Engine Light

Safe and cocooned in my bed for about an hour, my cell phone rang minutes before 3am. It was Tab. What the hell? He was drunk dialing me from his business trip. Our 40 minute conversation had ended when I realized he passed out and was snoring on the other end of the line. OMFG..Wake an insomniac and fall asleep while talking to her. Yeah, he enjoyed my response hours later...

My car had to be turned around half way to work because I noticed the engine light came on. I stopped home to get my power supply for my laptop and my wireless card before heading towards the car shop. Their prognosis was expensive, but understandable considering the age of the vehicle. I balked (not too softly) about the cost and they trimmed $100 off and threw in an oil change.

When I called my boss to give him an update, he gave me The Talk. He prefaced it by saying he was talking to me as a friend and not as a boss. It entailed the cost of the aging vehicle, the amount of money I've sunk into it this past year and about finally making the call to the bank for a car loan. He was right, but I was devastated at the prospect of having a car payment which I have not had to do for seven years.

I called the bank and in the midst of waiting for them to call back with an approval amount, I had the mechanic halt his progress. Eventually, I received my call back with an approval. I had to scramble to send my loan officer the last two pay stubs via PDF from my e-statements before making my way to the nearest branch for a bank draft with my loan amount. The shop was disappointed at the lost dollars, but I was happier at the solution...mostly.

By the time I finished signing for the bank draft to take with me when I am ready to buy my chosen car, it was almost three o'clock with no midmorning snack or lunch. I had guzzled down a sugary drink sometime and I couldn't wait to go home.

My work suffered from today...I received a good amount of additional encouraging support from Bridget, Tawny, Sharon and my cousin Angie in Los Angeles. I called Angie's brother Dave with a request for help/advice in buying a new vehicle and at the same time he extracted a positive answer for my being present at Thanksgiving dinner. How could I say no? We are going to get together on Sunday for my vehicle purchase.

A good portion of my evening was spent researching online for car makes and models. At least I was attempting to when I was not falling asleep from lack of it. How aggravating. It's been 12 years since my last vehicle purchase. Yes, that's a very long time. This vehicle just turned 144,000 miles which averages about 12,000 driving miles per year. Not bad. I was hoping to drive it another 25,000. This just goes to prove that your AGOL is not all about Shallowville. I don't identify with my car as far as a prestige thing; it is a mode to get from one point to another. Wish me luck.


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Engine Light

Garage Party at Harley-Davidson

My carpool ride picked me up at the mechanic's just as I was finishing my conversation a little after 7am. A few people were shocked to see me in before 8am. My routine was interrupted but I managed my energy with breakfast at 5:15am, snack at 8am and a Korean lunch with the Asian mafia at 11:30am. Anthony was wandering in our building and went with us.

The afternoon was spent putting out fires and wrapping up last minute things before taking some time off. Sharon gave me a ride home but before that we went to the Harley-Davidson showroom in Tampa where we had signed up for a Garage Party for women only. Bridget followed us.

When we arrived at this sprawling showroom of American symbolism, we were greeted by several people and were handed our name tags, a logo pen and a very nice booklet/Adventure Manual to carry during our introduction and overview of Harley-Davidson Motorcycle brand.

Harley-Davidson has been extremely busy revamping and expanding their brand to appeal to women. Below is a picture of one of the many belt buckles deemed girly (but tough!). Nothing like a little bling with your mean skull emblem.




What could announce female better than the color pink as seen in this baseball cap? You should have seen the rest of the apparel and accessories -- some pink, but definitely with a feminine flavor and design.



We were separated into four teams of five ladies. There were four stations: Apparel, Customization, Bike Mount/Dismount & Learning How to Pick Up a Motorcycle (when it falls on its side), and Introduction to the Five Families of Motorcycles offered under the Harley-Davidson name. Touching and mounting the bikes were strongly encouraged. I tried out two and participated in practicing what they were teaching. (Not sure why I don't have pics of the bikes??)

We took a break where they offered us refreshments and sandwich wraps. After all, we were there after work and during dinner time. For a total event participation of two hours, we left with a logo bag containing the goodies below: Informational and promotional pamphlets, logo items including an emery board for nails, a magnet, mardi gras beads and bumper stickers. Oh -- we all left with an individual picture of ourselves on a Harley-Davidson as well as a little personalized certificate of completion!



I came in a bit intimidated, but I left with a better understanding and appreciation of Harley Davidson. The evening was heavily staffed with both sexes but an emphasis on women. These folks put on a first class introduction to Harley Davidson. Everyone was nice, approachable, smiling, friendly and knowledgeable. If you EVER have the opportunity to attend a Garage Party, I strongly encourage it. I learned so much and opened a door to something I feel I could take part in should the inclination grow. Harley-Davidson also offers a 25-hour course on how to ride a motorcycle. This is more robust than the 15 hours required by the State to get your motorcycle's license. Tampa Harley rocks.

Just what you need...An AGOL on two fast wheels.


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Garage Party at Harley-Davidson

Crazy Sound

Could you stand another entry on my car?! I almost can't for crissakes, but here it is...

My car is now making a whining sound after they had it yesterday. It only makes that sound when I try to start it or right before it engages the engine. Holy cow! We go from no sound to crazy sound. Sigh. I went through my day without calling the mechanics at least not until after 6pm.

I posted my situation on a car repair site including the history of my vehicle especially the last several months if not the last week. A response was dispensed lightening quick. I used the recommendation to call the mechanic. After a calm discussion, I agreed to leave my vehicle for at least two days at the shop. Minutes after that conversation, I secured my rides to and from work as well as deciding whom to call for a Friday night pick-up or Saturday pick-up of my vehicle. Lucky for me, Tawny's husband would be able to pick me up at 7am at the mechanics.

I ate leftover Korean lunch for dinner that Kim made for the Asian mafia. I didn't have to cook which made me less depressed. Was I really depressed? Resigned to just trust in the universe? That's more like it.

Rob IM'd me tonight and asked what he's missed out on since he has been at his new job settling in. I sent the link to my forum post and he agreed with the online expert's response. He also recommended a local mechanic who is honest and does great work which I very much appreciated for next time.

I watched in happy amazement Joe Biden's speech at the Democratic National Convention. He's really interesting. Barack Obama came in as a surprise right after to support Biden's speech. His own speech will be at a stadium tomorrow night. Can we really have hope with this man with an unusual sounding name? Senator Ted Kennedy seems to think so and has passed the torch to him.


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Crazy Sound

452

Taking it easy. No rushing and no expectation other than a good one. That's how I decided to approach getting ready for another trip to the mechanic's garage. They were expecting me and knew they had to come up with a mutually agreeable resolution for both of us.

I was on the phone to Bridget when I arrived at 9am. Without breaking my conversation, I handed the attending manager my keys before situating myself in the waiting room. I spoke to her at length some more until my regular mechanic came in to get more information from me since I last came in. He had not been there on Friday so he was able to see the video I took.

While my car was being dissected, I was working on my laptop and fielding work e-mails. Around 1pm, I began to wonder if I should skip next door and have a nosh. I had almost made my decision when my mechanic came in to let me know he was almost done. Never once did I ask when my vehicle would be finished because I trusted it would be.

I logged into work again and mostly IM'ed with my buddies. My connection wasn't fast enough to work on my regular things. The manager called me around 2pm in the middle of watching Tyra but not before enduring a demented and deplorable specimen of American television known as Jerry Springer. I braced myself for whatever they had to say.

The mechanics replaced my starter which is what I had advanced ordered last Thursday for Friday. An ignition switch was replaced instead of the starter. Because the previous symptoms had resurfaced on Monday morning, I called them and gave them the facts of what had transpired and what would transpire. The bottom line today was the part and labor costs were absorbed by this company to a tune of $452. Yes, it was zero-zip-zilch-nada cost to Sprinkles. I also received an apology from them for having to come back in. I thanked them, too. Please cross your fingers with me and see how the repair holds...

My sugar level was already at an uncomfortable threshold. I couldn't wait to go home and have my late lunch. My morning omelette had worn off. I continued to work a little until 5pm. Watched some TV and ate a lighter dinner. I must have been really exhausted because when I spoke to Kathy, I couldn't recall names and convey my thoughts clearly. Just as well. I will be sipping my jasmine tea all the way to the bottom while I watch Hilary Clinton give her speech this evening. G'night.


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452

Krazy Korean Karaoke

AGOL IS AN UBER GEEK! Armed with my digital camera, I set it on video and filmed my attempts to start my vehicle. The purpose? So I don't have to clumsily explain the nature of my car's malady. You can't be taken seriously wearing a lot of lip gloss and hairspray. Imagine the mechanic's surprise when I told him what I did right before I arrived and showed him. I was the talk of the shop.

The morning brought rain from stubborn Tropical Storm Fay which made the humidity fog up the lens of my camera. Here was my brilliant idea...

CAUTION: Sound level


A misdiagnosis...a new part ordered....whoops -- a wrong part ordered...correct part arrives...and four hours later in the waiting room. SIGH. The assistant manager tried to flirt and wink at me to try and lessen my frustration, but it was obvious I wasn't buying his crap. I wouldn't even look at him as he delivered news to me. My eyes were focused on changing the channel on television when they weren't on my laptop screen.

One thing made me laugh while I was at the mechanics. Two other women had used the ladies restroom. My bladder reminded me how much coffee and jasmine tea I drank so far. The fluorescent lights were not working and it was pitch dark in there. I asked them if the lights were working when they went and the lady closest to me got up and jiggled the switch. A very very low light came on but enough to go. As I sat there (ahem!), I noticed that the lights were strobing. I thought to myself, Shoot. All I need is Donna Summer. Of course, silly AGOL had to text that piece of news to her boss and a couple of other people. No, not WHILE in the restroom, but straight after.

A few hundred dollars later and a new ignition switch...MORE SIGHS. It was past my lunch hour so I succumbed to picking up fast food on the way home to eat it, walk the dog and feed him half his dinner and also get dressed for two hours of work. Luckily, my boss was understanding.


AND THEN...God made Karaoke Night:

Our group met up at Pine Tree Cafe off of Hillsborough. The bottom level is a Korean Cafe and the top level is a catacomb of Karaoke Rooms. We were in one of the largest ones.

Snaps of specially ordered buffet, Michelle and hubby, karaoke room and karaoke wall.




Beautiful dish of Chop Che. It deserved its own spot.




Kim with and without the flash. She was the best!




Sharon in video singing "Ironic"


CAUTION: Sound level


..and the diva of the evening: Kim


CAUTION: Sound level

My voice was hoarse for some reason. Maybe it was the screaming and my voice ended up sucking. I still sang I Will Survive (with Kim), Le Freak, Woman in Love (with Michelle), Footloose (with Shirley) and several others I cannot remember. There were a couple of song we sang as a group, too. It was three hours of nonstop karaoke. Talk about getting your Asian on.


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Krazy Korean Karaoke

Life is Good

The dread I had been feeling with my car surfaced bearing bright flares this morning. There might be something wrong with the starter as it is one of the last things the mechanics recommended if symptoms persisted from my last visit.

Tears welled up on my drive to work a few times. I didn't need this kind of immediate cash drain. So much for taking some time off the end of the month. Quelling my feelings to stem the situation from stealing my joy was eclipsed with seeing a Jeep carrying a spare tire in the back. It was encased in black with white letters proclaiming Life is Good. I began to argue with the universe until I calmed down to think about the bigger picture. (It is always about the bigger picture, huh?) I am not totally hosed -- I have plenty to do with plenty of supplies...

My Korean friend Kim at work gave me this as a memento of her recent trip home. It is a compact mirror set with a magnifying side. It is better than the one I have to pluck my eyebrows. Yes, you needed to know that bit of AGOL grooming habit. It is a very important practice to keep your AGOL's eyes open and facial expression more pleasing.




As promised, this is what the sugar apple looks like when it is ripe inside. You know it is ripe when the fruit gives or starts to fall apart. You can refrigerate it to slow the ripening process. This is really almost too sweet to eat. I broke off pieces and shared with four other members of the Asian mafia. Two of them never had it before and I just found out that one has a tree at home.



AGOL Instructions for eating a Sugar Apple --
Clean version: Using a spoon, scoop from rind the creamy flesh into your mouth, extricate the black seeds and gently spit them out onto a napkin.
Fun version: Use your mouth and teeth against the rind to scrape out the sweet pulp into your mouth, extricate the black seeds and spit them at your lunch partners. Ha!

Back to Life is Good: I am going to have my car done in the morning so I can make it to the karaoke bar tomorrow night with the Asian mafia. The food should be good and the singing frightening. Life is Certainly Interesting.


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Life is Good

Two Saturdays in a Row

Two for two...I forced myself to go to the car shop again to have them check something out. Myrna called me back on the way and reminded me she was in Ohio with her husband for a relative's wedding and that she couldn't meet me for breakfast. Hmm... Too bad teleportation hasn't been realized yet.

There were already a few customers in the shop when I arrived. I was antsy. Really I just wanted more coffee. A quick call to my Filipina friend Sharon had her picking me up for breakfast across the way. We laughed the whole time until the cable guy called her to come to her new apartment for a new connection. She left me to wait a couple of more hours at the shop.

My time was spent starting a new book by Eckhart Tolle entitled, A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose when my eyes weren't glued to the TV watching cooking shows. You can tell America is becoming more culturally diverse in their programming by the cooks allowed to have their own 30-minute show. (Make room for an AGOL?) One host was originally from Colombia (now living in Miami) and her show featured a brunch with Colombian food...

I love it when the mechanic brings me to the car to explain things to me. He was patient; he knew I was out of my element. After about 20 minutes of deliberation, we agreed on a couple of things which cost me a couple hundred more dollars. The thing is while my money to buy more art supplies went down for my creative week/vacation, my car seemed to be running much better. It is a bittersweet trade-off.

Rushed home to my dog. It had been raining most of the day so I knew his nerves were frayed. Poor thing. Spent a quiet evening starting a mountain of laundry and putting a list down of the things I need to have on hand for my creative week. My disappointment in not doing what I really wanted to do today was soothed by cups of hot tea in the evening.


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Two Saturdays in a Row

Wheels Go Round and Round

Myrna picked my up at 7:15am and waited for me while I checked in again at the shop. We headed for leisurely breakfast across the road before heading to our friend Terry with her embroidery business. Terry had some scrap fabric for Myrna's mother-in-law. Scrap fabric? More like yards and yards. Myrna let me have a look at them first so I could get some practice fabric. Hee.

I had a difficult time talking to the shop today and getting a status report on my vehicle. It wasn't until after we left Myrna's mother-in-law's house and we were at Frenchy's in Clearwater Beach sitting for Grouper Sandwiches. I received my status report at about 2pm (seven hours later!). It needed a new battery and new cables with terminals. I included my oil change which brought the total to a little over $200. Aargh.


Here are some colorful pics from Frenchy's:

Our mosaic outdoor table.


Some condominiums across the way.


Plastic birdie sculptures for sale.


Front of Frenchy's beach shop; my side was the restaurant.


I love the colorful signage.


Another pic of our table and one of the four benches around it.


Bright peach/orange Ford Mustang. You'd be hard pressed to lose that in a car park!


Mmmm...Fresh, flaky and moist grouper sandwich.


Art work on the wall near our table. I love it!


Another fish pic from my seat.


Myrna and I stopped at a thrift store for things I could re-purpose during my creative vacation. I found a puzzle piece mold, but unsure if the resin will work with silicone. She dropped me off even though my car didn't end up ready when we arrived. It needed a new alternator which was still under warranty. I waited another hour. Still not quite done. On my way home, I noticed that the temperature gauge was running high. A quick phone call to them had me turning my car around to have it checked. Grrr. Fifteen minutes later, I was told to watch the gauge and maybe we would need it replaced. Nice.

I texted and called different peeps all day to give them a status report. Thankfully all my running around with Myrna made me tired. I was also thankful that my repair cost was reasonable. All in all, a pretty good day.


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Wheels Go Round and Round

Friday the 13th?

Today was something else. I was a bit melancholy thinking of my mother's spirit day anniversary and missing her. All I wanted was a bit of peace and pleasant. Well, we can want, can't we?

Tab was in a bad mood at lunch. He carried his mood by finding ways of bickering with me starting when I got inside his vehicle. We were trying out a new Japanese/Korean restaurant for us and we thoroughly enjoyed the Japanese lunch and talking with our Korean waitress. We decided it would be our new favorite place. I could have done without one blemish...a complaint on my make-up of which was a light application. He hates any of it and calls it camouflage. I frankly don't care -- this is who I am and I have been wearing make-up since I was 12 years old. I didn't know I was having lunch with His Highness.

He further topped the mood by driving in such a manner that spilled Starbucks coffee on my seat belt. It took him seconds to ascertain that the hot liquid didn't land on my blouse or my skin before seeing the look of anger on my face. He then began to backtrack; he knew he had gone too far. I let him have it. He had an answer for everything. I was buying none of it. He's going to experience the AGOL deep freeze for a while. Jeezus...peace and pleasant?

By the time I got back from lunch, Bridget had left for the day so she could drive south with her boyfriend. Our boss was gone for his other sister's wedding this weekend. So it was just the temp and me. She talked to me, but didn't try to monopolize my time and then later left without saying goodbye. Fine. I was going to leave at 5pm, but it became more like 6pm which turned out to be a good thing.

My evening plans consisted of one thing before making my way home which was going to the bookstore. It wouldn't matter if I bought anything, I just wanted to spend some time around books. I had about an hour and half to browse. My car had other plans.

My car has been warning me of upcoming issues. This morning was a big hint. I thought I had pressed the gas pedal too much and that was why it was having a hard time accelerating. It sorted itself out and I thought I was home free. On the way home on one of the busiest roads in Tampa, my car began to lose power. Luckily for me, I was able to maneuver my car on a left turn lane for an obscure road, avoiding traffic and not causing any inconvenience to other drivers. I was also very lucky to have missed the precipitation that had fallen earlier. One call to my motor club assured me of help.

I called several of my girlfriends and Angie to let them know what happened and also to see if one of them could give me a ride from the shop to my apartment. I secured a ride with Jeff/Tawny and a ride with Myrna the next day. The tow truck came in 30 minutes and an angel of a man named Joey treated me like a China doll. It was odd and flattering. He was fascinated with my nails. I had a feeling he had a nail fetish. Now mind you when most guys gush or compliment me on my appearance, it feels creepy, but I didn't feel any of that with this guy.

Joey dropped me off at the shop where we checked in my vehicle for repairs. He instructed me to wait for him so he could help me from my high perch in the cab of this large tow truck. Apparently, the steps may have been wet and he didn't want me sliding and falling. How sweet! Like I said...China doll. He also called out to me later as Tawny and I were heading to her car to remind me that he had my keys and that I may need my apartment keys. Oh..duh. Embarrassed, I thanked him and we went our separate ways. I still have his card and even though he is not my cup of tea per se, I still think I would like to have lunch with him, but I don't want to falsely encourage him. It is not being mean -- our lives our vastly different based on our conversation. We would only both end up in frustration before long. I will have to think more on this.

Tawny teased me about him on the way home. I made her stop at McDonald's so I didn't have to cook dinner. She was to leave for Iowa in a matter of a couple of hours...I called Kristey to let her know that I wouldn't be meeting her for our walk in the morning. I also firmed up plans with Myrna the next day. Sigh. I was happy to be home to finally experience peace and pleasant.


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Friday the 13th?

Car Blues...Again

Tawny had warned me that she wasn't good company before we went to lunch. She didn't have time to tell me because my car wouldn't start. Great. Just bloody great. It wasn't the battery because the lights came on. Well...I knew what my afternoon would be like then. We ate lunch downstairs at our building. It was not what I wanted at all. Sigh.

Gave my boss the bad news and Bridget who would have to pick up my slack while I got myself squared away. My boss kept offering to drive me at the shop and/or to my home so I wouldn't have to wait for hours at the shop. I teased him that he was just trying to go home early.

I called my motor club to get a tow truck. My car was parked on the 4th floor and I wasn't sure of the height clearance with the tow truck. Twenty minutes later I received a call from the motor club, the tow truck was in front of my car. How the heck did he manage that?! We have a guard. A guard who apparently had chased him in his golf cart around the garage. HAAHHAHHHA. The driver was laughing. The guard did not think it was too amusing chasing an unauthorized vehicle in the garage. I thought it was funny especially since it broke his routine of being on the cell phone and driving around lazily. Ooh, the tale of the chase he will now be able to tell!

More minutes later after driving on the highway, we were at my car shop where I was last Saturday for the screw in my tire. They examined it and had me look at what was wrong. I am sure Mechanic Swahili was being spoken. I saw parts in oil and something cracked. My sense of humor came out and I ended up flirting with the guys. (Yes, Tawny -- I know the flirting part is never a surprise.) Does it make a difference when the bad news ($532!!) was delivered by a man who has one of the prettiest set of cobalt blue eyes you've ever seen? He took some money off at $60 or 16% off the original bill. God bless America -- I was still recovering from the $750 spend the day after Christmas. Fired up my laptop, surfed and instant messaged until the battery died. No convenient plugs with the exception of where my cell phone adapter was already plugged in. Rob called on his way home and we kibitzed about stuff until my car was ready.

On my way home, I called Myrna to check on how her new job was going and they've already offered her a permanent position after one week. I shared my car woes and she said that she had to take me out and cheer me up. We met up at some place but went to another place I wanted to revisit. We had a great time. She ordered something to take home to her husband who had just come home after a long day.

In the middle of my checking e-mail messages, I received a call that Tawny was going to do a drive-by drop off of box of hot cocoa from a wholesale store. If I don't see her tomorrow, I will definitely see her at the Superbowl Party on Sunday. The cocoa came just in time -- the weather was getting cooler tonight.

Reflecting on today as I drink my hot cocoa: While I got to let go of some hard earned cash, I am blessed that I didn't have any accidents on the highway. My car woes have always happened in a safe environment. Blessings not blues are what I need to think about.
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Car Blues...Again