Points. Plugs. Distributors. Timing belts. I don't know crap about these things, but they sound sweet. Well, OK. I know what they do, and I know where to get them, but I've never changed them before. And it's time. You see, part of the cool factor you get from owning an old beater is being able to start conversations with a nonchalant "I was working on the car the other day, and...."

Changing a tire (done that) is a start, but unless you're changing all 4, it just kinda sounds like you're a moron who ran over a bottle. Changing points, rebuilding a carb--that's the sort of stuff James Deans are made of. Tune-up kit on order. I'm starting small, though, by changing my own oil.

This is more of a chore than you might imagine. First, my car's kind of low, so getting underneath is going to be a pain. Second, the local Auto Zone only recycles oil during certain hours. Third, I just realized I don't have an oil filter wrench, because, well, I don't exactly change my own oil much. Until now. Oh, yeah. You're also not supposed to change your oil in the street, and I don't have a driveway. But that adds to the "rebel" factor, see? I got it all worked out.