I was driving behind a maroon Dodge Caravan yesterday and noticed it had a bumper sticker. The bumper sticker said, “Not all who wander are lost,” which I thought was an incredibly cool saying. I wander, but I sure as heck don’t feel lost. When I see a bumper sticker that I’m attracted to (like the Darwin fish), I sometimes have the desire to meet whoever owns the vehicle. Do you ever feel this way?
As for putting bumper stickers on my own car, I don’t do it. I’m not sure why. I always say it’s because I don’t want to devalue the car, or think that if someone who disagrees with my bumper sticker slogan buys my car, they’re going to have a tough time removing the sticker. Both of these are pretty bogus reasons for not plastering bumper stickers on my car because when I buy a car, I operate it until it’s ready for the scrap heap.
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May 15, 2008 at 10:26 pm
Caroline
“……..When I see a bumper sticker that I’m attracted to (like the Darwin fish), I sometimes have the desire to meet whoever owns the vehicle. Do you ever feel this way?……….”
I can’t say that I do, since it’s extreme unlikely that the driver would be the author of the bumper sticker, and therefore he/she would be as unoriginal as anyone else.
“…….when I buy a car, I operate it until it’s ready for the scrap heap……..”
I’m the same way, for I become as emotionally attached to my cars as I do to a pet animal. For me to allow my old car to be towed off to a scrap-heap, is to say a final and heart-wrenching goodbye to an old friend.
May 15, 2008 at 11:12 pm
Reeva
That is a fabulous quote. And if you’re interested…
It’s a line from a poem (song) that appears twice in Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings Trilogy. It’s a famous quote from the stories, not just because it’s an integral part of the plot, but because it stands so beautifully on its own.
Here’s the whole thing:
All that is gold does not glitter,
Not all those who wander are lost;
The old that is strong does not wither,
Deep roots are not reached by the frost.
From the ashes a fire shall be woken,
A light from the shadows shall spring;
Renewed shall be blade that was broken,
The crownless again shall be king.
May 16, 2008 at 12:49 am
winnipegjets
I don’t really care for bumper stickers myself either…however, if something really does catch my eye, I almost consider the folks who put them on their cars to be “In The Closet” creative-types, in that they’ve found something that they can relate to & find amusing and are willing to share with others. This does not apply to everyone, however, as even a moronic squirrel can find a nut once in a while.
May 16, 2008 at 1:28 pm
Joy
I enjoy reading some bumper stickers but I never have or ever will put one on my car. I guess maybe I feel once it’s there, it will always be there and I’d rather my car be clean.
May 17, 2008 at 9:19 am
erin g
I KNEW before I even read the comments here that Ryan would have posted something about Tolkien. So predictable.
It’s a great poem, though, isn’t it?
May 17, 2008 at 10:19 am
woowooteacup
I’m glad Ryan posted the Tolkien poem. It’s a jewel. While I never could get into reading Tolkien, I realize that his work is important to society, so I rely on Tolkien fanatics like Ryan to keep me informed about the pertinent aspects of his books.
May 19, 2008 at 12:00 pm
Manoj Sterex
Haha.. Nice quote; and from a great author. I still get scoldings from my friends for not having read Tolkien’s works (even after they have lent me the books!). Well, haven’t ever made time for it yet.
That’s really an awesome poem. Almost all of Tolkien’s are.
Coming to the bumper sticker part, I do love nice quotes on other people’s vehicles, but somehow haven’t made my mind to put on one mine.
A few quotes that have caught my eye:
‘My boss is a Jewish carpenter’ — Being a Hindu, I’m not aware of the complete meaning of this quote. But I’m guessing this has to do with the person calling his boss an ‘anti-christ’?
‘Ride it like you stole it!’ — Haha, I love this one!
May 19, 2008 at 1:01 pm
Reeva
I’m predictably fanatical and proud of it, ya’ll.
May 19, 2008 at 2:57 pm
woowooteacup
Hey, Manoj – The meaning of “My boss is a Jewish carpenter” is a reference to Jesus, who was Jewish and a carpenter. When people have this bumper sticker, it means that they follow Jesus – they take their orders from his teachings. It’s a very Christian thing and doesn’t have anything to do with the actual boss of one’s job.
“Ride it like you stole it!” Good one.
The fanaticism looks good on you, Reeva. Work it!