Hoopty-Do Hoopty-Don't: Life Lessons of the Yard Sale
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| Photo: JC Westbrook |
This kind of project forces you look at everything with a cold, objective eye and measure it against what's meaningful in your life. Once you reach this Zen-like mind set, it's a snap to categorize your stuff:
Sell. Give. Keep.
Whether you're radically changing your life with a move or just de-cluttering your space, a yard sale signals transition — An acceptance that things in life change.
So you put all of these little pieces of yourself on the lawn and invite strangers to make value judgments on it. It's OK. You can take it. Because it all represents the old you. The new you starts today.
It's liberating.
When I moved away from San Diego, I had a condense-your-life-into-a-Honda-Civic sale. Coincidentally my friend next door was making a big move too. So we combined efforts and littered a long stretch of busy sidewalk with our collective wares.
I think it was easy for him to put most of the remnants of his beach bachelor pad on the auction block — The big dilemma he struggled with: coming to terms with having to sell his car. It was his self-described Hoopty. His baby. A prized possession to impress the chicks. That was always his hope, at least.
| HOOPTY Pronunciation: \hüp ˈtē\ Function: Noun Politically correct synonym for "ghetto cruiser" and/or "pimp mobile". Other synonyms: barge, boat, land yacht, tank, tuna boat. Usually in reference to large late model (1989 and earlier) domestic luxury cars, sometimes in poor condition. Source: Urban Dictionary |
It was an early 70's model Mercury Cougar convertible with white leather seats. The trunk was big enough for all your party gear, including an iced-down keg. So it was custom-rigged. With a hose. It ran through the passenger side of the car to a beer tap in the glove compartment. I bet even the cops would agree: This was one sweet ride.
But he couldn't keep it. He needed the money. And it wouldn't make the long-haul to his new home in Texas. So he begrudgingly let go. Took a deep breath, parked it on the curb at our sidewalk extravaganza, and put a "for sale" sign in the window. He was ready to be the "new" him.
There was near-immediate interest.
See, this was taking place about a block from the beach, in the path many took to get to it. A group of seven, repeat seven, hot chicks in bikinis stopped to check out the car. They wanted to test drive it, which, of course, my friend was glad to oblige.
The look on his face said this first day of his "new" life was the best day of his life so far. He climbed in the back seat of his beloved hoopty with the girls, and turned over the keys to the one who would drive. Now as you picture this in your mind, please don't be so distracted by the idea of bikinis to leave out my friend. The best description is what everybody says: The resemblance is uncanny. This guy is a Chris Farley look-a-like.
Around the block they go, then up and back again. The first time they passed, he waved wildly like a 5-year old. The second he shouted to me without shame.
"Go get a camera!! Get a camera!! Get a camera!!"
Oh no! Mine was packed. This was well before they were in every phone. I ran around frantically looking in boxes. I couldn't find one. The moment was gone.
So the moral of the story is this:
Hoopty-Do let go of whatever stuff is keeping you from being a leaner-meaner new you.
Hoopty-Don't be caught unprepared for fun surprises when you finally are brave enough to let go.
Posted by TheWordWire at 7/23/2009 11:22 AM 
Categories: Life Skills
Tags: yard sale keg joy ride mercury cougar hooptie hoopty bikini
Categories: Life Skills
Tags: yard sale keg joy ride mercury cougar hooptie hoopty bikini
Good story well told.
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I suddenly feel the need to clean out the garage. Think I'll get to joy ride with hot chicks if I do?
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