Really good read this is, i'm keeping an eye on it.
I've got a set of those red-and-smoke rear lights on the back of my Escort, in my opinion a really effective simple change, they give it a modern lift, will go well with the clear indicator lenses on the front. Keep up the good work! Good luck with the job hunting as well
On a different note, earlier on it the thread when i said you looked very very similar to a mate of mine, well, i showed him this thread, the first thing he said was along the lines of 'Jesus Christ, he could be my brother!'