Adventures as a Grown Up

But I don’t want to buy four new tires!

Tania and I were on our way to work on this COLD, DARK, and RAINY morning here in Virginia and a Pepboyz commercial came on the radio. Since it is starting to rain more and maybe even freeze and get icy I was already thinking about the new tires the Beast (my crappy Explorer) needs for this season. I turned up the radio to hear the deals and began to get frustrated.

I don’t want to spend well over $100 on tires for a car that I hate. Who cares if its buy three and get the fourth one free. Or get a discount on the installation! Why would I want to be safe and not slip and slide all over the pending ice? But then again, the Jelly Bean (my Neon in California) needs new tires too so either way, looks like I’m getting new rubbers! And not the kind you’re now thinking about. I would so rather spend that money on the new cable bill I have to pay each month. Or new shoes. Or the trip to Puerto Rico in November. Not on something as practical as tires for a car I drive less than two weeks a month just to be “safe”.

The commercial had ended and we were at a red light and I was still thinking about the sinking tires. Gripping the faded stearing wheel at 9 o’clock and 3 o’clock, I began to pull it towards me as if trying to shake it shouting, “I don’t want to be a grown up, I don’t want to be a grown up”. Tania just looked at me and when I was done just said, “okay” and looked away.

With my frustrations out I suddenly could think clearly. The radio had switched to a throwback hit from 1997, MmmBop by Hanson and I couldn’t help but to smile. Fine, this weekend will be partially spent getting tires but until then…. mmmm bop, tippy top ba dooo bopp……