Scheduled Maintenance

Every car has scheduled maintenance, a specific mileage that you are obligated to bring your car in for a diagnostic check and fix any lurking problems that might result in serious future damage.

I don't have to go very far to create the metaphor in this case.

In between relationships, we must assess the damage. Who did what, why did it break, determine the tension, tweak the alternator. Make sure the battery isn't dead. Women can spend hours dissecting and analyzing relationships. We can talk it over with friends, present strong cases for and against, nit pick every detail to either create the "who's fault is it" tally or just blame him in the long run. I will painstakingly admit fault in a number of my relationships, but love is also a two-way street. When your relationship is over and you are back to being a single, what measures do you take to not risk the past repeating itself? Do we ever really learn to stop speeding after a ticket, and court appearance, and driver improvement class?

Me and my coxswain self like things a very specific way. I like to plan things. I like re-aligning when things are out of sync. I like to purge the bad in order to find the good, or at least keep it out of sight. I like having someone willing to take care of me, even if I don't really need it. I can see these being very admiral qualities, but also ticks that could detonate a massive relationship fall out. How far are we willing to change to make it work?

My own car is quite the old bird. Been around the block and has a number of miles, still ticking, but minor (yet expensive) tweaks here and there. Still a pretty VW. I like to think I haven't been burned by relationships enough to be a pessimist. I've run into many dating mistakes and have voluntarily fueled a number of fights. You want drama, I'll give you fireworks. This I know. But I'd still like someone to ride around with, someone to take me with both my faults and talents. I'm up for a test drive.

So during this lying-in period, I've had plenty of time to take in the scenery, reflect on the past, and make a few upgrades to further benefit the long run. I think I can make it around the block, or maybe even a new block if it presents itself.