Re: I feel bad...
Posted: Sun Aug 13, 2017 6:29 pm
I think you hit the nail on the head. to be honest, I really didn't expect anyone to weigh in ... it was slightly bus related, but more so, "outlook on life" related.Jivermo wrote: ↑Sun Aug 13, 2017 4:55 amAh, Mike, don't take it so hard. You posted your thoughts here, knowing that people would certainly weigh in on them. Perhaps you put them down in print in order to help yourself sort out the dilemma you were facing with your friend. Also, your friend's description of the proposed camping trip being "epic" could have clued you in that perhaps he meant a long trip. We don't know what the "issues" are with your bus, and the degree of severity, but that certainly enters into the equation here. You have posted, on this forum, a topic that is really about your emotional conflict as regards your good friend's request. In doing so, please remain open to the many possible responses that may come your way. Such is the nature of forums, and human behavior. This forum is pretty much composed of thoughtful, and well balanced folks, as everyone is an air cooled aficionado. Of course, that's a matter of opinion, too.
I bought this bus because of the way it made me feel; had one in college for about a year, and garnered enough stories to write a novel; or at least a good sized collection of short stories. When I had the opportunity 12 years ago to buy this one, I did so not to relive those memories, but to make new ones. I am a firm believer that life is about acquiring experiences.
My friend wanted an "epic" road trip for his two kids - epic defined as memorable (I wouldn't consider 400 miles each way as epic from a distance perspective). My concern about the bus breaking down had nothing to do with potential damage to the bus, but rather the safety of him and his two kids.
If it dropped a valve, or even burned to the ground on the way home at the end of the trip, and simply add an explanation point to the end of their journey, I would honestly would be okay with it (btw, I only carry liability insurance, so if it did burn down, or got into an accident, I'd have no financial recourse...Michigan is a no fault state). If the bus had the opportunity to play a role in developing fond memories of his two kids; stories that they would swap for years to come, that would be so cool to me.
So, I genuinely 'felt bad' that I had to tell my close friend it probably wouldn't be a good idea to take it more than a 3-4 hour drive away...not because I was worried about the bus, but because I was worried about their safety (and also potentially ruining their vacation). I 'felt bad' that he wouldn't be able to take a trip that his kids could tell stories of epic proportions.
In this case, the nuances about who my friend is, and his mechanical capability (or lack thereof) really didn't matter; all that mattered is that he is a close friend, and he wanted to do something really cool with his two kids....and I felt 'bad' that I couldn't facilitate this.
