gah,. no more. today is full.

One of the silly reasons I love my mechanic, the seat isn't moved. I know that's not how most people choose a mechanic. "I want someone the same height as me." But it's awesome none-the-less.

Unfortunately this is an expensive trip for the car. It's mostly unfortunate because I couldn't just wait for the oil to be changed by going to breakfast and then taking the car home.

( cable company )

( dentist )

I'm in need of an aspirin, a cold coke with lots of ice (and a really fat straw for mass consumption), and an extra large order of super-crispy fries.

Your Song Lies.

I heard an old song on the radio when I was out at lunch yesterday. One of the Karate Kid themesongs. "I am the man who will fight for your honor. I'll be the hero you've been dreamin' of."

What struck me about this is how much it reminds me of that poem
"Charge of the Light Brigade" by Alfred Lord Tennyson and especially, "Dulce Et Decorum Est by Wilfred Owen.

What I mean by that is there were all these poems and songs glorifying honor and battle and being a real man who can fight for your country. Then there started to be poems and popular media of the times talking about how horrible wars are and how gruesome battles are. That it's about people never coming home again. War is about your friends and enemies alike choking to death on poison gas and not knowing if you're lucky because you're going to be killed later anyway. There was a lot of effort put into taking the illusiory shine off the spin that made boys want to take up low-level soldiering before they were old enough to understand what it really meant.

But the songs in the popular media seem to all imply that everyone will find their perfect love. Even 30 years ago the songs were about waiting around for the prince to come save the girl, but phrased so any girl listening wishes she's the girl.

It's not true. None of it's true. I mean, sure, finding someone suitable that you love and whose life is compatible with yours is wonderful. And it's such an accomplishment, but it's like signing your name on the enlistment forms. It's not even basic training, let alone being in the trenches while gas grenades hurtle overhead.

I'm not being bitter. I'm not saying I'm having problems at home or with my heart-felt relationships. I'm saying no one is the princess of this story and the songs all lie when they promise that real love feels like you're on top of the world.