YOU SAY POTATO.... I SAY POTATOE (PART 1)

So your wondering how in the world can vehicle shopping be remotely close to finding a life partner.  I know..... I too was quiet taken by surprise when I initially identified the quasi link. But the more thought I have given this, the more I think I am on to something.... and more importantly I think I have identified the missing link to finding my life partner.  So with out further ado here is what my extensive data collection and comparison have yielded so far.....

Commitment

Okay, so the word commitment has a way of striking terror in even the most mild mannered male/female.  Whether that commitment be to something as simple a vehicle or the ultimate plunge..... getting married.  God bless the vehicle manufacturers for recognizing that the topic of commitment can make some queasy and dare I say it weak in the knees.  They in their infinite wisdom decreed that what vehicle shoppers needed was options. The introduction of endless choices in makes, models, packages and ownership plans  allows even the most commitment phobic person to drive what they want, for as long as they want, without any feeling of buyers remorse.  

But the concept of wanting to experience something without committing to it, is not new.  It has been around since the dawn of time and is most prevalent in the human relationship domain.   I would hazard a guess that it was  Commitment Phob that came up with the concepts of vehicle rental and leasing.  

Three identified levels of vehicle commitment and how they correlate to their human relationship equivalents

Level 1

The entry level of vehicle commitment is the car rental.  The benefits of car rental is it lets you experience a lot of different types of vehicles and explore the pros and cons of each.  If the renter so chooses, they can use what they have learned from each subsequent rental to develop a comprehensive guide of traits and features the they want and expect in their next vehicle purchase.  The draw back of course is the renter can never call the vehicle their own, which does not allow them to get to know the nuances (good and bad) of owning said vehicle.  

Car rental is the equivalent of serial dating in the human relationship realm.  Now, some start off as a serial daters and use this time in their life to collect data on what they want from a relationship.  Others intend to stay in the realm of the serial dater, only to find "the one" that intrigues them so much they move to the next level of commitment.  Then there is the group that is content on staying in the safe zone of serial dating/one night stands/hooking-up forever.  

Level 2

The next step up from renting a vehicle is entering into a lease agreement.  In this scenario the leaser has thought carefully about the vehicle of their choice and is ready to commit...... but with a catch.  They want the option of opting out of the relationship in 3 to 5 years.  The leaser is using the specified lease time to reflect on their decision and determine if they made the right choice, see what issues arise and last but not least see if there is a newer better suited model for them at the end of the lease period.  

Sound familiar?  Yes this is the man/woman who has decided serial dating is no longer for them, they want to be exclusive with another, but still have the niggling doubt that maybe the one they have chosen is not for them.  They are consistently weighing all the signs, issues and good times trying to determine if they can continue to remain in the relationship, or, if they need to get the hell out of Dodge before their "lease" is up.  Some decide that they were correct in their choice and enter into a new found level of commitment at the end of the "lease" period. But many more decide that the "lease" is no longer for them for a variety of reasons.  These individuals do not pass Go or collect $200.   They instead:

• enter back into the realm of "car rental/serial dating"
• decide they are going to find alternative methods of transportation i.e. walking/biking/horse and cart (aka celibacy/self-exploration/alternative lifestyle, etc, etc)
• or they proceed right on to another lease/long- term committed relationship.
  

Level 3

The last level of vehicle commitment is out and out purchasing the vehicle.  This is the level of commitment that I am most familiar with and a strong advocate for.  Don't get me wrong there are risks and benefits associated with this level i.e. you could be buying something that ultimately may not fit your lifestyle..... it could be a lemon..... there will definitely be good times and bad times and believe you me the bad times will cost you a pretty penny i.e. trips to the vehicle doctor, car spa days and minor nips and tucks to keep the exterior looking new and shiny.  But in the end all the minor aggravations and associated expenses are worth it, as you  get to really know your vehicle. How it handles in rough conditions; the sounds and ways it lets you know when a visit to the mechanic is required; the memories that are linked with your vehicle (both good and bad).....the list could go on ad nauseum.  

In the human realm this level of commitment is found in long-standing relationships where the people involved may or may not be married.   These are the individuals who say for better or for worse and they mean it.  Not to say that their committed life is perfect.... just like in a committed vehicle relationship there will be expected ups and downs, times when you just want to leave them in the dust and times where it is better that you don't have contact. But when everything is weighed- good equals if not surpasses the bad, making it all worth the effort to keep the relationship alive.  

So what can we learn from this exercise in comparison.......  

• Know what level of commitment you are willing to invest in your vehicle purchases and human relationships.  
• Be up front with others regarding your intended level of commitment.
• Listen to what others are saying..... if she/he says they only want to "rent/serial date"..... BELIEVE THEM! Don't fool yourself into thinking you can change their mind.
• Level 3 commitment can be scary in both vehicle purchases and relationships... but in most cases the benefits far outweigh the risks.

So what other similarities are there between vehicle shopping and finding a life partner????

Tune in next time, 

Same Ranger time, 

Same Ranger station.

Life Lessons...... Kindly brought to you by Ford.

My Mamacita is fond of saying that the "Good Lord teaches us in mysterious ways."  Sometimes the lessons themselves are not as mysterious as the teachers who deliver the lesson.  Whoever would have thought that I would learn a major life lesson and a lot about myself from my Ranger, of all things.  

Curious?   Wondering what in the world the "Ah Ha" moment was?  Well aren't you lucky that I am in a giving mood tonight and won't keep you in suspense. The lesson was.......

  

"There are plenty of fish in the sea. "  

Now I know that you are probably thinking.... "Hello,  old news sista."  and that is so very true, but for me it was like a splash of cold water and has really made me start thinking about relationships or lack there of.

Confused?  

Good!  Now that you are questioning my sanity, your intrigue will spur you to read on.

For this all to make sense you have to know a little about me.  I am what you might call chronically single, for lack of a better term.  Now don't get all bleeding heart on me.  It is something that I have come to terms with and besides my "condition" provides me with a lot of time to pursue interests.  Normal things like reading, running, skiing and international espionage (caught that, glad to see your paying attention).   Besides, being spared relationship drama has done wonders in maintaining my youthful appearance...  I am really 65 years old!  Truly amazing isn't it!  

If you have never experienced chronic singledom,  you don't know that an amazing thing happens around year 6, or was that 7, I forget.  After years of looking for potential relationships around every corner and with every new person you meet, you just stop looking.  You become content in the one relationship you do have control over....  the one with yourself.   So although you meet people,  you don't expect anything because hey, your in a committed relationship already.  

Don't get me wrong, a relationship with yourself is not all roses and garden tea parties.  There are times when you don't like yourself, you feel your not good enough and your ready to throw in the towel and look for a new relationship.  This coincidentally usually occurs after visits home, when you have to face the firing squad of questions from your relatives, or, the weeks proceeding and following attendance at weddings.  But there is a silver lining.  As the years pass, family members give up asking and there have been amazing technological advances in pharmaceuticals to address "Weddingitis" (Kidding!).  

So, by the time you hit year 14, 15..... or say 20; singledom is old hat, something you are good. It also doesn't hurt that it feels as comfortable as your favorite pair of PJ bottoms.    This type of comfort is exactly what I have with the Ranger.  After 14 years of living together, I can tell just by the sound of the engine or the feel of the steering when Lil' Dude needed to visit the Truck Doctor.  Although my head occasionally turns to notice a random Sport Trac,  Titan, VW Bug or Jeep YJ, I have never taken it any further, as hey, I am happy in my current vehicle relationship.

The recent mechanical failings of the truck and the overwhelming number of choices that are available to look at and explore is what reawakened my interest in looking for a relationship outside of myself.  It also opened my eyes to the amazing similarity between dating, relationships and vehicle shopping.  The one benefit of shopping for a vehicle vs looking for a relationship is it is normally frowned upon to start searching for a new relationship when the old one is failing; but is highly encouraged and socially supported when your vehicle relationship is on the rocks.  

Will Max find the vehicle or man of her dreams?  

Tune in next time.

Same Ranger time, 

Same Ranger station.

Situation Critical......

Dec 2008 marked the turning point in my relationship with the Ranger.  Usually mild mannered and easy going he decided to go postal around Christmas and overheated.... it was a sight to behold... the hissing, the spitting.... definitely a Diva fit .  At first the mechanic thought it was a radiator leak but two litres of oil and a gallon of anti-freeze latter the he gently broke the news that it maybe more serious..... a cracked head gasket...... GASP!   

They continued on to say.... "You should probably start looking for a new vehicle."  I must admit my legs went numb and I was on the verge of tears and a full blown anxiety attack.  All I could say was "But I don't want a new vehicle", over and over again, as I slowly made my way outside, shoulders slumped and dragging my feet.  For the first three days just looking at the truck caused me physical pain and for once I was thankful I had the office to myself as I could give way to the tears that always inevitably came.

After Day 3 I decided enough was enough.... it was time to put the big girl panties on, suck it up and get serious about looking for my next vehicle, the only problem...... I had no clue what I wanted.  YIKES!!!

Will Max find a new vehicle before the old one passes or will she be destined for public transportation?

Tune in next time.......