R.I.P., Zippy: 1999-2009

Yes, it is true--I am now carless.

My last few moments with Zippy, my beloved 1999 Civic.

Dear Zippy,

Today I sold you to a car dealer named Moses. Because of the large amount of work required to get you into saleable shape, you weren't worth that much money. But that's ok, because you were always more valuable to money than me. You have done so many things for me--and the environmental movement. Think about it. In your ten years of loyal service, you have:

o made countless 12-hour nonstop drives between Johnson City and Princeton.
o traveled across the continental U.S.--twice--to take me to and from organizing assignments.
o scouted all the best turfs in Little Rock, Arkansas.
o driven hundreds of CMDs worth of canvassers around Little Rock, Nashville, and even DC.
o trolled across the eastern Oregon desert and, once, coasted 50 miles from Bend on a completely empty gas tank.
o carried groceries, kittens, books, IKEA furniture strapped to your roof, and all my worldly possessions to and from new and old homes.

But it wasn't all hard work. You've also:

o made a million trips to the Quaker Bridge movie theater with my college buddies.
o climbed halfway up Mt. Hood.
o swooped through the Badlands.
o made many beautiful trips around Shenandoah NP.
o cruised the East Coast, from Cape Cod to Atlanta.

It's nothing personal, Zippy. You've been broken into and harassed too many times here in Mt. Pleasant. The recent attempted hotwiring was just the last straw. I don't drive you enough to give you good exercise. You'll be better off with someone else, someone who shares a similar appreciation for your incredible turning radius and solid gas mileage, but can offer you a safe, good home.

So Zippy, Godspeed. I hope you end up in greener pastures.

Love,
Your owner,
Waage