So what’s been happening. Just before Christmas my garage partner (the white commodore) spent way too much time parked in the wrong place and was way too close to me. Naturally this lead to total frustration when it was time to take me out.....20 minutes to get me out of the garage is NOT acceptable, but these things happen.

I was lucky enough to go on a few rides during the break, and I think Anthony’s recent relaxed attitude to life has lead him to enjoy riding so much more. This also meant that I had more fun too. He seems to be putting that little bit more effort into his riding, and is enjoying pushing me harder into the corners, and coming out the other side with a big smile on his face.

But then he went away and left me for a week…….

He went camping, I sat in the garage. He had dinners and drinks, went for walks and all sorts of other stuff.....and I sat in the garage. He played his guitar, listened to music, took photos, laughed and talked.....and I sat in the garage. Am I getting my point across? Do I seem ungrateful? Do I need to continue?

I must add that despite my complaints, whatever he did while he was away, I hope it continues.

For regular readers of my Vortex induced babbling, you would notice that I always try and have a bit of a laugh at my owner, and this week’s post is no exception. Sure he went away and left me, and apparently had lots of fun, but the irony of it all is that on the way home from his trip, he fried his clutch in the car, and the poor bugger spent two and a half hours on the side of the road waiting for the NRMA and then a tow truck, and then had to leave his car to get fixed....so he still needs to get around, and now he needs me.....now he comes running to his poor neglected scooter (I’m not really neglected at all, I’m just trying to make him feel bad.....)

So until the car is repaired, I’m his transportation source, and for me, life is the way it should be. So the moral of the story is that clutch’s come and go, but Scooters are always there...

He has said that he’s going to take me on a trip some time. We had planned to do it last year but the day that will always be known as “the day he binned me..” caused a change in plans.

So what’s ahead for Monaco for 2008? Hopefully not much of a change. There will be regular rides and there will be times in the garage, but in the end, there will be opportunities to get out and enjoy the black-stuff and live the scooter life to the fullest. Even yesterday we went out in the rain – just because we could.

As mentioned in my pre-Christmas post, Monaco’s Celebrity Pillion Passenger Of The Week was to be taking a break, but after some careful consideration (that’s my excuse for spending a week stuck in the garage with nothing to do) an executive decision has been made and it has returned. There was some discussion (actually there was an argument but as this is my blog, i am king, and therefore I got my way.!!!) Anthony keeps offering another suggestion about someone who he would like to have on the back, but I have overturned his decision.!!

And so this week’s winner goes against the recent trend in one aspect – she’s still an actress, but she isn’t a brunette. She is currently staring as "Giselle" in the film “Enchanted”, she has also appeared in "Talladega Nights, the Ballad of Ricky Bobby" with the memorable quote "Hi, I'm Susan. I'm his lady, I painted the car, I......we had sex."

Please say hello to Amy Adams.

And so until next week, have a good one, ride safely and make the most of each day. And to all of the scooters out there, make sure you tell your owners that you appreciate them, thank them by not breaking down, remind them why you are special above all, HAVE FUN!.