[Nfb-cars] {Spam?} long letter from a brand new member

[Jessica Tomlinson]

Hello to everyone on the list,

     My name is Jessica, and I'm in Florida.  I've been poking through the
archives, and I see that there isn't really a whole lot of traffic, but I
just thought I'd take a chance and introduce myself anyway just in case
someone is still out there, ha ha!  I saw some neat stuff from a few years
back.  

     Okay, so, I've always been interested in mechanical things and
electronics since all of the men in my family seem to have this background.
At the dinner table with my parents and grandparents, my ears would always
gravitate toward the men's side of the table since their conversations about
Ohm's Law, compression ratios, radio antenna heights and Navy ships always
seemed more interesting to me than the women's side, where they were talking
about flowers, oatmeal, cleaning house and knitting!!  My dad has owned a
1955 Chevy Bel Air 4-door since 1968.  He's the second owner.  I've
basically grown up with this as our everyday transportation.  He likes it
since he can easily work on it, and he has always explained to me in great
detail how the engine, brakes, etc work, and what needed to be done whenever
it has needed work.  Though I have never actually helped him with any of the
work, we have modeled rough shapes of the parts with our four hands,
sometimes grabbing other objects to help build the images in my mind.  I
would like to help him someday, and learn all that I can from him, but we
wonder if it is even possible.  I know that it must be since there are some
of you out there.  It has the original 265 small-block V8 which has been
bored out to 283,  with a 4-barrel carb, and the distributor still has
points!  Instead of the 2-speed powerglide tranny, it now has a
turbo-hydromatic 3-speed with overdrive, which makes highway trips easier
and more efficient.  There have been a few other modifications, such as the
electric wiper motor, the LED stop lights and the radio, but other than
that, it's mostly all original.  I have so many memories and stories to go
with it, I won't bore you with all of them right now, but will happily share
some in the future if you all are interested.  I hope that my parents will
stay strong and healthy for many years to come, but to be perfectly honest,
I'm afraid for what could happen when it's time for them to give up their
keys.  I hope that their beauty can stay in the family, and that my sisters
and brother will be as attached to her as I seem to be lately.  I hope that
by some dumb luck, I might find a good sighted, driving friend that can take
me "cruising" every now and then.  I don't know if I could hold the title in
the future if I don't drive, and I feel really silly for even thinking about
such a thing.  How have you all handled this with your classics?  You all
probably have families, spouses, etc.  I haven't found Mr. right yet, and
frankly, I'm not in a hurry.  I think I would just die if we were to ever
let her go.  

     And now, a little about the rest of me:  I have ONH, so I'm a petite
young lady about 4 ft 11 inches!  I also love all kinds of music, from just
about every era.  I play the piano and the organ, and I like to draw.  (I
have some low vision, and I use a CCTV for a lot of things).  I also am very
active, and I love the outdoors.  I climbed trees as a kid, and have always
enjoyed hiking and riding on the back of a tandem bike.  I can't remember
not knowing how to swim!  I have had several pet chickens growing up too.
They lay the best eggs!   I'm 31, and I work at a non-profit NGO teaching
computer skills to people with visual impairments.  I'm kind of a computer
geek too, but I'm not really into the programming side of things.  I'm in
grad school to earn myCVRT (Certified Vision Rehab Therapist ) license which
will enable me to teach much more.  So, as a result, I'm learning Braille
again, and loving it!  This is totally crazy, but, the other day, I was
practicing my numbers by brailling all of the small-block sizes and the
years the were first produced!  What a fun way to learn my numbers!  

     Okay, so now, I will wind up this crazy long spiel.  Sorry I have gone
on for so long.  I love writing, and once I get cranked up, it's so hard for
me to stop!  All the best to all of you out there in cyber-land.  Hope Fall
brings you all great holiday seasons!  

 

Sincerely,

Jessica