My new "motorcycle"

[the Ferret]

Are you putting a "pipe" on it?

[VLJ_imp]

No name for this one. A friend of mine is a beautiful Romanian girl named Ligia, so I teased her about getting personalized plates for this one that read either 'Migia' or 'Liata.' She really disliked 'Migia.' "That sounds like a skin disease!" She thought 'Liata' at least sounds cute, but still wasn't totally thrilled with it. Of course, 'Ligia' is likely available, but we agree, that would be too weird.

Truth be told, she's one of the two girls most responsible for my decision not to ride anymore, and neither of them are particularly jazzed about the idea of this tiny car, either. They'd rather I chosen a giant SUV, with as much metal around my fragile neck as possible.

Ligia just doesn't get my thing with motorcycles and guitars. She doesn't understand my need to replace motorcycling with something...similar. She sort of gets the guitar thing, since the other girl is a singer, but to her sports cars and motorcycles are unnecessarily dangerous.

"You oughtta know better by now."



Oh, well.
mickey, you're the second person in the past hour to ask me if I'm putting a pipe(s) on it.

I've never modded any car of mine. I doubt I'll do anything to this one, either. If I ever do, it won't be for a very long time. Here in California cars have to be smogged every two years, or every three years. I'm not sure when. Either way, I don't want to go through the hassle of removing aftermarket headers and reversing the ECU programming, only to slap it all right back on again.

I'm sure I'll leave her stock.

[Guth_imp]

I never used to name (nickname?) any of my vehicles until after meeting my wife who has always named her cars — every single one of them. We have now known each other for more than 30 years and in that period of time I have named a grand total of 2 vehicles. One was my 1989 Toyota pickup, named "Jim Jim". Long story, but the funny thing is that I sold the truck to my brother 17 years ago and a few years back he gave it to a good friend in need. My brother and I still talk about that truck but we only ever refer to it as Jim Jim still to this day. Jim Jim is still doing just fine by the way, that truck is sure to outlive me.

The only other vehicle that I've agreed to name is the S2000. (My wife still finds it unimaginable that I have not named my CB1100 for as much as it means to me, although in my defense I do mostly refer to it simply as "the CB".) The S2000's nickname was inspired by the car's previous owner. Not only was the seller a class act, but she turned out to be a pretty cool lady as well. Her name was Linda and it was obvious that she dearly loved her S2000. We also met her husband who made it clear that the car was her baby. Sadly Linda had developed issues with her back and neck a few years previously and it had gotten to the point that driving the S2000 was just causing her too much pain. She simply had not been able to really enjoy the car for a number of years and finally decided it was time to sell. I was ecstatic to by buying the car but I could also tell that she struggled with the choice to do so and I truly felt for her.

My wife and I had driven three hours to buy the car and had agreed to meet at the credit union. The CU was located in somewhat a busy area that we were not familiar with. So Linda took my wife and I each out separately in the car to a less busy location where we could drive the car without worry. It was quite obvious that Linda had a good handle on the car's capabilities and she drove it accordingly. Somehow I did not find it all that surprising to learn that Linda was friends with with [url=https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parker_Johnstone]Parker Johnstone. After finishing my test drive Linda hustled me back to the credit union. Then she dashed off with my wife. The look on my wife's face upon their return was priceless. My wife had no idea what she was in for. It wasn't that Linda was reckless, rather it was just that my wife had no idea what these cars were capable of. Fortunately Linda's enthusiasm for the car extended beyond just driving it as she was also very meticulous when it came to seeing the the car was properly maintained. Rarely have I ever been so ecstatic with a purchase. The weather was perfect for the drive back home over the mountain.

A day or two after getting the car home my wife asked me what we were going to name the car (basically implying that I had no choice in the matter, lol). I didn't mind though as we both quickly agreed on the perfect name for the car. Not long after that I ended up sending Linda a text to thank her once again for such a great buying experience. I also let her know that we had named the S2000 "Linda" in her honor. I explained to her that this way my wife or I could say to each other "let's get Linda and go out for a drive". Linda let me know that this made her happy and she let me know that she was very glad that we ended up with her car. She added that she knew we would really enjoy it. She was right.

So now Linda and the CB keep each other company out in the garage when not in use. I feel incredibly fortunate to own them both and value each of them more than most people would consider normal. But I never claimed to be normal and both Linda and the CB seem to be cool with the arrangement so it's all good.

[Charlie Bravo_imp]

A buddy of mine has a Honda S2000. When he got it, I said, Hey, let's take our cars over Ortega Hwy. I have an '05 Honda Accord V6 that's pretty peppy, but he said he'd need new tires before he pushed it around any corners. I knew then it would never happen. He's also got two Ducatis that he never rides, and recently got a Norton 850 Commando at the Vegas auction, that of course he does not ride, plus a Kawi Z that never leaves the garage. One of those guys. I tease him about it, and he just smiles.

[Stichill_imp]

I don’t think the British consider themselves European culturally. That’s where the phrase “Continental” comes from: to distinguish those on the mainland from those on the island.

Speaking as a Brit, that’s a nonsensical generalisation.

I’m both British and European.

Speaking as a Brit, that’s a nonsensical generalisation.
I’m both British and European.
What is this Brit expat living in CH talking about when he says "the large Continental armies" around 8:22?