[sparky]

I drive way too much, but I like it most of the time. I put about 28k miles a year on my pickup. But it's at 220 and still going strong. Driving in LA traffic is hideous, but I love to do road trips on empty highways in the middle of nowhere. It's the best therapy on earth for me.

My first vehicle was a motorcycle. An 82 (I think) Yamaha Virago. Not a crotchrocket! It was a wanna be Harley. A great aluminum V twin engine and it totally screamed. Miraculous I never died on that thing riding it without a helmet, drunk, coked up, stupid and in my early 20's.

Had to get a pickup in college because driving in the Oregon rain was too much. I had a nifty little 77 Toyota that rocked. So easy to work on and it was a stick. I learned how to fix engines on that thing. Next was my favorite, an 87 F-150. Automatic, and damn did that thing go fast. It died a horrible death in 97 because the oil pump went out, and I didn't know. Threw a rod. Nothing like that blue smoke and f-ed up rattling noise to ruin your day.

Since 98 I have had this 96 F-150. I like it fine. It's a stick, has two tanks, and I bought it because it was the last year with the square nose. The only drag is I need an extra cab. Never got one cause they always look silly - like the bed was tacked on at the last minute. I have hated the new pickups from Ford since 96, though I saw some at the car show recently that I finally like again. Maybe I'll get a new one next year. I am driving this one till it croaks out, though. No more payments.

I have had a few accidents. The big ones weren't my fault. A couple fender benders have been. Never had a speeding ticket, but ran a few reds when I first moved to LA. My driving record is pretty clean. So thankfully, my insurance is cheap. I can't see having anything but a pickup. I have to be high up to see things and I need to haul stuff often. But, I can picture getting a Mercedes or some cruiser thing at some point. My fantasy is that someone will make a damned real hybrid pickup. Those Prius things are just too ugly and I am sure I'd be squashed like a bug in a wreck.