Vinceland

Ok, enough of the lovey-dovey, wedding stuff. It’s time to talk about something near and dear to every man’s heart. The man’s #2: His motor vehicles.

But before I delve into that, I want to extol the virtues of a written form that makes more sense to put in use today than at any time in human history. The List.

Lists are back. Lists are back in a big way. I would argue this is due in large part to the emergence of the Internet as the best communication method for keeping acquaintances up to date on what’s going on. (Example: All blogs are made of lists.)

In fact, the Internet has allowed me to maintain acquaintance-style relationships better than I ever did before. I can readily keep a ton of people, in both business and social circles, informed on a number of subjects, just by posting a list or two on an email or website.

Lists are the only way to quickly, clearly communicate to any audience on a variety of subjects. We all know people have less time today than ever for effective communication, and no one wants to spend too much time keeping in touch with loose acquaintances. Not enough return on that investment of time. It is what it is, I’m not being harsh.

Lists deserve a new life. Words deserve to live in a list.

• Lists: A Better Way of Life for Words.
• Lists: Make Friends of Your Words.
• Lists: The Only Way to Organize.
• Lists: We’re Fuckin’ Awesome!
• Lists: Stoke Out Some Words.
• Make a List. Make Your Day.

So, there’s my spiel about lists. Now onto Vehicles.

I am close to trading in my current car and I can choose what to drive for the next few years. There are some changes in my life that make this an interesting decision:

• I don’t have to pull a boat any more, so I don’t NEED a truck for that
• I don’t have to drive in the snow any more, so I don’t NEED 4WD or AWD.
• Fuel for my vehicles costs more now.
• Motorcycles abound here, and I want one again.

So with that, I have to admit that I still want a real big pickup truck, possibly diesel, with a cap and some nice, big tires. This is what I want, it’s the ultimate Man’s vehicle. And so many dudes have them here, mostly white ones. There a ton of large, white, diesel pickups with big tires and dudes behind the wheel in Portland, Oregon.

I don’t need white, but I still want one to drive around in, look down on people from, put crap in the back of, get dirty in, jump in and out of, wash occasionally, and generally be admired behind the wheel of. I want one, but they’re expensive, inefficient, and my wife thinks they’re obnoxious. If I had a boat to pull behind it, a big pickup truck would make more sense and could be justified.

So what else could I drive around here in? Recently, the idea of having just a motorcycle came to mind. The complete opposite of a big, diesel truck, a motorcycle is just as desirable for me, albeit for different reasons:

• They’re cool.
• They’re easy to park.
• They’re fast and fun.
• They’re friggin’ awesome.
• They’re many styles and sizes to choose from.
• They’re cheaper to buy, maintain and keep fueled up.

The downsides of riding bikes exclusively are: weather protection, general danger from crappy drivers around you, lack of storage space. But I still want one. We drive many short-distance trips around here, and we already have a wagon to transport dogs and other large items.

So, somewhere in the middle lies every other vehicle in existence, any of which would solve my basic need for locomotion and travel. I could go cheap, used. I could lease a brand new car of some kind. (Probably Chevrolet, as-per family connections)

Maybe I’ll pick up a Black Chevy Monte Carlo. Completely different, fast, Nascar-style. Meghan would hate me, but she’d like the car after a ride. Or maybe the dreaded SUV, those things are HATED around here. I feel like all eyes are on SUV drivers around here, liberal livers that they are in Portland. Or maybe I’ll let Meghan pick out a new car and drive the VW Passat 4Motion we already have.

About the ONLY thing I truly need in my next car is Ipod connectivity. That, and reliability will do me just fine. I’ve had a CD player in my vehicle that does not accept Ipods and it’s changed my life for the worse. I have a sweet, new Ipod with tons of music on it, that only serves as a backup for my music. And the radio stations here are kinda beat.

Addendum: We’ve decided to look into VW Vanagons, Westfalias, Campers, Weekenders. Could be a nice, nice option.