Monday, December 31, 2012

Broad Ripple Camouflage...

A Subaru Forester wagon in its natural habitat.
Did you know that when you buy a ratty old used Subaru, the radio comes pre-tuned to NPR? True fact.

After lunch at Yat's with Turk, who had graciously driven me on my errand this morning, we stopped at the local indie hipster record shop to get a sticker for the rear window, which appears to be de rigueur for a SoBro Subie, and I'm sure I have an Apple logo sticker around here to match it someplace. Perhaps even the older rainbow Apple logo.

It'll be like having a cross between a cloaking device and a Somebody Else's Problem field. Where do hippies buy those other stickers? The one about the Air Force and bake sales? I need one of those, too...

81 comments:

bluesun said...

That would be a perfect candidate for one of those "peace through superior firepower" stickers that I've got on my truck. It looks like a normal peace sign until you get close enough to read the words written around the outside.

Ygolonac said...

If you get bluesun's sticker, make sure you find the one that uses a top-down silhouette of a B-52 as the peace sign.
Aha! http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UX-YmRRP5Q4/TxcVl9QQpPI/AAAAAAAAAP0/ZqAAdh2vXvE/s1600/B52SuperiorFirepower+copy.jpg

Ygolonac said...

That be a fugly URL, but they nannywalled all the images sites at work. :sigh:

bedlamite said...

You need one of these.

Anonymous said...

Should have put snow tires on your bicycle. That's what a real hipster would have done.

greg said...

Doesn't look that ratty...but, you should be happy. We have a 2004 Subaru Impreza for my wife, and when it gives up the ghost, it will be another Subaru for us(either the Forester or a full-size Outback).

The Great and Powerful Oz said...

One of the things I really appreciate about Austin is that the local classical radio station, KMFA, is not an NPR affiliate. Lots of good music without the liberal pravda.

Anonymous said...

Needs improving. This will help:

http://www.amazon.com/Moral-Control-Sticker-Bumper-CafePress/dp/B009PLM3XM/

Firehand said...

I've thought about something like that. But the truck still runs well, and is paid for.

BGMiller said...

I've got a ThinkGeek.com "Timmy" sticker. You're more than welcome to it.

Or an Appleseed/RWVA oval sticker.

Pretty sure I've got some MTM Casegard stickers laying around but who doesn't....


heh......
You need, and I mean need, an election sticker.
Cthulu 20xx: Why settle for a lesser evil?


BGM

Bobby Nations said...

So, did you buy it?

My '98 Outback harvested a deer last week and not in a good way. So I spent the better part of the weekend schlepping around used car lots. Subaru ${ANY_MODEL_REALLY} just kept floating to the top list, but I particularly liked the Foresters.

My Subie has started a few conversations at the dove field/deer woods parking lot, but no one has called me a hippie yet -- being visibly armed does result in more polite small-talk :-). Even in Memphis, folks recognize the benefits of the Subaru AWD system.

Drang said...

Oy, who left the door open?

Anyway.

Get one of these: Guns And Coffee

Murphy's Law said...

Don't forget the "Coexist" sticker. It's a five-yard penalty for not having one on one of those.

Discobobby said...

I have a Forester with 180K on the clock. Just add oil - the seals go after a while, but it's no big deal. I cover mine with NRA, ISRA and Gunsite stickers, and I've had no hippie comments. Ever. :)

WindRider said...

Good choice. Subaru AWD is always there, economical, and reliable. Ours is approaching 190 K and needs a bit of oil from time to time.

Up in Donner Summit country, folks buy used 250 K Subies and drive them for years more. That is real snow country. Here in central NM, we laugh at snow if we have enough clearance and make sure we have good tires for mud. Sure-footed beasties, they are.

pdb said...

This looks like an outstanding range bag.

I thoroughly enjoyed my Subie and sold it for what I had in it after 3 years of beating the crap out of it. I miss it (and my Jeep!) a lot.

Bob said...

Northern Sun, your one-stop shop for all things Lefty.

mongo78 said...

My 2000 Forester has a "Freedom Isn't Free" American-flag sticker in the back window.

Also, what Discobobby says - just add oil and the only reason you'll ever want to get rid of it will be out of sheer boredom.

Bobby Nations said...

Parroting mongo78 and Discobobby say, Allstate refused to total out my '98 Outback with 216,000 miles on it even though the deer did roughly $2,300 worth of damage to it. The adjuster said that that the minimum threshold to even consider it is 65% of perceived value. I was frankly a little caught off guard fully expecting them to wash their hands and move on. Not complaining, mind you, as I like the little guy a lot even though it uses oil (oil is cheap, comrade!). On the plus side, shopping for cars is a lot more fun when you don't have to buy right away.

global village idiot said...

You ain't gonna, like, change your name to Willow, start wearing patchouli and working for the food co-op now, are you?

Seriously, you could do far worse. It was a tossup between my Cherokee and an Outback.

Happy New Year.

gvi

Anonymous said...

I have a Task Force Dagger sticker I'd be glad to send you.

http://www.taskforcedagger.org/


Gerry

Anonymous said...

Northern Sun, Tam.

http://www.northernsun.com/

Shootin' Buddy

Farm.Dad said...

Wow , You can bring a real gun to Blogarado now LOL

Ancient Woodsman said...

You of all folks should have the "Well-behaved women rarely make history" bummper sticker.

A lefty sticker I've always liked due to my esoteric interests: "Tree-hugging dirt worshipper" goes well with my "Support your local farmer or watch the houses grow". Along with the Smokey Bear & thin blue line stickers, they keep folks guessing.

I've got a Magpul & SIG-Sauer sticker if you want them.

A dear friend rolled a Subaru Forester down a ravine off NH Route 9 (Granite Gorge near Keene, NH) last winter at a pretty good speed; the car was a complete shambles and she was just fine. You've got good car there.

Keads said...

Oh, don't forget the annoying stick figure family stickers. I'm thinking cats and guns as well as humans.

Congrats on the ride!

Dang, I am working on a post about the Ford Mondeo even as we speak!

Happy New Year!

RKN said...

Re: the NPR thing -- who was it who said, "Keep your friends close, keep your enemies closer."

I frequently listen to NPR. And I own a Subaru, too (2011 Outback, 6 cylinder!).

Anonymous said...

Good job on the new ride.A lot better for your winter weather than the BMW.
How about the "coexist" sticker that's formed out of gun companies logo's?
Bill

Joseph said...

Not to toot my horn (heh), but I did call this one.

I've got an INGO sticker I'll donate. I love them because hippies think you're supporting some local cause, not realizing it is a gun related local cause.

Sean D Sorrentino said...

@Anon 4:31: Snow tire on your Fixie bicycle.

@Tam: http://store.progressivebumperstickers.com/

They appear to have all the relevant bumper stickers

B said...

SO didja keep the Roller Skate?

Anonymous said...

And the kraut skate?

Tirno said...

Hmmm... apparently, MyLoudFamily lets you custom build your rear window gun collection set one weapon at a time.

They do have a few that could count as hipster guns. You know: the ones that fire .455 Webley; yeah, I'm not surprised you haven't heard of it, it's pretty obscure.

Anonymous said...

Dang it, B!

DJ said...

Well done.

Now, remember the first rule of four wheel drive: it lets you get stuck in inaccessible places.

TXGunGeek said...

Welcome to the Subaroooo Family! I like the Local NPR radio station sticker as camouflage to keep the local ner do wells from giving it a second look. Especially for possible guns.

BGMiller said...

Heh....
You should bolt a bunch of lights too the front like rally cars run.

Think of the fun you could have with idjits at night.

I bet Brigid could procure some aircraft landing lights for the purpose.

BGM

Anonymous said...

Oh crap! You've gone over to the dark side.

You'll be an erf muffin afore we know it. However, if you strap a big Stihl on the roof, it'll act as an antidote.

Drang said...

Liberty Maniacs is also a rich source of stickers for Wookie Suiters: http://www.zazzle.com/libertymaniacs/gifts?cg=196181328350963835

rickn8or said...

Mmmmm. Maybe a bit late to ask this, but will it let you in the driver's seat while carrying your hogleg, or permit one to be stored in the console?

BGMiller said...

@ rickn8or
This is Tam we're talking about.
She's probably already got the center console replaced with a lock box for an M&P, an AR carbine, and enough ammo to make the news readers of your choice go all woozy.

BGM

jed said...

I think you did well with the Subie. But I do hope you are aware of the 2.5L engine head gasket problem. I don't know how common it is -- just one of those things that popped up once when I was considering getting an Impreza. Maybe you got the smaller engine?

Old NFO said...

Congrats, and I'll throw a US Optics sticker in ;-)

Kevin said...

If you put one of those Police vertical AR15 locking mounts between the seats it will look just sweet! :)

Davidwhitewolf said...

Nice! Now all you need is a Sako Forester to match.

Scott J said...

A new pistol and new wheels in less than a week? You're making me jealous, Miss Tam.

Tam said...

Scott J,

"A new pistol and new wheels in less than a week? You're making me jealous, Miss Tam."

For a given value of 'new'... ;)


B,

"SO didja keep the Roller Skate? "

It's nestled in the garage next to Bobbi's MGB.

Anonymous said...

"A new pistol and new wheels in less than a week?"

And a summer bimmer...

Gotta git me one o' them
'unemployed bum" gigs!

RabidAlien said...

Dang. Bedlamite beat me to it. Those "Coexist" stickers with gun manufacturer logos are sweet!

Anonymous said...

I hope it works out better than my Subaru, 84, underpowered, gold plated parts, factory manuals over $100 each, you needed 4 different manuals, leaked oil,and two timing belts mean double the chance of getting stranded.

Kevin said...

So, a Subie AND the Bimmer! In fine AR15.com tradition, BOTH! FTW!

Tam said...

Anon 9:04,

"Gotta git me one o' them
'unemployed bum" gigs!
"

I've paid as much for a gun in the past.

If you want to buy a glam ride like this '99 Forester, it could probably be accomplished by picking up loose change in the local grocery store parking lot. I think I paid about the same for my 14-y.o. 280ZX twenty years ago, except that was with great big 1990s dollars...

Anonymous said...

"I've paid as much for a gun in the past."

See, that ain't helpin' the po' mouth thang...;)

Just joking,T...I probably paid more for my truck than both your rides and half your cache combined, but I don't have millions of hits and thousands of loyal readers who "love" me; unemployed bum indeed...

Congrats on the Subie, and I'm looking forward to another year of snark on teh porch...happy new year, Tam.

The Freeholder said...

Congrats on the new-to-you ride. If you like it half as much as most Subaru owners like theirs, you'll like it a lot.

You ought to see the second takes my Outback gets with a "Who is John Galt", a "You can give peace a chance, I'll cover you in case it doesn't work out" and an NRA one.

I swear, one hippie's head swelled up. Didn't explode, just very distended.

Stephen said...

Used car buying. I hate that part. Unlike Og, I do NOT like working on greasy shit. I've done alot of it, I know how to do it, but I do NOT like it. That's why during the previous discussion about procurement options, I stayed out of it. I have the highest hopes that you have chosen wisely and your greasy shit factor stays low. Good luck Tam.

Scott J said...

Given value of new being you didn't have it before. :)

Glad you kept the Z3.

Maybe before 2013 draws to a close I can join you in having a roadster that runs.

Brad K. said...

There is always the "God is coming, and is she pissed!" sticker. I got that years ago from AzureGreen.com, and it seems that got even better.
http://www.azuregreen.net/Dont-Make-Me-Get-Out-My-Flying-Monkeys-bumper-sticker/productinfo/EBDMM/
and
http://www.azuregreen.net/Thats-OK-I-Wasnt-Using-My-Civil-Liberties/productinfo/EBTHAO/

Congrats on the ride, and blessed be!

Rob Reed said...

Remember,although "You can't hug your children with nuclear arms," you also can't destroy your enemies with a nice hug either.

Rob (Trebor)

John Richardson said...

You need a Coexist bumper sticker. Just go for the alt one which will confuse the hell out of the hippies. If it can work in Asheville, it can work in Indy.

http://www.everydaynodaysoff.com/2010/04/15/coexist-in-firearm-manufacturer-logos/

Anonymous said...

I'm glad somebody else thought of this too.

Borepatch said...

We had a Subaru Legacy wagon (not a Forrester). Loved that car. Inexpensive, reliable, took the kids and the dog everywhere.

As to bumper sticker, the suggestions here are excellent. I'm partial to "Reloading is how I recycle", but that's just me.

Lergnom said...

The only election sticker I ever wanted read
"Sheridan/Ivanova '96 - Our Last, Best Hope"
Have fun with the new ride.

Stay safe

mikee said...

Here in Texas the vehicle registration sticker goes on the driver's side front windshield alogn with the inspection sticker.

The registration sticker comes attached to the vehicle registration document. The document is interesting in that it is a standardized format bureaucratic document that has TWO spaces for registration stickers, in case one's state requires front and back stickers, or windshield and license stickers, or some other multisticker variation.

Here in Texas we need only one sticker, so the second sticker on our registrations is about 1" x 2" and reads "VOID" in reflective black print ton white background.

For 12 years now I have been putting my annual government VOID sticker on tool boxes, military ammo cans, work benches, and anywhere else that catches my fancy.

I think you could use a government-issued VOID sticker on your car!

Dwight Brown said...

I tried to do some "It will be a great day when the Pentagon has enough money to bomb public schools having bake sales." bumper stickers at one point. I still have the Word template on my machine, and you can get printable blank bumper sticker stock.

The big problem I ran into was you can't do those with inkjet ink; the ink will run the first time they get wet. I was thinking about spraying them with some kind of coating, but in the end I decided I'd be better off getting some professionals to print up a batch.

Still need to do that at some point...

Ygolonac said...

You need a Che sticker, and ZombieTools has you covered. (NSFW text, can be edited with razor blade or covered with electrical tape as needed.) No direct link, so scroll down.

http://zombietools.net/t_shirts_plus/

roland said...

Earth First!
We'll stripmine the other planets later.

Mattexian said...

Be careful how many stickers you slap on there. I had a neighbor in my mom's neighborhood who completely covered the backside and wrapped around the rear quarter panels on her minivan, til it finally collapsed from the added weight, forcing her to buy a new one! (Ok, maybe not, but I don't get how she could see thru all of them, forcing her to only use the mirrors.)

Opinionated Grump (Rich in NC) said...

Last, but not least, you will need to find
http://www.everydaynodaysoff.com/2010/04/15/coexist-in-firearm-manufacturer-logos/
an

Imagine Whirled Peas

Bumper sticker.
That would help with hippie psh nicely.
Rich in NC

Anonymous said...

My ex liked her Lesbaru Forester.

Hope it does well by you.

John in Philly said...

Our '07 Forester usually has a range bag in the back, and the only sticker is from Miskatonic Univ.

Not very long ago got a lot of horn blowing from another car, he had a big Miskatonic U. sticker on his window.

Opinionated Grump (Rich in NC) said...

http://www.supportourribbons.com/custom-bumper-magnet-sticker/3520/Imagine+whirled+peas

Sorry, (sic) rong url
Rich in NC

global village idiot said...

My Miskatonic U. sticker is on an old laptop (current one has a Masonic Past Master's emblem).

BGM, regarding this comment of yours:
"I bet Brigid could procure some aircraft landing lights for the purpose."

My army buddy from our hitch in Korea had a pair of aircraft landing lights installed in the rear window of his car for the drivers that drove up behind him with their high beams on.

It occurs to me that the Forester's rear window is ideal for this.

gvi

TotC said...

I'll be happy to send some rally related stickers, since it's a Soobie and all. BTW, you gonna learn how to pitch it into a corner like Ken Block?

perlhaqr said...

I'm quite fond of my '93 Legacy. Got it for $500, threw another $500 in suspension parts in, and it was a rocker. I'm redoing the front header panel right now to mount more standard 5.75" headlamps on it, they're a hell of a lot cheaper than the fancy molded ones from the factory, and glass faced, so they don't go all hazy. Which is a pretty hefty problem here in the Land of Brutal Sun.

perlhaqr said...

Also, holy cow that Northern Sun website... It's like, the canonical source for smug condescension.

I'm pretty leery of advertising how many and what sort of guns I have, so that "loud family" site is mostly out, though I do like the "2A" in the shape of a heart one they have.

perlhaqr said...

It's nestled in the garage next to Bobbi's MGB.

Uh oh.

It's a two project garage.

*plays an ominous chord on the pipe organ*

Ian Argent said...

Remember, it's a legitimate ruse of war to fly false colors ONLY if you strike them and raise your own BEFORE engaging in combat.

Anonymous said...

My Army plates are enough to send these folks into a twitch.

Windy Wilson said...

Jerry Rubin (the one who's still alive) sells all those stickers from a card table at the mall in Santa Monica (They don't call it the People's Republic of Santa Monica for nothing). I bought a "Kill your Television" sticker from him, even thougu in retrospect it was like giving a panhandler a dollar.
That's his day job. His other gig turned into his middle name when he wasn't allowed to put his occupation as "peace activist" on some election or another.

Vernon said...

To offend the maximum number with one bumper sticker -

"Nuke all unborn gay baby whales"

VJ

JustSomeGuy said...

mikee:

"Here in Texas we need only one sticker, so the second sticker on our registrations is about 1" x 2" and reads "VOID" in reflective black print ton white background."

That little'un is for your motor-sickle. I get a couple of sheets a year with a big VOID sticker.

The temptation to slap one on my over-wheeled vehicle is passingly strong...but I've found DPS doesn't share my sense of the absurd.

Thanks,
JSG

Scout26 said...

Buddy of mine has a Prius (he a salesman, drives alot so it makes sense for him), he has an Arfcom bolt face sticker on his.