When it doesn't add up

I've always been something of a dimwit when it comes to mathematics and wish it wasn't so. Languages and the arts come rather more easily, whereas numbers and science talk fail to amuse. Give me psycho-babble any day over problem solving and wearing those icky science specs which were scratched to the point of rendering me partially-sighted in my school days. Oh and having to don a lab coat drenched in an adolescent's post-lunchtime game of football B.O. wasn't a highlight either. 
  Still, I'd like to be good at number crunching. There's something sexy about being an all-round nerd, so I tried government funded community classes for maths dunces which are a great idea, but I then had to trek into areas of Oxford which seemed far from savory in order to join a group and then wait for ages with my hand in the air for the teacher's attention (not sure I had to keep my had in the air, but you know) so on balance I decided my own home was a far more comfy place to spend a winter's evening and gave up. 
  However, Carol Vorderman might just be my knight in shining Prada as she has set up online maths classes called the Maths Factor. Obvs intended for kiddies, but looks cool. I fancy singing my time tables to a rock or rap soundtrack. Sadly it's not free but it looks well worth checking out if you or your kids need some extra help. Parenting has a way of bringing our academic Achilles heels to the fore, but The gorgeous Carol is bound to give it some cool credibility of course, which is part of the battle already won.