As I have mentioned before, I live in a very conservative, homogenous community. There are an entire list of rules for living here, but somehow I missed the briefing and I am not falling into line. I have lived here my entire life, so I have, therefore, been able to pick up on some of the regulations along the way. For instance:
In our area, it's important to:
1. Use lots of chemicals on your lawn to achieve the most unatural shades of green. This also requires very attentive watering. Afterall, it's all about appearances, isn't it?
2. Not bother with recycling. Recycling is, of course, for poor old men on bikes that collect cans from the side of the road.
3. Drive to Florida each spring as part of a mass migration. Only the cool people vacation in Florida. If you choose another venue, you are simply "not cool."
4. Bear at least two children. Anything less is odd, anything more is a little, shall we say, unruly.
And this bring us to my topic for today:
5. Purchase and drive a new car every three years. This will preferably be the largest SUV available upon purchase.
I am driving a car that is 10 years old. I know. I know. It's crazy, isn't it? How dare I buck the system in such a blatant way?
I bought the car new and I own it "out right" as my grandmother would say. It's definitely not new any more. It's certainly not an SUV. It's not even a four-door. To most it's really not chic or cool. However, it's in great condition. It's been maintained very well. It gets great gas mileage and it suits my needs.
Why then, am I asked on a regular basis: "When are you getting a new car?" I haven't asked them, "When are you going to stop wearing those hideous pants?" Why is it assumed that I either want or need a new car. I don't need to keep with the the Joneses, the Martins or the Smiths. I just need to keep up with my budget and my lifestyle.
Why can't we simply maintain a life that makes us happy, regardless of what others think or what imaginary rules have been established.
I guess that's the point of my rant: Why can't we simply maintain a life that makes us happy, regardless of what others think or what imaginary rules have been established? It makes me happy to not be paying for a car I cannot afford. I makes me happy to know that I am doing as little damage to the ozone as possible for me.
I live in a neighborhood that is what most people would describe as "working class". It's much more popular to live in other areas of town or in new subdivisions. However, it was so much more feasbile and economically smart for us to purchase our home. No, our neighbors don't spend their weekends landscaping. And, they do park their big rigs on the street, but it's quiet and we like our little nest.
I have caught myself from time to time being a little self-conscious of where we have nested. It's definitely not going to be part of the annual Christmas Home Tour, unless they are searching for hints on lighting your big rig that will no longer run.
I sometimes want to give into the pressure and I find myself looking at new cars and wishing. I start wondering if we need to move. I hate myself for thinking those things and giving into peer pressure. I am not in high school any more and I don't need those cool new Jordache jeans.
I have to think that since as I am driving home each day with a smile on my face, that I am living where I need to be and I am in the car I need to be driving.
No comments:
Post a Comment