In my last post about the Bimmer, the 535i, the Blue Frankenstein as it were (or was) way back in the first week of May I mentioned my dilemma of restoring the unrestored strut assembly to the BF so as to be able to work, eat, live and transport self and soul to all necessary situations and locations. I mentioned at the time that it may not have been the wises of decisions, but necessity is the mother of... Well to put it another way necessity is often a Mother! 
I can re-tell the entire blog if you like, or (if you really want to get the meat with the potatoes) you might jump back and save us both a little time. I've just re-read the damned thing and I agree whole heartedly, in fact I now have to recommend the post prior to that one, "Mayday Setback" where I told of my crushed spirit and the untimely loss of the use vehik. I spoke of the cost of the cheapest new replacement strut, and the woes of being woed up and the out-of-commission missile of pleasure and purpose. Woe was me, and me was unwillfuly woefully woed. 
Since I had to be able to get to the to and back to the from, schedules aside and other needs still being needed, I put the broken things back in the place where I wanted new things. Since I found out that the problem of shake, rattle and hum was not just mine (or U2's) and that everything was Helter Skelter, I had to put my desire aside and forsake my pride (in the name of love), I had to drive the drive, as it was always since I had acquired it. 
I had been slowly sanding and primering parts and pieces while there were three rides in the garage and drive, but with the loss of the truck, I had to roll the Blue out of the metaphoric mothballs and drive. 
Ignorance is truly bliss, and I lost that bliss when I learned. I lost the delusion that it was just a bad shock absorber, I lost the innocence of thought that it would be alright until I got a new shocks (always replace front's and rears in pairs) I lost hope that throwing another $1000 or more at the problem would end all problems (at least I'm smarter than most politicians in that respect). 
I was driving the car as I had always driven it, but now I knew the extent of the problem. I knew the devastating possibility of a physical failure and the repercussions of a calamity of that scope. Now every railroad track, pothole, bump and uneven pavement patch wasn't just an opportunity to cuss and fume, it was a mental premonition of collapse, collision or casualty. 
Still I was the man behind the wheel. I was the director of this comedy, and I knew my limitations, and my strengths. I couldn't (still can't) afford alternative automotive access. I drove it like I loved it, I loved it with the usual limitations of any relationship. The give and take, acceptance and compassion, the sharing of the good and the coping with the bad. 
I do love the car, I have always only had two complaints, the rattle and bounce of the right front, and the blemished and beaten (before my time exterior). I've been working on the outside, while oblivious to the real problems of the inside, the heart is strong, the drive is there, the comfort in each other's capabilities is real, but the knowledge of the true nature of the damage is worrisome. 
But here is hope, there is a rainbow on the horizon and there is a future for the Frankenstein! 

I was driving the car as I had always driven it, but now I knew the extent of the problem. I knew the devastating possibility of a physical failure and the repercussions of a calamity of that scope. Now every railroad track, pothole, bump and uneven pavement patch wasn't just an opportunity to cuss and fume, it was a mental premonition of collapse, collision or casualty.
Still I was the man behind the wheel. I was the director of this comedy, and I knew my limitations, and my strengths. I couldn't (still can't) afford alternative automotive access. I drove it like I loved it, I loved it with the usual limitations of any relationship. The give and take, acceptance and compassion, the sharing of the good and the coping with the bad.
I do love the car, I have always only had two complaints, the rattle and bounce of the right front, and the blemished and beaten (before my time exterior). I've been working on the outside, while oblivious to the real problems of the inside, the heart is strong, the drive is there, the comfort in each other's capabilities is real, but the knowledge of the true nature of the damage is worrisome.
The before and after shots: 2005 on top, 2010 yesterday
Chuck Pace ©2010
|