"I'm not afraid things won't get better, but it feels like this has gone on forever" __ Toad The Wet Sprocket __ 'Good Intentions'

Cars & music = time machines that just keep playing!

Life is like cars & music; it runs, grooves & stays alive in surprising ways.

Stopping in to say "hello" & share some highlights (pics below); perhaps I can't say "goodbye" completely....

* For the last week or so, I haven't slept or eaten much.  It may just be stress, but I have an appointment w/my PCP this Thursday to make sure.  I'd hate to think the pneumonia has returned or an issue has developed w/my pig or cow valves....

* I probably will start writing again, particularly my Route 66 story.  Should also carve out some time to update the website Ray B created for me....

* Paid $10 for a hood ornament for my 1979 Caprice Classic at the Fall 2012 Jefferson WI Swap Meet.  Last time I was at Fall Jefferson was 1998; I bought the 4 wire hubcaps for my '79 MC for $5 total.  [The original '79 caps were moved to my (then parents') '81 MC, which had plain Malibu caps on it, per my parents' request at time of original purchase.]  This year, I also found a HotWheels 2nd gen MC, which I bought for my nephew to complete his collection of all 4 generations; yes, he already knows which generation is which!

* Went to Freeport IL & Winnebago IL to visit friends; a friend from Pittsburgh PA visited while in the area.

* Went to a drive-in theater to watch a movie for the 1st time (been to several drive-ins along Route 66).  Saw "Back To The Future" & "Jaws" at the McHenry IL Drive-In.

* At the Morris IL Car Show/Swap Meet, 10/21/2012, I bought 2 dealer posters ... 1979 Caprice Classic sedan & 1979 Blazer (red/white, just like Uncle Glen's, the 1st vehicle I drove before I got my license).  I also saw some cool cars, including several MCs that "found" me.  Guess I'll never get away from them...?

* My '79 & '81 MCs surpassed the 1,000-mile for the year in LESS THAN 2 MONTHS, a bittersweet milestone, & weather-permitting, will have ~1,200 for the year before snow flies.  It's been a heck of a spring/summer/fall...!

* My 1979 Caprice Classic reminds me of the 70s-orange 1978 CC that, in mid-1984, was considered as a possible replacement for "my" '76 MC.  I remember that fateful Labor Day Friday when I rounded the last corner between school & home & did NOT see "my" car in the driveway.  I was told that, come Tuesday, a 1982 Chevette (at least it is RWD &, like the CC, has NEVER been front-wheel-drive!) would be ours; that was the only time I've seen the FRONT of a '76 MC frown (seen the rear frown many times).  Though it's been ~3 months, each time I drive my remaining 2 MCs, I fully expect to see 5 MCs when that garage door opens....  I know, they're "just cars", but I miss my former MCs (1972, 1976, 1987) a LOT & only a few people will understand/know that....  Even so, later this week, I will ADD a 1989 Caprice Classic to the family...!

* Lots of "Nephew Time"!  I've taught him well, it seems.  He's asked when he can hear me on the radio again & knows cars well.  I've played cars w/him, of course, & he has sat on my lap to listen to music, watch CARS-clip videos & a junkyard/car video ... multiple times.  I wonder if my soon-to-be-niece will love her "Uncle Cort" as much as her brother does....  He'll be 4 in less than a month!

* Walked along a path in some wetlands in town around which had been farmland until new homes were built.  That's farmland lost to homes that cost more than I'll ever afford, w/new Honda Ridgelines, Toyota Priuses, Cadillac Escalades, etc., in the driveways while the 3-car garages are storage containers.  Yes, "progress is progress", but sometimes I wonder.  Thinking of the past is "nostalgic" & "taboo", but I sometimes wish I could see life, towns, people, etc., back when the cars I enjoy ruled the roadways, driveways & garages of the United States.... 

* I've wanted to move away from cold, ice & snow, but I'd miss a lot of nephew (& niece) time.  Yet, depending on who is hiring, maybe a move is a chance to start over.  I just hate it that family & friends are "so far away", no matter where I am....  We work too hard for too little (when employed, that is), but don't have time, energy or money for all we want to do in life.

* What a life, full of twists & turns (good & bad) that we never expect.  I'm not where I'd thought I'd be at this age, but that isn't necessarily bad...just frustrating, especially if I'm still unemployed come the end of December (most-likely no Christmas Eve radio show this year)....  Recently, I've caught myself thinking, 'If I could just get around this corner, I can start my life.'  Except, physically I'm 39 & have turned many corners.  Medically, I'm probably twice Betty White's age.  Mentally, I'm still a kid-teenager-young adult trying to find...me or something.  The restless unsettledness (job hunt, decreasing $$ & stuff on my mind) is increasingly frustrating.

* This December will be 25 years since my original best friend died of an asthma attack, 12/27/87, 9 months after my 2nd open heart surgery.  I was reminded one day when I drove my 1979 Caprice Classic to Fox River Grove-Cary IL.  For as many times as I've driven that route the last month, as I headed north on IL RT 31, just north of I-90 & the Holiday Inn, a late 1970s Cadillac parked in the cemetery (east side of the road) caught my eye; I was instantly reminded that Josh is buried there.

* In a few weeks, I'll celebrate the 1st anniversary of my 4th OHS.

* I hope, after the election, we remember we are friends/family.  Otherwise, we are in a heap of trouble, no matter who is elected.

PICS!

Nephew James w/his 4 MC generations, L-R = green 1970 (1st), yellow 1973-5 (2nd), yellow 1980 (3rd) & black 1986 SS (4th)

Old 1979 MC emblem (similar to old 1979 Caprice Classic hood ornament emblem) w/new hood ornament, purchased in mid-1990s from GM

Original 1981 MC hood ornament emblem, NO replacement needed

New 1979 Caprice Classic hood ornament installed

1979 MC, 10/10/2012, during the drive that reached the 1,000-mile mark for the year.  This is heading north on IL RT 47, which connects the Lincoln Highway, Route 66, US 20 & I-90.

1979 MC, 10/10/2012, after reaching 1,000 miles for 2012.  Overall, the '79 MC now has over 147K miles.

1981 MC, 10/10/2012, during the drive that reached the 1,000-mile mark for the year.  This is along Crawford Rd.

1981 MC, 10/10/2012, after reaching 1,000 miles for 2012.  Overall, the '81 MC now has over 195K miles.

1979 Blazer & 1979 Caprice Classic dealer posters purchased from Rodney at the Morris IL Car Show/Swap Meet

I miss my former MCs more than some know, but this is my soon-to-be 1989 Caprice Classic w/me looking at it

Cort | 39.m.IL | pigValve + paceMaker + cowValve | 2 MCs + '79 & '89 Caprice Classics

CHD.cars + RoadTrips.hobbies.RadioShows.us66 = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort

*** 3rd GEN MC (1978,1979,1980) FORUM > http://thirdgenmontes.proboards.com/ ***

"Can we stop this time or must we go again?" __ TG Sheppard __ 'Finally'