Category: Cars

“Right! Pull over.” I said to my son as he slammed his foot on the brakes for the fifth time this drive.

Now, I don’t expect much but what I do expect is someone to treat their possessions with care. Especially if it is something that they have been gifted. I’ve been observing my son’s driving over the last few weeks and it seems like he thinks this car is some sort of luxury he can take advantage of. He lets his mates spill milkshakes all over the dashboard, he’s hit the driver’s door into a pole, and now I’m noticing he continues to slam on the brakes. He’s not a bad driver. He’s not driving like this because he has poor driving skills. He’s driving like this because he simply does not care about what impact he has on the car. 

“Dad, stop being overbearing and let me drive,” my son bit back.

“You want to keep this car?” I asked.

“Yeah?”

“Then you’ll pull over now.” 

My son rolled his eyes and sighed as he indicated left to pull over among the parked cars.

“Now tell me, how much does a brake pad replacement cost?”

He shook his head and shrugged, so I asked him again.

“I don’t know. A bit?” he replies.

I told him to drive us home. That evening I started mulling over how I could get my son to understand the responsibilities that come with owning a car.

We had a chat later that night. I told him that he was to pay for the next log book service. Lockleys has a great, reasonably priced mechanic so I gave them a call. My son was not happy about this news but he knew he had no choice.

For me, responsibility makes up the bigger picture of a person. Someone who is irresponsible from a young age in one area of their life, will continue to allow irresponsibility to seep into other areas of their life. That’s not how I want my children to grow up.

The city was abuzz with excitement and trepidation. Just a day after the Meteor Engine heist, every television, radio, and holo-screen in Melbourne and beyond broadcast the same event: Dr. Lyria Klaw’s unexpected press conference.

In front of a backdrop featuring the stolen Meteor Engine, Dr. Klaw addressed the masses, her voice echoing with both determination and mischief. “People of Earth, behold the power of the Meteor Engine, installed by an expert mechanic near Raceview” she began, pointing to the glowing machinery. “With it, I have the power to tear through the very fabric of time.”

Gasps and murmurs spread through the audience. Time travel? It seemed impossible. But then, so had the theft of the Meteor Engine.

“But why?” she continued with a smirk, “Why harness such unparalleled power?”

Taking a dramatic pause, she announced her intent: “To ensure Brisbane triumphs in the 2023 AFL Grand Final, and Collingwood faces a historic defeat!”

Melbourne, renowned for its undying love for football, was in an uproar. People exchanged confused glances. Some jeered, while others cheered. Could this really be her grand plan?

Dr. Klaw explained, “With a simple tweak, ensuring Brisbane is given that free kick in the final minutes, history will change!”

Now, it was no secret that while Melbourne boasted many Collingwood supporters, a considerable faction wasn’t particularly fond of the team. Debates raged in homes, offices, and even while people were getting their car maintenance done – folks couldn’t help but weigh in on the situation.

Surprisingly, the consensus seemed to emerge that maybe, just maybe, Dr. Klaw was onto something. The notion of Collingwood facing such a defeat was tantalising to many. Melbourne, in an unexpected twist, decided not to oppose Dr. Klaw’s temporal mission.

With the city’s unexpected blessing, Dr. Klaw began her preparations to venture into the annals of history. Whether her journey would be successful, only time would tell. But for now, Melbourne revelled in the prospect of a rewritten 2023 Grand Final, proving once again that in the world of sports, passions and rivalries knew no bounds.

 

The Falcon Wagon was alive with activity. Lucky, Ben, and Han were at the local garage surrounded by skilled mechanics working on the car. Lucky, still holding the Wrench of the Ancients, was eager to infuse the Falcon Wagon with its power. Once he was done, there would be no need to book an appointment with a Raceview mechanic for specialised enhancements.

Lucky approached the chief mechanic, Arnie Gearshaft. He asked if they could integrate some upgrades into the Falcon Wagon’s service. “Our garage specialises in car maintenance and custom upgrades. We can get it done,” said Arnie.

While the mechanics were hard at work, Lucky, guided by the mystical energies of the Wrench of the Ancients, started to channel the knowledge of his ancestors. As sparks flew and engines roared, the Falcon Wagon was transformed into a mechanical marvel, harmonising ancient wisdom with modern technology.

As night fell, the townspeople of Raceview gathered to bid farewell to the travellers. Old Man Gearsmith approached Lucky with a tear in his eye. “Your father would be proud,” he whispered. “Now go and bring hope back to the world of mechanics.”

The following morning, the Falcon Wagon was ready to leave. The car, now upgraded, gleamed under the rising sun, its engines purring with raw power. Arnie handed Lucky a custom toolkit as a parting gift. “You might need this,” he grinned.

As the Falcon Wagon roared out of Raceview, Lucky felt a deep connection with the road, the car, and the legacy he was a part of. Ben looked at Lucky with a wise smile. “We are going to need your skills and that ancient wrench in Melbourne,” he said. “Take good care of it. That is the tool of the Mechanics, peacekeepers of the roads.”

“That’s all hokey magic,” said Han wryly. “Can’t beat a good car jack by your side, and that’s a fact.”

Lucky looked down the highway, his resolve steeled. The spirit of his father and the hopes of mechanics everywhere rode with him. The Gears of Destiny were set in motion.

Greetings, everyone! I’m Daisy, and I’m thrilled to be this week’s guest writer, sharing my unique occupation with you all. Can you guess what I do? Well, let me tell you—I’m a monster hunter! Yes, it’s not your everyday job, and I guarantee you probably haven’t met anyone else with the same profession. My daily routine involves hopping into my car and traversing the country in search of new and intriguing monsters to face. The leads often come from newspapers or through calls from concerned individuals who spot these creatures in public places.

Given the nature of my work, my car becomes my trusty companion, and I frequent the local car service store Moorabbin has quite often. Moorabbin has become the ideal location for my operations, and I’ve called this place home for a few years now. To accommodate all my hunting gear, I have a specialised garage in my house, ensuring everything is in order and ready for action. And before you worry, rest assured, I’m fully qualified for this exceptional occupation, holding the necessary licenses to own and utilise these specialised tools.

Now, you might think monster hunting would be a highly dangerous pursuit, but with the right training and skills, it becomes more manageable. Of course, expenses can add up occasionally, especially when I need to book a car air con regas, which seems to happen quite frequently. The main challenge, however, lies in ensuring public safety during confrontations with the creatures. Inside my home, you’ll find shelves filled with intriguing gadgets, but unfortunately, I can’t share pictures of them with you. These are valuable tools of the trade that I hope to pass on to an aspiring apprentice one day.

I hope you enjoyed this brief glimpse into the world of monster hunting. Stay tuned for more throughout the week as I delve into specific aspects of my extraordinary job and share the thrills and challenges it entails. It’s an unconventional occupation, but one that fills my life with excitement and purpose!

The sun was shining brightly as the Wilson family packed up their car for a day at the beach. They were headed to their favourite beach spot, which was a few hours’ drive from their home. Mr. Wilson, being a responsible car owner, had recently taken his car for a log book service at a trusted auto electrical shop Toowoomba had to ensure it was in top condition for the trip.

As they arrived at the beach, the Wilson family eagerly unloaded their beach chairs, umbrellas, and a cooler full of snacks and drinks. The kids wasted no time running towards the sparkling blue waves, while Mrs. Wilson set up their beach spot and Mr. Wilson spread out a large beach towel to relax. The family spent the day building sandcastles, playing in the waves, and soaking up the warm sun. They even took a long walk along the shore, collecting seashells and enjoying the breathtaking ocean view. It was a perfect day at the beach, and the Wilson family was having a blast.

As the night grew darker, Mr. Wilson realised that he had left the car lights on earlier, and now the car battery was drained. He remembered that the mechanic had also provided him with a set of jumper cables during the log book service. He retrieved them from the trunk and skillfully jump-started the car, much to the relief of the whole family. With the car running again, the Wilson family packed up their beach gear and bid farewell to the beautiful beach. They drove back home to Toowoomba, grateful for the reliable log book service that had ensured their car was in good condition for the trip. The next day, Mr. Wilson made sure to take his car to the auto electrical shop to get the battery checked, just to be safe. He was grateful for the prompt service and expertise of the technicians, who quickly diagnosed a minor issue and fixed it, ensuring the car was ready for their next adventure.

The sun was shining brightly in the sky as the Smith family set out on their long-awaited road trip to the beach. The car was packed to the brim with beach gear, snacks and excitement. They were all looking forward to a day of relaxation and fun in the sun.

However, their plans were abruptly halted when the car suddenly came to a stop on the side of the road. The engine had stalled, and the car refused to start again. The family was stranded, with no idea what to do. After a moment of panic, they remembered that they had the number of a mobile mechanic. Bentleigh had a few of these around that were part of a franchise, and that they had used before for car servicing. They quickly called the mechanic and explained their situation. The mechanic, who was named John, assured them that he would be able to help and told them that he would be there as soon as possible.

The family waited anxiously by the side of the road, watching as the cars whizzed past them. They were relieved when they finally saw John’s van pull up beside them. John got out of the van and greeted the family with a smile. He quickly got to work on the car, trying to diagnose the problem. After a few minutes of tinkering, John discovered that a small part had malfunctioned and needed to be replaced. He assured the family that he had the part they needed in his van and that he would have the car up and running again in no time. True to his word, John was able to fix the car quickly and efficiently with the best car servicing cost Bentleigh had to offer. The family was thrilled when the engine roared back to life. They thanked John for his help and offered to pay him for his services, but he refused. He told them that he was just happy to be able to help and that he hoped they would have a great day at the beach.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“I don’t understand,” I said. “I failed the mission. I let my team down. I don’t understand why you aren’t letting me go.”

The boss gave me a long, hard look. “It’s because you failed a mission that I’m here today. Through these cameras that I know you know are there,” he pointed at the wall, “I’ve been watching you carefully. And the resilience you’ve shown is unlike anything I’ve seen in a spy before. You haven’t lost your commitment to the cause.”

I was flabbergasted. All this time I had been underground, believing I was being held against my will, but now it appeared to be all an elaborate test. Then the boss said a sentence that rocked me to my core.

“I sabotaged your final mission.”

I could only stare at him, dumbfounded, as I attempted to process his words. Everything that had gone wrong, from the auto electrical failure to the getting lost to the falling off the cliff-face and all the physical therapy that had resulted from it – all of it had been planned? I had predicted much in my spy career and I had dealt with information that could destroy the world if it were ever revealed. But discovering this, after months of isolation and pondering, seemed to surpass all the information I had known about in the past.

Despite my training, I had only one word in response. “Why?”

The boss pointed at the partition, and when his finger touched the plasterboard, the white colour fell away to be replaced by a digital screen, filled with words and pictures. In the top left corner were pictures of myself, some of which I recognised as having been taken during my mission. Others were words and phrases, like most recommended mechanic in Lockleys and Melbourne auto electrical, which related to my last mission. It seemed to be a digital compendium of my whole life as a spy, all laid out in front of me.

The boss turned to face me. “When I said I’ve been watching you, I didn’t just mean for the past few months while you’ve been down here. I’ve been watching you for years now. I’m nearing retirement, and I need a replacement. I’ve nominated you.”

I can’t believe how fast my big road trip is coming up. It’s exciting but also terrifying at the same time. My girlfriend and I have never done a road trip together before, so it’s going to be an interesting experience, seeing if we start getting annoyed at each other after being locked in a car with no other company for so long.

We’ll be driving up to Queensland to visit my family for Christmas. I’m told that the trip from Victoria to Queensland can be brutal, which is why we are doing it over three days. Anyway, we weren’t convinced that our car would make the journey, which is why we decided it was time to buy a new one. Well, it’s not new, but it is new to us. We are now the proud owners of a 2012 Mars 3! Even though it came with a roadworthy certificate, we wanted to be absolutely sure that it was ready for this big drive. Thankfully, I know of a fantastic car service shop near Bentleigh with a trustworthy mechanic who was willing to give it a look over. 

It’s a good thing we did decide to go there! The auto electrical expert located close to Bentleigh discovered that the air conditioner, while functional, wasn’t performing as well as it could be! It turned out that one of the cables had become twisted, stopping the air con from reaching its highest setting. Given that we’re going to a state where it’s over 30 degrees every day, I’m really glad that we took this extra precaution. Now we just have to get the windows tinted, and we will be all prepared for whatever wild weather Queensland can throw at us! 

Alright, maybe not whatever wild weather it can throw at us, because now that I’m really thinking it through, I’m not sure what we’d do in a flood or a hurricane, so I’ll just cross my fingers and hope it doesn’t come to that. Hopefully it all goes well!

– Janet

You know what? There are some real nasty people out there but I don’t think anyone is as nasty as this one workmate. He’s got a higher up job than me and I can tell he thinks he’s so much better than I am, simply by the way he speaks to me. He makes all these quick jabs about how I work in the mailroom and look like ‘the lights are on but nobody’s home’. It’s a bit rich coming from a guy who has ears that could probably fly him to another country. 

Now, I’m a happy-go-lucky kinda guy who makes the most of every situation. I was excited when my work announced that we’d be going on a scavenger hunt interstate. I thought it would be a great way to bonder with a fellow colleague. Clearly, Tim had different things in mind. He’s rejected every attempt I’ve made to socialise with him. He’s also put me down a lot. I could’ve sworn he told me to find a log book service mechanic near Adelaide. Instead, now he’s giving me silent treatment because a light is flashing and I should’ve apparently booked a service to be done in our state before we left. Maybe he’s right. I am starting to see his point but there’s absolutely no reason why he had to be so damn rude!

I’ve caught him staring a few times at my teeth like I’m unaware that they’re bucked. At least I have self-awareness. I wonder if Tim knows his ears are the cause of 80% of UFO sightings. At least he has the money to get his ears pinned back. I don’t have money to get my teeth fixed. I work in the mailroom! Heck, I don’t even have money for a simple car repair.

I thought I was doing the nice thing too by offering my car up for the drive. It’s more environmentally friendly than Tim’s sports car but also a lot less expensive. I figured if any car was to get damaged or hit a kangaroo, I’d let it be mine.

‘Have you checked it?’

‘Checked what?’ I scold.

‘You know, all the car things,’ Eli gestures.

It was at this moment that I got the urge to simply wring Eli’s neck. I don’t know what ‘car things’ he’s talking about! We’ve been talking about ‘car things’ all bloody morning! I curse the day my work decided for the company to go on a scavenger hunt. In fact, I curse the people who decided to put me in a pairing with Eli. He’s the mailroom guy! He’s slack, lazy and simply unresourceful. Maybe if he wasn’t so lazy, he’d have taken care of the log book service. Adelaide is hours away from our home city. He should have known to make sure the car was in working order before we left. I even offered to take my car, but he was insistent on taking his enviro-friendly piece of trash. 

‘It’s your car, you’re the one to be checking things!’ I bite back.

‘Yeah, but you’re driving.’

‘Exactly! I’m driving, so therefore I should not be distracted by checking all these ‘car things’ you speak of.’

Eli sits back in his chair and looks out the window. I feel bad for speaking to him this way, but he’s just incredibly infuriating. It’s amazing how you can take the man out of the office and he can still be a total pain.

Eli speaks again. ‘I’m only asking if you checked things because this light is flashing.’

‘You don’t get it? It means you need to book an engine diagnostics check.’

Eli flashes me a blank look. His eyes are dull and I’m greeted by nothing other than his bucked teeth.

We both stay silent for another moment. I can see he doesn’t get it. In fact, I don’t think he has any clue about what I’m talking about. I feel guilty for my frustration. It’s not his fault he’s a bit of a hillbilly. He’s not a rude guy either. He’s actually one of the kindest guys I’ve ever met. Unfortunately, this is all watered down by his insufferable antics.