Wednesday, August 03, 2005 :
Boring stuff
My girlfriend went off yesterday to the States for a while, with the result that I had some time to myself to think last night. I will note the results here to remind myself to do at least consider doing something about them:
- My flat really needs decorating. Which is always a pain in the ass. Anyone know a good decorator in central London?
- My flat is too damn noisy and it irritates me and disturbs my sleep. Consider moving. Which is always an even bigger pain in the ass. Anyone know a nice place to live?
- There is a weird clicking sound, like the old telephone dialing noise, that emanates periodically from behind the wall in the bedroom. Which is a total pain in the ass. What the hell is that? Can we stop it?
- The car needs an M.O.T. this month. Which is always a pain in the ass when you work during the week. Anyone know a good garage on the east side of central London?
- I want to swap my boring car for a fun sportscar before I get too old. Look into the financial implications of a Lotus Elise, Vauxhall VX220, Toyota MR2 or something similar.
- In the interests of achieving (5) without going bankrupt and also in the interests of not killing myself (having just repaired the bike from my fifth crash since I started riding), <the eternal question>is it time to sell the bike and become sensible in my life?</the eternal question>
A downside is that putting any of the above thoughts into action is liable to cost a fair amount of cash and involve a fair amount of hassle. Another downside is that having the above thoughts in the first place is clearly indicative of my arrival at middle–age.
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Yes, definitely the sign of middle age to want to buy a Lotus Elise/VX220! I know someone who has a VX220 for sale if you're interested. Quite like those as more exclusive than the Lotus although obviously not so good when recounting names of cars you have owned when you really do become middle aged and buy a diesel Volvo estate...
The decision between the Elise and the VX220 is basically a choice between badges. Underneath they are the same car. For what it's worth I reckon the VX220 looks better (i.e. not gay), but then it is a Vauxhall. How about a hot hatch? My brother-in-law has just ordered the new, lairy, Golf GTi in preference to more expensive cars because he reckoned it was quicker and more fun to drive. Hughesy.
... also, the VX220 appears to depreciate quicker off the mark, so will be cheaper to buy secondhand than the Elise. The Turbo VX220 is fuggin' fast, but would probably be impossible to insure. Hot hatch is out because it's gotta be a lightweight, go-cartesque two-seater softtop sportscar; - could get a hot hatch later.
everyone seems to like to write about cars but i might be able to help with the noise question. it might be pipes heating up / cooling and making noises because of differential movement between them and the brackets that hold them, timing to match a heating regime. it might also be syphonic drainage pipes taking rainwater down from the roof, depends on the weather. it could also be a soil and vent pipe but this is likely to be extremely irregular timing. might be some help. call if you want to discuss. g
So you've got a sh1t car and a noisy flat in need of decoration? The question you should really be asking yourself is "Why exactly has my girlfriend gone to the States and left me on my own with some time to think?".
Anyhow, as you're far too disorganised to fix any of the issues other than the legally required one, I can assist in recommending you a good, small back street garage for getting your car through its MOT at minimum cost. As they got my car (the crap one) through the emissions test by a complex combination of over/under revving the throttle throughout the test I'd rather not name them directly but will email you the address.
Anyhow, as you're far too disorganised to fix any of the issues other than the legally required one, I can assist in recommending you a good, small back street garage for getting your car through its MOT at minimum cost. As they got my car (the crap one) through the emissions test by a complex combination of over/under revving the throttle throughout the test I'd rather not name them directly but will email you the address.
In answer to question #3... My guess is that it's Alexander Graham Bell's ghost, making calls from the after-life. Why he's in your wall, I don't know.
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