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