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