Well, here we are, 2004. As you may have noticed, I’ve been busy so far with extracurricular activities.

But I won’t bore you with that. Instead let me tell you about the car.

Tony got the collector’s edition version of Doctor Who: The Three Doctors for Christmas - in the special box with a toy “Bessie” (the Doctor’s car). Despite urging from myself and Rae, he wouldn’t open it. Collector’s edition, you see. To be collected. Not watched, oh no, no matter how much he might enjoy it. Left in its box in plastic, in pristine condition.

Meanwhile, my kids got the non-collector’s edition, ie just the DVD, for Christmas. We’ve watched it. Oh, how we’ve watched it.

Marita and I headed over to Tony & Rae’s last night to watch The Office Christmas specials courtesy of their Foxtel subscription. Great stuff, but I won’t give it away for those who are waiting for it to make it to free-to-air TV.

I conspired with Rae, and took over our copy of the DVD. So, after The Office had finished, we sprang into action. This is paraphrased of course, but you’ll get the idea.

Daniel (calling to next room): Hey Tony, have you opened the box yet?

Tony (coming back into room): No…

Rae (holding up my copy of the DVD): Oh, hun…

Tony: (aghast silence)

Rae: I’m sorry… I sat on the box…

Tony: (aghast silence)

Rae: …completely flattened it…

Tony (very stern-sounding): Where’s the car?

Rae: …sorry…

Tony (very stern-sounding): Where’s the car?

Daniel: (thinking if us others weren’t there, murder might have been committed)

Rae: It’s in Phee’s room, I gave it to her to play with.

Tony (aghast silence again)

Somewhere around this point the three of us burst into laughter and Rae produced the still pristine box. Tony wasn’t delighted, and pretended to sulk, but I laughed the longest I’ve laughed in quite some time.

Sorry Tony mate, I couldn’t resist. (At least he got to watch some of the DVD afterwards.)