What I love about spring in Chicago
I called my dad yesterday to tell him how excited I was to see a grey Lamborghini Murcielago on my walk to the train Monday night in Chicago.
“It’s one of the things I love out there, dad” I proclaimed. “As soon as the weather gets warm, you see all these awesome cars – Aston Martins, Ferraris, Lamborghinis…”
“Yeah. I didn’t see anything like that on my way home from work Monday.”
“What, you didn’t see any Lamborghinis?”
“No,” he replied. “I don’t think there are even 10 people in Waterloo [Iowa] who can pronounce it.”
Ha ha.
“I was really excited to see it,” I continue.
“Yeah. It’s nice to know that at least someone enjoys what they’re driving.”
Yeah, that guy in the Lamborghini and Steven in his Infiniti.
The point of me writing this is not to point out how funny and sarcastic my dad is. Nor is it to bore you with another post about cars (although I probably have).
I just wonder… why do I notice these things? Why do cars interest me? Why don’t they interest some people? Why do I get really excited when I see a nice car?
My dad is a mechanic, but I know nothing about how cars WORK. I just know when I see one I like – it’s usually streamlined, aggressive, and curvy.
I have a list of the cars I would like to own. But I haven’t even driven a quarter of them. It’s just an aesthetic thing.
Maybe it’s time for me to get in the garage with Steven… and help him with the project car. Oh yes. The infamous (in my mind) Datsun 1978 280Z. That’s a whole ‘nother post.
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Today’s Idiom: to carry the day – to win the approval of the majority
Kim’s suggestion to go to Red Robin for lunch carried the day, although not everyone got the Gardenburger Royal Red Robin burger.
Themocracy
If I am able to properly identify it, I can sometimes get excited about exotic cars. But it’s rare that I can. I’m a guy who is terrible with cars. But my wife? Oh she can identify just about any car from the last decade or so just by the grill. She’s awesome with cars. And I have no idea why we live these reversed roles. So strange.
I’m not sure I really get all that excited about cars. But, the springtime? I definitely notice more. And you know why? I think we’re no longer bundled beneath 8 layers, with our head down to avoid the wind/snow gusts in our face. Once the crazy winter weather is gone for good, we can look up and around … and yeah, we tend to notice what’s going on around us!
I get excited in the spring because all the babies and puppies come out. Shows you where my priorities are. 😉
I think it is cool that you are into cars, and I’m sure Steven would love having a helping hand on his “project”!
you’re not the only “girl” who notices and loves cars!!! i know exactly what you mean… i love seeing “exotic” or foreign cars…
ah, project cars… we both know how fun those can be!!! 🙂
I def have a good appreciation of exotic cars and love, love, love my infiniti….If I could have any car, I would love an Aston. I loooove seeing them cruise around in NYC. Just walking past a dealership on Park Ave is an experience in itself. My husband points out every great looking car from BMW’s to Lambo’s no matter where we are. I like to take a peek and see whose driving them. My husband drooled when I showed him the videos of you and Steven test driving all those amazing cars last year.
Any time we’re in Chicago, my dad has to eat at Carmine’s. While I don’t think the food is as good as he does, I love watching all the cars on Rush St. I wish I could remember the name of the one we saw last time, while Scott and I waited for my parents to get there, but it was a very rare, super expensive sports car. I’m not really a car person, but I can appreciate the amazing ones when I see them.
I always go for at least a year trying to decide what’s sexiest for me to drive that I can afford, so I get your point. You’re probably drawn to the curves on a car for the same reason men are drawn to curves on a woman.
I saw a guy in a little red convertible Monday who had to field questions from three different passersby. I would imagine he enjoyed strangers fawning over him but I’m glad I drive a Pontiac Aztec. 🙂
Ah, the 280Z… Predecessor to the Nissan 300ZX I almost bought in high school (I bought a 1987 Toyota Supra Turbo instead. I’ve really started missing that car lately!).
A college friend of my dad’s has a 280Z that, at last check, seemed to be at the same halfway point between “project car” and “driveable street vehicle” I remembered it being several years earlier when I’d previously visited them. I gather the 280Z, like most cars that age these days, are a lot of work…
I understand the allure to fancy sports cars. There were always 3 that I really liked and would love to own, money no object: Porsche 959, Acura NSX and Honda S2000. The last one is the most affordable of the lot.
One of my friends had a 260Z that was his project car. It ran and he took it out once a week, but it needed work. Always tweaking.
Yes! You should definitely help with the project car! He would love that!
kapgar – not gonna go there… 😉
Nilsa S. – You are so right. It seems like during the winter all I notice is the gray buildings downtown and the bare trees. Now I see colorful flowers, fun cars, and peple in bright outfits!
diane – Oh, I love seeing all the baby animals! Especially the geese who sit on their eggs. I think that is just so cute for some reason! And it is fun to see all the moms pusing their strollers… aww.
CourtneyInControl – Do you have a project car story as well? 😉
Gina (Mannyed) – Which Infiniti do you have? The G35 sedan? I couldn’t remember if you had one or not but I was telling Steven you liked them! Maybe you can sign the husband up for an exotic car tour…?
Jenn – Maybe it is one of those things where we just feel excited to be around something so expensive… it makes us feel a little richer too 😉
Freak Magnet – I thought men liked curvy women because it meant they are ready for child birth? Heh heh 😉 I do like curvy better than boxy!
ajooja – They fawn over you anyway, right? 😉
E – I am afraid the project car will always be at that halfway point… unless you come over to lend Steven a hand? 😉 Hee hee. I think it will be a lot of fun… when it’s finished!
martymankins – I think we saw an NSX the other day! Steven had to explain “how cool” it was to me. I love seeing all those zippy little cars. I definitely would prefer a new one over always tweaking something though!
280Z Fan – Oh no!!! My website has been hacked my the ilove280Z forum! NO!!!!!
Maybe you could help him troubleshoot the fuel injection system this weekend. Maybe we, I mean he and you, could get it running better and take it for a spin around the block…
280Z Fan – I wish I could help him this weekend, but my husband already knows I have to get up early on Saturday and work all morning and into the afternoon. And we will probably have to run errands on Sunday.