Get Smart!
Today is the day! I fell in love nearly 10 years ago and it has finally come to fruition. I committed on December 31, 2007 and now 1 year, 4 months and 6 days later, I get to pick up my SmartCar! I first saw SmartCars on a trip to Rome with Daisy. I was as fascinated by these cute adorable little cars as I was by the Trevi Fountain. Daisy got sick of hearing “oooh oooh look, there’s another one”. I came back and researched them and found that you couldn’t get them in the states. But as I’ve stated before my loves run long and deep (not always a good thing) and I’ve continued to love them and monitor their status here.
This will be the best thing that’s happen to me this year. I’ve sort of bought my specific model site unseen (just web configuration) and haven’t even drove it. It’ss going to be an expensive uh-oh if I’m wrong. I tend to get these obsessions then once I have it the thrill is gone. That sort of happens to my relationships too but that’s a different blog entirely. I’m 99% confident I’m going to be complete happy with this decision.
I’ve taken my fair share of ribbing (and ridicule) about my car choice. How many hamsters does it take? How tight do you have to wind the rubber band? Where do you plug it in? Is it a Christmas ornament? Does it come with a carry case? You got a Radio Flyer in Blue? I’ve threatened anyone who’s made fun of it that they are not going to be able to ride in. They’ll just have to walk beside it. They say, ‘that’s ok I can probably walk faster!’ Whatever! They are all just haters!
After pondering all the possibilities, I’ve decided to name the he/she (not sure which yet) Smart-T (pronounced Smartie not Smartt). I’ll have to drive Smart-T for a bit to determine if the sex.
Smart-T and I are going to have a wonderful life. In fact I have a plan. After the disaster of my last vacation I don’t really want to leave the country anytime soon. There a ton of this great land I haven’t seen yet, its cheaper to travel locally and local spending supports the economy. So, Smart-T and I are going to travel the states. “Here’s Smart-T at the Grand Canyon”, “Here’s Smart-T at Roswell” , “Here’s Smart-T at Graceland” , “Here’s Smart-T in New Orleans meeting Grandpa Elliott” (go to www.playingforchange.com to find out who he is) “Here’s Smart-T on Route 66”.
Then I’m going to write a book about my travels: Smart-T and Me. Then its going to turn into a movie where I will be played by Angelina Jolie (which will be my only chance is this life to look like her) and Matthew McConaughey, Mario Lopez, Sawyer (Lost), McSteamy (Grey’s Anatomay) and/or Hugh Jackman will play the roles of the various men I will have trysts with along then way, eventually marrying Hugh Grant (the non-hooker loving Hugh Grant). This aligns with the 2009 life goals. Then I will get semi-famous and they will recruit me for Dancing with the Stars where the audience will be awed by the skill, precision and natural talent of someone my age. Oh and I will take the championship.
I haven’t figured out if I’m going to have to do this on the weekends, holidays and vacations. Or, if I should fully commit and quit my job and back up and go. There’s certain financial issues with this strategy. Or, if I just wait until I get laid off which is probably imminent. Its going to be a bit of tight squeeze when I get laid off and Chad and I have to live in the Smart-T. Probably not a good choice for the homeless.
Well, I’m off to get the “Welcome Home” banner for Smart-T and then off to dealer to get the car.
UPDATE
After two and half hours I finally got to take Smart-T home. We only had to: 1) call India 5 times to get the insurance verifications. India call centers suck (I like Indian people). 2) Call credit card company to let the charges through. I have a huge credit limit but apparently can only charge $2500 per day. NOTE TO SELF: re- activate AMEX account. 3) Get hit on by nerdy financial guy who nearly forgot to ask for any down payment. ANOTHER NOTE TO SELF: If they don’t offer, don’t ask. He did say that I looked really cute in my car, which, of course, is the complete truth.
So far, I completely love Smart-T. She (I’ve learned she’s a she) is precious and anxious to please. The only part I can’t figure out is how to make her move. She’s some weird combination of automatic and manual and I can’t quite figure it out. L ook, I know how to drive standard, but Smart-T has no clutch. There’s these little wingy things on the steering wheel and you can push some buttons and blah blah blah. I need to read the book. But driving home from soccer tonight with the top down, a nice breeze and some Al Green was nearly nirvana.
Let the adventures begin!!!!
p.s. (not that you’re an after thought)
Thank you Patty for ride to Dallas you’re a gem.
