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Monday, January 5, 2009 12:00 AM

Did I just buy an SUV?

I didn't mean to. I am an environmentalist. Really. But before I knew it, there it was, in front of my house.

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  • Monday, January 5, 2009 08:04 AM

    What ever happened to...

    ...the fine art of packing a car?

    My father and his ilk made packing a car for a one week ski trip or trip to the cottage an art form. For them, I think it was a competition. A test of their manliness. A throwdown.

    It took a few hours and required careful planning. It required using every inch of available space, and all the while, Mom was covertly adding to the agreed upon heap in the driveway. If it was a ski trip, the cargo carried:

    - 2 adults and 3 children

    - a large metal cooler full of food

    - a large pot full of frozen chili

    - 5 pair of skis, poles and ski boots.

    - Winter wear and sleeping/lounging clothing for 5

    - assorted other clothing for 5

    - pillows

    - groceries for a week

    - several tupperware containers of homebaked treats

    - snacks for the 7 hour trip

    - a kitchen sink or anything else that would fit if Mom felt we would need it.

    - and probably there was a 40 of scotch slipped in there somewhere.

    At a certain point in the process, we were required to get in the car so he could strategically pack us in with everything that didn't fit in the car. (don't even think about going to the bathroom) The closer he got to completion, the louder and more colourful was the stream of expletives that left his mouth. We didn't need airbags back then, we couldn't move if we had to. Got rearended in a snowstorm once and the metal cooler and all the other crap in the trunk literally saved our lives.

    When we arrived, the car literally exploded open, but on the way back, he did it all over again.

    Two kids and some groceries requires an SUV?

    Bullshit...learn to pack like a man.

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