First of all, I love your posts. Always entertaining and well-written.

Second, you're definitely in the wrong part of Seattle. You should try Ballard. It's been five years since I lived up there, but assuming it hasn't changed too much you should find lots of down-to-earth fisherman-type folks there working on boats, cars, etc. in their driveways or in big metal sheds in their yards. It's great. Also, it's one of the more affordable neighborhoods in the area, which is a bonus.

My old washer was 27, and I got tired of rebalancing the load every spin cycle so it wouldn't try to walk out of the laundry closet. A neighbor put a 6-year-old super capacity GE out at the curb, claiming it had a "bad switch". So far in the year I've had it, it's worked perfectly. Apparently I don't use whatever cycle that requires the 'bad switch'.

There's currently no homeowners association where I live, but Fairfax County recently announced a crackdown "zero tolerance policy" on junk cars, illegal apartments/buisnesses and other zoning crimes in residential areas, so now with a surplus of homes languishing unsold in my neighborhood (one next door to me), I've been trying to tidy up my clutter and keep a low profile.

Happy Motoring, Mark

Sadly, these neighborhoods are too common.

My apartments are really cool about working on vehicles. I personally changed my differential last weekend and I've even seen people changing transmissions in the parking lot.

Actually i felt more at home at the apartment....
 

I dont mean anything Ethnic by this AT ALL. They were a lot of Hispanic American people where I lived and on Sundays the parking lot would be full of people doing the mothorhead thing. And I remember once this guy lent me a really expensive wrench, didnt even know my name, wouldnt take a deposit. I had to chase him down and find him to return it.

I lived in a neighborhood with stiff HOA rules and a ten foot gap in between houses. I would fire up the welder on a Saturday and a group of wife dressed men, drinking wine coolers, would come over and hang out. They would never help. They would yap about how one or the other took shop in school or mess with the welder.

When I was building my wooden fence it was the same. They would ask "Why build instead of buy?" I would sip my roke and wink at their wives.

I moved to the country and haven't looked back. 3 acres and I'm pretty sure my closest neighbor is in a different timezone.

Many people in this country have used there homes as their ATM's. It was suggested by an economist just 5 years ago, that the way of the future was just that. Refinance every year, pull out the cash and go play. As this housing market comes apart all that will come to an end. If the government bails all those people out, I am leaving, unless "they" cut me a check for an equal amount for using common sense.

Many people have no experience with the pride that comes with fixing something. No concept for the feeling of driving down the road in a classic that you have made that way. What it feels like to review your mental notebook and noting the items now working (that haven't worked in years)

The world is a large place and there is enough room for us all. I prefer to stay out of their neighborhoods, they scare me.

The most bankrupt of all is the government, i dont think it will even going to be able to bail itself...
Our repairable MB's may become very popular in an economic crisis. Also making thing repairable generate more jobs. I would bet this will come around.

America has been playing for far too long the same game than Banana republics have been playing during the 20th century (read printing too much money).
All of us should enjoy this and start watching people soon scrambling for economic cover...

How do you know they think these things of you?

Well, look on the other side. If you spent money to beautify your house and my house was a mess and you were trying to sell your house, do you think my mess will make your value go up or down?

Sure there are! I'm one of them!

I've taken a car to the repair shop all of three times in my life, and only because the weather was so miserable that I simply couldn't see myself crawling under the car in anything like four feet of snow, or a three inches of standing water.

I've only purchased one new car in my life, and I only did that because I had less than a week to get a car capable of driving 300 miles a day. On top of that, my company was reimbursing me for it completely.

I recycle a lot of things others discard. I've picked up three cars off of CraigsList. I've bought computer parts at Value Village. Heck, I have clothing from value village.

Every three or four years, I build a new computer, frequently with slightly used components that I picked up from someone who only used them for a month before the next latest and greatest component is released. That alone means I spend half or less than what most people are paying for a computer, and I'm using stuff that's already been manufactured.

I dumped close to a grand on a semi-pro digital camera 7 years ago that takes photos just as well as the newer cameras, even if it's four times the size, and I still use it several times a week. Before she met me, my wife went through several $300 - $400 cameras within two years. I know a lot of other people that do the same thing. It's a huge waste of money, and most of that stuff ends up in landfills, instead of being properly recycled. I buy things with the intention of using them for a long time, not replacing them every six months.

Sure, Seattle is full of people that buy a phone, car, computer, clothes, and appliances every year, but we're not all like that. The vast numbers of old diesel Mercedes roaming the streets is proof of that.

*Note: I'm more in to saving money than hugging trees. Don't get the wrong idea. I do believe conservation is something we should all take part in, but you won't see me skipping my daily showers in order to conserve water any time soon.*

Carrameow, you let me know when, and we can go hit the local salvage yards for parts, then scare the patrons of the nearest StarBuck's in a fancy neighbourhood with our dusty clothes and grease-smeared faces. We're likely to have the pleasure of knowing that we're the only folks there that aren't in debt up to our eyeballs. :D

Where is this recon guy located? I need to replace a refrig and stove (both over 20 years old) Of course the fridge just moves to the basement.

My mother has a pristine 1950's GE with the big chrome handles and the top freezer. It still works perfectly and has never needed a freon charge or any other service. That is why they make the new ones like crap. If everything lasted 50 years nobody would be in business.

Hey, Man... this story sounds pretty familiar.... when I rolled in with the 80 300TD 3 wks ago I couldn't help wonder what the neighbors were thinking. What with 3 mb's in and out of the driveway and now.... a 4th one....:P not counting the domesticated vehicles....

Most of the time when a D is on the driveway the hood is open and me tinkering in it..:pleased: Its my afterwork and weekend hobby....

although, I do any under-the-car work inside the garage so things don't look like a mess outside..:)

My neighbors are very nice though.... its probably because I ocassionally share our cooking with them (pancit, adobo, paella...). Fortunately for them, I also like to cook;). Plus they know where to go if they need tools, extension ladder, wheel borrow....

How do you know they think these things of you?
 

How do you know they think these things of you? You nitwit dont you know what "Rhethoricallly speaking" means:):):)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Carrameow
I think most neighbors think I am either
1. DUMB .........................................I painted a car flawlessly and today
I butchered a simple epoxy paint job
on garage floor
2. POOR .........................................I have a daughter in college
3. OWN NO GOOD CLOTHES ...............I own no good clothes
4. NUTTY .......................................I am replying to your stupid post
5. Cant wait until I move.................. If I couldnt wait to move to Seattle
last year, dont you think there is a
parallel universe where others think
the reverse
6. THINK I AM FROM THE 1950"s ........Because thats my favorite decade.



How do you know they think these things of you?

Carrameow,
You are a man after my own heart. I am a design manager for a company that produces automotive chassis components. I do not fit in with the other managers. They are all members of the local country club; I am not a member nor do I have any desire for it. They drive late model luxury cars (or decked out trucks); I drive a 1981 or one of my two 1985 300D's. I do not live in the right housing development. I live in the country in a newer, but very simple home about ten minutes from work. I keep around a dozen chickens and usually a parts car behind the hill in the back yard. I do not spend a lot of money one fine clothes. I get most of my clothes as birthday or Christmas gifts. I do prefer to wear a kilt and good wool 'tank' kilt is quite pricey.

To top off you situation I would recommend a Rhode Island Red rooster, a parts car out front, and a kilt. Yes, your neighbors will think you strange, but it that might drop property value, thus property taxes.:rolleyes:

Be a Bohemian!!:pleased: