Car rant

If there's one thing that can reduce me to tears of absolute rage and frustration it's stupid cars. This week has seen me as near to road rage as possible with all the driving I've had to do. Five year old is going to theatre camp, (thus encouraging his over-dramatic side) south of us, and the older two are doing a teen cooking camp about half an hour north (natch). For the past few days I have been dropping little one off, driving like a maniac to get the older two there on time, squeezing some errand or other into the half hour in between going back for the little one then back again for the older two. (Two hours in the car total.)

This morning I was luxuriating in the fact that the Ball & Chain (back from England)was able to drop little one off on the way to work. Him and baby boy climbed into his car, while me and older two got into mine. B&C pulled out, and I started my car. Click, whirr. Nothing. Now years of the kids leaving lights on, doors open etc. has taught me to recognise the sound of a car not about to start any time soon. I jumped out of the car and went running after B&C, arms waving frantically. Years of training made him back up immediately. No time to figure out what was wrong with my car; we all clambered into one car and began the long drop-off process. (Why I went along I don't know. At that point I must have been carrying the guilt for whatever had happened to flatten the battery.)

An hour later we sat in the car trying to figure out what was wrong, when hubby noticed a button with a picture of a key -and a flashing light. Got the manual out and apparently it was the anti-theft device/car immobiliser. It certainly didn't look like anyone had forced entry into the garage and tried to steal my car, so I phoned my local dealer to speak to someone who knew about these things. Something seems to have de-magnetized the key (I think he said.) Apparently I could try using another key (didn't work), if unsuccessful, the car will have to be towed and re-programmed. I cannot believe that since it's the signals coming from the remote control, the whole bloody buggery car has to be taken in. I need it.

And this is the "typical" part - the B&C is taking older two to NY this weekend, (this afternoon, in fact) and was planning to drive to and from the airport. Now we have to change plans, get my car towed, get them to the airport, etc.etc.

Of course I was bitching and moaning, then came out with a classic. "Why do these things always happen when you need to go somewhere?". Then of course it occurred to me that you wouldn't be sitting in your car trying to start it if you didn't need to go anywhere!