality and be the driver his BMW M3 deserves."
Preface
1. Whose car is this, Daddy?
2. Hi, I'm Robert and I have two cars
3. Are you fucking kidding me! I'm gay as well?
4. Boy meets Beast
5. No ginger prince for the wash boy
6. Pause, breathe, speak and release
7. Faking it
8. Unleashing the Beast
9. Hot men and "Funeral Blues"
10. If you all knew, why the hell didn't you tell me?
11. Men, mothers and bedsheets
12. Looking for stargates
13. I think I have AIDS!
14. Romancing Rudy
15. Let the break-ups begin
16. Revving the Beast
17. Grandmotherly wisdom
18. The Geek meets the Queen
19. Time to grow up
20. Discovering love on the back of a trailer
21. My glorious slutty phase
22. Coach Nina holds my hand
23. Nice, but not deserving
24. Please buy me the PlayStation
25. Launching at forty
26. Crawling over the finish line
27. Father and son double act
28. Will the real Robert stand up
29. Where is my fairytale ending?
Acknowledgements
Robert O'Brien loves cars. Growing up in Dublin, they provided a welcome refuge from the human interaction he found so difficult. His father's race car, a BMW E30 M3 Sport Evolution he named the Beast, became his alter ego-powerful, admired, confident-and Robert began a quest to become a worthy owner. He completed a university degree, took courses to conquer his stutter and tried to come to terms with his sexuality. But still he remained more comfortable in the fantasy worlds of video games and television.
Escaping Ireland to pursue acting in Vancouver, Robert quickly realized there was one thing he could not run from. Himself. Refusing to give up, he delved into self-help courses and counselling and began journaling to pinpoint where things went wrong but continued to struggle with self-worth. During a particularly difficult trip home, it was the Beast that saved his life.
Just One More Drive explores dark themes-bullying, depression, suicide, loneliness, anxiety-with honesty, self-deprecating humour and hope. After years of struggle, Robert is proud of the man he is, no longer believes he needs to be fixed and is passionate about normalizing frank discussions of men's mental health.
"An emotionally honest and moving account of the author's quest to shake off stuttering, embrace his sexuality and be the driver his BMW M3 deserves."
Preface
1. Whose car is this, Daddy?
2. Hi, I'm Robert and I have two cars
3. Are you fucking kidding me! I'm gay as well?
4. Boy meets Beast
5. No ginger prince for the wash boy
6. Pause, breathe, speak and release
7. Faking it
8. Unleashing the Beast
9. Hot men and "Funeral Blues"
10. If you all knew, why the hell didn't you tell me?
11. Men, mothers and bedsheets
12. Looking for stargates
13. I think I have AIDS!
14. Romancing Rudy
15. Let the break-ups begin
16. Revving the Beast
17. Grandmotherly wisdom
18. The Geek meets the Queen
19. Time to grow up
20. Discovering love on the back of a trailer
21. My glorious slutty phase
22. Coach Nina holds my hand
23. Nice, but not deserving
24. Please buy me the PlayStation
25. Launching at forty
26. Crawling over the finish line
27. Father and son double act
28. Will the real Robert stand up
29. Where is my fairytale ending?
Acknowledgements