There typically tend to be two types of reactions people
elicit when I tell them I’m building a kit car in my less than ideal two car
suburban garage. Those that get it and
those that ask questions in an attempt to get it. I suppose that is true of most things. I have friends and coworkers who have stopped
trying to explain to me the virtues of golf.
I just don’t get it. I get the
idea of it, but I don’t get it. They used to talk to me about the specifics
of the game and the talent and patience required in putting together a good
round. I would always conclude the
conversation with “well, at least you are getting some good exercise” to which
they would say “actually, we’re usually drive golf carts” to which I would
reply “oh”.
I understand not getting it.
Taking a perfectly good car apart and using its bits to assemble a
different car isn’t for everyone. Much
in the way chasing a small white ball over acres of land in an attempt to get
it into an almost equally small cup isn’t for everyone. It’s kind of funny how I go about the
conversations though. When I tell a car
person about the kit car I’m building I immediately go into justification
mode. I tell them while the kit car, which
when completed, won’t have doors or windows or a roof it will actually be more
practical and useful than the car it components came from (no really, it will).
I tell them how I will drive it more often
than the track only car that used to own its spot in the garage. I tell them about selling parts to subsidize
the build cost and how all the parts I don’t sell will end right back up on the
kit car.
When I tell a non-car person about the build, which is
usually the result of them overhearing a car guy to car guy conversation, I go
into witness on the witness stand mode. “Did
I hear you say you are building a car in your garage”? “Yes”. “Wow, you really know how to do that?” “Maybe.”
“Why are you doing it?” “Because I
want to.” “What’s it like?” “It’s like golf, but fun.”
Okay, nobody really asks that last question, but the others
have come up several times. The real
question that is plainly obvious is why the hell am I explaining to and
reasoning with those that get it while giving one word and sentence fragment answers
to those that would benefit from explanations?
I don’t really know why. Maybe it’s
because people pick and choose hobbies for how those hobbies make them feel. It’s hard to get excited and be passionate
about telling something to someone who doesn’t share those same feelings and excitement.
Usually I warm up and start answering questions with full sentences. Sometimes those sentences even include
inflection. Occasionally I offer up
information without inquiry like “the entire car’s running gear is based on a
Mazda Miata.” To which they often say “oh”. That’s when I say “if you leave now you can
still get in 18 this afternoon.”
