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Ah, I haven't been in much of a writing mood lately. It isn't as if I have nothing to write - Just that I've been lazy.
So last Monday I finally bit the bullet and bought a new car. I think I may be slightly crazy, since I ended up getting that Mustang I wanted - But I'm going to be 30 in a few months and I want something fun (Not that life starts going downhill at 30 or something... Let's just call it an early, mid-life crisis). I don't want to be scared to drive for fear of my car breaking down. I wanted to support Ford in their decision to not pull advertising from gay magazines and donations to GLAAD from Jaguar sales. I'll send them mail soon explaining my reason and thanking them for their support.
My ex is the one who got me interested in the new model Mustangs. I was not so up on them, in part, because, really, we should all be buying more fuel efficient cars. Call me a hypocrite, I know she is, but I cannot argue with her there. Perhaps a selfish purchase on my part. I guess Travis, her brother, told her the news and her comment was something snarky. That's alright though, it is what I expected and kind of hard to hide the car from a coworker.
Speaking of which, I should write Alpha. And Denise. And Amanda. And Beth. Man, I am terrible with email. I have 3 emails in my box from her which I have not responded to yet.
Oh, and I have a new trainee tomorrow. Andrew, the new employee I trained a few weeks ago, is still an ongoing project. There have been improvements, and I expect more after my review tonight, but I think his lack of game knowledge is going to hurt him more in the end then anything else. I have a feeling this is his first job too - His customer service skills, so far, have left something to be desired. But he is improving. I hopefully will be able to give him more access and commands this week.
It's been a good challenge though. It's not all a cakewalk like it was with Michelle. Speaking of which, I better make sure to get my butt up early enough to go to the buffet with her today before work.
Let's pause for a moment to look at something very beautiful.
I'm still not sold on the Mustang 'racing stripe'. I can have it removed, but I have a feeling I'll leave it. I mean, it doesn't really detract from the car itself. I need to consider other accessories. Wonder if I should get a bra for it like I had on my bug. I need a good idea for vanity plates too. I can't believe I cannot get any variation of 'HARPY' - Who else but me would be crazy enough to have that plate? [sighs]
Dad is so funny, talking about his cats and taking them for their 'makeover'. I still haven't told him about the car - I'll save that verbal reaming for a later date. But seriously, I cannot imagine taking either of my cats to get baths and shaved. Miss L, the deaf white cat of his, loves it - Or so dad says anyway. It's all amusing, just the same.
Well, time for bed I guess - Enough rambling tangents for today. : )
Whew! Without going into any history here - My car sucks. VW sucks. Wait, I think I posted that once here before anyway.
So, over the weekend the check engine light came on in my car. I panic a little. I agonize over the weekend. I know what happens next. The car does not start.
I dislike car shopping but it seems I cannot keep putting off the inevitable unless I want to pump even more money into this accident on wheels. Worried but hopeful, I trudge out to the car after my weekend and it starts!
I carefully drive to work, mindful of the light - I believe that keeping the a/c off will have some impact on the engine holding out. I'm a little more at ease. Today, a busy and tiring day, comes to an end and I drive home without incident.
Suddenly... it comes to me! The answer to the check engine light horror is within my grasp! Okay, well, not really, I just realized I needed gas. That's right, and I stopped and got that gas. Ah, look, a free Pirates of the Caribbean cup sign. Alas, no drinking from a vessel with Kiera Knightly on it for me. I'm not buying a donut and large coffee.
Whew. Tough job pumping that gas and stopped it exactly at $20. I'm obviously feeling a little lucky...
I start up the car (half thinking it won't start back up again, naturally).
Voila! The light goes out! I laugh and pump my fist at my triumph! I half wish it is not 2am and someone else were there to witness my triumph and trickery. I should be a mechanic.
It's like my mysterious headlight that works some days and chooses not to others. Now, any sane person would say, "Banshee, something is wrong with your car. There's a short somewhere." Yes! However, it's like the plague, it just keeps coming back - Oh yes, I've had it fixed before. Don't ask me how many times unless you have an hour free.
I mean, good God, how much money I could have saved had I known that all I needed to do was put gas in the car!
Yes, I'm being facetious here... But the light really did go out after I got gas. The rational side of me knows that there's something wrong and it's only a matter of time... But the irrational part of me feels a bit more safe knowing the check engine light is off again. Man, I'm easy.
Nevertheless, I will be purchasing a car this month. I know when to stop tempting fate.
But today was tiring, but fun - I did not get too much sleep due to getting 4 damn calls between 9:00 am and noon - Then up at 12:30 to meet Tom at the mall for Japanese buffet. A mall doesn't sound like the best place for a buffet, but man, this place is good. I ate till I could eat no more and they chased us out of the restaurant at the end of the lunch period.
My only amount of sadness came when I went for Masago and it was already gone and lunch was almost over. They did have some of the more spicy sushi I enjoy though. Man, I am really still full from the ordeal. I think I'll go back on Thursday. Whee!
I didn't go through the changing my license deal at the DMV, the line was too long and I can just do it via mail. My current license picture is pretty nice, I have to say. Of course, it was taken in 2001. Hah!
All of this reminds me also that I neglected to post anything about the two cases of pop in the trunk exploding on me last week. I wonder if I need to perform some purification ritual upon myself and the car before purchasing another.
How about this for a retro blast from the past. I love these old commercials. Can you just imagine what an unopened box of this would be worth now?
Leaving work tonight my car almost didn't start. Took a good 10 second for the ignition to finally kick in. Have I mentioned lately the complete love and admiration I have for my amazing and wondrous Volkswagen New Beetle? I mean, I cannot believe I've managed to drive almost 2000 miles and the, second, Alternator and battery (3rd overall) I had replaced in December is still holding out! Wow! And... the trunk latch I had replaced last year in May... It still works! And... The two headlights and fuse panel I had replaced last year... Oh, wait, scratch that, that pesky right headlight decides when it does, and does not, want to work.
And the other alternator I had replaced in September of 2004 -- Oh, well, we know what happened there. And the transmission problems the previous year, and the under carriage being ripped off because I drove in SNOW! WTF, who drives in the snow?! Silly me, I'm so crazy to drive in the snow! Lawlz!
Man, this car has been good to me with the hundreds of thousands of miles... Oh wait, make that 51,000 miles.
But, it's all good. I've put so much money into the car that its comical at this point. But- those of you are out there looking to purchase a Volkswagen New Beetle. Research it first. I've not talked to one Volkswagen New Beetle owner who said they would purchase one again. Not one hasn't had many of the same problems as I. And like I said, it's comical, I love laughing about all the problems with other Beetle owners.
Anyway, let's spread some cheer with some more links.
This is, in my opinion, one of the best commercials in years.
Starbucks Commercial
This link may even work for those of you, who shall go unnamed, who are still on dial-up. :)
Jack Nicholson Orders A Pizza
Well, Iron Chef is calling me.
