| Author | Message | ||
| R. TERRY (207.230.144.240)
Rating: N/A |
Years ago, I actually believed I would be a millionaire by the time I was 40. As the years melted away (imagine a Popsicle in a blast furnace) it became pitifully obvious that that silly notion was going to remain just that, a SILLY notion. Still, I had a burning desire for a small taste of that “Millionaire’s Club”. When I bought my first airplane, a two-place contraption that was more like an aluminum mosquito, I knew it wasn’t the Big Time, but at least I stuck my foot in the door. I didn’t get to sit down at the table with the Big Shots, but I got to grab a snack off their tray. When I flew, I felt like a Million Bucks. Later, I thought I’d sneak my other foot in the door. It seemed to me that people who were well-to-do had, among other things, big, luxurious motorhomes. If they were really up there, truly powerful and had a “Gold Key” to the “Millionaire’s Club” (nobody I know), their motorhome wasn’t a motorhome at all – No, Sir, it was a BUS! Oh yes, that’s how they did it. They toured the country in their own “Mansion on Wheels” because money was no object. That’s right, money was no object. Remember that – MONEY WAS NO OBJECT! Under the circumstances, I did the best I could. I didn’t get to join the club -- not by any stretch of the imagination -- and my bus came in the form of a “Salvage Yard on Wheels” because money WAS an object, as in lack thereof. But I got to snatch another tasty little sample from the rich man’s snack tray. Of course this is all a bunch of nonsense. Yet, inside, down in your heart, it’s easy to feel like a Million Bucks when you’re behind the wheel of your own coach. You’re special, you know it, and there’s nothing wrong with feeling that way. In fact, I think it’s good for you! R. TERRY | ||
| CoryDaneRTSIIIL (4.17.253.143) Rating: N/A |
Heres my version (Play the song from THE WALTONS as you read) Thats alright R. Terry I think I had the same thoughts, that I would live a rich life, all the way from grade school because everyone told me so. I was told that up to the time my Mother became very ill when I was just in Jr High and she went away to the hospital. It was obvious my father had no idea how to take care of us kids and someone helped him find someone that could help take care of us as Mother was out for an extended tour. It came to us soon enough that maybe we didnt have that silver spoon that some are born with and just maybe all those success stories that were to be our future might not be getting delivered to the right ears. Well, Mother finally came home after a long stay away but she was still in rough shape and I never found that silver spoon and worked hard through high school, and yet I had High Ideals and MAN I could DREAM. I saw relatives with the new cars and campers, VCRs came into the video entertainment, HOW I laughed as the film tycoons cried because people MIGHT TAPE A MOVIE OFF THE BOOB TUBE! OH HEAVENS FORBID THAT! I would'nt say I lived rough, but I worked for everything I had. Oh, Cept for once in a while I was given something I thought was grreat or a deal come along that was out of this world. And I LIKED THAT DAMN BUS THAT GMC built, the RTS. Honestly, I never thought in all my years, that I would actually own one, though I thought they were quite roomy and I would dream of what an RV it could make. Well, Darn if the table didnt turn, I Got one, and I am pretty proud of the old girl. I work on her on my days off, Oh, and my budget includes money for buying stuff to put in her, the cables walls, might as well gut a house, she'll have it all when done. Come to think of it, Maybe I AM getting a taste of silver from that darn spoon after all. cd | ||
| Peter Broadribb (Madbrit) (65.73.176.40)
Rating: N/A |
R. Terry, Great to hear from you again. Love your ramblings. I know just what you mean. When I was much younger and was living in England. I drove American cars. As long as the hood was shiney, I couldn't see the rest so I thought I was in heaven. No, in fact I was in heaven. Now with my MCI-8 sold and a class 8 Freightliner FLD 120 in the drive awaiting the conversion process to start, I am again in heaven. Here speaks an old retired truck driver, aiming to get back on the road again real soon. Peter. | ||
| R.C.Bishop (128.123.221.186)
Rating: N/A |
Thanx for the musings, fellows.....  It is comforting to know that this actually IS life that we're all living. Me too. RCB '64 Crown Highway Coach | ||
| David Anderson (66.90.198.208) Rating: N/A |
Thanks, R. Terry for your thoughts. One of the coolest things I like about owning my bus is how people turn and look at it when (usually) they are passing me on the road. (I don't pass them much) They looked at it when it looked like a piece of junk, (windows broken, rolled on paint to block the coach line name, and rusty wheels.) They look at it now that it looks new and shiny. It sure gives me a sense of accomplishment after 3 years of hard work. Oh, BTW my wife looks at the empty bank account and  David Anderson | ||
| M & C Jenkins (Gaelicforce) (63.234.126.133)
Rating: N/A |
It's odd how people think. Our first conversion was a Grumman step van (ex Frito Lay). We got it in pretty good shape inside but was still cutting holes in the outside for windows and such so we couldn't paint it and drove it for 3 years with Frito Colors. I was amazed at the reactions to it (not to mention Frito jokes.) The reactions had nothing to do with income level but mind set. We'd have people with $200,000 couches come over and ask if we were converting it and get all excited and offer suggestions and people in ragged out popup campers look down their nose. We've sold it and gotten a 1960 4104 and love it. But the outside the box thinking is still there. | ||
| Pete (64.12.96.235)
Rating: N/A |
One kick I'll never get sick of is the older Greyhound drivers when they see my Scenicruiser on the road..mouths wide open...sorta half waving half trying to catch what wiff of reality is around them as a fully converted 4501 blows by them and opposite them. Yup..bank acct or no bank acct..."Aint life Grand" Pete |