Maintenance.
There are few things I hate more than vehicle maintenance. Maybe that makes me less ‘man’. Maybe it’s irrational to think that I wouldn’t have to deal with vehicle maintenance, but I don’t care. I hate it. I hate dealing with cars. I hate when they break. I hate that it’s ridiculously expensive to fix anything on cars. I hate that every time I go to fix some ridiculously expensive thing, the guy at the car place somehow talks me into spending three times that amount because if I don’t my wife and kids will die in a ball of fire on the side of the road. And then I believe him and hand over my debit card. I hate even getting gas. Everything car maintenance…. I hate.
In the past two weeks we have replaced the battery, had the oil changed and replaced all four tires. Sure, it doesn’t sound like a lot, but who budgets in spending an extra $1000 or so on car crap? No one. That’s who. So, almost $1000 later of unexpected expense on something I hate is how I started my day today. Neat huh?
Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m grateful that my wife and kids aren’t dying on a ball of fire on the side of the road and I’d pay far more than $1000 for that to not happen, but I don’t think there’s something that puts me in a bad mood faster than spending money on broken cars.
Anyone else with me on that? If not, what’s the top thing you hate spending money on?
Packed Like A Terrorist
This case has two computers, two power sources, two firewires, a camera, a lens, two Flip Cameras, sixteen double A batteries, and some other little goodies. Should be fun getting on to a plane huh?
I’m flying to Denver tomorrow. The other day I realized that since Kyle was meeting me in Denver, I was responsible for bringing not only my computer to the tour, but two others, and a camera and my luggage and some other stuff that we will need. Realizing that there was no way I could carry all that on to the plan and even less of a chance that I would check it to be thrown around underneath the plane, I ran into Home Depot and got this little case. Another trip to Target for the foam and ‘Presto’, instant suspicious case.
I’m sure it will take be about an hour to get thru security, but at least it’s not an early flight. Now all I need is a set of handcuffs to hook this bad-boy to my wrist.
Do You Have Gas?
I sat in line at an obscure gas station just outside of town last night for about an hour to only be able to put three and a half gallons of gas in my car. And that was after going to about ten other stations that we out of gas. I sat there with probably about forty other cars waiting to do the same thing.
What the heck?! We are getting closer and closer to Mad Max style living. It’s kind of exciting and kind of weird at the same time. There were people fighting and yelling at each other, there was honking, simple finger gestures all over twenty dollars worth of gas. Amazing to watch. I was waiting for some renegade in leather to pop up with a chainsaw and take someone’s arm off.
I for one, know that most of the stations around me are completely out of gas. They are saying that there will be some next week brought in, but they aren’t clear on what day that will be. What’s crazy about the whole thing is that it doesn’t seem like anyone is slowing down and conserving. What’s going to happen when the gas runs out and this entire area shuts down? I’m not one for looting but there’s a nice TV I have my eye on if things go that way. (*I’m kidding, don’t send me nasty mail*)
How’s the gas in your area? Anyone else out?
See You Tomorrow
Alright. I’m here at Randy’s house in (amazing) Portland, Oregon. The camera and I made it safely through security, a Denver layover, and a farting old women* and we are getting ready for tomorrow.
I’m pretty excited about all these things coming together and I wanted to remind everyone to make sure they are over at Phil’s blog tomorrow night at 7:30 PM Pacific Time. It’s going to be a great night and hopefully I don’t screw anything up.
*There was an old lady that told me that she didn’t want a middle seat and that she wanted to sit in my aisle seat. She was in her late 70’s so I had to let her take my seat and I think she was farting the whole flight. I wanted to throw up numerous times between Denver and Portland. Seriously, who farts on a plane?
See you tomorrow.
