I have been neglecting you, friends. Some good news: I recently got a full-time, Monday-Friday, big-kid job! Which is great, but as a result, I've been introduced to the world of trying to be productive from the hours of 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., while also trying to find time to train for my half-marathon I've signed up to do in April, take care of the critters and the boyfriend, catch up with my family, keep my apartment from looking like a bomb has gone off, and also finding time to catch a breath. How do people do it? Do they not actually sleep...? Do they skip eating? Do they neglect their pets? Do they have no contact with other human beings? I haven't figured it out. I'm not too worried, though. I've been busier than this before, and still managed to accomplish the things that I care about. It's just a matter of finding my own little system by which I need to operate. I just haven't gotten into my groove yet.
But today, after trying to catch up on some sleep, doing a touch of spring cleaning, running ten miles (which I'm sure isn't much to many people, but until today, I'd never ran that far), givin' some lovin to the kitty and the puppy (they're too adorable), making dinner, and sitting down with my daily dose of ice cream, I took just a moment to sit back down with my sketchbook, some paints, and for once, a passion of mine.
But today, after trying to catch up on some sleep, doing a touch of spring cleaning, running ten miles (which I'm sure isn't much to many people, but until today, I'd never ran that far), givin' some lovin to the kitty and the puppy (they're too adorable), making dinner, and sitting down with my daily dose of ice cream, I took just a moment to sit back down with my sketchbook, some paints, and for once, a passion of mine.
A Ford Bronco.
They just make me smile.
They just make me smile.
Some background:
If you don't know (which if you know me at all, shouldn't be the case, as I've been criticized regularly for centering far too much of my conversation on this particular subject), I've been dating a wonderful guy named Paul for a little more than three years. He's smart, ABSURDLY handsome, is superbly fun to hang out with, and can stand to be around me for more than five minutes. A true treasure in my book. Also, he is a self-proclaimed and otherwise-undeniable car guy. I honestly believe that you could name any year, make, or model of any car, and he could tell you at least something about it, and that's if he can't list of the specs as though he's reading off the equation 2+2=4.
Paul: "The Dodge Dart 2 Liter is 160 Horsepower 6 speed automatic with 17" wheels, blacked out headlights, and race track taillights. Uhh, it's a four-door sedan..."
Me: "Well it's obvious it's a 4-door sedan-"
Paul: "Well it's all obvious."
It's like that for almost anything I ask him about. He's like a walking automotive encyclopedia with only the slightest twinge of bias.
So, as you might expect, I hear about cars a lot. I hear about the cars he sees, the cars he's had, the cars he wants, and the cars he probably won't ever get but hasn't yet stopped dreaming about. These cars are old, new, and some don't even quite exist yet. (Heard of the new Jeep Trailcat? They put a Hellcat 707 Horsepower, 6.2 Liter supercharged Hemi V-8 in a Jeep Wrangler - how did I get this information on the spot to type this? Did I Google it? Nope, I asked Paul, and he spouts it off like a grocery list as he searches through YouTube for evidence of oddball Rally cars.)
As such, my own awareness of the world of automobiles has been heightened, as well as my acknowledgement of my own opinions regarding the autos that go rumbling and zipping down the road and through traffic.
And friends, the Ford Bronco. My family is one who has a bias toward Ford. My Grandpa Carter, who is one of the wisest people I've ever known, was a Ford guy to the core. I've always known them as vehicles my mom's brothers used to have (I learned recently that my awesome uncle Mike and aunt Char actually had two Broncos - one of which was one from the first handful ever produced. How amazing is that??), and when I see them I'm put in mind of a person who needs a vehicle that will just work. It's not absurdly large, but if need be, it can handle most offroad situations. It's like that chill friend who's just unflappable. "I got this, bro," is it's motto. Every time I see one, I feel as though it's a best friend I just haven't met yet.
I'm still torn as to whether I prefer the smaller, 60's to late 70's style, or the '78 or '79 models. My opinion changes by the day. But the more I see them, the more I find myself careening toward the inevitability that I will have one someday. I don't even know that it will be an older one. Recently, Ford announced this. While the fact that one of these new SUVs will be a Bronco hasn't been confirmed in any way, shape, or form that I've heard, I can't help but think that it would just be silly to not use this opportunity to bring them back. But even if they did, would it still hold a candle one of these bad boys:
If you don't know (which if you know me at all, shouldn't be the case, as I've been criticized regularly for centering far too much of my conversation on this particular subject), I've been dating a wonderful guy named Paul for a little more than three years. He's smart, ABSURDLY handsome, is superbly fun to hang out with, and can stand to be around me for more than five minutes. A true treasure in my book. Also, he is a self-proclaimed and otherwise-undeniable car guy. I honestly believe that you could name any year, make, or model of any car, and he could tell you at least something about it, and that's if he can't list of the specs as though he's reading off the equation 2+2=4.
Paul: "The Dodge Dart 2 Liter is 160 Horsepower 6 speed automatic with 17" wheels, blacked out headlights, and race track taillights. Uhh, it's a four-door sedan..."
Me: "Well it's obvious it's a 4-door sedan-"
Paul: "Well it's all obvious."
It's like that for almost anything I ask him about. He's like a walking automotive encyclopedia with only the slightest twinge of bias.
So, as you might expect, I hear about cars a lot. I hear about the cars he sees, the cars he's had, the cars he wants, and the cars he probably won't ever get but hasn't yet stopped dreaming about. These cars are old, new, and some don't even quite exist yet. (Heard of the new Jeep Trailcat? They put a Hellcat 707 Horsepower, 6.2 Liter supercharged Hemi V-8 in a Jeep Wrangler - how did I get this information on the spot to type this? Did I Google it? Nope, I asked Paul, and he spouts it off like a grocery list as he searches through YouTube for evidence of oddball Rally cars.)
As such, my own awareness of the world of automobiles has been heightened, as well as my acknowledgement of my own opinions regarding the autos that go rumbling and zipping down the road and through traffic.
And friends, the Ford Bronco. My family is one who has a bias toward Ford. My Grandpa Carter, who is one of the wisest people I've ever known, was a Ford guy to the core. I've always known them as vehicles my mom's brothers used to have (I learned recently that my awesome uncle Mike and aunt Char actually had two Broncos - one of which was one from the first handful ever produced. How amazing is that??), and when I see them I'm put in mind of a person who needs a vehicle that will just work. It's not absurdly large, but if need be, it can handle most offroad situations. It's like that chill friend who's just unflappable. "I got this, bro," is it's motto. Every time I see one, I feel as though it's a best friend I just haven't met yet.
I'm still torn as to whether I prefer the smaller, 60's to late 70's style, or the '78 or '79 models. My opinion changes by the day. But the more I see them, the more I find myself careening toward the inevitability that I will have one someday. I don't even know that it will be an older one. Recently, Ford announced this. While the fact that one of these new SUVs will be a Bronco hasn't been confirmed in any way, shape, or form that I've heard, I can't help but think that it would just be silly to not use this opportunity to bring them back. But even if they did, would it still hold a candle one of these bad boys:
From broncozone.com
Or this guy:
Or this guy:
From reno4x4.com
I just don't know. So I guess we'll just have to see. And considering that right now I'm in no position financially to have a toy car just yet, I'll just have to settle for painting them.
I just don't know. So I guess we'll just have to see. And considering that right now I'm in no position financially to have a toy car just yet, I'll just have to settle for painting them.
This was a super quick watercolor, but it was still fun, and I think it still holds to the Spirit of the Bronco. It's loose, it's not something you're super worried about ruining, and it can stand on its own.
My kind of vehicle.
So take a moment to consider that thing about which you think about more than others. Be grateful for it! Enjoy thinking about it, even if you won't be able to obtain it or see it or experience it any time soon. This world is so full of so many beautiful things. Don't ever think that you can't appreciate them.
Enjoy your weekend. I'll be back sooner next time, I promise!
Cheers,
Sarah
My kind of vehicle.
So take a moment to consider that thing about which you think about more than others. Be grateful for it! Enjoy thinking about it, even if you won't be able to obtain it or see it or experience it any time soon. This world is so full of so many beautiful things. Don't ever think that you can't appreciate them.
Enjoy your weekend. I'll be back sooner next time, I promise!
Cheers,
Sarah