Mementos, Motivation, and Monsters
The Cambridge dictionary defines memento as “an object that you keep to remember a person, place, or event.” This is a foreign concept to me, and I don’t think canines have such things unless a food bowl counts.
For years, I have heard my human companion (HC) say, “I am going to restore it.” LMAO! Well, this past week, he sold his 1971 Datsun 240Z to Mark, who wanted to do a complete restoration of what could only be described as a total rust bucket. The fact that he was going to do a restoration was very important to HC, because of some irrational attachment he has to the vehicle. He was very clear about wanting it restored, and thus turned down several offers because he did not want to just sell it for parts or turn it over to the state for $2,000.
To say that this car had seen better days would be an understatement. The driver’s-side seat was worn down to the metal bar that was supposed to support your butt, and the entire seat was falling through the rusted-out floorboard. I am not sure what was growing on the dashboard, and when you filled the tank with gas, it smelled like you were in a refinery. No driver’s-side seatbelt.
Granted, it was always registered with the DMV and in driving condition, but only to drive it across the street on Mondays and Tuesdays for street sweeping. Personally, I would rather hobble my way to Providence Animal Hospital on foot with two broken legs and vomiting before I would ride in it. Did I mention that he paid over $900 a year for insurance and that he had bought the car back from the insurance company twice after they had “totaled” it after two major car accidents? IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. But I digress.
My point is that this “memento” held 55 years and 947,562 miles of people, places, and events for my HC, who is the original owner. So, while on the surface it appeared to be the most irrational behavior he has ever exhibited, there was some basis for trying to restore the car. There was a road trip to Cabo San Lucas (at the tip of the Baja peninsula and before it was a port city), where he bribed the border guard to get into the country because he didn’t know he needed a tourist visa. Then there was a great adventure to Canada for high tea at the Banff Hotel, sightseeing at Jasper National Park and Lake Louise, checking out the Provincial Museum in Victoria, and an amazing dinner at the Empress Hotel. He wanted me to mention the drive to Park City, Utah, for his first ski trip with Rusty Bindings Ski Club. He distinctly remembers driving across Nevada at an average speed of 100+ mph. Fortunately, it was a light day on the highway patrol coverage.
One final note on the sale of the Z. There are a number of his relatives that are breathing a sigh of relief that the car is gone, so they don’t need to worry about how to dump it in the event of his incapacity or other misfortunes. Now they can just focus on me.
So, there was much more going on in Alameda than the sale of my HC’s memento, but before I move on, I do want to try and better understand this concept of a memento. If you have a memento with a short story, you can send a picture of your memento and a short story to my HC at [email protected]. I will share it with my readers.
I covered the opening day of school in last week’s report, but it took me a week to get the images processed. My first stop was to Alameda High to witness the drop-off frenzy that played out on Oak Street and Central Avenue. The four-way stop combined with a constant stream of student crossings results in a huge back up that starts at around 8:15 a.m. and quickly dissipates at around 8:40 a.m.
I went back at lunchtime (12:35-ish) to witness the tsunami of students descending on the eateries around Park Street. This is a huge economic force, and I am sure the local restaurants appreciate the business.
And speaking of motivation, the sidewalk in front of the high school was filled with inspirational sayings and quotes from famous people about the value of education. I recorded all of them and will include 10 in each of my future reports in case you need to be inspired.
The next day, I was over at Encinal High and the roundabout on Central Avenue and Taylor Avenue. What a difference a roundabout makes. This intersection had cars coming from both directions on Central Avenue, and with the exception of a stop initiated by the crossing guard, the cars moved continuously through the intersection. What a great improvement over the old intersection. We definitely can use roundabouts in other areas of the city.
I will pick up the “monsters” subject next week. However, I wanted to do a quick MOUF FOR MAYOR campaign update. Signs and stickers are flying out the door. Thanks, Bella McConeghey, for your support and a big high-four to Linda Posada and the entire Ellson family for their support. Want a sign or sticker? Email [email protected] and make a request.
Hope you’re having a great weekend.
Mouf, Roving Reporter
Bear’s-Eye View of Alameda
Mouf and his human companion can be reached via [email protected]. Their stories are collected at AlamedaPost.com/Jeff-Cambra/. All photos and videos by Jeff Cambra.
