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| 1994 Camry Sedan V6 XLE. |
I could show you a picture of the various cars I once dreamed of having, or I could show you a picture of the car I sometimes dream of still having. This is my first car, my baby, the HSG (the three letters in the non-vanity CA plate, which were unanimously and tacitly understood to stand for "High-School G").
She had get-up like you would not have expected, and she was comfy to boot. There are tons of pictures of friends piled in the back seat for whatever adventures the day brought us - the Disneyland trip stands out, but bowling was a good go-to. She had incredible gas mileage, which I cared less about at the time than I presently do.
I had the handicapped spot in the Senior Parking Lot, mostly because the lot was large enough to require one by law and I was the only senior with a handicapped placard. Music was bumped, occasionally with vocal accompaniment.
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| As was the case whenever "If I Ever Fall..." by Shai was played. |
The HSG got totaled in '03. It was nobody's fault, and the damage wasn't really that bad - but the car was nine years old by that point. While Toyotas are functionally immortal, auto insurance companies have...tougher standards.
The car I drive now is an homage to my baby - it's a 2005 Camry Sedan, same color, same tan leather interior. She doesn't have the gas mileage or as much get-up, but she's got it where it counts. We thought of naming her like we did the HSG, but the three letters in the non-vanity plate are CRY, and the only appropriate name to come from that would be the Emo-bile.
If you think my wistfulness borne of materialism, consider how much time your average Angeleno spends in his/her car. It's less like losing a prized possession, and more like having your bedroom burn down.
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