2 questions

[Camino LS6]

1. Have you ever divested yourself of all,most, or many of your material possessions?

2. Have you ever made a complete shift in the direction of your life? Career, personal,social, or otherwise?

Tell the story.

[NOS2006]

1. No, and I'm not sure I'd be willing to if necessary. Depends on the situation

2. Over the last two years I've become far more lazy than I've ever been in my entire life, even when I know I've got to push myself on something. However, I'm hoping to change that when I start paying for classes this October... (this doesn't exactly fit your question, but it's the best I can come up with)

[XP715]

Just tell us why you're liquidating the Hawk collection already, dammit!

Oh, and no on both questions

[Camino LS6]

Just tell us why you're liquidating the Hawk collection already, dammit! 

Oh, and no on both questions 

182705[/snapback]

Sorry XP, I'm just looking for some input right now. I'll respond about my reasoning at some point.

[razoredge]

I have just a bit recently, cleaned house, came to face with reality and the amount of time left. Do I want all the baggage or do I want to live ? Do I want to have to stay home on Sat and Sunday "because I have to____________", or do I want to live and see my friends and take trips, just sit by the stream or chase the woman around the house..............I choose the latter.

I/we have four more dogs left and we're all getting old, we decided no more animals, we love them dearly and they have been the center of our lives for 10 years now but that comes with a responsibility, one in which you can never go anywhere for more than a day. Over the next 4 years I will have my heart broken over and over and over and over....................

I dedicated 20 years of my life to a business that went south of the border. I have spent the past 6 trying to redefine myself, only to find that I am what I became but am no longer that vital young man..............confused ? join the club.......... This situation caused me to do some irratic things, like trying to leave my "wife" and daughter and start new like none of it ever happened, get back to where I was before everything went south, not that they made it go south, I was just running because nothing else I tried made me feel like the man I once was. When you dedicate your youthful decades to dreams that evaporate it leaves you feeling like you accomplished nothing which in fact is true, its a total loss, but not just financial its a loss of those vital years, you dont get them back. I felt like a shadow of myself, now only a pawn instead of the prince of fools. Recently I have come to terms with the reality that I cant get back to that vital young dreamer and that is was time to get rid of some baggage and prioritize.

Am I happy ? I have never been happy accept when I had my heart rate pounding and the addrenaline pumped up, I became an addrenaline junkie, when I stopped doing what I conditioned my body and mind to address, it through me into complete tormoil, physical and mental. Even today when I get going on something that starts that rate back up, people find me strange and over the top. Everyone that ever worked with me said I was two different people. Its an on going joke actually. Im one that would sit and talk patiently and understandingly, but then when I put that hardhat on and the visor and ear muffs down I became a whole nother creature. Now I realize Im too old to keep pounding my body and am trying to be a gentler, kinder Steve................... but no way in hell am I going to give up the "edge" and become a gumby.

[Camino LS6]

Thank you,Razor.

[knightfan26917]

1. Have you ever divested yourself of all,most, or many of your material possessions?

Nope. Almost sold the entire MC collection a few years ago tho.....

2. Have you ever made a complete shift in the direction of your life? Career, personal,social, or otherwise?

Career ... not enough. Am trying to do that RIGHT NOW, but with no luck ... and getting more frustrated by the second, so much so that other areas of my life seem to be suffering .

Personal / social ... YES! A few years ago I stopped being an introvert who hated the world ... and am now an extrovert who attempts to meet as many people as possible ... and keep the communication and networking lines open. (My road trip posts should be proof of this change ).

Otherwise ... considering purchasing a new car, other than Chevrolet ... want a gf ... etc.

Cort, "Mr MC" / "Mr Road Trip", 32swm/pig valve/pacemaker

MC:family.IL.guide.future = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/

Models.HO = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/trainroom.html

"I don't have time" ... Dido ... 'Sand In My Shoes'

[Camino LS6]

Thank you,Cort.

[Sixty8panther]

No on question 1.

Moving out of my parent's house was kind of crazy and

destructive in some ways. It had to happen though so

I never regret it. That was the 2nd biggest single

life-changing event for me. Then 3 years later Sofia's

birth made that look like small potatoes.

The only reason why I'd ever sell off all my car junk & the Super 88

without going for another classic car would be to pay for some crazy

surgery for my family. If Sofia or Marcia needed a liver or what not

I'd throw the Super 88 on ebay and suck it like any decent partner

or dad would in that situation.

[Flybrian]

and am now an extrovert who attempts to meet as many people as possible ... and keep the communication and networking lines open.  (My road trip posts should be proof of this change ).

182778[/snapback]

Yeah, no crap. Wish I could make a bunch of roadtrips like that. You're like the Johnny Appleseed of Monte Carlos.

[capriceman]

1 yes (reason below) giving up a nice house and my 85 blazer and a 70 somthing monte Carlo and a 30 acre lot up north pissed me off.

2 F'ing yes (reason well its not public lets say I can only tell you really person to person)

[ocnblu]

This time of year... fall approaching, always makes me want to make some major change. I guess it's that old "back to school" mentality that never let go. I have this feeling of time flying while I stand still. I'm in a rut and I'm waiting for something... but I don't know what it is.

[Camino LS6]

Thanks guys.

[CARBIZ]

1. Yes, lost everything 10 years ago. House, boat, spouse, career, town - all happened within 2 - 3 years. Bad business decisions; bad choice of business partners.

2. Went from running two video stores to the car business. Total change of pace, which I needed. Went from living in a small town to the Big City. Got rid of my partner, after nearly 10 years together. Spent my 40th birthday alone, which shocked the hell out of me!

But my life has always been like that. Left home when I was 17, finished highschool on my own, then went on to university.

Routine can lead to complacency and Life has a way of slapping you down when you become complacent.

[z28luvr01]

1). I don't think I've gotten to that point yet. I've always led a relatively austere life, by choice, so I don't have a heck of a lot to divest myself of. Most of it I'd give up without a fight as it doesn't have much monetary or sentimental value. As for my cars, I could probably downsize from a 1yr old Cobalt to something older to free up some capital. I'd like to say that "You'd have to pry my cold dead hands off the steering wheel before I sell this Corvette", but the wheel is in a box with some other interior parts. In all likelihood I'd end up taking a loss on the car given the condition that it's in now. Nonetheless, if it has to go, it has to go.

2) I think about this all the time, and in one aspect I've begun doing just what you say. When I got the Vette I basically postponed the idea of, if not gave up completely, the concept of finding the right girl, getting married, starting a family, etc. etc. I want a mate like there's no tomorrow, but I'm 28 years old and it's apparent that it ain't happening anytime soon, so there's no point in waiting for it when I can a) enjoy the things that God put on this earth for me to enjoy and b) do what I can to make others around me better. This wasn't really a random change-for-the-sake-of-change, it took a couple of years of deep thought and prayer to realize that this course of action is the way to go.

As for my job....well, it sucks to varying degrees each day, and at times I wonder whether or not this field is really for me, but the fact is that it's just a job. It pays for the life I really want to lead, and gives me ample vacation time to boot. I'm at the point where if they want me to run on a giant hamster wheel all day, I'll do it with a big smile, then go home and do something more enjoyable. So I'm not exactly jumping at the chance to leave right now.

I don't know if my story helps any, but if I can offer some advice, I'd say to take some time for yourself..remove yourself from the "status quo" for a short time (5 days to a week or so) and retreat to a place where you're free of distractions to get in some deep thought. I know you've said you're not a religious man, but don't be afraid to ask God for guidance if you seek it.

[Camino LS6]

Thank you, Z.

[knightfan26917]

Yeah, no crap. Wish I could make a bunch of roadtrips like that. You're like the Johnny Appleseed of Monte Carlos.

LOL!

Yeah, something like that .

As for the road trips ... all ya gotta do is plan plan plan. Heck, I've missed quite a few states where people keep asking me when I'm going to get there (FL being one of 'em). One of these days ... I just need a ton more vacation ... and, perhaps, a job where I can road trip it across the US.

*rolls eyes*

Like that'll ever happen .

Meantime, I just enjoy what I can do ... and hope to be able to do more in the future.

This time of year... fall approaching, always makes me want to make some major change. I guess it's that old "back to school" mentality that never let go. I have this feeling of time flying while I stand still. I'm in a rut and I'm waiting for something... but I don't know what it is.

Wow. I know these feelings all too well, bud ... the exact same feelings ... and it is VERY frustrating (at least, for me).....

*sighs*

[capriceman]

This time of year... fall approaching, always makes me want to make some major change.  I guess it's that old "back to school" mentality that never let go.  I have this feeling of time flying while I stand still.  I'm in a rut and I'm waiting for something... but I don't know what it is.

182864[/snapback]

if your stuck in a rut put'er in 4WD and get out man. dont wait around for it go find it. when your 80-90 youll have nothing but time to wait for your applesauce and meds.

[Farkas]

1. No, because I have a really hard time getting rid of things. Like, I'll start getting nervous at the thought of cleaning out any refuse from my room or trying to donate old clothes. I have been trying to getting better at it [i recently cleaned and re-organized my room and purged 5 bags of trash]. It took me 4 days of on and off trying to finally get it done, and I feel better about it. That and my couch isn't very comfortable

I'm still thinking about #2, so I'll get back to you ;]

[GMTruckGuy74]

If you don't mind, I'd like to answer the second part first...

I've finally come to terms with the fact that I'm a shop-aholic. Really, I'm being serious. I have an obsession of going to stores constantly. My wife says I can't go a week without stopping by Target, Wal-Mart or some other retail place. And it doesn't matter what it is I buy - I have to make some sort of purchase or I don't feel "complete" when walking out of the store. Of course I've spent a good deal of my money over the years on toys (Hot Wheels, Matchbox, other diecast and Star Wars toys <-- never grew up!). Toys that are just sitting in my basement, and that I have no real use for other than saying "I have that toy". Although I have come to accept my "disease" and recognize the financial debit it has put us into, I am having a hard time with coming to terms with liquidating most, if not all, of it. I love watching the movie "40 year-old Virgin" and the wife said recently, "Wouldn't it be funny you made a million dollars by selling all of your toys?" I wish - most of them are from the '90s and newer, so no "47 GI Joes" worth a $1000 each!

So to answer the first part, I have not YET liquidated my collection of toys. But I know I have to and I have to get over this obsession of "shopping" too much. I added the SKY to my small fleet this past spring and that is really pushing the financial issue with the wife. She said I could get the SKY as long as I stop buying toys. Well, I did cutback a bit, but recently began buying some new toys that I have to buckle down and just return. One of the hardest things I had to do was get rid of an extensive collection of GM literature dating back to 1989 back when my parents moved in 2001. I was able to keep some, and of course added to it afterwards - but that was the biggest "clearing out" I have ever done and once I get the nerve up to do the same with all my toys it will replace that milestone. The hardest part will be saying to myself that I don't NEED that toy.

[daves87rs]

I. To the first one-I would say yes. I've had quite a rough go the last few years,

and I have had to sell quite a few things to stay afloat with bills and such.

Some of my childhood toys are next-but in this case it is not needing the money,

but helping me save for our future house...as the wife has put up some of her own..

It's been a struggle-but I refuse to give up my happy marriage...or let the lack

of a good (or keeping a good one) job keep me down. I do whatever it takes.

(wow-I usually don't get that personal..)

2. I'd love to go in a different direction as far as career-diiferent is good.

As far as my personal life-I'd love to do more-but I'm pretty happy now....

[Camino LS6]

Thanks guys.

[ocnblu]

Camino, you're very thankful, but not very forthcoming... :AH-HA_wink: Edited August 22, 2006 by ocnblu

[Guest YellowJacket894]

1. Have you ever divested yourself of all, most, or many of your material possessions?

No. Other than a few guitars and some other crap that's really not worth much in value, I really have nothing to sell that could bring me out of a tight situation, if one would be thrown my way.

2. Have you ever made a complete shift in the direction of your life? Career, personal,social, or otherwise?

I've been trying to be more of a social person, like I was when I was a kid. As to why, I really don't feel much like going there. Things are in a...haze at the moment and I really don't know where I'm going or headed.

[zhawk]

1. To answer your first question. Yes, when I first entered the Air Force I got rid of just about everything I owned. I just kept my clothes and a few other things. Since I was only 21 at the time and relatively poor, there wasn't much to get rid of. Since then, I haven't had the need to do that again but if I had to I would. As I told Tammy a couple of times, possessions are things that can be replaced if needed. It might be hard to get rid of a couple of the cars I have put so much time into but if my family needed me to, I would.

2. As for have I ever had a complete change of direction in my life, yes, a couple of times. The first was when I joined the miltary. I wound up leaving college (which I would have had to do because of financial reasons anyway) and entering a line of work that I had never considered. I have never regretted my decision to go active duty.

Then a few years after leaving active duty I was working a crap job, driving a transit bus and getting treated like garbage by both my bosses and by certain passengers. I took a chance and took a temporary job for the Air Force as a civilian, moved my wife and son down near Tacoma, and then wound up getting a permanent job doing what I do today.

Both times, my life completely changed and I am a better man for taking the chances and doing what I needed to do to improve myself and the opportunities for my family.

Hope this helps you Camino with whatever you have on your mind. Please, remember, whatever our situations are or where, they are not exactly yours. I hope the best for you and when you are ready, please let us know what prompted both questions. Take care.

[Camino LS6]

Thanks Zhawk, much appreciated input in your post.

OCN: Leave it to you to find just the perfect words to force a response. :AH-HA_wink: I'll be more forthcoming when I have something solid to report. In the meantime I'm looking for input and hope to gain some perspective. I guess what I'm saying is, that I'll let you know what this is all about when I figure it out.

[daves87rs]

Thanks Zhawk, much appreciated input in your post.

OCN: Leave it to you to find just the perfect words to force a response. :AH-HA_wink:    I'll be more forthcoming when I have something solid to report. In the meantime I'm looking for input and hope to gain some perspective. I guess what I'm saying is, that I'll let you know what this is all about when I  figure it out.

183590[/snapback]

Yep-I can understand that. Sometimes it takes a while, and other times it can come to you all at once.

Just don't forget to tell us when you do.

[Camino LS6]

Yep-I can understand that. Sometimes it takes a while, and other times it can come to you all at once.

Just don't forget to tell us when you do.

183792[/snapback]

No worries on that account. I can feel this huge shift coming - I just don't know what it is yet.

[NOS2006]

No worries on that account. I can feel this huge shift coming - I just don't know what it is yet.

184063[/snapback]

I can feel a huge shift coming, too. However, for me it's college.. for you, midlife crisis? Good luck, man.

[Camino LS6]

Thanks NOS.

[razoredge]

mid life crisis............mine has been present for 20 years............... then people tell me its something Im soon going to be going through, then I get really scared. "it just cant get any worse, I scream, it just cant, say it aint so ! "

ya know what bugs me Camino, I dont feel a change comming on, I dont feel anything, just barron, no dreams, no real future, now its like I just exist, I just keep going. I felt the change 6 years ago and didnt know what it was for sure but now after the crap that went down, Im kinda zombied out. Moving forward kinda pointlessly like Frankenstien or something. I think thats why I cleaned house and prioritized. In hopes that after I get these "prioritized" items done I can exhale and then breath new air, find new "things" to take pleasure in.

[ocnblu]

Camino, just buy that Miata and move down to Rehoboth Beach. What the heck are you waiting for, man? :AH-HA_wink:

[daves87rs]

Camino, just buy that Miata and move down to Rehoboth Beach.  What the heck are you waiting for, man?   :AH-HA_wink:

184213[/snapback]

[Camino LS6]

Camino, just buy that Miata and move down to Rehoboth Beach.  What the heck are you waiting for, man?   :AH-HA_wink:

184213[/snapback]

I'm thinking more like Chevelle wagon and somewhere in New England.

[Camino LS6]

mid life crisis............mine has been present for 20 years............... then people tell me its something Im soon going to be going through, then I get really scared. "it just cant get any worse, I scream, it just cant, say it aint so ! " 

ya know what bugs me Camino, I dont feel a change comming on, I dont feel anything, just barron, no dreams, no real future, now its like I just exist, I just keep going. I felt the change 6 years ago and didnt know what it was for sure but now after the crap that went down, Im kinda zombied out. Moving forward kinda pointlessly like Frankenstien or something. I think thats why I cleaned house and prioritized. In hopes that after I get these "prioritized" items done I can exhale and then breath new air, find new "things" to take pleasure in.

184161[/snapback]

I've spent some time in that state of mind as well,Razor.

[XP715]

I'm thinking more like Chevelle wagon and somewhere in New England.

184390[/snapback]

Southern New Hampshire would be good; ASSachusetts if you can afford it would be even better. Me and Sixty8 will show you where people have neat junk squirreled away in barns & backyards.

[Camino LS6]

Southern New Hampshire would be good; ASSachusetts if you can afford it would be even better. Me and Sixty8 will show you where people have neat junk squirreled away in barns & backyards. 

184426[/snapback]

I'm thinking New Hampshire or Vermont, maybe even upstate NY. I'm not willing to subject myself to Mass. laws and taxes.

[Chris_Doane]

Hehe.....waaaaaait a min.

Camino. You aren't getting ready to come out of the closet are you...?!?!

Heh, god knows this is the right website....

[Camino LS6]

Hehe.....waaaaaait a min.

Camino. You aren't getting ready to come out of the closet are you...?!?!

Heh, god knows this is the right website....

184441[/snapback]

Sorry to disappoint, but you are way off.

[Sajeev Mehta]

1. I gave up everything to go to design school in another state (CCS in Detroit, anyone?) and for a year it was worth it. Things soured, and I came back home and I had most everything back the way it was...so I'm probably not much of a help.

2. I felt doomed to a life of pointless jobs and wasted energy (no kids, at least not yet), but I started writing car reviews and my whole life changed. I haven't felt this good in years, maybe ever.

Come on dude, tell us why you started this thread.

[Drew Dowdell]

Care to share more about what you're considering?

Ever see that old show Herman's head... where there were 4 personalities inside? Treat C&G like that.... except there will be 67 personalities.... plus one CD that keeps skipping and saying "Rear wheel drive hardtop" over and over into Dats..... uh... Infinity.

[Chris_Doane]

Sorry to disappoint, but you are way off.

184451[/snapback]

Aww...you had 'Blu going!

[Camino LS6]

I'll shed some more light on this soon. I never meant this thread to take on the life it has, I was just looking for some input to help me see things differently.

[Drew Dowdell]

I'll shed some more light on this soon. I never meant this thread to take on the life it has, I was just looking for some input to help me see things differently.

184459[/snapback]

just remember... we all care.....

[Camino LS6]

just remember... we all care.....

184463[/snapback]

Thanks

[Flybrian]

Camino is really Rick Wagoner and these Buickman attacks have made him cry...so he's going into seclusion...

[Camino LS6]

Camino is really Rick Wagoner and these Buickman attacks have made him cry...so he's going into seclusion...

184468[/snapback]

There's only one problem with that theory...

... a production El CaminoSS doesn't exist at this time.

[zhawk]

I'm thinking more like Chevelle wagon and somewhere in New England.

184390[/snapback]

If you get that Chevelle wagon, come on out to Washington on a road trip and we'll have to find my brother in his 71 Chevelle Convertible. Those two plus the 72 Skylark on a road trip should cause a few doubletakes going down the highway.

Take care!

[Camino LS6]

If you get that Chevelle wagon, come on out to Washington on a road trip and we'll have to find my brother in his 71 Chevelle Convertible. Those two plus the 72 Skylark on a road trip should cause a few doubletakes going down the highway.

Take care!

184792[/snapback]

That sounds like huge fun, and I'd love to see it happen. I found a Chevelle wagon I'd like to check out, but I can't do a thing about it until at least some of my current cars sell.

That's really the main source of my frustrations these days: so much stuff is piling up against a dam that refuses to break, and all I can do is wait for the chance to do the things I want/need to do. I just need a break that gives me the opportunity to put some plans into action.

[knightfan26917]

That's really the main source of my frustrations these days: so much stuff is piling up against a dam that refuses to break, and all I can do is wait for the chance to do the things I want/need to do. I just need a break that gives me the opportunity to put some plans into action.

While I can't say I know _exactly_ what you are feeling because our situations are different, I can tell ya that I relate to this ... perhaps more than you or anyone realizes.

Between trying to find a job so I can quit the job I hate (and that is causing some of my current health issues) ... trying to find a way back onto radio ... looking for love ... hoping that Chevrolet will make something I want and can afford to buy brand new ... and a whole bunch of other issues I'd rather not get into ... I know the feeling of not finding those openings that will lead to what I want/need to do. At this point, the # 1 priority seems to be finding a job ... because I can't go on like this ... and because the current job saps so much of my energy, I end up not doing things I've been wanting to do for a while now ... which only frustrates me more.

*sighs*

It is a vicious circle/cycle.

Cort, "Mr MC" / "Mr Road Trip", 32swm/pig valve/pacemaker

MC:family.IL.guide.future = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/

Models.HO = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/trainroom.html

"Promises mean everything" ... Everclear ... 'Wonderful'