09 June 2014

City Girl Meets Work Truck

There is something that is ridiculously attractive about powerful engines. When I lived out West, there was always a certain "cool" aspect to an old truck rumbling across the desert or in the mountains. Now we're the owners of a rambling old home that is simply chock full of projects that require more space than my typical vehicle type has, ie, MiniCooper. Even with the planned upgrade this Fall from a "normal" Mini to a "maxi" Mini for Ellie's legs sake, I wouldn't exactly be wanting to toss bags of dirt, a load of wood, or annoying hardware materials for whatever random project in it.

Thus....meet Olive.


Olive is awesome. As a 3/4 tonne truck with a V8 engine with a floor stick shift, I take special pleasure in the fact that it is really just mine, paid in cash with my own consulting money so as to not confuse Eric on true ownership. Eric asked me what a web-based consulting company that focuses on digitized education would need a work truck for, but he's really just grumpy that I'm claiming Olive and not naming it Bob. 

Admittedly, I have some fears that somebody may think I'm a southern farmer rattling into town for feed, so there are certain precautions that I must take. For example, my one pair of jeans may never be worn while driving the truck. There must always be a clear visual juxtoposition between myself and the truck. Lastly, and possibly most importantly, no dog must come near it.

Nobody will think that I'm a country girl, will they?

*worried*

I'm pretty sure that I'm too excited about the truck to be counted as a country girl. There's just no way. I mean, I can sniff rubbish in the alleyways and not notice as good as the next self-absorbed city walker. I can avoid seeing grass for weeks and be perfectly fine with it. Also, as I always expressed concern for Ellie playing in the dangerous grass and guided her back to the sidewalks or public basketball courts to play, Eric informed me that was not normal. Seriously? There are bugs in the grass. Lots of them. Also, grass messes up heels.

I'm probably safely ensconced in my city identity, but will still follow my precautions carefully.