Auto Mechanics 101 NOT

I should have taken auto mechanics somewhere along the way, I know that now. It's not funny to talk about considering the in an out love affairs I've had with certain cars through the years, and that I raced them for a time. It's just that I've always had SOME man in my life that knew how to take care of them, and at least do some of the mechanics, saving me great amounts of money and allowing me to be lazy with the learning.

I was raised in the South, and every guy I knew could work on cars. Loved cars. It was in fact a clever way to keep them focused and out of trouble. Just let them work on the car! They loved to drive too, so you never had to worry about getting somewhere.

Then I moved North. I'm not saying the men here don't work on cars, but, NOT in the social circles I came to live in.

1. In the business world of big bucks buddies, they just pay someone to fix cars

2. If it's a hobby then he doesn't really want to deal with the everyday car OR,

3. he's a musician or artist who either

a) has no idea how to work on a car, or

b) he's broke, or,

c) he WON'T spend his money on a car but he will buy that new piece of equipment for the
sake of his "art."

(I've had two major boyfriends since my divorce and both were really good with cars, and sex. I got spoiled, really spoiled. A healthy running car is as important as great sex)!

I have made myself learn from manuals how to do some of the small stuff on the cars I've owned. Many times it was because I was desperate, and it was the only way that car was going to get back on the road. I laugh when I think of all the rubber band repairs I've had to do. Pieces and parts. Just barely holding the vehicle together. If I had been stopped for an inspection, I would never had passed. Never. Have you ever been stuck out in the middle of nowhere, between cities, at a scary rest stop in the middle of the night, without a cell phone? I have, and I think I have a few gray hairs from those experiences.

These days I am in between being able to afford a repair job, and having to do a rubber band job for the short term. Being in between boyfriends doesn't help either. I know I'm not alone in this club, but, it doesn't make it any better. I still get this nauseating feeling deep in the pit of my stomach when I'm waiting for the mechanic to give me the low down on the problem. Let's face it, it's expensive to maintain cars. Parts are expensive, labor is expensive, your time is taken from you, EXPENSIVE. This is the point in which I get really pissed off at my ex-husband. Although, he couldn't work on cars either! This would be really comical if I weren't crying so hard from feeling sorry for myself.

In the meantime, I get dressed, throw my chin up and go on in a world that's COMPLETELY OBLIVIOUS to my reality. Many of my experiences are a long way from the safe and blissful lifestyle I once enjoyed. A lifestyle that most of the people I know still enjoy. What ever would they think of me if they knew?

Just give me Harry Potter's wand and I'll be fine.