My commute, as much as I love it for the fact that it gets me to work, wears on me by the time Thursday or Friday roll around.  And the darn traffic, I could live without it.

Stuck in traffic, I talked to my car. I voiced out my concerns about the economy, the wars, my money, personal safety, work, and many other things that I myself don’t even remember.

In my psyche (I hope there only), the car began to talk back. It told me about the rough and hot roads, the traffic, fuel prices, and the sometimes rough driving from its master. Now that woke me up.

I realized right then and there that if the car were a black box, it would’ve recorded so many emotions, events, and a host of other things. We may not notice it but with the time we spend in our cars, it’s not impossible that we’ve done all sorts of things there. Some are sane and normal, while others may be too graphic to be written here.

This perspective gives us a new appreciation for our cars. They are the uncomplaining witnesses to our daily experiences. Wouldn’t it be nice to see it always shiny and ready to take you wherever you direct the steering wheel to? Isn’t it nice to know that your vehicle is functioning well and ready for anything?

The car is more than a machine. It’s alive. It has demands, but it gives back in ways that make us earn, learn, or just see people and places dear to us. Its value cannot be computed in simple terms. While sales people might put a price tag on it, the special connection we have with our cars prevents us from boxing it into particular values. Simply put, there’s just something about the car that makes its owner view it as priceless.

In point of fact, I don’t think that is especially advisable even if you have a burgular alarm, but you get my drift.

With the economic downturn it has forced many to tighten their belts and put some caps on spending. This move, primarily anchored on survival, should not keep us from continuing to delve into things that we used to spend time and resources on, albeit in a less-extravagant way.

Life does not end here. Although times are difficult now, it doesn’t mean that there’s no light at the end of this long and dark road. Indeed, now is the perfect time to find appreciation in things that we don’t really think of under normal circumstances.

The sway of the leaves on the tree, the sound of the mighty river, the chirping birds, the smile of your neighbor, and the love of your family are examples. These things are free. Not a single dollar would be spent in experiencing these things. As the popular saying goes, the best things in life are free.

Don’t allow the economy to put a complete halt on how you live your life. Rather, touch base with matters that are the farthest from financial woes. There’s so much that life has to offer. It only waits for us to stand up and grab a piece of this wonderful experience called life.

This is not a call for everyone to stop thinking about employment and earning money. The only point of this exercise is to allow one to realize that life does not begin nor end with money. It should never be viewed that way. Happiness does not have a dollar sign before it.

What I like about her is how level-headed she is and without pretension.  She tells it like it is.

However, all this strikes a little close to home when she starts making observations about boys and their toys.  OK, so I admit it, all what she says is true. Cars are boy toys, that’s for sure.  It is what it is.
The basic idea behind the typical engine has remained constant for many years. However, there are certain changes in today’s engines that would be very difficult for Henry Ford’s mechanics to understand. I’m not saying that I belong to that category, but I do try to keep a tab on the latest developments in motor vehicle technology so that the young car enthusiasts of today can’t easily outsmart me. This senior is definitely no push-over (or so I think!).

My daily trip to the office keeps my car busy. Its pistons, valves, suspension, brakes, and other mechanical features all take a (slight) beating every time I use it. To ensure their continued loyal service, I take steps to minimize wear and tear and to tighten loose screws and replace broken parts.

My car is my lifeline. Without it, I would not be able to go to my office. Consequently, I won’t be able to work and earn money. I won’t even be able to come up with this blog, since if I lose my car I might end up losing many other things.

Whatever happens, I will keep my car in tiptop shape and make sure that it can continue to carry my more than 60-year old frame to places where I want to go to, primarily where I work. It’s the toy for the big and old boy.

While I am not an oracle for car maintenance, I think I’ve drummed up enough basic know-how to at least make sure that my car is happy.

Can you imagine if you did not have a peer group to rely on.

Much the same, my daily drive to work gives me an opportunity to have a sincere love for that which brings me to and from the place where I earn something for a living. Meet my car. Ha- don’t roll your eyes.  Don’t be surprised if you see me treat it like a person sometimes, because I’ve found love for it in extraordinary levels.

Our cars are incredible machines. They are exposed to sun, snow, rain, rough roads, traffic, high speeds, overloading at times, and even obnoxious passengers. Any ordinary person or any other machine might easily quit given such conditions, but the car doesn’t. Every time you turn that ignition key, chances are your car (if well cared for) will not sputter and just wake up, and get ready to follow the commands of its master (you).

My car is important to me. Next to my home and office, I probably spend the most amount of time in it. As such, my bond with it can never be broken (except by my wife). Don’t get me wrong. I’m only a car expert in my dreams. However, I do try to keep a tab on the more important things that have to be done to the car so that it will have a prosperous life and conquer every mile with relative ease.

As the silent witness to my trepidations, anxiety, happiness, and excitement, I nurture my car as if it were human. Although it doesn’t exactly talk back when I share my problems with it, I know that it’s listening, and it comforts me by bringing me home.

I struggle to come up with uplifting news these days, when all around me negativity seems to prevail.  Some of these people could use a little more sunshine or some good cheerful music, me thinks.

I’m the one who will be quick to admit that I worry about money and the future. However, I am even quicker to assert that brighter times are ahead for us. I know that currently, the economy is downtrodden and that a lot of people are suffering.

Nonetheless, we are still alive and breathing. That being said, it is undeniable that we can take steps to make our lives better and enjoy a better tomorrow.

One thing we can do is to keep on driving. I am talking about driving literally and figuratively. Driving is pleasurable, especially for those that labor to keep their cars running and in the best shape possible. Such is true in my case, as I make sure that the best available care can be given to my vehicle.

Figuratively, however, it is also important to learn how to continue driving during these times. What’s important to note is that although we are suffering, we are not alone. The entire world is suffering. You do not carry this problem on your own.

It is not difficult to see through all the challenges brought by these hard times. Now may be a good time to think of starting a small business, investing in some future venture, and contemplating on more important and priceless things in life.

I am not portraying a picture where the current does not affect me. It does. It keeps me up at night. However, I do not let it stop me from living my life to the fullest and hoping for a more productive tomorrow. In three words you cam up life: it goes on.

I really like reading economyguy.com, except for the fact that his news is so dismal (not his fault– that’s what’s happening).

Of course it’s true that the best things in life are free, I do not hide the fact that I have worries about money. Indeed, this world is driven by commercialism, and money is our key to have something to fill our tummies with.

I am not in want of money. However, my fear is that with the current conditions, it’s not impossible for me to see my money wither away under the pressure of the rough times. I will not hide behind a tough facade when there is none to begin with. It is not really for my own personal welfare, but that of my wife and our home. My concern also goes out to my car.

The difficult times have taken their toll on some people very close to my heart. The gut-wrenching roller-coaster ride that the economy is going through is reflected in their lives. Whenever difficulty touches those dear to you, a sense of reality sets in and bites you. That is, you get an impression of the gravity and seriousness of the conditions that country and the world is going through.

I know that a better future awaits those that can keep themselves together and ride out this difficult storm. Although I vouch for political rhetoric that employs an optimistic approach, I cannot help but feel that harder times are ahead.

However, this will not deter from continuing to love, spend some money, and involve myself in causes important to me. Notwithstanding the difficulty, I will continue to strive and make the most out of what I have.

Kind of surprising, really.

A few years ago it was thousands and thousands of dollars for a website, and there are some idiots still paying that much from what I read.  This is good that it has given a voice to ordinary people to share their opinions.  I’m your typical hardworking guy. Just like a lot of other people, I’m passionate about things. My interest is on vehicles. I love to take care of them, drive them, and make them my good friends.

Your car does not have to be expensive for it to be in. All it needs is a caring owner, good maintenance, and a lot of love. Loving your car means that you make sure that its parts are functioning, and that everything is in order.

My job and my car go together. Transportation to and from work is key to my continued employment. Under these conditions, I hold on to my job with an unbreakable grip. Continually grateful for what I have, I cannot allow myself to lose this job. My car is an important part of this whole scheme.

It ferries me to work. It brings me home to my wife and to my home. I cannot imagine myself without it. The thought of not having a steering wheel to grip in the morning brings me to my knees. Whatever happens, I have to keep my car in tiptop shape.

Tardiness can be a convenient excuse for my boss to say goodbye to me. I’d like to think that my car is the car in career. Without it, my career won’t stand. With my car remaining faithful to its duties, my duty, at the least, is to remain true to my calling as its owner and care for it. I practically owe it to my car for still having a job in these hard times.

One lost pay check or one lost job and the whole thing could come tumbling down.

That’s why I’m so obsessed with keeping my car running. It’s only prudent.

Humans rely on blood to function and live. Without it, we would all turn pale and carry a ‘vampirish’ aura wherever we go. We cannot allow that happen. Similarly, our cars need oil to run. It’s the car’s blood. Without it, the car would grind to a halt and ask us to take the pedestrian lane.

If you think that I’m sounding as if I’m obsessed with my car, you’re right. As I’ve adverted to in earlier entries, my car is my lifeline. No car, no money. Possibly, no car may also mean “No honey,” but I hope that won’t happen.

Regularly change the oil in your cars. Some oils are what they call synthetic. As advertised, these oils should last longer than the regular ones. In any event, whether you use ordinary or special oils, what’s important is that you keep your car’s oil in check. Don’t go over the top, but don’t go below the minimum levels. Remember, blood is to humans as oil is to cars. Its importance cannot be overstated.

Likewise, it is also important to make sure that the other fluids in the vehicle are well maintained and monitored. You may have sufficient oil but if you totally forget your brake fluid, you might end up saying hello to your neighbor’s tree or trash can and spill all the precious oil in your car. Such a situation can be easily avoided if you make sure that your car runs with optimal amounts of different fluids, from the oil to the water in the radiator. If you monitor everything, the car will be your loyal servant.

But still, because of our parents, it left an impression on us, albeit second-hand.

While I was not yet old enough to fight in World War II, I was born at a time when bombs were still falling in different places around the world and brave American soldiers were putting a check on the imperious desires of other nations.

I grew up seeing the country increase its prosperity at a relatively fast rate. The USA was in a tight and technologically breathtaking space race against our Soviet friends. With Neil Armstrong’s conquest of the moon, America obviously won. Every so often America would charge to the shores of another country and put its foot against the doors of those that oppose democracy and the ideals of freedom.

Although still a country without equal, recent economic numbers have brought about much worry in the lives of many Americans. In fact, virtually everyone around the world is feeling the pinch brought about by the current downturn in the economy. Thankfully, I still haven’t reached the point when I would already have to sell my PC in order to survive.

I’m an ordinary person affected by the ordinary cares of daily life. Notwithstanding such, I’m thankful that I’m an ordinary person in an extraordinary country. It just doesn’t get better than that.

However, the perils in the economy have started to catch up with me. Decades ago, I envisioned myself to be relaxing and caring for my grandchildren at this age. Sadly, the need for something to live on still keeps me driving to work everyday and exposing my aged (but still very robust!) self to the workplace where I get my hard-earned money.

I like to write about lots of things, so will plan to do so.

Like any ordinary relationship, car ownership requires much love, affection, and care. When I bought my car sometime ago, I knew right then and there that we would form a special connection.

I know that the economic forecast is gloomy, and that money isn’t exactly easy to come by. However, I do try my best to make sure that I save a little for basic car maintenance. This is because without my car, I may not even be able to earn money to begin with. Call it spending sans prudence, but the bottom line is that I have to take care of the steel horse that allows me to get money not just for it, but for my overall well being and survival as well.

I cannot allow my car to travel the path of disjunction due to the absence of care. If I allow my vehicle to rot, I will end up losing my job since I cannot go to my work on time, if I can go at all.

That being said, the current economic climate cannot deter me from making sure that my toy, the car - will have the same level of upkeep that I have always given it, either in a good or worrisome economy.

My car is a precious gift, deserving nothing less than the best available care out there. My wallet is thin, but my love for my vehicle remains thick, strong, and unwavering. Many years are in the offing for both us, and I think my car agrees when I say that we’ll travel future roads together.