| I believe the popular saying goes | | | | she likes to throw herself on the floor |
| something like "two things that are | | | | dramatically but then a few minutes |
| guaranteed in life are death and taxes". | | | | later all is forgotten and she is off to |
| I suppose you can't really argue with | | | | pursue some other activity which usually |
| that statement and I must admit that | | | | involves hiding my car keys. |
| when I am feeling a little despondent | | | | I wish I was as easy to please as her. |
| about the world such a phrase inevitably | | | | I've just successfully managed to book |
| comes to mind. Then I think to myself | | | | my car into the garage after several |
| hang on, there are a lot of positive | | | | attempts so it can have its annual MOT |
| things happening as well so like the | | | | test which was a weight off my mind but |
| title of one of my favourite Elvis | | | | then I thought that's going to cost me |
| Costello albums we should all "Get | | | | £50 and the car won't be any |
| Happy" once in a while. | | | | different when I collect it. |
| Let's face it there is nothing better | | | | I enjoy having some kind of project to |
| than a little of bit of harmless | | | | work at and my latest one has been to |
| escapism to distract us from the | | | | research buying a new car. It's amazing |
| seemingly constant barrage of depressing | | | | how your priorities change as you get |
| news from around the world, the recent | | | | older. There was a time when all I was |
| situation in Georgia for instance to | | | | interested in was how fast it would go |
| name but one. It's as if there is a | | | | and how big are the alloy wheels and |
| happy/sad balance in operation and | | | | most importantly did it have a stereo |
| nowhere reinforces this more than when | | | | capable of making your ears bleed. |
| you switch on the TV news. | | | | When you pass your driving test there is |
| Despite talks of a recession in the UK | | | | the inevitable question of affordability |
| which now seems inevitable and the | | | | with your first car and to that end my |
| strong likelihood of a change in | | | | first car was a VW Polo 1.0. I remember |
| government at the next election for | | | | every detail about that car and |
| better or worse, there is a tangible | | | | especially the fact that it was red and |
| wave of euphoria sweeping the nation in | | | | due to the previous owner's laziness |
| response to team GB's incredible success | | | | they had never polished it so every |
| in the Beijing Olympic Games. This seems | | | | panel was a different shade of red and |
| to have temporarily distracted us all in | | | | the roof was practically pink. |
| the UK from yet another dismal summer | | | | Then when I reached the insurance |
| and the fact that we didn't make it into | | | | milestone of 25 I was able to afford a |
| the European Football Championships. I | | | | very nice Golf GTi. I would spend every |
| doubt this 'feel good' factor will last | | | | waking hour polishing it and would park |
| very long as everyone is worried about | | | | in the remotest part of a car park to |
| the cost of living and falling house | | | | avoid parking dents only to return to |
| prices but we can all enjoy the moment | | | | find someone trying to steal parts of it |
| while it lasts. | | | | (you can't win). |
| I am always amazed at my young | | | | Now look at me in my later years |
| daughter's ability to change her moods | | | | researching a VW Touran and trying to |
| in an instant. One minute she will be | | | | work out if we can fit numerous |
| screaming her head off over a seemingly | | | | pushchairs and baby seats and god knows |
| minor problem mainly not being able to | | | | what into it. Maybe if we get one I'll |
| open the food cupboard and grab a | | | | attempt to recreate my youth and put 18" |
| handful of rice cakes. When she | | | | wheels on it as a final gesture of |
| occasionally manages to do this she | | | | defiance! Perhaps when I retire VW will |
| triumphantly waves them like a trophy | | | | have created something to spend my final |
| and shares her spoils with Ozzy our | | | | years zooming around the supermarket car |
| nutty sheepdog. If she doesn't manage it | | | | park in. |