Cars Sold; Goodbye Time

[knightfan26917]

"I'm walking down the lonely street of dreams" __ Whitesnake __ 'Here I Go Again On My Own'

I never thought I'd say or type these words...

"My Monte Carlos are sold."

That is, they'll be gone by the end of this weekend (last of July 2012), unless a "miracle" happens yet this week (don't see that being the case).

I wouldn't have believed it if someone had told me while I was on my 2011 9,000+ mile road trip that, in the next 12+ months, I'd...

...have my 4th open heart surgery 11/11/2011 (will have another CT scan in mid-August)

...lose my job less than 3 weeks after returning to full-time (still searching)

...attend the 2012 MC Nationals & be hospitalized w/pneumonia 6 hours after returning home (still on medication)

...& be "monte less" (due to medical bills, etc.; my cars are considered "assets")....

But, all of that has/is happening. So, with my MCs gone, it is time to stop prolonging the inevitable & say goodbye.

A few weeks ago, I happened to see the series finale of "Frasier", the popular "Cheers" spin-off. At the end of the episode, Frasier quotes a shortened version of Alfred Lord Tennyson's "Ulysses":

"It may be that the gulfs will wash us down;

It may be we shall touch the Happy Isles,

And though we are not now that strength which in old days

Moved earth and heaven, that which we are, we are—

Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will;

To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield."

After reciting the poem, Frasier remarks:

"I’ve been thinking about that poem a lot lately, & I think what it says is that, while it’s tempting to play it safe, the more we’re willing to risk, the more alive we are. In the end, what we regret most are the chances we never took."

I've taken chances & let chances slip away. Since I'll be "free-er", maybe it's time to take a few more chances. Saying goodbye is one; life has a way of changing us in ways we never expect. While I am very unhappy right now, perhaps my MCs are better off with new owners. Maybe I'm better off, too; after all, my rear-wheel-drive-only-nameplate Caprice Classic (1979 sedan) remains with me.

"Another dream that ended way too soon" __ Restless Heart __ 'The Bluest Eyes In Texas'

It has been a great run, though, owning 5 MCs for 9 years, 1 for ~20 years. I've met many of you in person via my road trips, cruise nights, events & car shows, including the 2008 MidSummer Chitown Gathering, which set a record of 65 people & is the ONLY gathering/event that ALL of my MCs attended together:

http://pics.projectmonte.com/album/12498

"This is just a stop on the way to where I'm going" __ Carrie Underwood __ 'Temporary Home'

Since I'll no longer visit here regularly, if you want to keep in contact, please do via my...

...website (changes soon?)...:

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/'>http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/

...recently-reactivated Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/knightcaprice269177989

...EM & PH#:

faithcubsmc2691

@

aol.com

847-

337-

9897

...Roads'n'Wheels/Caprice Classic Forum:

http://rdwhl-capriceclassic.proboards.com/

For now, I will continue to own the 3rd generation MC board...

http://thirdgenmontes.proboards.com/index.cgi?

...& run the 6th generation MC group...

http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/y2kmontecarloclub/

...though, if anyone is interested in taking them over, please let me know.

I think that's it. I'd like to share more, but this post would be too long. Perhaps it IS too long for "goodbye". As a famous sportscaster said at the end of every baseball telecast, "So long, everybody!"

Cort | 38.m.IL | pigValve + paceMaker + cowValve | "only child" 1979 Caprice Classic

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

"I hope life will treat you kind" __ Dolly Parton __ 'I Will Always Love You'

[daves87rs]

Still sucks, but I'm hoping some good positive vibes come your way.

Maybe even a new (to you) car.

Life does some strange things to us....hang in there buddy!

[balthazar]

>>"In the end, what we regret most are the chances we never took."<<

Strongly agree.

You do what you have to. Right now, that seems to be taking care of yourself & running lean, and those aren't bad things at all, IMO. Sometimes, I wish I had that opportunity myself, in some ways, tho you've had steeper challenges than most.

Good health & good fortune to you, Cort, you know you're always welcome here.

As our resident SBC personified, keep on, keepin' on. I hope you find the things you search for... or they find you. Keep us posted.

[Blake Noble]

I wish you would stay, but I can understand where you're coming from.

Godspeed, Cort. And good luck.

[CanadianBacon94]

Good luck Cort

[bobo]

Good luck, Cort. It's been quite a year. I hope things go your way.

[ocnblu]

Certainly no need to depart these halls.

Something good will happen.

[A Horse With No Name]

Again we loe having you here...and good luck and godspeed my friend!

[G. David Felt]

Best of luck Cort, May you find a more amazing path in life that takes you to a new high that allows you to enjoy it with your extended family.

[Turbojett]

This is all pretty sad; I'm sorry you had to sell your cars, but the real bummer is that you're leaving.

But just keep your head up and get out there and take a few of those chances. perhaps maybe after all this bum luck some well-deserved good fortune will come your way.

Just take care of yourself. We look forward to hearing something amazing like how you somehow won the lottery or something.

Edited July 25, 2012 by Turbojett

[knightfan26917]

Life does some strange things to us....

Yes, that it does.....

>>"In the end, what we regret most are the chances we never took."<<

Strongly agree.

Me, too ... from personal experience ... in too many ways, some that can't be shared here.

As our resident SBC personified

I'm guessing this is a GOOD thing...?

We look forward to hearing something amazing like how you somehow won the lottery or something.

Oh ... if only.......... *sighs*

"When we make choices we gotta live with them" __ Darius Rucker __ 'Don't Think I Don't Think About It'

I am amazed by (& somewhat speechless about) the replies here & via Emails/PMs/FB. Thank you doesn't seem to be enough. I know I have support from friends/family (even those who've been silent), but that only goes so far...I don't have a "we". Even so, perhaps "goodbye" is a bit harsh; maybe "see you down the road" is better....

Someone mentioned that maybe my "miracle" is just being alive & I should be happy with that. I can't argue; perhaps life turning around for me is too much to ask. As someone else told me personally, while we are not given more than we can handle, we are, generally given what we deserve. I take that FWIW. Fighting pneumonia, searching for a new job & paying medical bills isn't fun, but I'm still trying to look ahead & keep up hope/spirits/positivity....

But, I'd be lying if I said I didn't cry the last weekend of July. Talk about TOUGH, in many ways. The '72 left Saturday; the '76 & '87 left Sunday. All 3 are now in new homes, better than what I could ever give them....

'72 to Minnesota

'76 to far northern IL

'87 to MIchigan

The '81 will go to either my parents or sister/bro-in-law.

Meanwhile, in a strange twist of fate, my '79 MC will remain mine, for now. So, I will have a '79 MC & a 1979 Caprice Classic. I will continue the 3rd generation MC board & be active there:

http://thirdgenmontes.proboards.com/index.cgi?

[The 6th generation yahoo group, after consulting with Rob (who created it 12 years ago), will most-likely be closed.]

I'll also be on the Roads'n'Wheels/Caprice Classic Forum:

http://rdwhl-capriceclassic.proboards.com/

Or, of course, FACEBOOK:

https://www.facebook.com/knightcaprice269177989

If interested, check out my website BEFORE it changes. Right now, it includes road trip pics, my MC story, radio show playlist, different collections, etc.:

http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/'>http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort/

Additional pics (including Route 66 & other recent road trips) are here:

http://picasaweb.google.com/knightfan26917

7 "last" pictures....

07/28/2012 ... Last day all 5 of my MCs are a family. Seen best here: 1987 (blue), 1979 (green), 1981 (tan).

07/28/2012 ... Last day all 5 of my MCs are a family. Seen best here: 1981 (tan), 1972 (brown), 1976 (black).

07/28/2012 ... My 1972 MC sold & ready to go to its new home:

07/29/2012 ... My 1976 MC sold & ready to go to its new home. Look at that dirty, but still shiny, bumper.

07/29/2012 ... My 1976 MC sold & ready to go to its new home. Once again, I see that "frown" in the tail end ... the same "frown" I saw in my parents' 1976 MC when we traded it, September 1984.

07/29/2012 ... My 1987 MC sold & ready to go to its new home. By the time this one was out the door of the garage/storage barn, I couldn't take it anymore. After the new owner left, I sat in my '81 MC for almost an hour. I don't think I need to spell out the emotions.... This is the one that my nephew had "claimed" just 8 months prior....

07/29/2012 ... & then there were 2; 1981 MC (tan) & 1979 MC (light green). While you can't see it all that well in this shot, the '81 MC has the now former plates of my '76 (SECND 76) & '87 (CDS MC 87) MCs, while the '79 MC holds the former plate of my '72 MC (BRWNY 72). I had taken another pic with flash, but this one seems a bit more ... appropriate.

Cort | 38.m.IL | pigValve + paceMaker + cowValve | '79 MC + 1979 Caprice Classic

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

"Lately I've been thinking I should move away" __ Eddy Money __ 'I'll Get By'

[balthazar]

I've sent many cars off on another's car trailer. I may not have been as attached to most as you were to your MCs, but I still miss many.

I increasingly think over selling my first car tho, and that will be very tough to do, because I do love it so. Nothing lasts forever.

[Z-06]

Well said all around here, Gentlemen.

I do however believe Cort that you MUST drop in here occasionally; I can't see C&G without your road trips and anecdotes.

[daves87rs]

Well said all around here, Gentlemen.

I do however believe Cort that you MUST drop in here occasionally; I can't see C&G without your road trips and anecdotes.

Damn right....this site would be the same without him!

[Intrepidation]

The `79 is your first car right? I would try to hang onto that one if at all possible. There's no car like your first car.

[Turbojett]

^^I'm with this guy.

[A Horse With No Name]

Hang on to the 79....wish I'd held on to my 70 Chevelle.

That first gen Monte is beautiful!

[2005 EquinoxLS]

I am so sorry to hear that you had to sell your cars. But if you can try to keep the 1979 then do it. Maybe in the future things will change that you can buy again. Until then get better. And you'll still get to see the 1981 from time to time. Again, the best of luck to you.