Government Officials 'Pimped Their Rides'

CTALK

- CITO BELTRAN

Back when I was still into car restoration, one of my favorite TV shows was "Pimp My Ride," a program where hosts would conspire with a friend or relative to "steal" a dilapidated vehicle or somebody's far from finished dream car to restore it.

Episodes sometimes went far beyond restoration because some cars literally ended up with more new parts than their original old parts. It was a good show that educated viewers about the challenges and process of car restoration.

But more than being about car stuff, the program really helped people's dream car come true, especially for people who have fallen ill, gotten too old for the work, or were in hard times with no elbow room or money to spare. It proved that there are still many good people around us.

When I retired from the car restoration hobby pre-COVID, I made a serious effort to get rid of all my car books, videos, photos, as well as cars. Whether they admit it or not, serious car buffs qualify as "addicts" or grown men with a car dependency habit.

It was the same technique I used to quit smoking "cold turkey" and the same approach when I retired from raising fighting cocks. You get rid of everything and anyone who could tempt you or remind you about your expensive habits.