Wednesday, August 08, 2007

Luna Moth Car Wash

My mom went to the Philippines for a long visit with her family and gave me her car to keep while she is away. It badly needed a wash and vacuum so I went out early today to do it myself before the heat has a chance to melt me. Ok, before I go on I want to say 2 things: 1.I'm not man-bashing, I love you guys, you guys are great.(so long as you all know your place...ok I'm only kidding..or am I) 2.I'm not complaining about my height. I love being petite, I wouldn't be taller than the 4feet 11inches that I am for all the money in supermodel land. Never. Ok.
The thing about being petite, in my experience is there are certain people who think because you are short, you need help all the time....because you're helpless and probably dumb. Since you're the same size as a child, you should be treated like one. I understand this and really it doesn't bother me especially since there are so many benefits to having people feel this way about you. Like when you need to play stupid to get information out of someone-information they wouldn't give you if they knew you were smart enough to do something with said info, not that I'm that devious but I'm just saying...it can come in handy, ok but that's besides the topic. And men. Well, I think because I'm small, they think they need to protect me, or help me all the time. There's nothing wrong with this but there's a certain kind of patronizing way of helping someone that I get a lot because of my small stature.
So as I was saying, I washed my mom's car this morning-dressed decently before anyone comments that these people may have been flirting! It's not a fancy car and it's not new. I didn't want to detail the damn thing, just clean it up a little. A few people stopped by, I'm assuming because they think I'm a tiny and helpless complete idiot, to let me know in the most patronizing tone of voice how to wash a damn car. Do I look like a stupid fool? Apparently.

Car#1. Um...excuse me? Yeah you need to start from the top and work your way to the bottom.That's how you're supposed to do it. Me: Well, I can't reach the top so it's going to have to stay dirty, plus I don't really care that much but thanks. Car#2. Hey are you planning to wash your car? Yeah, You gotta make sure the soap doesn't dry in the sun before you rinse. It's bad for the paint. Me: Well, that's why I parked in the shade. The paint is already faded anyway so it doesn't really matter. Thanks. Car#3. You're not using dish soap are you? Not a good idea. Me: No it's not, it's car soap. I've washed plenty of cars in my lifetime without incident but thanks for the advice. I'm pretty sure everything will be ok.
Was kinda bitchy, wasn't it? Especially since two of these people are old enough to be my grandpas. I made a decision a long time ago not to give out any unasked for advice ever again and this reinforced it.

The best part of the day was when I was finished and reparked next to the mailboxes and saw this. A luna moth. I didn't know they could be found here since I'd never seen one before. Isn't it pretty? I only had my cell phone cam but the pic came out ok, right?

The painter in me was wishing it had chosen to stick to a more contrasting color but it's probably dead so I shouldn't criticize.....

10 comments:

heartinsanfrancisco said...

Lovely shot! They're so beautiful.

And I was nodding all through your little diatribe because at 5'1", I get the same kind of condescending advice, too. Just because someone is terminally tall does not mean they have the right to pat my head.

It sounds as if you can take care of yourself, to say nothing of wash a car.

Sometimes I tell them my name is "Killer."

LittlePea said...

So you know what I'm talkin' about. This happens a lot at hardware stores-have you noticed that? I once said to someone,"I asked WHERE the sandpaper is not WHAT it is."

Good idea about the name. I should start telling people my name is "Psychopath" then....

ellie bee said...

hey, I'm just impressed that you washed a car. the most I can make myself do is drive through one of those carwash things..about every 3 months...

LittlePea said...

I just didn't want to spend the 8 dollars for one of those. I'd rather buy donuts or something instead. If it were winter, I probably would have. Plus the tires were too dirty for that so it would have been a waste of time.

super des said...

Ooh that moth is pretty. You could paint it onto a darker color, you know.

And you should have sprayed those guys with the hose.

Unknown said...

Beautiful moth! I've never seen one before.

In all of my five foot two-ness, I probably would have said, "you know what else is bad for a car? My fist through your windshield."

But I'm kind of mean and snarky that way! ;)

LittlePea said...

You both are so damn funny.

Hel said...

I think they were only too glad for any excuse to flirt with you.

I love the photo just the way it is.

The green with the green is wonderful.

I am glad you took time for you and even gladder to see you back.

Unknown said...

The moth probably is trying to camouflage itself by sticking to something close to its own color. They don't live long so it is trying to make sure it doesn't get eaten by a predator.

Eastcoastdweller said...

I've only seen a luna once in my life and I didn't have a camera at hand at the time.

They are so beautiful floating by at night that they hardly seem real.