Bend Over I'll Drive

Once again I find myself apologizing for my lack of posts, bad bad girl.

Last Friday was my first meeting with the mediation lawyer for "J" and my separation....no I didn't wear the outfit above! I went with very conservative black skirt, blouse and grey suit.  I left, mildly positive we can work this out without resorting to duelling lawyers and flushing all assets down the can. Next meeting will be the three of us, fingers crossed.

I believe "J" and I are on the same page about the most important things, though the cars may take some debate, but even there we are closer together than I thought previously.

Despite my positive attitude (maybe its just the drugs) I have a nagging feeling I am rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic or perhaps Eva Braun planning her honeymoon.

My writing is going well (two new articles soon to be published)  but my job search sucks like an Electrolux.

OK car stuff, I have a had serious crush on the 71-72 Buick Riviera for years. I once had a 70 Riviera GS and she was fast, the boat-tail has the same 455 mill but a body that looked like a one off prototype.

Now to red line the cool meter my idols Lux and Ivy of the Cramps had a black 72 nicknamed the Devil Bat. That's Ivy in the photo.

Hugs,

April

Who Wears Short Shorts

I have often written that I have been as honest as possible with this blog, to myself and to those reading. Of course there are some things that remain unsaid as they involve the privacy of others or are just too painful.

One of my fears at going full time was the reaction of my neighbours in the traditional suburban community. For many months I was happy to report that acceptance both genuine and polite was forthcoming.

Unfortunately I have since leaned from different sources that my conduct, parenting and presentation have been the subject of criticism. I have waited a few days to write this post as my ire was raised above DEFCON 1 and I did not wish to say anything I would later regret.

The criticism comes from one person in particular. He reported to "J" that I had kissed a friend (MtF) in my driveway with my children around and that when working on my Cadillac I was wearing shorts that showed my private area. He claimed that both he and a sanitation worker collecting recycling witnessed this act of gross indecency and also mentioned the colour of my panties.

I was incredibly mortified to learn of the following accusations. The first is patently untrue, I had simply given a friend going through a tough time a hug. I  consider myself  a heterosexual female and even if it were a kiss it was no one else's frakkin business.

Second the matter of the too short short shorts. After learning of the accusation I went back and tried them on attempting to put myself in every possible position I could have been in. It is certainly true that a sliver of underwear could be seen but NOT any private area, OMG I am trying to get rid of that not show it off!

If I can try and be charitable he might actually believe what he wanted to see instead of just making stuff up.

I can hardly express my anger, as my knee is still giving me pause I had to go for a drive instead of a walk. Yes I did do a nice sliding burnout as I left my subdivision. Not very feminine or grown up but the cathartic effect of 460 cubic inches cannot be denied.

This one goes out to my neighbour:

Hugs,

April

Wixom Valkyrie

Dear constant readers, sorry for my absence. Feeling a bit blue over my prolonged job search, so many resumes sigh. Also twisted my right knee, seem to have really torn something, was almost in tears driving yesterday the pain was so intense.

Doctors appointment in Hamilton today, told to come back in two or three weeks if still in agony. They recommended an MRI but as we have socialized medicine (not really complaining as I didn't have to pay for visit....forgetting our higher tax rates) there is a long wait and it is easier to see if things heal up by themselves.

That's me in the 72 Mark IV, actually I put both the Lincoln and Seville up for sale, but only if price is right. I don't think I could replace them for what I am asking and a good used car even if 40 years old is still worth its weight in gold....or crude oil. Money talks as they say

Part of me wants to simplify and the other can no more part with a car than sell my children to medical science, which I often threaten them with when they misbehave.

Wixom in the title refers to the now closed Ford factory where Lincolns and Thunderbirds were long made.

As I left the medical building parking lot a woman came up and complemented me on the Mark IV Continental and then said I look just like Geena Davis with my blonde hair. Well I will take her word for it. I wonder if she meant as in the movie Earth Girls Are Easy?

A big shout out to the city of my birth, London ( yes I am a cockney) for such a well done Olympic open and closing ceremony. Not really my kind of music but then not much is ;)

Day 7: Baby Blue

My good friend Bill dropped in Sunday for a much appreciated visit. By mid afternoon the rain had stopped and the sun made a dramatic return.

I changed out of my shorts and slipped on a baby blue sun dress I purchased a few weeks ago.  We decided to go for a cruise along the lake shore all the way to Hamilton (stopping to snap a few photos) then a fast run back on the highway hitting 95 mph, would have been over a ton if that silver Volvo wagon wasn't blocking the fast lane.

Later "J" and the girls as well as Bill and I went out for dinner, a great Sunday!

I am so happy to be me.

Day 6: Legs But Does She Know How to use Them?

Best compliment ever...

Grocery shopping for a weekend picnic, zipped into the grocery, shorts and a pink top, white wedge heels. No makeup except eye liner and lipstick.

As I was getting a cart and an other woman came up to me and said wow you have such great legs. I stammered out a thank you. Needless to say I was very flattered and on cloud nine.

another hot day with the sun roof open in the 72 Mark IV

Suburbia rockabilly style

well I had to include this one didn't I

Day 5: Cruz Nite

no this is not my pimps car

Last night made it to the local cruise night as my friend "D" would be there with his amazing 64 Imperial convertible. I already had the Cadillac out as a result of an earlier grocery run, so why not?

The children were supposed to come but they opted to go shopping with "J" this time.

All that was left to do was get myself ready, yes I was a little over dressed but I thought I should match the outre nature of the car, so short skirt and heels.

now that is a steering wheel, careful how you sit, chrome centre bullet can reflect up ladies skirt

chrome inner ring is the horn

Had two proposals of marriage so long I came with the Cadillac.

beautiful night for a top down drive

Later on we met up with Genni for coffee and chatted well into the early morning hours....

Hugs,

April

Day 4: Iron Cross

At Ardene's last week and picked up a few cheap necklaces, including this retro sixties surfers cross.

Wow an iron cross and a banana bike, I would make a cool teenager circa 1966. 

"J" immediately asks why I was wearing a swastika…..which immediately put me on mind of this rare slice of sixties wax by fellow Canuk, Debbie Lori Kaye, better known for her country music career.

Recorded in 1966 this Shangri-las, Ronettes style 45 attempted to capitalize on the "controversy" around kids wearing replica iron crosses. 

http://blogfiles.wfmu.org/DY/Debbie_Lori_Kaye_Iron_Cross.mp3

The fad began amongst in Southern California's surfers:

World War I Ace Max Immelmann earned two, as did Corporal Adolf Hitler, and now U.S. teen-agers are buying them by the gross. Dug out of attics and curio shops and freshly minted by the thousands, the German Iron Cross has become the newest surfer's emblem and high school fad.

Nobody, except parents, seems upset by the Iron Cross's connotations. "When kids ask me about the 1939 inscription," says one distributor, "I just tell them it was a big year for surfing."

Time Magazine April 22, 1966

I can still vaguely remember them in grocery store gumball machines in the late seventies, edgy ;)

Day 3: Long May You Run

My old boss passed away the other day, no I don't know all the details yet. It doesn't matter a great car guy has gone. I have mixed feelings about him but we are all flawed creations. Who am I to cast stones.

It is hard to believe he is gone, he seemed a force of nature.

When I told him about me he did not recoil in horror or retreat into machismo disdain. For that I will always be grateful. If his reaction had been different I would have significantly delayed my transition.

I worked with him for a decade, travelled together across North America, waited in airports, rental cars, froze and sweated an countless film shoots.

He was a larger than life character as I think you can tell from the lead photo, he will be greatly missed by all who were lucky enough to be his friends.

I hope he is somewhere where the gas prices are low and the speed limits high. Long may you run.

The Big Guy at the wheel of my Corvette last season at Cayuga

Whether you believe in Valhalla or not (and I sincerely hope there is an afterlife) it is not for the dead to worry but rather those left behind to reflect on  life.

I am happy that I no longer look at my life and despair, I have miles left to go but I am oh so very glad I am here and did what I needed to do.

Hugs,

April