rough night....you could say.

details are unimportant. Parents are trying to control my choice in cars/money. third time in three years, now- This was my reply to dad's email. "The Job" is a 4 p.m. to 2 a.m., Tuesday to Friday position.

you had all week to say something about the Nissan. why didn't you say anything? why did you wait until the night before...when my hopes were up and my heart was set, not to mention telling all my friends about "this cool car I'm getting" before you decided to play public enemy and try and tell me what I can and can't do with my money?

I don't want the van. if I wanted the van, I would've taken it months ago. Vans are big, loud, unweildy, slow, tall, and handle like elephants. I don't want an elephant either, or I'd learn Chinese or Korean or Yiddish or something and go to Egypt...or Africa...or whereever. I want a CAR. I was going to get A CAR, and for what it's worth, I still plan on getting A CAR.

Stealth was bought from a moron independent mechanic for a suspiciously low price. Stealths all over have notorious reputations.

the TWO FOURTY is sitting on a dealer lot. a dealer that wouldn't buy a car they couldn't sell. A dealer who is expecting to make a sale today, because some kid came in and talked about financing and money and the price of tea in china. They've cleaned it out, topped the fluids, removed the for sale signs, and are waiting for me to come pick it up tomorrow. and whether i do it with or without you OR mom, I still intend to get the car that I want with MY money. if that's a mistake, woohoo, you saw it coming. It's STILL MY mistake to make.

I just spent ten hours on my feet in a loud, clangy, polebarn populated with hairless primates cussing and complaining and smoking and tinkering with their fancy little tools. I had a twenty minute lunch break during which I had nothing to eat and the only reason I put up with it at all is so i could drive the 240SX to work instead of mom's cavalier. It's the only thing that kept me going with a smile today. That smile is gone now.

There's mandatory weekend overtime, Saturday AND sunday, ten hour shifts on both days. I won't know about it until a day or two before. that means I can't schedule a Drum Lesson with any sort of Regularity, I can't see my Girlfriend AT ALL during the week, and probably not even on the weekends. I can't talk to my friends on the internet. I can't visit my friends in real life- (even if I did have a car), I'll NEVER see grandma or grandpa again, and she's going into ANOTHER surgery. My life is now work 10 hours, sleep 10 hours, wake up, and get ready for work again. It's hopeless and miserable and pointless and maddening and desperate and now you're telling me I can't have the one thing I'm even working for.

ALlright, I've forgotten the rest and I have metal shards and blisters on my hands, and it hurts to type.

I'm beyond pissed, I'm shaking with rage as I type and my eyes are stinging...although some of that may be from flying flakes of metal that got into my safety glasses somehow....cause, ya know...that would be just another little something the Powers the SUCK can laugh at me for.

That really blows man. I wish I could tell you I know how you feel but I don't. My dad did tell me that when he was a teenager he saved up all his money to buy a '56 Chevy Bel-Air and once he saved up the money his dad told him "good now put that money in the bank". He controlled him too just like you. My dad got to drive a lovely Dodge Dart or something like that instead. Parents can be evil like this. How old are you by the way? Do you have any cool Aunts or Uncles your could talk to? Thats really the only suggestion is talking to someone you know you like thats an adult, and maybe they could talk to your parents. Good luck man, I feel for you cuz it sounds like you're busting your ass.

You’re argument was well reasoned and quite sound. I hope your dad comes to the realization that you’re ready to take on more responsibility with your life.

I don’t know if you still live under their roof, but you also might consider paying rent to them while your doing it. Maybe something small at first so you can get used to the expense and then move out on your own. If you’re not under their roof, then screw it and get the damn car and show your folks how you plan on paying for all your expenses. You need to show them your responsible before they stop (if ever) questioning your actions.

As a father of five, and pushing the big four-oh myself, I'd just like to say:

What the fuck is your old man thinking?! OK, I'm probably some sort of freak. I chose the cars my sons will be driving one day, and have already got them on hand: Two 1970 Camaros. One is a basket case, but hey, the boys are 10 and 11 so they got the time and so do I.

Are you paying for the car yourself? Who pays insurance, upkeep, and any tickets? I had to do these for myself when I was your age. I learned a lot of responsibility in a real big hurry.

I roasted off the first set of tires on my car in the first two weeks or so. I bought the second set. They lasted FOR YEARS. Go figure.

Wish I could help. If I were prez, I'd see to it that EVERY kid got a hot rod or something like it: It would cut down on crime and drugs and shit because teenagers would be too damn busy with their rides!

Mine kept me out of far more trouble than I ever got into with it.

Thanks all. I've gotten the 240SX. It's in my driveway right now...and got a damn good deal for it too, so it all came out well enough in the end. Dad doesn't know yet.

Yogs- I do pay rent. it IS small (50/week and house maintenence/laundry/dishes/food prep) but it's rent.

I also pay my own insurance, and pay for my car repairs. (which is why Stealth has been dead so long) Anyway...time to go. got to get ready for work...so I can have my new car...NOT repoed.