fixer-upper

Depending on the situation, this is either a blessing or a curse. But here's how I see it. What's the point of complaining about a problem, if not to find a solution for it?

Today I dropped my friend off at the LDS Temple in Laie. We were sitting in Charley (my car) stuffing our faces with sweet pork burritos, since he only had 10 minutes before he was supposed to go in. He stops and says, "You know when you're eating hot food, and it makes your face really hot?" "yeah" "Yeah, that's happening right now." I immediately turned the car back on and blasted the AC, thinking "perfect, easy fix" and he says "Nonono, you don't have to do that!....... *sigh* I forget that when I say things like that, you always fix the problem. I was really just making a comment about my face being hot."

Whoops!

I dunno... I guess I just like solving things. Rubik's Cubes, Sudoku, upside down smiles on people's faces, simple problems, huge disastrous problems, anything with loose ends and questions.... gimme! I'll fix it! I noticed earlier this year that I do this to a lot to my close friends. Well, not even just my close friends. Basically anyone around me is eligible for an Emily Hileman solution.

The reason this can be a curse, is because people don't always want a solution. Sometimes they just need to get it out of their system and talk about it. Sometimes they already have a plan figured out, but they haven't taken action. Sometimes they think you're an idiot and don't really want your solution at all! But, what I hope for, is that I can help them in some way. Even though it's not always wanted, I'll probably always offer my solution.

So this is fair warning. Don't complain to me unless you're ready for a solution! Fixer-upper mode is only 1 wine/grunt away! Easily triggered and always ready to fire.

Oh yeah. I lived in my car for 36 days.
Sorry mom.

Whew, now that I've got that off my chest.

There really are few downsides to living in your car. Once you get passed the safety hazards, the extreme need for organization, the daily scouting out of locations, and the feeling you're working for the FBI when asked "Emily, where do you live?"........ *blink*.... *stare*.... "around here." There are some upsides!

#1. You always have everything you own with you. This is SO convenient. I can't even express how awesome it is to never have to go "home" to pick anything up. You're ready to go anywhere at anytime. I went to get a new license in Kaneohe and thought "Hey, I'll see if I can renew my passport, too!". What do you need? Birth certificate, SS card, 2+ forms of ID, and closed-toed shoes (.... whaaat? Yeah. To take the picture you need closed-toed shoes). Perfect! I just so happen to have ALL of those things with me! Marvelous! Took some friends to go sky-diving and decided last minute to join them. What do you need? Tennis shoes. I was barefoot at the time. Perfect! I just so happen to have ALL of my shoes with me!

#2. You can shower anywhere. Seriously. Anywhere. Ever think about how convenient it would be if you could shower ANYWHERE? It's pretty convenient. You always have what you need for a good scrub'a'roo.

#3. You reduce your amount of shizz. We all have shizz. Shizz happens. And we are all hoarders at heart. When you have a carry-on duffle bag for clothes and the floor space in your backseat as storage, you learn to only keep what you need.

#4. It's fun! For awhile. And then when it's not fun, you just find somewhere new to go, something new to do, and then it's fun again!

#5. No roommates!! Love that.

#6. No rent!! Love that, too.

Plus, the views aren't half bad. When you're always outside, you see a lot of cool things.

did I mention that

LIFE IS GOOD!?