I'm thinking in buying a mk3 VW golf which is blue in colour. the only problem is that the paint is a little faded. The person who is selling the car has t-cut but i can still notice fading marks. Is there any way to restore the colour or would it have to be a respray? The car is now 1- year old. Read more

The thread about driving to Sheffield reminded me how the rush hour is a completely man-made, or even society made invention. Every day millions of people hit the roads at exactly the same time simply because convention dictates that we all work nine to five. Given that the school run is in full swing between 8 and 9 in the morning it seems crazy to try to get to work before then. Is it time we became a more flexible (even 24 hour) society?

So, who here could or would do the following if their employer allowed it?

(1) Work different hours - ie 4am-1pm or 3pm-midnight?

(2) Work a different week - for example work weekends and take Tuesday and Wednesday off - assuming you had some sort of say in the days you took so you could arrange the same days as your partner?

(3) Work from home? (I expect some people here do that already)

And as a final thought... why do companies refuse to move out of London and into smaller towns? What does a company have to gain from being in central London and Manchester other than employees who have a hell of a commute every day?
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Life is complex; it has real and imaginary parts. Read more

Received this story from an American friend.

From A Truck Driver in Alabama

But for the Grace of God....

"I just returned from New Jersey. While en route there, I was stuck in traffic on Interstate 81, just below the Virginia state line, (Bristol, Tennessee), due to a traffic accident with a fatality involved. This accident involved a tanker truck hauling a hazardous material load that developed a leak, which meant that we weren't going anywhere for several hours.

After being told by the Tennessee state troopers that we would be sitting still until the clean up was completed, I set my brakes on the truck and got our to stretch my legs. Other truck drivers did the same, and at one point there were 5 of us standing there by my truck, complaining.

Sitting right beside me in the left lane, were two elderly people in a Silverado pick up truck, which was loaded quite well. The man, (Joe), lowered his window and asked what was going on regarding the traffic situation.

Soon we were all talking with this couple. I mentioned that if I had known about this, I would have bought something to drink, (water), for I was becoming thirsty. The lady, (Anna), said that they had plenty of water, and sodas in the cooler in the bed of the truck, and offered everyone present something. While she was back there, she said that she had plenty of tuna salad made up, and asked if we would be interested in a sandwich.

After some urging from Joe, we agreed to a sandwich. While Anna was making the sandwiches on the tailgate of the truck, she was singing like a songbird. To be close to 70, (I guess), she had a remarkable voice.

When she finished making the sandwiches, and putting everything up, Joe raised the tailgate of the truck to close it. I noticed a Mississippi license plate on it. I inquired as to what part of Mississippi they were from. Joe said Biloxi. Knowing that Biloxi had been ravaged also by hurricane Katrina, I asked if they sustained any damage. Joe said that they lost everything but what they had on and what was in the pickup. All of us drivers tried unsuccessfully to pay them for their drinks and the sandwiches. They would have nothing to do with it.

Joe said that their son was living around Harrisonburg, Virginia and that they were going there. He was in the real estate business and that there was a home that became open, and that they were going to start all over there. Staring over at their age would not be easy.

I will soon be 48 years old, and I have say that I have never eaten a tuna sandwich with side orders of reality and humility. These people lost everything except the pictures, important documents, and some clothes. Joe had managed to get their antique heirloom grandfathers clock into the bed of the truck and Anna got her china and silverware, but that was all. These wonderful people lost practically everything they owned and still would not accept any money for their food and drinks. Joe said that "it was better to give than it is to receive."

They sought refuge behind a block wall that he had built years ago, and they watched their belongings and their home disappear in the winds of Hurricane Katrina. Joe said that during all this he had one hand holding onto Anna and the other holding on to God. Their truck and themselves came out of Katrina unscathed.

As I stated before, Anna was singing a song while making the
sandwiched. The song is titled "I know who holds tomorrow," an old gospel song. She knew every word, and was quite a gifted singer of it. Have you ever heard it?

The chorus of this song is, " Many things, about tomorrow, I don't seem to understand. But I know who holds tomorrow, and I know who holds my hand."

There is no doubt, in my mind, Who was holding both their hands. I know there have been many, many e-mails that have circulated over the years about things that will touch your heart, but this one I personally was involved in.

Forget all of the politics that the news is striving on, and think about people just like Joe and Anna. If you can, help out with the victims relief funds.

If you cannot, at least offer a prayer for everyone. Do what you wish with this e-mail, forward it, delete it, whatever.

I know that these two elderly people got to this old boy. I will always remember them. Joe and Anna, if by some strange way you, or someone you know gets this, and shows it to you, God Bless you!

Mike Dowdy, Hartselle, Alabama"


This story certainly brings a lump to your throat.




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Roger
I read frequently, but only post when I have something useful to say.
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Have a 1996 Rover 400, which is haemorrhaging coolant. Cannot locate the leak, but think it is from radiator, and am thinking of using radweld.

Any thoughts experiences with this? Read more

Have any of you (and I know there are a few expats) any recommendations for Car hire in Malaga

(for one week in Nov, pick up car at/near airport preferred)

ta


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