Today Kimbuhley is chewing very slowly the small bites of crow she is forced to eat. I took the dusty-but-trusty Civic in to the dealership to have the 80k mile service and an oil change. It’s a bit past 80k, but who’s counting? I was near certain that this time I would need a brake pad job to replace the ones the car came with from the factory in 2001. Those of you who *are* counting remember that last time they told me the front pads had about 20% left. This time they said there was 30-35%! That’s right, my temperate style of driving has actually added life to my brakepads. I can only assume that while I’m scrubbing speed through a corner with a downshift I am somehow accreting brake dust from other drivers who presumably ride the middle pedal through the turn. Some people would not appreciate the frugality I bring to the process of slowing down but my dearest Kim had, for the briefest of moments, a look on her face which said so clearly, “You have amazingly reversed the thermodynamic laws of nature and rendered powerless the erosive force of friction and I am truly aware that I am in the presence of greatness”.
4 Responses to Brake Update #3
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A Woman's Manifesto
Because a woman’s work is never done.
and is underpaid, or unpaid, or boring, or repetitious,
and we’re the first to get fired,
and what we look like is more important than what we do.
And if we get raped its our fault
and if we get beaten we must have provoked it
and if we raise our voices we’re nagging bitches
and if we enjoy sex we’re nymphos
and if we don’t we’re frigid
and if we love women it’s because we can’t get a real man
and if we ask our doctor too many questions we’re neurotic or pushy
and if we expect childcare we’re selfish
and if we stand up for our rights we’re aggressive and un-feminine
and if we don’t we’re typical weak females
and if we want to get married we’re out to trap a man
and if we don’t we’re unnatural
and because we still can’t get an adequate, safe contraceptive, but men can walk on the moon
and if we can’t cope or don’t want a pregnancy we’re made to feel guilty about abortion
and for lots and lots of other reasons
we are part of the women’s liberation movement.- Joyce Stevens, International Woman’s Day, 1975.

Man Vs. Heart Attack
I am somewhat worried about the dude on Man v Food. He isn’t looking so good these days and putting that food away like that can’t be good for him.
One should always be drunk. That's all that matters; that's our one imperative need. So as not to feel Time's horrible burden; one which breaks your shoulders and bows you down, you must get drunk without cease.
But with what? With wine, poetry, or virtue as you choose. But get drunk.
And if, at some time, on steps of a palace, in the green grass of a ditch, in the bleak solitude of your room, you are waking and the drunkenness has already abated, ask the wind, the wave, the stars, the clock, all that which flees, all that which groans, all that which rolls, all that which sings, all that which speaks, ask them, what time it is; and the wind, the wave, the stars, the birds, and the clock, they will all reply:
"It is time to get drunk!
So that you may not be the martyred slaves of Time, get drunk, get drunk, and never pause for rest! With wine, poetry, or virtue, as you choose!"
Charles Baudelaire













So that’s how it’s done. We were told a similar story a couple of sevices back and we still have the same brake pads.
Actually, that look said something else. It was, “Seriously? You believe that hogwash? Those people clearly don’t know what they’re doing and they’re playing you for a fool.”
And I’ve ridden with you. You, sir, are a frightening driver, to say the very least. The only reason your brakes are still good is because you never use them. You never slow down.
I slow down when I have to, it’s just that I don’t use the brakes as much when I do. Just ask that possum whose life I saved by reacting with a swerve instead of a brake when we came around that bend. Yes yes, there was a guardrail over there and behind that a sheer rock cliff. I split the two like it was nothing!
Mmmm Hmmmm. Cool story, car nerd! And then what happened?