So this weekend we broke down. Actually last week our '94 Honda Accord broke down. So this weekend we caved in to that tiny voice that has been whispering "minivan" to us over the years. Actually its not just the word "minivan" but the phrase "they have a minivan" that we've been hearing. If you haven't heard these words then consider yourself lucky. I've been hearing them in my sleep.
The minivan culture grows in numbers daily and it takes claim of souls through attrition. First, one set of friends gets the new Honda minivan and you hear about it when you get home from work. "Hi Honey, how was your day? By the way, did you know that Jake and Amelia just got a minivan." Then, your son makes a new friend at school and when a playdate is arranged, a minivan appears in front of your house. Mentally you chalk up another family as "minivan people." Then one fateful day you notice that every vehicle parked on your street is a minivan, every single one but yours. And the voices in your head get louder.
My beef with minivans is that they are ubiquitous. I mean, and this will show you how far I have fallen, they are also safe, reliable, and roomy. My problem is that they have no soul. Driving a minivan makes you invisible. I know this because in my 20s I used to drive a coral colored GMC van affectionatley dubbed the "Pink Lady." The "Pink Lady" was not invisible. But our new phantom gray Toyota Sienna defintely flies under radar.
I am not totally giving up. And this is where I need your help. I refuse to be invisible. I've decided that the one thing that can save me from becoming unperceivable is a really good bumper sticker. Traditionally my wife has flown some controversial ones. I remember driving through Nashville one day in K's car and wondering why a redneck was spitting at me as he gunned past in his pickup. Then I remembered that her car carried a PETA bumper sticker. That said, we are not afraid to shock with our bumper apparel.
So here's the deal, we need one really good bumper sticker to set us apart from the crowd. Any suggestions?
Also, feel free to relay whatever bumper stickers have caught your eye recently, even if its not for us. Its good to know what's out there.
Posted by Red Chuck at July 11, 2005 09:59 AMHey Chuck,
We have one of those nondescript souless daycare-shuttles. True, they are what they are, but you can't deny the convenience of built-in car seats and automatice side-doors (Ours is a 2003 Chevy Venture).
We are proudly displaying a bumper sticker that says "From Rock Bands to Mini-Vans ... How did it happen?"
OK ... So it's not very provocative, but it is true.
I GIVE UP!
Posted by: Tina on July 14, 2005 10:17 AMI've been a huge bumper sticker advocate for years. Two of my faded ones read: "WWWD? What Would Wellstone Do?" along with a peace sign. Above it is one which reads: "The Arts Are Not a Luxury." And one of my faves is a "Big Lebowski" sticker which reads: "This Agression Will Not Stand, Man."
Dude!
Posted by: Andrew on July 16, 2005 12:23 AM