h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Wednesday is my day off work. Yesterday being a miserable wet day, the other members of my family all wanted me to provide them with lifts to and from their various tasks - only fair as I had a day off.

So I went on nine separate journeys, out and back, from the house - six driving people to the tram, two to the school and one to the music school. I reckon I spent three hours driving and another 45 minutes sitting in the car waiting.

OMG Gnomon - I do know the feeling, as I end up in that role occasionally. I'd love it if someone drove me now and then!

I have friends who get their children to be the 'taxi' - so when they come round to dinner they can both have a glass of wine and know their children are primed to come and fetch when ever they are ready to go home. How they managed this I have known, but they are a really super family.

I must admit, I know this feeling.

Not me. I ride a motorcycle with no passenger seat.

...and now I have a mental image of Count Zero roaring off into the distance followed by a group of running children all shouting 'Wait!'

Oh, definitely, I would run from a group of shouting children.

The children-as-taxi-service idea is appealing, but my only child left in the neighbourhood is busy running the taxi service for his own children

It seems you got off lightly waiting only 45 minutes G. No doubt you composed an Entry in your notebook . . .

DEar Gnoman,

I give you 100% for spending your day off ferrying your family around. well done.

I hope that you took the precautrion of taking a good book with you.

Congrats.

with affection


Christiane
AR80

5/11.98 17.10 GMT

One of the best days of my life was when my older son got his IK driving licence.(about 20 years ago)
Since then there has always been a designated driver. His younger brother follwed suit and did almost all the driving for my sixtieth birthday when we visited all the places I'd ever lived in England. You'll get repaid too, Gnomon.

I'm quite happy that both my sons now have their driving licence. My days as taxi service are over.

El is learning to drive. But she hasn't been out without the instructor yet. Maybe tomorrow.

Hmmm

*still driving everyone everywhere*

Look on the bright side, GB: at least you have the car when you need it. I don't have any car for days if I'm unlucky.

When I got my licence I thought it would help out my mother, who finds driving everyone everywhere stressful and time-consuming. Nope--she's *more* stressed by the idea of me being in control of a moving vehicle!

I don't particularly like driving, though, so I'm lucky that I now live in a walkable small town with good public transit links.

We have one car between five license-holders. Sometimes the logistics get confusing, but sometimes it sits in the garage for days on end.

I'm glad I have three sons who can take me, their father, or each other to places when necessary.

You will get repaid, Gnomon.