This is a SPOTD report in itself, but also a follow up to the last one involving our neighbours who steal car parks. After sending out that report, I got a few emails back suggesting the use of tyre spikes, or keys along the side of their vehicle, but that’s just naughty.

Frankly, I’m surprised at those suggestions - a car is a sacred object, don’t you know? If the world operated according to my rules (and aren’t you all glad it doesn’t?!?!), any person who caught another person vandalising their car (eg: stealing badges, keying paint, bending aerial, writing on it with texta) would be legally permitted to beat them to death with a stick. If they were not strong enough to beat the offender to death, stronger people would be provided free of charge. But I digress…

Three days after the hassles of the most recent car park issues, Di and I went down to the car park to get in the Rocket for me to drive her to work. I noticed that the Jeep parked in #5 (but actually belongs to the people in #6) had a slightly flat rear tyre. I made the comment to Di that surely they would feel a strong pull to the right, and they needed to put air in their tyres. I might have even used the term “idiots”.

Later that day, I was hanging out some washing on the lines (near the car parks) and I noticed that the tyre was half-flat. I realised they must have gotten a puncture during the previous night, and may not have yet realised it. Although I do consider them to be of low intelligence, I thought I should tell them. At the very least, it would hopefully put me in the clear in case they thought “hmm - ranting neighbour a couple of days ago, now a mysterious flat tyre - bastard - let’s destroy his car!”.

I was still debating whether or not to bother walking up the stairs to tell them when I realised one of them was in the car parked in #6, just on the other side of the Jeep. I went over and tapped on his window, which gave him quite a start. I am not sure if he just got a scare first, or whether he heard the tap, then got scared because it was me…*grin*

Me: “Did you know that your friend’s Jeep has a flat tyre?”

SPOTD: “Yeah. Saw that this morning.”

Me: “Fair enough. I just figured I’d better clear my name in case you thought I was still angry about the car park thing the other day.”

SPOTD: “No, he hit something last night on the way home but hoped he wouldn’t get a puncture.”

Me: “Doesn’t look like he was hoping hard enough. Well, so long as you know about it, I guess. I just figured that you’d want to be aware of it, in case you were relying on using the car in a hurry later this afternoon or something.”

SPOTD: “No, he hasn’t done anything about it because Jeep tyres are so expensive, and he doesn’t want to have to spend money on it if he doesn’t have to.”

Now, looking at the tyre, sitting with the metal rim cutting into the rubber, there is no way it can be repaired without spending money. At the very least, they’re going to have to get the puncture fixed. If they leave the rim sitting on the wheel for much longer, they’ll have to think about buying a whole new tyre.

About 12 hours later, the front right tyre began to go flat as well, obviously a much slower leak. The rear right tyre has been dead flat now for four days, while the front right tyre only has about one quarter pressure. Still, there is no rush to go spend money on the tyres. Apparently they can spend hundreds of dollars on plastic tail fins, sparkling blue headlights and other decorations for the car, but spending money to keep it on the road is a much lower priority.

I have to give them the SPOTD award again. And yes, while not responsible for them, secretly I think two flat tyres could not happen to more deserving people….*evil grin*

Categories: SPOTD