Spot the Anomaly

[kevin_standlee]

Below is a picture of my dull, boring, 1989 Chevrolet Astro minivan. There are are a couple of oddball things about it. You may or may not be able to spot them in this photo. My userpic on this post is a hint to one of them, as are the tags on this message.



I have to admit that the oddities are not obvious at this resolution, so here are close-ups.




Although the bracket holding my license place unfortunately blocks the top line of this plate cover, I do wonder if anyone following me has ever spotted where this van claims to have been purchased.



This was a Christmas present from Lisa. It's just the sort of thing for coupling on a (North American standard) boxcar before heading down the tracks. Well, it would be if it weren't that this isn't really a functional knuckle coupler.

Before you ask: Yes, I have managed to bark my knee on the thing once already, as it juts out behind the van a fair bit. And I probably should buy a little chain and lock for the thing rather than rely on the cotter pin, given how easy it would be to steal the thing as it stands right now.

Comments

[gvdub.livejournal.com]

Until I moved to L.A. and saw my first Cal Worthington commercial, I never truly appreciated "the world's largest new used and used new dealership".

[kevin-standlee.livejournal.com]

What's even more amazing is that the Firesigns did real commercials for a Volkswagen dealership back in the 1970s. The commercials are among the extras on a DVD of one of their performances I have. And the commercials are about as surreal as FTT usually is.

[gvdub.livejournal.com]

Peter Bergman came by the LASFS for a program item a while back when he was involved with some events at the LA Museum of Natural History, and it was a huge thrill for me, as I was (and still am, for that matter) a huge Firesign fan. There was a time when I had pretty much all the first 4 albums memorized (and considering the state I was usually in when listening to them, that's no small accomplishment). I remember hearing them performing on WBAI (the Pacifica station in New York) when I was but a wee tad.

[danjite.livejournal.com]

...and I was expecting a "We're all bozos on this mini-bus" sticker.

[kevin-standlee.livejournal.com]

Hey, that's a good one! I'm surprised they haven't put it on stuff they sell through their CafePress Store.

[cherylmmorgan.livejournal.com]

Given how often the previous towing thing bit me, I think I'm going to invest in shin pads before I come back.

[kevin-standlee.livejournal.com]

I wouldn't blame you, considering that this thing merely fits into the existing hitch receiver, and therefore extends out an additional 10-15 cm behind the van.

[howeird]

I was thinking it was parked at the Old Same Place, and you still can't get there from here.
:-)

Love the knuckle - where can I get one? My uncle spent 20+ years riding mail cars for the USPS, he'd get a kick out of having one.

[kevin-standlee.livejournal.com]

She bought this one at The Western Depot in Yuba City. These folks have been nice to us, and besides their mail-order business, they have a pleasant little store hidden away in an industrial park on the edge of Yuba City. Lisa and I usually stop in there whenever we're in the area.

[garyomaha.livejournal.com]

Very thoughtful gift, kneepads not withstanding.

Me, I keep getting blasted images of steam locomotives from well-meaning friends and relatives, when my passion is DIESEL. I've even good-naturedly mentioned this but it doesn't sink in. Just got more steam stuff for Christmas.

[kevin-standlee.livejournal.com]

Lisa and I are first off Electric buffs, but yes, we both end up getting steam train stuff. I think to non-train-buffs, "trains" means "choo-choo trains." I'm reminded of that nut who argued against the Dumbarton Rail passenger service because the trains would be pulled by coal-fired locomotives!

[garyomaha.livejournal.com]

I am becoming more and more interested in transit, thanks in large part to LJ reports and after visiting cities with the foresight to bring streetcars back. Living out here on the Prairie doesn't afford much in terms of trolleys or light rail. :( We're pushing for a streetcar line in Omaha but that's pretty much a dream for now.