We called it the 'One' game. Short for "if you only had one (blank) for the rest of your life, what would it be?"
It was used to keep the kids entertained while we were in the car, especially on longer trips.
The minute the first "are we there yet?" rang out from the back seat, some version of a game involving a choice or choices was immediately implemented.
This differed slightly from the "don't make me come back there/I'll pull this thing over/shut your pieholes", followed by total silence moments I remember so fondly as a lad myself.
Sometimes it was 'build a garage', where each person got to watch oncoming traffic and pick their own garage full of 10 cars, with the group deciding the winners at the end. Always a terrific time-killer. But mostly it was the 'One' game. Made everyone think and laugh and before you knew it, you'd reached your destination.
A few hours before writing this, I was talking on the phone to my now full-grown son and he mentioned that one of his co-workers had randomly asked him if he only had one fruit to eat for the rest of his life, what would it be?
We laughed, remembering the car games. For the record, I settled on mandarin oranges, with a nod toward apples. Even though I do eat far more apples as a matter of habit, if pressed I would still choose the oranges.
So with summer now here and potential road trips on the horizon, let's play. I'll ask the question, stream of consciousness style, then offer my answer and you can silently judge me and make your own choices.
If you could choose just one of these for the rest of your days, what would it be? (and my answer)
Song to listen to? Always the hardest choice. Today, it would be 'Don't You (Forget About Me)' by Simple Minds. (If you ask me tomorrow, it may be different).
Chocolate bar? Snickers.
Pop? Diet Coke.
Car? Late-'80s IROC-Z, blue. (If I'm in that, song immediately changes to something by AC/DC).
Golf course to play? Cowichan.
Shoe? Nike waffle trainers.
Ice cream? Moose Tracks.
TV show? Hockey Night in Canada.
Book? The Game by Ken Dryden.
Board game? Trivial Pursuit.
Video game (arcade)? Galaga.
Video game (home system)? Intellivision.
Cartoon? Speed Racer.
Flower? Snapdragon.
Dessert? Mum's peach upside down cake.
Meal? Hamburger patties, mashed potatoes, baked beans. (You're judging...)
Sport to watch? Hockey.
Sport to play? Baseball.
Colour of freezie? Clear.
Lake? Skaha.
Beach? Willows.
Jeans? Levi's 501, button fly.
Movie? Fast Times at Ridgemont High. (If I said Citizen Kane, would you believe me?)
Holiday? Christmas.
Vacation destination? Disneyland (with kids). Vegas (without).
Campground? Gordon Bay.
Restaurant? The Dog House.
Mountain? Prevost.
Musical instrument? Guitar.
Drink? Purple Gatorade. No, wait. Skim milk. (I said it)
Pet? Dog.
Season? Summer.
Cereal? Shreddies.
Toy? Mattel handheld electronic football.
Cookie? Snickerdoodle.
Thanksgiving side dish? Stuffing.
Word? Thanks.
* Any more fun topics I've missed? I'd love to hear some of your own favourite answers, or tales of other games you played in the car as a youngster or with your own children.
PQB 亚洲天堂/Vancouver Island Free Daily editor Philip Wolf welcomes your questions, comments and local story ideas. He can be reached at 250-905-0029 or via email at philip.wolf@blackpress.ca.
