Lately I’ve been giggling every time I use my vehicle. As my spouse has the furthest to travel – and thus has dibs on the most fuel efficient ride – “my” vehicle has become the standard suburban minivan. This, in and of itself, has not lead to my fits of self-induced hilarity. On the contrary, most often it produces worries that I am becoming Chevy Chase in Vacation, and induces pre-mid-life crisis thoughts of sports cars and the BMW 535i… But no! I shall not covet my neighbor’s ass-et.
No, what has been amusing me is the accoutrement the family truckster acquired a week ago, and which I have been too lazy/pre-occupied to remove. A long weekend family trip – for State Tournament hockey, if you must know – necessitated me equipping the van with our Yakima Space-Boosterâ„¢ cargo “pod.” Since returning over a week ago, I’ve been tooling about town with my topper still attached. And every time I walk out to get in it, I can’t help but think I’ve suddenly become Michael Bluth.
Bluth, as you’re no doubt aware, is the only semi-functional member of the extended Bluth Family in the outstanding show Arrested Development. When his father is finally arrested for his illegal dealings in the house-of-cards Bluth Company, one of the only assets remaining to the company – now headed (in bankruptcy) by son Michael – is the stair truck formerly used to service the corporate jet. As it is the only vehicle he has, Michael uses it for all his travel around L.A.
While my extended family is not quite as messed up as the Bluths, I still guffaw every time I go to run an errand.