Saving The Old Rustbucket--My 1982 FJ40 Tale (4 Viewers)

[Sea Knight]

Ahhhh, you are a good man sir...

Such a good man I believe, that I'll forgive you for the short chapter..

It's like reading a good book that is in a series. I feel that I have to wait soooo long for the next book to come along...

Somewhat opposite the feeling that I remember when I first discovered JD Mcdonald's Travis McGee books.. I had them already written and waiting for me to read them, one after another, they were waiting for me.. .... knowing that when they were done, they were done...

a

You've read the Travis McGee series? Wow. Props to ya. What about Elmore Leonard? Or more contemporary fare, Lee Child's Jack Reacher novels?

A word of explanation on the short Jen chapter. My original intention was to use it as an intro to the (not yet written) Missoula chapter. I wrote it, stared at it for a while and found myself fixated on the image of Jen standing on her landing in shorts and a t-shirt, in sub freezing weather, watching as The Turtle and I drove away. For me, that was and still is a haunting image, and I decided to let those few sentences stand on their own. I'm not even sure I like hanging that last paragraph on at the end. I may delete it and end with Jen standing there, leaning on the railing.

Sorry I can't churn out a full chapter a day. I'm up to my arse in alligators and lucky to squeeze out one a week. Hopefully that will improve.

Lee

 

[lordbater]

You've read the Travis McGee series? Wow. Props to ya. What about Elmore Leonard? Or more contemporary fare, Lee Child's Jack Reacher novels?

Yes, all of the Travis novels.. All of the Jack Reacher novels...

Funny you mention Elmore Leonard.. He has been recommended to me a few times and I have only recently started.. I've only covered Get Shorty. I have to say, it was hard to get in to, and I have his other works lined up, but it's not high on my list......

If you like the Reacher series, I would highly recommend the Ellvis Cole series, but I wouldn't for a minute be surprised that you are already familiar with that...

Andrew

A word of explanation on the short chapter.

Sorry I can't churn out a full chapter a day. I'm up to my arse in alligators and lucky to squeeze out one a week. Hopefully that will improve.

Lee

No problem bro. I'm sure I speak for most/all of us.


We appreciate all of it. take your time...

Andrew


PS.. I feel the need to qualify something...

I vary rarely watch TV/Movies/ETC.

I know 'Get Shorty' was a movie (I Think). But I've never seen it.

 

[DeltaT]

Ah, nice surprise, I didn't expect a chapter on a rainy Tuesday morning. Just made my day.

 

[juanchogaviria]

Niiiiiiiceeeeee!!!!!!!

 

[merryweather]

Funny you mention Elmore Leonard.. He has been recommended to me a few times and I have only recently started.. I've only covered Get Shorty. I have to say, it was hard to get in to, and I have his other works lined up, but it's not high on my list......

Some of his are tough to get into. His style is a little stilted. I preferred Bandits, Freaky Deaky, and Riding the Rap, but most of all Out of Sight. I even liked the movie.

 

[Sea Knight]

I would highly recommend the Ellvis Cole series, but I wouldn't for a minute be surprised that you are already familiar with that...

PS.. I feel the need to qualify something...

I vary rarely watch TV/Movies/ETC.

I've read several of the Elvis Cole novels. I enjoy Robert Crais' style, and his emphasis on honesty and loyalty as underlying themes.

Leonard takes some getting used to. Somewhere I once read Leonard's rules for writing, one of which was to read what you wrote aloud and if it sounds like writing, start over.

I generally avoid commercial TV and most big budget Hollywood movies, but I did see Out of Sight and thought it was well done. I attempted to watch Get Shorty on late night television and couldn't get through 15 minutes of it. Probably because I can't stand John Travolta.

You might appreciate James Lee Burke, particularly his early Dave Robicheaux novels set in New Orleans. Heaven's Prisoners is a good start, or Dixie City Jam. I've attempted to read a couple of his newer books set in Montana and thought they were complete crap. Coincidentally, he now lives in Montana, I think near Missoula.

James Lee Burke - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

James Lee Burke - About the Author

Some of his are tough to get into. His style is a little stilted. I preferred Bandits, Freaky Deaky, and Riding the Rap, but most of all Out of Sight. I even liked the movie.

Agree on all of this, although I haven't read Freaky Deaky.

Speaking of TV, you guys should check out Justified on FX. It's based on one of Leonard's short stories, Fire in the Hole. One of the best shows on television, although I realize that's not much of a compliment.

 

[merryweather]

I attempted to watch Get Shorty on late night television and couldn't get through 15 minutes of it. Probably because I can't stand John Travolta.

I could not agree more. Get Shorty was unwatchable, as is almost anything with John Travolta (although I enjoyed Pulp Fiction).

Speaking of TV, you guys should check out Justified on FX. It's based on one of Leonard's short stories, Fire in the Hole. One of the best shows on television, although I realize that's not much of a compliment.

I will check it out. I don't have cable, but I can probably catch it on Netflix or Hulu. Speaking of pulp fiction (in the common noun sense), have you read any Clive Cussler? It's like candy fiction, but fun.

 

[lordbater]

My thoughts on John Travolta.

He's done some real crap.

He was so awesome in Pulp Fiction that I believe he has the right to make crap the rest of his life..

A

 

[Copenhagen1]

X2 on Justified. I never miss an episode. Kind of having withdrawals right now because it is between seasons.

Sent from my iPhone using IH8MUD

 

[Black Rhino 13]

I saw Pulp Fiction 10 times in the theaters when it came out.

 

[lordbater]

I saw Pulp Fiction 10 times in the theaters when it came out.

Everytime I run across it on TV I have to watch it, or go get the DVD and watch the whole thing..

a

 

[rope]

X3 the wife and I really enjoy Justified, we DVR and watch them all.

 

[davegonz]

X3 the wife and I really enjoy Justified, we DVR and watch them all.

Thanks for reminding me. I need to watch the last three episodes. Also, there is a cool red FJ62 in a couple episodes.

 

[Copenhagen1]

Thanks for reminding me. I need to watch the last three episodes. Also, there is a cool red FJ62 in a couple episodes.

Dang.... I forgot about that! It belonged to Aunt Helen and I figured when she met her demise we wouldn't get to see it again. I did see they used it to haul a body out somewhere this season to bury the body. Maybe it will show up again next season.

As a side note.... my wife and kids think I am so weird when I pause the tv in the middle of a show or commercial to point out a glimpse of a LC. I bet money this crowd can relate.

Sent from my iPhone using IH8MUD

 

[whitaker451]

Kinda a minor hijack but yeah, FX has consistently the best shows on tv.

 

[jeffro109]

Good to catch up after a few weeks away for work and home life. Great stories once again.

I too am struck by the large amount of common interests/thoughts.

"a blissful blend of Jack Kerouac and John Steinbeck."

That explains "part" of why I like this so much.
....
This story form reminds me of Jimmy Buffett's stories too, though maybe I'm creating that connection in my mind alone.
......
To try to have some point in this post: I wonder if people who own Land Cruisers tend to have had more epic adventures and/or wanderlust than other vehicle owners? Maybe that's part of the unifying element here? Maybe it's just great storytelling?

Anyway, thanks again to our fearless Commander!

There is a great connection to the story style of Jimmy in this tale to me also, and the other writers mentioned.

I think it is mainly the owners of somewhat older Land Cruisers that fit the bill for the wanderlust adventure characteristic, but sure is there!


Side note, I may be in Austin this summer (Sept.) and I'd buy you a beer if it works out Commander Lee.

 

[Black Rhino 13]

This thread is like Christmas at least every week. Sometimes every day.

I'm going to have to work on 80 owners getting credit for wanderlust. Then I'll buy a 40.

 

[davegonz]

Good to catch up after a few weeks away for work and home life. Great stories once again.

I too am struck by the large amount of common interests/thoughts.



There is a great connection to the story style of Jimmy in this tale to me also, and the other writers mentioned.

I think it is mainly the owners of somewhat older Land Cruisers that fit the bill for the wanderlust adventure characteristic, but sure is there!


Side note, I may be in Austin this summer (Sept.) and I'd buy you a beer if it works out Commander Lee.

Just let us know and the Austin crew will meet up with you and drink some beer and spin some tales

 

[waxwrapped]

As a side note.... my wife and kids think I am so weird when I pause the tv in the middle of a show or commercial to point out a glimpse of a LC. I bet money this crowd can relate.

X2 except my wife gets mad when I do. She just doesn't get the cruiser thing.

 

[rope]

Thanks for reminding me. I need to watch the last three episodes. Also, there is a cool red FJ62 in a couple episodes.

Davegonz, your right there is a 62, that has made several apperences. There is also one on the show Grimm.

On another note the wife always points out 40's in every show or commericial, she's awsome.