The Steering Column
Left Hand Drive from our President

Sometimes I feel a bit blue. This happens in the winter occasionally. Usually, it’s because of frostbite. However, these days, I’m feeling a bit green. As in British Racing Green. And not because the British Racing Green MG-B is sitting, quietly, in the garage, shivering in the winter chill. Rather than a seasonal disorder, or the result of half-price gas-station sushi, my malady is due to jealousy.

So as you may know, my sister in-law is getting married. It’s something that the family has been excitedly anticipating. So, my beloved wife, being the good sister that she always is, has graciously volunteered to help organize the event. Given that the nuptials are being celebrated 4,000 miles away from Chicago, this is no small feat! Despite the amazing tools of our age, some things still need to be done in-person. These things usually involve dresses, hair-dryers, makeup, and other such things. Oddly enough, these things rarely, if ever, require intervention, or even consultation, by me. I’m OK with that, as I’m ill-equipped to be of much use! Being the good husband that I am, I supported a solo trip back to Old Blighty, so the Missus could help out the lucky bride-to-be with such things.

But now, I’m reconsidering my support…

As the calendar would have it, the same weekend my lovely wife is helping her sister, literally yards away, the Cambrian Rally — one of the oldest and most established rallies in the UK — will be underway! I thought I had this wedding stuff all figured out. Alas, to my disappointment, it is not so. I guess I’ll have to console myself with Deep Dish Pizza, and couple of Goose Islands.

I’ll still be green with jealousy, but at least I’ll be fat and happy. Right? Well, at least I’ll be fat!

Stay warm

-- Dave Novak

	The Steering Column
	Right Hand Drive   from our Vice-President

I drove to the coast this weekend. Not the East coast, with all its snow but the West coast with all its sand. It was a wonderful drive, top down, sunny and a slight breeze, picturesque scenery. Perfect MG driving weather. Then the alarm went off and it was back to reality.

Susan and I just had some decorating done in our kitchen. It involved some drywall sanding. This sounds simple enough, sand, paint, done. It was simple enough for the painter, sand, paint, done.

Now for the not so simple part. Drywall sanding creates dust — lots of dust. It somehow gets in every nook and cranny in the room. Then it gets in every nook and cranny in all the other rooms of the house. So Susan and I spent the weekend cleaning everything. I mean everything, take down the shades, the wall hangings, wipe down cabinets, you know the routine. We have some recent experience since we had just cleaned everything after having counter tops installed. Susan and I keep telling ourselves how happy we are with the finished product so that we are encouraged to keep working. I keep thinking, great, spring cleaning done early, now when spring arrives Susan and I are ready to take Maggie out for a drive. Then Susan says “when spring arrives we can wash the outside of the windows” as if this is some sort or fun event to look forward to. Does she spend as much time thinking of work as I do thinking of ways out of work?

The reason I am anti-work is that I don’t think I'm good at it. I think I am much more suited for driving little British cars or relaxing. I seem to be at my best on club driving events, I am a much more pleasant person to be with than when I am working. You would think that Susan would have figured this out and not want me to work but that plan has failed me. Need a new plan. Any and all ideas will be greatly appreciated and considered.

I will continue to dream of my drive to the coast until spring when I can actually drive with the top down on a sunny day with a slight breeze. The drive will be to the coast, the coast of Illinois but to the coast just the same.

~~ Ray Hansen & Maggie     (AKA Little Red)