Sturgeon’s Law Ninety percent of everything is crap.
Derived from a quote by science fiction author Theodore Sturgeon, who once said, “Sure, 90% of science fiction is crud. That’s because 90% of everything is crud.” Oddly, when Sturgeon’s Law is cited, the final word is almost invariably changed to ‘crap’.
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Limped to work this morning and called a tow truck to have the car transported over to Rader. They did the timing belt change just 2 weeks ago and I think they mucked something up. I called the “service advisor” and let her know it was coming. Nothing was said other than my describing the symptoms. It should have made it to them around noon. At about 3 PM I called and got her voice mail. At 3:45 I called and held on the line until Kelly actually answered the phone. The car wasn’t going to be ready today. I can only guess that they are tearing it down and starting over. Or maybe they just didn’t have time. I’ll call in the morning and see if I can get some more information.
Purchased Today: $62 in towing
Money spent since 03/03/03: $1809.37
Started down, went up, still up.
Top Transitions since 02/02/03: 246
Well, the Red Sox lost to Oakland last night. I turned it off after 3 innings with the Sox down 3 — 0. They made it interesting, but still managed to lose 5 — 4 in 12. I wish today’s game was that close, the A’s scored 5 in the second on two hits a couple of walks and an error. The Red Sox vaulted offense never got it going and now they are down 0 — 2 in a best of 5 series.
The Sprint PCS question* for tonight’s game on FOX was, which town would be the most heartbroken if it’s team was bounced from the playoffs in the first round. The top vote getter was Boston with 37%. New York 27%, Minnesota 27% and Chicago 7%. Not a lot of true Red Sox fans must have voted because a true Red Sox fan revels in their misery. We will be heartbroken if they don’t get bounced out of the playoffs. It is better to not make it to the series at all then to lose the seventh game as usual, giving even more credence to The Curse of the Bambino.
* you can call for free on your Sprint PCS phone and vote or you can vote on the FOX web site.
When I emailed everyone in the Miata Club with what happened with the car on Tuesday, Jim Creer emailed back and said it was a plug wire. So on Wednesday morning before driving to work I unhooked each plug wire and reseated them. The drive to work was just like the drive home, underpowered, with some surging, so at work I called a tow truck and had the Miata taken to Rader.
This morning I called at around 10 AM and was informed that she had just got my paperwork and the technician couldn’t find anything wrong with the car. Riiight. Donna and I took a half day off and went over at noon to pick up the car. The cynical side of me thinking that they haven’t fixed anything or if it is running right now, they fixed something and just don’t want to tell me. As soon as I get in the car I know it is fine, so off we go home.
At the Miata Club meeting tonight I was explaining this all to the gathered throng and Rudy says, “When was the last time you changed the fuel filter?” I guess it was a couple years ago at the 90K service. He explains something about a sock getting plugged, all very plausible considering that it started after a kinda hard left turn. Maybe it was cleared by the angle of being hauled up onto the flatbed tow truck. No matter, everything is fine now.
On the way home from the meeting we stopped at Bi-Lo for some OJ for tomorrow’s breakfast. When we started to leave the parking lot the car stalled. I though, gee, I didn’t think I engaged the clutch that badly. The car would not restart. Donna and I (with the help of a nice man) pushed it back into a parking spot. As Donna went off to call her mother to come get us, I remembered what Jim had said as we ate dinner, he said that I needed to check both ends of the plug wire. Sure enough the wire on the far right of the coil pack (#3 I think) came off too easy. There wasn’t any metal plug under the boot, it was still in the coil, the wire was broke.
Tomorrow I guess I’ll be buying a new set of plug wires. Hope that fixes it. I can understand one broken wire causing the low power with some surging, but not starting at all?
Purchased Today: $0
Money spent since 03/03/03: $1809.37
Started up, went down, went up, still up.
Top Transitions since 02/02/03: 248
Didn’t need to buy any plug wires. A friend had his old ones in his garage he could lend me. At noon when we got back to the car I lifted the hood and in the day light I could see that the wire wasn’t broke, but the metal end was recessed into the rubber boot. Carefully reseated both ends of all 4 wires. Tried to start the car, but it wouldn’t go. To double check I used all four of the borrowed wires and got the same results. I removed the borrowed wires and before I replaced them with my original wires I ohmed out the coil pack per the Enthusiast’s Manual and they checked OK. Replaced the wires, but left #1 off the plug. I put a screwdriver in the wire and held it near the strut bar and asked Donna to crank the engine. There was a good strong spark. I then checked the under hood fuses, especially the fuel injection ones, they were good. I took off the oil filler cap and had Donna crank the engine again, I could see the cam moving, but it didn’t sound right after the first few rotations.
I called for my friendly tow truck. The Miata was going back to Rader. I called Kelly and told her it was coming. She called me when it got there. 30 minutes later Kelly called to tell me the bad news, that my new timing belt was broke. The even worse news was that they didn’t have one in stock. As a matter of fact the one I got 2 weeks ago came from Andy Jones and it was their last one. Bad news was on a roll because apparently the timing belts were on national back-order and they weren’t sure they could get one, but the parts guy was working on it.
A little while later Kelly called to say that Scott Rushton (fellow Club member and a pre-owned salesman at the dealer) had offered up his nearly new one that was on his car but the car wasn’t going anywhere until he had some head work done. Or I could wait until next Wednesday when the one they located in North Carolina would be in, meaning the car should be ready on Thursday. Thanks Scott, but I said I’d wait.
Now the news gets better. Because the broken belt was only two weeks old it was under warranty, so I wouldn’t have to pay for this repair. They also said they would pay for the towing charge for today. I tried for Tuesday’s, but they wouldn’t do that. Can’t blame them, when they got the car that day it was working fine. They only had my word there was something wrong. If I’m really lucky, I may get a loaner car on Monday if one becomes available too.
Purchased Today: $0
Money spent since 03/03/03: $1809.37
Started up, still up.
Top Transitions since 02/02/03: 248
A man’s car broke down as he was driving past a beautiful, old monastery. He walked up the drive and knocked on the front door of the monastery. A monk answered, listened to the man’s story and graciously invited him to spend the night. The monks fed the man and led him to a tiny chamber in which to sleep.
The man thanked the monks and slept serenely until he was awakened by a strange sound. The next morning, as the monks repaired his car, he asked about the sound that woke him.
The monks said, “We’re sorry. We can’t tell you about the sound. You’re not a monk.”
The man was disappointed, but eager to be gone, so he thanked the monks for their kindness and went on his way. During quiet moments afterward, the man pondered the source of the alluring sound.
Several years later, the man was driving in the same area. He stopped at the monastery on a whim and asked admittance. He explained to the monks that he had so enjoyed his previous stay, he wondered if he might be permitted to spend another night under their peaceful roof.
The monks agreed and the man stayed.
Late that night, he heard the sound. The next morning, he begged the monks to explain the sound.
The monks said, “We’re sorry. We can’t tell you about the sound. You’re not a monk.”
By now, the man’s curiosity had turned to obsession. He decided to give up everything and become a monk if that was the only way to learn about the sound. He informed the monks of his decision and began the long and arduous task of becoming a monk.
Seventeen years later, the man was finally established as a true member of the order. When the celebration ended, he humbly went to the leader of the order and asked to be told the source of the sound.
Silently, the old monk led the new monk to a huge wooden door. He opened the door with a golden key. That door swung open to reveal a second door of silver, then a third of gold and so on until they had passed through twelve doors, each more magnificent than the last.
The new monk’s face was awash with tears of joy as he finally beheld the wondrous source of the mysterious sound he had heard so many years before.
Continue reading Monks
When we left to take Donna’s aunt to the airport I wanted a coozie to put around my daily Diet Dr. Pepper, I got all the way to the garage before I realized that I couldn’t use the one I normally use, the one stored behind the passenger seat of the Miata, because the garage was empty.
Later in the day when Donna pulled her Master’s Miata Club name tag out of her purse and Said. “Oh, here it is.” I said, “When we get home you can put it back in with mine where we normally keep it, in the center console of the Mia…” Nope can’t do that, the garage was empty.
Of course, now would be the perfect time to paint the garage floor with one of those fancy paint finishes especially designed for garages.
Purchased Today: $0
Money spent since 03/03/03: $1809.37
Started up, still up.
Top Transitions since 02/02/03: 248
This past Monday, the local paper started reprinting Gary Larson’s The Far Side cartoons. They gave a reason, something like, in honor of a new The Far Side compilation book’s arrival in stores on some date in the future. (Although it seems I may have dreamed this up as a quick search of the internet reveals nothing about this event.) Gary’s cartoons were almost always very funny stuff, with very few clunkers. With the ratio of funny to not funny so high I cannot for the life of me figure out why every one of this weeks cartoons sucked.
Typical Sunday for the Miata as it didn’t move all day.
We went for our Sunday morning 25 mile bike ride and man, what a beautiful fall morning for it, sunny, 60’s with low humidity. After we got back it was such a nice day that I sat on the back deck and finished reading a Dick Francis novel I’d started the other day. Lunch out with friends and Mom, so we went in the Honda. The afternoon I watched some playoff baseball on TV, some good — the Red Sox won and some bad — the Yankees won.
What made it slightly unusual, was that the Miata wasn’t in my garage it was in the Rader dealership’s garage.
Purchased Today: $0
Money spent since 03/03/03: $1809.37
Started up, still up.
Top Transitions since 02/02/03: 248
The voice of the Boston Red Sox of my youth, Curt Gowdy, was in the stands today at Fenway Park. Curt was resplendent in a very nice tan cowboy hat. The Red Sox won the game to even the series with the A’s and force a 5th and deciding game in Oakland tomorrow. I hope he has tickets to the game on Monday and he wears that hat…
There is a brand new Miata in the garage, a notch over 400 miles on the odometer. It is the god-awfulest shade of teal. If good taste is any arbiter of sales this color Miata will be the rarest. Mazda calls it Splash Green Mica, but the only splashing going on is sound of innocent passersby vomiting on the sidewalk after glimpsing this thing going by. I suppose I shouldn’t be too harsh as I’m sure there are one or two people out there that just love the shade.
No I didn’t just buy a new car in a color I hate, this is a loaner the fine folks at Rader have seen fit to let me use while they have my car in for service. I think the only reason I’ve got a car is because they think I will fall in love with the newness of the thing and maybe buy it. I just looked at the sticker on the inside of the drivers door, this car was manufactured in October last year. The clock, had I left it alone, would have been correct in 3 weeks when we fall back to Eastern Standard Time. Did that mean no one has been in this car since early last March? So far the only things I’m lovin’ is the feel of the windshield wiper & turn signal feel, plus the circular knobs of the AC & heater controls.
Purchased Today: $0
Money spent since 03/03/03: $1809.37
Started up, still up.
Top Transitions since 02/02/03: 248
That is the ratio of people at work who didn’t like to liked the Splash Green Miata, so I guess it does take all kinds. Truth be told, I think it looks better in the daylight than in the incandescent light of my garage, but I still wouldn’t own a car that color, got to be bright blue.
We just got our insurance bill in the mail today and I have uncovered a huge accounting mistake — on my part. I haven’t been including that money in the count at the bottom of the page. We pay on a monthly basis, but I never see it as my wife does that stuff. Seeing as I will never remember to put it in monthly I am just going to tack approximately a year’s worth of insurance on today’s post and be done with it.
Purchased Today: $642.60 in insurance
Money spent since 03/03/03: $2451.97
Started up, still up.
Top Transitions since 02/02/03: 248
I wonder what the sense of humor level is over at Rader Mazda? I have those stupid Wabbit Teeth in a cabinet in my garage that I put on in place of the Alley Gator teeth for about a week a while back, I’m thinking of taking off their front plate and putting the teeth in before I return the loaner.
On our afternoon walk around the parking lot I glanced back at the bright green car and noticed that the front plate (that says “Rader”) was hanging crookedly. Walked back and noticed that one screw was missing and the other was really loose, so I just took the plate off and threw it in the trunk. This gave me an even better idea for when I return the car. Instead of yesterday’s Wabbit Teeth, maybe I’ll just get a dealer plate from the competing Mazda dealer, Andy Jones, and put it in the holder on the front. 
Tonight was the big “gala” opening of the Drive By Photo Contest and with it the announcement of the winners. Boo-hoo, I didn’t even get an honorable mention. I think that whoever judged the pictures forgot that it was supposed to be a drive by, in your car or within 5 ft of it. There were only maybe 3 or 4 others beside myself where a car is visible.
OK, I’m really kidding, I could tell that neither of my photographs had a chance. The 1st place winner was actually my favorite photo and the others were not bad at all. Here is the entries page, 1st place was the pumpkins.
Kelly called at 5:00 PM to tell me the Miata is ready. Unfortunately it was too late for me to get it and get back for when I wanted, so I told her I’ll get it tomorrow. I went out to run a lunchtime errand and stopped at an old warehouse building and took a couple pictures for posterity.
Purchased Today: $0
Money spent since 03/03/03: $2451.97
Started up, still up.
Top Transitions since 02/02/03: 248
The old car is back in the garage this evening after sleeping around for the last 8 nights. God, it is good to be back in a real Miata again. I always just clucked when confronted with the Father of the Miata, Bob Hall’s, quote, “The NB is a better car, but the NA is a better Miata.” but now I know how right he is having spent 4 days in a second generation Miata. A good part of the “better car” is admittedly that it had 120,000 fewer miles on the clock, but it is structurally stiffer, the interior & dash construction are better thought out and the trunk, while just marginally bigger, is a lot more usable due to the relocation of the spare. Driving a new car is seductive and had this one been a laguna-like blue, I might have been tempted.
The first two or three shifts back in the old Miata I almost hurt my wrist. The new Miata had a pistol style shift lever and the normal short Miata throw, but my car has a smaller round knob and a short shift kit, so I was trying to push too far.
I also missed the audible feedback, the new Miata has a much quieter muffler. The 1st generation has a sweeter sports car rumble, not rice-boy annoying, but just enough to let you know what you are driving.
Purchased Today: $0 on new timing belt
Money spent since 03/03/03: $2451.97
Started up, went down, still down.
Top Transitions since 02/02/03: 249
My least favorite thing in the world happened to me this afternoon, after finishing pumping some gas using the debit card, no paper receipt came out. “Receipt Inside,” said the LEDs. Fuck. What made it really bad was I had bought just $2 worth of gas (enough to make it back to Rader with the loaner car.) I trudge into the store and get in line at number 3.
#1 finished quickly, but #2 was not so lucky. The woman in front of me can’t get her pump to work right using her credit card. The LEDs keep saying, “See Cashier” when she scans it. The kid behind the counter has trouble grasping this. Finally she says just run my card for me in here. The kid says, “I can’t prepay with a credit card. Use the pump.” She tells him the pump says see him. He says again I can’t prepay with a card. Finally, she gives up and storms out in disgust.
My turn. “I need a receipt.” “What pump number?” “I dunno, that one.” “OK, 4.” He starts mashing buttons and gets nothing but error beeps it seems. I say, “I got $2 worth.” More beeps. Kid say, “This says $12.25.” “That ain’t mine. Two bucks.” more buttons, more beeps. The cash draw pops open and the register reads, $5.47. He closes the drawer, more buttons more beeps. My turn to give up, I say, “Forget it.”, and walk out.
Of course I catch hell from the wife because of no receipt and then even more grief when she thinks that I’ve been charged $12.25 for two dollars worth of gas — we’ll see.
Made a bagel run this morning, because of the rain we did it with the top up. I spent the rest of the morning futzing around with the car in the garage. I cleaned the convertible top with vinyl cleaner and then sprayed it with some 303 protectant. I dismantled the center console to fix the AWD A/C Panel that had taken to sliding down on one end. Two small screws that will be out of sight once the console is reassembled should take care of that. After having driven the new car for a half a week, I decided to unclutter my car by removing some of the stickers I had plastered all over it. I puled a couple of the vent window, relocated one to the windshield. I even took the Warning! sticker off the dash. I think I might go for some coco mats as my next mod. Hard to go wrong at that price.
Purchased Today: $0
Money spent since 03/03/03: $2451.97
Started down, went up, still up.
Top Transitions since 02/02/03: 250
I had a rant all laid out for here tonight, but I’ve moved it out until tomorrow.
So much for the big showdown in Fenway this afternoon between Roger Clemmens and Pedro Martinez, what was billed as a pitchers duel turned into a mini brawl between the two teams. Started when Pedro hit a Yankee player. He took exception and when he slid into 2nd base he went out of his way to try and level Tod Walker of the Red Sox. Next inning Roger throws something high and inside to Manny Ramirez, not real close, but Manny gets upset and starts towards the mound — the benches clear. The low light of the whole thing (and quite possibly the funniest) was Pedro Martinez putting 70 year-old Don Zimmer in a headlock and wrestling him to the ground.
Later in the game some cluck of a fan drops into the Yankee bullpen and starts wailing on a player. I know hockey season has started, but aren’t the combatants supposed to be on ice skates.
Went over to John’s house this afternoon so he could help me swap the old dirty oils for new fresh ones in the transmission and differential. When I say help me, I mean he did most of the work. Rudy was there too, so I hardly did a thing. You’ve heard of Click & Clack of Cartalk fame, well these two guys billed themselves as Clunk & Thunk. What we did is not hard, but requires a couple of things that my chintzy tool box doesn’t contain. Actually the hardest part is putting the new fluids back in. They are fairly viscous and the fill holes are up inside the car. John rigged up a squeeze bottle and some tubing so one person could hold the tube in the hole and another could squeeze. Really would have been nice to have a pump.
Purchased Today: $13.50 in gas
Money spent since 03/03/03: $2485.39
Started down, still down.
Top Transitions since 02/02/03: 251
My thoughts on my 4 days with a 2003 Miata…
The Good:
1) That new car smell. There is just something about the aroma given off by the outgassing of still solidifying plastics.
2) That new car feel. Everything is still tight and rattle free.
3) Black leather from the factory. Finally Mazda has eliminated the need for having an ugly exterior/interior combination just to get leather seats.
4) Round Knobs for the HVAC controls. The sliding levers of the 1st generation Miata are so 1950’s.
5) Remote electronic trunk release. — This may have been inevitable, see the bad #1. Coupled with a gas strut this would be awesome.
6) No zip back window. Eliminates a step in putting the top down.
The Bad:
1) The keyhole for opening the trunk is too low. It is hard to get the key in and turn without squeezing your fingers.
2) No zip back window. Reduces the headroom, so tall drivers will now hit the fabric panel used to automatically raise/lower window.
3) The speedometer is calibrated in 20 MPH increments with little ticks every 2 MPH, this makes it hard to tell your speed at a glance. I don’t know about your town, but where I live, we have speed limits of 25 & 45, not 22 or 48.
4) 6-speed transmission. Always seems like I needed to shift. I know with more use I would have adjusted to it, but why didn’t they leave the 5 speed ratios as is and make 6 a real overdrive? (At least here in North America.)
& The Ugly:
1) Splash Green Mica. Who you kidding, it’s teal. Looked odd but interesting in the mid 80’s on other cars, but why now on a Miata? The color grew on me, by the end of the 4 days I no longer gagged when I looked it.
2) You call that carpet? This stuff can only be charitably called floor covering. Makes the cheap loop carpet of the 1st generation Miata seem like a $50/yd plush Saxony.
3) Where the heck is the exhaust note? When the Miata first appeared they had an ad that ran in magazines about how they tried 100s of mufflers to get just the right sound (and they did,) but it is all but gone now from the factory.
5) Plastic brushed aluminum trim. Looked exactly like what is was, an afterthought and tacked on. The interior door handles would have looked a lot better in that finish had they did the cups behind them that way too.
Purchased Today: $0
Money spent since 03/03/03: $2485.39
Started down, still down.
Top Transitions since 02/02/03: 251
Rader graciously agreed to refund my second towing charge seeing as the timing belt was under warranty when it broke. When I picked up the car on Friday I was told that they couldn’t get me a check because the Service Manager was not there, but they would mail it to me.
I wonder how many times I’m going to have to call and remind them?
Rainy day today, so we dodged showers on and off while out and about. Dined at Outback for dinner tonight to celebrate our 27th anniversary (2 weeks late.) Went hog wild and even split a dessert. Woohoo.
Must be time to change the oil, the valve clatter sticks around for 5 secs or so before quieting. I just did it at 120,200 and I’m at 122,427 right now, so that is only 2,227 miles. Plus I’m down a little more than half a quart, you shouldn’t lose any during a timing belt change…
Purchased Today: $0
Money spent since 03/03/03: $2485.39
Started down, went up, went down, back up, back down, still down.
Top Transitions since 02/02/03: 255
I owe an apology to the entire Red Sox Nation. The reason Boston lost this afternoon’s game and now quite probably the ALCS is because I jinxed them. I just knew I shouldn’t do it, but I just couldn’t resist buying a Cowboy Up T-shirt. this afternoon off the internet.
I owe an apology to everyone else who probably doesn’t understand the above. Trust me, if you were a life-long Bosox fan like me, you’d know what I meant.
The Sox cowboyed up this afternoon and we (and the Yankees) got a taste of their potent offense that has been mostly sleeping this post season. Of course, being a Red Sox fan, we believe that they won game six, just to be able to lose it in the bottom of the ninth of game seven. In the past I think this attitude has rubbed off on the team itself, this year, maybe not.
Dumped most of a whole quart of oil into the crankcase and got the ol’ dipstick lubed up to the F-word.
The UPS man pulled up just as I was going out to make a Staples run. He beeped and then disappeared into the back of his truck. I have two things coming, coco mats for the car and the Cowboy Up T-shirt. When I checked the mat order this afternoon it still just said, “Order submitted. Check back later.” So I figured it had to be the shirt and wouldn’t it be great for me get that thing and then the Red Sox lose the game. I have already risked the wrath of the baseball gods by buying the thing in the first place, but then to wear it before they have actually won the series — oh, boy. I’d never let me live that down.
Purchased Today: $1.91 qt of oil
Money spent since 03/03/03: $2487.30
Started down, still down.
Top Transitions since 02/02/03: 255
Got to be done with all this internet shit before 8:18. That is when I’ve got a date with 25 guys who are going to break my heart. Don’t worry Cubs fans I’ll be joining you in our old familiar home, misery, real soon.
Guest Rant While you are there check out the rest of his site, nice stuff.
At 12:15AM this morning I turned out the TV and the lights and went to sleep. It was the middle of the 11th inning. The Red Sox hadn’t scored in the 10th nor did they even threaten. After they went in order in the eleventh, I sensed they didn’t have it, they would have to lose or win without me watching. Turns out they didn’t need me watching to lose, bottom of the 11th and a Yankee hit a home run to end it. What the hell am I going to do with my Cowboy Up T-shirt now? I guess to wipe away some of the tears so that my beer won’t get so salty tasting.
Day trip to the mountains of western North Carolina tomorrow. Heading up to Asheville to do some advanced scouting on a couple of things. Should be mildly amusing, probably won’t get many fun runs at the curvy roads as they will clogged with leaf peepers in RVs.
Purchased Today: $0
Money spent since 03/03/03: $2487.30
Started down, still down.
Top Transitions since 02/02/03: 255
The Director of Operations of our plant is a Cubs fan and after they lost game seven he kiddingly said to me, “Maybe we should form a Loveable Losers Club.” I told him I would be in soon and sure enough the Yanks beat the Sox in the 11th inning of game seven. First thing this morning I dispatched this email:
From: Bogardus, Brian [ASCO/AK]
To: Irvine, Rich [ASCO/AK]
Cc:
Subject: I’m In
Sent: 10/17/03 7:39:00 PM
The first meeting of the ASCO Loveable Losers Club meets this Saturday at 8:00 PM in front of the TV.
Agenda as follows:
Opening) We Should Be There
1) Unreasonable Placing of Blame
2) Wallowing in Self Pity
3) Crying in Beer
4) Group Hug
Closing) Wait’ll Next Year
Brian
The fall colors along the Blue Ridge Parkway were all muted, not bright at all. It seemed like the color was at it’s peak or just past as no green was anywhere in sight, but everything looked almost monotone. And the other 1,000,000 people driving the parkway were afraid to go faster than 30 miles an hour. I love the Parkway, but never again in October.
The trip to Asheville and back was a partial success. We found the May event hotel and picked out what range of rooms we would like to stay in. An OK place. Used to be a Hilton as that is what it is called on the Asheville map we have, but now it is a Holiday Inn. A short trip on the Blue Ridge Parkway was frustrating on 2 levels. The leaf peepers were out in full force and they were traveling at a very slow speed most of the time. The colors along the road seemed to be at their peak as there wasn’t any green to be seen, but the colors were very muted, all shades of brown and what was red or yellow was not bright at all. We didn’t even stop at any of the overlooks for both those reasons.
The weather was great, perfect convertible weather, sunny, low humidity and lower 70s. The Miatas we spotted were a perfect 9 for 9 with their tops down. C5 Corvettes were 1 for 2, as were the Porsche Boxters. A Toyota MR-2 and a Honda S2000 had their tops up. Mustangs were 1 for 4 and Chrysler Sebrings were 2 for 4.
Purchased Today: $23.00 in gas
Money spent since 03/03/03: $2510.30
Started down, went up, back down, back up, still up.
Top Transitions since 02/02/03: 258
Looks like the Yankees have rebounded after last night’s close game 3–2 loss to the Florida Marlins. They looked flat and were probably emotionally spent after the 7 game series with the Red Sox. It is the bottom of the seventh as I write this and they are up 6–0.
They beat the Red Sox in the ALCS because of the “Curse of the Bambino. The Marlins beat the Cubs in the NLCS because of the Goat Curse. When the Marlins are eliminated and the Yankees win the series in 7 games, what curse will the Marlins blame it on? The curse of the small salary?
Noticed some engine knock (AKA pining) this weekend when driving in the mountains. Then today it was noticeable on some of the inclines here in town. Naturally I suspected the knuckleheads at Rader didn’t set the timing right. Easy to do if you don’t RTFM, as the ’95 Miata’s timing marks are different from every other years (I wish I knew what Mazda was thinking there.) I came home and hooked up my timing light and it was set to 11 BTDC which in spec, should be 10 plus or minus 1 degree. I guess I owe them a mental apology, but I’m going to hold on to it at least until this belt makes it further than the first and they get me check for the $61 towing charge.
Purchased Today: $0
Money spent since 03/03/03: $2510.30
Started down, still down.
Top Transitions since 02/02/03: 259
Still waiting for my reimbursement check from Rader. Called last Monday and was told that I would get the check sometime that week. Just as soon as they got approval from Mazda. I called again today and was given the “Gee, I don’t know why you haven’t gotten it yet.” excuse. He took my phone number and told me he would get back to me today. Did he? Nooooope.
Well, I’m hoping that is what it is. I was tempted to put an octane booster in the tank to alleviate the knock, but I’m a real cheapskate, so I’m going to wait a couple more days and fill it with premium and see if that does it. Back to the mountains this weekend for more leaf peeping. Dragging some more Miatas with me this time because I’m leading the Master’s Miata Club’s Forage For Fall Foliage run on Saturday.
Purchased Today: $0
Money spent since 03/03/03: $2510.30
Started down, still down.
Top Transitions since 02/02/03: 259
Like a digital Johnny Appleseed I continue to leave lit bits of myself all over the Internet.
When I posted this photo for a Theme Thursday entry last month, one of the comments was from David at 1,000 Words asking if I’d write more about it. A couple of weeks later I finally did, here is the entry: What is it about the beach that draws us?
Today was an Indian Summer-like day here in western SC, near 80, but breezy. The low-level winds were feathering the edges of the white clouds with a bright blue sky for a background. At our lunchtime walk around the parking lot I brought the camera and snapped a half dozen images. I submitted them to the Enchanted Ceiling web site, both were accepted and you can see ‘em here and here.
My buddy the service manager at Rader did call yesterday and told me they would get the check out to me that day — I’m not holding my breath.
The Cowboy Up T-shirts were on backorder — so I cancelled it. Maybe I’ll get one for next spring.…
New toy arrived via UPS today, a Minolta Diamage Scan Dual III. Dragged out the boxes of slides that have been in the back of the closet since the early 80’s, so now the “fun” begins. I figure I have about 1,200 of them. They don’t look too bad until you scan them to 3300 x 2500, then there is all kinds of junk on them. I guess a brush is in order. I think I’ll also need a small light table too, kind of tough to sort through 40 slides while holding them in one hand and holding one at a time up to a desk lamp.
Bought some premium gas tonight and the knocking has almost entirely disappeared after a 15 or so mile drive.
After work today I drove around and snapped pictures of myself while I drove. I hoping to recreate/update my self portrait I took several years ago that I have posted over on Picture Yourself.
Purchased Today: $13.50
Money spent since 03/03/03: $2523.80
Started down, still down.
Top Transitions since 02/02/03: 259
Well I think that we have finally got some closure on the whole timing belt fiasco. The $61 check from Rader for the towing charge refund came in the mail today. Would have been a lot nicer on their part if they would have given me the check when I picked up the car 13 days ago instead of making me jump through hoops to get it. Coincidentally the first timing belt failed on the 13th day and having made it home safely I can now breathe a sigh of relief. I’m not sure if it the Red Sox fan in me or if it is my disposition that makes me a perfect fan, but part of me hates to say that out loud.
Let me give you an example of my mind set. Last night in game 4 of the World Series they flashed this text along the bottom of the screen: “The team with a 2 to 1 record has won 10 of 11 of the last World Series.” In this case they mean the Yankees. Had it been the Red Sox I would have felt just the very mention of that would ensure that the next year when they showed that stat it would have read 10 of 12. Of course for a Yankee fan it would just affirm what they already believe — next year it will say, 11 of 12.
Purchased Today: $0
Money spent since 03/03/03: $2523.80
Started down, still down.
Top Transitions since 02/02/03: 259
We usually buy the cheapest no name brand clothes soap we can. This week because of a store special and a coupon we picked up some Wisk with Stain Dissolving Power. Tonight when I poured some into the cap for dispensing I swear it smelled like some kind of whiskey.
California Duster to the rescue. I brushed off the week’s accumulated dust, emptied the trash bag and we are set to go. Tomorrow is the Master’s Miata Club Leaf Run. We’ve got our route planned and will highlight it tonight copies of both (SC & GA) states maps. I’m hoping for 5 to 6 cars, that makes a nice manageable group. More would be OK, but then you start having to worry about keeping everyone together.
Purchased Today: $0
Money spent since 03/03/03: $2523.80
Started down, still down.
Top Transitions since 02/02/03: 259
We went out this evening and got a scoop of ice cream and took a stroll around downtown Aiken. We past by a small women’s clothing boutique and there in the window were some bright red and green bra/panty sets next to a sign that proclaimed Holiday Lingerie. The red ones were crotchless! Santa has been a very good boy this year.
Well, I got my wish, there were 5 cars to make the trip up to Caesar’s Head today. We left the house this morning in the dark at 7:15 AM and arrived home in the dark at 7:30 PM after covering 351 miles. The leaves as expected were not the best we’ve encountered on these trips, but the weather was. The parking area at our destination was so full the 5 of us had to park on the side of the road. Not too far from home the car’s odometer read 123,456. I didn’t stop to take a picture like I did for 100,000 or 111,111 because it wouldn’t have been nearly as interesting as the person on Miata.net that had the foresight to zero the trip odometer at 122,667.
Purchased Today: $14.00
Money spent since 03/03/03: $2537.80
Started down, still down.
Top Transitions since 02/02/03: 259
Got nothing much to say tonight, but I do need to make up a ride report from this morning’s ride for the Aiken Bicycle Club’s web site. So in lieu of any bitching and moaning tonight, I present, 20 Miles in the Morning:
When Donna and I rolled to the end of our driveway we almost did a 180. The road looked like it had recently rained and the clouds seemed low enough graze our helmets. We knew that at least 2 of the usual group were not going to be there, so we reluctantly headed to the Odell Weeks center. Someone from out of town had called me on Thursday and said she would be in town visiting and could she ride with us, so someone had to show.
Not long after our arrival at Weeks, Jenny pulled in and started to unload her bike. By 8:30 no one else was there so the 3 of us started out. It was still threatening looking and the roads were damp, but off we went anyway. Glad we did, as each mile clicked off the weather got a little nicer. So much so that the sun actually made an appearance 3/4 of the way through the ride. Right about that time Donna rolled through some glass and flatted. The next 5 minutes were spent chatting while the two ladies watched Brian get his fingers greasy from the chain and knees dirty from the tire. We finished with a nice tailwind down Pine Log.
At the end Jenny thanked us for going for the ride, we thanked her for showing up because if she hadn’t, Donna and I might have just gone back home.
Bought 5 oil filters and the crush rings from Trussville Mazda on the net this morning. They are just across the Georgia line in Alabama, so If I’m lucky they will get here tomorrow. It is time to change the oil, this I know because the HLA clatter comes up and stays for a 1/2 minute or so before quieting at start up. And it has been more than my usual 3,750 miles between the last change.
Purchased Today: $35.75
Money spent since 03/03/03: $2573.55
Started down, went up, still up.
Top Transitions since 02/02/03: 260
Is there a limit to the amount of man with completely bald heads in a population group? say 1 per 300. I mean the kind that are going bald in spots and decide to shave the whole dome.
Willie, for the longest time, was the one individual that had a shaved head at work. About two months ago Sherman decided to go the smooth pate way. Willie is African-American and Sherman is Caucasian, Willie is 30 and Sherman is 60, Willie works in die casting and Sherman works in shipping (which are on opposite sides of the plant) so they probably have little contact with each other, but with in a week Willie started to let his hair grow on the top and for good measure he started a beard. About a month ago, Andrew white, 40’s, engineer shaved it all off. He never kept it up and let his ring of hair return.
Just as I predicted, the stuff from Trussville Mazda arrived today. Unfortunately, it has been raining all day so I didn’t have a chance to change the oil, maybe tomorrow.
I say maybe, because I was going to shot the photos for Theme Thursday, but the rain put a damper on those plans, so I will have do it tomorrow. Pun intended, but it really isn’t one seeing as my use of the word damper has nothing to do with wet.
Purchased Today: $0
Money spent since 03/03/03: $2573.55
Started up, still up.
Top Transitions since 02/02/03: 260
For the first time in ages, I actually plunked down money on a CD. “Life for rent” by Dido. Loved every minute of her first CD and from what I had read review-wise this sounded like it would be better. After 2 listens, I’m not sure.
Stopped on the way home from work and picked some oil. Changed the oil and rotated the tires at 123,527. With the return of daylight standard time, I barely got through before it was too dark to see. Next scheduled change is at 127,000.
Purchased Today: $10.12 in oil
Money spent since 03/03/03: $2583.67
Started up, went down, still down.
Top Transitions since 02/02/03: 261
Someone suggested that the Miata Club meet at this new place that opened up in North Augusta, Vinny’s Pizzeria. The meeting is next Thursday at 7:00 PM, so as a recon mission, Donna, myself and her mother went over tonight around 7:00 PM to eat. The place is cobbled together out of who knows what it used to be. Very small and if we get a big turnout we might overwhelm the place. As it is the owner mentioned we could have the back room all to ourselves. Well the back room had 3 tables in it. Plus the pool table and an air hockey table. Going to be tough to hold a meeting while somebody is playing air hockey. I’ll let you know.
Purchased Today: $0
Money spent since 03/03/03: $2583.67
Started down, still down.
Top Transitions since 02/02/03: 261
Just wasn’t into blogging last night and tonight is not much better.
4th listening of Dido’s new CD, it is definitely growing on me.
The pictures from last Theme Thursday’s challenge of “Picture Yourself” are up on the Picture Yourself site. This is my 3rd entry over there.
I haven’t scanned any new images in the last two nights. I have been busy cobbling together the November issue of The Driver. (The link is for last month’s, this month’s won’t be up until later this weekend, as I won’t mail them until tomorrow.)
Found this over at missives anonymous, another blog I read regularly — the Postal Gallery Database. I’m not sure what is more pathetic, somebody actually came up with idea/web venture or that I am definitely going to contribute.
Coincidentally there is a link on the bottom of the Postal Gallery page for another internet lost cause that I have contributed to No More AOL CDs. (The link is for nomreaolcdsnj.com, but wasn’t working when I clicked it.) I used to be on the Biggest Contributor list when I sent them 88 CD last year, but as you can see I’ve dropped of the radar screen. I’ve got about 10 more at work to send now.…
Bad Gas part 2. Maybe it wasn’t bad gas before that was causing the engine knock. It was back today under hard acceleration. The gas level was low so I filled it with high test again. Maybe the knock only appears when I get to the bottom of the tank?
Didn’t pull all the way into the garage when we got home from work today as I needed the aforementioned gas and we needed gas for the lawn mower. As I walked through the garage into the house I noticed a couple of oily looking spots on the floor. They were towards where the rear of the car sits. I just switched to synthetic and from what I’ve read on Miata.net sometimes this leaking is because synthetic has smaller molecules that sneak by where the bigger dino oil molecules can’t. May have to switch back.
Not car related but annoying none the less, the water heater now has a small drip coming from the place where you hook up a hose to drain it. About a 1/4 cup in the last 24 hours…
Purchased Today: $14.00 in gas
Money spent since 03/03/03: $2597.67
Started down, still down.
Top Transitions since 02/02/03: 261
Average Joe
I can understand good looking shallow people falling for this Reality TV chance at stardom/love/money ploy, but now they’ve gone too far, the corruption of “normal” looking people. God save the human race.
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