Spent a GREAT day, and have the KILLAH sunburn to prove it, at Berkeley's 21st annual kite festival, with my bff Kris, Rich and Greg.
See pix!
Not a sad face to be found, except for the occasional overstimulated little ones. Young, middle and old alike, and doggies, had a blast. SO MANY PEOPLE. So many kites!!!
Living in the Bay Area, you think I might have been able to find the Berkeley Marina with my eyes closed. Not so. I've lived here going on (hate to admit) nearly 20 years, but have NEVER been to Berkeley. Just the quick drive through via I80. So I got a little lost, had to hang a quick u turn at Treasure Island, just a tad late. Waited >20 minutes for the shuttle to take me from Siberia to the Marina. Then 30+ minutes to get OUT of the Marina (take about traffic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!), another 20+ to get to 880, and finally home.
YAY.
Also had a VERY successful Macy's sales day trip yesterday, following a not as much fun morning at BriteSmile. My teeth aren't exactly the stuff of legends, but they are whiter, and it was money well spent.
Kris and Rich will be visiting next weekend to go see David Bromberg (sp?) with moi, then I'm off to the egg and chicken farm for a week to help Mom on the ranch while Dad takes a little well-deserved R&R. Then one more week off for my OWN R&R. I'm looking at day spas right now -- was thinking about a three-day mini-vaca somewhere fun, but then thought I could put the same money into a day of heaven right here at home, which will be SORELY needed after a week in muck and hard labor in the central valley heat!!!
Sunday, July 30, 2006
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
Yay for Project Runway!
SOOO glad it's back on. So glad there's ANYTHING on during the summer that's worthwhile.
Can't wait for next week's episode -- to see who gets kicked off for rules infractions!!! Hopefully, it's not someone that I actually like. We'll see.
Heat wave is over! For now, anyway. It's an icy 68 in my room right now, thanks to my window fan. My window a/c unit arrived today, will install this week! I can't go through this weekend again!
Work's kicking my patooty right now. Year end financial close. Several new programs to get off the ground. New employee isn't the super star I hoped for; in fact, I've already had several "talks" with her already, which makes her more freaked out and even less effective. Not boding well for her. Lots of politics. At least I have a permanent workspace again -- no more borrowing terrible spaces from other departments. Now I only have to re-establish my role and credibility as the overall manager!
Keep cool all.
Can't wait for next week's episode -- to see who gets kicked off for rules infractions!!! Hopefully, it's not someone that I actually like. We'll see.
Heat wave is over! For now, anyway. It's an icy 68 in my room right now, thanks to my window fan. My window a/c unit arrived today, will install this week! I can't go through this weekend again!
Work's kicking my patooty right now. Year end financial close. Several new programs to get off the ground. New employee isn't the super star I hoped for; in fact, I've already had several "talks" with her already, which makes her more freaked out and even less effective. Not boding well for her. Lots of politics. At least I have a permanent workspace again -- no more borrowing terrible spaces from other departments. Now I only have to re-establish my role and credibility as the overall manager!
Keep cool all.
Sunday, July 23, 2006
Heat wave!!!
One of the reasons people live in the Bay Area, other than the higher wages (offset by the stupendously high cost of living), is the weather. Not too cold, never too hot, when it does start getting to 100, the fog and ocean breezes bring the temps down overnight.
NOT THIS WEEKEND.
Man.
My bedroom was 99 yesterday, and that was the coolest room in the house.
Today, we got to 97 inside. I think it hit 100 outside. Last night, I finally drifted off after 4:30am, when it got to a nice comfortable 90 degrees. We didn't get our cooling night temps. However, right now, it feels like heaven at 79 at the window fan and 81 at the door fan. I think I'll actually get to sleep!
The poor girls are puddles and have little to do with me. I just try to make sure they're drinking water.
I tried to buy a window a/c today, but, shockingly enough, there are no more fans or a/c to be found!
So I found a few online that I think might work. I'll get one ordered tomorrow with rush delivery. It's not even August yet, and often September's the hottest month for the Bay Area.
I didn't do a whole lot this weekend, given that it's so hot and oppressive that breathing seems a chore. Errands, washed car, cleaned house, laundry. Too hot to pull the computer out until just now. It's supposed to cool down from here, hope it's true!
NOT THIS WEEKEND.
Man.
My bedroom was 99 yesterday, and that was the coolest room in the house.
Today, we got to 97 inside. I think it hit 100 outside. Last night, I finally drifted off after 4:30am, when it got to a nice comfortable 90 degrees. We didn't get our cooling night temps. However, right now, it feels like heaven at 79 at the window fan and 81 at the door fan. I think I'll actually get to sleep!
The poor girls are puddles and have little to do with me. I just try to make sure they're drinking water.
I tried to buy a window a/c today, but, shockingly enough, there are no more fans or a/c to be found!
So I found a few online that I think might work. I'll get one ordered tomorrow with rush delivery. It's not even August yet, and often September's the hottest month for the Bay Area.
I didn't do a whole lot this weekend, given that it's so hot and oppressive that breathing seems a chore. Errands, washed car, cleaned house, laundry. Too hot to pull the computer out until just now. It's supposed to cool down from here, hope it's true!
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
Still alive
Though barely.
Molly was so p.o.'ed this morning (STILL) that she continually attacked my ankles, then started for my legs. This wasn't the "I'm so cute" playing that cats will do, this is the "I'm mad as heck and I'm not going to take it anymore" that cats who've decided to make a break for it will do.
She was disdainful when I get home, but agreed to eat a bite or two of dinner. I see her sulking in the living room from where I'm typing.
All fingers and toes were still attached this morning, and she didn't go so far as to use my bed as her kitty box. Yet.
Molly was so p.o.'ed this morning (STILL) that she continually attacked my ankles, then started for my legs. This wasn't the "I'm so cute" playing that cats will do, this is the "I'm mad as heck and I'm not going to take it anymore" that cats who've decided to make a break for it will do.
She was disdainful when I get home, but agreed to eat a bite or two of dinner. I see her sulking in the living room from where I'm typing.
All fingers and toes were still attached this morning, and she didn't go so far as to use my bed as her kitty box. Yet.
Monday, July 17, 2006
Major major drama tonight
It wasn't enough that it was 90 degrees in my house when I got home at 8pm. It wasn't enough that I left my cats in the backyard until 9pm with access to the fences cut off by the sprinklers (leaving PLENTY of room for them to explore). I just spent the last 30 minutes chasing Molly, who escaped from the kitchen window -- I hadn't realized that the screen was loose in one corner.
NOT FUN. Let's see . . . glass in foot while searching, shorts tore while chasing resulting in shorts continually falling down, neighbor's cat right at my feet the whole time further freaking Molly out, me trying to look nonchalant (read, not desparate to get her inside) with a flashlight in the pitch black, and, oh yes, me wandering into a nest of garden spiders. I had NO idea how strong and sticky their webs are. Did I mention my fear of spiders?
Molly's in. I honestly don't remember how I finally got her. Actually, I think it was the neighbor's cat, hot on my heels, Molly felt corner and sank to the ground, at which point I could get her scruff.
Did I mention how mad she is with me now? Of course, she keeps taking it out on poor Fiona, who's completely freaked and keeps trying to sniff her/give her a kiss, and Molly tears into her. She's going from window to window right now, my little caged lion. I think she might kill me in my sleep tonight (and then regret it in the morning when she can't figure out how to open those little cans of tuna).
I'm just relieved she's OK. I'm not that far from a pretty busy road with drivers who never look -- I don't know how I'd handle it if she were hit, but I definitely wouldn't handle it well. We also side stepped the big cat fight, which we would have all survived, but if she'd gone over a fence, I don't know if she has the street smarts to get back home. LOTS of mean toms in my neighborhood.
So the girls lost their back yard privileges. Maybe that makes me a mean mom, but I had to swear on stacks of bibles on their adoption that they'd be 100% indoors, and I remember too well the vet bills for my prior outdoor kitties.
Hopefully, the andrenaline will drain and I can sleep tonight . . . with one eye open.
NOT FUN. Let's see . . . glass in foot while searching, shorts tore while chasing resulting in shorts continually falling down, neighbor's cat right at my feet the whole time further freaking Molly out, me trying to look nonchalant (read, not desparate to get her inside) with a flashlight in the pitch black, and, oh yes, me wandering into a nest of garden spiders. I had NO idea how strong and sticky their webs are. Did I mention my fear of spiders?
Molly's in. I honestly don't remember how I finally got her. Actually, I think it was the neighbor's cat, hot on my heels, Molly felt corner and sank to the ground, at which point I could get her scruff.
Did I mention how mad she is with me now? Of course, she keeps taking it out on poor Fiona, who's completely freaked and keeps trying to sniff her/give her a kiss, and Molly tears into her. She's going from window to window right now, my little caged lion. I think she might kill me in my sleep tonight (and then regret it in the morning when she can't figure out how to open those little cans of tuna).
I'm just relieved she's OK. I'm not that far from a pretty busy road with drivers who never look -- I don't know how I'd handle it if she were hit, but I definitely wouldn't handle it well. We also side stepped the big cat fight, which we would have all survived, but if she'd gone over a fence, I don't know if she has the street smarts to get back home. LOTS of mean toms in my neighborhood.
So the girls lost their back yard privileges. Maybe that makes me a mean mom, but I had to swear on stacks of bibles on their adoption that they'd be 100% indoors, and I remember too well the vet bills for my prior outdoor kitties.
Hopefully, the andrenaline will drain and I can sleep tonight . . . with one eye open.
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
Yay, I'm in!!!
It's official, I'll start my master's program on Saturday 9/9 (yes, Saturday! the class meets half days on Saturdays, which I actually prefer to weekday evenings!).
Yippee yay!
Yippee yay!
Sunday, July 09, 2006
Ramblings from Insomnia
I have been so wiped out this week, yet I can't sleep.
Isn't that the way it always works?
So here I am at 1:30 in the morning, after a very hot day in a house without a/c, my room's just cooling down thanks to the window fan, Molly finally looking pretty content on her corner of the bed vs. the sort of uncomfortable sleeping that she's done all day, and I'm thinking very deep thoughts, as one is wont to do at 1:30 a.m.
I just finished a guily pleasure read, a Dean Koontz book. I've been a life long reader and lover of books, but have found it really hard to relax enough to read lately. This one took me a few weeks, and it was a real page turner.
I also watched the 40 year old virgin tonight, which I must admit that I really loved. Lots of laugh myself silly moments (you know why you're gay?) , but it was also rather sweet.
I let the girls out for awhile earlier in the evening, which ended up being a stress fest when Fiona went straight up a tree, and then Molly started on a fence. They weren't very happy when I dragged both of them back in. Sorry, girls.
A very low key day, not feeling so great, really wiped, did take the car out for spin on its beautious new tires. Got an ice cream maker, looking forward to experimenting with sugarless ice cream! Ate too much real sugar today, will be paying for it.
Now I'm thinking deep thoughts about where I want to go with the rest of my life. I never thought I'd be at a midpoint in life, but 43 seems pretty mid-point to me. I guess I'm officially middle aged, which I really never thought I'd be while still single and childless. I've done everything so late in life -- took a long time to grow up. Talked with my Mom earlier today (yesterday) about potentially adopting, something I really feel drawn to doing, but I really need to finish my next degree first. Single parenting isn't something to enter into lightly, especially for someone without the best of health. I've gotten comfortable and lazy with my existence, avoiding anything that seems at all scary or risky -- no longer the girl who goes to Grateful Dead shows and hangs out with complete strangers in San Francisco. That's not a bad thing, mind you, but I'm wondering where that piece of me went to?
So, here I am typing at 1:40 a.m., thinking about what I want from life, not coming up with major answers, wishing I could go to sleep, wishing it would cool down or that I had a/c, and periodically scratching Molly's head. Or my head, in perplexment.
I think the things I would end up regretting on my death bed are not writing books, not creating art, and not having a family. Family, of course, can be defined in many ways. "Station Agent" meant a lot to me when I thought of how a family was created from very disparate people who healed together. I have family, of course: my parents and my brother, who's very far away on the other side of the world (both physically and perhaps also emotionally). But I'd like to be surrounded by my own "progeny" when I approach 80, whether fuzzy ones or adopted human little ones or mutually adopted fuzzy and human family. I get a little sad when I think of how my "blood line" has ended with me, since it's not likely that I'll be able to give birth given my health and given my reality. I'd like to have children and grandchildren in whom I can see my father's brown eyes or my mother's teal/aqua eyes, my grandmother's laugh, my brother's smarts and quick wit, my little brother's (no longer with us) tender and infinite heart. I'd like to surround my parents with little ones. I want my folks to see my children while they still can. So many of my family is already gone, and what I regret is that they aren't here to share the good and the bad with me.
Anyway, this is cathartic. Good clean fun, scouring my inner recesses. A nice spring cleaning.
The better news is that I'm finally feeling really tired. yay!
I've been thinking a LOT about what to write. I've written my entire life, but kind of stopped when my youngest brother died. I did write his "eulogy," and that was probably the last meaningful thing I wrote. Sure, I've written papers, work-related things, etc. But nothing that bared a bit of my soul. And I think what I want to write are stories about damaged people who heal. There are all sorts of ways to do that -- doesn't have to a Danielle Steele novel, thank GOD (hate that kind of sappiness). I've been yearning to write about post apocolypse for years, kind of sci fi, kind of fantasy, kind of surrealism, kind of reality. I'd really like to write about my grandpa, who lived a tough while fascinating life. I'd love to write about my own childhood. I'd really love to write about my father's childhood, based on his really great stories about growing up poor in rural Montana. I'd love to write some modern/urban fantasies, similar to some of my favorite writers like Charles de Lint and Sherri Tepper and JK Rowling and Emma Bull.
But most of all, I just want to write. And that means I just have to write. Stop thinking about it and start doing it.
Note that I come up with these kinds of ideas shortly before starting a master's degree. I'll be sick of writing once I start my thesis project.
2am. I think I can drift off now. Yawning like mad. Molly's OUT. Fiona's standing guard in her favorite spot in the living room. Nice cool air blowing in through the window. I hope I don't sleep in so late that I don't get things done tomorrow. Today. One more day before I go back to work on Monday. yay.
Nighty night mr. bunny rabbit.
Isn't that the way it always works?
So here I am at 1:30 in the morning, after a very hot day in a house without a/c, my room's just cooling down thanks to the window fan, Molly finally looking pretty content on her corner of the bed vs. the sort of uncomfortable sleeping that she's done all day, and I'm thinking very deep thoughts, as one is wont to do at 1:30 a.m.
I just finished a guily pleasure read, a Dean Koontz book. I've been a life long reader and lover of books, but have found it really hard to relax enough to read lately. This one took me a few weeks, and it was a real page turner.
I also watched the 40 year old virgin tonight, which I must admit that I really loved. Lots of laugh myself silly moments (you know why you're gay?) , but it was also rather sweet.
I let the girls out for awhile earlier in the evening, which ended up being a stress fest when Fiona went straight up a tree, and then Molly started on a fence. They weren't very happy when I dragged both of them back in. Sorry, girls.
A very low key day, not feeling so great, really wiped, did take the car out for spin on its beautious new tires. Got an ice cream maker, looking forward to experimenting with sugarless ice cream! Ate too much real sugar today, will be paying for it.
Now I'm thinking deep thoughts about where I want to go with the rest of my life. I never thought I'd be at a midpoint in life, but 43 seems pretty mid-point to me. I guess I'm officially middle aged, which I really never thought I'd be while still single and childless. I've done everything so late in life -- took a long time to grow up. Talked with my Mom earlier today (yesterday) about potentially adopting, something I really feel drawn to doing, but I really need to finish my next degree first. Single parenting isn't something to enter into lightly, especially for someone without the best of health. I've gotten comfortable and lazy with my existence, avoiding anything that seems at all scary or risky -- no longer the girl who goes to Grateful Dead shows and hangs out with complete strangers in San Francisco. That's not a bad thing, mind you, but I'm wondering where that piece of me went to?
So, here I am typing at 1:40 a.m., thinking about what I want from life, not coming up with major answers, wishing I could go to sleep, wishing it would cool down or that I had a/c, and periodically scratching Molly's head. Or my head, in perplexment.
I think the things I would end up regretting on my death bed are not writing books, not creating art, and not having a family. Family, of course, can be defined in many ways. "Station Agent" meant a lot to me when I thought of how a family was created from very disparate people who healed together. I have family, of course: my parents and my brother, who's very far away on the other side of the world (both physically and perhaps also emotionally). But I'd like to be surrounded by my own "progeny" when I approach 80, whether fuzzy ones or adopted human little ones or mutually adopted fuzzy and human family. I get a little sad when I think of how my "blood line" has ended with me, since it's not likely that I'll be able to give birth given my health and given my reality. I'd like to have children and grandchildren in whom I can see my father's brown eyes or my mother's teal/aqua eyes, my grandmother's laugh, my brother's smarts and quick wit, my little brother's (no longer with us) tender and infinite heart. I'd like to surround my parents with little ones. I want my folks to see my children while they still can. So many of my family is already gone, and what I regret is that they aren't here to share the good and the bad with me.
Anyway, this is cathartic. Good clean fun, scouring my inner recesses. A nice spring cleaning.
The better news is that I'm finally feeling really tired. yay!
I've been thinking a LOT about what to write. I've written my entire life, but kind of stopped when my youngest brother died. I did write his "eulogy," and that was probably the last meaningful thing I wrote. Sure, I've written papers, work-related things, etc. But nothing that bared a bit of my soul. And I think what I want to write are stories about damaged people who heal. There are all sorts of ways to do that -- doesn't have to a Danielle Steele novel, thank GOD (hate that kind of sappiness). I've been yearning to write about post apocolypse for years, kind of sci fi, kind of fantasy, kind of surrealism, kind of reality. I'd really like to write about my grandpa, who lived a tough while fascinating life. I'd love to write about my own childhood. I'd really love to write about my father's childhood, based on his really great stories about growing up poor in rural Montana. I'd love to write some modern/urban fantasies, similar to some of my favorite writers like Charles de Lint and Sherri Tepper and JK Rowling and Emma Bull.
But most of all, I just want to write. And that means I just have to write. Stop thinking about it and start doing it.
Note that I come up with these kinds of ideas shortly before starting a master's degree. I'll be sick of writing once I start my thesis project.
2am. I think I can drift off now. Yawning like mad. Molly's OUT. Fiona's standing guard in her favorite spot in the living room. Nice cool air blowing in through the window. I hope I don't sleep in so late that I don't get things done tomorrow. Today. One more day before I go back to work on Monday. yay.
Nighty night mr. bunny rabbit.
Friday, July 07, 2006
TGIFFFFFFFFFFFF
Man oh man, what a week.
Many misadventures ensued before I could get my car into the dealership service department, rescheduled for 7:30 this a.m. I saw last night that my OTHER back tire was flat, so limped to the service station this a.m. to put air in and enjoyed the surprise of the tire blowing up in my face.
yay.
FOUR new tires at the same service station + alignment, $519 something.
Two days renting a jeep cherokee (only car they had on Wed), $150 something.
Having my own baby back, PRICELESS.
I'll be eating PBJ sandwiches for the next couple of months.
Many misadventures ensued before I could get my car into the dealership service department, rescheduled for 7:30 this a.m. I saw last night that my OTHER back tire was flat, so limped to the service station this a.m. to put air in and enjoyed the surprise of the tire blowing up in my face.
yay.
FOUR new tires at the same service station + alignment, $519 something.
Two days renting a jeep cherokee (only car they had on Wed), $150 something.
Having my own baby back, PRICELESS.
I'll be eating PBJ sandwiches for the next couple of months.
Tuesday, July 04, 2006
Overdid it much?
I was so whooped yesterday, and in so much pain, that I stayed at home, worked from my bed, took lots of motrin, enjoyed opening my new deliveries of bare minerals, watched really bad tv/cable, played videogames, yadda yadda yadda.
Today, woke up ready and raring to go, ran errands after more cleaning (and searching for tire warranties and blank checks, neither of which were found). By the time I got home, I was in even worse pain with my right shoulder and various joints. My right shoulder's been increasingly hurting for the last week or two, which I thought was just referred pain from my back. Now I'm thinking it may be something more, since it's getting harder to use my right shoulder.
FUN.
I'll keep up the NSAID's and some ice. If it's not better by Monday, I'll go see the MD. FUN.
Time Bandits just went off -- one of my all time favorite movies!
So, no 4th activities for me -- other than BBQ in my backyard for me and the girls!
Today, woke up ready and raring to go, ran errands after more cleaning (and searching for tire warranties and blank checks, neither of which were found). By the time I got home, I was in even worse pain with my right shoulder and various joints. My right shoulder's been increasingly hurting for the last week or two, which I thought was just referred pain from my back. Now I'm thinking it may be something more, since it's getting harder to use my right shoulder.
FUN.
I'll keep up the NSAID's and some ice. If it's not better by Monday, I'll go see the MD. FUN.
Time Bandits just went off -- one of my all time favorite movies!
So, no 4th activities for me -- other than BBQ in my backyard for me and the girls!
Sunday, July 02, 2006
Whooped de doodle
More than 10 hours of cleaning and yard work yesterday. Up really late last night, too whooped to sleep. Up this morning to do the same to get ready for BBQ at noon. BBQ was a success! It was great fun to have friends over. I'm completely and totally whooped and my feetsies are killing me (lots of nerve problems in my feet).
Now I'm resting before the final post-event clean up. Have to drop my car off for service at 7:20 tomorrow, then go to work!
Watching "Shall We Dance?" right now, which I'm realizing is the American version of the really wonderful Japanese movie, same title (I missed most of it). It's cute, not terrible at all. Original was really wonderful.
Though I need to catch up on some work, I may just take a nap and then watch the netflix movies that I've been sitting on for a couple of months!
Happy fourth weekend to all!
Now I'm resting before the final post-event clean up. Have to drop my car off for service at 7:20 tomorrow, then go to work!
Watching "Shall We Dance?" right now, which I'm realizing is the American version of the really wonderful Japanese movie, same title (I missed most of it). It's cute, not terrible at all. Original was really wonderful.
Though I need to catch up on some work, I may just take a nap and then watch the netflix movies that I've been sitting on for a couple of months!
Happy fourth weekend to all!
Saturday, July 01, 2006
Fourth of July Weekend
I left work early (for me!) last night, mind full of the things I needed to do in preparation for some friends coming over for potluck/bbq on Sunday. (One of my friends is on a seriously restricted cleansing diet, my own diet has changed due to diabetes, her sister's on a wight loss diet, and her dad's coming along to bbq, so this will be a new recipe fest based on all of our restrictions.)
On the freeway, doing the usual 80 (I know, I know, but every one else was too) , but my car felt funny, like a tire was low or the alignment was off. Slowed to 70, the same. Moved over a lane, a definite pull the right. DARN. Moved over a lane, down to 60. Not good. Rush hour, Bay Area, trying to slow down and get to the shoulder, is like taking your life in your hands. So I get all the way over and pull onto the shoulder. As I'm slowing down, I now KNOW the right passenger tire is flat. It only takes one time in your life to know. I've had many times due to the many clunkers I've driven, but only once in this car, my semi-new Honda. I'm realizing that I don't have my cell phone with me, but see a call box several hundred feet ahead, so creep as far as I can to get closer, then my tired catches on something and I'm on my rim. ARGH. Immediate stop, wait for a break in traffic, get out, get on the other side of my car immediately, and look at my gloriously flat back tire. At least it didn't completely blow and shred while I was at higher speed!
The call box is maybe 50 feet away, thank you God! Now I also hope I have my road service card -- I'm 99.999% certain that I do. Very nice and helpful operator who contacts CSAA and tells me tow service is on the way (as I watch the same exact service drive past me on the freeway with a sinking heart, wondering how many other calls he has).
I'm pretty savvy when it comes to this stuff, so I go back to my car, sit in the passenger seat, windows up, doors closed, and play solitaire on my palm. I then wonder if I have a spare, so check, and--whew--I do. Back in the car, I have the fleeting thought that I should probably have my seat belt on but don't act on it. Then I'm aware of a presence behind me, move my rear view mirror to see the CHP. Nice officer knocks on my door, asks if service is on the way, I assure him it is. Asks if I'd like for him to stay with me, which I told him I don't think I need him to, since it's full light not dark. He says he'll stay until the tow driver gets here, reminds me to put my seat belt on (DOH), and goes back to his vehicle to sit.
The few times in my life that have involved CHP have always been really positive, always involving me just pulling over due to some car calamity or while waiting for road service. I'm grateful to know that CHP is out there trying to ensure our safety on the freeways!
So now I'm worrying that I'll be here until 8pm waiting for service. Lo and behold, it only took another 5-10 minutes, and he had my tire changed to my spare in less than 10 minutes. Also showed me how my back tires are completely out of alignment and my other tire will also need replacing.
BOTH of those tires are less than a year old. I'm seriously annoyed.
So, I crept home, scared to drive far on the freeway on a temporary spare.
Whew.
Just made an appointment with my dealership service center for Monday (alignment sale, and I really really trust the service department head -- he's always done seriously right by me).
I still need to run errands today, will just have to do it very locally. I really don't want to drive on this temporary spare.
My grad school application is COMPLETE and has been sent to the department admissions committee for review!!! I'm excited!!! I'll be applying for federal loans this weekend! I also got my tuition reimbursement approval from work this week ($5,250/year, the federal limit for tax purposes)!
I have so so so much work to catch up on this weekend, I know I know, but I have a new employee (associate manager) that I've been training all week, and will be training for the coming weeks, which means I have to work more to keep up with my actual work, while she continues to take on responsibilities.
But, I first have to get my back yard cleared and ready for the BBQ, and clean my kitchen, bathroom and living room for company. YIKES. I'm not ready for company! But if I get the place looking good enough, I'll have some work company over next weekend for a simple BBQ. Maybe the boss and his wife, and a couple of others. I love to entertain, because I LOVE to cook for a crowd, but just haven't felt settled in enough to do so. If I get this place in good shape, I'll take pix. Have to keep up with Kris and Rich and their pavers! (Go get 'em, guys!)
On the freeway, doing the usual 80 (I know, I know, but every one else was too) , but my car felt funny, like a tire was low or the alignment was off. Slowed to 70, the same. Moved over a lane, a definite pull the right. DARN. Moved over a lane, down to 60. Not good. Rush hour, Bay Area, trying to slow down and get to the shoulder, is like taking your life in your hands. So I get all the way over and pull onto the shoulder. As I'm slowing down, I now KNOW the right passenger tire is flat. It only takes one time in your life to know. I've had many times due to the many clunkers I've driven, but only once in this car, my semi-new Honda. I'm realizing that I don't have my cell phone with me, but see a call box several hundred feet ahead, so creep as far as I can to get closer, then my tired catches on something and I'm on my rim. ARGH. Immediate stop, wait for a break in traffic, get out, get on the other side of my car immediately, and look at my gloriously flat back tire. At least it didn't completely blow and shred while I was at higher speed!
The call box is maybe 50 feet away, thank you God! Now I also hope I have my road service card -- I'm 99.999% certain that I do. Very nice and helpful operator who contacts CSAA and tells me tow service is on the way (as I watch the same exact service drive past me on the freeway with a sinking heart, wondering how many other calls he has).
I'm pretty savvy when it comes to this stuff, so I go back to my car, sit in the passenger seat, windows up, doors closed, and play solitaire on my palm. I then wonder if I have a spare, so check, and--whew--I do. Back in the car, I have the fleeting thought that I should probably have my seat belt on but don't act on it. Then I'm aware of a presence behind me, move my rear view mirror to see the CHP. Nice officer knocks on my door, asks if service is on the way, I assure him it is. Asks if I'd like for him to stay with me, which I told him I don't think I need him to, since it's full light not dark. He says he'll stay until the tow driver gets here, reminds me to put my seat belt on (DOH), and goes back to his vehicle to sit.
The few times in my life that have involved CHP have always been really positive, always involving me just pulling over due to some car calamity or while waiting for road service. I'm grateful to know that CHP is out there trying to ensure our safety on the freeways!
So now I'm worrying that I'll be here until 8pm waiting for service. Lo and behold, it only took another 5-10 minutes, and he had my tire changed to my spare in less than 10 minutes. Also showed me how my back tires are completely out of alignment and my other tire will also need replacing.
BOTH of those tires are less than a year old. I'm seriously annoyed.
So, I crept home, scared to drive far on the freeway on a temporary spare.
Whew.
Just made an appointment with my dealership service center for Monday (alignment sale, and I really really trust the service department head -- he's always done seriously right by me).
I still need to run errands today, will just have to do it very locally. I really don't want to drive on this temporary spare.
My grad school application is COMPLETE and has been sent to the department admissions committee for review!!! I'm excited!!! I'll be applying for federal loans this weekend! I also got my tuition reimbursement approval from work this week ($5,250/year, the federal limit for tax purposes)!
I have so so so much work to catch up on this weekend, I know I know, but I have a new employee (associate manager) that I've been training all week, and will be training for the coming weeks, which means I have to work more to keep up with my actual work, while she continues to take on responsibilities.
But, I first have to get my back yard cleared and ready for the BBQ, and clean my kitchen, bathroom and living room for company. YIKES. I'm not ready for company! But if I get the place looking good enough, I'll have some work company over next weekend for a simple BBQ. Maybe the boss and his wife, and a couple of others. I love to entertain, because I LOVE to cook for a crowd, but just haven't felt settled in enough to do so. If I get this place in good shape, I'll take pix. Have to keep up with Kris and Rich and their pavers! (Go get 'em, guys!)
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