Thursday 3 September 2009

Dodge-y dealings

Our motoring shenanigans continue.

We now officially own the ageing Dodge - and it may well end up being our only car. Despite The Doctor now having his New York licence, insurance firms still classify him as a 'new driver'. This makes the premium ridiculous - and insuring two cars pretty well financially out of the question. This wasn't quite the plan - we had thought the Dodge, with its squeaky brakes, crap steering lock and attractive dent in its backside, would be his car, simply for getting to and from work, while I'd nip about town and take the boys to nursery in the likes of a Mini. But for now, it's the Dodge for me, and the train and walking for him, which is fine for summer, but might not be so fine in the depths of winter, as most of the 25 minute walk is down a rather bleak four lane highway. Oh well. At least we can take comfort in the fact that we are not doubly harming the environment.

In the US, when you buy a new car, you are required to put on new number plates. (Don't ask me why - you just do.) Then, the previous owner has to take the old plates back to the Department for Motor Vehicles. All part of the glorious hassle that seems to go with car ownership here.

But perhaps it's because personalised number plates seem to be very much in vogue here. One of the particularly choice ones I've seen in the town has the registration 'DADLUVSME'. But that's not a patch on the one I've seen frequently that has the plate 'MUTHAPUCKR'. (And, as if to explain, on the back, a sticker that says 'Proud to be a Hockey Mom'.)

I wouldn't dream of a personalised number plate (I'm far too British and proper) but I guess it might make it easier to remember your car's registration, something I've always found tricky. In London, I used to remember our car's registration as 'Elvis' - the first three letters being 'LVS'.

Anyway, after The Doctor had come home from work and spent a happy half hour hammering away and affixing new plates, we stood back and looked at them. Then we looked at each other. The first three letters are EVL.

A bad omen?

19 comments:

Mwa said...

Everloving!
Evolved!
Enter via left!
Extreme vacation longing!

Anonymous said...

Near me are 2 v smart cars (Bently/Rolls - something like that) with the plates "2 BE" and "NOT 2 BE"

Someone with FAR too much money!

Iota said...

Very appropriate for you. You were Nappy Valley Girl; now you can be Expat Valley Life.

How I Like My Coffee said...

Extremely vacuous licencing

Never go personalised plate, having worked where people ordered these - the people who personalise seem to have personality issues.... Keep it random

Nota Bene said...

Have you ever seen the film Christine?

Millennium Housewife said...

oh dear, It's a bit Austin Powers, or Austin Towers as my mum calls it....

Dorset Dispatches said...

Someone with bad spelling trying for ELVis again?

Mickle in NZ said...

Insert an "O" between the "L" and the "V".

Former neighbours had a personalised plate that said EVOL. I never figured it out - another had to tell me it was LOVE backwards. So think LOVE with the number plate.

At least they pick you as British or English. When overseas we Kiwis keep being accused of being Aussies!

nappy valley girl said...

Mwa - very creative of you. But it's still not what immediately comes to mind...

Mud - yes, or to carry on quoting Hamlet, an 'outrageous fortune'.

Iota - there's a positive American attitude!

Muddy - I can well believe it. I saw another one yesterday - PENGUINS. Why????

NB - no, and I have a feeling I shouldn't...?

MH - yes, Doctor Evil, ho ho.

Brit in Bosnia - well, the car is rather a poor imitation of Elvis....

Mickle - well, the Dodge would have a long way to go to be the Love Bug, but it's an idea.

Mickle in NZ said...

I'd forgotten about Herbie!

A Confused Take That Fan said...

Do you think Sarah Palin drove the MUTHAPUCKR one?
I am not supersticious, but I am not sure I would be able to drive an EVL car...I have seen Christine...
Ha ha. Sure you will be fine NVG, just fine...

Expat mum said...

I should catch up on your posts before commenting - but when have I ever held back. Speaking of car hassle - don't forget to keep an eye out for emmissions testing, sticker renewal and all that malarkey. There may not be a tax disc but they get you all the same!

Mom/Mum said...

LOL!

nappy valley girl said...

Mickle - Yup, Herbie was the exception.

CTTF - the latest on Sarah P is that she didn't even attend her kids' hockey matches...

Expat Mum - thanks. Yes, know about the stickers....off to get it done soon.

Mom/Mum - you're welcome...

Anonymous said...

David at authorblog thought this was funny and so do I. Have to say I would hesitate...!

Boozy Tooth said...

Ooooh. Hmmm..... let's hope not. I'd say the EVL could stand for Evel Knievel, but that's not much better considering his reputation.

Good luck with all that. And congratulations on your POTD mention at authorblog.

Cheffie-Mom said...

Hi, I came over from David's authorblog. Congrats on the Post of the Day Award!!

Everyday Goddess said...

Not too many choices there. Bright side? You will spot your car in a hurry!
Congrats on POTD!

Maria said...

Congrats on potd. I hope you settle in well. I'll come back and see you again.