September was extremely busy
for me...which you can indirectly tell from my lack of posts. Issues with my
mother in the nursing home, repair adventures with my antique car, and family
medical problems, in addition to traveling, all complicated the process of
posting. And the month of October is
scheduled to be particularly busy. But
androgyny continues in everyday life...with my long hair, feminine acrylic
nails, capri pants, ballerina flats and purse,
My nails today...
They’re all about 3/8’ beyond
the ends of my fingers, and about 1” long overall. When I go in for my pink and
white fills, the tech no longer shortens them. She simply fills what's there,
and makes sure the white acrylic at the ends is big enough to be plainly
visible. She's told me that my hands have become very pretty. I can't argue
that...and, as I often "talk with my hands," my nails click as they
bump each other, which draws attention to them. Because of
my nails, I'm re-learning to type, but now like a girl with long nails. And I love it...
The only downside to long nails is that they restrict my using a credit card in a gas pump - at least,
not without assistance. I found myself
blushing a lot the other day.
It had been a couple weeks since I put gas in the car, and I needed
gas. My credit card was in the pump, and my nails had finally grown enough that they prevented my fingers from providing enough grip to remove it. Embarrassing! I finally had to ask the girl on the other
side of the pump (who incidentally had short, unpolished nails) if she'd help me operate the pump, because of my nails.
She reached down, picked up
both my hands, and closely examined my fingers. "They''re beautiful!"
Then she smiled knowingly and said, "I’ll be glad to help you,
sweetie.” She pulled my card out of the
reader, then reinserted it and removed it again. She asked me if I was from town, the answer to which gave her my zip code to use in the machine. She set up the charge for me, punching the keys with her fingertips (I have to use my knuckles because of my nails.) Then she
handed my card back to me, inserted the nozzle in the filler cap, and offered
to finish the fill for me, which I graciously declined. I thanked her profusely for her assistance.
While I filled the car, she chatted with me for a few minutes and told me that I’m one very
lucky girl to be able to enjoy such long, feminine nails. I replied that I’ll just have to get
used to their limitations (and she reminded me that ATM's will have this same problem...I hadn't tried one of those yet!) Then she
suggested that I put on a thin vinyl exam glove to let me be able to retrieve
my own credit card, as well as keep any gasoline smell off my hand. I subsequently tried it, and it works…now
there’s one in each car! It should
work till my nails grow another 3/8”or so. Hopefully Judy will decide to trim them before then, though I think she wants to keep growing them for a while!
Spent part of that afternoon
messing with my antique...and got lots of dirt under those long fingernails...fortunately didn't break any! It
was tough getting them clean... I took
the car to one nearby local show, even in its poorly-running condition. Bright side was it made the trip safely...but
no trophy. Guess that’s the result of
its inactive summer and getting dirty from sitting around at the shop.
At the car show...
Staffers at the show always
used gender-appropriate pronouns for me. “Miss”
even was used twice! A comment made by
an elderly gentleman tottering around with what may have been his daughter as I
was looking over the cars, completely made my day. “You’re a pretty little cutie, honey.” He was smiling, and I thanked him. It really sounded
sincere, but I’m not sure I’d go along with that assessment. It may be his opinion, but I think he just needs a pair of
glasses. Nonetheless, it was surely a treat to
hear!
There was a meet-up planned with
one of the local bloggers back in late September, to be held at a car show near
her home. But it was too far away to
attempt driving the car with the myriad of problems, and I wasn’t willing to gamble
on getting home safely from a run that long. Good news was…she subsequently mentioned it
rained that day, so everything really worked out for the best!
The antique goes back to the
shop soon (a different shop this time), to have them review what's been
done so far, and try to straighten things out. Maybe we can get to the bottom of this
problem...once and for all!
I’m out of town alone as I’m
putting this blog together. That eventually will be a topic for a post…but till
then,
Cheers,
Mandy
Good luck with the repairs on the car. With an old dog like that it requires a bit of magic and a good dose of luck. I hope you find someone who has the knowledge and passion to work on the car.
ReplyDeleteI tend to keep my nails short for the time being and cannot fathom how hard things would become with long nails. Working on a car would be beyond my talents under any circumstances.
Pat
Thanks! This kind of stuff is way beyond me...the car went 46 years with no problems, only to be afflicted now. The new garage has been selected, and the owner is old enough to not only remember carburetor systems, but also to know how to put hot rods together. I hope to get the work done soon.
DeleteGotta keep that E-85 gas out of this car at all costs - it eats up carburetors and fuel systems! They tell me that ethanol exposure from standard gas was part of what was wrong with the old carburetor. Next time I fill up - for the winter - it will be premium gas with no ethanol - it's available in a few places. Expensive, but available. And I'll use gas stabilizer to keep it from going bad over the winter.
Having long nails is fun...and they've been great conversation starters with women, more than a few times. I'm adapting nicely...and wouldn't want to go back to short male nails, even if Judy offered to cut them down that much.
But I don't think that's going to be in the cards any time soon. My bet is that they'll be getting a bit longer! Time will tell.
Mandy
You are correct about the damage caused by ethanol. Especially with older cars that were not designed to run on a partial mixture of decomposed corn.
ReplyDeleteI had picked up a 1992 Porsche 968 with 11K miles for a total steal. After two years I gave it to my son, the family motorhead. He detailed it and has won a few trophies in car shows. One of the first things that he did was find a station that sold ethanol free premium. Now, every time he takes the car out he tops off the gas tank so that there is never any room for moisture.
I miss driving that car, especially in a skirt and heels, but the car deserved a better owner than me.
Pat
I did it again...forgot to use reply... Response below!
DeleteSounds like you had a great car, glad your son got it and is taking care of it!
ReplyDeleteWe replaced our old daily driver with a new Ford. When we took it in for its first oil change and a couple minor warranty items, right there, on the wall of the service department, is a sign listing things which will void the factory warranty. And close to the top of the list is any damage sustained from use of improper gasoline, including (specifically) the use of E-85. Apparently the common stuff (10% ethanol) is OK.
I always keep the gas tank full...and have for years, on all my cars. Maybe that's why it took 46 years for the antique to develop problems? I use the following additives: Sta-Bil gas stabilizer (in the wintertime), lead substitute (every few tanks - and I seldom take it below a half tank when I'm driving it), octane booster (occasionally - with almost 11:1 compression, some premiums can cause pre-ignition) and ZDDP in the engine oil with every change (you can look it up on the internet - it puts back the stuff they took out of modern oil because of the emissions systems.)
Does all that junk help? I truly don't know, can't say. But I'm sure not willing to stop using it, and then find out that it did...by having a major failure!
And yes, driving in a skirt and heels is an adventure. I haven't done it often, but really enjoyed doing it during my car show in Fredericksburg earlier this year (before the car problems shut my adventures down!)
Mandy
The 968 was a great car. It was only made for three years (1992-4) to replace the 944 until the Boxter came on line in 1995. They only made about 11,000 of the cars and I think only about 4,000 were sold in the US. In the two years I had the car I only put about 1250 miles on it. Even now my son only gives the car limited exercise.
ReplyDeleteI have a lot of windshield time. I have 70K on a Ford Fusion, 75K on my 2006 Mustang Convertible and my wife has $140K on her old Volvo.
A few weeks ago I was able to get fully dressed and went to a local LGBT friendly bar for a few drinks. It was a warm night so I had fun driving home with the top down on the Mustang, wig hair blowing all over the place, skirt, hose and heels.
I am a man of simple pleasures.
Pat
Hopefully your son will continue to keep the 968 as a show car - it is very rewarding to have one to enjoy! (Especially when it can be driven!!!)
ReplyDeleteThe 67 Buick was also limited production, and it only has 123K miles. Not bad for its age. A while back, we got rid of an '04 Bonneville V-6 with 109K, and recently a small '91 Buick V-6 with 199K miles. Now we drive a Ford - NOT a hybrid, which can get 40 mpg on the road. We love it...
Sounds like you are able to get out and about more than I do...and I'm so happy for you! Mine comes in "feast or famine" mode. Another opportunity will present itself in early November, then another a week later, and possibly another in early December. But that probably will be it till car shows start up next spring.
I'd love to be able to dress and go for a ride as Mandy...for now I have to settle for androgynous!
Mandy