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Hi folks -
Continuing my efforts to get perspective on life and work, I'm staying away from the office until I absolutely need to be back there to update my class materials (syllabi, websites, assignments, handouts, and so on) and doing things I enjoy that I've been neglecting.
So: Got my 1951 Chevy running again, ditto my 1983 VW convertible (each was several days' work, mind you). Re-arranged my vehicles so I can replace the entire brake system of the Chevy in the garage. Cleared out the garage a bunch. Trying to decide if I should sell one or two or more of my vehicles (don't laugh); what do you think:
The hot-rod engine in my wagon would be a great powerplant in that Chevy, and it would be funny to put Ford into Chevy whereas most hot-rodders put Chevy into Ford. I have a new transmission for it (was going to go into the wagon), and a 9" Ford rear end, all of which would make the Chevy a fun little machine that also looks gorgeous. The wagon would then become scrap-metal or an eBay parts car (starting at a buck! take it away!), and I could sell the Chevy engine and tranny and rear end (all working, though not exactly modern, and I'm tired of always fiddling with my cars).
The VW works now, but it's in desperate need of restification. Do I spend the time and money needed to do that, to get a cute little convertible out of it, something reliable? Or do I just sell it to some college kid, for whom it would be a great little around-town car?
The Chevy: Should I just sell the thing and get to work on my Little Vehicle of Danger? Do I need a pretty old car when I have a pretty new car (the Crossfire)?
The motorcycle: My brother wants to buy it, but his wife seems to be nixing that. It's just too uncomfortable to ride now for me, so I'm faced with making major modifications to it or selling it (for half of what I paid, sigh) and getting another bike, something smooth and vibration-less. Or not having a motorcycle at all anymore. I mean, scooters are the naz around town, and I just don't feel comfortable riding it to work in KC through deer country at night. A little convertible could do a lot of what a cycle does for me... hmmm.
I would like to thin down the herd considerably, but I'm torn! Help!
Other stuff I've done:
Rebuilt my carport. The big snow of recent past collapsed the darned thing, held up only by the roof of the wagon, thank goodness. I bought some much heavier-duty pipe to rebuild it - a challenge with one arm that doesn't really work properly yet - so it's not only stronger now but taller, to boot! (I had been bumping my head as I passed under the side-rails.)
Tidied up the garage a bit.
Did lots of writing-thinking.
Installed a paper lantern in the TV/living room of my house in place of the nasty 1980's fixture - my first home-wiring project! Still no fires, so all seems well.
Got myself a cool Weider gym, one of those compact electronic-control ones, for less than two hundred buckies (on clearance, down from $800, I shite you not). Xmas present to myself! Now, if only my shoulder were healed up enough to use it... *g*
And more stuff, too. It's been so pleasant, and I've gotten lots of good thinking done. I'm in such a more peaceful place than I was of late, and have a much clearer perspective on all the things that have been making me unhappy: This is my real accomplishment during break.
I hope the holidays have been good to you, and Happy New Year! May 2006 be a good one!
Best,
Chris
Continuing my efforts to get perspective on life and work, I'm staying away from the office until I absolutely need to be back there to update my class materials (syllabi, websites, assignments, handouts, and so on) and doing things I enjoy that I've been neglecting.
So: Got my 1951 Chevy running again, ditto my 1983 VW convertible (each was several days' work, mind you). Re-arranged my vehicles so I can replace the entire brake system of the Chevy in the garage. Cleared out the garage a bunch. Trying to decide if I should sell one or two or more of my vehicles (don't laugh); what do you think:
The hot-rod engine in my wagon would be a great powerplant in that Chevy, and it would be funny to put Ford into Chevy whereas most hot-rodders put Chevy into Ford. I have a new transmission for it (was going to go into the wagon), and a 9" Ford rear end, all of which would make the Chevy a fun little machine that also looks gorgeous. The wagon would then become scrap-metal or an eBay parts car (starting at a buck! take it away!), and I could sell the Chevy engine and tranny and rear end (all working, though not exactly modern, and I'm tired of always fiddling with my cars).
The VW works now, but it's in desperate need of restification. Do I spend the time and money needed to do that, to get a cute little convertible out of it, something reliable? Or do I just sell it to some college kid, for whom it would be a great little around-town car?
The Chevy: Should I just sell the thing and get to work on my Little Vehicle of Danger? Do I need a pretty old car when I have a pretty new car (the Crossfire)?
The motorcycle: My brother wants to buy it, but his wife seems to be nixing that. It's just too uncomfortable to ride now for me, so I'm faced with making major modifications to it or selling it (for half of what I paid, sigh) and getting another bike, something smooth and vibration-less. Or not having a motorcycle at all anymore. I mean, scooters are the naz around town, and I just don't feel comfortable riding it to work in KC through deer country at night. A little convertible could do a lot of what a cycle does for me... hmmm.
I would like to thin down the herd considerably, but I'm torn! Help!
Other stuff I've done:
Rebuilt my carport. The big snow of recent past collapsed the darned thing, held up only by the roof of the wagon, thank goodness. I bought some much heavier-duty pipe to rebuild it - a challenge with one arm that doesn't really work properly yet - so it's not only stronger now but taller, to boot! (I had been bumping my head as I passed under the side-rails.)
Tidied up the garage a bit.
Did lots of writing-thinking.
Installed a paper lantern in the TV/living room of my house in place of the nasty 1980's fixture - my first home-wiring project! Still no fires, so all seems well.
Got myself a cool Weider gym, one of those compact electronic-control ones, for less than two hundred buckies (on clearance, down from $800, I shite you not). Xmas present to myself! Now, if only my shoulder were healed up enough to use it... *g*
And more stuff, too. It's been so pleasant, and I've gotten lots of good thinking done. I'm in such a more peaceful place than I was of late, and have a much clearer perspective on all the things that have been making me unhappy: This is my real accomplishment during break.
I hope the holidays have been good to you, and Happy New Year! May 2006 be a good one!
Best,
Chris
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Aside from being agape at the sheer amount of cars you own...how's the writing thing going? You were pretty gung-ho on it awhile ago...any movement?
Also, you owe me pictures.