Penis Envy….

The two vehicles above signify two of the best vehicles produced by the Ford Motor Company.  The Mustang 5.0 is the epitome of the American Muscle Car and it’s name speaks volumes about the machismo this American icon is supposed to represent.

The Pickup truck is the icon of the working man, the farmer, the construction worker, the sportsman.  At the same time it also speaks volumes about the kind of machismo the owner has and while seemingly different they are just opposite ends of the same spectrum.

They are both marvels of modern engineering and manufacturing with components sourced from around the globe manufactured to the cheapest specifications to the most lenient of tolerances in order to foster a fruitful aftermarket parts market whereby even cheaper, at the lower end of tolerances, and known lower longevity components can flood the market to prevent competition from American manufacturing that prided itself on setting the standards for exact tolerances based on the US Standards of measurement.

Henry Ford was an antisemitic asshole capitalist who understood that the golden rule of capitalism was to make your employees loyal customers who would also become evangelists for the company and products since they saw the real benefits.  He supported Hitler and his rise to power through agile use of antisemitic rhetoric just like Grandpa Bush who’s son and grandson became presidents.

So, the black Mustang 5.0 belongs to a 19 year old salesman at Future Ford.  He pulled up and double parked the Ford Super Duty F250 Pickup right by his mustang.  First thing that popped in to my mind is, wow, severe size envy.  Opposite ends of the spectrum, if it is length they get an extended cab, girth they get the wider model.  Both, the F250 and if it is how long they can last or quickly they can go again they opt for the diesel model.  The pickup is usually the working man and high school kid version.

While the Mustang screams speed and danger and muscle car.  Perfect thing for the midlife crisis and fills the same purpose.  The PC Cruiser fills the same for the AARP audience, it let’s grandparents be grandparents without the minivan or station Wagon reminding them they are old.  We have that demographic to thank for the Renaissance of fuel efficient muscle cars.  As fuel efficient as they can get.

As I snapped the picture and all of this was running through my head, I realized that someone was getting out of the pickup truck and he was talking to me.  Oh shit.  “Huh?”  “Do you like the car?” With paternal pride, “it’s my sons,” of parental ownership.  I replied that I loved they were both Fords.  I explained why I took the picture and he laughed.  As his son came up we started talking and I explained it to him.

I explained why I wanted to drive a Ford, because even though it wasn’t knew, it was American Made and I believe we need to buy American made and encourage more parts to be made here.  They laughed.  The dad’s words had an odd accent like he might be hard of hearing.  I asked, because that is polite in deaf culture and allowed me to explain I know some sign.  His son answered the affirmative and when I mentioned sign he said he did not sign.  He was totally Deaf and could read lips.

The son explained that if dad’s back was to him he couldn’t get his attention but facing him they could talk.  In deaf culture this is often posited as over exaggerated by hollywood in how many have the ability and the skill levels and easy they use it.  Bullshit.  Except this guy personifies the hollywood stereotype. Awesome because it shows how amazing humans are at adapting to their environment and how nature made them.  It also adds to the truth in the Deaf communities assertion that being Deaf is not a disability and that they are completely Capable.  Even in a hearing world.  Without the problem even being identified.

This is how I spent.my afternoon waiting for friends to accomplish chores.  Experiencing this and writing this blog.  Today, was a good day.