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| THEY LET ME DRIVE THE TRACTOR |
Last week, part of my barn duties entailed driving the tractor.
I love tractors.
It's something I don't talk about a lot, because it doesn't seem to be as much part of the common horse girl experience, but it's true.
It's maybe partially because I also have a real world job in the construction industry. I do all kinds of things, but when the heavy equipment comes out, things change.
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| also I love this picture |
Not even kidding, there is this whole music video that runs through my head. It's like
BAM
YEAH
IT'S A MOTHER-****ING FORLIFT BITCHES
FORKLIFT
UH HUH
Complete with crazy graphics and hip hop and gang signs and all that.
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| girl power on a horse show morning |
I come from a handy family and I take pride in knowing how to do things. I will judge you if you can't drive a standard. I used to be able to disassemble and reassemble the greater part of my engine in my old junker car. I can have an intelligent conversation with my mechanic, and I love playing with power tools.
Maybe it makes me weird. Maybe it's my western heritage. Maybe it's my job. I have seriously considered working to become a heavy equipment mechanic because OMG BIG TOYS ALL DAY. We'll see where that goes.
And don't even get me started on nail guns. They need a music video too.
So maybe not everyone is in to heavy equipment (get your mind out of the gutter). What's your non-horsey indulgence?
I love big equipment too, so you're not alone! I also think it is everyone's duty to know vehicle basics, operate a stick shift, and know how to change tired/brakes/rotors/oil, etc themselves. But that's just me haha.
ReplyDeleteMy non-horsey indulgence is most definitely video games. I play PC and Xbox games like there is no tomorrow. I also collect a lot of video game related merchandise. I don't spend a ton of money or time, but when I have the time/money to spare, it usually goes to games :D
Love it!! I think everyone needs to know the basic life skills of operating and doing simple repairs on a vehicle. Tractor driving and trailer hauling are also essential skills I think every horse girl should strive to have! I am not a heavy-equipment fanatic, but can definitely appreciate it. You should see my FIL drive his bobcat... it's like a ballet. He could probably pick up a kitten off the ground with that thing and set it back down unharmed.
ReplyDeleteMy 2 main non-horsey indulgences would probably be bird watching and books. My tastes in reading material range from action/adventure, to thriller, to murder mystery, to fantasy and sci-fi, and sometimes just straight non-fiction science topics. I love to learn!
Well I have to agree! Although we just have a small Kubota - the amount of joy that thing brings me is unhealthy. Seriously - the best day off to me is taking the day - drinking beer, and mowing paddocks, building jumps, moving dirt...etc....LOVE MY TRACTOR.
ReplyDeleteOther than that; wine, blogging, travel. The usuals!
Oh h3ll yes, ALL THE POWER TOOLS!!! And all the home improvement. Carhartts FTW!
ReplyDeleteI'm jealous of everyone's carhartts. Someday.
DeleteBest power tools:
NAIL GUNS (all)
Reciprocating saw
Hammer drill
It's hard to go wrong really.
I don't know if I would call it an "indulgence" but my non-horsey interests lie in being a nerdy history kid. So, lookout bookstores and libraries and museums!
ReplyDeleteI feel the same way when I drive my truck and horse trailer. Pulling up my rig to a park or horse show, I am all *Damn I am THAT girl that I always wanted to be!!!* :) Plus, I can back that thing up like a Mo' Fo'
ReplyDeleteit is funny you mention wanting to become a big machine mechanic, beause I frequently threaten to quit my office job and get my CDL License so I can drive Big Trucks.
~DailyReader
Well, I do not looooove heavy machinery, but I don't dislike it either. I guess it just doesn't get my gears turning.
ReplyDeleteWhen I lived in Kenya, however, I discovered that "heavy machinery" was a euphemism among the men for "large women." So they would winkingly say to one another "Oh, so you like to operate heavy machinery?" It brought me many giggles.
Hmm I like art... LOL! I guess I'm the odd one out. Also it's mean to judge me because I can't drive a standard...... :( I literally had no access to one when I was learning to drive and I've only ever driven one a couple of times as an adult. Definitely not enough to get it figured out. Someday I will learn though!
ReplyDeleteMy farm would be your Disney World. Husband loves heavy equipment and tools so we pretty much have everything. He looks for excuses to use the nail gun too! Driving the tractor is fun but I pretty much have to wait until he is out of town to get it away from him. Stuff outside of horses???? There's life outside of horses???
ReplyDeleteWhat mean 'non-horse indulgence?"
ReplyDeleteI love machinery too but have had no opportunity to actually drive it. I also work in construction so I get to check out some HUGE tractor equipment, cranes, etc.
ReplyDeleteHowever, my outside-of-horses indulgence is gaming with my husband. Computer games, that is. Also, we go to the movies to watch silly action flicks together...you know, Transporter. Transporter 2. Transporter 8. Transformers. Transformers 2. Transformers 8, etc. ;]
Netflix. I do Netflix.
ReplyDeleteI also loved to read before copies were $30 a book. And I also art. That's no new news.
I'm a very boring person.
Fast cars. I love, love, love fast cars and efficient (other people call it "crazy", but they just don't understand me) driving. Pedal to the metal!
ReplyDeleteTractor time is my FAVORITE time! I fill up a sippy cup with a cocktail or wine and go put-putting along. Tractor time is the best part of owning a farm!
ReplyDeleteAs far as non-farmy hobbies, I crochet and do embroidery. I find it relaxing and it gives me something to do when I'm stuck in the house.
Tractors, semi's, cranes, ships and planes. I'm right there with ya on this one. Forklift, bulldozers, front end loaders, dump trucks, drool....... Tonka used to make the best toys!
ReplyDeleteLove me some tractor.
ReplyDeleteBorrowing the big rig I use right now, but one day - FULL SIZE KUBOTA + IMPLEMENTS YOU WILL BE MINE! Also - built the current deck as a nail gun virgin. SO powerful... so potentially dangerous. ;D
Using a nail gun makes me feel like a badass!
ReplyDeleteI love driving tractors and power tools. But I grew up the only child of a carpenter so it kinda makes sense. I got so mad when I was a teen, my dad rented a bobcat and wouldn't let me try driving it.
ReplyDelete