Man, it’s been 10 days now since 2006 came and I just can’t remember where the week went. As Letterman said the other day in his show, where has the year gone?

New Year’s day started quite funnily enough. After the Filipino Mass in Ahmadi church, we ran into a couple of friends and the topic of discussion was fire extinguishers. Yes, fire extinguishers! One of them said that an acquaintance got a citation ticket for not having this device in his car. Apparently, the traffic department had started roadside inspections to catch unwary motorists. The rationale for this, they said, was the high incidence of cars that caught fire on the road last year. I myself didn’t know that there was such a new regulation. So I was a prime candidate for the 15-dinar (P2,700/-) fine, just in case.

The next day - from out of the blue - another friend, Ali, texted me best wishes for the new year and offered me a fire extinguisher for only 5 dinars with free delivery. Talk about business by SMS! Anyway, I told him to deliver 2 of the 2-kg. extinguishers – one for my small Peugeot and the other for the wife’s Pajero. It was a good offer since I didn’t have time to go looking for it in the market. Wise decision. Because the following day, none could be found anymore and the price had ratcheted up.

But Kuwait is a land of surprises and flip-flops for after two days, the Ministry rescinded the order. Instead, the fire extinguisher will only be inspected once the vehicle’s registration is renewed. That brought a sigh of relief from almost everyone except those who paid through the nose in order to get one by hook or by crook. It’s alright by me since the cars’ registrations are up for renewal next month.

But I have a problem. My car is so small that I don't know where to actually put it. I didn't realize that a 2-kg fire extinguisher would be that huge (about 12cm diameter by 42cm long). If I put it beside me on the passenger side, it might scratch the legs of some long-legged beauty who might one day hitch a ride in my car - you never know! The backseat isn't a good option either because it would cramp the space further for those who would be sitting there. Besides, I have enough junk there already. The trunk - well, how would I get to it in case of an emergency? So I'm in a quandary. Perhaps, I'd probably just strap it on behind my back and be like Rocketman!

It had been raining again the past week and the temperature has dropped to 14 degrees centigrade. Could still get colder in the coming days specially because of the heavy snowfall in Europe which might extend all the way to Iran. The wind could drive that cold further down south to us here and make everyone shiver as the thermometer shows single-digit readings.

Today, the 10th, and tomorrow are public holidays because of the Hajj. This is the annual pilgrimage of Muslims to Mecca in Saudi Arabia. One of the obligations of believers in Islam is to fulfill this rite once in their lifetime. It’s like a Catholic going to visit the Vatican in Rome.

With the surprisingly fine weather, I’m sure many people here will be in the parks and beaches to enjoy the long weekend barbecuing and just lazing around. This is the time of the year when Kuwait is cool enough for its populace to enjoy the outdoors more. Once April, the harbinger of summer, comes around, we will all be back cocooned in our airconditioned offices, homes and cars once again.

I’m not fond of making resolutions for the new year. But if there’s one thing I plan to do more, it’s walking. The best form of exercise they say because it’s good for the heart and lowers your bad cholesterol level. And it costs you practically nothing.

I think I will go for a long walk by the Gulf Road now. And carrry the damned fire extinguisher on my back to get used to its weight!