In virtually every SciFi series that has big or little machines, there exist an archetypical character who exemplifies intelligence and loyalty. They may appear to be bubbling fools or offer up some slap-stick comedy every now and then, but over all they are a pivotal resource for the main character of the show. Of course, I’m talking about the ever-trustworthy mechanic.

Joey, is that character in The Third – Aoi Hitomi no Shoujo and I don’t think he is getting as much screen time as he deserves. I like the guy. I feel bad for him though because it’s clear that he likes Honoka, but it’s evident that she has a hard on for Iks. Poor Joey, I feel for you buddy.

I’ve always liked the mechanic or engineer characters. I guess it’s because I’m a tinker-er by nature. When I was younger I used to have boxes of broken electronics, wire, tools, metal, small dead animals, insects, tap, glue, and various unidentifiable compounds. Now, I just play with computers and my truck. I was blessed to have never come into a a copy of the Anarchist Cookbook or Jolly Rodgers Cookbook during that time or I may not be here today to type this blog post.

At any rate, what I’m trying to get at is that most of the time you can rely on the mechanic. This is at total odds with the “real world.” Oh man! I’ve been shafted so many times by little shops that I can’t count them anymore. Then there are the big names like Walmart and Sears. You might as well lube your arse up before you even take your vehicle in. I own a truck, which I inherited from my father (read:stole) and it’s going on two decades, yeah it’s kind of old. When possible I try to get the work done on my own, like changing the radiator and getting it ready for the new air quality standards in Texas that went into affect last year. Some stuff, like the A/C I can’t do myself. (well I could but I figured it would probably cost the same) Every now and again, I have to take it in and always come back sore arsed and with thinner wallet.

Anime is fantasy, need more proof? Then again that’s why I (we) watch the stuff.

file under: getting shafted by Walmart

Note: Okay a couple of days ago I said that I was taking a break, but I then realized that I really don’t have anything better to do right now until school starts……

Updated 07/20/2006: corrected some logical flow, need to stop writing these things in the middle of the night when I havn’t slept for 30ish hours.