If I had the references handy, I would- it isn't a topic I'm working  
on right now- though some of the themes crop up in what I am reading  
and was reminded. might write up a vanagon-centric analysis of  
cultural ecologic/ economic history after exams:)
My van is, I suspect, sick of my studying, too. I peeled the last  
scraps of vinyl off the wall panels, painted them all white and have  
been taking notes and drawing diagrams on them as I read (if I find a  
source for the basketweave vinyl, this will eventually be covered  
back up). For now, my passengers will have to tolerate a rundown on  
the Annales School, Bourdieu's Habitus and Critical Theory when they  
look up. Where possible, I have drawn VW or Vanagon-related cartoons  
to illustrate the notes, though

The best and most meticulous mechanics and DIY's I know are in their  
20s and 30s. I know several 'old guys' who can tear down an engine in  
just about anything and have it running, but the ones in my  
generation that I know have a respect for the machinery that really  
gets me. You can see how entranced they get when things work as they  
ought- a love of the intricacies of the mechanics, power, industrial  
design, etc. See it with pretty much all types, but the Dub crowd has  
a very healthy share. Lots of guys and gals in my age group who I  
envy for that.. I'll get there someday.

On Aug 15, 2008, at 8:47 PM, Mike Elliott wrote:

> On 8/15/2008 5:01 PM Oliver Mueller-Heubach wrote:
>
>> Sorry. Diarrhea of the mouth/keyboard. Studying for doctoral exams
>
> It shows!
>
>> and guess it has me in an ornery mood.
>
> Or in a frame of mind to present a good argument. Thanks for not
> including a references section, though.
>
>> Shutting up now.
>
> No need to shut up -- just match the speech to the forum. Here we talk
> Vanagons.
>
> <Jams hands into pockets, and whistles tunelessly while rocking  
> back and
> forth on feet. Acting all innocent and everything as if he himself had
> never been guilty of the sin of going Off-Topic on a buff* forum.>
>
> =====================
> * See meaning #4, below.
>
> buff(1) /b?f/ �noun
> 1.      a soft, thick, light-yellow leather with a napped surface,  
> originally
> made from buffalo skin but later also from other skins, used for  
> making
> belts, pouches, etc.
> 2.      a brownish-yellow color; tan.
> 3.      a buff stick or buff wheel.
> 4.      a devotee or well-informed student of some activity or  
> subject: Civil
> War buffs avidly read the new biography of Grant.
>
> --
>
> Mike "Rocket J Squirrel" Elliott
> 84 Westfalia: Mellow Yellow ("The Electrical Banana")
> 74 Utility Trailer. Ladybug Trailer, Inc., San Juan Capistrano
> KG6RCR

Oliver Mueller-Heubach
groundhogging@mac.com