American Pickers: I can't stop watching

I don't watch much television, because I always feel guilty for the time it seems to waste. But when I swing by the History Channel and see American Pickers it on, I can't walk away.  For those who haven't ever watched the show, here is an explanation from the American Pickers website: 

The American Pickers are on a mission to recycle America, even if it means diving into countless piles of grimy junk or getting chased off a gun-wielding homeowner’s land. Hitting back roads from coast to coast, the Pickers earn a living by restoring forgotten relics to their former glory, transforming one person’s trash into another’s treasure. The show follows the team as they scour the country for hidden gems in junkyards, basements, garages and barns, meeting quirky characters and hearing their amazing stories. If you think the antique business is all about upscale boutiques and buttoned-up dealers, this show may change your mind – and teach you a thing or two about American history along the way.

The hunt is what draws me in.  I enjoy the history that the hosts share as they are picking.  In particular they have an affinity for bicycles, motorcycles, cars, advertising and toys.  Their passion and knowledge of these items is really fun to see.   

Watching them negotiate with the owners of this "junk" is a lesson alone.  I feel that they are super fair in their offers especially knowing they have to resell the items they find.  I like when a seller offers too little for something of significant value, the hosts will tell them that they aren't offering enough, and they will make a fair offer that is higher than the seller's original.  I love this honest bartering.  

American Pickers never disappoints me.  I never feel that it is wasted time watching TV when the show is on, because I am entertained and I feel that I learn a little along the way.  

100,000

I heard a statistic yesterday that the average American gets a new car every four and a half years. It was a timely stat for me because this December 31 my Aztec will be in my possession as a new car for eight years, and on Wednesday it rolled through 100,000 miles. While I did sink some considerable money into it between miles 75,000 to 90,000 miles, it still seems like a well worn "new" car to me. I can't imagine trading it in for a new car. I know the crazy sounds and scrapes that it makes; I know the handling of it to the detail. In fact, I must keep my hands in the 10 to 2 zone on the steering wheel because it is worn smooth. In many ways, it is as much me as it is my car.
This is the second car I have taken to post 100 thousand miles. It is unimaginable to me why we as a society need to trade cars every four and a half years. I enjoy thinking about the different roads the Aztec has been on and where it has taken me. Besides covering most most roads in the central Illinois region to Chicago and the Quad-Cities, the Aztec has taken me to Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, Wisconsin, Indiana, Ohio, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Alabama. It has helped me move three times; it has carried my bikes and bike trailer to multiple trail heads, hiking paths, camp grounds, and adventure. It has suffered through listening to Cubs wins and losses on 720AM; it has cheered on Notre Dame and the Bears as well as a few Bulls games on long drives. It has suffered through my eclectic music collections. It brought my daughter home from the hospital after she was born. It has been my home base after numerous races.
I have never gotten a car to 200,000, but maybe this is the one. Let you know in about 8 years.