The Broken-Down Car and Other Realities of Life

[*bratcat*]

 

[shynsexy]

in my house

i cook, i clean, i do laundry. i get up early every morning to take the kids to school (on the bus). there is no one but me who will do these things, so i have to be independant. the only person i rely on is my mom, who holds my money in her bank. i am terrible with money. but i am independant enough to know that she should hold it for me

i dont own a car so i dont have to worry about not being able to fix it. well, on second thought, i do depend on the city for transportation, so i guess i'm not all that independant. thanks alot, lol!

 

[Wiggles]

I was just thinking of about this sort of thing this morning. I was actually wondering, if I moved all my stuff out, what would his apartment look like? (Pissy mood, don't ask.)

I've come to the conclusion that we've set up a nice little shared life for ourselves here, but we're no good on our own. At least in the furniture department.

And I've never learned how to fix a flat. How lame is that?

 

[lisalove]

Change a flat tire? uhh no. I almost had a breakdown at the self-serve gas station the other day and then as I was driving away some guy came running up behind, pounding on the side of my car (I'm thinking 'what the fuck?')....he holds up my gas cap and then kindly screwed it back on for me....

 

[Wiggles]

I just thought of an easy trick. Go to a local auto parts dealer (I use auto zone) and buy a can of fix-a-flat. As long as it's not a big hole, or you left the offending object in the tire, you should be ready to roll in ten minutes with this stuff.

I always have a set of road tools with me. I now consider a cell phone the handiest road tool though.

 

[lisalove]

I just thought of an easy trick. Go to a local auto parts dealer (I use auto zone) and buy a can of fix-a-flat.

Yeah, just make sure it's actually what it says it is...i bought this fix-a-fucking-flat can once and when i got it home I realized it was a trick can to hold your valuables.

 

[candysuttan]

Well let's see My hubby helps me almost everyday with the house hold chores and the kids have their own chores which make things easier as far as being independent I don't care too much for that I love depending on my man for what I need and What I want It's worked for us for the last 15 years and we still have sex almost every night and some mornings too ...candy

 

[*bratcat*]

 

[Ice Cold]

Sometimes you learn when you have to. I can fix the car and other appliances. Do laundry, cook and clean. You adapt to your situation. Doesn't mean I like to do these things always, but ya gotta do what needs to be done.

 

[TWB]

Independent? We are such social beings, and our world is so complicated, almost no one can be "independent." I think we have to use our interdependence as an opportunity to connect, grow, and evolve.

I can change a flat, replace an engine, wash dishes, do laundry, fly an airplane, ride a motorcycle, cook fantastic meals, sew with a sewing machine, but I am still not independent. Don't think I ever will be either.

 

[Aphrodisiac]

Car fixin'

I really don't mind when it comes to my car, I know how my car works & I know when some thing is wrong with my car.

I can do various things to my car, I know how to change the oil ( an ex taught me how to change the oil long time ago). I know how to change sparkplugs, I know how to replace my battery, I had to do this recently and all I have to say its a bitch on my nails.
But overall I really don't mind when it comes to my car, I know how to do basic things, I don't think I could fix him if he had major transmisson problems or anything along those lines but the rest I can do on my own... I like having this knowledge and fixing my car is like a puzzle, I love how things fit together and make a big picture, plus its fun.

I think I am rather independant - my dad taught us that early in life and it has worked for me ever since....

 

[Cheyenne]

This not only applies to women...but to men...look at the way your household is run. Who does the chores inside? outside?

Me. Except for the chores I pay others to do for me.

Yes, I consider myself to be independent.

 

[*bratcat*]

 

[MissTaken]

I view independence, not as the ability to do these things for myself, rather as having the ability to get the job done.

If that means that I have a car phone and call the tow truck when the car breaks down.... so be it.

I am independent and can take care of myself and children , well enough.

Good thing!

 

[Monazwx]

Only because . . .

Guys don't want to admit that they can't cook, that's all.

I do all the 'girly' things but I can't change a tire either, but I can do all the other car things (checking oil, jump-starting the car). Does that count?

 

[paphian]

It is interesting to see how many women take care of themselves...but very few men have posted to this.

Never could much resist a challenge.

I can:

Fix the car (I've totally modified and reworked my off-road "fun truck")

Rebuild the house (damn near literally. I'm renovating a 50 year old home). That means carpentry, framing, finish work, plumbing, drywall, electrical, etc, etc.

Wash the clothes (Mom said I was NOT to go off to college without knowing how)

Bake well enough to bring tears to some people's eyes (Grandmother started teaching me at age 4 or 5)

Cook meals (but I generally hate it)

Sew (by hand, never had a machine to practice on, but I can get by with one)

Drop a large tree pretty reliably within about 1 foot of where I want it (using a double-bitted axe, chainsaws are for pussies)

Survive in the wilderness

Hell, there's more and more. I'm a "hands on" sort of guy.

 

[paphian]

Auto Recommendations

Ladies, for your safety, among other reasons, you should consider carrying at least these items in the car:

Fix-a-flat or buying "run-flat" capable tires

One each of the spare belts for your engine and the tools to change them

The cotton-picking jack, jack-handle and lug wrench (You've no idea how many stranded damsels I've helped that were missing on or more of these items)

At least one gallon of anti-freeze and one gallon of plain water

Spare automotive fuses

If you live in earthquake country: a full "3-day" kit

Spare radiator hoses and clamps

4 quarts of engine oil.

Carrying most of these things can be accomplished with a small rubbermaid "action packer" in the trunk, and might just get you to somewhere safe--or all the way home--in an emergency.

 

[riff]

I am a bachelor. I sponge off my parents a lot.

 

[estevie]

"I am woman hear me roar, yet I still can't fix my own car. My recent car's demise made this reality crystal clear--I'm not so independent after all. Can you identify?" -- taken from a women's issues webpage.

This not only applies to women...but to men...look at the way your household is run. Who does the chores inside? outside?

We all want to be independent in our daily lives...but how independent are we really?

I can do anything...I choose not to.

 

[Dream_Chaser]

In the last 5 months I've had to learn to cook, vacuum, do laundry, shop for food, and furniture and much more all in a new city San Diego, in a new state California.

Growing up however, all my friends and I took care of our own cars. Souping them up, adding new cranks, or carbs, etc. so on that end any ladies in Southern California need help with their car, maybe I exchange my expertise by you teaching me about fabric softener and how to fuckin iron my clothes because they look about the same when i finish