Intimidated by your mechanic?
The nature of experiential education is to allow for mistakes
This outlet turned a half decade old yesterday! Not bad for a complete YOLO move back in 2020. Thank you to everyone who’s supported us along the way. Running a very sweet deal on a years subscription (just $34!) until the end of the month!
And today is the last day to get your pre-sale of the second run of the frequently-requested Bad Brains ripoff T shirt! Four colors, hand screen printed, very nice. All proceeds go to keeping I&I (me and Shaun) in business. Order here!! —Bill
Dear Shaun,
Are you a car guy? I, for the life of me, despise doing anything for my car. I know it is how we all have decided the world works, but it stresses me out to no end. Do you have any tips or tricks on how to walk through life and still have a working car while maintain my dignity?
-Not a Car Guy
Dear Not a Car Guy,
I recognize that this is a problem for a lot of people. I once knew a person who had so much anxiety about their car they never took it to get an oil change. Then, eventually, when the car couldn’t take it anymore it would die and they would just leave it wherever it was then buy a new one.
I also once knew a person who instead of going to a real mechanic and telling them what was wrong with the car they would just take it to the local high school’s auto class. Then put the fate of their tens of thousands of dollars investment into the hands of a bunch of sixteen year olds whose ADHD was too much for gym class. Not knocking the kids, but the nature of experiential education is to allow for mistakes. Not exactly ideal.
As someone who for years was intimidated by the barber, I understand this anxiety. People who are confident in their ability, and already posture more masculinity than you’ve ever shown, make me uncomfortable. There is also the conspiracy theorist in me that makes me inherently not trust people who can tell what something is worth. If CBS were ever short on money and didn’t want give out any more prizes at The Price is Right they could just have the contestants guess how much labor plus parts is for a new drive belt or what an axle costs. It would be pure guesses, which is what it sounds like when the mechanic tells you what it’s “lookin’ like.”
This is all in our head (for the most part). I am giving you the power to do somethings on your own. Change your oil, fix a taillight, and replace your wipers. If you are unfamiliar with how to accomplish these and other small tasks, may I introduce you to YouTube. That’s right, it’s not just for radical 23-year-old conservatives! You don’t have to be informed of the replacement theory or that trans folks are the reason the birth rate is down. YouTube actually has pretty great tutorials on most common tasks. Sort of off topic but I fixed my toilet on YouTube!
I know you’re feeling emasculated when you walk into a garage when your car makes the *ding bing* sound and you have to say that to the mechanic. I’m telling you, you still may feel that sometimes. But now you can stop sweating the small stuff, and eventually stumble upon Jordan Peterson telling you how to be a better man. Best of both worlds!
NEWS
Tomorrow (Saturday) I’m competing in the Top Dog Hotdog Eating Competition at Ralph’s. There’s a Heavy Metal Flea Market starting at 11, competition is at 2 and then Beyond Wrestling is after. It’s going to be a helluva day. Come on out!
