The Weapon Illustrated Below Has Been Unloaded For Your Safety

Summer has escaped, and Autumn has been left behind to take the blame again. Relief from hot sticky weather is offset by shorter days, depressing lists of uncompleted projects, and the general gloom that comes from knowing that Winter waits in a cold dark alley ahead, ready to jump out and mug the unprepared.

This week marks an anniversary of sorts. Four years ago, almost to the day, BritBox's Favorite TR250 came out of the Darkness of Rehabilitation and into the Light of Driving Goodness. How shiny and exciting that car looked as it rolled out on its own four wheels! Rather more exciting than being spread in an even layer across the garage and basement floors as it had been for the previous five years.

The first trip for the recently insured and fully registered sports car was to a small local community festival. The day began seasonally crisp and cool, but with the promise of heat later in the day that would echo the recently departed Summer. As the trunk (OK, boot) handle was turned so as to store jackets and whatnot, the fresh, legal, and razor sharp Ohio license plate severed a tendon on the back of BritBox's right hand. This is what will happen when apathetic ergonomic design collides with a split second of distraction and carelessness.

Needless to say, BritBox spent most of that bittersweet Autumn motoring about with an impressive splint and bandage on the old shifting hand. BritBox was able to continue to drive during the period of convalescence thanks to having the right-hand middle finger splinted in the extended or "driving" position. You, the gentle reader, will be able to breathe a sigh of happy relief, resting in the knowledge that BritBox's hand is now fully functional after expert surgery and extensive gear-shifting therapy.

The lesson today? That we love objects, but they do not love us back? That love means nothing without pain? That our moments of greatest joy and hope can be tempered by shock and misery?

No, nothing like that at all. Buy a $3.00 plastic license plate frame, and for goodness sake pay attention to what you are doing, OK?