Date:         Wed, 27 Jun 2001 10:47:17 -0700
Reply-To:     sfsoulsurfer@MINDSPRING.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Gavin Flanagan <sfsoulsurfer@MINDSPRING.COM>
Subject:      Burden or Blessing?
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So this morning during our daily walk down the beach to the local coffee
shop my best friend cast aspersions on my beloved "Victoria"! ('82 Westy)

We saw a funky, old red VW bug drive by and he commented on how he'd love to
own a car like that. I said, "That would be cool, we could both work on our
cars together."

He says, "Oh God, you mean it woud be like your old heap? F*ck that! Your
van is always needing one thing or another."

I took this as an insult and wasn't able to readily explain the benefits of
being closely connected to my "old heap." How does one explain the intimacy
of clogged fuel filters, vacuum leaks, propane smells, constantly checking
engine temperature gauges, etc.?

Why do we love our vans so much even though they require so much work and go
so slow?

What would you have said if you were in my shoes?

I'm now gonna pull out my old copy of "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle
Maintenance"...